This is a BONUS post for everyone who bought our Epcot book! These are a few fun and interesting things in the park that have been brought to our attention since the book came out. Some of these items may be found in the next edition, but here they are for your amusement, right now, free of charge.
In Norway, as you are boarding the Viking ship for the Maelstrom, look for the Viking who is wearing Mickey Mouse ears instead of the traditional Viking helmet.
Guest Relations is now provided a list of hidden Mickeys and a list of pressed penny locations. You just have to ask for them
Go on your birthday and get in for FREE! New this year, Disney is giving away admission to anyone who shows up on their birthday. You will have to provide some sort of proof that it is your birthday, and the rest of the party will still have to purchased admission.
In Spaceship Earth, when you approach the scene with the monks working on copying the Bible, notice one that has fallen asleep. He has a Mickey Mouse shaped ink blot on the paper next to him.
If you have interesting tidbits to share that you noticed on your trip to WDW (any park), please send them to us. We may publish them here or on our website, or they might even make it into one of our book titles.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom, and the author or Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn!
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas Family Activity, Wreath making kids can do
Here is just a fun activity to do with your kids this month. It's also a great way to welcome guests into your home this holiday.
You will need Green Foam, about 8-10 pieces per wreath(if you want it to last for years to come). A less expensive option is construction paper, but this will not last as long, and the foam is stiffer and makes a better overall project. My suggestion is to make one out of foam as a family, and let younger children make their own out of construction paper.
Red Foam, One sheet per wreath.
Scissors and Glue
Here's what you do:
Trace your child's hands onto the foam. You should be able to do two hands per sheet.
Cut out the hand shapes
Lay the green hands overlapping slightly in a circle with the fingers pointing outward, creating a wreath shape.
Glue all of the pieces into place. Craft glue works here, but for speed and durability, I love to work with a glue gun - this would require adult supervision during the entire process.
The red hands are added to the bottom of the wreath, end to end with the fingers pointing out, making sort of a ribbon.
Cut tiny circles out of the remaining red foam and glue on for berries.
This creates a very basic wreath. Once this is finished, you can either hang it on the front door to greet your guests, or get creative with odds and ends you have around your house, and embellish to your hearts content.
Fitting this activity into homeschooling: How to make it educational? Here is a bit of history from the Catholic Education Resource Center.
The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
I hope you enjoyed this activity and accompanying lesson. Please check back for more ideas on fun and educational activities to do with your family. If you would like a whole book full of fun & educational lessons, visit our website at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
You will need Green Foam, about 8-10 pieces per wreath(if you want it to last for years to come). A less expensive option is construction paper, but this will not last as long, and the foam is stiffer and makes a better overall project. My suggestion is to make one out of foam as a family, and let younger children make their own out of construction paper.
Red Foam, One sheet per wreath.
Scissors and Glue
Here's what you do:
Trace your child's hands onto the foam. You should be able to do two hands per sheet.
Cut out the hand shapes
Lay the green hands overlapping slightly in a circle with the fingers pointing outward, creating a wreath shape.
Glue all of the pieces into place. Craft glue works here, but for speed and durability, I love to work with a glue gun - this would require adult supervision during the entire process.
The red hands are added to the bottom of the wreath, end to end with the fingers pointing out, making sort of a ribbon.
Cut tiny circles out of the remaining red foam and glue on for berries.
This creates a very basic wreath. Once this is finished, you can either hang it on the front door to greet your guests, or get creative with odds and ends you have around your house, and embellish to your hearts content.
Fitting this activity into homeschooling: How to make it educational? Here is a bit of history from the Catholic Education Resource Center.
The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
I hope you enjoyed this activity and accompanying lesson. Please check back for more ideas on fun and educational activities to do with your family. If you would like a whole book full of fun & educational lessons, visit our website at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Changing course, New Blog
I feel like I have two passions pulling at me, and they both seem to end up on this one blog. So, in an effort to keep things simpler, and more interesting for my readers; I've decided to begin a new blog. It is called "Making Money from home" You'll find it at www.weareunemployed.blogspot.com. It attempts to share our experiences since Don left work in October, 2007. I'll be sharing all my frugal tips and money saving ideas there.
This blog site, Vacation Education, will instead be completely devoted to sharing the activities and unit studies that you love to do with your family. Some of them will come from books already on the market, some will come from books we are working on currently, and some will be ideas that we just thought were great, but didn't necessarily make it into a specific book title in our series.
If you would like to know more about our book series, please visit our website; www.vacationeducationbooks.net
This blog site, Vacation Education, will instead be completely devoted to sharing the activities and unit studies that you love to do with your family. Some of them will come from books already on the market, some will come from books we are working on currently, and some will be ideas that we just thought were great, but didn't necessarily make it into a specific book title in our series.
If you would like to know more about our book series, please visit our website; www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Making FREE cloth diaper covers
I DID IT! Me, who has never used a sewing machine in my life, actually put together and sewed my own diaper covers. Now, these were not actually free, but that is my eventual goal, and these are significantly less expensive than purchasing them, even through used sources.
Don found me a poly blend material that is waterproof; he actually bought me a shower curtain. This is not the plastic liner or a cloth outer, but a blend that feels soft to the touch, is flexible to work with, easy to sew and is waterproof. It was not FREE or even cheap by shower curtain standards ($15), but I've made four diaper wraps from it, and have only used about 1/4 of it.
I started with a Fuzzy Buns size Medium and measured that out as my pattern, onto an opened paper bag. I cut it out and have been using that to cut out the waterproof liner.
I also used a shower curtain liner; this is a thicker, plastic material, less flexible and harder to sew, but I felt it would be extremely waterproof.
I cut the center out of an extra large sweatshirt and turned it so the inside softer part would be what touches baby's bottom.
I sewed the three layers together, waterproof fabric, plastic lining, soft cotton. I added elastic, (my daughter took a sewing class where she learned to make a skirt and then she taught me how to add elastic) and velcro. Tada, it was done. I made the first two this way, the second one turning out much better than the first. I was learning.
The next one, I made the same way, except for the inside layer I used a piece of teddy bear fleece. These are great baby blankets and I love them, but after five kids, I have about 50 in the closet. There is no way I will need this many, even for a January baby, so I figured I could spare one.
This diaper, I took my husband's suggestion and got adventurous, I sewed the three layers together, except I left a gap at the back center between the plastic lining and the fleece, which makes it a pocket diaper. HAH! I'm getting even better.
The fourth diaper, I made with the waterproof outer and the fleece (as another pocket diaper), but I left out the plastic liner to see if it would still work. That would save the cost of that layer and would save the time of sewing in the extra layer. We used it once and it didn't leak, so far so good. They are all going through the wash right now, and will get to go for another round soon.
As far as the additional costs: I scavenged the elastic from a pair of plastic pants that had worn out and were basically shredded except for the elastic; I had some velcro left over from when we used it for attaching our banner to the front of our display table (for conventions). I bought some snap tape when the local Ben Franklin went out of business; sold one box on Ebay for close to what I paid for two boxes, and so basically got to keep one for free. I am going to try adding snaps to the next one, and see how that works.
It wasn't all perfect. I broke the thread so many times on the first diaper, that it took an entire spool of thread to finish the project. I've also broken two needles so far, the first one I don't know how, and the second one I was trying to sew on the snap tape and hit a snap with the needle. My first diaper looks like a mess of thread, but it works. My second looks only slightly better, but again, it works. I'm not creating diapers that I could put on the market and offer to others for sale, (at least not yet). And, I so far have only figured out how to make one size.
However, when all is said and done, I am learning a new skill, I am making something that my family can actually use, and I am NOT spending $15 a week on paper diapers.
If I stop now, I will have four functional diaper covers for a total cost of under $20. If I continue making wraps from the materials I have, the price per cover will continue to decrease with each completed one. Maybe I'll even get good enough at it to make some that look nice enough that others would want to use, and then I would have learned a skill that could actually bring in an income.
Corinne Johnson is the author of Vacation Education Books, a Christian unit study series based on favorite vacation destinations.
Don found me a poly blend material that is waterproof; he actually bought me a shower curtain. This is not the plastic liner or a cloth outer, but a blend that feels soft to the touch, is flexible to work with, easy to sew and is waterproof. It was not FREE or even cheap by shower curtain standards ($15), but I've made four diaper wraps from it, and have only used about 1/4 of it.
I started with a Fuzzy Buns size Medium and measured that out as my pattern, onto an opened paper bag. I cut it out and have been using that to cut out the waterproof liner.
I also used a shower curtain liner; this is a thicker, plastic material, less flexible and harder to sew, but I felt it would be extremely waterproof.
I cut the center out of an extra large sweatshirt and turned it so the inside softer part would be what touches baby's bottom.
I sewed the three layers together, waterproof fabric, plastic lining, soft cotton. I added elastic, (my daughter took a sewing class where she learned to make a skirt and then she taught me how to add elastic) and velcro. Tada, it was done. I made the first two this way, the second one turning out much better than the first. I was learning.
The next one, I made the same way, except for the inside layer I used a piece of teddy bear fleece. These are great baby blankets and I love them, but after five kids, I have about 50 in the closet. There is no way I will need this many, even for a January baby, so I figured I could spare one.
This diaper, I took my husband's suggestion and got adventurous, I sewed the three layers together, except I left a gap at the back center between the plastic lining and the fleece, which makes it a pocket diaper. HAH! I'm getting even better.
The fourth diaper, I made with the waterproof outer and the fleece (as another pocket diaper), but I left out the plastic liner to see if it would still work. That would save the cost of that layer and would save the time of sewing in the extra layer. We used it once and it didn't leak, so far so good. They are all going through the wash right now, and will get to go for another round soon.
As far as the additional costs: I scavenged the elastic from a pair of plastic pants that had worn out and were basically shredded except for the elastic; I had some velcro left over from when we used it for attaching our banner to the front of our display table (for conventions). I bought some snap tape when the local Ben Franklin went out of business; sold one box on Ebay for close to what I paid for two boxes, and so basically got to keep one for free. I am going to try adding snaps to the next one, and see how that works.
It wasn't all perfect. I broke the thread so many times on the first diaper, that it took an entire spool of thread to finish the project. I've also broken two needles so far, the first one I don't know how, and the second one I was trying to sew on the snap tape and hit a snap with the needle. My first diaper looks like a mess of thread, but it works. My second looks only slightly better, but again, it works. I'm not creating diapers that I could put on the market and offer to others for sale, (at least not yet). And, I so far have only figured out how to make one size.
However, when all is said and done, I am learning a new skill, I am making something that my family can actually use, and I am NOT spending $15 a week on paper diapers.
If I stop now, I will have four functional diaper covers for a total cost of under $20. If I continue making wraps from the materials I have, the price per cover will continue to decrease with each completed one. Maybe I'll even get good enough at it to make some that look nice enough that others would want to use, and then I would have learned a skill that could actually bring in an income.
Corinne Johnson is the author of Vacation Education Books, a Christian unit study series based on favorite vacation destinations.
How the Pretzel Saved Christmas
This year, our church will be putting on a live outdoor nativity, and adding an indoor element of storytelling from around the world. I am in charge of putting these stories together. If you have a copy of Vacation Education destination Epcot, then this story will coincide with the activities in Germany, specifically the Pretzel Recipe on page 54. If you do not already have a copy of this book filled with cultural unit studies, Please visit Vacationeducationbooks.net to learn more.
Here is one of the stories that we will be using, and how I have set it up.
We will decorate around the kitchen window as though it is outside the monastery. Brother Bachman (a monk) is hard at work kneading bread. He will speak to the guests as they approach the window.
“I remember the first day that I imagined these little treats. It was the winter of 610 AD, and I was standing at this very window, watching the children play outside in the snow. I was sad because the children came to the church yard to play, but they hardly ever came inside to worship… and their parents hardly ever came at all.”
“I was baking loaves of bread that day, and working with the leftover dough, I began to roll it out as I prayed for these little children and their families. Soon, I was thinking of their tiny hands folded in prayer, and I folded the dough like this.”
Host will roll out dough into a snake shape, then fold over once to represent hands.
“Then, I thought of their mothers and fathers praying along side them and folded the dough like this.”
The ends of the dough get folded over again.
“Then, I thought of their parents teaching about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and soon the dough was shaped like this.”
The tips of the dough are place at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock points on the center part of the dough creating three spaces that represent the HOLY TRINITY.
“I made several of these that day, enough for all the children. When they were warm and fresh from the oven, I called out the window and invited the children to come and try them.”
“Here would you like some?” Host will offer pretzels to guests.
“The children enjoyed them so much, that I had an idea. I called my creation ‘pretiola’ which means ‘little reward’ and I told the children to go home and learn a Bible verse. If they could come back with their parents and tell me the Bible verse they had memorized, that I would make more pretiolas for them.”
“They were so popular that soon everyone in town was coming to get them, and by Christmas, the church was filled with families once again.”
And, that is the story of how the pretzel (comes from the Latin root pretiola) saved Christmas. Hope you enjoyed it. You can share it with your family, and be sure to try the pretzel recipe on page 54 of Vacation Education destination Epcot.
Corinne Johnson is the author of Vacation Education Books, Christian unit studies based on favorite family vacation destinations.
Here is one of the stories that we will be using, and how I have set it up.
We will decorate around the kitchen window as though it is outside the monastery. Brother Bachman (a monk) is hard at work kneading bread. He will speak to the guests as they approach the window.
“I remember the first day that I imagined these little treats. It was the winter of 610 AD, and I was standing at this very window, watching the children play outside in the snow. I was sad because the children came to the church yard to play, but they hardly ever came inside to worship… and their parents hardly ever came at all.”
“I was baking loaves of bread that day, and working with the leftover dough, I began to roll it out as I prayed for these little children and their families. Soon, I was thinking of their tiny hands folded in prayer, and I folded the dough like this.”
Host will roll out dough into a snake shape, then fold over once to represent hands.
“Then, I thought of their mothers and fathers praying along side them and folded the dough like this.”
The ends of the dough get folded over again.
“Then, I thought of their parents teaching about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and soon the dough was shaped like this.”
The tips of the dough are place at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock points on the center part of the dough creating three spaces that represent the HOLY TRINITY.
“I made several of these that day, enough for all the children. When they were warm and fresh from the oven, I called out the window and invited the children to come and try them.”
“Here would you like some?” Host will offer pretzels to guests.
“The children enjoyed them so much, that I had an idea. I called my creation ‘pretiola’ which means ‘little reward’ and I told the children to go home and learn a Bible verse. If they could come back with their parents and tell me the Bible verse they had memorized, that I would make more pretiolas for them.”
“They were so popular that soon everyone in town was coming to get them, and by Christmas, the church was filled with families once again.”
And, that is the story of how the pretzel (comes from the Latin root pretiola) saved Christmas. Hope you enjoyed it. You can share it with your family, and be sure to try the pretzel recipe on page 54 of Vacation Education destination Epcot.
Corinne Johnson is the author of Vacation Education Books, Christian unit studies based on favorite family vacation destinations.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
How to Make Diapers at Home Cheap, Cloth, PUL, AIO
Last year, we gave our oldest daughter a sewing machine for Christmas. I had never used one before, but think it is something that my girls should know how to do. This machine didn't get much use, until this fall when she began to take a beginner sewing class. She learned to make a skirt, a fairly simple project apparently, but impressive nonetheless.
We use cloth diapers; have you priced these things lately? They are expensive! My favorites are the Fuzzy Buns with pockets - these sell retail for about $25. I've paid about $12 for Super Whisper Wraps (these are just the outer waterproof wrap, and need a diaper to go along with them).
I know that a package of disposable diapers, yes we have used paper diapers in the past, costs about $12 and lasts about a week. We are expecting our 6th child, and they stay in diapers for 2-3 years, I'll let you do the math here.
It is much more economical for us to use cloth, and I know there are other benefits, but it is the cost factor that motivates us. So, I want to know how to get them cheap or even FREE.
We've received them as gifts, been handed down many from other moms, and I even run across them at yard sales or resale shops every so often (Paying about $1 or $2 a piece).
I know moms that make their own, and I've grilled them on every detail, and checked out many websites claiming to teach you to make your own. This does not seem cheaper to me, PUL is $9 a yard, plus the cost of fabrics and liner materials, plus Velcro or snaps, and elastic too.
So, here is my idea, and I'm putting it out there for all the criticism it can take. I have put out the word that we will take all 'throw away' clothes that people have, items that are too stained or ripped to sell or wear. We are going to pull off every possible reusable accessory that we can; buttons, snaps, zippers, elastic, etc. My cost so far? 0
Then, I am going to use an old shower curtain liner (I see these at yard sales for about 50cents). I happen to have an extra, but I'll call this a cost, it equals about two yards of material. So, 25cents a yard. This will be my waterproof material.
I'm going to scavenge any old thing that has a cute pattern and is big enough for the outer layer, the part that is seen, and plan to use either old towels or fleece, whichever is available for the inner absorbent material.
I plan to have my daughter (with her new sewing skills) sew these three layers together. Then we will add elastic and snaps (taken from the throw away clothes) and have a All in One diaper.
We have just begun to collect materials. I made one wrap this way with just two layers, waterproof and then an outer (from a really cute onesie that was damaged, I used the front and back and the snaps from the center). This wrap worked well for a few uses, but I planned poorly and it was quickly grown out of; I'm saving it for the next baby.
If anyone has done this, made diapers, covers, wraps, or AIOs from FREE materials, please comment here. I would like to know how you did it and so would other moms. Thanks
Corinne Johnson is the author of the Christian unit study series, Vacation Education Books
We use cloth diapers; have you priced these things lately? They are expensive! My favorites are the Fuzzy Buns with pockets - these sell retail for about $25. I've paid about $12 for Super Whisper Wraps (these are just the outer waterproof wrap, and need a diaper to go along with them).
I know that a package of disposable diapers, yes we have used paper diapers in the past, costs about $12 and lasts about a week. We are expecting our 6th child, and they stay in diapers for 2-3 years, I'll let you do the math here.
It is much more economical for us to use cloth, and I know there are other benefits, but it is the cost factor that motivates us. So, I want to know how to get them cheap or even FREE.
We've received them as gifts, been handed down many from other moms, and I even run across them at yard sales or resale shops every so often (Paying about $1 or $2 a piece).
I know moms that make their own, and I've grilled them on every detail, and checked out many websites claiming to teach you to make your own. This does not seem cheaper to me, PUL is $9 a yard, plus the cost of fabrics and liner materials, plus Velcro or snaps, and elastic too.
So, here is my idea, and I'm putting it out there for all the criticism it can take. I have put out the word that we will take all 'throw away' clothes that people have, items that are too stained or ripped to sell or wear. We are going to pull off every possible reusable accessory that we can; buttons, snaps, zippers, elastic, etc. My cost so far? 0
Then, I am going to use an old shower curtain liner (I see these at yard sales for about 50cents). I happen to have an extra, but I'll call this a cost, it equals about two yards of material. So, 25cents a yard. This will be my waterproof material.
I'm going to scavenge any old thing that has a cute pattern and is big enough for the outer layer, the part that is seen, and plan to use either old towels or fleece, whichever is available for the inner absorbent material.
I plan to have my daughter (with her new sewing skills) sew these three layers together. Then we will add elastic and snaps (taken from the throw away clothes) and have a All in One diaper.
We have just begun to collect materials. I made one wrap this way with just two layers, waterproof and then an outer (from a really cute onesie that was damaged, I used the front and back and the snaps from the center). This wrap worked well for a few uses, but I planned poorly and it was quickly grown out of; I'm saving it for the next baby.
If anyone has done this, made diapers, covers, wraps, or AIOs from FREE materials, please comment here. I would like to know how you did it and so would other moms. Thanks
Corinne Johnson is the author of the Christian unit study series, Vacation Education Books
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Finding Nemo Sea World Epcot Walt Disney World
Here is an excerpt from the newest book we are working on; Vacation Education SeaWorld:
A great study to go along with this trip is on the subject of the Coral Reef.
Have you seen the movie “Finding Nemo”? It’s the story of a young clown fish (named Nemo) and his very protective father. Nemo goes beyond the boundaries set forth (he disobeys) and then all sorts of adventures ensue because of this.
Devotional Lesson: All sorts of trouble comes for children who disobey their parents.
Of course, Nemo’s father who has never left their reef, braves the vast and frightening ocean, stopping at nothing, willing to sacrifice everything, even his life, to save his child.
Devotional Lesson: We also have a Father who left the sanctity and perfection of Heaven, and braved the suffering and temptation of this world, did sacrifice everything, including His own life, to save His child—YOU!
This film can be a great way to lead into the discussions above, and also an opportunity for everyone to look for marine life that they recognize. There are many varieties of creatures featured throughout the film, like jellyfish, sea turtles, clown fish, whales, sharks and more.
A similar lesson will be included in the Next Edition of Vacation Education destination Epcot to accompany the unit on The Living Seas Pavilion.
To learn more about our educational unit studies, please visit our website at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Corinne Johnson, author
A great study to go along with this trip is on the subject of the Coral Reef.
Have you seen the movie “Finding Nemo”? It’s the story of a young clown fish (named Nemo) and his very protective father. Nemo goes beyond the boundaries set forth (he disobeys) and then all sorts of adventures ensue because of this.
Devotional Lesson: All sorts of trouble comes for children who disobey their parents.
Of course, Nemo’s father who has never left their reef, braves the vast and frightening ocean, stopping at nothing, willing to sacrifice everything, even his life, to save his child.
Devotional Lesson: We also have a Father who left the sanctity and perfection of Heaven, and braved the suffering and temptation of this world, did sacrifice everything, including His own life, to save His child—YOU!
This film can be a great way to lead into the discussions above, and also an opportunity for everyone to look for marine life that they recognize. There are many varieties of creatures featured throughout the film, like jellyfish, sea turtles, clown fish, whales, sharks and more.
A similar lesson will be included in the Next Edition of Vacation Education destination Epcot to accompany the unit on The Living Seas Pavilion.
To learn more about our educational unit studies, please visit our website at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Corinne Johnson, author
Home Birth vs Hospital Birth my perspective
If you are reading this, you are already looking into your options, and you are probably pregnant - if so, congratulations! I've made all kinds of choices that go against the main stream; it just fits with my personality to do so. If I decide that something is a good idea; others disagreeing with me, usually just makes me more determined that I'm right and they are wrong. It's just who I am.
I use cloth diapers, I homeschool my children, I nurse my babies longer than my mother thinks I should, I leave the determination of my family size up to God, I think having a baby at home is WAAAAAAY better than having one in a hospital...
These are just some of the most obvious crazy decisions that I have made over the years. When I say crazy decisions, I mean decisions that make my family (and my in-laws) crazy.
So, with all that disclaimer said, this is my perspective from my personal experience.
I had four children in hospitals; four different hospitals with four different doctors (a hospital birth is expensive and if you have insurance, you go with whoever and wherever they tell you to, or you pay for it). Even though the physicians, the cities and the settings were different, my experiences were basically the same.
I go into labor, husband takes me to hospital, we arrive and say "I'm in labor" The nurse at the desk says, "Are you sure?" Yes, this is exactly what they said, every time, at every hospital, even on the fourth baby, when my water broke at home and I was dribbling water through the lobby, then I said, "my water broke" and she said, "Are you sure?" If there is anything that makes a young woman feel insecure, it's that. My ability to relax pretty much left the building at that point, and amazingly enough, my labor pretty much plateaued as well. Then, I got strapped down and hooked up, monitors, IV's, all the important stuff that they need to get me a baby. Sometime later, I would hear something like, "Well, you are in labor, but you are not really progressing, so we're going to manually break your water to get things moving along." With #4, my water had already broken so they skipped this step, and went straight to the next. "Well, you're not really progressing, and your water is broken, so we need to get things moving, we're going to put Pitocin in your IV." Pitocin is a chemically made substitute for Oxytocin that a womans body naturally produces, except that it doesn't if she is stressed out! The Pitocin caused my contractions to come on harder and stronger for a little while and then they plateaued again. More Pit! Same effect. More pit! Same effect. More Pit!
"Aaaaaaagh, okay, okay, I give, I can't take it anymore, give me drugs! Good ones!"
Then, I got a spinal epidural, which I now know, but did not know then, actually slows the labor down, requiring more pitocin, which causes more intense contractions, so I wanted more epidural, which slowed the labor down more, and made them give me more pitocin. See the vicious cycle here? With my first child, after 36 hours at the hospital, I was so tired and chemically imbalanced that I said okay to whatever was asked, even when a class of medical students all wanted a turn at "checking" to see how dilated I was, I was numb from the waist down and my mother and husband had to each hold one leg in the air. I couldn't even sit up on my own. I had a baby, but it was like I wasn't even there.
So, enough of my sob stories, now for the good part...
Jacob, baby #5, my first home birth. I was at home, painting my oldest sons bedroom (he wanted a fire engine mural on his wall - it turned out very cool by the way). I was due in August and his birthday was in December, but I knew that I wouldn't feel up to it once I had the new baby. I was just finishing the details, when I began to feel some minor contractions, a few hours later we began to time them. By 3pm, I called my midwife (Backing up a bit, appointments with the midwife were like having a friend over for tea. We sat and visited for hours, talking not just about this pregnancy, but all the ones before, talking about babies and children and discussing everything under the sun that had to do with mamas and babies. So, different from the in&out of the OB office). I told her to get ready, we might need her. This is the time that I would have been leaving for the hospital, but instead, I just hung out at home. I ate dinner with my family, tucked my children in bed, all the while watching the clock as the contractions became gradually more and more intense, longer and stronger. Once the children were in bed, about 8pm, we had spoken to Deb (the midwife) on the phone a few times and she was packing up her car to come over. When she arrived, I was calm, my contractions were increasing rapidly, and it was like a dear friend had just arrived. She wasn't someone I'd only seen for a few minutes here and there, she was someone I'd spent hours getting to know, and who had devoted hours getting to know me. Every step of the way, she knew just what I needed, and was able to communicate to my husband how he could best help me. Shortly after 2am, we welcomed a beautiful baby boy into this world. He was my biggest baby by 1/2 a pound; he was my fastest labor by far, and he was the easiest delivery, slid out with just two pushes. I will not lie and say it was easy, birthing a baby is NOT an easy task, but from my hospital experience (which I thought was normal), to my home experience, I hope that I never have to go back to a hospital again.
I am glad that OBs are available (they are trained surgeons and sometimes that is what a woman needs), but I pray that my labors will be natural, just the way God designed them, that my babies will present head down, and that all will be well.
We are 8 weeks away from our due date for our 6th child and I am looking forward to another wonderful home birth.
The biggest benefit of being at home? I had a baby, and I actually got to participate in the process, for the first time!
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of five and a Help Meet to her husband, as well as the author of the unit study series Vacation Education Books.
I use cloth diapers, I homeschool my children, I nurse my babies longer than my mother thinks I should, I leave the determination of my family size up to God, I think having a baby at home is WAAAAAAY better than having one in a hospital...
These are just some of the most obvious crazy decisions that I have made over the years. When I say crazy decisions, I mean decisions that make my family (and my in-laws) crazy.
So, with all that disclaimer said, this is my perspective from my personal experience.
I had four children in hospitals; four different hospitals with four different doctors (a hospital birth is expensive and if you have insurance, you go with whoever and wherever they tell you to, or you pay for it). Even though the physicians, the cities and the settings were different, my experiences were basically the same.
I go into labor, husband takes me to hospital, we arrive and say "I'm in labor" The nurse at the desk says, "Are you sure?" Yes, this is exactly what they said, every time, at every hospital, even on the fourth baby, when my water broke at home and I was dribbling water through the lobby, then I said, "my water broke" and she said, "Are you sure?" If there is anything that makes a young woman feel insecure, it's that. My ability to relax pretty much left the building at that point, and amazingly enough, my labor pretty much plateaued as well. Then, I got strapped down and hooked up, monitors, IV's, all the important stuff that they need to get me a baby. Sometime later, I would hear something like, "Well, you are in labor, but you are not really progressing, so we're going to manually break your water to get things moving along." With #4, my water had already broken so they skipped this step, and went straight to the next. "Well, you're not really progressing, and your water is broken, so we need to get things moving, we're going to put Pitocin in your IV." Pitocin is a chemically made substitute for Oxytocin that a womans body naturally produces, except that it doesn't if she is stressed out! The Pitocin caused my contractions to come on harder and stronger for a little while and then they plateaued again. More Pit! Same effect. More pit! Same effect. More Pit!
"Aaaaaaagh, okay, okay, I give, I can't take it anymore, give me drugs! Good ones!"
Then, I got a spinal epidural, which I now know, but did not know then, actually slows the labor down, requiring more pitocin, which causes more intense contractions, so I wanted more epidural, which slowed the labor down more, and made them give me more pitocin. See the vicious cycle here? With my first child, after 36 hours at the hospital, I was so tired and chemically imbalanced that I said okay to whatever was asked, even when a class of medical students all wanted a turn at "checking" to see how dilated I was, I was numb from the waist down and my mother and husband had to each hold one leg in the air. I couldn't even sit up on my own. I had a baby, but it was like I wasn't even there.
So, enough of my sob stories, now for the good part...
Jacob, baby #5, my first home birth. I was at home, painting my oldest sons bedroom (he wanted a fire engine mural on his wall - it turned out very cool by the way). I was due in August and his birthday was in December, but I knew that I wouldn't feel up to it once I had the new baby. I was just finishing the details, when I began to feel some minor contractions, a few hours later we began to time them. By 3pm, I called my midwife (Backing up a bit, appointments with the midwife were like having a friend over for tea. We sat and visited for hours, talking not just about this pregnancy, but all the ones before, talking about babies and children and discussing everything under the sun that had to do with mamas and babies. So, different from the in&out of the OB office). I told her to get ready, we might need her. This is the time that I would have been leaving for the hospital, but instead, I just hung out at home. I ate dinner with my family, tucked my children in bed, all the while watching the clock as the contractions became gradually more and more intense, longer and stronger. Once the children were in bed, about 8pm, we had spoken to Deb (the midwife) on the phone a few times and she was packing up her car to come over. When she arrived, I was calm, my contractions were increasing rapidly, and it was like a dear friend had just arrived. She wasn't someone I'd only seen for a few minutes here and there, she was someone I'd spent hours getting to know, and who had devoted hours getting to know me. Every step of the way, she knew just what I needed, and was able to communicate to my husband how he could best help me. Shortly after 2am, we welcomed a beautiful baby boy into this world. He was my biggest baby by 1/2 a pound; he was my fastest labor by far, and he was the easiest delivery, slid out with just two pushes. I will not lie and say it was easy, birthing a baby is NOT an easy task, but from my hospital experience (which I thought was normal), to my home experience, I hope that I never have to go back to a hospital again.
I am glad that OBs are available (they are trained surgeons and sometimes that is what a woman needs), but I pray that my labors will be natural, just the way God designed them, that my babies will present head down, and that all will be well.
We are 8 weeks away from our due date for our 6th child and I am looking forward to another wonderful home birth.
The biggest benefit of being at home? I had a baby, and I actually got to participate in the process, for the first time!
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of five and a Help Meet to her husband, as well as the author of the unit study series Vacation Education Books.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What's wrong with the Bible Bee?
More and more it comes to my attention that this is becoming a world in which everyone HAS to be exactly the same. Differences of opinion, talent, skill are just not allowed. It is happening under the premise of a movement to embrace everyone's differences, and is having the opposite affect.
We don't want to offend anyone, so we can't ever say, "This is TRUTH". We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so we can't have any competition (for there to be a winner, there has to be a loser, right?). We only want to play games where everyone wins!
I've seen it in the demise of track and field day, in the dumbing down of curriculums, and most recently in the elimination of the BIBLE BEE.
Two churches in our small community have recently decided that the BIBLE BEE should be done away with. One large church was using it as part of their youth group curriculum; to encourage the teens to spend time in God's Word, with trivial competition as a motivator and small prizes for those who were the most successful. The second church runs a Christian school, where the Bible Bee was a highlight of the year for the kids who are so academically inclined to spend time studying. It is an area where they can succeed.
As a sidenote, we often see that children who do well academically, often are NOT the stars on the athletic field (we all have different gifts, strengths and talents). The town where I grew up is a place where football and soccer stars are honored like royalty, but the child who worked her way to the state level of the Spelling Bee was virtually ignored.
But, what's wrong with the BIBLE BEE?
Why are churches getting rid of it?
The youth group program eliminated it, but a few kids thought it was too much effort, and 'not enough FUN'!
The school eliminated it, because it was 'too competitive'.
Is that where we are going as a nation? As a world?
I personally was and still am academically inclined, not an athlete. Programs like Young Authors, Spelling Bees, and Math Counts were MY opportunities to prove what I was good at. I thrived on academic competition, it motivated me to learn more, to put forth greater effort than that which was required to get by in day to day lessons. The chance to win, to be the best, isn't that what motivates so many of us?
Do athletes play just for the money? Just for the love of the game? If so, then why do we cancel every other television program the week of the World Series? Why do we give out Super Bowl Rings and Heisman Trophies? These items are the symbols of our success, the "thing" we can look on to remember how great it felt to WIN!
So, if the BIBLE BEE gets kids to put forth greater effort, to study more, to look deeper into God's Word, what's wrong with that? If a little competition gives kids the motivation to perhaps even open a Bible for the first time, what's wrong with that?
The kid who loses might feel bad, but my experience has been that a child who is not the winner this year, will try harder next year, and what's wrong with that?
I don't understand the movement to deny all opportunities for independent thinking and healthy competition in an effort to spare a few hurt feelings - we are denying those who would succeed academically the opportunity to do so, and we are denying those who would at least put forth some effort into the project (ie opening their Bible and reading it), the opportunity to do so.
There's nothing wrong with the Bible Bee, but there is something very wrong with what is happening to it.
Corinne Johnson is the author of Vacation Education Books, Christian unit studies based on your favorite vacation destinations. Visit us at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
We don't want to offend anyone, so we can't ever say, "This is TRUTH". We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so we can't have any competition (for there to be a winner, there has to be a loser, right?). We only want to play games where everyone wins!
I've seen it in the demise of track and field day, in the dumbing down of curriculums, and most recently in the elimination of the BIBLE BEE.
Two churches in our small community have recently decided that the BIBLE BEE should be done away with. One large church was using it as part of their youth group curriculum; to encourage the teens to spend time in God's Word, with trivial competition as a motivator and small prizes for those who were the most successful. The second church runs a Christian school, where the Bible Bee was a highlight of the year for the kids who are so academically inclined to spend time studying. It is an area where they can succeed.
As a sidenote, we often see that children who do well academically, often are NOT the stars on the athletic field (we all have different gifts, strengths and talents). The town where I grew up is a place where football and soccer stars are honored like royalty, but the child who worked her way to the state level of the Spelling Bee was virtually ignored.
But, what's wrong with the BIBLE BEE?
Why are churches getting rid of it?
The youth group program eliminated it, but a few kids thought it was too much effort, and 'not enough FUN'!
The school eliminated it, because it was 'too competitive'.
Is that where we are going as a nation? As a world?
I personally was and still am academically inclined, not an athlete. Programs like Young Authors, Spelling Bees, and Math Counts were MY opportunities to prove what I was good at. I thrived on academic competition, it motivated me to learn more, to put forth greater effort than that which was required to get by in day to day lessons. The chance to win, to be the best, isn't that what motivates so many of us?
Do athletes play just for the money? Just for the love of the game? If so, then why do we cancel every other television program the week of the World Series? Why do we give out Super Bowl Rings and Heisman Trophies? These items are the symbols of our success, the "thing" we can look on to remember how great it felt to WIN!
So, if the BIBLE BEE gets kids to put forth greater effort, to study more, to look deeper into God's Word, what's wrong with that? If a little competition gives kids the motivation to perhaps even open a Bible for the first time, what's wrong with that?
The kid who loses might feel bad, but my experience has been that a child who is not the winner this year, will try harder next year, and what's wrong with that?
I don't understand the movement to deny all opportunities for independent thinking and healthy competition in an effort to spare a few hurt feelings - we are denying those who would succeed academically the opportunity to do so, and we are denying those who would at least put forth some effort into the project (ie opening their Bible and reading it), the opportunity to do so.
There's nothing wrong with the Bible Bee, but there is something very wrong with what is happening to it.
Corinne Johnson is the author of Vacation Education Books, Christian unit studies based on your favorite vacation destinations. Visit us at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
where is the Titus 2 woman?
I am always concerned when I hear parenting advice that doesn't measure up to Titus 2; will it make me love my husband and children? does it make me want to be chaste, sober, a keeper at home, obedient to my husband?
Do you ever feel alone? Like you are the only one?
A year into homeschooling, we moved to a new community and a few years after that, my husband chose a church home for us. Our church has many wonderful qualities, and its primary ministry is Christian education. This is done through a PreK to 8th grade day school.
In an environment where my brothers and sisters in Christ often behave as though homeschooling is a personal affront to 'their school' being the only homeschooling family can feel quite lonely.
Sometime ago, I began to read Titus 2 and wonder, "Where are those women?" The older women he speaks of who are supposed to teach me to be obedient to my husband, a keeper of my home, loving to my children? Where are they? I began to search for them.
Through many conversations with many women in and out of my church, I found two very interesting things that they all had in common. First, most of the women in my church, in my generation, with or without children, single or married, have jobs. By 'job' I am referring to an obligatory location that one shows up, punches a timeclock, does work and gets a paycheck. I would be lying if I said I don't work, but I don't have a job. Learning this, made me feel even more desperate to find Titus 2 women. How could I learn to be a keeper at home if I didn't even know anyone who is?
The second thing I found is that the women I talked with love God, they love their husbands, and they love their children. They want to be Proverbs 31 women, Titus 2 women, they want to obey God in their lives...but (there is always a but...) they feel they need to work, or they need the money, or they need their job for some reason or another. I don't argue these points when I'm talking to them and I won't argue them here either. I think it is simple; we either take God at His word or we don't. It seems quite obvious to me what God intended for a woman.
Read Genesis where He creates a 'helpmeet' for Adam. Look up that word, what does it mean? Do you fit the definition? Read Titus 2; does that describe you? Read Proverbs 31, does your description fit here? More importantly, are you trying to fit these qualities designated by God, or are you busy meeting another set of standards?
The Bible doesn't say that women are not to work, or that they should not earn any money, but what is your priority? Does God come first, above all else? How much of your time, talents and money do you devote to Him? Does your husband come second? How much do you devote to him? Do your children come next? How much time do you devote to them?
Where you place your time, talents and finances will give you a very realistic picture of what your priorities really are. Measure it out - time asleep doesn't count for anyone. Who gets most of your time?
It's not too late to put your priorities into perspective, and make changes. If you have children, now is the time to give them a Godly example. I can't promise that it won't be a lonely walk, but I can promise that it will have lasting rewards. For your daughters, give them the gift of a Titus 2 woman in their lives, so they will not have to wonder where to turn when they are in need of one. For your sons, give them the gift of a Titus 2 woman in their lives; they will one day be married, and their wife may have never known any.
If you appreciated this message, visit our website at vacationeducationbooks.net to sign up for our newsletter; Words of Encouragement.
Do you ever feel alone? Like you are the only one?
A year into homeschooling, we moved to a new community and a few years after that, my husband chose a church home for us. Our church has many wonderful qualities, and its primary ministry is Christian education. This is done through a PreK to 8th grade day school.
In an environment where my brothers and sisters in Christ often behave as though homeschooling is a personal affront to 'their school' being the only homeschooling family can feel quite lonely.
Sometime ago, I began to read Titus 2 and wonder, "Where are those women?" The older women he speaks of who are supposed to teach me to be obedient to my husband, a keeper of my home, loving to my children? Where are they? I began to search for them.
Through many conversations with many women in and out of my church, I found two very interesting things that they all had in common. First, most of the women in my church, in my generation, with or without children, single or married, have jobs. By 'job' I am referring to an obligatory location that one shows up, punches a timeclock, does work and gets a paycheck. I would be lying if I said I don't work, but I don't have a job. Learning this, made me feel even more desperate to find Titus 2 women. How could I learn to be a keeper at home if I didn't even know anyone who is?
The second thing I found is that the women I talked with love God, they love their husbands, and they love their children. They want to be Proverbs 31 women, Titus 2 women, they want to obey God in their lives...but (there is always a but...) they feel they need to work, or they need the money, or they need their job for some reason or another. I don't argue these points when I'm talking to them and I won't argue them here either. I think it is simple; we either take God at His word or we don't. It seems quite obvious to me what God intended for a woman.
Read Genesis where He creates a 'helpmeet' for Adam. Look up that word, what does it mean? Do you fit the definition? Read Titus 2; does that describe you? Read Proverbs 31, does your description fit here? More importantly, are you trying to fit these qualities designated by God, or are you busy meeting another set of standards?
The Bible doesn't say that women are not to work, or that they should not earn any money, but what is your priority? Does God come first, above all else? How much of your time, talents and money do you devote to Him? Does your husband come second? How much do you devote to him? Do your children come next? How much time do you devote to them?
Where you place your time, talents and finances will give you a very realistic picture of what your priorities really are. Measure it out - time asleep doesn't count for anyone. Who gets most of your time?
It's not too late to put your priorities into perspective, and make changes. If you have children, now is the time to give them a Godly example. I can't promise that it won't be a lonely walk, but I can promise that it will have lasting rewards. For your daughters, give them the gift of a Titus 2 woman in their lives, so they will not have to wonder where to turn when they are in need of one. For your sons, give them the gift of a Titus 2 woman in their lives; they will one day be married, and their wife may have never known any.
If you appreciated this message, visit our website at vacationeducationbooks.net to sign up for our newsletter; Words of Encouragement.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Ten Commandments
The last few weeks our pastor has been doing a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments. We discussed in Sunday school today, that anthropologists study cultures from recent to the beginning of the earth, and while all have had people who sinned, who broke the commandments, people who stole, who murdered, who committed adultery; they have discovered that never before has any culture been found that actually made these acts legally acceptable. We; our generation and the world that we live in, we are the first to do such a thing. There have always been people who would murder, but we are the first to pass laws saying it is right to do so.(abortion, euthanasia) There have always been sodomists, and homosexuals, but we are the first to pass laws saying it is right to do so.(same sex marriage) Even the Greeks, who are world famous for their lustful desires, for having sex with anyone and anything, in the name of worship even; even they had laws on the books forbidding acts like murder and homosexuality. There have always been people who would break the laws of God and man, but we are the first to create legislation saying it is right for man to break God's laws.
Have no other gods; there have been many gods (lust, money, possessions), and cultures have embraced them, and soon our laws will too.
Do not murder, our culture has embraced murder when it's convenient. Why is it legal for me to murder my child today (I'm four month pregnant), but it will be illegal for me to do so six months from now? How about in sixteen years when I can't take the attitude, then will it be 'legal' for me to take her life? If life has any value at all, then it has value today, even in the womb. And, it is murder to take this life, even today, even in the womb.
Do not commit adultery, God created and ordained the institution of marriage between one woman and one man, and we know that men have found that nearly impossible to live up to since the beginning of time, but does our struggle to do right mean that we should pass laws claiming wrong as right instead? Our culture has embraced adultery, and soon our laws will as well.
Do not steal, we have embraced a world of 'healthy' competition, always scheming to find a way to improve our earthly life, never considering the effect on others. Even in youth, this is obvious: we have seen young girls manipulate circumstances to make themselves appear better than they are, usually to appear more popular. We watch them use other, less pretty or less confident girls as steps in their ladder to the top. We complain about their catty-ness, and then we say, 'oh, they are just little girls'. But, when we watch their mothers, we see that age has nothing to do with it. Our culture has embrace theft, by calling it 'healthy' competition, and soon our laws will embrace it as well.
Call me guilty - of every sin there is. I have broken every commandment, and so have you. By the grace of God who gave us those commandments, I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We are free to do whatever we choose, says Paul, because we are redeemed by Christ. But, then, should we sin more to see grace abound? Never!
I would encourage you to be salt. Salt was primarily a preservative, and it's purpose was to stop the rotting of meat. So, go out and be salt; stop the rot.
There is a saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink."
but you can give him salt.
SALT MAKES YOU THIRSTY!!! JESUS IS THE LIVING WATER!!!
To learn more about this author, visit vacationeducationbooks.net
Have no other gods; there have been many gods (lust, money, possessions), and cultures have embraced them, and soon our laws will too.
Do not murder, our culture has embraced murder when it's convenient. Why is it legal for me to murder my child today (I'm four month pregnant), but it will be illegal for me to do so six months from now? How about in sixteen years when I can't take the attitude, then will it be 'legal' for me to take her life? If life has any value at all, then it has value today, even in the womb. And, it is murder to take this life, even today, even in the womb.
Do not commit adultery, God created and ordained the institution of marriage between one woman and one man, and we know that men have found that nearly impossible to live up to since the beginning of time, but does our struggle to do right mean that we should pass laws claiming wrong as right instead? Our culture has embraced adultery, and soon our laws will as well.
Do not steal, we have embraced a world of 'healthy' competition, always scheming to find a way to improve our earthly life, never considering the effect on others. Even in youth, this is obvious: we have seen young girls manipulate circumstances to make themselves appear better than they are, usually to appear more popular. We watch them use other, less pretty or less confident girls as steps in their ladder to the top. We complain about their catty-ness, and then we say, 'oh, they are just little girls'. But, when we watch their mothers, we see that age has nothing to do with it. Our culture has embrace theft, by calling it 'healthy' competition, and soon our laws will embrace it as well.
Call me guilty - of every sin there is. I have broken every commandment, and so have you. By the grace of God who gave us those commandments, I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We are free to do whatever we choose, says Paul, because we are redeemed by Christ. But, then, should we sin more to see grace abound? Never!
I would encourage you to be salt. Salt was primarily a preservative, and it's purpose was to stop the rotting of meat. So, go out and be salt; stop the rot.
There is a saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink."
but you can give him salt.
SALT MAKES YOU THIRSTY!!! JESUS IS THE LIVING WATER!!!
To learn more about this author, visit vacationeducationbooks.net
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Selling My House
Is it real? I ask out loud. Could it be we are actually moving? It seems hard to believe. My heart has been so torn, as I see us moving in the direction that God is calling us; researching and writing more books, encouraging families to take God at His word, and ministering to those God brings our way.
For awhile, there were no showings, no interest in the house, no contact from our realtor, no hope it seemed that our dream to be on the road, full time missionaries, could ever come true.
So, we just trusted. If my efforts, my energies, my work could ever have accomplished anything, then I would probably not trust as I do. Because it is never easy, and our daily bread is always just that; daily, I have no choice but to spend my days and my nights on my knees before my Lord.
Then, we agreed (Don & I) that we still believed in what God had called us to do, and while there might be challenges, that shouldn't discourage us. So, we started to act like we believed in what we were doing. We looked for ways to replace the home phone and internet service, we looked at options for a mailing address after we leave the stick house, we started shopping for our new van/home, and even narrowed down our options to a few specific models.
When we did this, things began to turn, and people came to us and said they felt called to give us things; cash, food, clothes, items to sell on Ebay, and more. The bounty just kept raining down on us. We still every day just have our daily bread, but as we let go of things in the house and begin to embrace the new lifestyle (even though we can't see it yet), it comes closer and closer to being reality.
Tomorrow, we have a scheduled showing on our house. It is only the third since we listed it last October, and the first one this year. It's just a showing; not an offer or a sale, but as we rest in God's promises, and trust that He will lead us down the path that He has put us on, things are coming together more and more.
I am often negligent in my Thanks, so while I will spend this evening and most of tomorrow scrambling to get the house 'just so', I want to say Thank you now for the showing, because although just a showing, it is for us, a sign of Hope.
If you would like to know more about this author, please visit vacationeducationbooks.net
For awhile, there were no showings, no interest in the house, no contact from our realtor, no hope it seemed that our dream to be on the road, full time missionaries, could ever come true.
So, we just trusted. If my efforts, my energies, my work could ever have accomplished anything, then I would probably not trust as I do. Because it is never easy, and our daily bread is always just that; daily, I have no choice but to spend my days and my nights on my knees before my Lord.
Then, we agreed (Don & I) that we still believed in what God had called us to do, and while there might be challenges, that shouldn't discourage us. So, we started to act like we believed in what we were doing. We looked for ways to replace the home phone and internet service, we looked at options for a mailing address after we leave the stick house, we started shopping for our new van/home, and even narrowed down our options to a few specific models.
When we did this, things began to turn, and people came to us and said they felt called to give us things; cash, food, clothes, items to sell on Ebay, and more. The bounty just kept raining down on us. We still every day just have our daily bread, but as we let go of things in the house and begin to embrace the new lifestyle (even though we can't see it yet), it comes closer and closer to being reality.
Tomorrow, we have a scheduled showing on our house. It is only the third since we listed it last October, and the first one this year. It's just a showing; not an offer or a sale, but as we rest in God's promises, and trust that He will lead us down the path that He has put us on, things are coming together more and more.
I am often negligent in my Thanks, so while I will spend this evening and most of tomorrow scrambling to get the house 'just so', I want to say Thank you now for the showing, because although just a showing, it is for us, a sign of Hope.
If you would like to know more about this author, please visit vacationeducationbooks.net
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
you'll laugh about it later
Things that I didn't think were funny at the time, but now they kind of are:
Summer, age 4, in the midst of being reprimanded; waggled her pointer finger at me and said, "Don't you use that tone of voice with me!"
Ethan, age 3, at the end of a one hour drama that he had sat still and fairly quiet for (it was a Last Supper drama; when Jesus said that one would betray him; each character stood up and told of all their experiences with Jesus and then asked, "Is it I, Lord?"). Judas was last, and he asked, "Is it I, Lord?" It was a very dark and solemn play, but it was obvious that even the actors were struggling to keep their composure, when Ethan yelled out "YES!"
I'm sure I'll think of more later, but had a few moments and thought I would share those with you. I hope it puts a smile in your day!
Want to know more about this author?
Visit vacationeducationbooks.net
Summer, age 4, in the midst of being reprimanded; waggled her pointer finger at me and said, "Don't you use that tone of voice with me!"
Ethan, age 3, at the end of a one hour drama that he had sat still and fairly quiet for (it was a Last Supper drama; when Jesus said that one would betray him; each character stood up and told of all their experiences with Jesus and then asked, "Is it I, Lord?"). Judas was last, and he asked, "Is it I, Lord?" It was a very dark and solemn play, but it was obvious that even the actors were struggling to keep their composure, when Ethan yelled out "YES!"
I'm sure I'll think of more later, but had a few moments and thought I would share those with you. I hope it puts a smile in your day!
Want to know more about this author?
Visit vacationeducationbooks.net
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Too Harsh? Too Morbid?
I've been thinking that maybe my last post was a bit too harsh, or maybe even too morbid. But, every time my husband or child leaves my side, I am thinking in the back of my mind; this could be the last moment, the last goodbye. I want to make it a really good hug, the kind that would hold us over until we see each other again, even if it's not until we meet in Heaven. I try to remember to always say I love you, every time I hang up the phone, because it might be the last conversation, and I want the last words I said to be "I love you".
I wonder why everyone doesn't think this way, but I realized that for me it probably has to do with my father dying when I was twelve. Since then, I've never been shocked by death, it just is. My grandmother hates to talk about death or anyone dying; it upsets her so, and I don't understand why, but I do understand that many people feel that way.
I do not fear death, or dwell on death, nor am I shock or disturbed by death; but I am always expectant, always waiting for God to take someone I love, expecting Jesus to return for me. I look forward to an eternity in Heaven, but I don't want to miss even one moment with my children while we are together here.
When people ask me why I homeschool, even ask things like, 'How can you stand to be around them all day? I can't stand to have mine home for the summer.' I have many answers I could give, but it always comes down to just one question I ask in return, "God gave them to me. Why would I want to send them away?"
I wonder why everyone doesn't think this way, but I realized that for me it probably has to do with my father dying when I was twelve. Since then, I've never been shocked by death, it just is. My grandmother hates to talk about death or anyone dying; it upsets her so, and I don't understand why, but I do understand that many people feel that way.
I do not fear death, or dwell on death, nor am I shock or disturbed by death; but I am always expectant, always waiting for God to take someone I love, expecting Jesus to return for me. I look forward to an eternity in Heaven, but I don't want to miss even one moment with my children while we are together here.
When people ask me why I homeschool, even ask things like, 'How can you stand to be around them all day? I can't stand to have mine home for the summer.' I have many answers I could give, but it always comes down to just one question I ask in return, "God gave them to me. Why would I want to send them away?"
Monday, June 23, 2008
One day they won't come back...
Hi, just a quick announcement.
We are always trying to find ways to save money, and have managed to put together a website with a cheaper host, so our new address online will be
vacationeducationbooks.net
If you visit our .com site, you will be redirected to the new site.
Also, a prayer request. We are preparing to welcome the 8th member of our family into a household with one 7passenger vehicle. We don't know what God has planned for our transportation needs or how He intends to pay for it, but we do know that He owns a thousand cattle on a thousand hills... He is not affected by the economy or the real estate market, so nothing is impossible with HIM. Our prayer request is for us to be patient as we watch and pray for a solution to this 'overcrowding' issue.
Lastly, a word of caution: if you have never read our newsletter before, they are usually more ENCOURAGING than this one. But, this is something that I have felt strongly about for quite some time and believed it needed to be said, so here it is...
Over the years, we have said goodbye to friends and family members. This is the way of life; death is unavoidable. Each time, I am reminded how precious these moments that we have together are. As I talk with mothers who are seeking day care options to replace the 'babysitting' that the school systems provide, my heart aches for them; the mothers and the children.
We are warned in Scripture that the end will come unexpectedly like a thief in the night. Many so called experts try to guess at a date that Jesus will return, and many Christians cling to these predictions; as though everything will be just as it is today until then.
But, that day could be today. Even if Jesus doesn't return today; you could go to meet Him today. For as many anticipated deaths we've been through, there are just as many that were completely unpredictable, like freak accidents & sudden drownings.
Many of us will live long and happy, healthy lives and so will our children. But, before you know it, your child will be gone; even if they've only gone off into adulthood. As their lives become too busy for you, what will you have left of them? Will it be memories of dropping them off and picking them up, or will you have been a part of every special moment in their lives? When you are gone, what will they remember? Will it be waving hello and goodbye from the bus stop, or will it be that you have been a part of every special moment?
Homeschooling our children gives us the advantage of seeing every milestone. I am here for the first word, first step, first tooth (in and out); I will coach them through learning to write their name, through multiplication tables, and fractions too. I'll stand by their side when the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, or even when the caterpillar dies. When they carry in armloads of cucumbers that they helped to grow, and when they try to figure out why the squash grew but never produced fruit.
Whatever parenting expert you read, they will all agree on one thing... your kids need YOU! If you knew that your child would go to live with Jesus tomorrow, would you still send him away today? Or would you hold him close in your arms and cherish these last few hours? What if you knew he'd be gone next week? Next month? Next year?
The thing is, we don't know.
The Lord could bless us with the next 70 years together, but it could be just 70 seconds...
So, act like you've only got one chance to hold on to them, to love them, to share your life and your faith with them...
Be careful when you send them away... one day they won't come back.
If you would like to receive periodic words of encouragement in your email box, please visit vacationeducationbooks.net and subscribe.
We are always trying to find ways to save money, and have managed to put together a website with a cheaper host, so our new address online will be
vacationeducationbooks.net
If you visit our .com site, you will be redirected to the new site.
Also, a prayer request. We are preparing to welcome the 8th member of our family into a household with one 7passenger vehicle. We don't know what God has planned for our transportation needs or how He intends to pay for it, but we do know that He owns a thousand cattle on a thousand hills... He is not affected by the economy or the real estate market, so nothing is impossible with HIM. Our prayer request is for us to be patient as we watch and pray for a solution to this 'overcrowding' issue.
Lastly, a word of caution: if you have never read our newsletter before, they are usually more ENCOURAGING than this one. But, this is something that I have felt strongly about for quite some time and believed it needed to be said, so here it is...
Over the years, we have said goodbye to friends and family members. This is the way of life; death is unavoidable. Each time, I am reminded how precious these moments that we have together are. As I talk with mothers who are seeking day care options to replace the 'babysitting' that the school systems provide, my heart aches for them; the mothers and the children.
We are warned in Scripture that the end will come unexpectedly like a thief in the night. Many so called experts try to guess at a date that Jesus will return, and many Christians cling to these predictions; as though everything will be just as it is today until then.
But, that day could be today. Even if Jesus doesn't return today; you could go to meet Him today. For as many anticipated deaths we've been through, there are just as many that were completely unpredictable, like freak accidents & sudden drownings.
Many of us will live long and happy, healthy lives and so will our children. But, before you know it, your child will be gone; even if they've only gone off into adulthood. As their lives become too busy for you, what will you have left of them? Will it be memories of dropping them off and picking them up, or will you have been a part of every special moment in their lives? When you are gone, what will they remember? Will it be waving hello and goodbye from the bus stop, or will it be that you have been a part of every special moment?
Homeschooling our children gives us the advantage of seeing every milestone. I am here for the first word, first step, first tooth (in and out); I will coach them through learning to write their name, through multiplication tables, and fractions too. I'll stand by their side when the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, or even when the caterpillar dies. When they carry in armloads of cucumbers that they helped to grow, and when they try to figure out why the squash grew but never produced fruit.
Whatever parenting expert you read, they will all agree on one thing... your kids need YOU! If you knew that your child would go to live with Jesus tomorrow, would you still send him away today? Or would you hold him close in your arms and cherish these last few hours? What if you knew he'd be gone next week? Next month? Next year?
The thing is, we don't know.
The Lord could bless us with the next 70 years together, but it could be just 70 seconds...
So, act like you've only got one chance to hold on to them, to love them, to share your life and your faith with them...
Be careful when you send them away... one day they won't come back.
If you would like to receive periodic words of encouragement in your email box, please visit vacationeducationbooks.net and subscribe.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Free & Cheap Entertainment
Here I am back to blogging about the book Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich (and if anyone is upset that I have been too critical, look at it this way; the more I mention her book, the more often it will show up on a Google search, and that is good for her and her career).
As per the comment on the earlier post: I have not read or looked into the writings of others in the past who have refuted Ehrenreich's findings. I'm not surprised to know that I am not the only voice crying out...
I think all in all, my points keep coming back to issues of decision making. My financial situation is far from perfect, and I can trace every element of it to a decision that I made, for better or for worse. I'm one of those people who actually take pride in not spending money, regardless of my income. I like to see how little I can spend, how long I can stretch the odds and ends in my pantry, etc. I make it a point to learn and put to use all the money saving tricks that I can.
I am at the point in this book where the author takes a day off work and goes looking for cheap or free entertainment. My first thought (especially since she is in a huge city) would be public library. They are loaded with great stuff, and all you need is a drivers license!
She chooses instead to attend a church tent revival, and I'll quote her here, "...sounds like the perfect entertainment for an atheist out on her own."
There's a whole lot that I could say from the perspective of someone who truly believes that my eternity depends entirely on my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
However, her book and this blog is supposed to be about the financial state of our nation, so I'll just say this...
if your best ideas for entertainment are to go and mock others for their faith...
not very creative and not great journalism either.
As per the comment on the earlier post: I have not read or looked into the writings of others in the past who have refuted Ehrenreich's findings. I'm not surprised to know that I am not the only voice crying out...
I think all in all, my points keep coming back to issues of decision making. My financial situation is far from perfect, and I can trace every element of it to a decision that I made, for better or for worse. I'm one of those people who actually take pride in not spending money, regardless of my income. I like to see how little I can spend, how long I can stretch the odds and ends in my pantry, etc. I make it a point to learn and put to use all the money saving tricks that I can.
I am at the point in this book where the author takes a day off work and goes looking for cheap or free entertainment. My first thought (especially since she is in a huge city) would be public library. They are loaded with great stuff, and all you need is a drivers license!
She chooses instead to attend a church tent revival, and I'll quote her here, "...sounds like the perfect entertainment for an atheist out on her own."
There's a whole lot that I could say from the perspective of someone who truly believes that my eternity depends entirely on my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
However, her book and this blog is supposed to be about the financial state of our nation, so I'll just say this...
if your best ideas for entertainment are to go and mock others for their faith...
not very creative and not great journalism either.
What is your end goal?
What is your end goal? What are you building toward?
We are all building something; building lives, building families, building businesses.
But, what for?
I am often reminded that God is the architect of my life, and I'm glad for that because if I was to make the plans, my structure would undoubtedly collapse.
As we are preparing the fields, God blesses us in many ways. I am known for saying, "I never turn down a blessing." We are often given food and clothing, and sometimes people apologize to us, and say, "I hope you're not offended, but I thought you could use this." I'm never offended and always thankful for the blessing.
Sometimes, it is hard to see a blessing as such though. We are making plans and we believe that we are following the path that God has laid out for us. Our plan is
SELL VAN = BUY A CONVERTED BUS
SELL CONTENTS OF HOME = PAY OFF ALL DEBTS
SELL HOUSE = PAY CONFERENCE FEES FOR NEXT YEAR
SELL BOOKS = PAY BILLS WHILE WE ARE ON THE ROAD
Then, God surprised us with a blessing!
We will be welcoming a new addition to our family next January. There are some who would consider this to be something other than a blessing, however, the Lord gives us His word that children are a blessing from the Lord. It would be heretical to say it isn't so. While in some ways, this news gives us a whole new set of schematics to work around; it really is just schematics.
Little things, like where will we have the baby, Jacob was born at home in a water birth, it was wonderful, my midwife was great...
we'd like to do it that way again, but we are also hoping that our house will be sold by then...
so then what?
Primarily, all our questions come back to "How does this fit into our plans?"
But, we should be asking "What does God have planned?"
In the end, it comes down to two choices; Are we trying to build a tower of babel with our own hands to live in luxury of our own making or are we working with God in hopes that He will grant us life in the Paradise that He has built?
I know where I would rather be, do you?
What are you building today?
We are all building something; building lives, building families, building businesses.
But, what for?
I am often reminded that God is the architect of my life, and I'm glad for that because if I was to make the plans, my structure would undoubtedly collapse.
As we are preparing the fields, God blesses us in many ways. I am known for saying, "I never turn down a blessing." We are often given food and clothing, and sometimes people apologize to us, and say, "I hope you're not offended, but I thought you could use this." I'm never offended and always thankful for the blessing.
Sometimes, it is hard to see a blessing as such though. We are making plans and we believe that we are following the path that God has laid out for us. Our plan is
SELL VAN = BUY A CONVERTED BUS
SELL CONTENTS OF HOME = PAY OFF ALL DEBTS
SELL HOUSE = PAY CONFERENCE FEES FOR NEXT YEAR
SELL BOOKS = PAY BILLS WHILE WE ARE ON THE ROAD
Then, God surprised us with a blessing!
We will be welcoming a new addition to our family next January. There are some who would consider this to be something other than a blessing, however, the Lord gives us His word that children are a blessing from the Lord. It would be heretical to say it isn't so. While in some ways, this news gives us a whole new set of schematics to work around; it really is just schematics.
Little things, like where will we have the baby, Jacob was born at home in a water birth, it was wonderful, my midwife was great...
we'd like to do it that way again, but we are also hoping that our house will be sold by then...
so then what?
Primarily, all our questions come back to "How does this fit into our plans?"
But, we should be asking "What does God have planned?"
In the end, it comes down to two choices; Are we trying to build a tower of babel with our own hands to live in luxury of our own making or are we working with God in hopes that He will grant us life in the Paradise that He has built?
I know where I would rather be, do you?
What are you building today?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
paying the rent and eating enough
Hi there, I am still reading and blogging about this book "Nickel and Dimed" (see previous posts)
Her first city is Key West, Florida. I don't live in Florida and I have no idea what rents cost in the city of Key West. I do live in the Midwest, and I checked into rents in our area.
Her experience was that rents began at $400 and went up, and that a $500 efficiency apartment was about the best that she could find and still feel safe in the city. Now, where we live, there are less desirable neighborhoods, but none that I would consider unsafe. Her numbers are from ten years ago. Mine are from today. I could get a decent size one bedroom downstairs apartment for $325 including utilities, in a fair neighborhood (three blocks from the downtown business district - walking distance to all necessities) in a town of about 12,000 people. There were cheaper places in the smaller towns nearby with less amenities, and they weren't much cheaper, and there were much more expensive options as well, all the way up to $1600 per month four bedroom, three bath mansion on the lake.
Now, fifteen years ago, when I was a college student, and had to live in a college town where prices are much higher; I paid $350 for a one bedroom basement apartment plus utilities, not a great neighborhood, but still safe.
All of the places I've lived required first months rent and deposit. In college, when I had spent more on tuition and books and other expenses than expected, I didn't give up, and go home; I asked a friend for a place to stay(again when you are living a life for more than thirty days, you make friends that trust you and can be trusted by you). I slept on the floor of her apartment for one month so that I could save up the money for rent and deposit. NOTE: this was not a 'legal' arrangement, the complex she lived in did not allow an extra person or allow subletting. The situation did work out, but it might not have if things had gone differently.
There may be more opportunities in bigger cities, but minimum wage is the same whether the town has 2000 people for two million, and you'll still probably find a grocery store, gas station, and a few fast food joints.
Personally, except for my university campus experience, I have pretty much always lived in a small town and always been able to find a job when I wanted one. Also, and I made this point earlier, the more experience I obtained over the years, better the jobs I was able to obtain, regardless of the size of the city.
However, I realize as a writer, her story is more compelling if she writes about life in large cities, since more people are living in them.
Getting enough to eat. She is open in the beginning that she will not go hungry; that if she can not afford food, then she would pull out the ATM card from her other life and cheat on the experiment. Her first job is as a waitress, every restaurant that I ever worked for, whether fast food or fine dining offered significant discounts on food, often free. Working a closing shift in particular allowed for not only sufficient dinner fare, but also "leftovers' to take home and warm up the next day.
Again, the issues she faces in her first city come from the "thirty day" rule of her experiment. She discusses not having any kind of cooking appliances or kitchen utensils when she first starts out. When I was sixteen years old, I was already thinking about my housing needs, and bought my first microwave at a yard sale for $1 this was many years ago, but yard sale prices change much slower than retail prices. I bought a new coffee maker last weekend for $1. I guess not every town has yard sales, and maybe you can't get away on a weekend morning to catch them, but there are estate auctions, thrift shops, resale stores, etc, that also offered extraordinary discounts on household necessities.
Working in a restaurant; closing shifts particularly allowed for not only sufficient dinner fare, but also 'leftovers' to take home and warm up the next day. When I was in college and working at a fast food place, I always volunteered for the closing shift (other students wanted to be out in time to go to parties, so these were often hard for management to fill). I never bought groceries, and always had plenty to eat. If I had two days off in a row, I did splurge and purchased food at the 1/2 off prices offered where I worked (food was free on days that you worked, but 50% on days off). Plus, if I was in the store and they were unexpectedly busy or if someone called in sick or didn't show up, I'd be the first to get the opportunity at an extra shift, and sometimes this even meant overtime pay, which certainly covered the few dollars I'd spent on food.
Where we live, and I think these are available in larger cities also, there are food pantries and churches that serve meals. I didn't know about these when I was in the city, but if I had, I would have taken advantage of them. If you don't feel comfortable just taking food for free, they do take donations, and after you show up for awhile and get to know the people, there are often volunteer opportunities for you to earn your meal. (Again, this usually takes more than thirty days).
Her first city is Key West, Florida. I don't live in Florida and I have no idea what rents cost in the city of Key West. I do live in the Midwest, and I checked into rents in our area.
Her experience was that rents began at $400 and went up, and that a $500 efficiency apartment was about the best that she could find and still feel safe in the city. Now, where we live, there are less desirable neighborhoods, but none that I would consider unsafe. Her numbers are from ten years ago. Mine are from today. I could get a decent size one bedroom downstairs apartment for $325 including utilities, in a fair neighborhood (three blocks from the downtown business district - walking distance to all necessities) in a town of about 12,000 people. There were cheaper places in the smaller towns nearby with less amenities, and they weren't much cheaper, and there were much more expensive options as well, all the way up to $1600 per month four bedroom, three bath mansion on the lake.
Now, fifteen years ago, when I was a college student, and had to live in a college town where prices are much higher; I paid $350 for a one bedroom basement apartment plus utilities, not a great neighborhood, but still safe.
All of the places I've lived required first months rent and deposit. In college, when I had spent more on tuition and books and other expenses than expected, I didn't give up, and go home; I asked a friend for a place to stay(again when you are living a life for more than thirty days, you make friends that trust you and can be trusted by you). I slept on the floor of her apartment for one month so that I could save up the money for rent and deposit. NOTE: this was not a 'legal' arrangement, the complex she lived in did not allow an extra person or allow subletting. The situation did work out, but it might not have if things had gone differently.
There may be more opportunities in bigger cities, but minimum wage is the same whether the town has 2000 people for two million, and you'll still probably find a grocery store, gas station, and a few fast food joints.
Personally, except for my university campus experience, I have pretty much always lived in a small town and always been able to find a job when I wanted one. Also, and I made this point earlier, the more experience I obtained over the years, better the jobs I was able to obtain, regardless of the size of the city.
However, I realize as a writer, her story is more compelling if she writes about life in large cities, since more people are living in them.
Getting enough to eat. She is open in the beginning that she will not go hungry; that if she can not afford food, then she would pull out the ATM card from her other life and cheat on the experiment. Her first job is as a waitress, every restaurant that I ever worked for, whether fast food or fine dining offered significant discounts on food, often free. Working a closing shift in particular allowed for not only sufficient dinner fare, but also "leftovers' to take home and warm up the next day.
Again, the issues she faces in her first city come from the "thirty day" rule of her experiment. She discusses not having any kind of cooking appliances or kitchen utensils when she first starts out. When I was sixteen years old, I was already thinking about my housing needs, and bought my first microwave at a yard sale for $1 this was many years ago, but yard sale prices change much slower than retail prices. I bought a new coffee maker last weekend for $1. I guess not every town has yard sales, and maybe you can't get away on a weekend morning to catch them, but there are estate auctions, thrift shops, resale stores, etc, that also offered extraordinary discounts on household necessities.
Working in a restaurant; closing shifts particularly allowed for not only sufficient dinner fare, but also 'leftovers' to take home and warm up the next day. When I was in college and working at a fast food place, I always volunteered for the closing shift (other students wanted to be out in time to go to parties, so these were often hard for management to fill). I never bought groceries, and always had plenty to eat. If I had two days off in a row, I did splurge and purchased food at the 1/2 off prices offered where I worked (food was free on days that you worked, but 50% on days off). Plus, if I was in the store and they were unexpectedly busy or if someone called in sick or didn't show up, I'd be the first to get the opportunity at an extra shift, and sometimes this even meant overtime pay, which certainly covered the few dollars I'd spent on food.
Where we live, and I think these are available in larger cities also, there are food pantries and churches that serve meals. I didn't know about these when I was in the city, but if I had, I would have taken advantage of them. If you don't feel comfortable just taking food for free, they do take donations, and after you show up for awhile and get to know the people, there are often volunteer opportunities for you to earn your meal. (Again, this usually takes more than thirty days).
Minimum wage is a starting point, not a career salary
Okay, so I'm reading this book Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. I feel I have to give her credit for the work that she has done, and I'm not criticizing her journalism; I even think that her words would resonate with more people if written today than it did ten years ago when she wrote it.
I do, however, feel like there is another side of the story, that she is missing altogether. First off, she set up some ground rules for her experiment: like she would always have a car. There are seven people in our household and we have one vehicle (by choice). When my husband needs it, the children and I find things to do at home or we pile into strollers and wagons and we walk; my point? I think lots of people get by without cars, and I would have to say that even one for our family is a luxury that we pay highly for, not an absolute necessity. Skipping to the third rule (I'll get back to the second) Never be hungry! No missed meals for her; if she was hungry, and didn't have enough money, then she would use here ATM card and cheat. I'll talk about food options later.
Her second rule was that she would always have shelter; her experiment was set up for thirty days in each city, if she paid by the week or night and couldn't make enough to cover it, the experiment in that city would have failed. I'm not saying she should go without shelter, although there are many inexpensive options, but I do think that the major flaw in this type of experiment is the thirty day rule. She mentions at one point that she is working in a place where benefits don't begin until you've worked there for ninety days. This seems reasonable to me, since benefits like insurance and retirement plans are for long term employees, not transients.
I've made many notes, and I'm barely beginning to read this book, but for this post, I want to primarily discuss her premise; "...could a single mother leaving welfare survive without government assistance...". Her experiment to determine the answer is a thirty day test. I think that is unreasonable.
When I got married, my husband & I were both working for a fast food business, I was making minimum wage and he was making about 1 1/2 times that because he had gained "experience" and a "promotion". This didn't happen in the first thirty days. I was living in a basement (cheap campus life) and he was living with his parents (even cheaper campus life). After getting married, we bought a home together (for about the same monthly cost as I had been paying in rent; but we added twenty minutes to his commute in trade). Eventually, he worked his way up in the company so that I was able to quit working altogether, and after seventeen years, he retired from his position as a store manager - but he started in high school as a minimum wage employee.
Minimum wage is intended to be a starting point, a wage at which teenagers at their first job get paid, or someone who is still learning how to do the job gets paid. If you have been at a job for a year or more and you have gained experience, you show up on time and you work hard, but have not been given any kind of pay increase since you started, then I assure you that you can begin looking for a new job, as there are plenty of companies out there that will compensate their employees for a job well done. Just don't expect it to happen in the first thirty days!
I do, however, feel like there is another side of the story, that she is missing altogether. First off, she set up some ground rules for her experiment: like she would always have a car. There are seven people in our household and we have one vehicle (by choice). When my husband needs it, the children and I find things to do at home or we pile into strollers and wagons and we walk; my point? I think lots of people get by without cars, and I would have to say that even one for our family is a luxury that we pay highly for, not an absolute necessity. Skipping to the third rule (I'll get back to the second) Never be hungry! No missed meals for her; if she was hungry, and didn't have enough money, then she would use here ATM card and cheat. I'll talk about food options later.
Her second rule was that she would always have shelter; her experiment was set up for thirty days in each city, if she paid by the week or night and couldn't make enough to cover it, the experiment in that city would have failed. I'm not saying she should go without shelter, although there are many inexpensive options, but I do think that the major flaw in this type of experiment is the thirty day rule. She mentions at one point that she is working in a place where benefits don't begin until you've worked there for ninety days. This seems reasonable to me, since benefits like insurance and retirement plans are for long term employees, not transients.
I've made many notes, and I'm barely beginning to read this book, but for this post, I want to primarily discuss her premise; "...could a single mother leaving welfare survive without government assistance...". Her experiment to determine the answer is a thirty day test. I think that is unreasonable.
When I got married, my husband & I were both working for a fast food business, I was making minimum wage and he was making about 1 1/2 times that because he had gained "experience" and a "promotion". This didn't happen in the first thirty days. I was living in a basement (cheap campus life) and he was living with his parents (even cheaper campus life). After getting married, we bought a home together (for about the same monthly cost as I had been paying in rent; but we added twenty minutes to his commute in trade). Eventually, he worked his way up in the company so that I was able to quit working altogether, and after seventeen years, he retired from his position as a store manager - but he started in high school as a minimum wage employee.
Minimum wage is intended to be a starting point, a wage at which teenagers at their first job get paid, or someone who is still learning how to do the job gets paid. If you have been at a job for a year or more and you have gained experience, you show up on time and you work hard, but have not been given any kind of pay increase since you started, then I assure you that you can begin looking for a new job, as there are plenty of companies out there that will compensate their employees for a job well done. Just don't expect it to happen in the first thirty days!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Why we can't get by in America
I am starting this blog, not about the books I've written, or even about books I might be writing, but simply to get something off of my chest. I may add to it later, or this might be all I need to say, and then it won't bother me so much.
But, I picked up a book (at a yard sale - for a quarter) called "Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich.
Now, I have only begun to read this book, and I don't live where she lives, but her premise is that people can't survive on minimum wage. It's cover boasts a glowing review from Diana Henriques, of the The New York Times and even claims status as a New York Times Bestseller.
Recently, Don (my husband) saw a program on television documenting a couple trying to live in the city with each of them working a minimum wage job; to show how difficult it is.
I don't know when the documentary was filmed, and I didn't watch it, but in just the few examples of situations faced by this couple that Don told me about, I could think of several ways that they could have saved more and spent less. Based on the premise of this book (Nickel and Dimed) that I am about to set forth reading, I believe that there is a flaw in the overall reporting. Now, I say this without having read the book completely yet, but I believe that both Ehrenreich and the host of the documentary are coming from a world in which I don't live, and entering into a world that I am accustomed to. They struggles they face are more accurately attributed to an executive who has allowed him or herself to become accustomed to a certain standard of living (no offense to the wonderful people of New York City, but since the New York Times was so impressed with her book, I'll call this standard, New York City living). Then, they suddenly, without warning or preparation are thrown into an income bracket that closely resembles the average rural community like the one I currently reside in (for that purpose, I'll call this standard the small town rural living).
To make it even simpler, I'll put it the way my daughter does: some people are city folk and some people are country folk. This has nothing to do with where you actually live, but Summer explains it this way, "City folk get through with stuff, so they throw it out and get something new. Country folk use their stuff over and over again, and sometimes even pick up and use the stuff that the city folk threw out." I think that says it perfectly.
So, my premise is that if you have always lived like country folk, and know how to get by, you'll keep on getting by, no matter what the circumstances. But, if you have always lived like city folk and suddenly have to get by, it will take some getting used to, and won't be easy.
I have a lot going on right now, but my attempt is to read this book and answer her claims with the other side of the story. I may not get far, but that is where I'm headed with this blog and similar ones that may follow.
Example: Don said that in the documentary, the woman in the couple had a urinary tract infection and went to the emergency room: this cost them $600!!! plus that cost of a prescription antibiotic. My answer: Cranberry juice is less than $2 at most grocery stores and works as well as or better than most prescriptions. How do I know? I'm not a doctor, but I have been pregnant five times and every time I get pregnant, I get an infection, and cranberry juice works every time. Also, I network with other moms and women who do not normally have $600 for an emergency room visit nor do they have medical insurance. Lastly, I know that for every possible ill this sinful world has to offer, God has created something to cure it.
More to come... I hope.
But, I picked up a book (at a yard sale - for a quarter) called "Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich.
Now, I have only begun to read this book, and I don't live where she lives, but her premise is that people can't survive on minimum wage. It's cover boasts a glowing review from Diana Henriques, of the The New York Times and even claims status as a New York Times Bestseller.
Recently, Don (my husband) saw a program on television documenting a couple trying to live in the city with each of them working a minimum wage job; to show how difficult it is.
I don't know when the documentary was filmed, and I didn't watch it, but in just the few examples of situations faced by this couple that Don told me about, I could think of several ways that they could have saved more and spent less. Based on the premise of this book (Nickel and Dimed) that I am about to set forth reading, I believe that there is a flaw in the overall reporting. Now, I say this without having read the book completely yet, but I believe that both Ehrenreich and the host of the documentary are coming from a world in which I don't live, and entering into a world that I am accustomed to. They struggles they face are more accurately attributed to an executive who has allowed him or herself to become accustomed to a certain standard of living (no offense to the wonderful people of New York City, but since the New York Times was so impressed with her book, I'll call this standard, New York City living). Then, they suddenly, without warning or preparation are thrown into an income bracket that closely resembles the average rural community like the one I currently reside in (for that purpose, I'll call this standard the small town rural living).
To make it even simpler, I'll put it the way my daughter does: some people are city folk and some people are country folk. This has nothing to do with where you actually live, but Summer explains it this way, "City folk get through with stuff, so they throw it out and get something new. Country folk use their stuff over and over again, and sometimes even pick up and use the stuff that the city folk threw out." I think that says it perfectly.
So, my premise is that if you have always lived like country folk, and know how to get by, you'll keep on getting by, no matter what the circumstances. But, if you have always lived like city folk and suddenly have to get by, it will take some getting used to, and won't be easy.
I have a lot going on right now, but my attempt is to read this book and answer her claims with the other side of the story. I may not get far, but that is where I'm headed with this blog and similar ones that may follow.
Example: Don said that in the documentary, the woman in the couple had a urinary tract infection and went to the emergency room: this cost them $600!!! plus that cost of a prescription antibiotic. My answer: Cranberry juice is less than $2 at most grocery stores and works as well as or better than most prescriptions. How do I know? I'm not a doctor, but I have been pregnant five times and every time I get pregnant, I get an infection, and cranberry juice works every time. Also, I network with other moms and women who do not normally have $600 for an emergency room visit nor do they have medical insurance. Lastly, I know that for every possible ill this sinful world has to offer, God has created something to cure it.
More to come... I hope.
LIFE = LEARNING WHEREVER YOU ARE
LIFE =
LEARNING
WHEREVER YOU ARE!
That is our company motto, and we believe it to be true, but somehow
when it proves to be true, there is something pleasantly surprising
about it.
We were at the Ann Arbor Book Festival last weekend as managed to
plan a free field trip to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts). I normally
put together lesson plans and activities around our educational
destinations (thus, the products available at vacationeducationbooks.com - we
even thought about writing one for the DIA - maybe someday).
Sometimes, I get caught unprepared on a field trip, and then I have
to rely on our motto to be true.
As usual, I noticed many educational elements of the Museum, but
being unprepared to discuss them, all I could do was take a mental note to
get more information once we were at home.
But, without any effort on my part - this field trip taught us all
something very important all on its own.
We saw many paintings, and as part of the DIA's new additions and
remodeling, the artwork often includes an explanation. One painting in
particular caught our attention. It was of "Echo", a woman, rejected,
flying through the air as though she'd been thrown. The despair on her face
was undeniable. Her story goes something like this...
Echo was in love with Narcissus, but because she was destined to only
repeat that which was spoken to her, could never tell Narcissus of her
love for him, and was rejected by him.
So, we had a long and "educational" discussion about not wanting to
be like Narcissus (narcissistic) and turning away those who would love
us because we never expressed love towards them. Also, we would want to
avoid being like Echo; always waiting for someone else to express love
to us first.
We learned a great deal about history, architecture, and art; not
just through paintings, but also pottery, sculpture, jewelry and furniture
from around the world. There is much to be learned from the exhibits
at the DIA, and I could have prepared much, but it's those unexpected
moments that remind us that all we have to do to be good teachers to our
children, is to BE THERE for those moments, because LIFE really does =
LEARNING WHEREVER YOU ARE.
From my family to yours,
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
LEARNING
WHEREVER YOU ARE!
That is our company motto, and we believe it to be true, but somehow
when it proves to be true, there is something pleasantly surprising
about it.
We were at the Ann Arbor Book Festival last weekend as managed to
plan a free field trip to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts). I normally
put together lesson plans and activities around our educational
destinations (thus, the products available at vacationeducationbooks.com - we
even thought about writing one for the DIA - maybe someday).
Sometimes, I get caught unprepared on a field trip, and then I have
to rely on our motto to be true.
As usual, I noticed many educational elements of the Museum, but
being unprepared to discuss them, all I could do was take a mental note to
get more information once we were at home.
But, without any effort on my part - this field trip taught us all
something very important all on its own.
We saw many paintings, and as part of the DIA's new additions and
remodeling, the artwork often includes an explanation. One painting in
particular caught our attention. It was of "Echo", a woman, rejected,
flying through the air as though she'd been thrown. The despair on her face
was undeniable. Her story goes something like this...
Echo was in love with Narcissus, but because she was destined to only
repeat that which was spoken to her, could never tell Narcissus of her
love for him, and was rejected by him.
So, we had a long and "educational" discussion about not wanting to
be like Narcissus (narcissistic) and turning away those who would love
us because we never expressed love towards them. Also, we would want to
avoid being like Echo; always waiting for someone else to express love
to us first.
We learned a great deal about history, architecture, and art; not
just through paintings, but also pottery, sculpture, jewelry and furniture
from around the world. There is much to be learned from the exhibits
at the DIA, and I could have prepared much, but it's those unexpected
moments that remind us that all we have to do to be good teachers to our
children, is to BE THERE for those moments, because LIFE really does =
LEARNING WHEREVER YOU ARE.
From my family to yours,
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
Thursday, May 15, 2008
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
WoW! God sure knows how to keep me on track and focused on Him. I've been torn in several directions lately. Trying to find time to write the next set of books, keep up with the blog, send out newsletters, market and sell books - while at the same time running an Ebay business just to keep the bills paid. When I think that the Ebay business is distracting me from the books and our ministry, God dumps more consignment items (sometimes even donations) on our door step - literally, they are just left at the door. When I think that we should pursue the Ebay business and maybe the books are just a pipe dream, then God opens doors in that direction. He never allows me to rely on either business or any earthly thing, but always keeps me wondering what He'll provide next, what He'll ask of me next.
Today, as I was focusing on Ebay and trying to figure out how many items had to sell to pay the bills; He sent Isaiah 55:9 "My ways are higher than your ways" - as if I didn't already know that, at least I should've already known that.
Then, we received an email stating that our business is on the semi-finalist list for a $1000 small business grant from Idea Cafe. The link in this blog will take you to that site and you can see us on the right hand side about the 6th one down on the list. So, we invite you to go check it out. We won't know for awhile if we win or not, there is still the finalist round to go through, but we plan to use the grant money to pay registration fees at homeschool conferences so that we can meet and talk with more of you.
Thanks and don't forget to check out our site at www.vacationeducationbooks.com
Corinne Johnson
Today, as I was focusing on Ebay and trying to figure out how many items had to sell to pay the bills; He sent Isaiah 55:9 "My ways are higher than your ways" - as if I didn't already know that, at least I should've already known that.
Then, we received an email stating that our business is on the semi-finalist list for a $1000 small business grant from Idea Cafe. The link in this blog will take you to that site and you can see us on the right hand side about the 6th one down on the list. So, we invite you to go check it out. We won't know for awhile if we win or not, there is still the finalist round to go through, but we plan to use the grant money to pay registration fees at homeschool conferences so that we can meet and talk with more of you.
Thanks and don't forget to check out our site at www.vacationeducationbooks.com
Corinne Johnson
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
For Families, Together is Better
We've been on the road a lot lately, and I often think of things to write, certain that as soon as it slows down a bit and the to'do list shortens, I'll post something great. But, then, here we are, having posted nothing in awhile and knowing I should. But, there is life, homeschooling, online sales, record keeping, website updates, answering emails, shipping products... and in the middle of all that is an almost two year old who demands my constant attention.
Experienced moms know this kid, he couldn't care less about me ten minutes after I leave the room, but acts like he'll die if he's not attached to me whenever he can see me.
He doesn't speak yet, but grunts a lot - if I didn't know better, I might consider him evidence for evolution (today he climbs the walls and furniture, grunts and screams for things he wants - also loves bananas - but over time, he will become a human being. I was gone for five days and he was "just fine" according to dad, but since my return, he is constantly on my hip, and fussing for this or that - all for my benefit, I'm sure.
At the other end of the spectrum is Summer, our oldest, who really proved herself this last weekend. She folded and handed out 300 flyers in two days, stepping out into the aisle to meet people; she didn't let anyone pass her by. She worked to draw people into our booth and sell them on our idea. She was a great help to me, and I look forward to working with her again this weekend.
She and I had the opportunity to spend five days together with everyone else at home working on things that need to be done here. We spent over 24 hours in the car driving, and two full days working the conference booth together. It was a great opportunity for our relationship to grow and for her dad and younger sister to realize how valuable she is around the house. They had to do a lot of extra work to make up for the two oldest women in the household being away.
We pray that our future trips will be together, working apart is hard. We all have a new appreciation for the dynamic of this family and how we work together. Hopefully, last weekend was our last trip apart.
Don't forget to check out our website to see where we will be next; we'd love to meet you. www.vacationeducationbooks.com
Experienced moms know this kid, he couldn't care less about me ten minutes after I leave the room, but acts like he'll die if he's not attached to me whenever he can see me.
He doesn't speak yet, but grunts a lot - if I didn't know better, I might consider him evidence for evolution (today he climbs the walls and furniture, grunts and screams for things he wants - also loves bananas - but over time, he will become a human being. I was gone for five days and he was "just fine" according to dad, but since my return, he is constantly on my hip, and fussing for this or that - all for my benefit, I'm sure.
At the other end of the spectrum is Summer, our oldest, who really proved herself this last weekend. She folded and handed out 300 flyers in two days, stepping out into the aisle to meet people; she didn't let anyone pass her by. She worked to draw people into our booth and sell them on our idea. She was a great help to me, and I look forward to working with her again this weekend.
She and I had the opportunity to spend five days together with everyone else at home working on things that need to be done here. We spent over 24 hours in the car driving, and two full days working the conference booth together. It was a great opportunity for our relationship to grow and for her dad and younger sister to realize how valuable she is around the house. They had to do a lot of extra work to make up for the two oldest women in the household being away.
We pray that our future trips will be together, working apart is hard. We all have a new appreciation for the dynamic of this family and how we work together. Hopefully, last weekend was our last trip apart.
Don't forget to check out our website to see where we will be next; we'd love to meet you. www.vacationeducationbooks.com
Monday, April 21, 2008
Answered Prayer car payment
If you read my last post, you may have felt my discouragement. But, I asked for a reminder of God's greatness, and He provided it. It was our decisions that put us into our financial predicament, but in all of our faults, God is merciful. We purchased two vehicles last year, borrowing for each of them. Last October, when we took our leap of faith, we tried to sell the car. No success. Over the winter, we tried again. Still no success.
On April 16th, with no money and no prospect of getting any very soon, we faced two car payments due on April 18th.
What to do?
We have no choice, but to trust in our Lord.
Don spent about an hour alone in prayer, and returned to say that we should sell the car.
We had tried to sell it before with no success. So, we left it up to God.
I asked, What should we do?
Don suggested that Craigslist is free to post on so let's start there. It was after dinner on the 16th, and I posted a short little blurb about the car, didn't even post any photos.
We got three calls within the next hour. The next day, someone came to look at it. By the evening of the 17th, we had a check in hand. By noon, on the 18th, the car was paid off, and the van payment made. God had brought us a buyer, who wanted that exact car, and was willing to pay exactly the amount that we needed.
Now, because we have not always followed God's ways, but for many years lived by worldly standards; we not only have a car payment, but also a few credit cards and a mortgage. So, I sit here today, sharing what God has done, and looking to the first of May when the house payment is due. Though, I am no longer discouraged, but now I feel bold enough to say, I look forward to seeing what God has planned for that.
If you would like to know more about us and our ministry - please visit vacationeducationbooks.com
On April 16th, with no money and no prospect of getting any very soon, we faced two car payments due on April 18th.
What to do?
We have no choice, but to trust in our Lord.
Don spent about an hour alone in prayer, and returned to say that we should sell the car.
We had tried to sell it before with no success. So, we left it up to God.
I asked, What should we do?
Don suggested that Craigslist is free to post on so let's start there. It was after dinner on the 16th, and I posted a short little blurb about the car, didn't even post any photos.
We got three calls within the next hour. The next day, someone came to look at it. By the evening of the 17th, we had a check in hand. By noon, on the 18th, the car was paid off, and the van payment made. God had brought us a buyer, who wanted that exact car, and was willing to pay exactly the amount that we needed.
Now, because we have not always followed God's ways, but for many years lived by worldly standards; we not only have a car payment, but also a few credit cards and a mortgage. So, I sit here today, sharing what God has done, and looking to the first of May when the house payment is due. Though, I am no longer discouraged, but now I feel bold enough to say, I look forward to seeing what God has planned for that.
If you would like to know more about us and our ministry - please visit vacationeducationbooks.com
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
It is Wednesday April 16th, 2008 and I am discouraged. I want to be the voice of encouragement, but today I am afraid. I need to be reminded of the greatness of God, of His promise to provide. I am not afraid that He will not keep His promises, but I am afraid that He will ask me to keep my word. I said I would follow Him anywhere He asked me to go, that I would do whatever He called me to do, speak words He gave me to speak, wherever, whenever, however He asked, I would.
We put our house on the market last October when Don left his job. It was an offering of faith. A show of our willingness to give up anything, even our home, to follow God. We thought He would sell it right away and show us where to go next. He didn't.
We started selling everything we own on Ebay and Craigslist (we figured that was God's provision to us, we didn't really need it, and we couldn't take it with us, but it could certainly help to pay the bills right now.) Then, we saw an opportunity to sell items for others on consignment. We thought God was showing us a way to stay here in our home, work together, and minister to other families about how little they really need. We thought God would shower us with financial blessings through this ministry. He didn't.
We registered, paid for and attended conferences and events to showcase and market Vacation Education books. We believe that our books are a ministry to families as we help guide them from traditional schooling into real life learning using the one or two weeks out of the year that are the only chance many families get to be together. We thought God would bless that immensely, making every show a 'sell out show'. He didn't.
We said yes to many requests on our time, particularly at church. Don is organizing a Passover festival. I am on the nursery schedule and expected to direct VBS this year. We are also serving on our church's stewardship board, and supporting and encouraging other family ministries. We thought God would see how hard we are working on things at church, on listing and selling on Ebay, on keeping up with the kids academics and that He would provide financially for all the things we hadn't gotten rid of yet, and make things a little easier on us. He didn't.
Over the winter, we put the car up for sale. We thought God would bring a buyer right away. He didn't.
So, we still have two vehicles. We thought that since God didn't sell the car right away, that maybe He wanted us to keep it for some reason and that He would provide the money to make the car payment. He didn't.
Things have not gone the way we thought they would go. They have gone according to God's master plan, which most certainly is much greater than mine.
But, here I am today, I paid my last $6 so that Tyler could have a book to work through for Cub Scouts. There is 1/8 of a tank of gas in the van. I owe $550+++ to the gas company as I am still trying to catch up on the winter bills. The car payments are due in two days, the house payment is due in two weeks, then the whole process of monthly bills and no income begins again. I have no money to make the payments, and I have no hope of any money coming in to pay them.
I thought God would make it easy to trust Him. He didn't.
We put the cars up for sale again, both of them this time. There aren't many places we need to go, although we won't be able to get to church without a vehicle because we would have to cross a major highway, something I'm not willing to do with five young children. The house of course is still for sale, although we've had no prospects thus far. We've been working on cleaning and clearing out and purging again, but even if we sold everything in the house, I don't know how it would ever be enough to make it, and eventually the stuff will run out too.
So, all we can do is pray.
I said at the beginning that I am afraid God will make me keep my word. When we put the house up for sale, I said that my prayer would be that God either sell the house or show us how to pay for it. I just didn't want to be foreclosed on. But, I also said, I would do anything, go anywhere, anyway, anyhow that God asked me to. His plan, not mine. So, what if His plan is for us to lose the house, not give it up by selling it, not keeping it and keep paying for it, but to lose it? What if His plan is to lose the cars? Not sell them and pay them off, but have them taken back? Will I be able to keep my word? I've never NOT paid a bill in my life. We are struggling to pay the gas bill, but we are paying it, and everything else is paid up as well. But, what if the money doesn't come? What if the loans are called? What if they take the cars and the house and put us on the street? What then? Will I be able to keep my word then? Will I still trust God then? Would you?
We put our house on the market last October when Don left his job. It was an offering of faith. A show of our willingness to give up anything, even our home, to follow God. We thought He would sell it right away and show us where to go next. He didn't.
We started selling everything we own on Ebay and Craigslist (we figured that was God's provision to us, we didn't really need it, and we couldn't take it with us, but it could certainly help to pay the bills right now.) Then, we saw an opportunity to sell items for others on consignment. We thought God was showing us a way to stay here in our home, work together, and minister to other families about how little they really need. We thought God would shower us with financial blessings through this ministry. He didn't.
We registered, paid for and attended conferences and events to showcase and market Vacation Education books. We believe that our books are a ministry to families as we help guide them from traditional schooling into real life learning using the one or two weeks out of the year that are the only chance many families get to be together. We thought God would bless that immensely, making every show a 'sell out show'. He didn't.
We said yes to many requests on our time, particularly at church. Don is organizing a Passover festival. I am on the nursery schedule and expected to direct VBS this year. We are also serving on our church's stewardship board, and supporting and encouraging other family ministries. We thought God would see how hard we are working on things at church, on listing and selling on Ebay, on keeping up with the kids academics and that He would provide financially for all the things we hadn't gotten rid of yet, and make things a little easier on us. He didn't.
Over the winter, we put the car up for sale. We thought God would bring a buyer right away. He didn't.
So, we still have two vehicles. We thought that since God didn't sell the car right away, that maybe He wanted us to keep it for some reason and that He would provide the money to make the car payment. He didn't.
Things have not gone the way we thought they would go. They have gone according to God's master plan, which most certainly is much greater than mine.
But, here I am today, I paid my last $6 so that Tyler could have a book to work through for Cub Scouts. There is 1/8 of a tank of gas in the van. I owe $550+++ to the gas company as I am still trying to catch up on the winter bills. The car payments are due in two days, the house payment is due in two weeks, then the whole process of monthly bills and no income begins again. I have no money to make the payments, and I have no hope of any money coming in to pay them.
I thought God would make it easy to trust Him. He didn't.
We put the cars up for sale again, both of them this time. There aren't many places we need to go, although we won't be able to get to church without a vehicle because we would have to cross a major highway, something I'm not willing to do with five young children. The house of course is still for sale, although we've had no prospects thus far. We've been working on cleaning and clearing out and purging again, but even if we sold everything in the house, I don't know how it would ever be enough to make it, and eventually the stuff will run out too.
So, all we can do is pray.
I said at the beginning that I am afraid God will make me keep my word. When we put the house up for sale, I said that my prayer would be that God either sell the house or show us how to pay for it. I just didn't want to be foreclosed on. But, I also said, I would do anything, go anywhere, anyway, anyhow that God asked me to. His plan, not mine. So, what if His plan is for us to lose the house, not give it up by selling it, not keeping it and keep paying for it, but to lose it? What if His plan is to lose the cars? Not sell them and pay them off, but have them taken back? Will I be able to keep my word? I've never NOT paid a bill in my life. We are struggling to pay the gas bill, but we are paying it, and everything else is paid up as well. But, what if the money doesn't come? What if the loans are called? What if they take the cars and the house and put us on the street? What then? Will I be able to keep my word then? Will I still trust God then? Would you?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
tax refun scam please beware
Hello, friends and family,
This is an unusual topic for my newsletter, but I feel like I need to send this out. Over the past few weeks, I have received a phone call several times. It is always a different person, but the same storyline. They tell me that they are calling from the Federal Government about my tax refund. They proceed to explain that I have a $500 tax refund coming.
(Now, if you follow the news at all, you already know that the US government does have a plan to send out refund checks, so this might sound somewhat legit)
Next, the caller tells me that I can get my refund tomorrow as a direct deposit to my bank account.
Sounds great, right?
So, all I have to do is tell them where I want the money deposited....
Here's where things get funky....
I'm not giving out my bank account information over the phone....
Are you?
How about someone you know?
Do you know anyone who might be desperate enough to hope that they might actually get the money?
Do you know anyone who is vulnerable and trusting enough to believe this caller?
After receiving this type of call this morning, I contacted the State Police who said they were already aware of the scam, and the most helpful thing that I could do would be to spread the word.
So, while this doesn't have anything to do with homeschooling, or traveling, or any of the things I normally write about... I do want to share this information with everyone I care about.
It may seem obvious, but these people would quit if it never worked! So, please, don't give your bank account information to anyone who calls you.
Blessings to you all,
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
This is an unusual topic for my newsletter, but I feel like I need to send this out. Over the past few weeks, I have received a phone call several times. It is always a different person, but the same storyline. They tell me that they are calling from the Federal Government about my tax refund. They proceed to explain that I have a $500 tax refund coming.
(Now, if you follow the news at all, you already know that the US government does have a plan to send out refund checks, so this might sound somewhat legit)
Next, the caller tells me that I can get my refund tomorrow as a direct deposit to my bank account.
Sounds great, right?
So, all I have to do is tell them where I want the money deposited....
Here's where things get funky....
I'm not giving out my bank account information over the phone....
Are you?
How about someone you know?
Do you know anyone who might be desperate enough to hope that they might actually get the money?
Do you know anyone who is vulnerable and trusting enough to believe this caller?
After receiving this type of call this morning, I contacted the State Police who said they were already aware of the scam, and the most helpful thing that I could do would be to spread the word.
So, while this doesn't have anything to do with homeschooling, or traveling, or any of the things I normally write about... I do want to share this information with everyone I care about.
It may seem obvious, but these people would quit if it never worked! So, please, don't give your bank account information to anyone who calls you.
Blessings to you all,
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
Friday, April 11, 2008
Daily Bread
This is just a quick post as I am thinking about our daily bread. I heard recently that when we worry about our daily needs, then we act like orphans. It is like a baby who turns automatically to his mother's breast because he knows that is where his provision is. This is how we should be when we turn to God for our daily provision. What if our toddler turned from the food we offered and went out into the street to find his own food, his own clothing, his own shelter (I'm not talking about the twenty or thirty something baby that still lives at home, but babies, infants and toddlers). What kind of parents would we be if our baby was out on the street searching for food? How then does it make our Father look if we go out on our own, apart from our Father, in search of our daily bread? If your child took the attitude of 'my father says he'll provide, but I'm going to go out and get my own food anyway, because what he has provided is not good enough for me', how would that make you feel? How then, do you think your Father feels when you go out and say, 'my Father says he'll provide for me, but I'm going to go out and make my own way anyway'? Is it that you don't believe that He will provide? Or is it that you think what He has provided is not 'good enough' for you?
The Lord has promised to provide, and He keeps His promises.
Our life right now is the perfect example of that. Every bill paid just in time, every meal provided just in time, and every day, He lays more provision at our doorstep. Literally.
We of course are working on our book series and traveling to share our experience and speak to others about homeschooling, parenting and leaping out in faith. But, all of that costs more than it makes, so we have no choice but to trust in God for the rest. He is a great, great God!
Don started selling things on Ebay to clear out our house and to make a little extra money. Then, friends and family started donated items for us to sell. Then, others began to inquire if we could sell for them. It turns out we can. Although we were not sure what God was asking of us in this, or how it fit into the plans that we had already made, we saw that this was a blessing, and we said yes.
Then, the blessings began to overflow into our home. We now have more inventory waiting to be listed than we had in our house before we began to purge.
We still don't know day to day what God will call us to, we only know that we will always say yes, and no matter how big that leap seems to be... we trust that our Father knows just what we need and that He will provide abundantly.
We pray that our life and our faith will be an example to those who are afraid to do what God asks of them. Whatever story the world is giving you... "... the voice of truth tells a different story, the voice of truth says DO NOT BE AFRAID."
Okay, not such a quick post after all, but if you are still with me.
I would like to invite you to visit our website www.vacationeducationbooks.com
and to visit our Ebay auctions. At Ebay, go to advanced search and search by seller, we are dcscte.
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
The Lord has promised to provide, and He keeps His promises.
Our life right now is the perfect example of that. Every bill paid just in time, every meal provided just in time, and every day, He lays more provision at our doorstep. Literally.
We of course are working on our book series and traveling to share our experience and speak to others about homeschooling, parenting and leaping out in faith. But, all of that costs more than it makes, so we have no choice but to trust in God for the rest. He is a great, great God!
Don started selling things on Ebay to clear out our house and to make a little extra money. Then, friends and family started donated items for us to sell. Then, others began to inquire if we could sell for them. It turns out we can. Although we were not sure what God was asking of us in this, or how it fit into the plans that we had already made, we saw that this was a blessing, and we said yes.
Then, the blessings began to overflow into our home. We now have more inventory waiting to be listed than we had in our house before we began to purge.
We still don't know day to day what God will call us to, we only know that we will always say yes, and no matter how big that leap seems to be... we trust that our Father knows just what we need and that He will provide abundantly.
We pray that our life and our faith will be an example to those who are afraid to do what God asks of them. Whatever story the world is giving you... "... the voice of truth tells a different story, the voice of truth says DO NOT BE AFRAID."
Okay, not such a quick post after all, but if you are still with me.
I would like to invite you to visit our website www.vacationeducationbooks.com
and to visit our Ebay auctions. At Ebay, go to advanced search and search by seller, we are dcscte.
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Inventing Words
We are using English from the Roots Up! and part of the lessons is trying to think of words that would come from the roots we are learning.
Phobos (Greek Root for Fear)
Philia (Greek Root for Love)
Here are Tyler's new words.
If you are afraid of love, then you suffer from "Philiphobia" The fear of Love!
If you love to be scared, then you are a "Phobophiliac" Lover of fear!
He's seven, he doesn't care if all of his vocabulary meets Webster's standards.
I haven't looked them up, but I am pretty sure that these are not actual words...
YET!
Phobos (Greek Root for Fear)
Philia (Greek Root for Love)
Here are Tyler's new words.
If you are afraid of love, then you suffer from "Philiphobia" The fear of Love!
If you love to be scared, then you are a "Phobophiliac" Lover of fear!
He's seven, he doesn't care if all of his vocabulary meets Webster's standards.
I haven't looked them up, but I am pretty sure that these are not actual words...
YET!
WOE 03/08/08
Here is this months Words of Encouragement Newsletter from Vacation Education Books.
Hello Familes!
I love sending out this email to all of you. It has been such a blessing on my life. In order to keep my promise to all of you, I have to think of something encouraging to say every month. That is not always easy.
But, God always provides!
I arrived home this morning from a conference, and I am exhausted from our trip, there is a mountain of "TO-DO"s at home, I saw my oldest for five minutes before she ran off to her friends. After kissing and hugging all my babies I'd missed for three days, I just wanted to soak in the tub, but there was no more hot water, so I settled in with a hot cup of coffee and got back to work. It was hard to think of something encouraging to write today.
So, I'll begin by encouraging you to avoid driving all night long and also to avoid situations where you lose two hours (we lost one hour when we crossed from Illinois into Michigan and then another when we got home and had to move the clocks ahead)
Anyone know why we are still doing that???
But, then I looked at the sales I'd made, the list of new contacts I had with other vendors (here's a thought for those of you who love our books - and happen to be Rainbow Resource Catalog customers - go to their website and request that they add our titles!)
I am sitting here looking at the sign up sheet for this email, and remembering the faces of all the families that I talked to at the conference and as I add them to my mailing list, I realized that it is not about me, or how I feel today, or how tired I am. I do this for the moms and dads who put their names on that list in the hopes that I would deliver what I had promised: Words of Encouragement.
So, I know that you all have days that you are tired, exhausted even, worn down and discouraged...
So, take Courage! Be En-Courage-d! God is with you!
I worked my booth from open to close Friday and Saturday. My mom and daughter watched it for one hour while I went to present my workshop. I arrived at the room where I was supposed to speak, and it was empty... Completely empty! Not one person came.
Now, I could have been upset, but I knew that I had run ahead of God. So, I sat down and asked Him to show me where He wanted me to be. I heard Him tell me to go back to my booth, then go home and write the next book, and leave the rest up to Him.
Reassured and energized, I headed back to my booth. I arrived to find a somewhat frazzled mother and daughter...
The booth was mobbed with shoppers while I was away!
It was the busiest it had been the entire conference.
While I had been on my knees before the Lord, He really had taken care of the rest!
We have an amazing God!
Whatever you're doing, where ever you are... take a few minutes to ask God if it's what and where He wants. He has a plan, and He is the only one who needs one.
Hello Familes!
I love sending out this email to all of you. It has been such a blessing on my life. In order to keep my promise to all of you, I have to think of something encouraging to say every month. That is not always easy.
But, God always provides!
I arrived home this morning from a conference, and I am exhausted from our trip, there is a mountain of "TO-DO"s at home, I saw my oldest for five minutes before she ran off to her friends. After kissing and hugging all my babies I'd missed for three days, I just wanted to soak in the tub, but there was no more hot water, so I settled in with a hot cup of coffee and got back to work. It was hard to think of something encouraging to write today.
So, I'll begin by encouraging you to avoid driving all night long and also to avoid situations where you lose two hours (we lost one hour when we crossed from Illinois into Michigan and then another when we got home and had to move the clocks ahead)
Anyone know why we are still doing that???
But, then I looked at the sales I'd made, the list of new contacts I had with other vendors (here's a thought for those of you who love our books - and happen to be Rainbow Resource Catalog customers - go to their website and request that they add our titles!)
I am sitting here looking at the sign up sheet for this email, and remembering the faces of all the families that I talked to at the conference and as I add them to my mailing list, I realized that it is not about me, or how I feel today, or how tired I am. I do this for the moms and dads who put their names on that list in the hopes that I would deliver what I had promised: Words of Encouragement.
So, I know that you all have days that you are tired, exhausted even, worn down and discouraged...
So, take Courage! Be En-Courage-d! God is with you!
I worked my booth from open to close Friday and Saturday. My mom and daughter watched it for one hour while I went to present my workshop. I arrived at the room where I was supposed to speak, and it was empty... Completely empty! Not one person came.
Now, I could have been upset, but I knew that I had run ahead of God. So, I sat down and asked Him to show me where He wanted me to be. I heard Him tell me to go back to my booth, then go home and write the next book, and leave the rest up to Him.
Reassured and energized, I headed back to my booth. I arrived to find a somewhat frazzled mother and daughter...
The booth was mobbed with shoppers while I was away!
It was the busiest it had been the entire conference.
While I had been on my knees before the Lord, He really had taken care of the rest!
We have an amazing God!
Whatever you're doing, where ever you are... take a few minutes to ask God if it's what and where He wants. He has a plan, and He is the only one who needs one.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Disney Vacation Guide
Marketing! That is a key word around this house these days. I have a wall of cases of a new book titled "Vacation Education destination Magic Kingdom" sitting in my dining room. They are just waiting for their intended owners to purchase them.
So, how do those intended owners find out about this wonderful new title that is just waiting here for them?
It's called Marketing!
And, it is mind-boggling.
So, this post is for one purpose, and one purpose alone! Marketing! Sorry if you stumbled across it hoping to get something more. If you want to actually see My Disney Vacation Guide, then follow the link to my website (vacationeducationbooks.com) and you can learn all about out series of travel guides for families who love to learn together.
But, this post here is just here so that the phrase "Disney Travel Guide" will hopefully show up on google leading potential customers here and then through the open window to my website so that they can then find out book series and purchase the Magic Kingdom travel guide that is waiting here for them, and we can make enough money to cover the cost of producing them and maybe even make enough money to produce more.
So, that's it! There is no other purpose to this particular post except to try to wiggle my way in to Google through my keywords, like "Disney Vacation Guide"
If you've read this far, and I can't imagine that anyone would, then please excuse my random ramblings, and get yourself over to vacationeducationbooks.com because if you're still reading this, then you need to get yourself a copy of one of our book titles where you'll find 160+ pages of my prose.
Thanks for stopping by
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
So, how do those intended owners find out about this wonderful new title that is just waiting here for them?
It's called Marketing!
And, it is mind-boggling.
So, this post is for one purpose, and one purpose alone! Marketing! Sorry if you stumbled across it hoping to get something more. If you want to actually see My Disney Vacation Guide, then follow the link to my website (vacationeducationbooks.com) and you can learn all about out series of travel guides for families who love to learn together.
But, this post here is just here so that the phrase "Disney Travel Guide" will hopefully show up on google leading potential customers here and then through the open window to my website so that they can then find out book series and purchase the Magic Kingdom travel guide that is waiting here for them, and we can make enough money to cover the cost of producing them and maybe even make enough money to produce more.
So, that's it! There is no other purpose to this particular post except to try to wiggle my way in to Google through my keywords, like "Disney Vacation Guide"
If you've read this far, and I can't imagine that anyone would, then please excuse my random ramblings, and get yourself over to vacationeducationbooks.com because if you're still reading this, then you need to get yourself a copy of one of our book titles where you'll find 160+ pages of my prose.
Thanks for stopping by
Corinne Johnson, author, vacationeducationbooks.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
14 days of homeschool
This is not mine! I received this in an email from a friend and just had to share it.
14 Days of Homeschooling
To the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas."
On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you
homeschool legally?"
On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give
them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about
P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool
legally?"
On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO
STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will
you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give
them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at
what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO
STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they
socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you
do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool,
YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they
socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss
the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long
will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give
them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about
graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what
they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!,
what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you
homeschool legally?"
On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could
never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do
you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you
homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them
tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go
to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll
miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how
long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you
give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can
go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we
don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing
nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them
P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL
LEGALLY!
On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can
I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum,
when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think
we can do this, if you will help us, we'll join a sports team, and
we'll homeschool legally."
14 Days of Homeschooling
To the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas."
On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you
homeschool legally?"
On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give
them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about
P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool
legally?"
On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO
STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they
socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will
you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give
them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at
what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO
STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they
socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you
do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool,
YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they
socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss
the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long
will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give
them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"
On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about
graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what
they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!,
what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you
homeschool legally?"
On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could
never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do
you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you
homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them
tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go
to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll
miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how
long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you
give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can
go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we
don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing
nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them
P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL
LEGALLY!
On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can
I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum,
when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think
we can do this, if you will help us, we'll join a sports team, and
we'll homeschool legally."
Learning to Cook
This actually happened last fall, but it is such a cute story that I just had to share it.
We spent last week at Grampa Roy's and Gramma Ruby's. Apples were in, and so the girls spent most of their time climbing the tree, picking the apples, peeling and cutting up the apples, and then convincing Gramma to help them with the crust so they could make apple pies. We arrived on Monday afternoon and left on Friday morning, so in the three days in between, they made a total of six apple pies. I wasn't exaggerating when I said it is what they spent the most time doing, especially since we were at Norway Lake most of the day Thursday.
We arrived home Friday evening, and on Sunday Summer was playing around in the kitchen. I asked her what she was doing and she told me that she was making apple pie for Jacob's birthday. AAAAWW, isn't that sweet? Just wait, I haven't got to the punch line yet. Don't skip ahead either, wait for it.
Gramma sent us home with a large bag of apples and so Summer was working away in the kitchen, while the rest of us proceeded to go about our own things.
When it was just about time for dinner, I was upstairs organizing the linen closet when Don brought me a pie tin. It had an apple pie in it which I am quite sure was delicious (I know because I ate a little bite off the edge. I would have had a whole piece except the entire middle was missing. I thought perhaps she had given it to Jacob (he's only one and doesn't have great manners yet) and he ate out the middle, that would make sense.
But, no that's not what had happened.
When asked about the missing middle, and by middle, I mean pretty much the entire pie except the outer edge of the crust, she replied,
"I ate a little to try it and make sure it was good enough for Jacob."
Selling it!
For those of you who have been following our story - We are at the point of GUNG HO marketing strategies. I have applied for a spot at INCH and am sending them an application to host a workshop, speak in front of the group, put on my presentation.
So, here it is: My Pitch!
Comments Welcome!
So, here it is: My Pitch!
Comments Welcome!
Thank you so much for inviting me to tell you my story. My name is Corinne Johnson. I am the author and creator or Vacation Education Books. These are travel guides for families who love to learn. They will take your family on a journey around the world, as you study science, history, geography, literature and more without ever leaving your living room. These are fabulous books, and we hope to sell a lot of them at our booth.
But, the books are only the end of the story, so let me begin at the beginning.
I met my husband in 1993, and began to ask God to show us a path that we could lead together; a journey that we could travel, side by side, not two roads that often meet, but one road that we would follow into eternity. Through trials and tribulations, God answered my prayer, but it took many years. When I read the old testament, and I see God at work in the Israelite nation, I am reminded that I am also one of His blessed children. He led them through the desert (not always pleasant), and He looked past their disobedient hearts and gave them Grace, forgiveness and blessings anyway. He did the same for me and my family. My husband and I will be at INCH, selling our books at a vendor booth, while our five children spend a weekend with Grandma, but except for these unique situations, we are a family that works together, travels together, and learns together. God has given me everything I asked for, and more than I could have ever imagined.
It has not been an easy journey.
We have over the years made decisions that God has called us to, and faced much opposition.
When we said yes to homeschooling, our families were extremely opposed to it. We didn’t know anyone who was doing it, and people told us it was illegal, immoral, and just not right.
When we said yes to letting God determine our family size, we were criticized and ridiculed by family and friends. They still think we are crazy!
When we said yes to having a home birth, we were bombarded with horror stories showcasing everything that could possibly go wrong.
When we said yes to leaving secular careers to pursue a road less traveled, we were questioned still.
When we’ve said yes to God, He has showered us with blessings greater than any opposition we have ever faced.
We have not always said yes to God, but I can also tell you the ease of following others is quickly forgotten in the pain and agony of saying no to God.
The road is not always smooth, we don’t always see the map the same way, and there are many hills.
As we approach each hill in the road, and wonder what might be on the other side, we are sometimes afraid to continue on. When Joshua led the Israelites across the dry river bed of the Jordan while God held the rushing waters at bay, I imagine they also were sometimes afraid to continue on. Some of the hills we’ve been up against have seemed greater even than rushing waters. God commanded the Israelites to pick up stones from the river bed and stack them up, so that when their children asked “what are these stones for?”, they would answer them, “This is what the Lord our God has done for us.”
As I share with the audience the stories that were once mountains in our path, but now I look back and see nothing but piles of stones, I hope to encourage and inspire them to look at their own journey and see the hills that have turned to stones. I will ask my audience to point out those stones to their children and say, “This is what the Lord our God has done for us.”
Then, when we have done that, remember to keep these in mind as we continue down a road where all we can see is the upcoming hill. We have no idea what is waiting for us on the other side. But, we can go forward confidently when we know that we are on the road that God has made, and we keep checking that rear view mirror and see those piles of stones. Whatever challenges you are facing, whatever difficulties you think that you cannot overcome, see what God has done, and do not be afraid.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
When can I pause?
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, but mostly grateful, as I sit hear writing this post. My children are quietly (well, mostly quietly) resting (sort of) in the next room. We are at the Kalahari Resort for the Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering (nearly 1000 in attendance I've heard). We are here for the week, and it should be a time to mellow and relax. We are here to network, and speak, raffle off some product, and maybe even make a few sales. But, we are also here as a reward for finishing the second book.
Yes, it is finished! At least from my end, it is complete, unless I get an email from the printer with something that I have to change. The official release date is March, 2008. We will be introducing it at the Illinois In Home Convention for the first time.
It is all very exciting and getting it finished meant that we could take some time off and hang out at the resort. But, we have been go go go since we left the house last Friday. I keep moving, in slow motion, and thinking when can we stop. There is the water park (Super Fun!), conference events, speakers, workshops, grocery shopping to stock the kitchen, clearance sale shopping, mall shopping, restocking books at stores along the way (Really really excited that it is necessary because that means the items are selling out, but also somewhat overwhelmed by the enormity of it all). There is just so much to do and I can't help but wonder, when will I pause?
What are we doing today, the kids want to know. Could we do nothing? Would that be alright? Well, the adrenaline is pumping and everyone is excited to get out and explore the resort. So, unpause and back to changing babies and searching for life jackets, making sure no one loses their suit, or shoes or anything else along the way.
And, what might we do tomorrow?
How about nothing, just for one day, wouldn't that be alright?
Doubtful.
Yes, it is finished! At least from my end, it is complete, unless I get an email from the printer with something that I have to change. The official release date is March, 2008. We will be introducing it at the Illinois In Home Convention for the first time.
It is all very exciting and getting it finished meant that we could take some time off and hang out at the resort. But, we have been go go go since we left the house last Friday. I keep moving, in slow motion, and thinking when can we stop. There is the water park (Super Fun!), conference events, speakers, workshops, grocery shopping to stock the kitchen, clearance sale shopping, mall shopping, restocking books at stores along the way (Really really excited that it is necessary because that means the items are selling out, but also somewhat overwhelmed by the enormity of it all). There is just so much to do and I can't help but wonder, when will I pause?
What are we doing today, the kids want to know. Could we do nothing? Would that be alright? Well, the adrenaline is pumping and everyone is excited to get out and explore the resort. So, unpause and back to changing babies and searching for life jackets, making sure no one loses their suit, or shoes or anything else along the way.
And, what might we do tomorrow?
How about nothing, just for one day, wouldn't that be alright?
Doubtful.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
God is Good! Jan. 10, 2008
I haven't written lately I think because I was waiting for something extraordinary to happen. Looking for a story in our life that had an ending that I could share. But, everything is still very much unknown for us. We put the car and the house up for sale in October, but here they still are. We continue working on the second book, promoting the first and getting by.
When I look around and think about what we have seen God do, I sometimes think there is nothing to share unless it's something big. But, then I realized that it is the small miracles, the little details that God works out for us that are the most encouraging. It is amazing to hear and experience the BIG things that God does; but often, God is not in the fire, God is not in the earthquake, God is not in the strong wind, God is the still small voice. God is in the little details.
Don has not worked outside the home since October. We had no sure plan except to follow God, and see where he would lead us. We thought God would sell the house right away since that was the only chance we had of making any money. Then, the house didn't sell, one month and then another. Now, we are in January, and AMAZINGLY, all of our bills are paid! Even the house payment!
We prayed for God to either sell the house or show us a way to pay for it. We were mentally and emotionally prepared for a foreclosure (if that was God's plan), but in our hearts we didn't believe that was the right way to go. We offered the house up for sale, not because we wanted it to sell, but as an offering for God to do with as He wished. His will not ours!
Don prayed fervently for God to show him how to lead his family. He was home so that we could work together to raise and educate our children, and so that I would be able to continue working on our book series; but he felt there was something more for him to do. He asked God to show him a way to provide financially without having to leave his family behind.
We started selling things from our house on Ebay (it's January in Michigan). We aren't in a good position to have a yard sale, but if the house sells, all this stuff has to go somewhere. Then, some friends donated some items for us to sell. Then, we received requests to sell on consignment. All of this while at the same time we were reading books about marketing and making profit on Ebay (so that we could make the most possible with our household items). We were confident that when we ran out of stuff to sell, then God would provide another way. Even after selling nearly $2000 worth of stuff in the last three months, we now have more "inventory" in our house than we did when we first began to clean things out.
We still don't know what God has planned for us, but we see Him at work.
My mom gave us $$$ to use to further our business. We looked at all the ways we could use that money, and then we stumbled upon a homeschooling conference in Ohio (only five hours away). It fits into our schedule, is exactly the target market for our book series and the only fee to get in is the cost of the room. We have to stay at the resort to participate in the conference.
Every step of the way, God has provided everything that we have needed. We are blessed.
Keep checking our website for updates on our book titles.
vacationeducationbooks.com
and our Ebay auctions at vebstore.com (vacation education book store)
Magic Kingdom is due out March 2008.
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