Mood:  happy

Many of you know that my wife Sarah and I met while we were both counselors at Cedar Lake Christian Camp in Livingston, TN. We ended up dating (a very interesting long distance relationship), got married and had our reception at the camp, had our first child during one summer at camp (another interesting story) and then, later serving at the camp full time for three years. Although we now work full time running a mission for low income folks, we still have very fond memories of working at Cedar Lake. In fact, an incident that happened one summer there is the insperation for today's Tuesday's Toolbox item.

After spending a few summers as a counselor, Sarah was chosen to be the head of the girl Counselors in Training (CIT's) that worked in the kitchen. She enjoyed directing these neat young ladies while they set tables, served food, and cleaned up, but bemoaned the fact that the only time that she came into contact with the campers was when their individual cabins were chosen to help wash dishes. One day, though, something happened to help her understand that God uses all those who are faithful in special ways.

One day she noticed one young boy who looked sad and forlorn while he worked rinsing some dishes so she sidled up beside him to help, and to find out what was wrong. After some discussion she found that he was troubled by some of the camp fire talks and Bible studies. She came to find out that he was unsure that he would go to heaven when he died. She kindly explained once again how Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life but then was punished by being put to death on a cross. But, He wasn't punished for anything that He did, He was punished for the sins that we commit every day. He took our punishment, so that we wouldn't have to punished by dying and spending eternity in hell. He did this as a free gift to us, and all we had to do was accept His free gift.

She told this little boy that when we accept this free gift, Jesus will wash all of our sins away and we will be as clean inside as these dishes are after they are thoroughly washed. But, the decision had to made by the little boy. Only he could choose to accept the free gift or not. She explained it so simply, that all of his doubts were removed and his questions were answered. He eagerly said that he was ready to accept Jesus' free gift right now. So, right by the sink of dirty and washed clean dishes, the little camper prayed with Sarah, thanking Jesus for giving him eternal life. The brightness on his face was proof that the decision he had made was the right one. No longer was this young boy sad and forlorn, but he was overjoyed and full of hope. And, the change was made while working over the kitchen sink.

I'm sure that many of your children have accepted the free gift that Jesus offered them, but this story proves that God can use any object or chore for His glory. Perhaps your children are already saved, or maybe they don't wash dishes, but they all desire and need our attention. The next time they are looking sad or even when they appear happy, sidle up beside them while they are cleaning their room. Join them while they are taking out the trash. Help them as they fold the clothes. Take some time to spend with your kids starting today. Use the teachable moments. Notice when they are feeling down. Allow God to use you just as Sarah allowed God to use her. You never know. It could be a life changing experience. 

PS. Don't forget to head on over to Tuesday's Toolbox host page to check out all of the other tools for this week. Just click here.

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Mood:  mischievious

The Redhead Riter and her husband have been so faithful in posting something for my Men's Monday Meme, that I wanted to repay her by posting on her meme. Besides, hers is fun. It's called Tell the Truth Thursday (OK! I know! I'm a couple days late!). She asks a question, and you have to tell the truth no matter what - even if it's a ticklish subject. Well, this one is easy for me, because I ALWAYS tell the truth! I would never lie about anything, even if it was a "ticklish" subject. Of course, if it were too ticklish, I just wouldn't answer it for that week !

This weeks is about the "L" word...Lying! The question is: 

What is the biggest lie you ever told your parents?

Hmmm. The biggest lie that ever told my parents? That's a toughy. I really didn't lie a whole lot when I was young. Honest! If it were something I didn't want to tell my parents, I usually didn't lie. I just didn't tell them the whole truth. So my sin was more the sin of omission. 

I remember one time my cousin had come to visit. We totally destroyed my room. When our parents said it was time to clean up, we cleaned up. The floor was perfectly clean. We stuffed everything under the bed and in the closet! It didn't work. They figured it out and we got into even worse trouble. 

That's the type of dishonesty I got into. Nothing spectacular. I was the baby of the family. And when I say baby! I mean BABY! My sister is 15 years older than I am and my brother was 10 years older than me. My sister got married when I was six years old, so I hardly remember a time without my brother-in-law being around. It was like I had two sets of parents and an older brother who was a fantastic older brother. I was truly spoiled. I didn't have to lie. I got almost whatever I wanted and got away with murder!

Really, although I was probably spoiled more than other kids, my parents did set boundaries and raised me to be basically honest and truthful. Except, of course, for those little sins of omission. There were, however, other areas in my life where I wasn't so angelic (I know, you can hardly believe it). Thankfully I don't have to answer about any of those subjects. Let's just hope that The Redhead Riter doesn't post any questions about those in the near future. I may have to have a chat with Redhead. Maybe drop her a few hints on questions for the future. Safe questions!

Please stop on over to The Redhead Riters blog. She does an excellent job. Just click here, on her "Tell the Truth Thursday" banner, or on any one of the hi-lighted links above. If you have a blog, you should consider participating. It really is a lot of fun. Honestly! Would I lie to you? 

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Mood:  energetic

It's my weekly Tuesday Toolbox post, and I can guarantee it is like nothing else I have ever posted. Watch the movie first, then I'll explain !

I found this on another blog today and immediately thought it would be a great homeschooling tool. Since most people now days have a computer in the home, and since www.xtranormal.com is free, then I figured it would be great for this week's Tuesday's Toolbox. It is easy to use and is a real hoot! Have fun everyone.

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Mood:  cool

I know, I'm breaking the rules again. I really need to watch out, or Susan isn't going to let me contribute to Tuesday's Toolbox anymore. But, a car is an object commonly found in some homes - in the garage. And, besides, my mind is on the long trip we are making tomorrow from our house in TN to my sister's house in NJ so using the car as a teaching tool seemed appropriate.

Actually, I'm going to focus more on the trip and not the car.  I love to travel. Maybe not long trips as much anymore, especially with 3 boys ranging from 3-13 in the back seats of the van. My family has always enjoyed seeing new places and we have always tried to use our trips - even just the rides in the car - as a teaching tool. Here are a few hints for making travel a little more pleasurable with kids.

• Maps - A few years ago I decided to buy my oldest his own pocket atlas to use while traveling. He loved it! He learned to follow the road signs and find where we were on his map. He learned directions, states, and general map reading skills. Soon my middle boy got into the act and we had to buy him one as well.
• The License Plate Game - Even when I was young we used to play games in the car. Oh, not board games, although they do make travel board games now, but special travel games. One of our favorites is the license plate game. At the start of the trip, we all guess to see how many different state's license plates we will see along the way. The kids have to reason and think about how long the trip is, what season it is (is it a heavy traveling season or not) and what time of day we are traveling. We then begin to watch for license plates. Someone keeps a running total of what states have been seen. At the end, we count up the states spotted and see who came closest. A different variation is to allow each child to keep his own list and see who spotted the most. You can even provide blank maps and crayons and have them color in each state as they see it.
• Hanky-Panky - No, we don't allow any funny business to go on in our car! It's a rhyming game. Someone starts by trying to think of two words that have the same amount of syllables and that rhyme. Let's say FAT and CAT. They wouldn't say the two words, but would give a clue like "a heavy set feline". Then they would say what kind of words they were - two one syllable words would be a "hank pank". Two syllable words would be a "hanky panky". Three - a "hankity pankity" etc. (don't worry it won't go much further than a hankity pankity). Whoever can guess the two words first gets to guess the next two rhyming words.
  
• Travel Bingo - you can buy these at truck stop stores, or you can make your own. I was just introduced to a website called "Mom's Mini Van" that has a lot of printable travel games that you can print for free including Travel Bingo. Just click on the hi-lighted link above. Travel Bingo teaches you to pay attention, and it helps with visual perception. All you do is look for various objects and check off the matching picture on your bingo board. The first one to get five in a row wins. "Mom's Mini Van" has a lot of other ideas as well. Another similar site is Carschooling. It gives you a lot of ideas on learning while traveling.
• Audio Books - are also excellent ideas. We have downloaded these on mp3 players, and bought/borrowed books on CD to play for the whole family. I have also read a book to the kids while traveling (obviously Sarah was driving at the time ). Allowing your kids to bring two or three books each is also helpful.
• Don't forget to site-see a little along the way as well. We frequently pack picnic lunches and then stop at a visitors center to ask where a good picnicking place is. One time we picnicked at a really neat free botanical garden. They even had there own dog by the name of "Uda" (Uda Dog - get it?). You never know what adventurous historical or educational spot that you might find along the way. We will often then allow our kids to buy a small educational item from the gift shop that will keep there attention for a little while after we get back on the road. If you have time, the scenic route is also enjoyable.

Although traveling can still be somewhat of a challenge for us, we have still had a lot of memorable times on trips. A car can really be a learning tool if you prepare and use some creative thinking. 

PS - Don't forget to click on the Tuesday's Toolbox banner at the top of my post to visit the Tuesday Toolbox host blog and read all of the other submissions.

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Mood:  bright

Biblical - Of course we would have to mention the obvious. Usually people either put a star or an angel at the top of their tree. This is an excellent opportunity to emphasize what Christmas is really all about - the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The tree could also be used to remind them of why Jesus came to earth - to ultimately die in "the tree" to provide forgiveness of sins.

Math - How about how many ornaments are on the tree? How many blue, red, etc? What is the difference between the amount of green ornaments and blue ornaments?

History - Look up the history of the Christmas tree. Be careful though! Some history may contain non religious content. Do you have any ornaments that have been handed down from one generation to the next? What about studying about the historical significance of those ornaments?

Science - Do you have a live tree? What about studying pine trees? Ecology? Forestry? Even studying plants themselves - why do you have to water a Christmas tree? Where does the water go? Why do you have to keep filling the base with water? 

Spelling and/or Vocabulary - Many words can be added to your word wall. For the younger kids - tree, bulb, pine, star, angel, etc. For the older - Christmas, ornament, present, coniferous, etc.

Language Arts - I could think of many creative writing topics:

• Describe the Christmas tree.
• What steps do you take in putting up a Christmas tree?
• What is your favorite thing about a Christmas tree?

Art - Have them draw the Christmas tree or a favorite ornament.

Reading - Many books and internet articles are available about Christmas trees.

Geography - When I was young my parents subscribed to a great program - I think through Reader's Digest - called "Christmas Around the World". Each year we would get a box containing a traditional ornament from the country of the year, recipe cards for traditional dishes from that country, and a large colorful book that described Christmas in that country. I have inherited those ornaments, and they are one of the highlights of our tree. Why not start your own tradition and adopt a country every Christmas. Learn about their Christmas trees, ornaments and traditions. Make your own book.

Life Lessons - My boys are always fighting over who is going to put on the first ornament, or put the angel on top. This can be a great time to teach patience, sharing, love for one another, cooperation, etc.

There are many unit studies, lesson plans, and resources for homeschoolers to use at Christmas. Some can be overwhelming. When you focus on just one aspect of Christmas, however, it can be less of a challenge and more fun to use as a teaching tool. Even non-homeschool parents are looking for something for their children to do over the school break. The Christmas tree can be a great teaching tool for homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike. Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

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