❤️ Happy February, Safe Haven Family! ❤️

UPDATE: This book is no longer free, but it is still available on Amazon for 3.99! Get it here!

I have a special offer this month. Because I ❤️ love ❤️ all of you, from February 4-8, I’m giving a free copy of my e-book called “5 Steps to Becoming a Great Homeschool Parent” to all of you! Please do me a favor, and leave a review on Amazon after you read it. (5-star reviews are preferred 😄, but please give honest feedback.) And please share the link with others who would benefit from reading this book. https://amzn.to/424PZ9q

Please ask them to leave a review too. It would really help me out! Thank you!

❤️ Speaking of books, a really good book about relationships is “Keep Your Love On” by Danny Silk. For this Valentine’s Day, think about getting this book for yourself or your loved one. If you are married or in a serious relationship, you definitely need to read this. If you’re not married, you could still benefit from the solid teaching in this book about relationships. The author is an experienced social worker, group home staff member, program director, pastor, author, speaker, and foster parent. He has helped many people build, strengthen, and heal their relational connections. He teaches about connection, communication, and boundaries.

When I first read this book, I was in a bad place emotionally. I was not feeling very loving toward my husband or anyone else for that matter. But as I read Keep Your Love On, my focus switched from my own feelings to those of my loved ones. I learned that I should do everything out of love for the other person. That I should do whatever I can to preserve the connection. And that I had never really practiced unconditional love. I had always put conditions on my love and my feelings toward people. At first I didn’t agree with the extent that the author said we should go, but as I continued to read, I knew that he was right. There are only two goals in a relationship: connection or disconnection. He said that “I love you” messages drive down the anxiety and create safety. We have to commit to the goal of connection.

He talked about being a powerful person, and I must admit, his definition of it was the opposite of what I thought it would be.
This book changed me and helped me build much stronger relationships with the people in my life. I have given away copies of this book to others, because I believe so strongly in its message. And others have told me that it was powerful in their lives, too.
Our Christian Moms Book Club is reading it this month, so if you would like to discuss it with other moms and have some fun fellowship with likeminded women, please consider joining us Wed., Feb. 21 for our monthly meeting.

As far as current events go, of course we’re watching the border. It’s interesting to see a state asserting its rights and sovereignty in the face of orders from the Federal Government. And it’s interesting to see which states stand with Texas in defending their right to secure their border.

President Trump is winning the caucuses and primaries handily, of course. And all of the lawsuits in the world are not going to stop him from winning the election. If there is an election…

If you’re interested in the real truth behind the news and true history, you might want to check out the latest posts on my blog called 2023 Year in Review. They are chock full of informative posts from Telegram. Lots of important topics are covered like election fraud, covid vax exposure, human and child trafficking, Jan. 6, the power of frequency and music, the fall of the existing financial system and the birth of new financial systems.

I’m praying for our nation and the nations of the world to be set free from the rule of the evil cabal that has been ruling us all with an iron fist for years, even centuries. Join me in praying for the militaries of the world who are fighting for justice and who are rescuing the children who have been abused and trafficked. They have put their lives in great danger for the sake of all the rest of us and for the children.

Please join me in praying for the change to happen soon so that debts will be forgiven (because the banks did all kinds of illegal things), and programs will be put in place to bring emotional, physical, financial and housing relief to people all over the world. These plans are in the works. Let’s pray them into fruition.

Always remember that things are not as they appear. God is on the throne. He has a great plan to rescue us from the power of the enemy. The time has come for the Ancient of Days to stand and pronounce judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High and for us to possess the Kingdom. Daniel 7:21, 22.

Watch this video of Bobby Conner talking about a prophetic encounter in which God told him that this is the time that the saints will prevail and we will possess the Kingdom. But we have to get into the Word of God in order to fulfill this.

And if you want a fresh look at End Times theology check out Johnny Enlow’s most important message ever.

~~~~~ Homeschool Corner ~~~~~

10 Ways to Avoid Homeschool Burnout

1. Lower expectations. Don’t try to do EVERYTHING perfectly. Housework can wait. It’s fine to have sandwiches for dinner. Make things easier for yourself. Use your crockpot more. Get your kids to do chores and be content with how they do things.

2. Be flexible. If something isn’t working, be willing to try something different. When tensions rise, put the books aside and go outside or do something fun and change the atmosphere. Allow some space when conflicts arise. Remember why you’re homeschooling: You have the freedom to choose what, when, and where your children will learn.

3. Change your teaching style. Don’t be too attached to a curriculum. Don’t make children do bookwork all day long. Don’t think that you have to do school as many hours as a traditional school day for public schools. If you’re feeling stressed, you’re doing too much. Ask yourself: Am I overdoing it? Are there other worthwhile things we could do now, and come back to this later?

4. Limit scheduled activities. You might need to take a break from all outside activities for a while, like sports, scouts, or music. Limit the number of activities per child.

5. Get support. Tell your husband what you need. Or your mom or dad or brother or sister. Find someone who can help you with the kids. Take the burden off of yourself, and don’t think that you have to do everything with your kids. Make sure that you can get some breaks from the total responsibility. If you’re married, ask your husband to help you make homeschool decisions and to teach the kids something that he is good at. Find a homeschool support group.

6. Spend some time just playing with your kids. Join them in their games. Start a conversation with them about how they’re doing. Go out and throw a ball with them or shoot baskets. Ride bikes or take them to the park. 

7. Have some down time. Call for a quiet time every afternoon. Let the kids play quietly in their rooms or nap, and you do something relaxing or take a nap, too.

8. Begin your day with music. Use that to signal the beginning of your homeschool day.

9. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t dwell on your mistakes. Don’t compare yourself to other homeschool moms or your kids to other homeschool kids. Don’t spend too much time on social media. Pamper yourself. Remember your self-care tips! Spend time with your husband. Don’t neglect date nights!  Do family activities together – just for fun!

10. Build your relationship with your children. Spend individual  time with each child, to the best of your ability. Find out what they’re thinking. Try to do something with them that they enjoy. As the relationships grow stronger, your attitude and theirs will be more positive, and school will go much better, too.

Bonus! Use a delight-directed learning approach. Let your kids be involved in the planning process and choosing curriculum and topics for study. Make learning enjoyable and purposeful. Let them learn life skills and count them as
school. Count the projects that they come up with themselves as just as worthy of school credit as any workbook or textbook assignment. The more fun and meaningful school is, the less chance of burnout for you and for your kids.

❤️❤️❤️

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your February. Make it a good one!

I just noticed we have 29 days this time. My friend, Tanya, will get to celebrate her birthday on her actual birthday this year. Happy Birthday, Tanya!

Oh, just a quick PSA: Our charitable giving doesn’t always have to go to an organization or a ministry. It is perfectly fine to give to a real person in your own life who has a need. I believe God considers it part of our tithes and offerings when we give to others – real people with real needs, not just organizations that are more impersonal.

We have been on the receiving end of this kind of giving many times. And we are so grateful for the ones who were obedient to the Lord and gave when we needed something. We have also been able to help others, and that is the best thing ever!

I learned about this many years ago when someone was considering helping us with a mortgage payment, but neither of us was sure if that was proper.

And then I came upon these verses:

“Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.” Acts 2:43-45

It changed my life when I realized that we could live this way. It was Biblical to help others and accept help from others. Pooling resources with brothers and sisters is the best way to live. There are so many verses about giving.

“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.” Heb.13:16

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” I John 3:16-18

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.” 2 Cor. 9:6-9.

In these days when so many are experiencing financial hardship, don’t hesitate to help. Don’t question their money management practices or level of responsibility. Let God be the judge of that. You will be blessed by being a blessing.

That’s all for now!

Hit reply and share with me what you are learning and what God is doing in your life. Also share your prayer requests with me. I love to pray for you.

Penney Douglas, B. S. in Elem. Ed.
Safe Haven Homeschooling

Amazon Books from Penney Douglas

E-course – The Basics of Learning and Homeschooling

My Blog about Faith, Family, Homeschooling, and Truth

Merch for Homeschoolers – T-shirts, mugs, cups, phone covers, notebooks, sweatshirts, children’s t-shirts, candles, etc.

Curriculum by Penney Douglas (some Charlotte Mason curriculum and other types)

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