Current Web Readings

Battlefield For Our Mind and Heart
WONDERFUL read!

The Godly Home
What I am currently listening to.

Months Worth of Probiotics for Price of Cabbage
With JJ's new GAPS diet, we will be making our own sauerkraut. I love how she uses ROCKS in hers! I can't WAIT for her to get a Facebook page!

Watch This
This is a recent episode of the Glenn Beck show on how public schools and colleges are indoctrinating our children. This is a good watch. HT: Israel Wayne

Ressurection Lapbook

Free Easter Resurrection Day Homeschool Helper

Big word for a GREAT study. Not sure how long it is free!

Free Resurrection Day Unit Helper

Video - Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. Sunday is Easter. May we never forget....

Passover Lapbook and Resources

Yes, last minute AGAIN. I have been collecting these for the past two days. I hope you enjoy them!

Passover Lapbook
Links to various activities you can use in your lapbook as well as pictures.

Passover Lapbook Resources
AWESOME!

A Passover Lapbook
An example. WAY cute!

Lent Season
GREAT collection of links!

Passover Printables for Homeschooling
GREAT printables!

Passover Fun and Games

Hands of a Child Passover Lapbook
This is not a free resource, but for those short on time (or just like everything all put together or a very extensive study).

Exodus: Plagues
REALLY great stuff for younger children AND older ones! GReat even for adults who want to learn more! :D

Plagues
Good stuff for the plagues.

Passover
More great stuff for the Passover

Passover Coloring Pages

Kaboose Does Passover
GREAT site.

Pesach Paper Dolls

Passover Resources

Passover 10 Plagues Activity
Cute!

(And an interesting article: Passover, Yeast and Fungus?)

Current Web Readings

Noah's Ark
CUTE embroidery set/quilt - free.

Easter Activities

The Reading Crisis
Good documentary.

Miniature Clothes and Clothesline
WAY cute!!!

Four Lies to Protect Your Children Against
This is a MUST read (especially after ABC's latest stunt in the "Is Satan Real?" broadcast. UGH!

Quick Stick Deodorant
Have I said just how much I LOVE this blog!!! Make your own aluminum free (just because you buy it at the health food store does NOT mean it is healthy for you! Read the labels!) deodorant stick!

Free Bowling for Kids

Recent Interview WIth Tightwad Gazette author HT: The Simple Dollar

Current Web Readings

Sample Week
Is anyone else LOVING the homeschooling ads on Facebook?? I saw this there. It is a FREE SAMPLE for a WEEK's worth of lessons for preschoolers and nature. It is SO CUTE! Of course it is for SEPTEMBER (long ways off), but still it is free and CUTE!

Chick Egg Cover Free Crochet Pattern (ravelry pattern link)
This is WAY cute!! I am so thankful this is a FREE pattern.

Spring Finger Puppets (ravelry pattern link)
WAY cute!!! AND FREE!! With it's own carrying case. WAY WAY CUTE!!!

Free Crochet Patterns
I had not seen this site before. Some good stuff!

Favorite Math Games for Young Children
GREAT list of games to play!! LOVE making learning fun!!! :D

Books and Boys
Do you have a young boy who is a reluctant reader? This is a Christian site by a Christian writer/producer who is/was a reluctant reader. He knows what boys want/need when it comes to reading and has written several books for boys.
Other links:
About The Author
Authors Reviews of Books for Boys

Current Web Readings

Making Shades of of Mini Blinds
Can I just say how much I HATE MINIBLINDS! Maybe I need to create a FLAIR button for Facebook. LOL!! Anyways, This... THIS I LOVE! Has anyone tried this? I am curious on how to clean them (not that I ever cleaned the mini-blinds, but, hey, it is good to know how to, should I have the desire, not to mention TIME to). HT: Like Merchant Ships

Chums
Rebecca is always a fun read and today's was exceptionally encouraging! I must admit that I knew most of what she was saying, but there is just something ABOUT the WAY she says it that makes it so easy to understand and desire for your own children. Thank you Rebecca!

Fast Fresh Jam
YUM!!

Names Of Jesus Garland for EASTER!
Oh I just LOVE Monica - her sweet spirit (yes, I had the pleasure of meeting her IRL) and her love of Jesus overflows on every post! I loved her names of Jesus garland for Christmas, and now she has one for Easter. She explains the reason behind it. VERY powerful to use with the kids!

Why Do I Have Empty Ziploc Bags In My Freezer?
I never thought of keeping them in the freezer! :)

Reheating Foods Without a Microwave
We have not been using a microwave for about a month now and it is GREAT to have that kitchen counterspace back AND know that I am much healthier for it! :D

My Savior LIVES

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song! (all is powerful, but especially the chorus!)


HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!!

Celebrating Easter

Instead of candy this year, we are going to do promises. After all, our God is a God of promises and He fulfilled a most AWESOME promise when Jesus rose from the dead!

So a few eggs will have some candy, but most of them will have paper written with promises, such as:

• New book (from Goodwill of course, my kids are always in the book section when we goto Goodwill!)
  
• Your choice of tooth brush. (I know we will end up with a LOT of princess toothbrushes on this one.)
  
• Alone time with Mommy.
  
• Alone time with Daddy.
  
• Trip to the Dollar Store.
  
• Bag of craft supplies (this has some cut up ribbons and stickers and paper to make cards).
  
• Extra computer time.
  
• Bath in Mommy's bathtub (why Mommy's tub is special I don't know :D )
  
• A flower from the store (carnations are less than $1).
  

(Can you help us think of anymore?)

We also do Resurrection Rolls from scratch.

We also the the Passion video series from Nest Family Entertainment. Nest does the best job of staying accurate to Scripture and fills in the movie with other historical events. It is VERY accurate and we are very pleased. I think this year we are also going to add watching The Gospel of John to the mix. It is a little more detailed than the Jesus movie and it goes verse by verse through the Bible.

Well, we will be off from the computer for the whole of Easter weekend, so I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Easter!!

And if you replied to my prayer post, know that I am praying for you.

Easter Tomb

I know, a few days late, but maybe for NEXT easter.

Making The Tomb

Passover, Good Friday and Happy Easter

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say REJOICE!"

We just finished up our celebration of Passover. We celebrate it three days before Easter just as Jesus would have. (ALthough I guess TECHNICALLY we should have celebrated it tomorrow if we were doing it JUST as Jesus did...hmmmm... God knows our heart and motive. :) ) We know it is not for salvation (that is by faith through Jesus and NOT of works), but it is such a fun way to celebrate and remember what God has done for us, His people, and how even THEN He foretold of Jesus' coming and the world salvation through Him.

My husband has Good Friday off. I remember when I was growing up, going into the Catholic church and seeing the state of Jesus on the cross covered up and thinking "there is no good on good Friday." I never understood it until I became saved (about 14 years ago now - oh man I feel OLD).

Because my husband has the day off, we are just going to enjoy the time together as a FAMILY. Oh how nice it is to have HIM! Two days a week are just NOT enough. We need MORE three day weekends! SO no posts from Friday on (although I highly encourage you to head over to Sew Craft Friday at Waiting For Him - it is for ALL crafts, not just sewing! So I expect to see your in progress work there Rebecca! :D ). And I will see you again on Monday.

So this will be my Happy Easter post. Our Happy Resurrection Day. We will be doing Resurrection Cookies and Rolls (see my Easter link in the sidebar for recipes - FROM SCRATCH). I hope you all take time to really emphasis the wonderful miracle in Jesus' death and resurrection. We should celebrate it EVERYDAY, but sometimes, and I think this is why God institute the Holy Days, sometimes we really need time to focus deeply and meditate and CELEBRATE the specific things God has done for us.

The picture above is our dinning table (with my "new" hutch in the background - I will have to post about the blessings in this picture another day). Adorned with a WHITE table cloth, Easter lilies (I cannot believe I didn't kill them with the black thumb I have, and three buds flowering - one pointing to each girls seat at the table), and our Passover Goblets. It really looks so much more beautiful in person than in the picture!

Enjoy Jesus and all He has done for you in His death and resurrection - today and everyday. Blessings to all of you - whom I consider dear DEAR friends.

Free Easter Notbooking Pages

Here are some free Easter Notebooking Pages. You have to sign up for their newsletter (FREE) in order to get the free pages. But hurry, the FREE part ends at the end of the week. After that, they are available for purchase.

If you sign up for their newsletter you get a FREE download EVERY WEEK!

They also have an Easter Unit Study (not free).

And for those of you who do not celebrate Passover, I HIGHLY encourage you to. It has become my children's FAVORITE celebration. I want to say we celebrate Passover not because it saves us (for we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ). It is AWESOME to see how even in the Passover (celebrated by Jews for years before Christ and even by Christ Himself) all points TO THE CHRIST. I highly suggest you look into getting a Christian version of the Haggadah. They have FREE ONLINE VERSIONS, just google it and find one that fits your family.

There is a Passover and Jesus lesson book at Homeschool E-Store.

And with garden time here, I found Garden Notebook pages as well as a Garden Unit Study.

(I am still working on typing up my Learning 2 Love for the week, if anyone is interested.)

An Easter Tree

I totally forgot about this! I came across it when I was looking up the recipes on the computer (so I would not have to type them in) for the Resurrection Cookies and Rolls. A little late for this year, but hopefully NEXT year!

Easter Tree

A personal note to all:
The basic idea is to go through the story of the Bible from creation (Genesis 1) to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus - with the final ornament coming after the resurrection - the promise of eternal life with God in heaven at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19).

I highly suggest that you pray to God before starting an Easter tree. Allow God to reveal to you what He wants your tree to look like and which Scriptures to use. Also, work with the children. After you have picked out Scripture ask if they have any ideas on what the ornament could be.

Once they get older, have them create their own Easter tree - searching Scripture and doing one ornament per week and then ornaments for Holy Week. There are several different aspects of the Bible (and Jesus' life, death, and resurrection) that are not mentioned in the list below, but would be a wonderful aspect to study and meditate upon!

(One take on this is to possibly go through and write all the Scriptures dealing with the promises God made - like a mansion for the promise of a mansion with many rooms. You could also have a life of Jesus tree and go through picking out certain events - including parables - from the life of Jesus and create an ornament for each one.)

---------------------------------------

From No Ordinary Home

Easter Trees can seem like a wonderful idea until you sit down to design and create forty individual ornaments! Many families who have adopted the idea started by making one ornament per week for the six weeks of Lent and then added the seven ornaments of Holy Week. Others have done only the Holy Week Ornaments, and still others have done one for each week of Lent and one for Holy Week.

The exciting thing about starting small is that each ornament is given the family's full attention. Every year the family can add new ornaments, and Mom does not need to feel that the producing of Easter tree ornaments has taken over her life!

These are the ornaments I would choose to start and Easter tree the first year.

WEEK ONE
The Fall of Man - Genesis 3. An apple or something to represent Adam and Eve or the serpent.

WEEK TWO
Passover - Exodus 12. A lamb.

WEEK THREE
Samuel anoints David - I Samuel 16. Two beads glued together to form a horn.

WEEK FOUR
The baptism of Jesus - Like 3. A dove.

WEEK FIVE
Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7. A miniature lamp.

HOLY WEEK

Sunday: Palm Sunday - Matthew 21. A palm branch.

Monday: Cleansing the temple - Mark 11. A whip.

Tuesday: Jesus anointed - John 12. A small beaded box.

Wednesday: Judas plots - Matthew 26. A bag with silver coins.

Thursday: The Last Supper - Luke 22. A loaf of bread and a cup.

Friday: Crucifixion - Luke 23. A cross.

Saturday: Mystery Saturday - I Peter 3:18-22. No ornament.

Sunday: HE IS RISEN! - Mark 16. A clay tomb - empty.

Monday: The marriage supper of the Lamb - Revelation 19. A place mat with gold silverware.

IF however you want to create an ornament for the entire forty-two days, here are suggestions to get you started.

Day 1: Faith - Matthew 17:20. Have a hallowed out log and bare branch form a tree. Drill a hole in the log and put a mustard seed in it. Place the branch in the hole so that it resembles a small tree.

Day 2: Creation - Genesis 1. A small globe with a dove glued on top.

Day 3: The Fall - Genesis 3. An apple or something to represent Adam and Eve or the serpent.

Day 4: Noah and the Flood - Genesis 6-9. An ark ornament or an animal.

Day 5: Abraham and Sarah - Genesis 12. A picture of an old man and woman or a star ornament to illustrate the covenant.

Day 6: Abraham and Isaac - Genesis 22. Twigs tied together with a plastic knife on top.

Day 7: Jacob and Esau - Genesis 27. An ornament of twins.

Day 8: Jacob's ladder - Genesis 37. A toy fire truck ladder.

Day 9: Joseph - Genesis 37. A coat of many colors.

Day 10: Moses - Exodus 3. A bush.

Day 11: Passover - Exodus 12. A lamb.

Day 12: Ten Commandments - Exodus 20. A cardboard version of the tablets.

Day 13: The Judges - Judges. A courtroom gavel.

Day 14: Israel desires a king - I Samuel 8. A coat-of-arms patch.

Day 15: Samuel anoints David - I Samuel 16. Two beads glued together to form a horn.

Day 16: David as a musician - Psalms. A golden harp.

Day 17: Solomon - I Kings 7-9. A cardboard temple.

Day 18: The Prophets - Jonah. A ceramic whale.

Day 19: Enslavement - II Kings 25. Heavy chain links.

Day 20: Daniel and Lions - Daniel 6. A lion.

Day 21: Nehemiah - Nehemiah 2. A clay wall.

Day 22: 400 years of silence - Between testaments. A scroll with a lock glued on it and a moon hanging from it to signify spiritual night.

Day 23: The annunciation - Luke 1. An angel ornament.

Day 24: The birth of Jesus - Luke 2. A picture of a mother and child.

Day 25: The boyhood of Jesus in Egypt - Matthew 2, Luke 2. A pyramid and palm tree.

Day 26: The baptism of Jesus - Luke 3. A dove.

Day 27: The temptation of Jesus - Luke 4. A snake wrapped around a cactus.

Day 28: The first miracle - John 2. Two wedding rings.

Day 29: Feeding the 5,000 - Matthew 14. A basket with fish in it.

Day 30: Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7. A miniature lamp.

Day 31: Do not worry - Matthew 6:26-34. A bird.

Day 32: Woman at the well - John 4. A clay well.

Day 33: Raising of Lazarus - John 11. A clay man wrapped in strips of cotton.

Day 34: Palm Sunday - Matthew 21. A palm branch.

Day 35: Cleansing the temple - Mark 11. A whip.

Day 36: Jesus anointed - John 12. A small beaded box.

Day 37: Judas plots - Matthew 26. A bag with silver coins.

Day 38: The Last Supper - Luke 22. A loaf of bread and a cup.

Day 39: Crucifixion - Luke 23. A cross.

Day 40: Mystery Saturday - I Peter 3:18-22. No ornament.

Day 41: HE IS RISEN! - Mark 16. A clay tomb - empty!

Day 42: The marriage supper of the Lamb - Revelation 19. A place mat with gold silver.

Cooking to Teach and Celebrate Easter

These are two things we do every year for Easter. Most people know about the Easter Story Cookies, but few know about the Resurrection Rolls that follow.

I remember two years ago when our oldest was making the rolls. She would go through each of the steps, preparing Jesus body for burial. Then when they were eating the rolls, it made more of an impact at how empty they were (compared to the cookies), because they had put "Jesus" in the "tomb" and now he was gone.

The rolls are a bit too sweet for a dinner roll, so we usually eat them as a snack while waiting for our traditional Easter dinner. And while there is not as much Scripture involved in making the rolls (which is why we also do the cookies and do them BEFORE we do the rolls), they do have more of an impact, especially when they children help.

Easter Story Cookies
Ingredients
· 1 cup whole pecans
· 1 teaspoon vinegar
· 3 egg whites
· pinch salt
· 1 cup sugar
· zipper baggie
· wooden spoon
· tape
· and most important of all "THE WORD OF GOD" Bible

Preheat oven to 300 F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break
into small pieces.

- Explain- that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

- Read John 19:1-3. [1] Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. [2] The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe [3] and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.

Let each child smell the vinegar.
Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.

- Explain - that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

- Read John 19:28-30 [28] Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Add egg whites to vinegar.
Eggs represent life.

- Explain - that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

- Read John 10:10-11 [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. [11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.
Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.

- Explain - that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

- Read Luke 23:27 - A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar.

- Explain- that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

- Read Psalm 34:8 - Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
and
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.

- Explain - that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

- Read Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
and
John 3:1-3. [1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." [3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Fold in broken nuts.
Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.

- Explain- that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

- Read Matthew 27: 57- 60 [57] As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. [58] Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. [59] Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.

- Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

- Read Matthew 27: 65 - 66 [65] "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." [66] So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

GO TO BED:

- Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

- Read John 16:20 -I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
and
John 16: 22 - So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.

The cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

- Read - Matthew 28:1-9 [1]After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients:
· 3/4 cup warm water
· 1 large egg
· 3 cups flour
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 3 Tablespoons sugar
· 6 Tablespoons butter
· 3 Tablespoons dry milk
· 1-1/2 teaspoon yeast
· 1/2 cup butter
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
· 24 marshmallows

Combine first 8 ingredients (combine wet first, dry separately, then combine together. Let rise till double. Divide into 24 balls and flatten.

Mix sugar and cinnamon together.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the flattened ball. This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death and being placed in the tomb.
5. Place rolls in a large greased pan and allow to rise till double - approx. 35 min. (Jesus was in tomb for three days before rising.)
6. Place in a 375 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes.

Rolls should be completely empty when cooled...like the empty tomb.

There is an easier version out there using crescent rolls from the refrigerated section of your grocer instead of made from scratch as the one above is. Replace first 8 ingredients and first step with the crescent rolls.

Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.