Sunday, June 27, 2010

The Joy of Being Me...

I am beginning a new Bible study this week: God's Good Gifts: A Scrapbooking Bible Study for Women's Groups. This first week is a long look into being me.  It might be hard to reflect on ourselves as we are always reflecting on our children or our husband.  It is so much easier to think what we need to do to care for someone else.  But you know what?  We need to celebrate ourselves and the way God made us.  He has equipped us for being us!  Isn't that amazing that God equips us to be just what he needs us to be?  Today, I am putting my thougths in a scrapbook page and thanking God for making me just the way I am.


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Joy of Living in My Strengths

I started this blog back on January 1st, 2010.  I started it with the full intention of sharing my story - my joys!  Some days you read about our homeschooling adventures, while other days you can read about scrapbooking and the overall joy about my walk with the Lord.  Today I wanted to return to that orginal blog post on January 1st.

Today, I am reviewing my strengths.  Many months ago I took the Strengths Finder 2.0 test and finally had on paper a list of my strengths!  Sure we all know what we do well.  But, what about the satisfaction of knowing and seeing on paper a list with detailed descriptions of our strengths?  I have to say it is rather a cool thing to refelct on a list of things we do well, rather than a list of things we have to get done!  But you will see that one of my strengths includes the love of a goal!

So here it is for all the world to see, my list of strengths:

Input
People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.

Achiever
People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.

Relator
People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Learner
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Significance
People who are especially talented in the Significance theme want to be very important in the eyes of others. They are independent and want to be recognized.

Why is it important to know our strengths?  For me, it falls back to one of my strengths!  Learner: I needed to know!  But seriously, I wanted to know to better use my strengths for serving my family, serving in leadership, and in building relationships.  For me, it also explains to me, why I do what I do. 

I love that God gave me these strengths.  I pray that I use these strengths to His glory and His plan!



 

 

 

Friday, June 11, 2010

Creative Friday


A little fun layout. Feels a bit more cluttered than my usual layouts, but fun!

CM Blush Paper and CM Embellies

Monday, June 7, 2010

Product Review Monday: Giving Credit

Today I completed and printed my oldest child's final high school transcript.  (Big sigh!)

It was easy....really.  I used Homeschool Tracker!  And before you think this is one giant ad for Homeschool Tracker, I do not work for them or receive compensation in any way.

We often complain of bad service or products.  But what would happen if we filled our time promoting the really good things out there?  Isn't it great when someone shares a great product, class or book?  I love finding a deal, but a quality product is even better in my mind.

Homeschool Tracker is by far the best homeschool record keeping software around.  If you are even thinking of homeschooling high school, this product is a must.  I am serious when I say it took all the headaches away from the college application process.  In a matter of mere minutes I was able to print a transcript in the proper form required by each individual university.  One university wanted a combined transcript listed by subject, while another school wanted subjects and courses listed by date.  And finally the whopper of them all wanted a transcript listing all courses take listed by subject to include a course description and a list of all materials used notated alphabetically by author.  Yep, eleven pages later and less than ten minutes, they got their transcript as requested!

Homeschool Tracker allows you to even try a free version before you buy the plus version.  I started with the free version and used it years ago before our high school years.  It was great for the first year, but then I wanted more!  Homeschool Tracker Plus, does everything I need it to do, and more!

I as a curriculum developer I look for tools that help me do my job better.  This program saves me time and money, and last but surely not least, it saves me frustration.  Oh, and did I mention they have the BEST customer service in the industry.  Katie goes out of her way to make sure to offer support to you and your needs.  The forum on the site is available to everyone - not just those who pay for the plus version.  So check it out and make planning for next year easy as pie!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Summer Fun

Creative Memories Delight Paper and Letters

Enjoying a quiet afternoon watching Gilmore Girls with my daughter and digi scrapping! Remember to enjoy the sweet moments this summer!