Elderberry Syrup

Well, two kids down with an icky cold...hoping to stay healthy! Seemed like the proper time to make up some elderberry syrup. Thankfully I had some dried elderberries (I think I got them from Amazon last year) and some raw honey.  Several years ago we used to take elderberry syrup as a preventative; hopefully now it can take us through this germy season! 

I don't have a favorite recipe, but here's the one I used this time.  It tastes good and it's so much less expensive than purchasing it already made!

Praying that God can use the elderberry syrup and hand sanitizer (haha!) to keep us in good health!

Unbreakable Faith course by Pilgrim's Rock -- my REVIEW

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Apologetics--what is it? I would define apologetics as the art and science of defending the Biblical Christian belief system. Who is an apologist? Well, I'd say that any follower of Christ is an apologist, whether they exercise their apologist muscles much or not. By that I mean, if you are a believer in Christ, you should be ready to share your faith and, as we read in 1 Peter 3:15, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." So why are we even talking about this? If you believe in Christ as your Savior, you might at times need some guidance to help you defend your faith to unbelievers. Our latest review product, The Unbreakable Faith Course, an online course by Pilgrim's Rock, LLC  is an apologetics course that can help you think through and clarify statements and Christian beliefs about God which can strengthen your defense.



This apologetics course is a formal online course, hosted in Moodle (if you're familiar with that platform you will appreciate the structure of it!). It is written so that it can be used by a high school student 15 years old or older for a one-credit course. It is also intended for use by adults.  

As you begin the course, you will need to purchase course access as well as the two books, The Box (by Craig Biehl) and God The Reason (also by Craig Biehl). You probably already guessed that Biehl is the course instructor and creator :) .

These two books are the textbooks required for the course.

As I stated above, the course is online, and is a series of lectures (videos) with accompanying quizzes, which make up 75% of the grade, and one final exam (25%). Yes, there are quizzes and an exam! :) Once you begin the class you are expected to finish the course in no longer than 36 weeks. This is a formal course, and students are expected to conform to university-type ethics, closed book, timed quizzes. 

The first quiz was challenging; you have 25 minutes to complete it, and one attempt. It is self-grading through Moodle, so you see your score upon submission. After it's graded, the answers are given to you so that you can learn from the quiz and know what the correct answers are. 

It is very helpful that the answers to the quiz are given
 so that you can actually learn from the quiz as well. 

I didn't really spend much time telling you about how you learn the material, did I? :) Well, there are a series of lecture videos which are like 12-15 minutes long apiece (at least the ones we viewed so far!)  You may follow the outline in the syllabus as well as the progression on the site itself. Your progress is marked, so you know what your next assignment is. 

The first thing you will be asked to complete is reading the book The Box as well as completing reading chapters in God The Reason. The videos that you view will reinforce the concepts taught in these books and allow you to learn by hearing and watching as well as by reading.

The book The Box uses an illustration of neighbors amiably talking about God; the neighbors are a believer and an unbeliever. The talks about God are staged with an introduction and an explanation about how a believer might handle him or herself in that type of conversation.  The book God the Reason is a very dense book, each chapter focusing on one aspect of apologetics (for example, God is Righteous, God Does not Change, etc.). I would compare the writing in the book to that of a theology text. It is very full of concepts, Scriptural references, and ways to use them. 

We began the review period assuming that my 15 year old would read the books and move through the course. The books became quite burdensome for her to read alone. I basically took over and moved through the books and course so that we could experience it. I think that for me and for her, it would be easier and more productive to read through both of the books together, probably aloud, with space for discussion and expansion.  It is a lot of material. The videos are very complementary to the books. You might think you could just watch the videos, but you really should use the books with it, as the books really enrich the study. 

I would recommend this course to a serious student of apologetics. I think that 15 is a little young, unless your student has a background in logic and maybe if he or she is used to reading heavy texts (not physically heavy...) You can check out the Pilgrim's Rock, LLC website for more information; you can also read their doctrinal statement there (you'd probably like to make sure that it aligns with your doctrinal beliefs before beginning the coures!) I would also recommend that you read other reviews written by other members of the homeschool community. 

To read other reviews, please click on the link below!

Teenage boys

I just read a fb post from a friend with daughters. She was talking about how they were painting their nails, putting on makeup, trying on clothes, and creating a dance.

So funny to me...right now we have a teenage boy staying with us for a visit. He and my (teenage) son are having a blast, but it's LOUD and a little stinky...but lots of laughter and interesting talks! 

I grew up with just sisters, but I thank the Lord for giving me a son and for the ways that he enhances our family!!  I love that kid!!

:)

Quick math tip for inequalities

Just a reminder that if you have an inequality and have to divide by a negative number to isolate x, don't forget to switch the direction of the sign!

Here's an example:

-2x>10
Well, you'd divide both sides by negative 2, right? That would give you that 2 is greater than negative 5. Hmmm. Let's try plugging in a number. Okay, what's something greater than negative 5? How about 100. Okay, plugging that in yields -200>10. Is that correct? No, of course not. This is why you need to switch the sign, so for example when you have

-2x>10
Divide both sides by -2 and SWITCH THE DIRECTION OF THE INEQUALITY
This will leave you with
x<-5

Let's try plugging in a number for x now that is less than negative 5. How about-20.

-2 (-20)>10
Is this true? Yes, indeed!

A taste of summer

Yummm, my new discovery...chopped basil in a tube! Found in the veggie department of the grocery store.

Yummy! It kind of looks like goose poop haha but it is a great strong fresh taste of basil. ..just like summer! YUMMMM

Caroline Hewins

My daughter is doing a project for History Day on this interesting lady!  Caroline Hewins lived in the late 1800's and early 1900's and was one of the major players responsible for children's libraries and children's rooms in libraries!  We have a lot to thank Caroline Hewins for! :)