Kid Niche Christian Books ( A Homeschool Crew Review )

Up until last year, we always tried to include a daily Bible study into our school day.  However, that changed when Ashleigh began AWANA, which meant that each day, Ashleigh and I were working through her book to help her memorize and understand the scriptures she needed for the week.  This also meant that Garrett, who wasn't interested in participating in AWANA, was not working on Bible studies and left me with feelings of guilt.

When I was given the opportunity to review Weave Your Word in Me -- Part 1, a Bible and prayer study for tweens aged students from Kid Niche Christian Books, I was interested.  I had already been thinking about adding a weekly Bible study for just Garrett to work through on the days the girls were gone to AWANA.

About Weave Your Word in Me -- Part 1

Weave Your Word in Me--Part 1 is the first half of a two-part Bible study written by Susan Case Bonner that revolves around the

Lord's Prayer. It is targeted for students 4th-6th Grade or for family devotionals.  Designed to be placed in a three-ring binder, the study consists of 72 loosed leaf, full color illustrated pages pre-punched for standard three-ring binders on heavy 70# paper.

The study consists of 36 lessons. The first half focuses on "God the Father" while the second half of the study focuses on "God the Son" (part 2 of the study continues with "What God Wants" and "God the Holy Spirit").  Each lesson consists of scripture to read, fill-in-the-blank style passages, illustrations, and activities that help the child to focus on the topic and to reflect on what they are learning.  Additional activities that can be used to look deeper into the lesson can be found online.

This study is designed around a prayer (My Whole Self Before You) which is modeled after the Lord's Prayer.  I'm not familiar with this prayer but it seems like it uses the ideas behind the original into a more simplified, child-friendly version.  For example, instead of "Give us this day our daily bread",
My Whole Self Before You states "Please give me those things, God, you know that I need".

How We Used It

Garrett noticing the word "tween" on the cover

Garrett just turned 11 this month and we made a big deal out of the fact he was now considered a "tween".  So he was very happy to see that this study made mention of being designed for Tweens right on the cover.  That immediately helped him to make a connection to this study being just for him and would not be something that he would have to share with his sister. It also thrilled Garrett to know that this was a study he and I would do together, while the girls were away at Chapel so that we could share alone time - just him, myself and God.

Each lesson is between one to three pages in length. The scripture readings and the text of the study are not overwhelming for him so it was very easy for him to complete even the longer lessons in one sitting without much struggle.  Garrett was also happy to find that the blanks for him to fill his answers in providing plenty of room since he tends to write big and often gets frustrated when he lacks space.

This study is designed to be used with following Bible translations:  King James Version (KJV), English Standard Version (ESV), New King James Version (NKJV), New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Bible (NASB) and New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE). While not one of the recommended translations, we used the Holoman Christian Standard Bible to complete our lessons, as that tends to be the version Garrett seems most comfortable reading from due to wording and print size. Although I did keep my own copy of New Living Translation (NLT) beside me as well as BibleGateway pulled up on my Kindle just in case. So far, however,  we have not needed them.

Here's a video of Garrett reading one of the scripture selections from the study.

I really like the larger font used in this study.  My eyesight is not what it was when I was younger and the larger print meant that I did not have to remove the study from in front of Garrett in order to help him with a word - I could simply read it from beside him. Garrett also liked the larger font because it was easier for him to concentrate on the words on the page. He tends to trip over words while reading with smaller text.

Extra space to write - and can you tell my son thinks with his stomach?

Since the text made it easier for Garrett to read, this meant that I was able to let him sit with the study and his Bible in front of him and he would work his way through the day's study.  Then, we would sit together and discuss what the material covered so that I could make sure Garrett was grasping the information.

We really enjoyed accessing the extra activities on the website as well.  These are small tidbits of information accompanied by songs, prayers and other information that goes a bit more into the topic of each lesson.

Also included on the website is actual physical activities that the child can do.  This might be visiting a pottery to observe how the potter molds the clay, designing and coloring their own stained glass, or learning about and writing their own acrostics.  While we didn't always do the actual activity, we still found ways to talk about the material on the website. For example, Garrett had already had the opportunity to watch and talk with a potter who spent much time telling Garrett how clay was made and how the pottery wheel worked.  So he was easily able to relate that experience to the discussion about how God made us with his own hand and shaped us just as a potter shapes the clay.

After doing an activity about the stained glass window depicting Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, we took the time to study and talk about the stained glass window that's in the chapel at our church.  Garrett has always liked the stained glass at our church, but we only recently noticed that it depicted the base that we live on, with Joshua Trees, mountains and even jets flying through the sky.

Garrett's depiction of Jesus Praying at Gethsemane

My only small complaint is that I think the targeted age group (4th-6th grade) are old enough to understand the Lord's Prayer and I prefer Garrett to learn it over My Whole Self Before You. However, the front of the study contains a page that shows a verse/stanza comparison of the two side by side, making it easy for Garrett to read the two and get a better understanding of what Jesus meant in the original.

Garrett's opinion of Weave Your Word in Me?  - "The Bible study is awesome."

Overall, I really do like this Bible Study and I am really appreciating the time that Garrett and I have been spending together with the Lord and will continue to spend our weekly time letting Garrett get to know God better while we spend special time together.

For more information about Kid Niche Christian Books and the Weave Your Word in Me series by Susan Case Bonner, visit their website at http://kidniche.com.  You can also find more information at the following social media sites:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/susancasebonner/

Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/susancasebonner

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/susancasebonner

What Am I Reading: Devotional Edition

This week, I wanted to focus on a few devotional books that I will be reading and working through this year.

I like devotionals because even when you are rushed for time or about to fall down exhausted, they are short enough to allow you that little extra time with God.  I don't use devotionals as a substitute for my actual Bible study and prayer time but just as an easy way to begin the day on the right foot and to end the day with the Lord on my mind and heart.

The devotional I've been starting my day with  is Too Blessed to be Stressed: 3 Minute Devotionals for Women. I was lucky to be provided with an advanced copy of this book prior to the year and have been using it since January 1st.

Not to be confused with the book Too Blessed to be Stressed by the same author, this three minute devotional is a collection of 180 uplifting readings from author Debora M Coty that provide enouragement, humor, inspiration and comfort to start your day.  These devotions start with focusing 1 minute on the provided scripture, 1 minute on the devotional reading for the day and then 1 minute in prayer with the Lord.

I really like that this particular devotional is very lighthearted.  The author is very uplifting and the writing is cheerful but very poignant at the same time.  For example: " Living life, after all, is a series of conscious decisions, an act of the will. So it's up to us to choose to slow down enough to enjoy snapshots of the beauty - like improptu violin concerts, spiderwebs, sunbeams, and puppies - that bring rest and peace to our weary souls".     This particular writing made me realize that one of my son's autistic quirks allows him to do exactly that - he appreciates the beauty in things I totally ignore, like spiderwebs and rainbows cast on the floor from light refracted by our aquarium in the afternoon.  He takes such joy in these little things and I realized reading that God probably smiles down on him for appreciating his creations.    


The second devotional I have been enjoying this year is  Daily Wisdom for Women 2016 Devotional Collection.  This is a collection of 365 devotionals for each day of the year that are encouraging and inspirational.

This particular devotional, which is compiled from various writings by the Barbour Staff, is a bit more serious in tone then the previous devotional but just as uplifting.    It begins each of the daily readings with a scripture selection, followed by a really nice writing and then closes with a short prayer.  The writings include personal stories, scripture interpretation and reflection, and encouragement for both spiritual and personal growth.   Whether it's challenging you to ignore the images on the cover of magazines and appreciate the beauty God has given you or encouraging you not to give up when you fail, each of these writings offers something any woman can relate too.

I look forward to utilizing this book throughout the entire 2016 and I'm sure the 2017 edition will be beside my bed as well.

My night time devotionals are much different from my day time devotionals. Since I tend to read these devotionals after completing my Bible study, I tend to prefer a much more Scripture/Bible centered devotional at night.  One particular devotional that I am working with for night time reflections would be God So Loved You: A 40 Day Devotional by Max Lucado.

You should already know that I am a huge fan of Max Lucado's teaching and many might thing I am a bit too predictable when it comes to always grabbing a new Lucado book.  This is true and I am working on expanding my horizons, so to speak, with others such as Mark Batterson, Francis Chan, John Maxwell, Pete Briscoe and Andy Stanley. However, I haven't found anyone who explains actual scripture in such a way that I understand it clearly as Max Lucado does and that's why I continue to be drawn to him.


This particular gem is a collection of 40 short devotionals that help you to reflect on the different aspects of God's love for us.  Max has such a knack for putting his teachings into such personal examples that really relate to the reader and puts things in perspective and this book is no exception.  I ended up choosing this particular book, however, as a nighttime devotional because I'm reading it out loud to my husband who is on the precipice of becoming a follower of Christ himself and Max is a great teacher to help my husband make an informed decision.

While not a devotional, another great book on my Kindle that I have been reading at night is Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idleman.

 This particular gem was brought to my attention by what I can only feel was a bit of divine intervention, to be honest.  I found this absolutely marvelous six part production entitled The Christmas Experience on RightNow Media.  (Have I mentioned how much I absolutely LOVE RightNow Media??)  We watched this together and all enjoyed Kyle Idleman's laid back approach to spiritual teaching. When I find a teaching style I enjoy, I end up researching other works that person has done - in this case I found another 6 part presentation with Idleman on RightNow entitled Not A Fan.  The synopsis caught my attention and so I watched it over the course of a few days.  I found it VERY informative, especially coming from someone who (as mentioned in a previous post) basically was told you say a quick prayer and you're saved and that's it.  When I found out that the 6 part series was actually an accompaniment to the book by the same name, I purchased it for my Kindle and have been enjoying it very much.  I tend to read a chapter before I hit the sack.

Now, here's why I believe there is some divine intervention involved here. As I read through it, I knew that my husband would be able to relate to Idleman's style of teaching as well but not this particular book.  I mean, he needs to be convinced to be a follower of Jesus in the first place. So another title of Idleman's caught my eye based on the description.  I went looking for information and found where Family Christian was having a contest ending within the hour for a copy of that particular book. I entered and GUESS WHAT?  I won.. So now, I have a copy of AHA 40 Day Challenge Devotional on my nightstand that I'm about to start with Charlie as soon as we're done with the Max Lucado.  GOD IS GOOD!!!!

Alright, one more book...

The final book I've recently added to my nightstand (Okay, I don't have a nightstand. I have a bookshelf beside my bed that has ALL my spiritual books so I have no excuse when I'm in bed).  This was another book that I received a copy of from the publisher but will be forever grateful to add to my bookshelf.

Prayer Points: Praying God's Promises at Your Point of Need

What a beautiful book, from the soft immitation leather cover with trees and Psalm 145:18 ("The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.") embossed into it down to the silken book mark, this is such a lovely book. It is very small and could easily be tucked into your purse. But the real draw of this book is the topics of prayer enclosed in the pages.

Say for example, life is starting to bear down on you and you are feeling overwhelmed but you are at a loss for words as to what exactly to pray for.   An index in the back will point you to a page in the book with a prayer written especially for how you are feeling. Whether you're dealing with emotional abuse, addiction, depression, church problems, conflicts in your marriage or your kids are driving you nuts, there's a suggested prayer as well as scripture suggestions to provide encouragement.

This is a book perfect for a newish believer like myself who finds prayer both difficult and somewhat awkward.  While I'm working on my communication with God, I feel grateful to have this tool when I know I need some guidance and suggestions when praying for the really important issues in my life.

Desperately Seeking Patience

If there's one thing in this world that means more to me than anything else in existence, it's my kids.  They are the one thing that will represent me after I am dead and gone and how I raise them will forever influence who they are and how they will influence their own children later down the road.

But, I have a terrible secret I want to share with you..

As much as I love my kids.. there are days that I do not like them very much.

There, I said it.  There are days I seriously question if I might live to see these heathens grow to adulthood because I'm one turn away from crazy land. 

I once read that "Parenthood is a long term investment, not a short term loan".. Well, let me be honest, if any bank gave me a APR equivalent to the stress levels these kids tend to create,  I would had told the lender to shove it.

I'm willing to bet you know exactly what I mean too because I'm willing to guess that there are times you feel exactly the same way..

It's those days when absolutely nothing goes right and everything that could possible go wrong will.

I had a day much like that yesterday.  I woke up with a terrible toothache that pained me something fierce.  At 40 years old, one of my wisdom teeth decided to make an appearance. It hadn't given me any trouble, however I guess I had brushed a little too aggressively the night prior and my gums were not happy.  Already prone to severe migraine headaches, the throbbing in the back of my jaw only added to the pounding in my head.    I knew it was going to be a hard time getting through our school day.

How Garrett usually is for school.. Ready to do his work.

Somehow I managed to get through reading aloud our chapter out of "Little House on the Prairie" and had sat down at the table with the kids for them to read aloud their sentence selection for their copy work.   The sentence was fairly easy - "So Laura and Mary picked flowers from the weeds and they took the flower to ma, instead of a gopher."

 Garrett, however, did not feel like reading, regardless to how easy it might be, and had one of his meltdowns..

When Garrett has a meltdown, he completely shuts down. When he was younger, he use to throw himself backwards against the ground and for years he had a permanent goose egg on the back of his head because of it.   As he has gotten older and has been able to start articulating his frustration, the violence of his meltdowns has diminished but it is still a very emotional ordeal for him.  He cries, deep heartwrenching sobs and he screams and he is inconsolable.   For this particular meltdown, Garrett proceeded to tell me he was "scared of reading".

I wanted to lose it.. My mouth hurt, my head hurt and here he was throwing a complete fit over the word "So" and this was just the first hour of school for us. Sad to say, I usually do lose it. I hate to admit it, but I tend to raise my voice more than I should at my kids..  I don't hit them, I don't curse at them and I don't scream at them, but I do tend to raise my voice in some desperate attempt to get their attention.

Here's where I'll make the mandatory excuse.. I come from a family of yellers.. Both of my parents were Marines and they yelled, especially my father.  Not that I listened to them any more than my kids currently listen to me if I raise my voice.

You know what they say the definition of a fool is?  Someone who tries the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I admit, I very often play the fool.   My kids are so use to it, it doesn't phase them at all..  How bad of a mom does that make me, to know that I have hollered enough that my kids don't even bat an eyelash when it happens?  This realization makes me feel like The World's Worst Mom.

I know I couldn't keep it up.. and I've been asking God to help me with patience.. But I always seem to resort to losing it rather than letting go..

Yesterday, " I Let Go and Let God. "  I was at the end of my rope, Garrett was at the end of his and we both needed something more than my bellowing like a mule which would only escalate the situation more.

I closed my eyes and I prayed something along the lines of "Lord, give me patience to keep my cool and help Garrett to see that I love him"..   I should mention that while my eyes are close, my youngest daughter is sitting there trying to lift up my eyelid and saying "mom, wake up" in my ear.

Very calmly, with my eyes still closed, I pulled my sobbing son to me and wrapped my arm around him.. Then I opened my eyes and looked into his, already red from crying and I kissed his head.. I explained to him that reading was important and that it was hard but that I knew he could do it..

I didn't yell. I didn't holler.  I didn't get all blustered. I sat with him, my arm around him as we very slowly read our sentence.  What typically takes us about 3 minutes ended up taking us close to 20, but in the end, Garrett read that sentence with minimal help and he was actually pretty proud of himself to have done it.

And I was proud of myself for not jumping off the handle like I am prone to do and instead put it in God's hands and as he promised, he was there for me.

Yes, I may not like my kids at times.. But boy do I love them.. And with God's help by finding the patience I need, hopefully I can show it to them in much more productive ways then raising my voice in frustration.