Larry likes to mix things up a bit with our family devotions, and we’re changing things up again!  It’s a very exciting transition though, and very homeschooly - if there’s such a word!  We’ve read through all of Genesis and Exodus over the past half-year, dug around in a story bible, drawn lots of pictures, and now we’re going to start again in the creation week with 106 Days of Creation Studies from Simply Charlotte Mason.  I recently reviewed this title at Eclectic Homeschool Online here.  We are all going through it together, and are looking forward to studying science through the scriptures (once I assemble some materials of course).

For over a decade the UN ranked Canada as the world’s best country to live in.  I think we’re currently fourth on the list, but I wouldn’t live anywhere else (unless God led our family there, of course).

We’re blessed with a universal health care system, benevolent democratic government, freedom to homeschool, freedom to homebirth, freedom to work for ourselves, and most importantly - freedom to follow Jesus.

Canada is now 142 years old as of yesterday - a very young country, but one where Christians can live peaceably and openly practice our faith.  I pray our country remains safe and free for many years to come - God keep our land glorious and free!

What do think about when you read headlines about economic hardships, natural disasters, and politically charged conflict? Circumstances like these set families and entire communities reeling, and few people are affected as profoundly as the children involved. How do the littlest victims cope with the changes and uncertainty around them? And what can the church do to reach out specifically to these little ones?

Group Publishing, the premier publishers of children’s Bible curriculum including Sunday school and VBS, believes that some of the best ministers to children experiencing disaster and hardship are other children.  That’s why they have created a program called Operation Kid-to-Kid (OK2K), which partners with nondenominational Christian ministries like International Bible Society and World Vision to provide opportunities for children in North America to share God’s love with other children in difficult or disastrous situations. Since its inception ten years ago, Operation Kid-to-Kid projects have impacted millions of kids all over the world.

“Operation Kid-to-Kid is a great way to teach kids compassion and service,” says Joani Schultz, cofounder of Group and OK2K. “Children learn by doing. It’s one thing to drop a nickel in the offering plate, but when kids make a gift with their own hands, when they can be creative and personal, this leaves a real impression on both the givers and the receivers.”

This year’s OK2K project features two easy to make (no sewing required) Comfort Critters—small plush turtles with a sewn in pocket for exchanging pictures or notes of encouragement and hope. After they make the turtles, each child will keep one and send the other to a child in need. With a cute little turtle as a friendly and safe messenger, children will understand and communicate Christian compassion and the hope of Jesus. . . and they’ll have fun doing it. Group offers many other resources for OK2K initiatives, including an affordable booklet entitled The Survivors: For Kids in Tough Places.

Over the years, OK2K has become one of the largest forces mobilizing children in serving other children around the world through gifts of school supplies, Bibles, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, Bible coloring books, and socks and shoes. Between recent natural disasters and the global economic crisis, there are more opportunities than ever for children to show the love of Christ to other children—and not just for a VBS event. Operation Kid-to-Kid can mobilize service projects any time of the year.

Group is also starting a new venture between OK2K and Lifetree Adventures, an organization that combines unique vacations with meaningful service projects. This new venture will be the “follow through” option for those who feel called to take the VBS OK2K effort to the next level. For 2009, Operation Kid-to-Kid will sponsor a trip to New Orleans for children’s leaders to deliver the Comfort Critter turtles to Katrina victims.

“There is still much to be done in New Orleans after the nation’s largest natural disaster. You saw the horror of Hurricane Katrina where over 1,500 people died,” says Group VBS Senior Editor Jody Brolsma. “But did you know Christians have led the way, quietly rebuilding and cleaning up after the disaster? Now you can help minister to the children of the 7^th Ward, where flooding caused massive destruction. Take your passion for Jesus to kids who have lived through challenging times.”

This trip is open to adult volunteers, but space is very limited. Service activities will include painting, cleanup, and repair of a volunteer center and homes in the 7^th Ward and connecting with kids after school.

Plan now to connect with Jody and reach out with love to the kids and families of New Orleans, November 8-13, 2009. Visit www.lifetreeadventures.com or call 1.800.747.2157 to review the itinerary and reserve your trip.

Have you heard of Paul Washer?  Our family has been extraordinarily blessed by his preaching; our understanding of both doctrine and God’s plan for family life have increased exponentially through his sermons.  Our passion and desire for God, and our dedication our calling as a family have increased, his teaching has been a true gift  that I praise God for.

Of course, we were terribly excited to learn that he’d written a doctrinal workbook examining the nature of God called The One True God.  We were even more excited to find that it was available for free online!  Today I’ve been printing two copies, and my husband is anxious to get started with our study!  You can find a download here at Heart Cry Missionary Society.  Let me know what you think, I’m going to write a review once we’re done working through it together.

Also, you can find a wealth of Paul Washer sermons on Sermonaudio.com.

The past couple of days have been blissfully full of the Lord’s presence in my life.  When I look back on everything that he has done for me, I’m just in awe of his merciful kindness. I realize  that those looking in from the outside of a Christian life often see what doesn’t make sense to them, what doesn’t seem to be rational.  But really, Jesus is the only truth, the only way - it’s all been about Him, and it always will be.  He’s the Alpha and the Omega, my all in all.  It’s personal, experiential, and goes far beyond platitudes or empty theology.  He’s IT.

We don’t have a formal family movie night, but from time to time we’ll pop some popcorn, and pull out a bag of chips for Kaelynn (she has a corn allergy) and pop a DVD into the computer.  We’re pretty selective about what we watch, both apart and together as a family.

I just watched the trailer for All Roads Lead Home The Movie and it looks like it could make our list of potentials.  In a way it reminds me of Fly Away Home due to the themes of loss, animal adoption, struggle and reconciliation.  We own Fly Away Home and enjoy watching it together a few times a year.

Based on a true story, this tale of a girl, horses and puppies looks like a hard one to resist for most tweens.   Why not take a peek at the trailer and let me know what you think.  Does this film look like one you’d like to watch with your loved ones?

I’m a bit of a softie, and, let’s be honest - it looks like I might need to pull out the hankies for this one.  Seriously, it doesn’t take much to get me going!  With the loss of the mother, All Roads Lead Home might prove disturbing for little, little ones.  Kaelynn had serious issues with abandoment/loss in ANY media when she was 2 - 3.  The puppy in the bag would have thrown her to, but all kids are different.

So what do you think - a good match for your family?

While our family doesn’t celebrate Christmas we do appreciate the opportunities at this time of year to share our wealth with those in far away lands who are less fortunate than we are.  Last year our children were blessed to participate in a program similar to the one listed below, purchasing bunnies and chickens for the poor in India.  They can’t wait to buy animals for people in foreign countries again this year.

When I was contacted to help promote the Hands of Hope gift cards that provide assistance to children and women in Africa I jumped at the opportunity.  I haven’t received anything for this post, I just want to spread the word!  100% of the funds from these card purchases go directly to the use specified whether chickens, goats or wells.  No administrative costs are deducted.

Hands of Hope, a charity of Women Helping Women A World Away, is announcing that their Holiday Gift Cards are available for purchase. These cards provide food, income and water for impoverished women and children in Zambia, Uganda, and Southern Sudan. They can be purchased on the Hands of Hope website
www.handsofhopeonline.org for $15.00, $30.00 and $50.00. Purchasing these cards will provide goats, chickens or wells to help change lives. What could be a more meaningful gift for holiday giving for family, friends, and customer appreciation?

Hands of Hope helps mobilize communities to respond to the needs of women and children around the world. With an ever-expanding support base in the Chicago area, Hands of Hope works to raise community awareness regarding poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa and its relevance globally. We are confident in the integrity of the channels we have established so that contributions provide the highest possible impact for the most critical needs.

$15.00 - A Chicken Card will purchase a gift of twelve chicks and be given to an impoverished family in Africa. As the flock multiplies, a struggling family will be given the hope to survive. Your gift will help those in need for generations to come.

$30.00 - A Goat Card represents an actual goat being purchased for a needy family. Beyond providing much needed milk, a few goats can quickly become a herd, providing sustenance and additional income that can make the difference between whether a child goes to school or not.

$50.00 - A Well Card will go toward funding a well in the Western Province of Zambia. Statistics show that nearly half of all people in developing countries suffer from health related problems caused by unsafe water.

The cards: http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/goat.asp

Purchase cards: http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/goat.asp#purchase

How HOH got their start: http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/history.asp

Current Projects: http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/ourwork.asp

Contact at Hands of Hope:

VickyWauterlek, Hands of Hope

VWAU@aol.com, 847-381-7367

I don’t think I’ve shared this resource before, but it is a vital one!  No more paying $10 per pregnancy test.  I have purchased from this family a couple of times, and can vouch for the test accuracy, as I tested pregnant with my third daughter with one of these!

Another Blessing offers pregnancy tests and ovulation strips for $.50-.85 each with free shipping in the USA.  The owner Amy Wingfield is a stay-at-home, homeschool quiverfull mom of 4 blessings so far. She’s also a writer. Read her daily blog at http://amywingfield.blogspot.com/.

One of my blogging friends, Penny Raine has an e-booklet about family devotions for homeschoolers that will be available for FREE tomorrow at Homeschool Freebie of the Day.  That’s Friday, October 03rd, so don’t miss it!

Here is a short review I wrote for her:

Whether you are new to family devotions or a veteran, Penny Raine will challenge and encourage you in her new e-booklet, First Things First: The home schooling parents guide to leading family devotions.

Penny calls families to set their priorities straight, starting the day by worshipping the Lord and learning of His ways.  From getting started to suggestions on scriptures to start with, Penny’s suggestions are sure to bless every Christian family.

So, head on over there tomorrow and download away!

A Quiverfull Family blog reader sent me this link through a comment, thank you Kristie.

Are Big Families Causing an Ecological Crisis?

I’ll admit that my immediate knee jerk reaction was to go into defensive mode.  Thankfully as I read the article I realized that, while the author doesn’t make a strong statement advocating for large families, he himself seems to have a family that includes 4 children, and points out that children are a blessing from God.  I let my defenses down and found a balanced, well presented article, take a peek and let me know what you think.

As a former deep ecologist my husband and I initially planned to have 1 child, two at the most.  Since coming to Christ and having God speak to our hearts on this matter I’ve learned that overpopulation hysteria is just that - an unfounded fear based argument to prevent us from filling the world with God’s warriors.  In fact, the earth is far from being overpopulated, just come to Canada and take a look around if you’re not sure :).

The earth is the Lord’s and all that there is in it.  While we should be responsible stewards and caretakers, this planet does not serve it’s own purposes.  Before I get flamed let me say that we heat with wood, drive minimally, live off-grid with solar panels and wind power - we don’t advocate intentionally trashing the planet.  However, the earth is God’s creation, and His to do with what He wills.  His will is for us to fill it, as is clearly evidenced in scripture.  All of the things of this world will burn away, even the earth itself, so why should we seek to preserve it only to circumvent God’s plans for His people?