Trees Of Hope – Page 6 – Welcome! Here is a place to receive encouragement in your daily walk with God, to bond over motherhood and parenting experiences, and to share ideas for teaching your children. I pray that you are renewed, encouraged and inspired to be a tree of hope for the world to behold. ~Krystal

24Jul 2018 by Krystal 4 Comments

Learning from the Latinos.

We had a lovely visit over a week ago now with some of my husband's Latino family: his sister, her husband, and his brother. I was reflecting on the first time I went to their home in New Jersey and the difference I felt.Our Wedding Day December 15, 2007We were newly-weds and Jorge wanted to take a trip to see his family after our honeymoon. One of the main surprises I found was how instantaneously we were welcomed. I also never expected to feel so comfortable in their kitchen of all places! We were given full-access to the refrigerator in a way that was authentic, not just polite or courteous. As a new sister-in-law at the time I was still a bit nervous, not wanting to overstep and offend. But it…

17Jul 2018 by Krystal 5 Comments

Ahoy There Matey! Pirate Summer Learning

Teaching Your Children

Summer is a great time for teachers and students alike to take a much-needed break. Being a homeschooling mom, I have looked forward to summer for that very reason! However, I do find that some structure and fun learning can be easy, helpful, and intriguing even in the summer. Here are some ideas for you:1. Pick a topic or theme for your kids or better yet, have THEM choose something they are interested in (this is called a "unit study" in formal, teaching terms!)2. Go to the library and check out some interesting books on your topic of choice3. Begin learning together and make some easy, fun activities/games as you go (It's not meant to feel like school because it's summer!)This summer, we are doing PIRATES and SHIPWRECKS. We started…

10Jul 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Everyone Needs Compassion

Faith

I've been thinking a lot about compassion recently. It can take many forms, but the end result is really a love that moves us to action. One definition of compassion that I found is, "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is hurting, in pain, or has misfortune and is accompanied by a strong desire to help the suffering."In my travels, I have had what I like to call "easy compassion" on the "least of these." During my time in the country of Bolivia in South America, compassion for the poor children I saw in the streets came naturally, as I believe it does to most in similar situations. My heart longed to take care of them, to provide for what they were lacking, primarily through food, clothing…

03Jul 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Confronting FEAR: Who Do You Run To?

Faith, Personal Testimonies

Today was a scorcher, a whopping ninety plus degrees Fahrenheit! My children and I headed to a splash pad by 10 a.m. to meet some friends and stay cool. After all the water time, we made our way over to the adjacent playground area for awhile. All seemed well, until I noticed someone was missing. I was pushing Laurelle and Davin on the swings; Bennett was with us at times too, and then would go to the park to climb and slide. My oldest son Luke, on the other hand, was out of sight. At first, I assumed he could have gone to the bathroom and just didn't tell me. This tamed my fear a bit, although my heart still lacked peace.Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and rounded up my three…

28Jun 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Summer FUN Without Breaking the BANK!

Teaching Your Children

Summer is finally here where I live in Western New York! Let's take advantage of this time, and save a penny or two in the process! Here are my TOP TEN ideas, in no particular order, for a low-budget and high-fun summer!!1. THE BEACHWhen I think of summer, I have a beach in my mind. My husband definitely does, being from Ecuador! Locally, we have been to Olcott Beach and Niagara-on-the-Lake beach in Canada (pictured above). Olcott Beach and Carousel has the most quaint environment with rides and games for kids that cost only a quarter each (photo below); if you haven't checked out this gem yet, put it on your list! Niagara-on-the-Lake is an enjoyable ride over the Canadian border, passing gorgeous vineyards and countryside. It's a small beach but…

25Jun 2018 by Krystal 10 Comments

God is Taking Care of YOU

Faith, Personal Testimonies

Our family (my husband and children), visited my twin sister and her husband this past weekend. They live a few hours away, and a month ago now my sister delivered her first baby, a girl they named Kadence Marie. It was our first time meeting this little miracle! We brought a meal to share, and spent the day at their house. I was going to pack a game to play or some blocks for the kids, but in the end I didn't. It wasn't necessary: the new baby was entertainment enough!The moment we arrived and saw precious Kadence, we were enamored. She is a preemie, so tiny, just over four pounds now. I had never seen a baby so pint-sized, and our children were in awe. At home, all of…

20Jun 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Music~The Rhythm of Our Souls!

Faith, Teaching Your Children

We are watching "Pinkalicious" right now as I write, a cute show on PBS kids, and Peter is singing the blues! He is trying to make people feel happy when something goes wrong, but the "blues music" just makes everyone feel more sad about their problems. Music and its rhythm, lyrics, and vibe can elicit a variety of emotions, both positive and negative.Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that God blessed people with the imagination and creativity to invent instruments and make wondrous music? Children naturally ignite when music is played, and I never tire of seeing their little bodies move about, twist, and shout! We all appreciate music, and being thoughtful with the types of music we listen to is key(no pun intended)!This past year teaching…

17Jun 2018 by Krystal 8 Comments

Time to Speak DIRECTLY!

Faith, Personal Testimonies

Recently in a few of my friendships, in my marriage, and with my children, I have seen the benefits of intentionally speaking words of affirmation. What I mean is instead of waiting for a "special day" such as Mother's or Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas or a birthday to express how much I care for and appreciate someone, I do it when life is ordinary, when people least expect it.In my marriage, I have found that with the stress and work it entails to raise four young children, I need to be particularly intentional. Before I started homeschooling, I had the habit of writing sweet personal notes to my husband and sticking them in his lunchbox on random days. A few times the kids and I have blown up balloons, put…

12Jun 2018 by Krystal 15 Comments

Teaching YOU & Your Kids to DITCH the DEVICES!

Teaching Your Children

I just finished up my second year of homeschooling, so I am still at the beginning of this incredible and faith-filled journey! Looking back on this past year, I had obstacles and challenges to overcome, hard moments and trying times to face; there were many sleepless nights or nights with very interrupted sleep! In spite of it all, we learned so much together as a family, and I would love to share with you my favorite and most memorable day at home with my children.As a backdrop, this school year I followed a very riveting curriculum called Five in a Row Volume 1 by Jane Claire Lambert. It guides you by reading a different book each week, and through that book you and your children learn about and discover science, social…

07Jun 2018 by Krystal 8 Comments

R-E-S-P-E-C-T ! just a little bit

Faith

RESPECT! Here is the dictionary definition: "a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements." After reading the definition, I concluded that technically respect requires you to at least know something about the other person, whereas courtesy and manners can be demonstrated to complete strangers. We seek respect from others, which usually includes a relationship with them. WHY do we long to be respected? Personally, I desire to be respected because it affirms that others deeply care and admire who I am and what I stand for, who God has molded me to be.At the park today, a neighbor of ours related a story of a few twelve year old boys who took his daughter's backpack and threw it over the fence into the woods,…