So, when I recently came across information for the Child Training Bible, I realized that this may just be the tool that I have been needing!    Starting with any version of the Bible, you can use the charts created by Mindy Dunn and her idea for highlighting and tabbing key Scriptures to create a quick, easy to use, Scripture reference tool.

Mindy has selected Bible verses that pertain to just about every child’s common sinful tendencies (and yes, even their mama’s as well).  From anger to fear, jealousy to laziness, wrong friendships to quarreling – verses are marked and tabbed, ready to be quickly located and shared to show what God’s Word says about each of these sin issues.

A couple of drawbacks about the Child Training Bible:
-The total cost to create our Child Training Bible was around $35.00.  This seems a little pricey, but I believe that the benefit to our family is going to far outweigh this cost!

   What you’ll need to create your own Child Training Bible:

- laminated Child Training Bible charts and instructions created by Mindy Dunn ($9.00)
- package of highlighters, coloring crayons, or colored pencils that match the colors on the laminated charts (yellow, dark blue, red, green, purple, light blue, and pink)
- package of coordinating sticky tabs
- 9 by 6 inch Bible of your choice

-I spent around 4 hours locating and highlighting Scripture verses and tabbing pages.  Again, in the long run, this is not a lot of time compared to the ability to have this handy tool during times of instruction.  Also, I enjoyed being in God’s Word and reviewing the Scripture verses for myself as I put it all together =)

The many things I like about the Child Training Bible:
-It gets all of us delving into God’s Word to read, hear, and see for ourselves what God desires for us, instructing us using His very Words.

I wholeheartedly agree with Mindy Dunn, creator of the Child Training Bible, when she states…

Whenever there is a problem, I want to train my children to immediately run to the Lord, seek His Words, and allow His truth to saturate the situation.

-I was able to use the charts with the version of the Bible that I desire for our family to use and that I know my children understand best.

- The laminated charts include questions to ask your child as well as a short, sample prayer using Scripture to pray with your child that relates to each behavior.

-Mindy and her husband created a tutorial that shows, step by step, how to assemble the Child Training Bible.  Although they do send written instructions, as a visual learner, I do so much better with photos and demonstrations!

- I can easily highlight and tab additional Scripture references that we come across that are fitting for certain discipline areas.  I’ve already added verses from the Joyful Heart Tune Charts, highlighting them in the color that most relates to a specific sin area.  I am sure there will be others as well!

I plan to leave this out for easy access by all in our family and am prepared to turn it into a well worn treasure – just as God’s Word should be.

 Please note that I was not asked to review this product.  I am simply sharing a purchased resource that I think will be beneficial for my own family and is in line with my heart for training and instructing our children in His Ways!

Here’s a quick peek!

Word Maker and Sight Word Find

Word Family Match

Word Family Houses and Pictures/Words to Sort

For descriptions of the above activities and free printables
to go along with 14 different short vowel word families,
please visit the Word Family Resources at Hubbard’s Cupboard.

I follow a homeschool blog by Carisa called 1+1+1=1.  If you are a teacher, parent, and/or a homeschooler and have not visited her blog, I urge you to do so. =)  Since coming online in 2007, she has regularly created and shared wonderful resources for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.

As I was browsing blogs in my reader this evening, I came across a post from Carisa called Easy Readers for iPads and Tablets.  As I read through her post, I was becoming more and more excited at the idea she was presenting – making PDF booklets available for use on iPads and other devices.

Why would this excite me?  

…because Hubbard’s Cupboard has over 50 sight word booklets and 28 word family booklets already in PDF format.

You have always been able to print small black and white versions as well as full size versions of these booklets (many in color) to use at home or in the classroom.   Now, piggy backing off of Carisa’s idea, simply download the ‘Teacher Versions’, save them to your device, and you can create a whole bookshelf of emergent readers for your beginning reader to enjoy on your iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc.  It saves paper and it’s portable!

My technology loving husband had fun experimenting and here is what it looked like on his devices…

iPad – This was successful!  I can’t wait for our newest up and coming reader to test it out.

Kindle – This could work.  It just converted the booklet to grayscale.

iPhone/iPod Touch – This option even performed well – just on a smaller scale!

printable booklets that you’ve come to love
+
new technology
=
just one more way to enhance the reading skills of your young child

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.   (Isaiah 53:5)

What a small, but powerful reminder that we will carry with us everywhere we go today… Christ died for our sins!  He died for me.  He loved me and took my place – suffering the punishment that I deserved. 

The original idea was found on The Celebrated Family blog. 

Colorful Light Ray Crosses from Housing a Forest

This was a great craft that our four oldest children, ages 4-10, all delighted in completing!

and Ukrainian Easter Egg Art from Alpha Mom

  
Our eggs were not nearly as bright and colorful as the original ones in the link above, but the kids enjoyed seeing what would happen with each additional layer of white crayon and paint.

Some ideas the kids came up with on their own…

An Easter Scene Peek-a-Box

Our son gathered materials and proceeded to create a scene from the Bible –a cross, empty tomb, and linen cloth – accompanied on the outside with a relevant verse of Scripture from Matthew 28:6!

He is not here.  He has risen, just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.

and Telling the Easter story through Legos!

The Triumphal Entry…  Mark 11:1-11
(Can you see the palm branches?)

The Last Supper / Passover Meal…  Mark 14:12-26
(Jesus and his 12 disciples, complete with the bread and the cup…)

Jesus Praying in the Garden… Mark 14:32-41
(Yes, there are the sleeping apostles as well.)

Jesus Being Arrested and the Disciples Fleeing… Mark 14:43-50
(The kids included a couple of disciples running away and one cutting the ear of a soldier – well, ahem, a hand in this Lego rendition…)

The Three Crosses… Mark 15:25-26
(complete with the sign stating ‘King of the Jews’)
 

The Empty Tomb… Matthew 28:1-10
(Note an angel atop the stone that was rolled away and the fallen guards.)
     

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

May you enjoy your Easter weekend, celebrating our risen Savior!

So, in addition to singing and meditating on Proverbs 17:14 again, God led us to another verse in Proverbs that seems to fit the situation well…

Proverbs 10:17

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Some key phrases to contemplate and share with our little ones…

“heeds discipline”

- To ‘heed’ is to pay careful attention to.  Some versions say ‘receive’ which is to take and welcome.

- Other versions also use ‘instruction’ or ‘corrections’ in the place of discipline.    All of these imply some type of learning and training in order to grow or improve … to learn from it, retain it, and obey it.

- John Gill, in his commentary, states for “the instruction in righteousness which the Scriptures give… and instruction into the mind and will of God about man’s salvation…”  (This is a good reminder to me to refer the kids to God’s Word in the Bible as I am correcting, disciplining, or instructing them.)

“shows the way to life”

- The way to life (eternal life in Christ) is not by works, but our outward obedience can point and direct others to Christ.

“ignores correction”

- rejects, refuses, disregards, or neglects
- Matthew Henry, in his commentary, states that they “willfully and obstinately refuse it when it is offered to them.”
- John Gill says “He that rejects the counsel and advice, the admonitions and reproofs, given in the word of God…”

“leads others astray”

-How we respond to discipline, correction, and instruction not only affects us, but others as well (siblings, younger children, friends, etc.)

Lots of conversation centered around one single verse of God’s living Word!

And, of course, I had to make some printables to go along with the verse =)  As always, there is a chart, strips to cut apart and rearrange, copywork, and a color sheet.  You can download them for free at my website – Hubbard’s Cupboard Bible Memorization  (just scroll down to Proverbs 10:17).  Enjoy!

Today, I want to share the practical side to a few of these goals. (And, perhaps, some of you with similar goals might join me!)

1) Being filled more with gratitude than complaining

My dear sister in law bought 1000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are for me this Christmas. With the break in school and some uncommon free time, I devoured the book!

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Ann Voskamp’s book – so poignant -

…how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace. Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life.  (p. 39)

…that habit of discontentment can only be driven out by hammering in one iron sharper. The sleek pin of gratitude.   (p. 50)

To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave it, to know it as coming from God and to know its place and function within the cosmos created by God. To name a thing, in other words, is to bless God for it and in it.     (p. 53)

God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.   (p. 57)

So, with my pen and gratitude journal in hand, I am taking the challenge to write down and name 1000 gifts from God this year!  Want to join me?  Over at Ann’s website, A Holy Experience, she is kicking off the year with a challenge to us all- The Joy Dare: Count 1000 Gifts in 2012 (and a giveaway!).

2) That I pray more diligently

Again, my sister in law shared with me a link to Praying Proverbs 31: Prayers For a Daughter’s Virtue.  It is a book written by Tracy Glockle that contains prayers for our daughters that stem from Proverbs 31.  Over the course of 10 weeks, I plan to pray for each of our three girls – focused prayers on virtue, purity, vision, service, etc. After completing this, I hope to pray for our sons using Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need It Most by Brooke McGlothlin.   I also want to regularly pray through the related Scriptures that accompanied each of my goals.  Intentional, focused prayers that offer me one way to pray more diligently in the new year!  

3) That my children witness me growing in Christ-likeness

I can only grow if I am studying His Word! I already read the Bible daily, but I want to have a plan to dig deeper. After growing and being challenged in the Good Morning Girls’ Ministry of Motherhood Book Study last summer and then taking the fall study off due to WAY TOO MUCH on my plate, I am now ready to dive back into the online winter study. For the next three months, I hope to study, verse by verse, the book of Ephesians. Good Morning Girls has made it so easy to start!  I just need to print the schedule and S.O.A.P study sheets out, place everything in a binder, and prayerfully work through the verses each morning.

4) That I fully trust God for all the unknowns

I will have many opportunities this year to trust Him for the unknowns! With our involvement with Wycliffe alone there are a myriad of unknowns – What is the timing of us being fully supported and able to be released for our assignment?  When do we place our home on the market and how do we find time to prep the house for sale and continue to have time for day to day duties and homeschool?  How long will it take to sell?  Where will we be living at the end of this year?  What are the logistics for taking the required linguistics courses?  I could continue to ramble on with questions, but that is not productive. I must turn to Christ and trust Him fully for the timing and details… and rest secure in His loving hand. I plan to reread and reflect frequently on His past faithfulness and on my growing compilation of 1000 gifts.  Being able to remember Christ’s past faithfulness will help me to not be anxious about the future.

He is the potter and I am the clay. May Christ mold me-
my heart, my mind, my actions
– to be what He desires for me to be.
Through His strength.  For His glory.

that I delight more in God and His Word than in falling prey to the fear of man?

Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25

that I fully trust God for all of the unknowns?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

that I learn how to love others more deeply?

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4

that I am filled more with gratitude than with complaining?

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:15-16

that I allow Christ to subdue my tongue and I become skilled at speaking in a manner that builds up rather than tears down?

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:28-30

that my children witness me growing in Christ-likeness?

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18a

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a

that I pray more diligently?

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Lord, through Christ and Your Holy Spirit, may it be so!  For in that, in You, it would truly be a great year.  Center my life on You.  Prepare my heart and mind for what You have in store for my family and I this coming year.

Each December, we enjoy our activity countdown to Christmas- sometimes on a countdown chain, sometimes tucked inside our advent nativity calendar. 

We look forward to crafts…

an annual family game…

singing carols…

completing our nightly star chart…

and making yummy Christmas treats!

Is our family simply looking forward to the gifts, the special holiday treats, sights of Christmas lights strung from the housetops and on trees, a time off from regular school work, enjoyable activities and crafts as a family, a chance to be with family and friends? 

Those are all good things.  And so, from the outside one might say, ‘Yes. They are just making memories!’  We do pray that these young minds and hearts are developing precious memories to carry with them as they age, but also SO MUCH MORE.  We desire for there to be depth to our childrens’ memories – looking past the actual crafts with the shimmering glitter and splattered paint, through the yummy Christmas treat experiments, around the daily countdown, over the gifts that begin to appear beneath the tree ….. and straight to the cross.

For, in the midst of all the activity, we try to focus on the ‘why’ of the season. 
Why do we celebrate Christmas? 
Why is there so much fuss over the coming of one certain day each year? 

Because in the midst of a dark world, God chose to send His Son to bring us Light
– to BE the Light.
While we were darkened and trapped by our rebellion and sins,
God sent His One and Only Son into the world to redeem us
– to save us from our sins.

No, the Bible doesn’t tell us that Jesus was born on December 25.  But, we take this time to reflect on the humble birth of our heavenly King, the LIGHT of the world.  He is the GIFT, the PROMISE that everyone in the Jewish world was anticipating, and the HOPE that our hearts and souls desperately need. 

The Light for a dark world…

1 John 1:9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

 
May we set our hearts on Him.

Isaiah 60:1-3

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
   and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
   and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
   and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

I know there are some random generators out there for blog giveaways, but seeing as this is our first ever giveaway, we simply had our darling children draw names the old fashioned way.  5 kids and 5 winners!

So, without further ado, here are our winners….

Andi Hogan
Alicia
Joshua H.
Nina Jones
Stephen Schiller

Congratulations!!!

We will be emailing the winners their codes so you can have access to your free app – Your Turn – Kid Timer!  After you try it out, my hubby would love additional feedback over at the Apple App Store =)  And, for those of you whose names were not drawn, Your Turn – Kid Timer is still available in the Apple App Store – on sale for $1.99 through January 31, 2012.   Thanks to all who participated!!