First Childhood Break

This past weekend we experienced the first childhood “break” in our family when our youngest (age 12) broke her toe in the swimming pool.
After a couple of hours in the ER (and her first x-ray), we left with taped toes and an unfashionable shoe.

carobreak2

 

She has been such a trooper! 🙂
Being the first child to break a bone in the family, she merited a reward…

so we gave her one…

carobreak

 

The 1st child to break a bone award goes to…

1sttobreakaward

 

So far, we’ve been able to keep the “owies” at bay using this blend…
owieblend

 

4 to 6 weeks of taped toes and crutches.
What a champ!

 

YeHoVaH Rapha (my Healer) – “I am YHVH Who heals you.” – Shemoth (Exodus) 15:26
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Shavuot… Feast of Weeks

shavuotharvestdove

With Shavuot/Pentecost upon us, I wanted to share a few Scripture verses
and some links I’ve come across over the past few years.

We have only been observing/celebrating Shavuot/Pentecost a handful of years
and we are still learning SO much! It has been, and continues to be, such a joy!

I am continually amazed by Father’s Appointed Times/Feast Days!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Shavuot means ‘weeks’ in Hebrew. It is The Feast of Weeks.
7 weeks (49 completed days), counted from the day after the weekly Sabbath Day
after beginning The Feast of Unleavened Bread.

In Scripture it is a feast of harvest.
It is, also, the celebration of the giving of the written Torah, by YHVH at Mount Sinai.

It is, also, the time known as Pentecost. Pentecost means “fiftieth” in Greek.

It is when the promise of the giving of the Set-Apart Spirit was fulfilled.

———————————–
Some of the Scriptures referring to Shavuot…

and the Festival of the Harvest, the first-fruits of your labours which you have sown in the field; and the Festival of the Ingathering at the outgoing of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labours from the field” – Exodus 23:16

And perform the Festival of Weeks for yourself, of the first-fruits of wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year” – Exodus 34:22

And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths.
Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to YHVH.” – Leviticus 23:15-17 {and to verse 21}

And on the day of the first-fruits, when you bring a new grain offering to YHVH
at your Festival of Weeks, you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.
– Numbers 28:26

And you shall perform the Festival of Weeks to YHVH your Elohim, according to the voluntary offering from your hand, which you give as YHVH your Elohim blesses you.
And you shall rejoice before YHVH your Elohim, you and your son and your daughter,
and your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are in your midst,
at the place where YHVH your Elohim chooses to make His Name dwell.” – Deuteronomy 16:10-11

And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks had come, they were all with one mind in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak.” – Acts 2:1-4

———————————

A few links expounding on Shavuot:
{as with anything, read with discernment and prove all things according to Scripture}
Shavuot – Pentecost – Feast of Weeks {PDF file}
(article from Hoshana Rabbah site)

Shavuot – “Feast of Weeks”
(a little more ‘simplified’ article at Restoring the Way)

What is Shavuot?
(online article at Judaism site, Chabad.com)
Activities and Coloring:

Shavuot coloring pages

Crafts, Recipes, & Coloring pages

Shavuot Recipes and Crafts

Shavuot Lapbook/Lapfolder

My Shavuot Pinterest Board

 

And what’s a celebration without music?!

Songs:

Rejoicing in the giving of the Torah…

I Love Torah

Oh, How I Love Your Torah

The Ten Commandments

 

Rejoicing in the Set-Apart Spirit,
Who writes Torah in our hearts…

Calling for a Flood

Joel 2

Empty Me

Bo, Ruach Elohim {Come, Spirit of Elohim}

Chag Sameach Shavuot!
{Joyous Festival of Shavuot!}

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10 Steps to Successful Homeschooling

10stepshomeschool

I was recently visiting some of my old blogs and perusing past posts and I came across this post that I wrote (years ago). I originally wrote it for a homeschool newsletter I had started, then posted it on my blog, and it was later featured at Home School Enrichment’s Online Magazine. I had completely forgotten all about it!

I wanted to share it again. And though I would probably tweak it just a little more, certainly the unfading principles still apply.
What do you think?

10 Steps to Successful Homeschooling

#1 ~ Seek God
Pray! Continually be in prayer and utterly rely upon the grace of God.

Pray without ceasing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17

…let us go speedily to pray before the YHVH (LORD), and to seek the YHVH (LORD) of hosts…” ~ Zechariah 8:21

#2 ~ Study God’s Word
Daily be in His Word.

…that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily…” ~ Acts 17:11

#3 ~ Scriptural Perspective
Keep a focused vision on our purpose in homeschooling.

And these words,which I command thee this day,shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.” ~ Deuteronomy 6:6,7

#4 ~ Spiritual Growth
Continue to “…grow in (favour) grace, and in the knowledge of our Master (Lord) and Saviour Y’shua Messiah (Jesus Christ)…” ~ 2 Peter 3:18

and diligently promote our children’s spiritual growth.
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:6

#5 ~ Surrender
Surrender our homeschooling endeavors to YHVH (the LORD) and find strength in HIM.

Commit thy way unto YHVH (the LORD); trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” ~ Psalm 37:5

YHVH (The LORD) is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.” ~ Psalm 28:7

#6 ~ ‘Schedule’
Have some kind of routine, schedule,or sequence of events(or, at least, a ‘skeleton’ of one). This helps to give direction and accountability to how we use our time.
Redeeming the time…” ~ Ephesians 5:16

#7 ~ Season our Surroundings
An atmosphere of love, respect, and grace makes teaching and learning more effective.

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,forbearing one another in love;” ~ Ephesians 4:2

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” ~ Hebrews 10:24

#8 ~ Self-examination
It is important for parents to model being surrendered (to our Creator and purpose), good character traits, disciplined habits, and enthusiasm for learning.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5

For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah (Christ) also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:” ~ 1 Peter 2:21

#9 ~ Support
Be willing to seek help. When we are discouraged or unmotivated, Admit to (humble) ourselves and talk to someone who can encourage us. They’ve been there too!

Two are better than one…” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9

#10 ~ Smile  🙂
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…” ~ Proverbs 15:13

Our children are a precious gift (Psalm 127)and educating them at home is a blessed privilege! Enjoy them!! And have faith in future fruit.

Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her own works praise her in the gates.” ~ Proverbs 31:31

~ written by Christina Kubik ©September 2004

 

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Know Yourself

seeking

 

“… the mistakes we make in life, the sins that we commit, are not born in a vacuum. They stem from deep roots, so if we are to confess and make a real change in our lives, it’s not just verbal platitudes that are required, but genuine soul-searching. … if we really want to elevate ourselves, if we really want to be transformed and become better, more spiritual individuals, we have to go through this process honestly, without rationalizations, as painful as it may be. We must focus not only on the sin just committed, but must ask ourselves, What led me astray? How is it that I have become so lost? Once we come to grips with that concept and discover the answer, it will become easier for us to uproot the negativity from our hearts and to embark upon a new course. That’s what teshuvah (repentance) is all about. To be sure, this is not a simple path. Most of us are quick to see the faults in others but are slow to recognize them in ourselves. How often does it happen that when we read a book or hear a message, we say, “That’s just for my sister, brother, friend, etc…” and it never occurs to us that the message was meant for us. So, know yourself.”

 

Search me, O El, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts;
And see if an idolatrous way is in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
– Tehillim/Psalm 139:23-24

 

source: Torah for Your Table, Rabbi Yisroel Jungreis
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Forever Young: In Memory of My Parents and a Message from Their Hearts

We just never really know what curve balls will be thrown at us in life.

Like the curve ball of losing your mama… and 11 months later, losing your dad.

I am often perplexed with the question, “What the heck happened?”

I was close to my parents… even when we were far away, we were close. And losing them has left such a penetrating void in my life. It is something that is never “recovered from” and will always be a reality that I wake up to each day to face again and again. Don’t get me wrong, we are so thankful for the time we had with them, the memories we have, the legacy they left… and life does, in fact, go on… but every day… it does go on without them.

One thing that is missed so dearly is being able to hear their voices… especially their words of experience, encouragement, wisdom, and love.

Though I will not hear those words from their own lips again, in this life, I often hear or read words of others that speak the heart of Mama and Daddy.

Most recently, I heard a song that struck the chords of my heart. Daddy was a singer… and Mama sang to us as children, even though she never considered herself a “singer”… their voices were beautiful to hear.

When I heard this song, I could hear them singing it to me… to my siblings… to my children… to their whole family…

so we did what we could to make that as possible as is possible.

We made this video… in memory of Mama and Daddy…

May their legacy live on… May they and may we stay… forever young…

 

 

 

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Resources for Passover

passover
Passover – Pesach – is soon approaching
and we are very excited!

… this day shall become to you a remembrance. And you shall observe it as a festival to {YHVH} יהוה throughout your generations – observe it as a festival, an everlasting law.” – Exodus 12:14

Here are some of the resources
I have come across that can be useful
as we prepare for teaching and observing
this set-apart season to YeHoVaH.

 

Coloring fun:

Passover coloring pages

Passover coloring pages (in pdf)

More Passover coloring pages (in pdf)

More Pesach/Passover coloring pages

10 Plagues coloring page (in pdf)

 

Activities and crafts:

Passover Activities for Children – matzah cover, placemats, etc…

Ten Plague Masks – a craft idea (or can use paper plates)

Ten Plagues Placard craft: Part 1 and Part 2

Four Questions Book craft – If you desire to use “the 4 questions”

Ten Plagues illustration – Could attempt to draw/paint to depict the plagues

Passover Bag of Plagues – fun idea

Afikomen/Matzah Cover Tutorial – make your own matzah cover

 

Music:

Dayenu – traditional, fun Passover song (sang by our eldest and myself)

Passover Song – Yeshua, our Passover Lamb and remembrance of Him

The Pesach Song (We’re Leaving) – Beautiful song about leaving Egypt (physically/spiritually)

 

Videos:

Passover Story – Beautiful recap of how The Almighty delivered His people (6 minutes)

Messiah in Passover – short video showing what Yeshua fulfilled in the Passover (4 minutes)

The Messiah – Prophecy Fulfilled – Movie showing how Yeshua fulfilled the Passover and how a Jewish man shares it with his family during their Passover observation. Longer but very good. (50 minutes)

Know Your Enemy (Part 12- The Plagues) – See how the plagues that YHVH brought upon Egypt targeted specific “gods” that they worshiped, showing His authority as the One True Elohim. Video is less than 8 minutes. Watch and connect some dots that maybe didn’t connect before.Very interesting.

Let My People Go! Passover/Pesach Skit – A skit we did with friends one year on Pesach 🙂

In the past, before we were led to other Believers that observe, we had not used a haggadah (traditional “telling”) for Passover, but had only had the three items mentioned in Scripture while reading the Scripture pertaining to them.

But having a Haggadah can be a great resource to see some of the beautiful symbolism in the tradition. If one desires to add some of the traditions and have a haggadah to print and use,
I have found this one to be a pretty good one.

You Shall Tell Your Children – Messianic Passover Haggadah (pdf format)

 

One last resource to share is the Let My People Go board game.
We have found this to be a delightful game to play as a family!
And the rhymes are very cute and catchy.
The game is a little difficult to find (about $15) but worth the buy if you can find it!

May your Pesach be blessed! As well as your preparation!

Shalom!
~ Christina

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Finally… A Field Trip

I cannot even begin to express how busy life seems to have been these past few years. But, in my efforts to truly slow down, I finally got around to taking us on a local field trip. I won’t mention how long it had been since our last one. Yeah… I won’t go there.

To help with my efforts in slowing down and being present, once again, I am trying to put my hand to the plough and begin blogging again. This will truly be a renewed developed discipline. In the past, blogging served as a wonderful way to journal … to share struggles, joys, lessons… life. I want that journal to look back on… as I do now with past posts from previous blogs. It’s good food for my soul. 🙂

My goal is to aim for consistency and not perfection. Just to be real and to show up.

—————————————————–

Soooo… This week I planned to go on a field trip AND I followed through with it! Two points (or more) for me! 😉 We visited a local fort that was involved with much of our country’s history… Fort Monroe.

To get to the fort, we had to drive across a moat and go through a shared one-way opening through the fort walls… it was like the things of fairy tales and castles… we didn’t see any alligators, though… or mermaids (which was slightly disappointing)

 

tunnel2fort

 

We started our tour inside the fort, learning much about what the fort was used for and what was going on in our country during those times.

cannonfire

Learning about the cannons & cannon fire

 

It was interesting to learn that Edgar Allan Poe had spent some time at the fort…

edgarallenpoe

 

Our Union soldier guide shared how his firearm worked

uniongun

 

We entered a jail cell in the fort where Jackson Davis was imprisoned. The original flag was still hanging on the wall…

jailroom

 

We, also, visit the chapel on grounds… which is still used today… Some of the stain-glass windows were made by Tiffany & Co.

chapel

 

We, also, toured the grounds and walked atop the fort walls…

hilltofortwalls

 

will&unionsoldier

 

unionguide

 

Robert E. Lee and his wife stayed in these quarters…

Leequarters

 

I loved this view of the lighthouse from atop the fort wall…

lighthouseview

 

Afterwards, we played at the park and around the grounds… It was a beautiful day!

sistersswing

sonswingbokeh

allchildrenhillarrived

allchildrenhilltop

bethhillside

childrenhilltop

grassyknoll

 

happyhillson

rolling

topoftheworldson

groupselfiecollage

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For the Fellow Chocolate Lover

It’s no secret that I love chocolate. Why should it be? Chocolate CAN be good for you – not to mention good for the people that live with me when I have some… but, then again, it is often in my best interest for them to have some, too!

We frequently experiment with smoothie concoctions. Some are great … others are great flops. Perhaps you understand what I mean and have had both in your kitchen.

Creating smoothies is a group effort in our kitchen. You just never know who is going to make one or what they’re going to make. It seems fair, though… You try my smoothie and I’ll try yours. We share in the enjoyment and delight… or we share in the expressions of cringing faces and a unanimous vote to not make THAT again. But they are shared moments… and those are the best kind!

Recently, our youngest (currently 12) created a chocolate concoction that has received expressions of “Mmmm” and licked lips… So we’ve been stuck on this smoothie for days. Why mess with a good thing, right?

chocsmoo1

In addition to chocolate, I like wine too… as you may have noticed 🙂

Well, in continuous efforts to step out of my comfort zones (a lifelong process, to be sure), I jumped stepped off of the proverbial cliff and used Periscope today to share how we make this Beloved Chocolate Concoction our daughter created.

If you’re on Periscope, you can find me at @itisyourlife

For those that prefer youtube, it’s found in the video below

If you try it, I’d love to know what you think. And I would love to hear what you put in your chocolate smoothies!

 

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Meet the Family

The other day our youngest daughter (12) was excited to show me what she had been working on that afternoon. I was excited to see.

She designed these craft sticks to depict our family… including our dog, Suzie.

Seriously… aren’t these adorable??

stickfamily

 

 

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It’s Who You Still Are

I love music. All kinds, really.

Music that tells a story from past to present to future.

Music that resonates with my life experiences… or my current circumstances… or my dreams, goals, passions, plans…

Our daughters shared this song with me last year (we’re a little “behind” on the music curve, as we went 15+ years of not listening to much music besides hymns and a small variety of very conservative music). I love to hear music that interests my children. I believe that hearing music that touches someone else can help us to understand who they are. … Try it sometime. 🙂

I love the words to this song.

She explains how, as a young girl, there were such dreams and aspirations… even to change the world. And how life circumstances can steer us away from those dreams… from our belief in ourselves, really.

It’s important to connect with who we were as a child… full of laughter, nothing to lose… young, free, and full of belief… to connect to that child-like faith.

To remember that our story is not over. We must dare to believe.

Because we CAN change this world.

May you be inspired to, once again, dream … and believe in yourself.

You’re still that same little girl… or boy…

Believe! ❤

 

 

 

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