TOS

Rain, God Reign

October 19, 2020 By Annette1 4 Comments

Rain, God Reign. I know, it’s a catchy phrase but seriously? You may be thinking, “Whatever!” I would have at one point been very cynical.

But I am here to tell you, the title is real.

Rain comes. We equate rain with bad times. We’ve all heard the saying, “When it rains, it pours.” Referring to one bout of bad news after another. There’s been a close death in the family, doctor’s prognosis, vehicle dies, evicted, and we all know the list doesn’t stop there.

One thing after another come at you. You are exhausted from the rain of life on you. It’s not easy.

I know that feeling as well.

We have all been there, and some are there right now. Please don’t quit, and don’t despair.

Here’s a secret…

Did you know this also happened to Jesus? For real.

bible book business christian — Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com

Examples from Jesus’ life

If we look in Luke 8:22-56 Jesus is dealing with a lot!

This passage starts with Him and His disciples crossing the lake. A storm blows in, and instead of taking the teachings of Jesus to heart, they freak out. (my words). Jesus spent all this time teaching and training them and they still didn’t get the message. He is sleeping on the boat when the storm blows in. Let me repeat that…. Jesus is sleeping. As the storm blows in, the disciples think they are going to die and call out for Jesus. They call out to Him and asks Him if He cares. So Jesus got up and calmed the storm. (There are a lot of amazing lessons in those last two lines – but I don’t want to get distracted)!

Then after the disciples had a freak attack about the storm, Jesus is now greeted on the shore with a demon-possessed man. They go back across the lake, and the people are waiting for Jesus. This means that before Jesus can catch a breath, He is ministering to the people waiting for him.

While in the middle of all this, a man named Jarius comes to Jesus and falling at His feet, tells Jesus his daughter is dying. Now as the man is talking, Jesus feels power go out of Him, as a woman touches His hem. While Jesus is dealing with the woman, a messenger comes to relate that the daughter of Jarius is dead. The Lord Jesus is finished blessing the woman, and now turns to Jarius, and goes to His home. Jesus gets laughed at when He said the girl is only sleeping. More rain. That did not stop Him from raising her up though.

This all happened in roughly a twelve-hour period.

Later on, you’ll find Jesus exhausted, alone in the garden, his disciples not staying up with Him. You’ll find him betrayed. Jesus in pain. Even though he knew this betrayal was coming, it would still ache. Arrested, tried, scourged, beaten, crucified. More rain.

abstract art artistic autumn — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Rain, God Reign

Rain.

Jesus knows well the rains of life.

He also knew His Father. He knew His God Reigns.

He did not get down in the dumps and stay there. Jesus did not climb under a rock and hide. He looked after each and every situation, knowing God Reigns.

It is the same with us.

When circumstances hit hard and you don’t know what to do, you don’t want to get out of bed, or face the world. And when anxiety threatens to drown you; Remember, Your God Reigns.

If you are not sure if He reigns over you, ask Him to. Ask Him to Reign in your life. Every problem will not go away, but if we look at the storm scenario, He calmed the storm. Sometimes in my life, He has calmed me instead of the storm.

So in difficult times when the rain of life and living is hitting hard, remember; God’s Reign in your life is bigger than the rain of life.

Rain, God Reign!

Seeking the Things of God

October 12, 2020 By Annette1 12 Comments

Yesterday in church pastor was speaking about gratefulness and how it’s often a matter of perspective. I’ve continued to ponder that whole matter of perspective and how much it matters when we look at the things of God. Today’s challenge from the crew is the Wonderful Blessings of God. God blesses us in so many different ways we don’t always make note of them. Often our perspective skews what we are looking at when we are seeking the things of God.

Today I thought I’d talk about how perspective matters when things happen in life. And how by shifting it, we can see God’s blessing upon us.

Seeking after the things of God, text over bible

Seeking the Things Of God

Mom’s Story

Seeing God’s blessings in life is often what I call looking for the God-moments. Those moments, where you know that God intervened, at just the right time. Or that he met a need even before you knew you need it.

This Thanksgiving weekend we got together with my mom. She was telling us a moment where God intervened before she knew the need. Here she was, a young woman in her early 20’s, she wanted to travel to Canada. She was all set to go on her own, one of her uncles said “Oh, I want to go to Canada too, shall we travel there together by boat?” Mom agreed and so plans were made. When they arrived his people came to collect him but the people who were supposed to pick her up did not. Since his people were there they then offered to take her. It was out of their way but they made sure she got there safe and sound. She remembers knowing that was God at work. Keeping her safe and sound in a brand new country where she knew very little English.

Story from Church

Pastor mentioned this story at church this morning. I can’t remember all the details as to who said this, but there was a fellow who was robbed and he mentioned how in it he saw the blessings of God.

They didn’t get much.
He wasn’t killed.
It was him and not someone else.
He wasn’t the robber.

Isn’t that a great perspective? Flipping it on it’s head, and seeing the other side of it all? What a great way to see the blessings of God eh?

I don’t know about you but I want to be more like that eh? Seeing the good so much more than I see the bad.

A Direct Need Answered

I’m sure we have all heard these stories, about how God answers prayer. When you have rent due and you know you are short on funds, and somehow the needed funds end up in your bank account. Or the bag of food that ends up on your doorstep when your fridge is empty? What about those times when

Recently I was thinking through a situation we have here at home and wondering if I needed to consider Jesus first. And then I opened a box from Amazon about the inerrancy of scripture. I had purchased this book because I was strongly advised to do so, I had not researched it, and guess what? The author approaches this topic by looking at Jesus. It’s known that he existed through other historical records other than the bible. So it’s a different approach that fits into where I thought God was leading me. Wasn’t that timely?

Hurts that Open Doors

We’ve recently had a hurt in our family. It’s caused some issues. I think some of it has been part of Covid fallout, some of it just … stuff. Anyways, it’s created this good-hard thing. The other day on the way home from church I mentioned to my son that I never thought I’d be grateful for this hurt.

But this hurt has taught me compassion, understanding, and new skills. It’s deepened my prayer life and broadened my understanding of the things of God.

The other day a dear lady invited me into her home. She knew of a need I had and said “I can help with that!” So off I went, I had a blast, she had a blast. We laughed and chatted over a light lunch. Needs were met. She kept saying “I don’t know why I’m telling you this Annette”. But I knew. I was there to listen, and she was there to encourage. It’s one of those moments where my hurt helped to translate for her, her hurt. Sorta the same, but yet… different. But a compassion I hadn’t really known before shone through and God was good. So very good.

How about you?

I LOVE to hear stories of how God met people when they least expected it, or most needed it. Those “God-moments”. What are some of your seeking the things of God moments? Would you mind sharing them with me? Let us be an encouragement to those around hmmm?

The Colour Orange

October 5, 2020 By Annette1 12 Comments

Do you know what I encountered on my many walks while camping a couple weeks ago? The colour orange. Some of it was expected, the leaves were starting to change colour. But some of it was unexpected… Let me tell you more eh?

the colour orange, picture with pumpkins

The Expected

Being as it’s fall and we were camping in the near north, I expected to see the leaves changing colour… and I did! Oh, it was so beautiful, let me share some pics!

Oddly enough I didn’t get as many orange tree pictures as I thought I had. We had such a wonderful week camping and the colours grew more intense as the week progressed. Some amazing beauty in the world around us, it was so grand.

We had a fire every night. Often we cooked over it, sometimes we just enjoyed sitting around it. We varied the size of our fire, partly because when we arrived we had a challenge finding wood. As the week went on the nights grew colder and the fires grew bigger. Such a good time to laugh and chat. The fellows kept finding memes to share with each other.

The cheese…just makes chili right, you know?

Unexpected Orange

Isn’t this an amazing mushroom? I was so surprised by the colour! There was a group that varied in colour from dark yellow through orange to almost red. Most were this orangey-red colour.

The book wasn’t unexpected, what was unexpected was my hubby picked it up and enjoyed it! I even heard him laughing! This is not his style of reading material at all.

When I got home from camping I spent a week getting things washed and put away again. I went out for a walk and saw this marvellous collection of pumpkins. Are they neat? I love the variety the ladies chose. 🙂

How About You?

Have you found the colour orange this season? Have you found it in more than pumpkins and spice? Do you have trees that change in marvellous shades of yellow, orange and red? Yes, I’m curious and want to know. 🙂 Leave a comment or join in on the linky below.

Simply Coding, a Crew Review

October 1, 2020 By Annette1 2 Comments

DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW NOR WAS I COMPENSATED IN ANY OTHER WAY.

Are you looking for a homeschool computer science curriculum? I need to tell you about Simply Coding’s Coding for Kids Annual Membership. What a fantastic program that my son has been digging into for the past five weeks.

What I am Reviewing

Coding for Kids Annual Membership is a coding program designed for students 11-18 years of age. Put together by the team at Simply Coding, they use live demos, videos and slides to help students actively engage in coding lessons. Students will learn to create websites, build games, and design apps.

Annual Membership Pricing (Through Oct 1st):

Normally $149 Currently $99 – Single Student (33% OFF) + 10 Day Free Trial
Normally $229 Currently $179 – Family Membership (20% OFF + THREE student accounts) + 10 Day Free Trial

How is Simply Coding Set Up?

Once you login as parent it is easy to set up student accounts. You do each need your own email.

When students login they are greeted with an overview page. This shows them which courses they can do. Some courses require prerequisites so you won’t be able to do them until you have completed the necessary courses.

On this student overview page you will see your victories and any uploads you have done. Victories are completed lessons.

Once you select your course you will be lead to your work area. On the left side of the screen will be the course outline.

The main part of the screen will be for the lesson. The lessons aren’t all presented the same.

For instance with the Digital photography course I was presented with a series of videos.

With the Intro to Websites, there were a series of slides to go through with video that pulled up on the side.

My son has been working through JavaScript Game Design. He tells me that it’s presentation is the same as the intro to websites course.

The My Progress button on the overview page gives you a quick snapshot of where you are in the different programs. For instance, you can see that I have made 8% progress in the Digital Photography course.

Live Teacher Sessions actually shows how to create small games. The teachers will demonstrate what you need to do to recreate the game. Currently they have 20 demo videos available with a promise of more to come. What a great way to learn practical application of skills eh?

How Did We Use Simply Coding?

The trial of these online coding classes that we received gave us access to all the classes Simply Coding provides. It was marvellous to have so many options available to us.

We could choose from four categories

Coding
Media
Tech Essentials
Tech4Kids

My son was immediately drawn to the JavaScript Game Design course. He is planning to work his way through the entire selection of coding. Since I didn’t use this course I’ll be letting him tell you what he thinks of it.

My lad says:

“Logging on was very easy, and the lessons are well arranged and easy to access. The quizzes are simple to use and access. You are able to take the quizzes again, and you are graded immediately. I think that the program could be better if rather than using a code library it took the time to teach you how to code the various functions yourself.”

What about me?

As for myself, I’ve been dabbling.

I started with Intro to Websites, but then moved on to Digital Photography 1 as my focus for the website course just wasn’t there. This video-based course is rather interesting and makes me realize the shortcomings of the camera that I actually have! 🙂

I love the immediate feedback on quizzes.

They have a course on learning to use GIMP!! I’ve been wanting to understand GIMP a bit better so I’m going to work on that course. I’ve done some work with GIMP in the past but I’m still a novice. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to truly create my own images instead of having to rely on programs such a picmonkey or Canva?

In starting the GIMP program I’ve discovered a small issue. The demonstration model is a different version than what I downloaded. So finding where everything is a bit more of a challenge. BUT HEY! I created my first GIMP image!

I’m not the fastest learner with some of this stuff so I’m hoping between their program and my stick-to-it-itiveness I can master GIMP! Wouldn’t that be a good thing? 🙂

Should you Get Simply Coding?

If you want to improve your skill and knowledge in creating media or computer programs, this program will suit you very nicely. Spending 3-5 hours each week should get you through the bulk of the materials within a year. The variety of options available means you can find just the right course for your students.

My lad says:

“I have used other coding programs that go more in-depth that I prefer. I like how easy it is to use Simply Coding but I wish that it taught more in-depth coding. Not sure that I would recommend it at this point. Perhaps as I get further into the lessons it will teach harder things.”

Social Media Links

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Youtube.

Read the Reviews

Can you believe that 65 members of the Crew reviewed Simply Coding? We all got to choose our own courses to try out. So you have GOT to read the reviews to get a really good feel for this online computer science program.

Click on the image below to go do some reading.

My Teaching Library – Crew Review

September 30, 2020 By Annette1 2 Comments

DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW NOR WAS I COMPENSATED IN ANY OTHER WAY.

DO NOTE that affiliate links are used throughout this post.

For the past few weeks I’ve been granted access to a program called Download Club. This is a club put together by My Teaching Library where you can download product to help you in your homeschooling journey. But get this… they not only help in your homeschooling journey but in your personal life as well! How cool is that!?!?!?!

What I am Reviewing

My Teaching Library is an online resource is chockful of downloadable PDF’s. You’ll find worksheets, lapbooks, notebooking pages and more homeschooling resources. You’ll find resources for students in PreK-12.

You have two options. Purchase a subscription to the Download Club or buy individual courses. An individual course will run a gambit of prices, or for a year do one fee and download anything you want. There is also a lifetime subscription as well that, if you were planning on homeschooling for a few years, would be an excellent cost-saving option.

As part of the Download Club you’ll find mazes, puzzles, wordsearches, unit studies, textbooks, and more. You’ll find some random videos as well.

How Does My Teaching Library Work?

Once you login into My Teaching Library you’ll be able to choose from a variety of educational resources. If you click on the tab you can choose by grade, subject, or any of the miscellaneous topics.

That will lead to a subject area where you can click on a product to learn more about it.

All products that you purchase end up in your downloads cart. You click on the purple button to download the product. Everything I looked at came as a PDF. I could then save it to where I wanted it on my computer. You can then print it off if you’d like.

How we used the Download Club

Most files I didn’t print off.

I shared the Holocaust one with my son to make the reading of the stories easier. Fascinating case stories for us to discuss and learn from.

I struggled with French Cookery. The highlighted links in the text didn’t seem to work so I needed to manually search for what I wanted to try out. Most the recipes didn’t have oven temperatures so it was a bit of guesswork to choose a recipe to try.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Marine Science study. I really only used the student edition. Reading and then answering questions.

The History of Music surprised me. I thought it was something different than it was. Going through a textbook via PDF simply didn’t work well for me. 700 pages with footnotes. I tell you I learned a lot! And much of it was fascinating reading, it’s just hard to read as a PDF and then needing to find my place everytime. I’m just not as organized as I need to be. 🙂

My goal was to read some poetry with my lad. UNFORTUNATELY a 15 year old lad isn’t always into poetry. 🙂 I quickly learned to avoid the longer poems. This shorter one he didn’t complain about listening too. 🙂

Perhaps my dutiful lad found something of himself in it? I don’t know, but he was quiet after listening to me read. Quiet is good no?

Should You Get It?

This is a bit of a mixed bag for me right? I had really looked forward to the History of Music and the French Cookery. Finding incomplete instructions in the cookery PDF was frustrating. The more text-booky feel to the music history left me feeling meh, EVEN THOUGH I learned a ton!

But I enjoyed the poetry (even though my son was less than enthused). The marine science book was excellent! (I look forward to finishing it) And the scenarios in the Holocaust PDF were sources of excellent conversation with my lad.

Given my varied reaction to the materials I used, overall I’d say it’s worth your time. For $45 a year annual membership, or $225 for a lifetime membership, it’s not a bad deal.

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Seventy members of the Homeschool Review Crew gave the Download Club from My Teaching Library a good solid look. Click the banner below to check out those reviews.

Everything Pumpkin

September 28, 2020 By Annette1 6 Comments

Pumpkin spice fills the air everywhere I go it seems. Sometimes it makes sense, like pumpkin spice muffins… mmm. But sometimes oh my, pumpkin spice flavouring just seems… odd. 🙂 It’s gotten me to think about everything pumpkin, as it is that time of year. All the different uses of pumpkin, it’s a rather versatile plant and fruit, won’t it be fun to discover them?

everything pumpkin, pumpkins on white steps

Pumpkins as food!

Pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie,
pumpkin muffins oh me oh my!
So many tasty dishes
That delight the eye!

Imagine now if you would
How to smell up your neighbourhood.
With gifts off food,
Pumpkin, cinnamon, spices more.
Bring a grin to
those shut indoors.

Share a gift
To chase the gloom
of business shut down
to know less COVID doom.

close up photo of pumpkin pie with whipped cream — Photo by Kasumi Loffler on Pexels.com

Pumpkins as Medicine

Save them all everyone
Make the world safe for little buns!
Create your lanterns
but save the seeds.
They’ll help your bunnies if you please!

Acting as preventative.
Internal parasites
Keep away.
Not a cure, but make it so
worms won’t make a bunny their home.

Also useful pumpkin puree,
Helps young guinea pigs
along the way.
If momma dies,
Pellets and pumpkin.
Make young babies see another day.

white and orange pumpkins on table — Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com

Pumpkins are Fun

Carving, creating,
Making some fun.
Jack-o-lanterns
for everyone!

Connect with friends
Pick just the one.
Yellow, white, or
Orange as the sun.

Your taste in carving
Vary be
Vomiting jack-o-lantern
Maybe see?

Possibly inspiration find
you might create
a pumpkin blind.

Or maybe even a rabbit or two,
will grace the
pumpkins that you do?

So what do you think? Will you join in on the pumpkin linky? Where does the Everything Pumpkin prompt take you?

Fall Sports

September 21, 2020 By Annette1 4 Comments

It is that time of year for pumpkin spice, chili’s and stews. Long sweaters and jeans and shuffling through the leaves. Children running around engaged in their fall sports.

Yes! It is Fall again!

Fall is can be an interesting time of year, even for those who are mourning over the ending of summer!

Recently, I met up with a couple of friends who had their little ones with them. They were your typical excited little ones, so I engaged them in some fun activities.

We went along the local trail and saw amazing things like baby snakes and leaves with different patterns – we looked at these through my pocket microscope. We had a chance to watch various animals getting ready for winter. Looking at different mosses that grow on trees under a mini microscope was very fascinating for the children, as well as for me.

Is it just about fall sports?

Typically, when we think of fall sports, we may think of the baseball season coming to an end and get geared up for hockey and other indoor sports. But hiking a trail and seeing what creation has to offer is a fall sporting activity that we don’t think about. Gardening is another.

Sitting here typing this I am looking out my window into my gardens. There is a plethora of plants in my garden that I love to look at. Particularly the diversity of it. There are vegetables, flowers, herbs, and even a bit of bunny greens for my bunny! Fall is a time of harvest and harvesting the veggies is quite the sport at times! Adie form that though, there is a feeling of accomplishment. I believe every sport should have that feeling. Whether you win or lose, there is a sense of accomplishment.

I feel that’s what fall does for me. Gives me a sense of accomplishment for the year, even though we still have a few months left in the year. This year has been strife with all sorts of things starting with COVID-19, and lockdown, social distancing and all that has been involved in that. But there is still a sense of accomplishment in my spirit because I have had some of these small things in my life. I think of the newness of life that spring makes me feel, and how I’ve seen that grown during the summer. Now, I see the fruits of my dreams from spring, just before nature takes a nap from growing things.

If anything, fall sports can teach me one thing, out of many; how wonderful it is to let things go. As the sporting season changes and morphs for the winter, so does nature. Both letting go of the old, to take a rest, and prepare for a new season.

How About You?

The social media challenge for this week was fall sports? What does that bring to mind for you? Does it bring out the athletic side of you or the more let’s get out and enjoy the weather with friends and family? I’d be curious to know. 🙂 Join the linky or share in the comments won’t you?

TOS

Rain, God Reign

Examples from Jesus’ life

Rain, God Reign

Seeking the Things of God