Search

Something to Think About
Go... Make a Difference

Let us not become weary in doing
good, for at the proper time we will
reap a harvest if we do not give up.
(Galations 6:9)

Twitter Posts

Search Makeadiff21.com

Powered by Squarespace
Recent Items

Entries by MAD21 (1057)

Sunday
Aug022009

YOB: #5. Go To The Beach In Winter (Lara)

By Lara

It has come to my attention that I never gave my perspective on making a sandcastle on the beach in winter. That is going to be my #1 priority today. Right now, in fact.

I believe the concept was born of the fact that neither Beth nor I like to feel hot. The beach is typically reserved for those people who enjoy sweating and sunburns. As I am not someone who enjoys either, I tend to avoid the beach. At least, I used to avoid the beach. Until Kate got a jeep. Assateague Island has an off-roading beach. That is much cooler than a regular beach that you have to walk to.

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Aug012009

Some Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

By MAD21

Family Education recently had a pretty good article regarding some of "The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling" written by Isabel Shaw.

Ms. Shaw states: "Homeschooling is becoming more popular every day, with a growth rate of 7 to 15 percent per year. There are about two million children currently learning at home. Homeschooled kids do well on standardized tests, are welcome at college and universities, and as adults, have a reputation for being self-directed learners and reliable employees...Almost ten years ago, when I was making the decision to homeschool, I wrote up a list of pros and cons. The pros won me over, but since then, I've discovered there were many more pros and cons that I couldn't possibly have anticipated! To help other parents who are considering homeschooling, here is a new list of pros and cons. This list is based on both my experience and the experiences of dozens of families who've shared with me the ups and downs of their day-to-day homeschooling."

Go check out what Ms Shaw has to say. She makes some good points.

Saturday
Aug012009

Giving Out TMI

By MAD21

I stumbled across a great article on the website BeingGirl written by Anastasia Goodstein, called "Identity Theft: Another Reason You Shouldn't Share TMI Online." For those reading this, TMI is TOO MUCH INFORMATION. But then, if you didn't know that, maybe you shouldn't be reading this because you don't text, Facebook, MySpace, etc. anyway  :o)

I know, I know. You've heard it all before. You hear it from your parents, your friend's parents, your teachers, and probably every other adult in your life."Don't give out too much information about yourself in the digital world, be it texting, or any of the social online networks..." But you know? You really need to listen. Because I don't think most of you do.

There are tons of people and places telling you all kinds of information about why you should not post too much information about you or your friends. Everyone is telling all the reasons not to share, even if you think only your friends are seeing it (and putting all your settings to 'private' doesn't always work). But having many teens in our family, I can say with certainty, I still don't think most of you are listening. Just go to YouTube. Go and see how many videos of teens dancing around and talking you can find in five minutes. It would shock you. If you were a predator, how long would it take you to find out enough information about one of them to figure out how to find them in person.

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Aug012009

How Can Kids Search The Internet Safely, And Still Learn Something?

By MAD21

AskKids is a kid safe search engine that allows age appropriate searches of the internet for answers to common (and uncommon) questions.

This site was created by the makers of Ask.com, who decided it was not appropriate to let all answers be shown for any topic asked if children were the ones asking.  So, AskKids was born for kids age 6-12.  Every website result is hand picked for cleanliness.

The main page looks like notebook (including being able to scribble on it with pen, pencil, and highlighter, and stickers).

Top level sections include Schoolhouse, Movies, Games, Video, and Images.

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Aug012009

Casting Our Burdens

By MAD21

We all have a lot of good and bad things going on in our lives. The good things we call good, the bad we call burdens. The dictionary defines it as: "...something that is carried; a load; something that is borne with difficulty or obligation." There are a few ways of looking at burdens. One is in the negative. We could whine about how hard we have it, or how great things would be if we didn't have to deal with it.

But burdens aren't always a bad thing. For one, they help us appreciate all the good we have in our lives. But they also keep us humble, and they keep us at a point where we eventually run back to God (you know, after we've tried to handle it all on our own--and you know you do). Burdens also help us to grow, they push us outside of our comfort zone.

You don't have to walk around like Pollyanna and find the 'glad' in all things. But seriously, as you go through your day, try to find the positive in every situation. Sometimes, just changing your attitude or perspective will help you think more clearly and stay focused on the goal, the destination. Not just the distractions along the way.

God wants to help us bear the load of all of our life's burdens. Take them to Him along with your humble self. See that it can bring you to a better awareness of His love for you in every situation.

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you..." (Psalm 55:22 ESV)