Review: God's Easter Miracles

Amazon.com: God's Easter Miracles: Adventures Of The Sea Kids is a cute picture book written by Lee Ann Mancini.   A school of sealife learn some important lessons about how we live our lives in the light of Jesus giving up his life for us.

About those who put the book together:
Author Lee Ann Mancini is an adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary,she's a mom of two, and has devoted her life as a servant for Christ Jesus.

Illustrator Dan Sharp has over 30 years of illustrating for children.  He attends church services in Michigan and works for a variety of companies in designing artwork.

Book Synopsis: 
We find the sea kids in Sunday School with Miss Linda their teacher, one of her students has autism.  Today Miss Linda has a surprise for them... and Easter Egg hunt with three special eggs to find.   Paul (the autistic child) was VERY eager to find one of the special eggs.  The children rushed around finding eggs, One boy found two special eggs, as well as another student, but Paul did not.   Young boy who found two was asked to give up one egg for Paul...We also learned of a child who was badly hurt in an accident.   Through these experiences the children learn the power of prayer and how to give of themselves.

My Thoughts:
There is much in this book that I had a thorough appreciation for:

The bright colourful pictures. 

The biblical base and the focus on prayer.

The easy to read font.

I have to admit, I struggled with the teacher asking Jimmy (who won the two special eggs) to give up one of them to a student having a temper tantrum over not getting his own way.  She claimed he should do it because "it wasn't fair for Jesus to die for us".  It didn't set right for me. It might be my own depravity showing through...Love helps us do things we don't want to do. Perhaps it was a way to show love...but I query if it is truly loving to reward temper tantrums.  I LOVED the answer his father gave to Jimmy.  He didn't HAVE to show his love..but he could CHOOSE to do so.  Jesus submitted his will to God the Father, Jimmy submitted his will to what was right to help his friend work through his disappointment. 

God's Easter Miracles
Author: Lee Ann Mancini
Illustrator: Dan Sharp
Publisher: GLM Publishing
Series: Adventures of the Sea Kids
Pages: 32
Type: Children's Picture book
Cover: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Bookcrash

Where can you find it?
Amazon.ca: God's Easter Miracles: Adventures of the Sea Kids

Amazon.com: God's Easter Miracles: Adventures Of The Sea Kids

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Recipe: Tuna Noodle Salad

Hubby suggested I make a plain tuna salad, so I went looking for a simple one and I found Amelia's.  I made some modifications due to dislikes that we have. 

Here is Amelia's Recipe.  

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped sweet onion
• 1 (10 ounce) can baby peas, drained
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 hard-cooked eggs, quartered
• 1 pinch paprika, for garnish 

Modification: I did not use the eggs or the paprika. Used miracle whip instead of  mayo.  Didn't have any sweet onion so used regular onion chopped very finely.  Used Penne as that's what I had on hand.

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the macaroni, tuna, celery, onion and peas. Mix in the mayonnaise, relish, salt and pepper. Garnish with egg wedges and a sprinkle of paprika. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes: 
 Hubby said "I like it.  It's a good salad hun."
 Me: I like it.
 Son... has yet to be convinced that trying it would be okay.

Books Read in March

The Homeschool Review Crew does word prompts for Instagram fun, I think it's great to have these words prompts for doing quick posts.  :)   I find them fun as sometimes it surprises me where my brain goes.  :)   The word for today is Books. 

Since I haven't done my books read for the month I thought I'd do that up today.    I know I know, hardly innovative eh?  You'll cope I think?

Books that I read just for me.

 Fledgling

I loved this book so much I went out and got the second book in the series before I even finished the first one.  

A great series about a lad who crosses two cultures and is not accepted in either one.  He meets a dragon and his life is forever changed.

The second book Avian is just as good.  :)  Now to read Traitor and then Immortal...  I have to know how it all ends  .. I just have to know!!!!

Hubby and I just finished listening to  Balanced on the Blade's Edge. 

I love the story aspect...it's actually quite fascinating.  I'd rather not have the romance aspect to it as I find that I dislike that aspect in books now, but the story behind the romance has me hooked.  I want to know how the crisis will be worked through.    

Her second book I am liking more as the romance part isn't quite as in my face.  "Deathmaker" It is called.   Definitely a fantasy type series of books, with powers of magic, dragons of old, and fear of magic rampant.

Books Reading with my Lad (in progress or finished)

We have been working through story of the world for quite a while.   I expect we'll be done this book by the end of the month as we are in the last 1/5th of it.

We've learned a whole lot reading through this series.

The Natural World.


We've learned about all sorts of animals and natural phenomena.   
Trees, rainforests, critters of all sorts.

Currently we are in the midst of learning all sorts of fascinating facts about birds.

It will be a spell before we are done this book though.

A Wind in the Door
I loved this book as a child and it stuck with me forever.  

I could hardly wait for my lad to get old enough to share it with him.

He LOVED it.  And often begged me to keep reading through it.  

He was as sad as I was at the end when Progo died. "BUT MOM!!!  HE can't die!!!"   What love will do eh?

Canada's Natives Long Ago.

This book contains stories from early Canadians...both natives and early explorers.   We're learning lots and being amazed often.   

We just finished reading a section about a young explorer trying to cross a river where the current was so strong it bent a tree FOUR FEET in diameter in half!   Can you imagine it?   They gave up trying to cross the river.

We continue to read through "Getting to Know Nature's Children".  This month we are learning about the grouse, last month we learned about otters and the red fox.   There are two animals in each book.

The lad continues to enjoy this series and as long as he does, we'll keep reading through them.   


 


Irish Chain

I can't say what a great book this is that we are reading.  I would call this a living book about a disaster in Canadian history.. devastated the town and harbor.  Killed 1000's of people.   The lad and I are captivated by the story of Rose and her strength that she didn't even know she had.   She lost so much...and yet..her family and her memories remained strong.


If you can...read this book.  It's a good one.

Books Read for the Purpose of Reviewing Them.

Amazing Animal Adventure.   This was a GREAT seek and find book on biomes located throughout the world.

War Plan Red.    This was simply a fun review to do and I learned so much about the history between Canada and the United States. 



Found - Psalm 23.   A book for young children, a simple, gentle look at Psalm 23 and how the good shepherd cares for us. 


Let's Explore...Mountain.   Want to learn about different mountains throughout the world?   Text plus activities to educate and entertain.  

 

The Kid from Diamond Street.   A story of women's baseball, which focuses on Edith Houghton.   A very interesting book.   A meaty picture book that I enjoyed. 

A Dog in a Cave.   This was a somewhat different book that I enjoyed none the less.  Less about evolution and more about how two species can influence the development of the other. 




Really Woolly Easter Blessings.  A board board for the youngest children, to teach about Easter with Verse and prayer.

Three Middle School Books: I love you Michael Collins (Learning about the forgotten astronaut through the eyes of a young girl struggling with growing up and family issues), Ten: A soccer Story (a young soccer fan who works to make her dreams come true) and The Journey to Dragon Island (a light fantasy).  

 

 Books in process.

My son continues to read through the Erin Hunter "warrior cats" series, last I heard he was on the fourth series.   He has also started Shepherd, Potter, Spy...and Star Namer. 

I am currently reading: "Voyage to the Magical North" and "Head First".   Also will be finishing book two, and hopefully book three of the Dragonrider Chronicles.  :)

 -------------------------------------------

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Review: Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer

It has been my delight over the past few weeks to read through  Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer by Peggy Consolver - Author.  It's a fascinating book where I got to see biblical history come to life in a creative format.  It was a great book that I would love to have more people read.  :)

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book.  I'm sitting here thinking, how do I effectively tell people how good this book is?

Seeing history come to life.
Watching a boy growing up in a volatile time. 
Seeing the horror in the worship of Molech.
Understanding the amazement of the nations in the fall of Jericho.
In the learning how God fights on the side of his obedient people.

This is a book of growth and learning and many ways for a 13 year Gibeonite lad named Keshub.   A story of a lad and his family facing troubled times and how they handled it. 

This is historical fact told with creative license. 

Overarching Themes: 
Obedience, bullying, family, servitude, sibling rivalry, survival, and negotiation.


Here's a quick introduction to the book:

The great biblically based book is told from the point of view of the Gibeonites, with glimpses into life in the Israeli camp, and life under Zedek.   I found it a compelling story that drew me directly into the lives of the people involved.  I found myself so pleased with how Keshub took on his new responsibilities, rejoicing in his new skills, seeing his wonder that the Star Namer is the God of the Israelites.   Just an excellent book.
Peggy Consolver is the third of six children who grew up in Oklahoma.  She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she met her husband George.

She worked various jobs until she had their two children, then was a stay-at-home parent for them. Teaching Sunday school and women’s Bible studies, are some of her loves.  She encourages people to dig deeper into the story of God.


Due to the references to Molech, I would suggest that you gear the introduction of this book to the maturity of your student.  Seeing a young man step up to the plate, risking his life, doing a man's work when his help is needed, oh but THAT is worth any maturing young man reading about.    Young men, reading about other young men doing good things, stretching in a reaching for manhood THAT... is a good thing indeed.  Don't misunderstand me though, it's a good book for the ladies of the world too, it's just that I have a boy and I want him reading this book.  It's a good one.

Did you know this cool fact?  There's a study guide to go with it!  You can learn about braiding, wildlife, do some mapping and so much more. My lad is intrigued by the use of the sling, I wish I had a good place for him to practice it, kinda like with the archery he does already. :)   So many ways to broaden the learning to be found in this living history book.  There are also small group questions in the close of the book.

And for adults reading a book in advance of their children, or just enjoying the book for their own, just read it, learn your history, see God in action, see God preserve a people and call another to himself.   It's a good thing this.  It's bible history combined with creative story telling to create a cohesive whole.  Add in the study guide if you want to increase your awareness of the time and place, the memories, the land and the people in it.  It won't be a waste of your time.  :)

I read it before letting my lad get his hands on it (due to what I know of the time period), he is currently reading it and thus far says "I like it". 

Shepherd, Potter, Spy -- and the Star Namer. 
Written by: Peggy Consolver
Publisher: Carpenter's Son Publishing
Age: Middle School and Up
Study Guide
Currently on Sale for $3.44.
Available as a paperback for $15.99
A study guide is also available for $12.99 (paperback) or $2.99 on Kindle


To read what others thought of story of Keshub, the Shepherd, Potter, Spy -- and the Star Namer, click here or on the banner below.

You can find Peggy Consolver on Facebook.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/

Loonies and Toonies!

Hey there readers! 

Welcome to blogging through the Alphabet with Amanda and myself.    This week we are working through the letter L.   I hope you will hop right on in.  :)  Join us yes?

Today I want to talk to you about Loonies and Toonies... our lovely way to spend money!   :)

This past weekend I went to the states for a wedding.   It was fun.  I had a chance to visit with an old college friend and see her children all grown up.  It was interesting trying to work with American dollars...all green and all bills (except the small change).

Did you know that in Canada we have bills .. coloured according to denomination...and then my favourite.. the Loonie and the Toonie!  :)

Why are they my favourite you ask? 

Well.... Today I find it marvellous to have a bill for $10 and I'm thinking to me-self ACK I don't want to break my $20...and low and behold in my change I find a lovely $10 in coins...it's like a birthday present you know?   When you think you've only got small change and find all those dollars hiding in there!  :)  It's a marvellous thing.  :)

Why Loonie?
Well...it's got that fine looking bird on it's head.  The well you know...the toonie is called such because well.. bearie would be STUPID (even if it has a bear on the head) and well...Toonie rhymes!  :)   And we are a common sense type of people eh? 

Why do we use coins for the $1 and $2?
Well.. it saves the country money as coins don't wear out as quickly as dollar bills do.  
We've even lost our penny as it costs MORE to make the penny than what it's worth.

Tell me then...what do you like about the money of YOUR country?  (other than the making and spending of it mind).  :)

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Join us won't you?   Link up below :)

An InLinkz Link-up

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Defining Humanity, A Poem

  Define

 

Human

Homo Sapiens

 

Erect

Mammal

Two Distinct Genders

Created

Not Evolved

But Ever Changing

Made in the image of God

Capable of Love

Capable of Thinking

Capable of Selfishness

Living with Free Will

Knowing Sin

Knowing Love

Daily Struggle

Joy

Delight

Filled with Knowledge

Sometimes Wise

Sometimes not so wise

Seeing God

Seeing Others

Seeing Self Only

A finite being

with Infinite possibilities

Able to die

Yet, with belief

To live Forever.

Created In The Image Of God

Not God

But able to Follow after

Human

Homo Sapiens

--------

This is a five minute Friday post. the word prompt is brought to us by Miss Kate.  Today the word is Define.   What is Five Minute Friday?  Well it's a party of a group of like minded folks who gather on Friday to do a five minute free write around a singular word.  AND THEN we take the time to offer up encouragement to each other on this writing journey.  It's fun, though it's not always easy, but it is always good.   Come join us won't you?  You are always welcome.
This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/

HomeMade Tortillas!

So guess what I made tonight!!!   I know, I know, you probably guessed it from the post title eh!  :)       Homemade tortillas.      I'm telling you how much I like tortillas and have wanted to find a way to make them cheaper than buying them.  Hubby found this recipe for me...it is so easy and so yummy.  :)

AND THEY TASTED GOOD!!!!

So here's the recipe, it's super simple.  Original recipe here.

Mix together Two cups flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup water and 3 tbsps of oil. 

Knead that mixture for a good 8 minutes, adding flour or water as needed to make a smooth elastic dough.
Let it rest for 10 minutes. 

Divide into 8 sections, roll each section out as thin as possible, a minimum 7 inch circle.

Cook over a medium burner on a non stick pan with cooking spray.   1 minute each side (you want them LIGHTLY browned).

Keep them warm.  Makes 8 servings.

Easy to make, tastes yummy too!  :)

Tonight we used them wrapped around shredded beef with corn niblets.   MMMMM.. ...  :)
I can totally see cutting them into pieces and using them with a dip, or with mmmm.. melted cheese. :)

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/

The Excellent Wife: A Wife's Understanding of Relationships

I've been going through The Excellent Wife by Martha Pearce, you can find the rest of the series here.   This week we are on Chapter Four: A Wife's Understanding of Relationships.

Relationships... Oh man... relationships are hard between people.   So I am wondering what this chapter has in store today. 
 
On page 28 I find this quote "The Godhead's relationship is our model of relationships.   From eternity past God (Trinity) has set the pattern for relationships. The relationship within the Trinity is intimate and close. As there is harmony in the God-head, there can be harmony in a marriage relationship.   God intends  and desires for us to experience it. We are to look to God for this perfect pattern".   

Within the Trinity, unity is the norm.   This is what we should strive for in our marriages.
As people we are to strive to be like Jesus Christ. 

Like Christ, we need to submit our will to God.  Following his way and pattern. As natural as it is for us to want to think first to our own needs and wants, we must put that aside and look to Jesus and how to live for him.

That means putting aside ourselves to heed our husbands desires, to be kind to him, to be open and honest in your relationship with him and more.

But not only the wife, as the wife seeks to live for the Lord, so her husband seeks the same.  Learning to be open and honest, leading and guiding as the Lord would have him do.

I have to admit... I struggle with this chapter (though I suppose we all do eh?)  The 'me' in me wanting to fight for it's own way.   It's a regular battle.. not to love my hubby, cause I do.  But to show that love in tangible ways... making meals, going for walks, talking and listening, giving head and shoulder rubs, and showing care in all the little ways one can show they care.  Sometimes it's hard to leave MY STUFF in order for his needs and concerns to be met.

I so often lose that battle.  

But the more I ask myself these questions, the easier I think it will be.
1. How do I glorify God in my relationship with my hubby?
2. How can I walk in a manner pleasing to God? 
3. How can I live for Christ this day?  This minute?   

Seeking the softer way, the quieter way, the humbler way.. instead of the what do I want, need, desire, demand way.  

What about you?    

If you want to follow along in this series, you can find the books via Amazon Affiliate Links:
  Amazon.ca: The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective

 Amazon.com: The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/

The Inner Temple

Todays' bible passage comes from Ezekiel 41. Learning about the Inner Temple.

Can you imagine for a moment... being shown into yet another room in this HUGE temple city and watching all the measuring being done and you then hear these words:   “This is the Most Holy Place.”

Just think about that... having a vision of the place that will be God's holy spot.  His area, where only a select group of people can go.   And you get the first glimpse of it, a vision that you have to carry to the rest of the people.

Think on that.

Art Series: Darth Vadar and Family, coloring book

 Most of the colouring books I do on this blog are for adults, but today I have a book geared at the younger set.... particularly those youngsters who like Darth Vadar and the different characters from Star Wars.   Jeffrey Brown has put together a colouring book called Darth Vadar and Family.

Do you like Star Wars?   Are you children lovers of this long-running series?   I have to admit, I like watching the movies though I am not a die-hard fanatic.  :)

Both my son and husband have a firm fondness for this series and frequently rewatch the movies.   I am just delighted they have a movie interest to share in common.

 In this colouring book, Jeffrey Brown combines normal family life with the characters and life of the Star Wars movies.

What do you think?    Would it be fun to go sledding with Star Wars Characters, or share a hot cocoa with Darth Vadar himself?

  Or go engage in a spot of friendly fishing...who knows who will catch the biggest one...as long as they don't use the light saber on the poor fish. 

Each page is one sided, which prevents bleed through, and if carefully done, would tear out to make for great refrigerator art.  (if the pages were perforated it would make tear out easier).

I appreciate that this book has simpler drawings that children can colour in, they can imagine (and laugh about) the idea of Darth Vadar playing the role of dad.  Or Chewbacca being one of the kids or heading up into a tree fort with one the Ewoks.

It's a fun, fanciful approach to using Star Wars Characters.   It will appeal to some or ... if they are like my lad .. "BUT MOM!!!   Chewbacca would never do anything with Darth Vadar!!!!!"   So depending on what your child(ren) are like, this may or may not be the colouring book for you. 

One of the small gems of this book is on the inside front cover when Mr. Brown gives the reader a "Darth Vadar drawing lesson".  

 Darth Vadar and Family, a coloring book.
Author/cartoonist: Jeffrey Brown
Pages: 96
Age range - 5 and up

Reviewed for: Raincoast books

 Amazon.ca: Darth Vader and Family Coloring Book

Amazon.com: Darth Vader and Family Coloring Book

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/

The Chambers and the Vestibule

Todays' bible passage comes from Ezekiel 40:44-49.

Before today I didn't know that the priests split their duties.   Some priests would be in charge of the temple and other priests in charge of the altar. 

I also wasn't aware that ONLY the sons of Zadok were allowed to "come near to the Lord to minister to him".   Only them.  I knew vaguely there were some divisions in the priesthood, but it was just a vague thing .. you know?

I just figured it was divided up by seniority and whatever each family within the priesthood liked to do.  But here I realized that God had it all sorted out.

 ⁴⁴ On the outside of the inner gateway there were two chambers in the inner court, one at the side of the north gate facing south, the other at the side of the south gate facing north. ⁴⁵ And he said to me, “This chamber that faces south is for the priests who have charge of the temple, ⁴⁶ and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who have charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, who alone among the sons of Levi may come near to the Lord to minister to him.” ⁴⁷ And he measured the court, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits broad, a square. And the altar was in front of the temple.
⁴⁸ Then he brought me to the vestibule of the temple and measured the jambs of the vestibule, five cubits on either side. And the breadth of the gate was fourteen cubits, and the sidewalls of the gate were three cubits on either side. ⁴⁹ The length of the vestibule was twenty cubits, and the breadth twelve cubits, and people would go up to it by ten steps. And there were pillars beside the jambs, one on either side.

A cubit is 45.72 centimetres OR 18 inches. 

So the inner court is 150 feet square.  The door jams are 7.5 feet.

Can you imagine door jambs that large?  It gives you an idea of the overall size.

But more importantly... God had all the details worked out.  ALL of them.   From where the priests served, to what family could approach him in ministry, to the size of the building they served in.  God took all the guess work and politics out of the picture.

Rather cool that.

You can read more in my Ezekiel Studies here and here.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/