Jen: Our God is so great and mighty and loving. He cares for even the most "mundane" things in our lives!!!! Just two weeks ago I was feeling really low, and Mom said, "well, if you could go out and do something, what would you do?" I said, "I don't know -- something different. Go to a museum or something like that. Something refreshing." Not two hours later, a friend through karate called and said, "My hubby has 2 extra tickets to the symphony Saturday night. Do you want them?" See!?! He even cares when were fed up and frustrated and even BORED with the world. I'm so happy for you in your blessing! I use A/O curriculum and absolutely love it. Praise ye the Lord!!!!!!!!!
The longer this conversation goes on the more in awe I am! I know everything in this situation is bringing glory to God....how awesome! Here's a story...My dd and I were on our way to the store to buy a lunch box that she had been saving her money for (it cost $5 or $6...and she didn't need it, but just really liked it). There was a man who was o the side of a road with a sign for help. I usually don't stop, but my dd saw him and wanted to know what he was doing there. So, I started explaining to her that sometimes there are people who need help, and they can't get it any other way. But that sometimes people do this to "scam" others so you have to be careful. This particular man was in a wheelchair and missing an arm and half of his leg. But I explained to her that if we ever feel strong in wanting to give to someone then that is probably what God is telling us to do, that we should...and that person's motive is God's problem, but when we give out of our love for others, God will be blessed by our desire to help someone else. So, she decided she wanted to give this man the money she had saved for her lunch box. We pulled in the parking lot, rolled down the window, and said hello to the man. We told him why we stopping and gave him the money. The man was so touched by my dd giving up her own money that he got teary eyed. We wished him luck, told him he was in our prayers and said goodbye. It was the best experience ever for my dd...it was the first time that I really saw her show real compassion for someone she didn't even know. Ok...I am done....just wanted to share, too!
~Leslie... don't you just love those "Wow -- they really get it!" moments in your child's life???? I know I sure do. And I hate to think how many of those I'd miss if he were off in a public school all day. Worse yet, I hate to think that there would be much fewer of those moments because of said school.
I am so glad this story has a good ending. I didn't read it when I first saw the headline, but I also don't get on here too much on the weekend, when I did click on it it took me to page 7 and I was appauled by some harsh posts and it made me want to see what was going on. I sent Jen a PM and told her my opinion, (not that I could help) but I have been checking in since then and I'm glad things have turned out well. There really are good people that are doing their jobs to "pay it forward" and seams we are doing are jobs to do it as well. I like hearing the stories. One of my stories: My husband and I went to dinner at my cousin's house before she had a zillion and 8 kids..... this was the evening we realized we would home school after we saw how her kids did with it.... but they were struggling and her husband was out of town for some classes, she wouldn't take any money to help with groceries so I told my DH to put it in the freezer..... she was thankful.
Once again, I wan tto thank everyone for all of your words of encouragement and caution. I took everyone's words in mind. I would like to finish off today, with what just happened.... Earlier, this afternoon (Around 5PM) I had a sudden need to get to he library to get more books about Africa and Egypt and the NIle, that me and the kids had been reading about. Library stays open till 9, so we just hoped up and went. Grabbed the books I wanted and began takign some note, while sitting in the young childrens' play area. There I met a young mother and her daughter, who was astounded (Her words) that I could smile while homeschooling three children. (Yes, I am sure you know what came next, and stop laughing!) I carried on, made her think about a few things and sent her on her way with a new perspective and a few internet links to get her started. The rest, of course, is up to her. But it felt GREAT! Then, we stoped at half-priced books for any new ideas (I browse the craft books for ideas) . Just after we entered the children's area (Back corner of the store) a lady from the special needs sunday school class (That I volunteer for) walked in! She just happens to be a teacher at a partial tudor school. Meaning it is kind of like co-op, only it is where parents pool their money to hire a physics teacher or what not, and they only go on mondays and fridays and so on... Well, I had heard of this place, but never knew who it was that did that. So I got to "Testify" for a yonger mom and I got to listen to someone else all in one evening! I am emotionally exhausted! Tomorrow, my husband has the day off and after morning "Class" we are off to the county park for a "Not Back to School" homeschool group meet up. WE are new to the group, never been and we will find out if we are joining their group or not. We'll see. Ok, now that you guys know EVERYTHING about me.. I am gonna back down for a couple of days..... y fingers are tired from all this typing. Funny thing though.... you would think with all this typing, that somehow I would have improved my overall typing skills.. but noooooo! hahahaha! Much love to all of you! jen
Jen, That is sooo AWESOME!!!!! It's amazing how when we have a good heart and do things from the bottom of our heart that somehow it all falls into place. You are truly BLESSED!!!! I haven't been to the homeschool store's website in a while. They ran an ad with us in the Resource book that we do. :wink: I'll have to put my marketing department on the task of getting them to put a link to us on there. On the same blessings note....I got an email about picking up some used books and I stopped by the place today and....oh my word!!!!! I probably took about an 1/8 of what I could have but...it will be a true blessing to someone that visits our Smoothing The Way library. Wow!!!! Several math books, literature, all excellent stuff! It would probably serve as AP level for a high schooler but....some smart kid is going to benefit plenty from me sweating this afternoon to haul it out and then haul it into our library. True blessings!!!!
Sheila, I wish there was a way for me to get all the BJU 10th grade books and stuff to you guys! There's so much, and I just want to get rid of it, but we don't have a place around here. Any suggestions on what to do with it? I'm afraid postage would be way to huge an expense for that heavy box of stuff!
Deena, if you are ever interested in mailing books to another family you can mail them book rate for alot cheaper. My sis up in NY sends me my nephews hand-me-down books and sends them book rate for alot cheaper. She passes on her AOP and stacks of workbooks. They say it can take awhile book rate but we had to laugh one time when a box of books beat a regular package she sent me.
Deena, I am a shipping nerd, as others on here would be too, if hey sell on eBay. So, Media Mail (Also known as "Book Rate") is perfect for what you are thinking. The other option, believe it or not, is FedEx Ground (If you can have it delivered to a business and NOT a home, it is even cheaper.) I used to ship Large 3 foot long boxes that weighed about 10 -15 pounds each. I shipped via Fed Ex Ground and tried to always let my customers have it delivered to their place of business and it cost me about $8!!!! I shiiped Three at once, one time, and it did not cost more than $15, via FedEx Ground. The USPS is ONLY good for items under 3 pounds, Everything else, I ship FedEx Ground. (Even UPS is too expensive!) Just some food for thought. You can go to fedex.com and do a calculation of the rate your package would cost. Of ourse, you can do the same with Media Mail on the USPS,com website. You should go run the numbers and pass on that good stuff! jen
Is there a box size on book rate? I don't remember. I know that UPS is usually the cheaper way to go for most of the heavier items that I have shipped (they weren't books). How much do you think they weigh all together? We'd sure love to have them!!! I just punched in some numbers and...said it'd be 35lbs and in a box that was 20x20x20 and it's squaking because of the weight and box size ratio...geez anyway...it is estimating about $35 cost. So...see what size & weight it truly would be.
What is the dementions and weight of the box? ANd what are the ship "TO" and "FROM" zip codes? I'll do some leg work for you! I have a professional FedEx account, but I don ot think I can find out any more than you could. I am just used to using their site, that's all.
Sheila would have to tell you the "to" zip, I can tell you mine. I'll e-mail it to you. Thanks so much Jen! I'm a bit under the weather today and my head/brain doesn't want to do any more than it has to, so you doing this is literally a weight off my shoulders!!!
I tried to run the numbers backwards and forwards and even split the package in two. But all I got was $35 for the shipment. Sorry. I was wrong. Dayng it! (Stomps feet!)
