Ebook to be released this week - Lexi's Homeschool Diary by Cheryl and MacKenzie Moeller

What Homeschool Parents, Homeschool Leaders and Others 

Are Saying About 

“Lexi’s Homeschool Diary”

“Lexi is easy for young children to relate to because she’s fun-loving,
talkative, likeable, and humorous…I can definitely see this book as the
first in a series.”  -- Heidi Strawser, homeschool mom, E-Book Reviews Specialist,
The Schoolhouse Store, Marketing Assistant, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine,
http://www.theoldschoolhousemagazine.com/

“Cheryl and MacKenzie Moeller have created in Lexi a character so
true-to-life. She reminds us that family is, and should be, a wonderful place to grow up, and that having Christ in the center of that family brings both glory to God and security to our children. Who wouldn’t love to have Lexi in their family?” -- Rachel, homeschool mom, Arlington Heights, IL

“An easy read with children or grandchildren on your lap. Not only entertaining, but many old fashioned (Godly) truths within the story line.”
-- John Schmid, father of three homeschool graduates, President, Common Ground Ministries, a singing and prison ministry, http://www.johnschmid.com/, Berlin, OH

“Darling! Loved it! I look forward to sharing it with future grandchildren.”
 --Nancy, homeschool mom of graduates, Arlington Heights, IL

“A window into the heart and mind of a sweet, six year old girl.
 This book will serve as an encouragement to both you and your
young homeschooled children.”
  -- Jennifer Burns, homeschool mom, Head of Homeschool Classical Consortium and H.E.A.R.T., Barrington, IL

“A read aloud for youngsters or to enjoy on their own. Mom-and-daughter authors Cheryl and Mackenzie Moeller have a knack for turning the everyday into a magnetic read.” -- J. Louise Larson, Author, FabJob Guide to Become a Party Planner, Editor, Ennis Journal, Ennis, TX

“Endearing Lexi is wise beyond her six years. I would like to grow up at her house!” -- Pam, homeschool mom, Mendota Heights, MN

“A delightful and exciting story.”
--Mary Ann Green, grandma of three, Fenton, MI

“We love Lexi!” -- Anne and Grace, homeschooled kids, Duncan, OK

“Thanks for writing a children’s novel with homeschooled characters. I haven’t found many fiction books out there from that perspective. I look forward to reading Lexi’s Homeschool Diary to my grandchildren.” -- Karen, homeschool grandma, Brainerd, MN

"Lexi’s Homeschool Diary enables us to feel the rich environment a prayerful
family can enjoy through choosing to homeschool.” 
-- Barbara, homeschool mom of graduates, Accounts Payable, Total Living Network Television,
Vice-President, Peter P. Loeb Builders and Glasgow Concrete, Inc., Big Rock, IL"

“My daughter and I loved reading about Lexi…It’s an encouragement to
homeschool moms to see we’re doing the right thing.”
-- Amy Pedraja Burnham, homeschool mom, Virtual Assistant, Prospect Heights, IL 

“I'm going to tell all my friends about Lexi.”
--Lauren, homeschooled 3rd grader, Glenview, IL

What 'ya goin to do when the "dog days of summer" hit?

What 'ya goin to do when the "dog days of summer" hit? When it's so warm and muggy; your dog won't walk to the mailbox with you? It's time to sit at the beach during the day or the porch swing at night and read our friend's Chris Fabry's new fiction coming out August 1.

Theme: wholeness, forgiveness

Free ebook

Planet Mom

Planet Mom is a wild and wonderful place where kids swing on ceiling fans, diapers appear four days later in the trunk, and children think bread is made out of deer (doe (dough)…a deer…a female deer).

Find out 99 true and amazing reasons why you should become a permanent resident of Planet Mom (or be thankful if you already are!). You’ll realize that you’re doing the most important job in the world…and the results are out of this world!

Together, Jill Hart and Cheryl Moeller are a dangerous and delightful team who share their real life experience.

Click below for your free ebook

Planet Mom!

Congratulations to Brent on his College Graduation

Brent and his beautiful girlfriend Bre celebrate Brent's Graduation this week. Brent has a great job in marketing and has already started a MBA.

Christmas Sermon - Christmas On Location: Home to the Powerful and Cruel

Christmas on Location: Rome - 4 B.C. Home to the Powerful and Cruel

By Bob Moeller

Luke 2:1-7

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” Luke 2:1

Who rules our world?

1. God sets up and takes down the people who control our lives.
• Daniel 4:32 “Seven times (years) will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
“(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.” Luke 2:2-3
Who rules our world?

2. God directs the decisions that impact our lives.
Proverbs 21:1 “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; (God) directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.” Luke 2:5

Who rules our world?

3. God chooses the time and place where our lives will be changed forever.
• Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One who will be Ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "
“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Luke 2:5

Who rules our world?

4. God controls the suffering others can impose on us.
• Acts 4:27-28 “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7
Who rules our world?

5. What others use to hurt us God uses to save us.
• Genesis 50:20
"Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Conclusion: Some very good reasons to be strong and courageous this Christmas season…
• No one can do anything to you until God gives them permission.
• If God gives them permission they now are serving Him like it or not…
• When God is finished so are they…
• In the end Heaven wins and so do we.


(Like a River Glorious)
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

(Be Still My Soul)
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake.
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know.
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord. When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Little Proverbs 31 Women

A Mother's Day Treat: Megan, 11, and MacKenzie Moeller, 9, said Proverbs 31 from memory in all six services Sunday at Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church. Big brother Robby, 26, high school ministries intern, introduced them.

Proverbs 31:10-31

10 ^[c] A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

TMYP: Text Message Your Preschooler

There comes a time in every child's life when they are finally too old for the baby monitor...

That’s when it’s time to move on to cell phone text messaging between you and your preschoolers. Forget those outdated phonetics and learning the ABC's -- today's hip family is moving straight into texting. Everything these days from business alerts to love notes are getting abbreviated in texts. Kids don't need to learn to read "See Spot run." They need to be able to alert their mothers to pending demands for munchies: *S4C = Starving for Cookies. See how it works?

Look at all the positive advantages to staying in touch with your preschoolers by texting...

You can stay in close communication when you are at the stove and they are sitting at the table building a Lego castle. That way you can accede to their demands and tantrums in real time. Today’s busy preschoolers simply don’t have the time for a normal give and take conversation. They live in an on demand world, so when they demand a Juicy Juice texting allows you just in time delivery.

Another advantage is that your preschooler is more apt to respond to your text message than your voice. Let's say your four year old is going on a bike ride with dad. Don’t yell out the door, “Kyle are you wearing your helmet? That is so yesterday. Just text him, K RU Wearing HMIT? He’s sure to answer with something like, HOSBO. (Helmet on and seatbelt on.)

Texting is quicker and allows for more discreet conversation when called for. For instance, say your child is at grandma's and you remember you didn't send along a diaper. Simply text: RYPT (Remember your Potty Training). When he has a discreet moment he can text message back, 2 LATE.

Texting allows preschoolers to strengthen eye-hand coordination, build small

motor skills and increase vocabulary. Where else do four year olds get to practice on an area the size of a small tooth? It's worth noting that while tots as tiny as three are able to grasp the art of texting, adults, on the other hand, are frequently reduced to tears trying to find the comma on their cell keypad. We recommend checking out resources to help you at your local library such as, Pushing Buttons for Dummies and Grownups.

Text messaging can also be used to help build your preschooler’s self-esteem. Simply send random messages as, URGR8 @ PD (You are great at Play Dough), or HMWYA (Hannah Montana Wants Your Autograph). Your child should never wonder at any given moment what you are thinking.

In the wake of the growing popularity of texting for tots, new related businesses are springing up. One enterprising Chicagoland teen has started a business called Textingfortots, where busy parents can have all sorts of things texted to their preschoolers on an established schedule. Birthday greetings, jokes on April Fool's Day, notes from Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. There’s even reminders to make cards for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Through the service,
kids can also download bedtime stories to their Blackberries.

Text messaging takes most of the work out of parenting. In closing, you can spend more time at the spa to have mud wraps by eliminating facetime and letting technology turn you into a virtual parent. To aid you in your journey toward cyber-nurture here's a handy and up-to-date dictionary of common Preschool Texting Messages and Answers:

SGHWYCT = Show Grandma how well you can talk

G3GO3 = Gaa, Gaa, Gaa, Goo, Goo, Goo

TYN = Take Your Nap

IYD = In your dreams

EYB = Eat Your Broccoli
FVC = Favorite Cereal

NMSOCP = Need more sugar on Cocoa Puffs

DC = Diaper Change?

2 Late = No translation necessary.

*VIN4C = Starving for Cookies

OHFFS = Only Healthy Food for Snacks

PMSOHH = Put More Syrup on Ho-Ho’s

IJMYT = I just made you tofu

RUK? = Are you kidding?

SC$SH = Success with Shopping (found Pampers 50% off)

SB? = Seatbelt On?

PT = Potty Training

2 Late

SC = Drink Your Sippy Cup

JC2LCC = Just Chugged 2 Liter Coca-Cola

TMM = Text Message Me Urgent Please

CTHDFC = Can’t Talk, Helping Dad Find Comma

It should be noted that a recent study found that irritated tots were turning off their new technology gadgets at an alarming rate and climbing into their parent’s laps to demand stories and facetime instead.