Homeschool Conferences

Alaska offers parents many choices for education.  I am thankful for options.  This past year, as in previous years, we do a combination of both public school, homeschool, co-op, online, and on-site classes.  I guess I use them all.

However, one of my favorite time of the year is attending the Homeschool Convention that IDEA offers.  I choose Mat-Su Central, but they offer the conference to all.  To make the most of the convention:

1) I tend to take lots of notes.  If there is a session I miss that I would like to hear, I have either found the lecture and ask for the notes, or just interview them.

One of the interviews, I wrote about on my blog about LIGHTENING THE JOURNEY.  I needed that information this past year.

2)  I like to touch before buy.  Because we live in Alaska, it is nice to feel the product and look at some samples.  But, often I really value other homeschool moms opinion first.  You don't need to buy anything there.  I take my list of ideas then, I can have a better idea of some of the options.

3)  If your with Mat-Su Central, you can hold your wanted item with a credit card for most vendors.  They don't get paid by IDEA until July, and will then gladly put the purchase on the credit card then. Anything purchased here, can be reimbursed in 2015-2016 school funds if purchased at the conference and if the item lines up with your Individual Learning Plans.

This blog has some good ideas to help the focus and not be OVERWHELMED.


I hope this helps.

Thrive!

Dropping off Hannah for her class at Palmer High a song came to the radio.  It brings a laugh to my heart when I usually hear it because of Christina's amazing banjo skills.  But, today it struck me like a stream of rushing water filling my soul.

I was just reminded of how I need to moment by moment drinking in His goodness.  Be like that tree planted by stream of water-never running dry. In the song, it speaks how we dig deep in God's Word to find His heart and to know Him.  

I love the lyric about how we have a purpose to THRIVE instead of survive.  Thank you Lord for a purpose bigger than me especially when I get bogged down in the daily tasks of life.  

I also love that our purpose is not to just "bless me" but to make HIM known.  Please Lord help me be a faithful and loving witness of YOUR goodness today and always.

The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden

In the cold dark winters of Alaska, reading a book about fresh vegetable gardens helps chase away the blues.  I found that this book by Karen Newcomb to be refreshing and informative.  In The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden:  Grow Tons of Organic Vegetables in Tiny Spaces and Containers, to be a beginners guide to the cost-effective way to grow lots of vegetables in a smaller space.  Now Alaska is enormous, but I don't have the time to weed and maintain a huge plot of land.  In her book, she explains how the benefit of close fitting vegetables helps with both weeding and watering two important items a gardener must be diligent with.

I enjoyed seeing her way of positing plants so that they complement each other and help with the pest invasion.  Her writings dig into the depth of gardening without being too complicated.  This book inspired me, and I hope it will encourage you to go and grow!

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

It is Finished!

On this Easter morning, God showed up.  He turned the evil intentions of a maddening crowd to a victory IN JESUS.  He arose!  A few thousand years later, He is still turning the hard hearts to a point of tenderness and victory that can only  be found in Jesus.

Waking up to a smidgin' of snow on the porch, I have time to reflect.  For the past three months, my mind has been on the Cross.  Yes, it was a play.  But, it was more than that.  It was a time of searching and thinking deep thoughts about the impact Jesus had on many during his earthly ministry.
Eyes Upon the Cross written by Don A. Mueller was a success.  Not because of the many people who watched it (over 500).  But, because He was lifted high! In John 12:32 Jesus told his followers, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."  (He was talking about the Cross). Thank you Donna Embree who reminded the cast of this verse during our prayer time.  

Thank you Lord for the multitude of people it took to put on a production like this. Not only the performers, but the stage crew.   Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Kelly Anderson who walked with me through this journey, encouraged, directed, and prayed with me.  Thank you for the many behind the scenes gifted people who put this as a priority in their busy life (Sophia Wells, Olivia Wells).  Thanks be to my Father for Brian Anderson who was not only available to do the details and be the liaison to the church, but humbly with flexibility, and joyfully walked through the technical aspects of this play. 

To God be the Glory.

Now, when I think about what is next, my list is long.  Nevertheless, I will take the advice that I often give to others.  "Make His priorities first."  Let's Celebrate!  He is Risen!