Jane VanOsdol of www.onlybyprayer.com and I had such a good time talking during her Talkshoe program the other week.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to it yet, I wanted to make it easy for you to do so.

We talked about so many things! From stress management to the strain illness can cause marriages (and what to do about it) to getting the emotional and financial help you need.  That’s just the beginning!  I LOVED my time with Jane, and I know this discussion will bless you as much as it did me.  To listen, follow this link to Jane’s site: http://onlybyprayer.com/parenting-chronically-ill-children-with-kimberly-ehlers/

When you get there, you’ll see the player (a small arrow) at the end of the article under the Sharing is Caring options.  If the interview does bless you, please take a few seconds to use those options to share with your friends and family.  After you listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

In His Love,

Kimberly

Because of the incredible sale Cindy Rushton is having this week on her amazing notebooking set (it truly is all you need to successfully begin notebooking with your child today), I wanted to share with you what notebooking looks like at our house.

Please remember that if you use my affiliate link to purchase Cindy’s set to e-mail me letting me know and telling me which 1 product from my e-store you would like to have for free.  I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Also, if you watch closely, you’ll get a sneak peak at some of the wonderful material you’ll receive in Cindy’s notebooking set…

The first video is a little longer, but I show you exactly what we do - how we keep it simple and a few of the pages from Cindy’s set we love.  I also share why notebooking has been such a blessing to us.  Enjoy!

 In this short video, you get to see our “notebooking station”.  It’s where we keep all our material to get to easily.  The green notebook is the binder we use during the year to store all the pages Seth makes.  At the end of the year, we make his “official” books.  You can read Cindy’s article to learn more, but she does a great job of explaining this in her sets.  (I apologize in advanced for looking of to the side in this video.  This camera is new to me, and I’m still getting use to it!)

 This set is worth way more than $100.  Get it now for only $37!

Notebooking, ahhh, just the thought makes me hyper! If I could ask every homeschooling family to do just one thing, it would be to just give notebooking a try. This is the one technique that pulls everything together – studies, research, real life, personal interests – everything! It reaches even the most reluctant writer. It makes homeschooling fun and easy. Who wouldn’t want to try that?

Not just that! Everything that normally clutters up the busy homeschool home can be tucked away into a notebook! All of those precious narrations can be safely protected in notebooks. All of those daily copywork lessons can find their home in notebooks on each of the topics that your children love so much. Even those awesome handouts that you have piled up from field trips can find the perfect home in your notebooks! Homeschooling is recorded. An heirloom is built!

Want to Give It a Try?

Getting started is as easy as ABC. Let me take you through the easy steps:

1. Gather your supplies. Your supplies can be as simple as a three-ring binder per child, plastic sheet protectors, and a pencil per child. You can make this as simple or as crafty as you like! Over the years, notebooking has worked so wonderfully in our home that we are constantly on the lookout for different and fun supplies during our daily notebooking time. By doing so, our daily lessons are as fun as a scrapbooking party every day!

2. Make your supplies accessible. Set aside a place for your material and a place for your children to work. There is something wonderful about having a place fore everything and everything reliably in its place. The work in the beginning is well worth the time during the school year. We have a shelf that contains books that I find along the way with great copywork that I would like for my children to add to their notebooks on those no ideas are flowing days. Just having everything there, ready to go, is such a blessing on those busy mornings. Plus, I have learned over the years that this is the best way to really utilize the resources that I have on my shelves.

Just file away any pages or pictures in either manila envelopes or file folders. If the children know where they are, they are more than likely to use them on their own. Also, you will want to use anything else that you have in your home. I keep our paints, papers (plain and colored cardstock and 20 lb. paper; writing paper, etc.), glues, templates, cutting utensils, rulers, markers, pens, pencils, etc. on a shelf and in plastic bins by our dining table (where we do our daily lessons). They are in their spot and that spot is close by. If we want to encourage our young writers, we must give them free access to the best materials.

3. Turn your children loose! Yep! This is all that is left! Inevitably, when I teach workshops on notebooking, I can almost see the brains of mothers clicking away with one tough reality.  If only I had more time to do this!  Oh, beloved! Notebooking is not another thing for you to do! The hard part is learning what this is all about and how to get everything together so we can turn our children loose!

When we began notebooking, I copied a Bible verse a day as a model for my son to copy. As he copied his verse, he would place his page for the day in a plastic sheet protector and add it to his notebook. The next day, his page for that day would slide in behind that page. The next day, he would add another page in another page protector. We built the entire notebook; not specific divisions or subjects. We chose not to divide by subjects because we wanted a nice full “product” built over time. As we added to the notebook each day, I could see the delight building in my young writers. they would sit and just flip through the pages. They loved seeing success. They loved seeing the notebook build up.

As time went on, my son began to find and copy poems that he liked, songs from the church hymnal or from his history lessons. He began a collection of art prints. He added maps that highlighted journeys. At the end of the first year, we had a bulging notebook and a young writer who had gone from reluctant to really excited! The notebook quickly became “his own” notebook. At the end of the year, we divided our notebooks (there was no room to add anything else) into obvious divisions. We had a Bible notebook, a history notebook, a poetry notebook, and another copybook. All of these have continued and several have divided into other notebooks through the years (he now has four history notebooks—Great Men and Women of the Civil War, Battles of the Civil War, Military Notebook, and World History Timeline Notebook! And that is just history!). As your children dig into their interests, they may have other notebooks that develop. Let them go! You will learn more about your children as they learn more about topics and writing!

So, What Do You Think? Want to give it a try? If I could ask every homeschooling family to do just one thing, it would be to just give notebooking a try. So, think about it. Pray about it. Then, get those supplies. Set aside a spot for your supplies. Then, turn those budding young writers loose!

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Need MORE Help?   Cindy Rushton, who has become known as THE BINDER QUEEN, uses notebooking for EVERY subject in her homeschool. She will show you how to begin whether your child is a toddler or the most skeptical high schooler. AND she will take your hand as she walks you through notebooking each subject. Wonder how? Don’t miss her crazy offer here: http://tinyurl.com/893eyl2

(To be clear and to SWEETEN the deal, the above link is my affiliate link.  I became Cindy’s affiliate because she introduced my family to notebooking, and I am so grateful for her!  I am also proud to share her incredible sets with you – I love them and know they will bless your family too.  How will I sweeten the deal?  Well, if you use my link above to get Cindy’s set for a steal at $37, you can also pick out any 1 item from MY estore for free.  Just e-mail me letting me know that you ordered through my link and what item you would like !)

Hi, Everyone,
I was blessed with the opportunity to do an interview with a friend, Christina Pilkington, about homeschooling a child with a serious/chronic illness. You can read that interview here: http://christinapilkington.com/2012/04/14/homeschooling-with-a-sick-child-my-interview-with-kimberly-ehlers/ .  If you homeschool, I can’t recommend getting connected with Christina enough.  She is  smart, sweet, and full of incredible ideas that help you to take advantage of your child’s interests and talents to give them an excellent education.  You will love her.

Also, on Monday, I am doing a live interview with Jane from www.onlybyprayer.com.  You know her sister, Mary, from the wonderful Take 5! devotions she provides for us.  I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this talk with Jane.  She chose some excellent topics like stress and marriage.  It’s going to be a great program, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.  If you follow the link below you will find out how you can join us (it’s at 1:00 CST).  If you can’t make it live you will be able to listen at your convenience.  I would love to “see” you there!

Only By Prayer Podcast – Live & Recorded Episodes:

In His Love,

Kimberly

Yesterday, I started reading the book of Job again, I’d like to share my thoughts with you, and, hopefully, hear yours.  This time I was struck at how arrogantly satan waltzed right up to God with his evil little plan.  I thought, “Who does he think he is?”  To talk to God with no humility at all?  To act as though he is God’s equal?

Wait a minute.  Gulp, do I act as though satan is equal to God?  Oh, that would never be my intention, but sometimes I give the devil more credit than he deserves – like those times I’m afraid of what problems he might cause or what his plans for me and my family might be.

Maybe it’s that i don’t give God enough credit. I imagine this big battle between God and satan with God frustrated with the devil’s evil ways. Satan is not equal to God. He is not as powerful. He is not an equal god. He is a created, fallen angel, and his demons are even less powerful than him. He parades as a master, bigger than he really is. He is ruler of evil, but he has no power over any child of God.  But do my fears feed his ego?  I’m sure they do.  He is an enemy of God, but is he even a pest to Him? He is ultimately so small compared to God. God created him, God can destroy him any time He chooses.

In the big picture, what is satan to him? As long as evil is in the air, it’s always available for us to choose. As long as satan roams, we are able to exercise our free will fully. BUT, our sin is not always because of satan.  We can’t blame all our bad choices on him.  Together though, self and satan equal our freedom to become fallen too.

Now, I know we can’t belittle satan’s powers.  They are real, and he is more powerful than us – if we face him alone.  That’s the kicker, we’re never alone.  The Holy Spirit is in us, Christ (whose name causes demons to flee) covers us, and God is our protective Father.  Who is satan to all of that?  I say he’s an annoying wasp with a painful sting whose life can be swatted out of him at any moment.

In 5 words or less, who do you say satan is?

In His Love,

Kimberly

wasp phote by http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2821

Hi, Everyone!

Happy belated New Year!  How is 2012 going for you so far?  The winter time can be so challenging on our health, but it’s especially hard on our kids.  Adding extra illnesses like colds and flu on top of our child’s regular serious or chronic illness can wear us out.  When we’re tired and worried our faith is definitely challenged too!  It’s such a vicious cycle!

With that in mind, let’s start today with some resolutions that will help us remain  physically healthy (or get back to it), and give our faith that extra boost it needs for any struggle that lies ahead.

To help you get some ideas flowing, here’s a list of ideas:

What do you think?  What are 2 or 3 resolutions you can make right now to help yourself be as healthy in body and faith as possible?  Please share in the comment section below – it will be fun to see what everyone has planned AND you can inspire someone else by sharing your great ideas!  Can’t wait to hear from you!

In His Love,

Kimberly

     A friend just shared this video on Facebook, and I thought it was something that every beloved visitor to my site needs to hear. Based, on Jeremiah 29:11, this song speaks God’s truth so clearly. Nothing happens in your life unbeknown to God. Nothing in your life is out of His control. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him. He has a plan for your life, your child’s life and it is good.  We should strive, everyday, walk in this reality.

This video is also beautifully done. About a minute into the song, you will see powerful verses shared. Please feel free to pause the video so that you can allow the timeless laws of God’s love and active presence in your life to soak in. I also appreciated that half way through the song, the visual messages stop with the encouragement to “Just listen to Him to speak to you”.  What do you hear Him say to you?

In His Love,

Kimberly

kimberly@kimberlyehlers.com

Are you ready for Christmas or, like me, and still busy getting there?  It’s funny how all month I thought I still had plenty of time to get everything done and then, all of sudden, Christmas is here!  I confess that I did not do a good job of planning my December before it got here, and when Seth’s weeks of illnesses popped up right away at the beginning of the month, I was not prepared.  Lesson learned!  Next year, I’m getting my “Filling Christmas with Christ” out in the middle of November (or sooner) and getting ready – gift lists, food lists and the invaluable backup plans will be set for December!

Busyness is exactly what causes us to lose sight of the reason we celebrate.  As I feel myself anxiously running through the to do list in my mind, I find the joy of Christ’s birth being replaced with stress.  How about you?

I shared this video on my Facebook page today, and wanted to share it here.  Made to Francesca Battistelli’s “You’re Here”, it’s not only beautiful, but in just a few minutes it will help you to relax and refocus on Jesus.  It’s a wonderful visual reminder of the reason why we are celebrating this weekend – our Lord and Savior came to save and to love us.  He walked this earth caring for people just like you and me.  Be blessed!

Have a very Merry Christmas and may Christ’s presence fill your home!

Kimberly

     My family and I are reading “Tabitha’s Travels – A Family Story for Advent” by Arnold Ytreeide.  We have enjoyed all 3 of Mr. Ytreeide’s Advent stories for families and are disappointed to have reached the last in his series.

At the end of each little chapter, Mr. Ytreeide adds his own thoughts along with Scripture.  One particular reading ended with such a powerful question, I wanted to share it with you.  From p. 52 of his book, he writes, “We don’t really know what lies around the next corner or within the next year, but there is one thing we can know:  Jesus will be right there with us, protecting us, guiding us, or simply helping us endure, no matter what.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

     Give your fears to God – fears about the future, fears about other people, fears about yourself.  He’d love to take your fears and give you peace and joy in return.  Why not let Him?”

     Why not let Him?  What is keeping you from being able to hand over your fears to God?   There are so many reasons, aren’t there?  We have such a desire to protect our children and control their circumstances.  We want to help our child.  The problem is that when we put more responsibility on our own shoulders our fears mount.  We know that we really are not in control of our child’s disease or defects.  We can do everything possible and it may not be enough.   Deep down we know (and hate) that we really can not make everything better for our child, but we don’t give up trying.  We fight a winless battle to control the doctors, the tests, the results, the medicines, and the illness.  We can’t give up, can we?  Of course not.  We keep striving and our fear keeps growing.

     There’s also the question:  Can I trust God with my child?  If I let go of control, if I allow Him to be the protector and helper, will He do it?  In our minds, we may know that He loves us and is good, yet our heart wants to gather our child in, trusting no one else with their safety.   Our fear for our child’s future keeps us from trusting Him.

    The fact is, there’s so much to worry about with our kids, it’s easy to be fearful.  Is it really possible to give your fears to God and experience peace, even joy, during your child’s illness?  In the words of Jesus himself, “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,’” (Matt. 19:16, NKJV).  We can’t defeat our fears by ourselves.  We begin by asking God to take our fears and fill us with His joy and peace instead.  With His help, we train ourselves to recognize our fears.  They may be obvious or cloaked in the need to control or any desire that reveals a lack of trust in Him. We can hand those fears over to God every time they pop up.  This is truly entering into relationship with our Father.  Through this relationship, He really can take your fears.  Why not let Him this Christmas?

In His Love,

Kimberly

Yes, I’m a day late again !  Last night I realized that it was actually Tuesday – not Monday- and I had missed Getting to Know You Tuesday once again.  I hope you’ll accept my excuse because I’m sure you relate…

My son, Seth, has been fighting a bug for 2 weeks now.  It comes and goes.  Just when we think he’s healthy again a fever returns.

That seems to be the story of December doesn’t it?  Our kids (or even us) are sick and, boy, does it interfere with Christmas plans.

 So, what about you?   Is your child or children battling a bug too?  How is your child’s health doing this December?  How can we pray for you?  Please share in the comment box so we can pray for one another.

Love,

Kimberly

P.S. Did you see the Christmas video links I added to the homepage?  It may be just what you need right now .  Also, I will be sharing more videos on my Facebook page.  It’s such a simple way to both celebrate Jesus and lift our Christmas spirit (for more on that, check out yesterdays post “Too Worn Out for Christmas Spirit“).