Wordless Wednesday: December 16, 2020 (w/linky) - Randomness

It's been a long time since I found the time to post a Wordless Wednesday. And I am a day late this week. Oh well, I just wanted to share some random pictures. Some of Callie, who is getting so big, and some Christmas prep, and some snow from our first real snow day.

Callie curled up in the hamper:

Callie in the stroller (thanks to Amelia)

Callie playing with a Christmas ornament:

Callie in the ornament box by Melk (who wants us to make hot chocolate)

And here is the special hot chocolate they made themselves.

Callie and the Christmas Tree (sounds like a book or movie title, lol)

First real snow day:

Homeschool phys. ed.

Looking forward to seeing your Wordless (or not so wordless) Wednesday posts this week.

No button currently, and there won't be one until I can figure it out seeing as Photobucket has changed things. Feel free to still share the picture in place of the button on your Wordless Wednesday post or in a list of Wordless Wednesday linkies. Just link it to my Wordless Wednesday permalink please.

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Before the Wrath {A Review and Giveaway}

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

I've been interested in end times prophecy for about half of my life. Shortly after becoming a Christian I remember being introduced to different movies and books that spoke of the rapture and the tribulation. So, when I was offered the opportunity to watch and review Before the Wrath, I was quite excited. 

I was intrigued to discover that this inspirational documentary/drama is the #1 Christian movie in America. The film is narrated by Kevin Sorbo (God's Not Dead) and is a combination of interviews and a historical drama taking place in ancient Galilee. And it focuses on the "why" of Jesus returning for His church, instead of the "when," and highlights the importance of Biblical prophecy.  

Throughout the film there are interviews with :

• Jack Hibbs - Theologist and host of "Real Life" on SiriusXM
• Amir Tsarfati - Founder and President of Behond Israel
• Jan Markell - Founder of Olive Tree Ministries
• JD Farag - Theologist and Eschatologist 
• Scott McConnell - Exec. Director of Lifeway Research
• Jay McCarl - Ancient Middle Eastern Anthropologist 
• Lizette Dillinger - Qualitative Director of LifeWay Research

This documentary explains the importance of why Jesus is coming back and how we can know this by understanding something as simple, but profound, as a Galilean wedding. They explain the importance of realizing that Jesus spent most of his time in Galilee and that his followers were Galileans. So, in that respect, his parables and stories would be told in a way that they would have understood. So, in order for us to understand his true meaning, we have to understand the culture, not just of the Israelites in the time of Jesus, but specifically of the Galileans. 

There is a lot that I knew, but didn't really understand. I mean, I have read the Bible stories of the bridegroom coming for his bride, and the 10 virgins waiting with their lamps, and Jesus's first miracle taking place in a Canaanite wedding, but their significance only made sense when watching this documentary and being shown the details of a Galilean wedding. In fact, as I watched, there were parts that just gave me goosebumps. 

I love how the pieces are all brought together, from the betrothal through the one year preparation period, to the actual wedding night and feast.

Here are a few screenshots from the film:

The bride accepting the cup at the betrothal

The bride waiting for the bridegroom

The bridegroom coming for his bride at night

The parallels between a Galilean wedding and the the New Covenant that Jesus made with his church truly are profound. We are the bride and we need to willingly accept the cup to be consecrated to Him. Jesus is now preparing his father's house for us, his bride, just as a bridegroom would prepare a room added on to his father's house. At the same time we, as the bride, are to prepare and wait and be ready when the bridegroom comes. And as with the Galilean wedding, only the Father knows the time when he will send the Son for his bride. 

This film was a reminder of how important it is for us to be ready for Jesus's return. However, now that the signs appear to show that his return is drawing even nearer, the church is falling further away, so many not even believing in a literal return of Jesus, and there bickering among those who do believe because there is no agreement on when it will happen. 

Before the Wrath from Ingenuity Films truly is a captivating documentary. One that should be watched by Christians so they can understand the importance of prophecy in Scripture. I loved the combination of interviews with experts and the historical drama. Though most of the drama was told through the narration, there were times when the were some spoken lines. The story was told through the scenes and music and narration, along with the interviews, scenes from modern day, and charts displaying pertinent information. 

I am eager to share this information with my church leaders, perhaps to suggest a Sunday School class viewing. I think it is very important for pastors to be sharing about prophecy and end times, and was very sad to hear that so few actually do, even though it is a significant portion of the Bible. 

Though the film doesn't come out and say we should believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture, it definitely shows why that would be the case. The title itself speaks toward it. I would hope those who don't believe in pre-trib theology would still give this film a chance as it is quite eye-opening. 

Leave a comment below to be entered into the giveaway. Must leave email address so I can reach you. Giveaway ends December 5th. I will choose the winner using a random number generator. 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):

Many thanks to Ingenuity Films for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, from the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Focusing on God's Plan for Our Lives Through Women of the Bible with Truth Becomes Her {A Homeschool Review Crew 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.

I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read the latest release from the Bible Belles series written by Erin Weidemann. Several years ago, the children and I had read a couple of the original stories, all of which focused on women from the Old Testament. This new book, The Adventures of Rooney Cruz RINGLEADERS from Truth Becomes Her, continues the story of a young girl named Rooney, but this time the story focuses on women from the New Testament. 

Not only did we receive the hard cover book, The Adventures of Rooney Cruz RINGLEADERS, we also received a devotional titled, The Adventures of Rooney Cruz RINGLEADERS A Devotional for Girls, RINGLEADERS A Journal for Mothers and Daughters, and a RINGLEADERS Coloring Book.

These books work together to help girls realize that God is with them, cares about them, and has a plan for them. In the original HEARD stories, Rooney was given special "powers" from God, powers we can all have. She was guided by the angel Mari and through stories of five Old Testament women to learn about the powers of Prayer (Hannah), Patience (Esther), Bravery (Abigail), Loyalty (Ruth), and Leadership (Deborah). And in this continuation of her story, Rooney is again taken under the wing of the little angel when she is having struggles in her life. 

However, while Rooney learned about the Old Testament women through a series of five books, the New Testament stories are told in this 200 page chapter book. Rooney learns about six different women in nine chapters:

• Chapter 1: A Leading Lady
• Chapter 2: Setting the Stage
• Chapter 3: The Role of a Lifetime
• Chapter 4: The Show Must Go On
• Chapter 5: Waiting in the Wings
• Chapter 6: Into the Limelight
• Chapter 7: A Dream Role
• Chapter 8: A Tough Act to Follow
• Chapter 9: Center Stage

As you might be able to deduce from the chapter titles, this story revolves around a play. Rooney and her classmates are excited about their new school year and their new play. However, during the course of the year, Rooney has different concerns she needs to work through, and she needs to learn what God actually wants her to say with these "superpowers" he gave her.

First Rooney is concerned because she has these powers, but she still feels afraid and doesn't have confidence. Thanks to the encouragement of her friend, Dani, and the reminder from Mari, she is able to prepare for the audition. She learns, through the story of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John, that God will set the stage, or prepare the way. She is then excited about the possibility of having the lead in the play, and quite disappointed when she doesn't get the part. In fact, she is given the role of understudy, which she isn't sure she wants because it seems like it would be a lot of work for the opportunity to just stay backstage and not actually be in the play. It is at this point that Mari shows Rooney the story of Mary and the birth of Jesus. She learns that God's role for our lives may not be the role that we planned for our own lives. And she says, "Yes" to God the same way Mary did. 

Unfortunately, Rooney's struggles still aren't over. She has feelings of being an outcast, and learns through the story of the Samaritan woman about Jesus being the Messiah and how he came to save us from our sins. In order to explain what sin was, Mari showed her how God is in charge of everything and when we are thinking of ourselves instead of others it is because of our selfish desires. 

And then, after she is content in her role, there is a twist in the story and she finds herself taking on the role of the lead in the play. You'd think she would be thrilled, but she now has new worries. Through the stories of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus, she learns that there is only one thing that is really important, spending time with Jesus. But she still doesn't understand how to do this or what exactly God is trying to tell her. 

It is right before the play is to take place that she is finally made to understand as she is shown the events of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. And we see the role that Mary Magdalene had in spreading the good news of Jesus's resurrection to the disciples. It is also at this point that Rooney truly understands about Jesus, and gives her life to the Lord, and is prepared to share the message with those God brings into her life, through not only the words she speaks but the life she leads. 

I have to admit, having read a couple of the first books, it didn't really dawn on me that Rooney wasn't a Christian. It also appears that she didn't really grow up in a Christian home if she doesn't even know the story of Jesus. That was sort of a surprise. It almost seems like the story was told in reverse and she should have learned about Jesus and became a Christian and THEN been given the different powers to help her live out her Christian live and share the gospel. 

Even though it seemed a bit unrealistic in that aspect to me, I felt that this book did a great job showing the story of Jesus, and how God works in our lives. Helping us to understand our need for him, and his sovereignty over our lives. I do love that this was taught through the stories of women in the Bible. We see how God cares for all of us, even though the stories of the women are usually over looked. 

The book itself is of great quality. It is a sturdy book with thick, glossy pages. The are illustrations on at least every other page which help bring the story to life. 

I love that Mari shows Rooney the Bible stories through a window and they don't actually interact with the people from these stories.

Even though I read the other books to all the children, I had figured this book would be Hannah's. The other girls are a bit old for it now, and Harold isn't really interested. So, I had Hannah read the book independently.

I appreciate that each chapter ends with a Bible verse to help summarize what was focused on in that chapter.

I had mentioned that we also received other books. The devotional and journal fit in with the stories of each of the women featured. I had wanted Hannah to read through the entire story before going back and doing the devotions.

There are six weeks worth of devotions. The first five focus on the women, with the sisters Mary and Martha sharing a week. The final week focuses on Rooney and how the reader learns to share the good news. There is a devotion for every day of the week, which includes Bible verses to read, a reading that is derived from the story, pictures from the story, and activities to do, such as memorize a verse, discuss questions, draw, or write. 

The journal is filled with blank lines and prompts for both the mother and daughter to write on. This isn't something I am sure we are going to use as Hannah is not a huge fan of writing, and I don't want this to be a chore for her.

And of course there is the coloring book which has pictures that come straight out of the story.

Even though Hannah isn't a huge fan of coloring, I do think it will be a fun activity for her.

Altogether these books are a wonderful way to share Jesus with a girl in your life. I was thinking it would be a great Advent activity, or a great Christmas gift to then spend the next several weeks focusing on the story of Jesus. I will say,  it was helpful that we had read the previous books, but I can see this book standing along or being read first and then a girl getting to read the stories from the Old Testament. 

I highly recommend The Adventures of Rooney Cruz RINGLEADERS for a young lady in your life. 

You can find Truth Becomes Her on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BibleBelles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthbecomesher/

And don't forget to click on the banner below to see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of these great books.

Digging Into Archaeology with Drive Thru History® Adventures {A Homeschool Review Crew 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.

We had the pleasure of being able to review Bible Unearthed thanks to the Homeschool Review Crew. This is a course from Drive Thru History® Adventures that is helping us to really dig into archaeology and the importance of how it helps us to understand the ancient world, especially things from the Bible.

We were granted lifetime access to this 12-part digital series.  

The course is geared toward children in upper elementary grades and older. This means the older girls were the children who I felt would get the most out of it. However, one of the reasons I really wanted to review this course is because I am quite interested in ancient history (I have been since I took a course in college), and I love the thought of checking out the accuracy of the Bible. Another reason I was so interested in this course is because we have watched other Drive Thru History® videos in the past, and have really enjoyed them. 

This course features Dave Stotts, who is the host of Drive Thru History®. We loved following on his journeys around the Bible lands. Joining him are Dr. Titus Kennedy, an archaeologist, and Randall Niles who works with Mr. Stotts as a writer of the series. They gather together in their secret lair to teach us through the discussions they are having. They alternate between asking and answering questions, sharing information on a chalkboard, showing off artifacts, sharing slides, and watching videos of Dr. Kennedy in the field. 

As they mention in the first episode, when we are watching the Drive Thru History series, we are getting the archaeology second hand. So, they wanted to have a chance to really get into the archaeology itself. 

When I first logged into the course, I was able to check out the welcome information and the course guide, which helped me decide how we were going to make our way through the course.

Here is a list of the twelve episodes we are working through:

1. What is Archaeology?
2. The Impact of Archaeology
3. Locating Archaeological Sites
4. The Life of an Archaeologist
5. What's Being Discovered Today?
6. Archaeological Mysteries
7. Top Discoveries in Bible Archaeology
8. Getting Involved with Archaeology
9. Trends in Archaeology
10. Weird Archaeology
11. Accidental Discoveries in Archaeology
12. What's Left to be Discovered?

As was to be expected, they started out by defining what archaeology is. Dr. Kennedy is the teacher in the course, the one with the PhD. So, he is quite serious while giving the lessons. And he goes into details using more technical ideas at times. Such as going into the fact that the word archaeology comes from two Greek words which mean "Study of the Ancient." He then goes on to give a long definition, which Mr. Stotts asks to be given in easier to understand terminology. The definition is ultimately boiled down to, "Digging up old stuff." We had to chuckle at that. Where Dr. Kennedy is the serious teacher, Mr. Niles acts as if he is the attentive student eager to learn, and Dave Stotts is the mischievous one.

We are given a brief look at the history of archaeology. They discuss how it started as people who were treasure hunting or even grave robbing. However, during the Renaissance period, there became a real interest in learning about the past. And the discipline we know as archaeology today was birthed out of these "antiquarians."

They go on to discuss some early archaeological excavation sites, such as Pompeii (which we have learned about in our core curriculum) and Troy (which is the topic of the book that captured Dr. Kennedy's attention when he was younger). 

Dr. Kennedy shows us many artifacts. Here he is discussing the Rosetta Stone (of course, this is just a small replica):

This was fun to watch, because we had studied Ancient Egypt a few years ago, and learned about it, and the importance it had in helping us to understand Egyptian hieroglyphs. 

Looking through the slides of some different archaeological sites was quite interesting as well. Some of the places we had learned about, such as Pompeii, Troy, and the Great Pyramids, but we also learned about some new places, such as the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete. 

Here's the slide he showed us of Pompeii:

As we have been making our way through the course, it has been impressed upon us that archaeology is so important because it helps us to better understand the historical context of the Bible, and to understand the historical narratives. We can see the reliability of the Bible, which was thought to just be mythology or propaganda. And when archaeologists have gone in, hoping to DISprove the Bible, they have actually found evidence of it being true. 

It goes on to explain that archaeology helps to fill in the gaps and illuminate passages. We get to see important inscriptions that prove the people, such as King David, actually existed, and events in the Bible actually happened, such as the wandering of the Israelites around 1400 BC. 

They also show and explain different maps of excavation sites.

It was definitely quite interesting learning about the specifics that they have to record while out on the field.

I really enjoyed the clips of Dr. Kennedy out on the field. I think that is because it reminds me more of the Drive Thru History® videos we are used to, with Dave Stotts wandering around in different areas to teach us about them. I admit, this Bible Unearthed course is a bit different than we were expecting, knowing how the other Drive Thru History® series have been. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean we don't like this course. It was just. . . different. I do think the children don't have as much interest in it as I do. However, we will continue to make our way through it.

I've really enjoyed learning about the different artifacts found, artifacts that help us prove that the Israelites were in the land of Canaan, and that King David actually existed as an important historical figure. I was intrigued by the finding of royal seals and steles. Proof that the events in the book of Daniel actually happened. I found it interesting that they are still looking for the exact location of Emmaus, mentioned in the New Testament. There is just so much out there that is being discovered, and is helping to confirm, instead of disprove, the Bible. 

We aren't just getting to watch these amazing videos though. With the Drive Thru History® Adventures, we get additional resources, such as Dig Deeper articles, and worksheets which include summary information and other details (some not included in the videos), plus questions for the children to answer, Bible passages to read, and optional activities, such as mapping an archaeological site, making a time line, and using geography to locate an ancient site.  

I have been watching the videos with the younger children, but it is the older girls who have been working on the worksheets. I have them watch a video each week, and then they are to read the worksheet information and answer the discussion questions. They have mentioned that they have trouble finding the answers at times, and they haven't really been interested in the Digging Deeper articles, but I have found them quite intriguing. 

Amelia has stated that she loves they watching the videos has given her an idea on a story to write. Plus, she said, "we have actual evidence to prove people wrong" when it comes to the events in the Bible.

As we go through the course, I am looking forward to learning about the accidental discoveries and what is left to be discovered. 

This really is a great course, and one I highly recommend. However, if you are used to the other Drive Thru History® series, just be aware that they aren't quite the same. 

If you haven't viewed any of the Drive Thru History® series, I invite you to read my review of Drive Thru History® - The Gospels.

You can find Drive Thru History® Adventures on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Don't forget to click on the banner below to see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Bible Unearthed. 

Littles Learning Link Up: Fall Collage Sign Craft

   

Welcome back to Littles Learning Link up! I'm sorry that I haven't been posting the link up, but we hadn't had co-op for such a long time, and then we had our short summer break. Thankfully, co-op was able to start back up this month (with social distancing guidelines of course). So, now I decided it was time to bring back Littles Learning Link Up.

Each month you will find:

• Posts where I share what I have been doing with the preschoolers and kindergarteners I work with at our homeschool co-op (including occasional highlight posts where I share how we used ideas that have been linked up here on Littles Learning Link Up).
• Possibly some updates on what I am doing with my kiddos here at home.
• The occasional round up post.

Each week, I will host a link up, where you can share either what you have been up to recently, or old posts that may go with the theme. Feel free to link up more than one post.

Each week I will continue to feature a couple of posts from those that have been linked up. 

I hope you will continue to share your wonderful posts, and I hope you will find something new to try with your child(ren).

It would be great for everyone to stop by and visit the other linked-up posts as well. Check them out, leave some comments, pin those that interest you. Let's make this a real party and socialize with each other.

Here's a peek at what we have been up to in our homeschool.

This year we started back at the beginning of the Exploration to 1850 year of My Father's World. We had just gotten so far off track, and the children really hadn't remembered much, so I figured at first I was just going to review, but then I realized they would get more out of it if we focused on the curriculum. Tabitha, however, had kept going independently last year, so she is continuing to work on her own. 

So, we are learning about very early American history. We are currently focusing on colonial times. I don't really have any pictures to share though. 

For math, the children are all using CTCMath again. 

For science Harold and Hannah are continuing with Experience Biology from Journey Homeschool Academy, which I posted a review for in July. Tabitha and Amelia are continuing to use NatureGlo's eScience. That review posted just a few weeks ago.

They are also working on writing practice in preparation for NaNoWriMo that starts in two days. I'm curious to see how their stories turn out. I'm hoping to have time to participate again this year. I didn't have time last year. And I have three stories that have been sitting since past NaNoWriMo's. My poor abandoned characters. 

We do have two review products we are working with right now. In fact, they are our last for a while. I have decided to take a break from the Homeschool Review Crew. At least for this coming year. Who knows what the future may bring. 

Anyway, we are learning about archaeology with Drive Thru History Adventures. That review will be posted next week. And Hannah has been reading a book titled, The Adventures of Rooney Cruz RINGLEADERS from Bible Belles. Look for that review in a couple of weeks.

PreK/K Lessons

Yay, I can post about our co-op lessons again! We have been focusing on fall themes these past four weeks. We started out talking about the four seasons, fall and re-learning some four seasons and leaf songs. 

There are Four Seasons

There are four seasons

There are four seasons

There are four seasons in a year

There are four seasons

There are four seasons

There are four seasons in a year. 

First there's spring and then there's summer, then there's fall and winter too.

First there's spring and then there's summer, then there's fall and winter too.

Leaves are Falling

Leaves are falling, leaves are falling

Trees are bright and leaves are falling

Leaf piles we'll make, we will rake and rake and rake

When trees are bright and leaves are falling

Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down

Autumn leaves are falling down

Lots of colors

Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down

Red and orange yellow and brown

I Love Autumn

We took the children outside and hunted for pretty fall leaves.

Then we worked on a: 

Fall Collage Sign Craft

The children cut out the letters F, A, L, and L, which I had printed out onto card stock.

Then they glued them to construction paper. I had taped two pieces together to fit the letters for the word "FALL." They got to choose which fall colored construction paper to use.

I had printed and cut out little pictures to go with each letter.

Fall flowers for F

Apples and Acorns for A

Leaves for L

Then they added some of their real leaves to the sign.

These are the books we read to go with our craft:

Here are a couple of things I would like to share with you:

Fall Leaves All Around Round Up

Scarecrow Fun Round Up

Now onto:

Littles Learning Link Up Features

On my last Littles Learning Link Up post (months ago), there were 4 wonderful posts linked up. As there were no clicks, will feature two randomly selected posts.

Please, don't forget to stop by other posts that are linked up. See what catches your eye, stop by, pin the post to a relevant board, and perhaps leave a comment to let the author of the blog know you have been by for a visit. I know I appreciate others commenting and letting me know they have read my posts, so I am sure others do too.

This week's first randomly selected post is:

Gale from Scribbleprints shared Where Art Meets Math.

This week's second randomly selected post is:

Kristen from A Mom's Quest to Teach shared Crafts: R is for Redstone

Join the Party!

I would love to have you join in this week! What sort of activities do you do with your young children? Do you have some favorite activities you would like to share? I invite you to link up below. I will be pinning posts on one of my relevant boards, and I would love to feature some of the activities each week from what is linked up.

Please know I may share a picture from your post and link back to it, along with sharing how we used your idea in our school time. By linking up you are giving me permission to use a picture from your post. I will ALWAYS give credit and link back. Additionally, if you choose to try out any of the ideas with your child, please make sure you give credit where credit is due.

Linky will be open through Monday night, to give me time to check out all the posts and get the Features organized. Please take the time to visit some of the other wonderful posts linked up.

No button currently, and there won't be one until I can figure it out seeing as Photobucket has changed things. Feel free to still share the picture in place of the button. Just link it to my Littles Learning Link Up permalink please.

I am sharing over at

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter