Current Reads

Evidence of Harm, David Kirby

Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy. This gripping tale has all the elements of a well-crafted mystery novel: heart-wrenching tragedy, government conspiracy, corporate greed, unanswered questions and unlikely heroes. What makes it even more compelling is that it is not fiction; it's a true story. This is a must read!

Website: Evidence of Harm

100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, Cathy Duffy

It's interesting how children from the same family can exhibit totally different learning styles. Jonathan tends to be an auditory/kinesthetic learner, while Elizabeth is a visual learner. The same curriculum that works for one is not always the best for another. This is one reason why homeschooling is wonderful for our family; the curriculum choices can be tailored to each child.

In her newest book, Cathy Duffy thoroughly discusses different learning styles, teaching approaches and general resources along with her top curriculum picks in each subject area. I was encouraged to see our choices for next year included in this book. Duffy features reviews of additional curricula on her website.

Surrender, Nancy Leigh Demoss

At our women's retreat earlier this year, we were encouraged to ask the Lord for a verse for the year and a word for the year. I did, and He answered clearly. My verse was to be Psalm 46:5--"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved." My word for the year: "Surrender."

I knew which book I needed to read next. It was not a coincidence that I already had Nancy Leigh Demoss's book, Surrender, sitting on my nightstand. I had already read her book Brokenness, so I expected that this one would be equally challenging, convicting and encouraging. I was not wrong.

Excerpts:

"To surrender to the Creator's control is not burdensome; it is, in fact, the place of blessing, fullness and peace."

"Trust or tyranny. That is the option. Trust the promises of God--which will free you to live joyfully under His loving Lordship--or live under tyranny of that which you will not surrender."

"Once a lifetime surrender has been made, many of our battles will be less difficult to fight, because the outcome--Jesus is Lord--has already been established."

Family Read Aloud:

Pagoo, Holling C. Holling

I cannot believe this book has been sitting idly on our bookshelf, unread, until now. We are enjoying the delightful adventures of a hermit crab named Pagoo while painlessly learning marine science at the same time. The illustrations are amazing and the narration would have Charlotte Mason nodding in approval. This excerpt elicited many giggles:

"Once he started eating, Pagoo found that this ocean was one huge kettle of food. Besides crisp diatom vegetables, this kettle held soft plant jellies, or algae. Wonderful algae seaweed salads came with meat floating by from the feasts of fishes. Waves churned all food into bits so small that the water itself became a sort of soup. Being sea water, of course the soup was salted exactly right. Pagoo could lie in soup and eat it too, so he was happy."

Jonathan's current fun read:

Robot, Roger Bridgman

This is left-brained mind candy for the technically inclined. As a result of reading this book, Jonathan has been lobbying Dad daily for a robot dog. Shadow doesn't feel threatened, but Mom does!

"Of making many books there is no end..." Ecclesiastes 12:12