Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Our New Wheels . . .
Monday, January 23, 2012
Blessings
Lately I have been contemplating blessings. They come in all shapes and sizes, don't they? Sometimes they can even be difficult to recognize because they don't meet our own expectations. I am learning to look for blessings both big and small in my life right now.
In the past week, I had the blessing of receiving a gift basket overflowing with all sorts of goodies for me--food treats, teas, a new scarf, a new DVD--and lots more. A dear friend of mine from church who knows something of the trials our family is going through made me one--and my daughter one as well. She loved hers, and I love mine, too.
Another blessing we just received today. We have been talking about selling off a vehicle which is a little small for our family--and which has reached an age at which all those little things tend to go wrong with it. Yet we really can't afford to trade up right now. So my husband just happened to stop by a friend's business and mention that we were thinking about looking for a new family vehicle--and he said, "I've got it right outside, but it was headed to auto auction tomorrow so tell me if you want it now!"
My husband drove it home, and we loaded all the kids and took it for a spin. It is a white 1996 Suburban which was used as an SBC Disaster Relief vehicle at our friend's church. It has never been wrecked, has been well-maintained, and although it has high mileage comes home at a great price. It is a 3/4 ton vehicle, so it will be a gas guzzler, but it is a huge blessing to our family right now.
Has God given you any blessings lately?
In the past week, I had the blessing of receiving a gift basket overflowing with all sorts of goodies for me--food treats, teas, a new scarf, a new DVD--and lots more. A dear friend of mine from church who knows something of the trials our family is going through made me one--and my daughter one as well. She loved hers, and I love mine, too.
Another blessing we just received today. We have been talking about selling off a vehicle which is a little small for our family--and which has reached an age at which all those little things tend to go wrong with it. Yet we really can't afford to trade up right now. So my husband just happened to stop by a friend's business and mention that we were thinking about looking for a new family vehicle--and he said, "I've got it right outside, but it was headed to auto auction tomorrow so tell me if you want it now!"
My husband drove it home, and we loaded all the kids and took it for a spin. It is a white 1996 Suburban which was used as an SBC Disaster Relief vehicle at our friend's church. It has never been wrecked, has been well-maintained, and although it has high mileage comes home at a great price. It is a 3/4 ton vehicle, so it will be a gas guzzler, but it is a huge blessing to our family right now.
Has God given you any blessings lately?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Review: Z-Guides to the Movies
True confession. Sometimes my family enjoys setting aside the usual history books and studying a time period by kicking back and watching a movie together. Yet, just watching the movie and chatting about it at the dinner table isn't always quite enough. Sometimes a mom needs a little extra creative help bringing a movie's important elements to life for her kids. And sometimes a stack of worksheets can be a life-saver during a busy season in a homeschooling family's life. Enter the Z-Guides to the Movies.
We received the High School level Z-Guide to accompany the movie One Night With the King. This movie covers the life of the biblical Queen Esther. I am guessing that most of my readers know the story of the young Hebrew orphan girl Esther and her uncle Mordecai and how Esther came to be Queen to the Persian King Xerxes. The 39 page Z-Guide includes information, discussion, comprehension questions and activities designed to make this topic memorable--and educational.
A suggested 5 day plan for studying the movie is included, but it could be adapted for different use--slower, faster, skipping some activities or expanding upon others. The following ten separate activities are included, with the suggestion to complete two activities daily.
- Movie Review Questions
- More About the Persian Empire
- Help Xerxes Defeat the Greeks
- Letter Protesting Haman's Plan to Kill the Jews
- Man Looks on the Outward Appearance
- Are you Ready for Marriage?
- One Night With the King Word Search
- One Night With the King Poster
- Worldview Activity
- Filmmaker's Art
How Did we Like Using This?
I easily downloaded the Z-Guide to my computer, printed off the student pages, and checked the movie out from my local library. Then I let my 10th grade daughter use the movie guide. Now, truthfully, that week happened to be one filled with doctor's appointments, and I was unavailable for much of that week to supervise as usual. So my daughter only completed about one-third of the materials. Yet we also didn't have a full week with the movie, as our library requires us to return movies within 3 days. This is where either owning the movie or having a Netflix subscription could come in handy.
The activities my daughter did complete she enjoyed, and this guide is a pretty good educational option for studying this time period. I like that the activities are varied and creative, and the movies covered are good options for many homeschooling families. Many of the activities really have the students digging for information about the time period and the characters.We'd be interested in using more of these Z-Guides to cover other time periods.
Z-Guides are available in e-book download format at a cost of $12.99. The Z-Guides are licensed for single family use, not co-op or classroom use. This title is available HERE, while other titles can be accessed HERE. Notice the link to a sample downloadable Z-Guide for The Count of Monte Cristo at the top of the latter page. Zeezok also offers each movie title on DVD, but prices vary so be sure to check the website for the title you would like.
Disclosure: As a member of the Homeschool Crew, I received a complimentary copy of this e-book in order to review it for this company. I received no other compensation. Be sure to see the Homeschool Crew blog for more reviews of this product HERE.
Friday, January 6, 2012
FIRST Wild Card Tour: Different Dream Parenting
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
Discovery House Publishers (November 1, 2011)
Discovery House Publishers (August 1, 2009)
***Special thanks to Susan Otis, Creative Resources, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTIONS:
Different Dream Parenting: Parents of a special needs child will benefit by Jolene Philo's handbook of resources, inspiration and tested wisdom. Practical strategies and spiritual reflections are balanced with resources for aid and information. From becoming an effective advocate for your child, dealing with hospitalization, to family concerns and long-term care, Philo presents wisdom from voices of experience. Hope-giving help, resources and direction are clearly provided for parents of a child with a medical condition, behavioral or educational concerns.
- Product Details for Different Dream Parenting:
- List Price: $12.99
- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Discovery House Publishers (November 1, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1572934670
- ISBN-13: 978-1572934672
A Different Dream for My Child: Hope and encouragement for the parents and caregivers of critically ill children comes in an inspirational devotional package. Jolene Philo shares personal accounts from her own experiences with a seriously ill newborn son. Interwoven are the stories of how other parents have found peace and hope, how they have dealt with hospitalization, private pain, grief, guilt and loneliness, and even the death of a child. Targeted scripture, simple prayers and questions for reflection provide a valuable spirit
Product Details for A Different Dream for My Child:
List Price: $10.99
- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Discovery House Publishers (August 1, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1572933070
- ISBN-13: 978-1572933071
My Review:
I received Different Dream Parenting. Although I have not had much time as of yet to read this book, I can say that it has been very helpful and encouraging so far for me during my personal journey seeking a medical diagnosis for my sick child and parenting my ill child. I will update this review at a later time with more information.
AND NOW...Excerpts from both books:
Different Dream Parenting Excerpt:
I Didn’t Sign Up for This,
God!
God!
Have
you ever had one of those dreams where
you can’t move? The car is racing toward the edge of a cliff and you can’t lift
your foot to press the brake pedal. An attacker is breaking down the door to
your house and you can’t raise your arm to dial 911. Your child is about to run
in front of a truck and you can’t open your mouth to scream.
you ever had one of those dreams where
you can’t move? The car is racing toward the edge of a cliff and you can’t lift
your foot to press the brake pedal. An attacker is breaking down the door to
your house and you can’t raise your arm to dial 911. Your child is about to run
in front of a truck and you can’t open your mouth to scream.
My
bad dream became a reality in 1982. My husband and I stood beside our son’s
isolette in the neonatal intensive care unit. An IV needle pierced Allen’s tiny
arm, and angry red scars crisscrossed his chest. One end of his feeding tube
hung on a pole beside his IV bag. The other end rose from the soft skin of his
tummy. Pain etched his wide forehead and tugged at the corners of his perfect
rosebud mouth.
bad dream became a reality in 1982. My husband and I stood beside our son’s
isolette in the neonatal intensive care unit. An IV needle pierced Allen’s tiny
arm, and angry red scars crisscrossed his chest. One end of his feeding tube
hung on a pole beside his IV bag. The other end rose from the soft skin of his
tummy. Pain etched his wide forehead and tugged at the corners of his perfect
rosebud mouth.
More
than anything, I wanted to reach out and take his hurt away. But I was trapped
in a bad dream. Immobilized. Inadequate. Helpless. Though God had assigned me
to love and care for this beautiful child, I could do nothing to minimize his
pain. My thoughts were an inward scream. This isn’t what I signed up to do,
God! I don’t want to be a helpless onlooker. I want to parent my child. How can
I care for him? What can I do?
than anything, I wanted to reach out and take his hurt away. But I was trapped
in a bad dream. Immobilized. Inadequate. Helpless. Though God had assigned me
to love and care for this beautiful child, I could do nothing to minimize his
pain. My thoughts were an inward scream. This isn’t what I signed up to do,
God! I don’t want to be a helpless onlooker. I want to parent my child. How can
I care for him? What can I do?
As
the parent of a child with special needs, you’ve probably experienced the same
sense of helplessness. Whether your child is critically or chronically ill,
mentally or physically impaired, develop- mentally or behaviorally challenged,
you want to do something. You want to ease your child’s pain, but you don’t
know how. You want to help your child realize his or her full potential, but
you don’t know where to begin. You want to ask God about your child’s
suffering, but you don’t want to be condemned for questioning His wisdom. You
want to believe God is with you, but you don’t know how to find Him.
the parent of a child with special needs, you’ve probably experienced the same
sense of helplessness. Whether your child is critically or chronically ill,
mentally or physically impaired, develop- mentally or behaviorally challenged,
you want to do something. You want to ease your child’s pain, but you don’t
know how. You want to help your child realize his or her full potential, but
you don’t know where to begin. You want to ask God about your child’s
suffering, but you don’t want to be condemned for questioning His wisdom. You
want to believe God is with you, but you don’t know how to find Him.
You’re
stuck in a bad dream. You can’t move. You can’t speak. You want someone to
shake you awake and tell you everything will be okay. Instead, you wake up and
must become the parent you never expected to be. You doubt that you’re up to
the task. You’re worried about your child’s future. And you’re wondering, Does
anyone understand what I’m experiencing?
stuck in a bad dream. You can’t move. You can’t speak. You want someone to
shake you awake and tell you everything will be okay. Instead, you wake up and
must become the parent you never expected to be. You doubt that you’re up to
the task. You’re worried about your child’s future. And you’re wondering, Does
anyone understand what I’m experiencing?
The
answer is yes, many parents understand your situation. In the United States,
answer is yes, many parents understand your situation. In the United States,
• 10–15 percent of newborns, or 431,000
annually, spend time in neonatal intensive care according to the March of
Dimes.
annually, spend time in neonatal intensive care according to the March of
Dimes.
• 12 percent of children between ages 1
and 17 had medical conditions serious enough to require hospitalization between
2004 and 2006, the most recent years for which statistics are available at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
and 17 had medical conditions serious enough to require hospitalization between
2004 and 2006, the most recent years for which statistics are available at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• 13.6 percent of students between ages 6
and 21 were enrolled in some kind of special needs program according to the
National Center for Educational Statistics. That’s 706,000 of our country’s
school-aged children.
and 21 were enrolled in some kind of special needs program according to the
National Center for Educational Statistics. That’s 706,000 of our country’s
school-aged children.
Lots
of kids mean lots of parents, dads and moms who are valuable sources of
information and advice. In this book, dozens of them share with you the wisdom
they gained while parenting kids with special needs.
of kids mean lots of parents, dads and moms who are valuable sources of
information and advice. In this book, dozens of them share with you the wisdom
they gained while parenting kids with special needs.
Support
can also come from the surprising number of professionals who work with
families of kids with special needs. These professionals—and the resources
they’ve created—are available at hospitals, medical facilities, government
agencies, private organizations, businesses, schools, churches, and more.
can also come from the surprising number of professionals who work with
families of kids with special needs. These professionals—and the resources
they’ve created—are available at hospitals, medical facilities, government
agencies, private organizations, businesses, schools, churches, and more.
This
book brings you advice from professionals around the country and provides
information about national organizations and resources. It also gives tips
about where to start searching for state and local resources. More often than
not, your problem won’t be a lack of resources, but a lack of awareness of them
or inability to access them.
book brings you advice from professionals around the country and provides
information about national organizations and resources. It also gives tips
about where to start searching for state and local resources. More often than
not, your problem won’t be a lack of resources, but a lack of awareness of them
or inability to access them.
Different Dream Parenting contains six sections: Diagnosis, Hospital Life,
Juggling Two Worlds, Long-Term Care Conditions, Losing a Child, and Raising a
Survivor. Each section is divided into four chapters. Three chapters address
practical issues. The last chapter in each section addresses spiritual
concerns.
Juggling Two Worlds, Long-Term Care Conditions, Losing a Child, and Raising a
Survivor. Each section is divided into four chapters. Three chapters address
practical issues. The last chapter in each section addresses spiritual
concerns.
Parents
of kids with special needs often wrestle with prickly spiritual questions. I sure
did. Sometimes I still do. So do all the parents interviewed in this book, and
most of the professionals, too. Every day, we continue to ask questions about
our kids’ lives and futures. Gradually, we learn more about how to trust God’s
timing and wait for His answers.
of kids with special needs often wrestle with prickly spiritual questions. I sure
did. Sometimes I still do. So do all the parents interviewed in this book, and
most of the professionals, too. Every day, we continue to ask questions about
our kids’ lives and futures. Gradually, we learn more about how to trust God’s
timing and wait for His answers.
As
you read this book, please ask your faith questions. Read about how parents and
professionals learned to ask questions, wait, and listen. Consider the answers
they have discerned and their suggestions about how to find comfort and courage
in God’s Word. When you are ready, try out their ideas about how to pray and
use Scripture to hear God’s answers to your hard questions. The thirty-day
prayer guides in appendix A are designed to help you engage in conversation
with Him.
you read this book, please ask your faith questions. Read about how parents and
professionals learned to ask questions, wait, and listen. Consider the answers
they have discerned and their suggestions about how to find comfort and courage
in God’s Word. When you are ready, try out their ideas about how to pray and
use Scripture to hear God’s answers to your hard questions. The thirty-day
prayer guides in appendix A are designed to help you engage in conversation
with Him.
But
even with prayer guides and Scripture to guide you, I know how hard it can be
to trust the God who is allowing your child to suffer. So I won’t condemn you
for asking prickly questions. Instead, I’ll encourage you, cry with you, and
support you when your faith grows weak. When you can’t hang on a minute longer,
I’ll hold you close until your strength and your faith return.
even with prayer guides and Scripture to guide you, I know how hard it can be
to trust the God who is allowing your child to suffer. So I won’t condemn you
for asking prickly questions. Instead, I’ll encourage you, cry with you, and
support you when your faith grows weak. When you can’t hang on a minute longer,
I’ll hold you close until your strength and your faith return.
I
hope this book helps you break out of your bad dream, wake up, and move forward
with joy and confidence. I pray that the stories of parents and professionals
in this book will give you hope and strength.
hope this book helps you break out of your bad dream, wake up, and move forward
with joy and confidence. I pray that the stories of parents and professionals
in this book will give you hope and strength.
Most of all, I hope you
discover the truth God has revealed to me and many other parents. Raising a
child with special needs isn’t a bad dream. It’s just a different dream. And
surprisingly, a different dream can be the best dream of all.
discover the truth God has revealed to me and many other parents. Raising a
child with special needs isn’t a bad dream. It’s just a different dream. And
surprisingly, a different dream can be the best dream of all.
Taken from Different Dream Parenting, © 2011
by Jolene Philo. Used by permission of Discovery House Publishers, Box
3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. All rights reserved
by Jolene Philo. Used by permission of Discovery House Publishers, Box
3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. All rights reserved
A Different Dream for My Child Excerpt:
Children Are a Gift from the Lord, Period
Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Psalm 127:3
From the moment Hiram and I learned of Allen’s condition, we knew he
had a good chance of living a relatively normal life. And though his first five
years were hospital
had a good chance of living a relatively normal life. And though his first five
years were hospital
heavy, that prognosis
proved true. He did well in school and participated in extra-curricular
activities. Now an adult, he’s out on his own.
proved true. He did well in school and participated in extra-curricular
activities. Now an adult, he’s out on his own.
Not every child’s
future is so rosy. Many parents of kids who survive an initial health crisis
know their lives, and their children’s lives, will be quite different from what
they once expected. If your child is one of those kids, you will grapple with
the same issue Bruce and Peggy faced when their second child was a baby.
future is so rosy. Many parents of kids who survive an initial health crisis
know their lives, and their children’s lives, will be quite different from what
they once expected. If your child is one of those kids, you will grapple with
the same issue Bruce and Peggy faced when their second child was a baby.
Their daughter Lacey,
born in 1984, has the mental ability of a four or five–month–old infant. Her
mental and physical disabilities weren’t immediately obvious to her doctor or
her parents, though by the time her daughter was three months old, Peggy knew
something was wrong.
born in 1984, has the mental ability of a four or five–month–old infant. Her
mental and physical disabilities weren’t immediately obvious to her doctor or
her parents, though by the time her daughter was three months old, Peggy knew
something was wrong.
Throughout the first
year of Lacey’s life, her limitations became more noticeable. Her parents’
lives changed when they decided to keep Lacey in their home as long as they
could. They understand that other parents who place severely disabled children
in a care facility have made the right choice in their personal situation.
“It’s not like one’s right and one’s wrong,” Peggy says.
year of Lacey’s life, her limitations became more noticeable. Her parents’
lives changed when they decided to keep Lacey in their home as long as they
could. They understand that other parents who place severely disabled children
in a care facility have made the right choice in their personal situation.
“It’s not like one’s right and one’s wrong,” Peggy says.
“You have to do what
God gives you peace about,” Bruce adds. The decision to care for Lacey in their
home gave them peace. To accommodate their new lifestyle, Bruce changed
employers. “I used to have a job where I traveled and was gone all the time. We
knew when Lacey was a year old that I was going to have to be home a lot more.”
God gives you peace about,” Bruce adds. The decision to care for Lacey in their
home gave them peace. To accommodate their new lifestyle, Bruce changed
employers. “I used to have a job where I traveled and was gone all the time. We
knew when Lacey was a year old that I was going to have to be home a lot more.”
Early on, many
well-meaning people acted like Lacey was a burden her family had to bear,
especially for Peggy, whose life revolved around caring for their daughter.
Once in a while, Peggy viewed her daughter in the same way. She began to
question God. “Children are meant to be a gift from the Lord, not a burden,
aren’t they? So why is Lacey a burden?”
well-meaning people acted like Lacey was a burden her family had to bear,
especially for Peggy, whose life revolved around caring for their daughter.
Once in a while, Peggy viewed her daughter in the same way. She began to
question God. “Children are meant to be a gift from the Lord, not a burden,
aren’t they? So why is Lacey a burden?”
Deep down, Peggy knew
something was wrong with her thinking. One day she sensed God telling her to
think about what the Bible says about kids: Children are a gift from the Lord.
The light bulb went on, and she understood that the verse wasn’t just about the
“perfect children,” the darling, whole and healthy, look-at-me children. “He
doesn’t put any clause or condition on this statement. It’s just plain,
‘Children are a gift from the Lord.’”
something was wrong with her thinking. One day she sensed God telling her to
think about what the Bible says about kids: Children are a gift from the Lord.
The light bulb went on, and she understood that the verse wasn’t just about the
“perfect children,” the darling, whole and healthy, look-at-me children. “He
doesn’t put any clause or condition on this statement. It’s just plain,
‘Children are a gift from the Lord.’”
In that moment, Peggy
realized she’d been asking the wrong question. The question wasn’t whether
Lacey was a gift or a burden. God said children are always a gift. Instead, He
showed her the right questions to ask: How are you going to take care of this
gift? How are you going to show the world that Lacey is a gift from the Lord?
Those questions changed Peggy’s outlook about caring for her daughter. Every
day, she tells herself, “I better act like this is a gift.” Over the years, she’s
discovered that when she acts like her daughter is a gift, she thinks of her as
a gift.
realized she’d been asking the wrong question. The question wasn’t whether
Lacey was a gift or a burden. God said children are always a gift. Instead, He
showed her the right questions to ask: How are you going to take care of this
gift? How are you going to show the world that Lacey is a gift from the Lord?
Those questions changed Peggy’s outlook about caring for her daughter. Every
day, she tells herself, “I better act like this is a gift.” Over the years, she’s
discovered that when she acts like her daughter is a gift, she thinks of her as
a gift.
After more than two
decades of caring for her daughter, Peggy wants to pass on this piece of advice
to parents of special needs kids: No matter what your child’s level of need is
— able to lead a normal life, in need of total care, or somewhere in between —
you treat your child as a gift, you’ll think of your child as a gift. “This
child is a gift from the Lord, period,” Peggy says. “Start with that foundation
and move on from there.”
decades of caring for her daughter, Peggy wants to pass on this piece of advice
to parents of special needs kids: No matter what your child’s level of need is
— able to lead a normal life, in need of total care, or somewhere in between —
you treat your child as a gift, you’ll think of your child as a gift. “This
child is a gift from the Lord, period,” Peggy says. “Start with that foundation
and move on from there.”
Father, forgive me for viewing my child
as a burden. Teach me to act like my child is a gift, even during difficult
times, so I will think of this child as a gift. Help those around me see my
child is a gift, too.
as a burden. Teach me to act like my child is a gift, even during difficult
times, so I will think of this child as a gift. Help those around me see my
child is a gift, too.
Do I consider my child
a gift from God? Do I treat my child like a gift? How do I show other people
that my child is a gift?
a gift from God? Do I treat my child like a gift? How do I show other people
that my child is a gift?
________________________________
Taken
from A Different Dream for My Child, © 2009 by Jolene Philo. Used by
permission of Discovery House Publishers, Box 3566, Grand Rapids MI 4950l. All
rights reserved.
from A Different Dream for My Child, © 2009 by Jolene Philo. Used by
permission of Discovery House Publishers, Box 3566, Grand Rapids MI 4950l. All
rights reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)