I finished the spring clothing switch, gave the house a good cleaning on Thursday, continued with the regularly-scheduled homeschooling, and battled headaches, for which I have a doctor's appointment scheduled next week to request the drug Topamax, which helped a friend's migraines. Last but not least, I read this book every spare minute. It's a collection of stories about heroic, faithful women, some missionaries, some not, but oh my...it's a beautiful, inspiring book.
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| These are the stories of five ordinary women - Sarah Edwards, Lilias Trotter, Gladys Aylward, Esther Ahn Kim, and Helen Roseveare - who trusted in their extraordinary God as he led them to do great things for his Kingdom. Noel Piper holds up their lives and deeds as examples of what it means to be truly faithful. Learning about these women will challenge readers to make a difference for Christ in their families, in the church and throughout the world. Contents: Thank You Crossing - Introduction Sarah Edwards - Faithful in the Mundane Lilias Trotter - Faithful in Weakness Gladys Aylward - Faithful in Humility Esther Ahn Kim - Faithful in Suffering Helen Roseveare - Faithful in Loss |
In our homeschool this week:
We're in the Africa portion--the last portion--of our Eastern Hemisphere study. The boys and I have read, or are reading, these books since my last homeschooling post, which was three weeks ago:
Mary Slessor, Forward into Calabar (Africa)
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| "The lion's jaws gripped David Livingstone's arm. Razor-sharp teeth pierced his
flesh as the lion savagely shook David in the air like a rag doll. A gunshot
rang out. 'God help us,' David moaned, as the lion dropped him and turned to
charge David's friend Mebalwe." With the heart of an explorer and the passion of an evangelist, David Livingstone mapped vast, unexplored areas of Africa, sharing the gospel with whomever he encountered. His stamina, perseverance, and dogged determination created the legacy of a trailblazing explorer with an undying hunger to make Christ known wherever his steps led him. David Livingstone's captivating adventures and tireless zeal continue to inspire countless men and women to bring the gospel message of God's love to those souls who have never heard. |
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"Mary Slessor pondered David Livingstone's words, 'I don't
care where we go as long as we go forward.' I'm not going anywhere, Mary mused.
I'm twenty-seven years old. I work in a cotton mill twelve hours a day. God,
Mary prayed, send me somewhere, anywhere, just send me to be a
missionary."
God would indeed answer the prayer of the fiery, red-haired woman from Scotland. For thirty-nine years, Mary Slessor would labor in love among the unreached, often treacherous, tribes of Africa's Calabar region. Braving sickness, danger, and death on all sides, Mary became the cherished "White Ma" to entire tribes. Her faith, steadfastness, and pioneering spirit brought her beloved adopted people their first brilliant, contrasting example of the life and freedom found in Jesus Christ. Mary Slessor's story is an ageless epic of a woman who would stop at nothing to reach the lost with the life-giving gospel of Christ. |
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| Louis Braille, blinded at age three, was determined to learn and be as much like other people as possible. In the early 1800s disabled children did not go to school; instead, they became outcasts. But Louis was the exception. He relied on his memory, which enabled him to do well — but he still wanted to read. When he was 12, he invented a raised dot alphabet. This alphabet became known as Braille, and is now used around the world Louis did not use his blindness to disable him, instead he found a way to experience and enjoy life. Fast paced and engaging, this story gives us a man who is an inspiration and wonderful role model, and the reader will be anxious to find out what happens in each of the dilemmas Louis encounters. As a hands-on bonus, the Braille alphabet can be found at the back of the book: readers are asked to close their eyes and read with their fingers. An excellent choice for young readers. |
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He was named 'Sham' for the sun, this golden red stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco's stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest was the symbol of misfortune. Although he was as swift as the desert winds, Sham's proud pedigree would be scorned all his life by cruel masters and owners. This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the renowned 'Godolphin Arabian' whose blood flows through the veins of almost every superior Thoroughbred. Sham's speed, like his story, has become legendary.
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| A delightful collection of folktales from Africa collected by SIM missionaries. |
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| Historical fiction with a wicked twist. Listening for Lions is a breathtaking story of tragedy, deception, and triumph against all odds. National Book Award–winning author Gloria Whelan sets this richly historical coming–of–age adventure in British East Africa in the year 1918. This irresistible novel entangles an orphaned girl in a deceit filled plot. Young Rachel Sheridan is made to leave her beloved Africa for England, where she must pose as the deceased daughter of a nefarious couple in an effort to gain them an enormous inheritance. Her irrepressible spirit and extraordinary wit turn her from victim to heroine in a surprising and empowering tale of a remarkable young woman. |
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| Join the Parker family on their annual fossil hunting adventure. Dr. Gary Parker and his wife Mary explain to their children what fossils support Noah?s Flood and contradict evolution. The Parker?s give answers for many questions, including, ?Did the Grand Canyon require millions of years to form or could it have been created very quickly?? Learn how to conduct your own fossil hunt and how to prepare the larger fossils for moving. Gary Parker, Ph.D. , is a zealous creationist and professor of biology at the Institute for Creation Research in San Diego. He lectures worldwide for both ICR and Answers in Genesis, has written 5 science textbooks and 7 creation books (translated into over 10 languages), and appeared in numerous films, videos and television programs. Gary and his wife, Mary, also run family camps, workshops, and credit courses through the Creation Adventures Museum near their home in Arcadia, Florida. |
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| Ghana, Mali & Songhay: The Story of Three Great Empires |
Peter is finishing up The Rat-Catcher's Son and then he'll have completed his Sonlight year. My plans for the rest of the school year, which for us closes at the end of August, is to have him read classics and some personal requests.
Introducing a Christian Children's Author
Through Sonlight we discovered author Patricia St. John, one of the most prolific Christian children's writers from the twentieth century. We have 4 more of her books on order, shown below. A wonderful storyteller, Patricia leads children to the Lord and deepens their commitment to bringing glory to God, through honoring Him with their lives. Her books weren't available in our library, so I decided to buy used copies to bless my girls too. Peter's the one who requested more from this author.
While we wait for these books, Peter will start the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic, Little Lord Fauntleroy. Burnett also wrote The Little Princess and The Secret Garden.
Grade Level 6.4, Lexile 1070
Overview: "Little Lord Fauntleroy" is the story of Cedric Errol who is living in poverty with his mother in New York. When his father, an Englishman who was disinherited for marrying an American, dies, Cedric is summoned to England by his grandfather. Cedric's grandfather, an Earl, intends to transform Cedric into a lord so that he may one day take his place as the lord of the manner. However, it is Cedric who transforms his grandfather with his kind-heartedness and helps to bring his estranged mother finally together with grandfather. Preschool and First Grade News:
The girls are enjoying:
A Little Princess Rewritten for young children (labeled for preschoolers), my girls have asked for this every day for a week.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A Classic Illustrated Edition: This one, being long, will take us some time to finish, but the illustrations are beautiful.
After lunch, we read a little of this, which will also take some time to finish:
Hitty is a doll of great charm and character. It is indeed a privilege to publish her memoirs, which, besides being full of the most thrilling adventures on land and sea, also reveal her delightful personality. One glance at her portrait will show that she is no ordinary doll. Hitty, or Mehitable as she was really named, was made in the early 1800s for Phoebe Preble, a little girl from Maine. Young Phoebe was very proud of her beautiful doll and took her everywhere, even on a long sailing trip in a whaler. This is the story of Hitty's years with Phoebe, and the many that follow in the life of a well-loved doll.
Our yard is full of mud, and my lovely, mud-caked children are on their way inside, so I must close for today to minimize the mess. Have a wonderful weekend!
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
1 comment:
Patricia St. John is a favourite author of mine. I was reading Twice Freed but it had to go back to the library before we left. I think it is in our shipment so we will finish it later.
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