tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52191949099845986742024-03-12T21:42:09.272-07:00Many Waters Cannot Quench Love"Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised."
Song of Solomon 8:7
Our love is so imperfect, but the Scriptures describe a love that is perfect and will never change--the love of Jesus Christ who died to save us from our sins.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-33667860979921432242022-03-24T14:30:00.002-07:002022-03-24T14:31:21.025-07:00Regarding Poets<p>The balm of poetic words, </p><p>beauty to the ear and hope for the soul, </p><p>restoring what trials and tragedies stole, </p><p>lifting you above the pain, </p><p>mending the mind to be sound and whole.</p>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-4340282392399766032013-08-01T20:27:00.002-07:002013-08-01T20:30:46.104-07:0040 Ways to Say, "I Love You" 22-40Just stopping by to add a few more special ways that my sweet heart tells me he loves me without saying the words "I Love You"...<br />
<br />
22. by saving me his last piece of pie crust<br />
23. by making my scrambled eggs nice and dry<br />
24. by taking the pretty scenic route<br />
25. by helping me teach the children's church class<br />
26. by telling me all the reasons that I'll probably get the job<br />
27. by patiently enduring my projects all around the house<br />
28. by putting a little lemonade in my iced tea<br />
29. by stopping at McDonald's instead of another burger place so I can have yogurt instead of fries<br />
30. by ordering my sandwich with "pickle only"<br />
31. by carrying in all the flowers and decorations for the piano recital<br />
32. by cooking up all the chicken for the Pampered Chef party and organizing all of the pieces so everyone knows which piece has which seasoning rub on it<br />
33. by listening to sermons together in the morning, in the car...<br />
34. by not filling in ANY of the complaints on the marriage survey, when, if he looked at me as I really am, he could fill in the majority of complaints<br />
35. by acting like he doesn't care who sees that I'm crying at our table in 5 Guys--well, it's not really an act. He's very patient when I just have to have a good cry.<br />
36. by saving me a few cherries, grapes, shrimp, and so on, even though I have a history of gobbling up the last one<br />
37. by holding on to me when we're walking down a steep hill<br />
38. by holding up my back cushion when I'm getting in the car<br />
39. when he made sure Grandma's wheel chair was facing the window so she could see the beautiful view<br />
40. by bringing home one more bookshelf<br />
<br />
These have not been posted in order of importance, and there are many, many more, but I'm happy to have this informal chronicle of loving memories.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-79082381590488046392013-02-14T13:48:00.001-08:002013-08-01T20:35:26.274-07:0040 Ways to Say I Love You 11-21Since last Valentine's Day I feel as if I've just been propelled from one thing to another -- many happy events, mixed with difficult trials. My 40 Ways project has been on my mind, but not yet set on paper, so here are a few more entries describing ways that my husband says, "I Love You," without literally saying it...<br />
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11. Gobbling up the dinner I've made cheerfully even when it wasn't perfect.<br />
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12. Noticing how much I liked that little expandable wall mirror in the hotel, and then installing one in our bathroom.<br />
<br />
13. Decorating my music room with such joyful items for my students and me to enjoy during the holidays.<br />
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14. Singing Christmas carols a capella as a family on Christmas morning.<br />
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15. Stopping at the home medical store when we were on the road to buy a new seat cushion since it was too late to go back home for the one I forgot.<br />
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16. Sharing his chocolate pineapple upside down cake with me.<br />
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17. Cooking every holiday dinner for the past 24 years.<br />
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18. Loving my relatives and opening our home to them often.<br />
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19. Speaking of loving my relatives, happily watching Food Network while they are here instead of football. Okay, I mentioned this one already, so maybe I'll add a number 41 at the end :-)<br />
<br />
20. Thinking of fun ways to send care packages to the kids at college--interestingly shaped boxes, etc.<br />
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21. Turning the extra room downstairs into my music room instead of a man cave. <br />
<br />
<br />Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-58264022319694314062013-02-14T13:29:00.002-08:002013-02-14T13:31:34.639-08:00Jesus Loves You...Love this Valentine's Day <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/when-an-earthly-husband-images-our-heavenly-groom" target="_blank">devotion</a> from Desiring God Ministries.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-68753018902083257052012-10-29T08:29:00.001-07:002012-10-29T08:29:57.648-07:00A Love Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dOZEEuiODUc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-91277475581389084782012-07-20T19:49:00.000-07:002012-07-20T19:49:57.030-07:0040 Ways to Say I Love You--7 through 107. He invites me to run to the hardware store with him.<br />
8. He patiently enjoys piano lessons and singing together.<br />
9. He noticed that I like faucets with handles that you don't have to turn, and then he installed one.<br />
10. He cooks delicious dinners while I'm teaching.<br />
<br />
What a busy year it has been! But maybe I'll finish this list before the next Valentine's Day <3Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-63267807240109862502012-01-29T19:12:00.000-08:002012-01-29T19:15:06.280-08:0040 ways to say I love you--Day 6Well, I'm going to have to do some catching up here, but for today, I'll just add one:<br /><br />I'm so grateful for Bill (and Cherith) baking 200 cookies for my piano recital, and then spending their Saturday afternoon doing set-up, serving refreshments, etc.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-79113060683974237552012-01-08T17:47:00.001-08:002012-01-08T17:48:59.917-08:0040 ways to say I love you--day 5He was agreeable for my mom and the sisters to watch Food Network in the cozy chairs on New Years Day instead of football :-)Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-37508237314850207162012-01-07T16:27:00.001-08:002012-01-07T16:29:11.264-08:0040 ways to say I love you – day 4When I was in the hospital, Bill came right over to see me every day after work, and he sat with me until it was time to go to sleep.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-81581186897611366592012-01-06T18:34:00.001-08:002012-01-06T18:37:31.966-08:0040 ways to say I love you--day 3I love all the things he has done with our kids:<br />VBS<br />amusement parks<br />driving to every playground in the county<br />visiting every library branch in the city<br />making gingerbread houses<br />coaching Bible quiz<br />home improvement projects<br />painting pottery<br />being in church together every Sunday<br />and so much more...Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-49001291676955785422012-01-05T09:29:00.001-08:002012-01-05T09:30:41.734-08:0040 ways to say I love you-day twoHe always makes sure there are some black olives on the pizza :-)Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-82447865176114446852012-01-04T10:30:00.000-08:002013-08-01T20:37:39.550-07:0040 ways to say I love you…They say that love is more than a feeling – so true!<br />
<br />
I'm starting a few days late, but with almost 40 days to Valentine's Day, I've been thinking about all the ways my husband shows me that he loves me besides the things he says to me. Since I'm starting a few days late, I'll have to post a few at one time today. They are not in chronological order.<br />
<br />
1. When I called him at work upset about something I had broken, he brought flowers home for me.<br />
<br />
2. After we got married, he paid off my student loan and my car loan.<br />
<br />
3. At each new house that we bought, he planted roses for me and put up a rose arbor, letting them hang loose and free a little bit the way I like them when he would prefer them to be wrapped up more neatly.<br />
<br />
4.Although it would be more practical for me to have a different kind of job, I'm happy that he is agreeable for me to work at home, taking up time and space from our family at a job that I love.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-45584870179630814042011-11-03T05:02:00.000-07:002012-07-20T19:55:08.414-07:00Selah - You Are My Hiding Place<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Etq-jE8IJco?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-14453238564966619102011-10-03T07:32:00.001-07:002011-10-03T07:38:39.704-07:00Senior year is going too fast...!Cherith's senior year is going too fast--Lord, please slow things down a bit!<br /><br />O <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, my heart is not lifted up; <p id="p19131001_22-1" class="indent line">my eyes are not raised too high;</p> <p id="p19131001_29-1" class="line">I do not occupy myself with things</p> <p id="p19131001_36-1" class="indent line">too great and too marvelous for me.</p> <p id="p19131002_01-1" class="line"><span class="verse-num inline" id="v19131002-1"> </span>But I have calmed and quieted my soul,</p> <p id="p19131002_09-1" class="indent line">like a weaned child with its mother;</p> <p id="p19131002_16-1" class="indent line">like a weaned child is my soul within me.</p> <span class="end-line-group"></span> <span class="begin-line-group"></span> <p id="p19131003_01-1" class="line"><span class="verse-num inline" id="v19131003-1"></span>O Israel, hope in the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span></p> <p id="p19131003_07-1" class="indent line">from this time forth and forevermore.</p><br /><br />http://www.esvbible.org/Psalm+131/Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-7206706480391026942011-08-28T17:13:00.000-07:002011-08-28T17:13:57.197-07:00YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE - SELAH<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NoDIYytFM-I?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" width="480"></iframe>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-25418035639788163142011-08-27T05:54:00.000-07:002011-08-27T05:54:49.953-07:00How He Loves-David Crowder (w/ Matt Chandler & John Piper)<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IO-Cp2kcFjc?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" width="480"></iframe>
<br />God knew I was going to be messy, and still...
<br />Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-16731028239469353532011-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:002011-08-05T06:29:18.955-07:00Important Qualities of a Teacher<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> 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mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">By Christine Danielewicz</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">August 5, 2011</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>To discover the most important qualities of teacher, a person must look to the greatest teacher who ever lived: Jesus Christ. Christ displayed the qualities of wisdom, humility, love, and sacrificial commitment. Without these key character traits, no educator can hope to succeed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>It takes great wisdom to handle the serious, complex issues that teachers face daily. According to Proverbs 9:10 in the Bible, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (ESV). Jesus, the Holy One, responded wisely to every problem he encountered. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Along with wisdom goes humility. It is hard to tell which comes first. It takes wisdom to learn humility, and it takes humility to develop wisdom. In Philippians 2:8 we see that Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (ESV). When conducted in humble obedience, our teaching can accomplish all that the Lord desires.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>In dealing with children and their parents, outstanding educators show genuine love to those they serve. Jesus and his followers did not show partiality (Acts 10:34, James 2:1-12); neither can teachers. Great educators make every child feel as if he or she is a valued student—even those who do not like them or their subject matter. Just as Jesus lovingly prayed for his persecutors from the cross in Luke 23:24, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (ESV), outstanding educators show genuine concern for those who may be apathetic, insolent, or defiant, so students know that, even when they are experiencing firm discipline, their teachers want the best for them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Excellent teachers have a “whatever it takes” attitude to ensure that children learn. Jesus withheld nothing, but sacrificed his very life on the cross so that perishing people could live. Likewise, exceptional teachers are willing to sacrifice so that children can learn. Having been entrusted with treasures of knowledge and understanding, outstanding teachers enter the classroom knowing that “…to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48, ESV).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Wisdom, humility, love, and sacrificial commitment lay the foundation on which solid instruction is built. Teachers who develop these qualities are prepared to meet tough educational and behavioral challenges. Their instruction produces outstanding results.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%;">Lord, please grow these qualities in us!<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=""> </span></p>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-21567511036439159692011-07-12T15:33:00.000-07:002011-07-12T15:33:52.944-07:002011 July Peru Mission Slideshow.mp4God is so good!<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GsUfJzrg0ww?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="295"></iframe>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-25676008371715260332011-06-04T04:53:00.000-07:002011-06-04T04:58:32.382-07:00When you think that what you hope to do is impossible...When you think that what you hope to do is impossible, remember<a href="http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/good-news/chinese-girl-no-fingers-one-hand-wows-piano-20110316-133233-487.html"> this</a>.<br /><br />"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-62693353190710205572011-05-26T08:51:00.000-07:002011-05-26T09:02:12.146-07:00In Memory of a Beautiful Friend and Woman of God: Debbie KrebsWhenever I think of Debbie<br />I see her smiling;<br />I hear her cheerful voice.<br /><br />She's telling someone,<br />"Way to go! You can do it!"<br />and so many other joyful words of blessing.<br /><br />She's giving a hug,<br />holding out her hands<br />to give help, healing, hope.<br /><br />I may not see her for a long, long time.<br />We didn't know she'd be leaving so soon.<br /><br />Now when I think of her<br />I'll get that ache in my heart<br />and wrestle again and again with<br />how things are and how I wish they were.<br /><br />It should not be this way.<br />She should have stayed<br />and lived and loved a little longer--<br />so much longer!<br /><br />But Jesus will make it up to us,<br />and when he brings us back together,<br />we won't remember the time apart.<br />We'll talk of how he rescued us<br />and walk together always<br />on a road that never ends...Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-12111630476505787642011-05-17T09:11:00.000-07:002011-05-17T09:17:43.623-07:00Creative Summer 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unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Venture Into Creative Learning This Summer</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">By Christine Danielewicz</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When school is out, your children don’t have to stop learning. Over summer vacation the world can be your classroom as you venture into creative learning experiences together.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Your school may send home a summer reading list, but your children don’t have to tackle it alone. Bob and Kathie deFilippo of Mechanicsburg, Pa., gather their four children ranging in age from 15 years to two months old in the living room, outside under a tree, or anyplace that’s comfortable for regular enjoyment of literature. Kathie is usually the one to read aloud, and Bob sits right down with Mia, Mason, Marco and Max to enjoy the adventure, historical fiction, fantasy, or whatever type of selection is chosen. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t want them to just get through school,” Kathie says of her children. “I want them to enjoy learning.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don’t limit yourself to school assigned books either. Take time this summer to read things on topics in which your children are especially interested. Just listening to you read will help boost your child’s reading achievement, but it can also be beneficial for them to follow along in the book as you read, or even to read aloud with you to develop speech fluency. You can make this easier by checking out an extra copy or two from the library. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Look for great bargains, too, so you can even purchase extra copies of books. Then your kids can underline or highlight as you read. They might want to mark their favorite parts of the book, interesting or unfamiliar words, or changes in character or plot. You can get Dover Thrift Classics unabridged editions of timeless books for just a few dollars a piece. Catalogs from companies like Christian Book Distributors carry these and other great selections in their homeschool catalog, but you don’t have to be a homeschooler to order them. It’s okay to use Spark Notes to help you understand what you’re reading as long as you’re not using them to avoid reading the entire book.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">You can take a break from workbooks to review language. One of the best ways to improve grammar, word usage, and style is to follow great models of language. Poetry is often squeezed into a short unit during the school year, yet it contains some of the richest language you can find, full of beauty, wit, drama, action, mystery, and even masterful nonsense. In her book, <i>A Family of Poems, </i>Caroline Kennedy reminisces about a family tradition instituted by her late mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. For a special occasion, Caroline and John would be required to copy a poem and decorate the page for a relative, and these were eventually put into a scrapbook. They didn’t always feel like doing it, Kennedy remembers, but she often thinks of many of the poems and treasures the memories of them kept in the scrapbooks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Math can be more meaningful for your children if they are using it for real life activities. Help them make up a budget for back to school supplies and clothes. Plan expenses for a vacation. Let them manage a yard sale. In the process, they can be reviewing basic facts, computation, problem solving, decimals, fractions, percents, ratios, and percentages. Whew! That covers about a year’s worth a material. Maybe it will cure them of asking, “Why do I have to know this?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Science and history can really come to life if you are willing to do a little research and travel. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, though. Check around for the numerous historical and outdoor sites that can offer great educational experiences. In addition to the more famous Liberty Bell and Gettysburg landmarks, places like Fort Hunter Mansion and Park in Harrisburg can take your family back to colonial times, providing hands on activities to help you live out history together. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many parks have staff members who provide fun educational programs for students. Asbury Woods near Erie, and Wildwood Lake Sanctuary and Nature Center in Harrisburg, provide indoor and outdoor activities, plus lots of information to take home with you. Even if you’re not a hunter, you’ll learn so much from a visit to some state game lands, like Greene Township’s Siegel Marsh in northwest Pennsylvania, which includes 1,343 acres of woodland, open fields, ponds and marshes, along with an indoor education center.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A third grade field trip to Pymatuning State Park in Linesville was so memorable to me that my husband and I took our kids back for a picnic, and we found lots of other interesting sites along the way. A fish hatchery and wildlife viewing area make it unique and contribute to its popularity as the most visited Pennsylvania state park. In turn, I’m sure they’ll take their children to Lake Tobias in Halifax, Pa., after experiencing the fun of having an elk step up into the front of our bus during our Safari tour there.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pennsylvania author Toni Albert has written great books that help kids learn by doing. My own children enjoyed her spring and summer Ecojournals (fall and winter Ecojournals are available, as well), which showed them just how scientists observe and record information about nature by including Toni’s own day-by-day journals. No dry technological language can be found in these—just a lively look at all of the life that’s waiting to be enjoyed right outside your window. There are terrific projects to do together and space for your children to keep their own notes about their daily observations.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more science education, you can find science centers and zoos that have reciprocal membership systems. When you get a membership to the Erie, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh Zoo, for example, you can get free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos in the nation. When you buy a membership to the Whitaker Center For Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, or the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, you can also visit over 250 other science and technology centers. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don’t forget to include the arts in your summer ventures. Educators have found that these are not frivolous or optional, but essential to child development and learning. Without the stress of homework, summer is a great time to get started on a musical instrument, which can be rented for very affordable rates, depending on the instrument. Turn off the top 40 and give your local jazz or classical radio station a try. Better yet, take in a live concert. Summer is the season for free outdoor concerts at parks, fairs, and other events. Seeing the musicians who love their art in action can make a great impression on your kids. You don’t have to necessarily sit in a chair for the entire program either. Lay a blanket on the ground and play a quiet game, or walk around while you listen.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Art is not just for artists. Stephanie Herr of Camp Hill, Pa., had no special interest or experience in art until she married her husband Dan, whose father is Paul is a professional artist in Lititz, Pa. Now Stephanie teaches art at a Homeschool co-operative for elementary and middle school age students. Art history is never boring in her classroom. When she teaches about Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the boys and girls tape a sheet of paper to the bottom of a chair, lie down underneath it, and paint just like the master. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t see a house; see a square of red,” she tells the class when studying Monet and the Impressionists. “Don’t see a tree; see a streak of brown.” She encourages the children and their parents to take their watercolor paints outside and paint just like these innovative artists. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her favorite artist is Georgia O’Keeffe, known for her close up paintings of flowers. “Summer and Georgia O’Keeffe go hand in hand,” she recommends to parents looking for an alternative to summer hours in front of the Xbox. O’Keeffe wanted to make sure people didn’t just walk by the flowers without noticing them, so she painted them big. Often one blossom will take up the entire canvas. Garden centers or your own backyard will provide plenty of petals for you to color or paint. Don’t forget to relay Stephanie’s number one rule to your children: There are no mistakes in art!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now, with all of these things to do, will your kids have a moment to say, “I’m bored”? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> (Originally published in The Pennsylvania Family Institute's <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Pennsylvania Families and Schools' </span>column "Beyond the Booster Club: Tips for Parental Involvement," Summer 2006.)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-11655344279195027852011-05-16T19:48:00.000-07:002011-05-16T19:49:33.681-07:00Not Quenched, But Sometimes Obscured"Many waters cannot quench love," but sometimes the pollution of life obscures it.<br /><br />Lord, please let your love show through always...Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-85170203209590484312011-05-14T18:54:00.000-07:002011-05-14T18:57:20.677-07:00Music to Learn ByMusic makes memory work so much easier. You can learn about a wonderful Bible memory CD here:<br /><br />http://fighterversesongs.com/2011/05/09/fighter-verse-song-cd-giveaway/<br /><br />There are several ways you can get a chance to win a copy, as well.Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-83606175219602149072011-05-12T09:58:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:25:03.705-07:00Word Of God Speak - MercyMe<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4JK_6osCH74?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5219194909984598674.post-36516134341023556652011-05-11T19:21:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:25:04.072-07:00Give Me A Legacy<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g9SY-QzWINs?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>Bill and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00870917183144387815noreply@blogger.com0