The Girl’s Guide can be read together with or without the Mom’s book.
This could not have come at a better time.
We homeschool, and so I never really thought I would have to deal with my kids being bullied. I mean, we don’t participate in many outside the house activities. Two play soccer and our church attendance and Liz has Civil Air Patrol. We limit our activities and evaluate and reevaluate to keep aligned with our family goals. I like being home together and eating dinner together every night. On our crazy Tuesdays, we bring a casserole or Crock Pot to soccer practice and eat at the picnic table between soccer practice and CAP.
My kids are in between the ages of the other kids at church. Liz has no peers. And the other families’ lifestyles are different than ours and that sometimes causes contention. There’s a girls ministry in place, but it’s not a fit for my girls.
And Liz is such a bleeding heart. She trusts. She’s gullible. And I don’t want that to go away, not completely. I love that she’s the social butterfly and loves everyone and sees the best in everyone she meets. She’s the opposite of me!
But, she recently realized that a girl she thought was a friend is just on a power trip and has said and done mean things. She’s been using Liz and is not a real friend at all. It was heartbreaking. It’s harder to hold on as they grow up and away. These books are a great help to get through issues like these together, and with God. It’s good to have a guide so I don’t mess it up, get angry, express my own emotions from my past, or forget anything.
The activities in the books are meant to be completed in a group setting. We don’t really have enough of a girl group to get together to do these. But I can do them with my three girls with quite a bit of success.
I don’t want my girls to be mean girls and I don’t want my girls to be hurt by mean girls. But I can’t wrap them up in Bubble Wrap. I can prepare them and, with God’s help, lead them in the way they should go. I can help them succeed with friendships when they experience relationships with other girls.
What’s a Secret Keeper Girl?
Well, she’s a lot of things. And she’s NOT a lot of things. She’s NOT a mean girl. She’s a girl whose friendships are full of kindness…
The girl’s book has two parts. Part one has 6 chapters of “self-help.” Part two has 6 meditations – Bible studies about our best friend, Jesus. Part two is full of fun activities while learning how to be a friend. Liz thought some of these activities were a bit silly, but she’s turning 13 next month. Some of the concepts were great review.
Recommended for tweens – ages 8-12
The mom book has three parts. Part one is a how-to. Part two are the 8 dates. Part three are devotions, FAQs, and resources. I look forward to completing the “dates” with my daughters. Listening to the free audio files offer a unique perspective.
About the Author:
Dannah Gresh is the founder of Pure Freedom. She has sold well-over one million copies of her books, making her one of the most successful Christian authors targeting teens and tweens today. She is the author and creator of Secret Keeper Girl, a line of mom/daughter connecting resources and live events aimed at tween girls and their moms. Dannah and her husband, Bob, have three college-age children—Rob, Lexi, and Autumn. She is shamelessly in love with her labradoodle, Stormie, and lives in State College, PA.
I wanted to take advantage of the last warm day of the remnants of summer. We visited Wheeler Farm.
Alex begged to feed ducks from the moment he woke up. He was like a broken record. He knew something was up.
He was so upset when we drove by “the duck pond.” (Doesn’t every town have one of those?)
I assured him he would feed the ducks, but he wasn’t accepting that because, apparently, there’s only one duck pond in the whole world.
He was finally happy when he saw the ducks and geese. Really, he was happy.
Wheeler Farm has trails you can walk or bike. They also have tractor-pulled wagon rides. Along the trails are old farm equipment, perfect for picture posing.
Alex thought this old wagon combine was the greatest thing ever.
They have this ginormous box elder tree and the kids played in it for about half an hour. It was awesome.
Tori loved it and wants a big tree of her own.
Kate enjoyed exploring all the little nooks in the big tree.
The farm has all the typical animals you should find on a farm. Horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, cows (even 2 Highland cows!), sheep, and goats.
Alex adored this particular goat and didn’t want to leave her.
And, we got to milk a cow! Isn’t she lovely?
We got to see the calf get fed a bottle.
Tori was the first milker. Out of the whole barn. She was so proud.
I thought Kate would be more excited since she’s obsessed with cows. I think she likes the idea more than the real deal.
I milked her too. Alex wouldn’t even walk up with me.
It was a fun day. And it was free admission! (milking costs $1 per person)
As Christians, we’re not supposed to actually admit that. We’re supposed to be content in all circumstances and all that. It’s eyebrow-raising to admit you’re feeling a hole in your heart or soul. Yet, I feel like that all the time. And, yes, it’s a different feeling than that God-shaped hole the Bible thumpers hawk to the unsaved heathens. I’ve been there too. I was one of those.
The tagline: When A Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life. Do you feel it too? The status quo has never been comfortable for me. But fear does hold me back. I have responsibilities. I have a husband and kids. I homeschool. I write. I have deadlines.
I have a past. It doesn’t define who I am anymore, but it’s there nonetheless.
This book is a phenomenal call to action for Christians to dig out of their fear holes and do something meaningful. It can be small. It can be seemingly insignificant. But God sees. Lives will be touched. Mountains will be moved. Just act. Just do something. Quit dreaming about that something and sitting paralyzed in fear. Prioritize. Figure out what you can do. There’s a whole broken world outside your office window or front door just waiting for you to act.
What is true compassion? Get out of your comfort zone and stop being so selfish and self-centered and go do something for Jesus. Make it sooner rather than later.
Everything you now do was once something scary and new. Are you gonna sit around in complacency forever? Be salt. Be light. I’m not saying you should quit your job and leave your spouse and kids to run off to Africa, but do something within your messy little world to make a difference for somebody else.
Pray. Focus. Go. Do that.
Nothing matters from the past. What matters is the future.
Six Reasons to Get Wrecked
Because life is not just about you.
Because we long to be part of a bigger story.
Because adventure without sacrifice is ultimately unfulfilling.
Because the most dangerous place to be is on the couch.
Because if you don’t act, maybe no one will.
Because comfortable isn’t enough.
Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into your Comfortable Life is available in paperback or for Kindle. Go buy this right now and get wrecked. You’ll be so grateful.
We love the ease of the online system that Liz could use her iPad mini or the laptop or desktop to view the video lessons. This review was an answer to prayer. Math has been a battle with Liz for the last few years and we’ve tried several programs with little success. And now, this. Amazing timing.
I love that VideoText is mastery-based. The spiral approach has never been enjoyed by myself or Liz. I like that this program teaches concepts. I feel this is so important with math. This is where I got lost so in school! I wanted to know why why why and I was just told to memorize the formulas and apply them. I was so lost. As I watch and learn along with my daughter, I remember so much and finally, I am beginning to understand it!
We began (where else?) at the beginning. Even though Liz has completed pre-algebra with another book, we began with lesson 1 and it was well we did. The methods are completely different. It begins with much-needed vocabulary and arithmetic review lessons. We realize Liz learned very little of the material we’ve covered these last few weeks. A great review and a real intro to algebra. She complained a bit at the differences they teach, but we agree that their way is the better way and the contradictions are due to the superior teaching and advanced concepts.
I loved the comparison of math equations to sentence patterns in the first lesson. Something I can understand! yay!
Liz completed two lessons each day the first week. She really enjoyed the change of pace for math. Then she settled into a lesson a day. We have time.
Here’s the scope and sequence and topics covered. I like having an instructor login and Liz has her student login. I can access resources like instructor guides and answer keys.
The short video lessons are presented clearly and well. The notes and examples are displayed for Liz to copy into her notes. We encourage her to write down everything “on the board” and pause the video and complete the examples before the teacher does. She likes that and she learns it better.
After watching the video lesson and taking notes, Liz reads the printed Course Notes and printed Work Text and then completes the “home work” or written assignment. Then there’s a printed quiz that I have her take right then or before the next lesson the following day, depending on our schedule. We check the Work Text assignments and quizzes together and Liz makes needed corrections. If she does well, she doesn’t have to take the optional 2nd quiz.
Dad is the math genius (he took college calc while still in high school – and his dad taught math for 30+ years). He reviewed the first parts of unit 1 with Liz. They discussed the concepts she learned. We found some gaps in her retention. We had her watch the videos again and take better notes the second time. She realized she could ace those quizzes then.
Dad approves wholeheartedly of this algebra program. He thinks many math texts are sorely lacking to prepare for higher level learning in maths and physical science but he thinks this one is the best he’s seen!
She needs help with study skills. Quizzes and tests are new to Liz. We’ve never really incorporated these into our school environment. This program is teaching all sorts of great lessons!
There was a bit of a learning curve for us, schedule-wise. Some sections have 2-3 lessons before a cumulative quiz. Liz struggled with those a bit more.
While math will never be Liz’s favorite subject, this program is the best we’ve found for a difficult topic such as algebra. It certainly is beyond my abilities to teach and I feel so confident with what we’ve learned – and I trust this course to deliver. It’s been a great success so far!
How do you know if your student is ready for algebra? After completing an elementary math program, ask these questions. Most students begin pre-algebra in middle school or junior high. Liz is 12 and in 8th-ish grade.
When a student completes Algebra: A Complete Course, the student can claim credits for all of the following: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II!
Check the site for other purchase options. You can add additional student licenses or buy one module at a time or upgrade from VHS to DVD if you’ve previously purchased. You can also purchase print materials.
She won. Every time. And she did a little dance. ugh
Contents:
1 20″ x 30″ GAME Board
1 Score Pad
3 Blue Dice
3 Red Dice
80 Politics Cards
40 “Write-Your-Own” Politics Cards
150 Republican Votes (red chips)
150 Democrat Votes (blue chips)
1 Electoral WebMap™ Calculator Access Code
Liz is almost 13 and this game is a perfect supplement to our history program. She really loved the feel of this game. She was quite competitive and loved beating me. Over and over again. She likes power.
We weren’t sure how to play the chips at first, but got the hang of that after we ran out before the game was over! Games can take a while, so be prepared. Chips equal 1 vote. Votes are determined by dice rolls.
Republicans have red chips and Democrats have blue chips. Whoever has more votes has a chip on the game board and the iPad app (WebMap) helps keep track for you (if you get confused like I did). I love how realistic the game is with campaigning and fundraising and the politics cards with real world situations.
It’s really fun campaigning and fundraising and seeing the results of that on the nation (game board). It helped me understand elections. I’ve never really paid that much attention to it all. You can only fundraise in California, New York, Florida, and Texas. You draw a Politics Card after fundraising. The dice determines how many votes you can count in your choice of states – whether you fundraise or campaign. So, if a player rolls a “10”, they can distribute 10 votes, with at least half in the fundraising state. When campaigning, players choose any three states and roll 3 die. So if you roll a “6”, “5”, and “3”, you can opt to allocate those votes to your three states.
The Politics Cards are interesting. I had to explain most of it to her. It allowed for much interesting conversation. Lobbying, personal behavior, poor choices, dumb luck all are in those cards. And you can write your own. Some cards state “play immediately” and others can be saved for later in the game. Liz liked saving hers and going in for the kill!
We had lots of great conversation about politics and history and the fallen state of mankind. Liz found some new topics to research in her fascination for history and biographies. This game really helps Liz see the connections in our government – with companies, organizations, citizens, religion, and all the factors that play into it. I think it’s a great tool to understand our nation’s election rules.
We loved the WebMap app. It was so easy to just click on the state for blue, red, or neutral to resemble electoral college voting. We didn’t even use the score pads. (sorry the screen is all fingerprinted!)
We really enjoyed this game. I can’t wait until the littles are older and can play with us so we can have teams! I think this could be fun with adults and older kids. I need to plan a game night.
The Presidential Game is $35. For kids 11+. Because it’s got adult issues on the politics cards. So you can discuss the negative ads at election time. I wish I’d had this game when I was in 11th grade U.S. History!
Here’s a little video that shows you the high quality of this well-made game:
The point is never to discourage her so she stops asking you and starts seeking answers elsewhere.
While it often is so annoying and inconvenient, it is necessary and good for our children to ask questions to understand the world around them.
Take a moment and breathe a little prayer and formulate an answer for your child the next time she asks. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s an interruption.
Kids will seek negative attention if they’re not getting positive attention. They prefer to be yelled at than be ignored.
My kids ask the greatest questions. Their questions remind me of their curious minds that God gave them. It also shows me how much they really do know based on the level of their questioning.
Alex is very curious about blood lately. He wants to know where it comes from, how it’s made, what’s in it, what it does. He’s three!
I am exhausted by all the questions.
Katie wants to visit a Native American tribe and learn their ways and language. Tori wants to watch bugs. Liz wants to know why Dad enjoys hot sauce on his food.
Their vocabulary, connections, and memory work help them to formulate very intelligent questions to get higher level information about whatever they’re learning about. I am often amazed.
I am so blessed by my children wanting to constantly know more, more, more.
God gave them such beautiful minds and hearts that I long to protect.
Katie is fascinated by animals. So, we encourage her by subscribing to NatGeo kids, Zoobooks, Ranger Rick, and her library account is full of animal books. She told me this morning that she wants to learn all the languages in the world. I pray that she finds her calling and focuses on her talents and gifts for Jesus.
Tori is analytical and domestic. She loves to help with chores and cook and I am more than happy to have her cheerful help. Her favorite subjects are math and physical science. I pray that she finds a way to use her gentle heart for the glory of God. I pray she is protected from mean people because I fear it would break her rather than make her stronger.
Alex is our only boy. He is a lover. He is a gentleman. He has a mind of his own. I pray he becomes a strong leader for God’s kingdom and does wonderful, world-changing things.
Liz loves language. She loves to read. She is also a blank slate. I really have to be careful assuming she knows something or has made a connection between two concepts. Often, she just doesn’t know and we get upset at one another. I know if she attended school, she would be labeled an “airhead” or other, uglier, names. I pray that I am patient with her and help her become discerning of the world.
My middle girls are night and day different from other, but they complement each other. I pray they stay close to each other. I know that school would kill their love of learning and creativity.
I pray for communication to always be open with my kids.
I pray they always feel comfortable coming to me to discuss anything.
If I don’t know the answer or the question makes me uncomfortable, I pray I have the strength to tell my kids, “Let’s look that up together.”
I don’t want my kids looking up sex questions on Google. I don’t want them being discipled by pop music and Hollywood.
I want them to be different.
I pray there is never a time when they seek answers in the world for the important questions.
I pray that I am always available and God provides the answers through me.
Liz read Seed Sowers straight through, like a novel. She loved it!
We were especially interested in the appendices where the author defines “heart language” and discusses the job of a language surveyor. What a brilliant job description and opportunity. For my little linguists, we love learning how we can use those talents for God. We support Wycliffe through CFC already and I’m a blogger for The Seed Company.
The kids and I are fascinated with missionary stories. They make me want to travel and do great things. I know my place is at home, teaching and discipling my kids. But I can dream, pray, and prepare my kids for a possible foreign mission field. Kate and Tori have often expressed a desire to travel to China and India for God. I pray that there is a way for them to fulfill this dream, if it’s in God’s will.
I love the idea of exotic places and the stories…and the amazing testimonies of these missionary pioneers.
From chapter 7: The Conrads –
“Countless throngs will spend eternity in heaven as a result of their sacrifice and work.”
From chapter 15: Vi Reimer Stewart –
“Winning the trust of these people was a high priority.”
Chapter 21: The Bensons –
“‘We can do this,’ Bruce said without hesitation.”
Sacrifice. Trust. Perseverance. We could learn about that and apply it to our own rather mundane lives here.
It’s difficult for us to imagine the hardships these missionaries faced while we sit comfortably in our houses with heating and AC and refrigerators and clean water coming from multiple faucets and washers and dryers. It’s difficult for our kids to understand that most of the world doesn’t have these luxuries. I strive to teach my kids a Kingdom perspective and not have an entitlement attitude for more, more, more all the time. We limit our activities so we are together as a family every night for dinner. We discuss missions and pray and read our Bibles together in the mornings. I am blessed to homeschool them. I pray they grow up to impact the world for Jesus.
I love how the 21 chapters have meaningful titles, but also list the names of the missionaries in parentheses. Gracia Burnham’s Foreword is heart-wrenching and soul-searing. “God can use anyone, you know.”
Liz and I both found the Preface interesting. When we think of missions, we think of traveling far away and doing something exciting, but with Liz’s interest in languages, she could work with Bible translation! Kate has also expressed much interest in language and I pray they both use those gifts for God in some way, whether with Bible translation, mission work, or some other creative way God leads them.
I absolutely adore the call to action for Bible translation at the end of the book. It is near and dear to my heart. #EndBiblePoverty
Liz’s review:
This book is a collection of stories of men and women who serve God all over the world. There are 21 chapters and each chapter is about a certain missionary or missionary family. It is well written and easy to understand. I read it straight through and learned about many missionaries and the people they preached to. It was fun to read and I enjoyed it immensely. There were some parts that I felt like I was there with the people doing what they were doing. This is an awesome book that I will read over and over and never get tired of it.
I was pretty excited to be contacted to review a cool speaker. Apparently, they know we’re tech geeks ‘round here.
Here are the details:
We reviewed the Portable Bluetooth Speaker by Nyne. It even has clips that you can put it on your bicycle handlebars! {I know for some of you, that would be a selling point!}
We love it that we can listen through any of our Bluetooth devices: iPhones, iPads, computers. Perfect for this family with all our devices.
We can listen to music, podcasts, YouTube, you name it. Love.
The range is pretty outstanding. All the way on the other side of the house! The clarity is perfection. This little speaker packs some power.
And it’s available for purchase at my beloved AAFES, for all military peeps. I love being able to shop at the Exchange, both on base and online. Tax-free! When we lived in Hawaii, the NEX was the only place we shopped!
I love setting it on my sofa end table with my essential oil diffuser and play music or podcasts from my phone while I work on my laptop. I am so productive!
Speaker comes with a little carrying pouch, USB charging cable, audio cable, and 2 handlebar mounting brackets. $79.95 at AAFES and other retailers.
Or enter to win a cool portable Bluetooth speaker of your own!
After a week of illness and injury, I am overjoyed to be physically well again.
The lambs took care of me when I was down for the count the other morning.
Wolfberry superjuice, homemade chicken noodle soup with Thieves essential oil, and my coffee.
I was so sick I only drank half a cup of coffee that day.
That should let y’all know how sick I was!
I broke down and went the doctor, more for a diagnosis than to get any prescription. I wanted to know what this monster was so I could attack it with the proper essential oils and supplements.
The funny thing?
Of course they said it’s a virus.
But the blood work showed I am perfectly healthy. No bacteria. No virus. No nothing.
Hmmm.
This week has been rough. When I tagged this picture earlier online, I used the hashtag #spiritualwarfare because I didn’t know what it was.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
I popped my back Monday morning when I picked up Alex to carry him downstairs. I spent the day on the sofa, attempting to keep everyone on task while popping essential oil capsules.
When I woke up Tuesday, my back was much better, but my hips were excruciating. My husband said it was probably from compensating for my back pain. Could be. I spent another half day on the couch.
I thought I was getting headachey and sore from all the rain and storms. The barometric pressure affects me.
Praise Him in the storm!
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29
Then I got really sick. Like fever, headache from hell, aches kinda sick. I felt like someone had punched me in my armpits. It was so weird. I could barely stay upright and couldn’t function.
The house was a mess. No school was accomplished. Chaos.
I took essential oilsThieves, Frankincense, and Oregano in gelatin capsules before bed Wednesday night and when I woke up Thursday. I spent the morning in bed.
Then I went to the doctor (to get that diagnosis to know which essential oils to take. “I had a virus.” Always their answer since they don’t know!).
I took another capsule when I got home and spent the day in bed. Also oregano on my spine. Another blend on my spine and chest. Thieves on my feet.
My Feel Better Capsule:
Thieves
Frankincense
Oregano
I felt better in the evening and even went to my youngest daughter’s soccer practice and out to dinner with the family.
More essential oils before bed.
I woke up Friday right as rain. Energetic and cheerful. Pain free.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Praising Jesus and having a new appreciation for those who are in constant pain or have chronic illness. Jesus brought you to my mind. I pray for you. I don’t know how you live with it. Just one week of it did me in. I think He wanted me to know what it’s like for some people. Now I can relate.
And they send a pretty card from your personal stylist with instructions and style ideas.
Brilliant.
Then you try it all on (mixing it with stuff you already own) and take awkward pictures of yourself (in a poorly lighted room with a dirty mirror) in the items you love. You tweet and Instagram your experience for the world to see.
You decide what you want to keep and send back the stuff you don’t. Check out online and they even include a prepaid envelope if you don’t like something or it doesn’t fit just right. My first shipment was utter perfection. My second one, I sent back half.
Then you rock your new looks.
Because who has time to go to stores and look through racks and try on stuff? Maybe you do, but I hate shopping. I usually shop at thrift and consignment shops. This is so refreshing to have new, fun clothes that are in style and season shipped right to my doorstep each month. And you can do it just occasionally or sign up for monthly fixes.
Here I am at soccer practice with my new necklace on.
Here I am in a silk tunic at a free marriage retreat sponsored by the base chapel. It rocked.
Here is a rare photo of my husband and me at the Zermatt Resort in Midway, where the chapel held the marriage retreat. Gorgeous place!
I do love teal. I would never even look twice at this top in stores, but my husband liked it and it’s comfy. And I had the shoes.
Here’s me, after church, with my other new necklace. I like this even better than the first one! It can be long or doubled like I have it.
It’s fun and my kids love to see my new stuff! They like their mama looking cool.
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