Thrift Schooling

Moon landing doubters beware!   APOLLO 11  will be celebrating 50 years this year and never seen before footage has been released  in an extraordinary Sundance Film Festival documentary NOW playing in theaters everywhere!   From director, Todd Douglas Miller (Dinosaur 13) comes a cinematic event fifty years in the making. Crafted from a newly discovered trove of 65mm footage, and more than 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings, Apollo 11 takes us straight to the heart of NASA’s most celebrated mission.   The one that first put men on the moon, and forever made Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin into household names. Immersed in the perspectives of the astronauts, the team in Mission Control, and the millions of spectators on the ground, we vividly experience those momentous days and hours in 1969 when humankind took a giant leap into the future. What makes this documentary so fascinating is that REAL footage is used. ...

Central Diamond Center has become a place where I have been frequenting lately for my jewelry needs. After receiving a gorgeous ring that includes the birthstones of all my children, I have not been disappointed with the quality of their work. Just recently, I needed  a new ring. Yes, I said needed. I hate to admit it but since I said the words, "I do" I have gained not only five children, but, fifty pounds as well. Which is fine, I was skinny as a rail when I got married but still, nobody likes to admit weight gain. They don't like to talk about the complications that go with it either. Such as rings not fitting quite like they used to. Sure, I have still been wearing the ring he placed on my finger so many years ago but I have been fearing I would never get it off. Therefore, I decided to go ahead and get a temporary ring in the meantime. Maybe looking at this ring will motivate me to use those pilates videos I have sitting three feet away from me right now.  ...

As a Christian Ministries major in college, I was exposed to many types of ministries out there. One of the most memorable and powerful experience was the time we helped out with a prison ministry. This was a tue eye-opener for me. At the time I felt like I couldn't relate to anyone in there was to be honest, I was a bit scared before we went. Once we were there and able to share with the prisoners I was changed. The only difference between them and me were a few wrong choices. Haven't we all made wrong choices at one point or another in our lives? After that experience I began to have more compassion for those in prison. For years, Jonathan has been in prison. As a result, he has missed milestone moments with his family. He wasn’t there for his daughter’s first day of school or a thousand little experiences with his wife and as a father, he is devastated to be separated from those he loves most. ‍ Jonathan has been looking forward to his release from prison for over ...

I am excited to share with you more Ellie Claire products. If you remember, back during the week of Thanksgiving, I shared my version of a holiday gift guide by enlightening you with several awesome gift ideas for the holiday season complete with a giveaway! Now, I would like to highlight one of my favorite companies that I introduced you to then by sharing a NEW line of their products, now.  Previously, I shared with you, Ellie Claire's creative writing journals . Now, I would like to introduce you to Ellie Claire's 365-Day Devotional Journals! I received three beautifully-bound journals to review: Peace Begins With Me 365-Day Devotional Journal   The Earth Is The Lord's And Everything In It 365- Day Devotional Journal Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 365- Day Devotional Journal These high-quality, thick and sturdy devotional journals are the perfect go-to gift for the mom, grandmother or friend on your gift list. When I first got them I ...

With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families alike. Now, the #1 Bible for kids, including all of the trusted essentials loved by parents, is available in an exciting polar exploration theme! Ready for a frosty Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting trek through God’s Word with the NIV Adventure Bible , now in an all-new polar exploration theme! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. And most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God. Features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition Include •             The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme •             Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes ...

Introducing the Ellie Claire line of creative writing journals.  These journals are more than just simple notebooks but are intended to challenge your more creative side. Each one, the Faith and Lettering Journal, The Illustrated Word and Illuminate Your Story Journal teaches and showcase different creative lettering, drawing or coloring techniques.  When these journals arrived in the mail, I let my oldest three children have a go and pick which one interested them the most. My oldest son picked Illuminate Your Story . This one is perfect for him. It goes through each letter of the alphabet teaching how to creatively craft each letter. This skill is not only fun for journaling but useful if my children want to create crafts on wood (which they enjoy doing) and then hand paint sayings on them. In addition to the tutorials, there are lined pages for journal entries which I noticed my son already has been starting to fill.  My second ...

I made a new friend recently. Since we are presently serving as missionaries in a Mexican border town we decided to join a homeschool group directly across the border in Texas. While receiving the grand tour of my new friend's home, my eyes were immediately drawn to the familiar maroon colored spines filling one of her bookshelves. She too is a fan of YWAM Publishing's missionary stories! I could spot those books a mile away.  I recently have been adding more and more to my collection. Since we are now on the mission field I have officially added "missionary study" to our curriculum. At home, we would always read a story together during our "table time" after Bible and worship time but now, it seemed appropriate to limit our stories to missionary stories to encourage us on our journey.  And it has.  We have been so blessed through these stories.  I actually cried in the middle of reading the Gladys Aylward story aloud to my kids. What a beauti...