Teen Pact: How to Turn Your Student Into a Statesmen

April 3, 2008

We just got our oldest two children back from a week in the state capital at TeenPact. They were both exhausted from the action packed days at the capital and fun evenings at the camp, but since both were speaking in exclamation points (!!!!) about their experiences, we know the week was a success.

TeenPact is a non-profit organization that provides students with “a comprehensive leadership experience that brings kids closer to Jesus Christ, makes them better leaders, and positions them to impact public policy in their state.”

It is always held during the state’s legislative session with allows the students to meet important officials, interview lobbyists and see the political process in action. They also get to meet other home schooled kids and have lots of fun!

I was impressed with the homework that my children had to have completed before the class. They needed to pray daily for their Senator and Representative, and then write a letter to tell them. The vocabulary sheet made them think through some tough terms and learn the lingo. They were required to analyze 3 bills currently being debated in the capital according to Biblical standards and then write a bill of their own.

To be honest, my son went last year only because we forced him. The thought of having to wear a suit and tie all week wasn’t appealing at all. But by the end of the week, he didn’t want to leave. This year we sent him again, along with his sister and they both loved it. Now they are lobbying heavily to attend the National TeenPact Session in Georgia the end of May.

TeenPact’s motto is “Turning Students into Statesmen” and that transformation will help the next generation to change the world. Now that’s something I want me children to be a part of.

You can find more information about TeenPact at their website www.teenpact.com

I have been so impressed with everything I’ve seen so far. I highly recommend it!

By Country Gal | Posted in Home School | Tagged | Comments (0)

Garden Seeds and Faith

March 5, 2008

We actually left “the wilderness” this week-end. Since we heat only with a wood stove, we can’t leave during the cold winter months because then the fire would go out and everything would freeze in the house. But Sunday was finally warm enough for us to venture forth to what my youngest calls “the Big Town.”

We left right after church and drove in 60 degree temperatures. We were able to enjoy wonderful fellowship with my family, and an amazing Mark Schultz concert (I got the tickets for my birthday!) before the temperatures dropped over 30 degrees and the freezing rain, sleet and snow began.

So much for Springtime!

My husband assured me the house would be fine for one night, and it was too dangerous to drive home anyway. So we spent the night.

We woke up to 4 inches of heavy snow but bright sunshine. I guess that’s the good thing about a snowstorm in March, they don’t last as long or pack such a mean punch.

When the streets were cleared we were able to run a few errands, including a stop to buy garden seeds. Yes, garden seeds.

There is 4 inches of snow on the ground, an arctic wind is blowing, and I’m standing in my wool coat choosing between sweet corn varieties! Now that is faith!

I don’t know what the weather will be tomorrow, or the next day. I don’t know what kind of a growing season we’ll have. Yet, every year I faithfully buy garden seeds, till the soil and plant, trusting God with the increase.

That’s how I see our home schooling as well. I don’t know what God has in store for my children; what kind of “growing seasons” they will endure. But every morning I get up and till the soil and plant the seeds of faith in their hearts, trusting God with the increase.

Some days it seems as if spring will never come, as if I’ll never see any fruit in their lives, but God is faithful. “Let us not become weary in well doing, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Keep the faith today. Spring will come. You will see fruit in your children’s lives!

By Country Gal | Posted in Home School, Winter | Tagged | Comments (0)

"Mommy, What Bird Made That Nest?"

November 19, 2007

Another glorious day in Southern Iowa! Winter seems to have forgotten the way here, or has been delayed for some reason. We aren’t complaining! We’re soaking up all the sunshine we can before the snow starts to fly!

It was the perfect day for a walk. The leaves have almost all fallen and the trees are bare. As I wondered through the woods and across the open pastures I was amazed at how many nests the children and I discovered! I’m a novice at bird nest identification, but wish I knew more! The easiest way to identify a nest is in the spring and summer when it has eggs or baby birds, but it’s a lot easier to spot the nests this time of year when they aren’t hidden by all the green leaves.

As I was researching how to identify different nests, I came across a great site that was full of excellent information on bird nest identification.

http://www.backyardnature.net/birdnest.htm

I learned the four things to look for when identifying a nest: the size, the structure, the composition and what birds are present locally. The site also has great information on the different kinds of bird nest structures and how to use Google to help you in identifying.

Sounds like we have a great home school project for this week, doesn’t it!

By Country Gal | Posted in Home School | Comments (0)