Motivation Monday

     And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

     A certain day was appointed on which the Jews were to be destroyed and their property confiscated. Little did the king realize the far-reaching results that would have accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree. Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. . . .

     But the plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that reigns among the children of men. In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Mordecai was a near relative of hers. In their extremity they decided to appeal to Xerxes in behalf of their people. Esther was to venture into his presence as an intercessor. “Who knoweth,” said Mordecai, “whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

     The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for communion with God, the source of her strength. “Go,” she directed Mordecai, “gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

     To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher, and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this crisis the question put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in Israel’s history, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

My Life Today, 64

Recipes for Summer Fun

These recipes can’t be served for dinner, but they will provide lots of fun with the added benefit of being educational! With a few common supermarket items, your children can whip up some easy science “concoctions”  while practicing measuring skills as well as technical reading and following directions. Collect and keep these recipes in a notebook or folder and create a summer activity “cookbook”!

Homemade Watercolors Recipe

Homemade Finger Paint

Playdough Recipes – Edible and Non-edible

Oobleck Recipe

Two Silly Putty Recipes

Homemade Bubble Solution

Kid Friendly Science Recipes – an entire page of fun projects!

Parent’s Priceless Privilege

The little child that’s by your side is placing trust in you.

He wants to watch just what you do, and then he’ll try it too.

His little hand is placed in yours to lead him in the way.

His voice is waiting now for you to help him sing and pray.

His little mind is seeking truth, so teach him while he’s small.

God gave this precious child to  you – He’ll give you grace for all.

~found in  Rod & Staff preschool activity book

Fun Links for May

Mini offices are a great way to organize individualized reference material for your children.  A mini office is simply two or more file folders joined together with multiplication facts, vowel sound charts, or state names, etc, attached to the folder for easy reference.

image credit: Staples

You can make a mini office for each of your children, with the material appropriate for his/her grade level.   With a few file folders and a couple of clicks of a mouse, you can create a portable reference library  for practically pennies.  Here are some great links to get you started on the road to creating an inexpensive but useful resource for your homeschool.

*Easy directions for putting file folders together to create the foundation of your mini office.

*Homeschool Creations shares some great photographs of very nicely made mini offices.

*Mrs. Meacham’s mini office page- my personal favorite for inspiration and printables.

*Jimmie’s Squidoo mini office page- be sure to bookmark this page, it’s FULL of great links!

New Poll: What Math Curriculum Are You Using?

Are you using a math curriculum that was not listed?  Are you also using supplementary math program?  Planning to make a change next year?  Share a comment with us! We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you are using in your home.

Motivation Monday

   “Athletes cheerfully comply with the conditions in order to be trained for the highest taxation of their physical strength. They do not indulge appetite, but put a constant restraint upon themselves, refraining from food which would weaken or lessen the full power of any of their organs. Yet they fight “as one that beateth the air,” while Christians are in a real contest. Combatants in the games seek for mere perishable laurels. Christians have before them a glorious crown of immortality, incorruptible. And in this heavenly race there is plenty of room for all to obtain the prize. Not one will fail if he runs well, if he does according to the light which shines upon him, exercising his abilities which, to the best of his knowledge, he has kept in a healthful condition. . . . “

Our High Calling, 69

Oklahoma Family Campmeeting

Restoration International’s Oklahoma Family Campmeeting is a particular favorite of many AHE families.   This year’s programs are being live-streamed for all to enjoy.  If you are not able to watch them live (US Central Time), then you can check the links below to  watch the archived videos at your convenience.

Oklahoma Family Campeeting Schedule

USTREAM site with archived videos