Nick and Ben wanted to help the kids at Hope Village in South Africa. They had a lemonade and popcorn stand on Friday raising $27.60. Today they put that money in a special collection at church. Three cheers for Nick and Ben! Three cheers for Pastor Tom who rode his bike across country from North to South to raise awareness and funds for Hope Village.
Read about Pastor Tom's adventures on his blog Share the Road.
http://bentbikerblogger.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Argyle Bathroom
I walked into my powder room this morning and thought someone had stenciled diamonds on the wall. They were arranged in a neat pattern and it looked cool but... Then I touched them. Wet cardboard. I took one off to find that it had once been a toilet paper tube.
Did you know that when a cardboard toilet paper tube is opened along the seam, it becomes a flat piece of cardboard that is almost a diamond?
Did you know that when this cardboard is soaking wet, it will stick to a wall?
Thanks to Ben's creative decorating style, I do now! Proved to be an easy cleanup. Life is an adventure, live creatively.
Did you know that when a cardboard toilet paper tube is opened along the seam, it becomes a flat piece of cardboard that is almost a diamond?
Did you know that when this cardboard is soaking wet, it will stick to a wall?
Thanks to Ben's creative decorating style, I do now! Proved to be an easy cleanup. Life is an adventure, live creatively.
Camp days
Nick and Ben are having a blast at Miss Betty's Camp. My favorite part of the day is picking up some very happy, dirt covered kids and taking them to the Hallman's General store for an ice cream treat.
Today is theater day. Ben will be doing a skit with the 2nd grade boys. He is very excited about it. Tino and I are both going. Can't wait!
Today is theater day. Ben will be doing a skit with the 2nd grade boys. He is very excited about it. Tino and I are both going. Can't wait!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
On Eagle's Wings
Changed the title of my blog today. The new title comes from a scripture and a song.
Isaiah 40:31 (New International Version)
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
The chorus to the song:
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.
So I place my hope in God and feel as if I am soaring. Then I get some upsetting news and feel as if I crash landed.
LORD, help me to keep my hope and trust in you during the longest month of my life.
Isaiah 40:31 (New International Version)
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
The chorus to the song:
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.
So I place my hope in God and feel as if I am soaring. Then I get some upsetting news and feel as if I crash landed.
LORD, help me to keep my hope and trust in you during the longest month of my life.
Galactic Blast - Crossroads' VBS
Gearing up for this year's VBS. We had a meeting after church on Sunday. Lots of energy and enthusiasm at the meeting. I will be organizing the Bible Story center. A lot different fom last year. Last year we needed only a few props as the setting provided us with a river, mountain, upper room etc... This year we will be in our Sunday school classroom so the scenery and props will be more important. Better get started...
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunrise
Sunday, I rose early. I walked downstairs to have some time with God before the house woke up. The sunrise caught my attention. It wasn't the most spectacular sunrise but it captivated me. In it I saw the great potential each day holds. Every day is a chance for a fresh start. Every day is filled with hope. I began singing LORD, you are good and your mercy endureth forever... Yesterday, the sunrise inspired me in a way that reached my very soul. I thank and praise God for the sunrise, fresh starts, hope, the promise of a new day... May the whole earth praise the Lord. We worship you. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, We worship you for who You are.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Mathematical Ben
I have been blown away by Ben's math ability. Just last night I cut some circles into halfs, thirds, quarters, sixths and eights. Then I wrote some mixed numerals down and some improper fractions. Before I had time to explain them, Ben had converted the mixed numerals into improper fractions and the improper fractions into mixed numerals. I couldn't believe he really understood it so I had him explain it to me using the fractions of circles I had cut out. He could have taught a lesson on it.
Then I thought I'd be really clever. I knew he understood that 5/6 > 4/6 > 3/6, so I changed it around. I asked him to put the fractions in order from greatest to least using the same numerator and different denominators. (3/8, 3/4, 3/6) He did it immediately saying it was easy and rolling his eyes when I wanted to show him using my paper circle cutouts.
Guess I spent 20 minutes cutting out fractions for nothing. Except at least I know he understands what he is doing.
What makes this all the more amazing is that I thought math was a trouble area for Ben at this time last year. He had been having to memorize his math facts at school using flashcards and answering them in 3 seconds each. He found this stressful and said he couldn't do math. He was so stressed by it that he had reflux and migraines. He would often be sent home from school just before math class. So he missed math instruction in first grade. In second grade when we were given flashcards to work on at home, I said that Ben would not be doing them. Somehow he mastered his addition and subtraction facts without flashcards. His 2nd grade teacher picked up on the fact that he was good at math. He was evaluated and given some more advanced work. This summer Ben begged me to sign him up for the Aleks math program. I signed him up on July 1st. He loves it and works on it for 5 to 20 minutes a day. In just one week, he has completed 69% of the third grade course work. With doubts that anyone could master material that quickly, I felt a need to teach him some of the skills it said he had learned or was ready to learn. That is why I spent all that time cutting out fractions. But Ben already understood the concepts and could explain them to me, even the ones it said he was ready to learn next. Where did this child learn these skills? I have no idea. He just loves math.
Then I thought I'd be really clever. I knew he understood that 5/6 > 4/6 > 3/6, so I changed it around. I asked him to put the fractions in order from greatest to least using the same numerator and different denominators. (3/8, 3/4, 3/6) He did it immediately saying it was easy and rolling his eyes when I wanted to show him using my paper circle cutouts.
Guess I spent 20 minutes cutting out fractions for nothing. Except at least I know he understands what he is doing.
What makes this all the more amazing is that I thought math was a trouble area for Ben at this time last year. He had been having to memorize his math facts at school using flashcards and answering them in 3 seconds each. He found this stressful and said he couldn't do math. He was so stressed by it that he had reflux and migraines. He would often be sent home from school just before math class. So he missed math instruction in first grade. In second grade when we were given flashcards to work on at home, I said that Ben would not be doing them. Somehow he mastered his addition and subtraction facts without flashcards. His 2nd grade teacher picked up on the fact that he was good at math. He was evaluated and given some more advanced work. This summer Ben begged me to sign him up for the Aleks math program. I signed him up on July 1st. He loves it and works on it for 5 to 20 minutes a day. In just one week, he has completed 69% of the third grade course work. With doubts that anyone could master material that quickly, I felt a need to teach him some of the skills it said he had learned or was ready to learn. That is why I spent all that time cutting out fractions. But Ben already understood the concepts and could explain them to me, even the ones it said he was ready to learn next. Where did this child learn these skills? I have no idea. He just loves math.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)