Random 5 Friday

I am approaching this coming week with a heart bursting with thankfulness! My foot is healing well and my physical therapy is coming along nicely. I was able to bear a bit of weight yesterday for the first time in 9 1/2 weeks! And my plan is to be walking with minimal assistance by Dec 31! 

So my Random 5 this week is all about those who have loved on me, provided for me and prayed for me over these last weeks. 

1. I'm thankful for a loving and committed husband who has more than fulfilled his marriage vows these past 9 weeks. I absolutely could not have made it this far without his excellent care and total support, literally at times. He has stayed up all night while I was in pain and crying buckets of tears, handing me kleenex and holding my hand, being a stalwart encourager and prayer warrior. I am delighted that the Lord 'pushed' him into me 33 years ago. You can read a short version of it at How Cupid Shot Me Blog Hop!

2. I'm thankful for two teen boys who have brought me numerous glasses of water and cups of coffee, cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner, fetched ice packs and heating pad, books and laptop, pillows and blankets and done so much more than I deserve!

3. I'm thankful for a daughter who has given up precious time with her husband and children to take me to physical therapy and doctor appts, and many days just to come and visit so I don't feel so isolated. She makes a mean cup of coffee and brings me chocolate!

4. I'm thankful for friends and family, both near, far and online, who have provided home cooked meals and sweet fellowship, sunshine-filled packages that brightened my days, emails and telephone calls that came at just the right moment. Hearing how much someone cares and is praying for me has been a great encouragement!

5. But what I'm most thankful for is the One who has not left my side for one. single. moment. 

He is healer, provider, my Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, the giver of all good things in my life!  

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 

~Psalm 100:4  

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Sharing with
Random 5 Friday

Soybean Harvest

It is like the seed put in the soil - the more one sows, the greater the harvest.

Orison Swett Marden 

 Our neighbor rented his fields this year to a neighboring soybean farmer. Watching them grow through the seasons was delightful. In summer, they were so green and full but there was something equally pleasing about their change in autumn. I thought they were beautiful with the sun highlighting their fuzzy pods at harvest time.

A Gleaner Combine is used to reap the harvest.

As soon as we heard it start up, the windows were quickly closed because it makes a dust cloud that chokes the breath from your lungs. It's a good thing it has an enclosed cab for the farmer! 

Now the fields look bare but they have already planted them with winter wheat and fertilized them with chicken manure. I look forward to seeing a lush green field in the colorless and cold days of winter. You know I will take photos :)

Sharing with

Rurality Blog Hop

*Thank you for all the prayers and best wishes about my back. With lots of rest, heat and ice, and a doctor visit, it is well on its way to getting better. No more spasms and not nearly as much pain. I may not be back to a full blogging schedule for a while but I am working on it.

Have a blessed day!

A Gentle Reminder and a break

Though poor in this world’s goods, though grieving the loss of loved ones, though suffering pain of body, though harassed by sin and Satan, though hated and persecuted by worldlings, whatever be the case and lot of the Christian, it is both his privilege and duty to rejoice in the Lord.  ~ A.W. Pink

I'm taking a short (I hope) blogging break due to a back injury. I cannot sit up for long and to be honest, the pain is too great to be able to concentrate. I'm having a hard time thinking up content and editing photos. I would appreciate prayer for healing and no more spasms. 

Thank you!

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

 
 

Homeschool Co-ops 101 by Karen Lange, Book Tour & $25 Amazon GC Giveaway!

Essential co-op tools, tips, and options for today’s homeschool families.

Thinking about joining or starting a homeschool co-op? Not sure if a co-op is a good fit? Homeschool Co-ops 101 weighs the pros, cons, and creative options available for today’s homeschool family.

Section 1 includes essential, digestible info on co-op ingredients such as planning and organization, schedules, teaching, finances, and addressing conflict and burnout.

Section 2 shares a sampling of co-op games and activities, and

Section 3 contains five hands-on unit studies. These ready to use studies include lessons on Leonardo da Vinci, Birds of Prey, Public Speaking, Tall Tales, and Creative Writing, and are suitable for co-op or home use. This section also includes unit study guidelines that are easily customized to suit any topic.

Section 4 offers suggested books, curriculum, and other resources.
Karen Lange has gathered insight from years of co-oping and now shares her own and others’ experiences in this valuable and encouraging handbook.

Homeschool Co-ops 101 is available at:

~~~Amazon~~~

~~~Barnes and Noble~~~

~~~Kobo~~~

About the Author

Karen Lange, her husband, and three children were active in co-ops during their sixteen-year homeschool journey. Her experience includes serving as a local homeschool support group coordinator and consultant for a state homeschool network in New Jersey. Karen’s children have since graduated, and she is now a freelance writer and online writing instructor for homeschooled teens.

You can connect with Karen at her Blog, on Twitter, and Facebook.

Blog Tour Schedule

November 4
~Ruth Schiffman, http://outonalimbshywritergoessocial.blogspot.com/
~Robyn Campbell, http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/

November 5
~Carol Alexander, http://lessonsfromthehomestead.com/blog/

~Diane Estrella, www.dianeestrella.com

November 6
~Gena Mayo, ichoosejoy.org

~Marja Meijers, http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com/

November 7
~Sandie Crozek, http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/

~Melissa Brander, http://mkbrander.com/

~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/

November 8
~Susan Reinhardt, http://www.susanjreinhardt.com/

~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/

November 10

~Laura V. Hilton, http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/

~Melissa & Tiffany, http://www.homegrownfamilies.net

~Janette Dolores, http://janettedolores.blogspot.com

November 11
~Susan Sundwall, www.sundwallsays.blogspot.com

~Michelle Isenhoff, http://www.michelleisenhoff.com/wp

November 12
~Carol Alexander, http://lessonsfromthehomestead.com/blog/

~Jeanette Levellie, http://www.jeanettelevellie.com/

November 13
~Susanne Dietze, http://susannedietze.blogspot.com/
~Sherryl Wilson, simplysherryl.com

~Anne Payne, duhpaynes.blogspot.com

November 14
~Rhonda Schrock, http://www.rhondaschrock.com/rhondas_blog/
~Abi Buening, http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com/

~Amber Schamel, http://www.amberschamel.com/history-blog.html

~Renee, motherdaughterbookreviews.com

November 15
~Crystal King, http://asimpleheartforhome.blogspot.com/
~Barb Winters, inthemidstof.wordpress.com/

~Tyrean Martinson, http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/

November 16

~Julie, soaringeagle8.blogspot.com

~Sarah, myjoyfilledlife.com

November 17
~Amada Chavez, ascphotosanddesigns.blogspot.com

~Cindi Clubbs, http://ccclubbs.com/

~Rebecca Boerner, http://ohiohomeschool.blogspot.com/

November 18

~Carlene Havel, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog

~Cindy Loven, http://cindylovenreviews.blogspot.com

November 19

~Karen Loethen, http://taytayhser.blogspot.com.au/

~Amy Smith, myseasonsofopportunities.blogspot.com/

November 20

~Darlene Arroyo-Lozada, http://lovebookslozada.blogspot.com/

November 22

~Sarah Bailey, http://growingforchrist.wordpress.com

~Thumb Updown, http://momsthumb.blogspot.com/

December 2

~Jennifer Shirk, http://jennifershirk.blogspot.com/

~Ticia M., http://adventuresinmommydom.org/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Giveaway

Open to US addresses only. One person will receive a $25 Amazon GC and a copy of Homeschool Co-ops 101. Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The winner will be chosen from those entries and announced December 5, 2013. Good luck!

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as e-mailed, and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Diane at That’s What I’m Here For… and sponsored by the author, Karen Lange. The author provided me with a free copy of Homeschool Co-ops 101 to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Be sure and follow the directions above  for the giveaway. It is not sponsored by Stuff & Nonsense. Any questions regarding said Rafflecopter giveaway should be directed to Diane Estrella @ That's What I'm Here For, or author Karen Lange.

Book Recommendation {Christmas}

I know, I know. It's not even Thanksgiving yet. But I love reading Christmas stories and it's never too early to start, in my opinion. Guideposts now has this two volume set available for purchase. Come along on 16 faith journeys that will set your heart ablaze during the Christmas season!!! 

image credit: Guideposts

From GUIDEPOSTS online:

Book Description 

A Cup of Christmas Cheer

Twinkling lights, the scents of cinnamon and pine, family gatherings, favorite carols from the heart. In the spirit of these cozy Christmas traditions, Guideposts is pleased to present A Cup of Christmas Cheer, a two-book set brimming with heartwarming fiction stories of faith and family set in Christmases past and present.

You are invited to enjoy two uplifting Christmas fiction collections that will flood you with the Christmas spirit and bring a smile to your face. As you delve into each well-crafted story, you’ll be swept away on a wave of glad tidings and good cheer as you are reminded of God’s unconditional love and ever-present care at Christmas and all throughout the year.

Affordably priced so you can easily give the set as heartfelt gifts, the messages of hope and faith in these extraordinary works of fiction deliver the truest gifts of the season. They will inspire all who read them as they bring home the joy of God’s presence at Christmastime.

Faith and Family Volume One:

image credit: The Graphics Fairy

THE CHEVALIER
Susan Page Davis

SECOND-CHANCE CHRISTMAS
Jenness Walker

NOT QUITE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Pam Hanson and Barbara Andrews

MRS. MEYER’S CHRISTMAS CALLER
Jessica Keller

RIDING ON A CHRISTMAS WISH
Anita Draper

UPON A CHRISTMAS TREE SCHOONER
Carla Gade Olson

SNOWED IN
Carrie Fancett Pagels

THE PRODIGAL
Jennifer Johnson

image credit: The Graphics Fairy

Joy and Wonder Volume Two:

MEAT LOAF AND OTHER MINOR MIRACLES

Liz Johnson

THE BEST DEAD CHRISTMAS TREE

Linda S. Clare

BENEATH THE CHRISTMAS STAR

Johnnie Alexander Donley

CALLING GRANDMA JEAN

Pam Hanson and Barbara Andrews

THE CHRISTMAS THIEF

Ashley Clark

POSTCARDS AT CHRISTMAS

Julie Carobini

A STRANGER’S VISIT TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

Marilyn Turk

THE SNOW GLOBE

Ginger Kolbaba

To order from Guidepost Books, click here.

I don't make anything from the sale of this set. I'm just excited to share it with you. Plus, my good friend Carrie Pagels has a wonderfully sweet story in Volume One titled Snowed In!

Visit Carrie on the web @ Overcoming With God. You'll find encouragement and friendship among the ladies there :)

Do you enjoy Christmas stories? Do you a favorite that you'd like to recommend?

 image credit: The Graphics Fairy