Names Ending with "el" in the Bible

This school year, Holly and I are studying the names of God, beginning with Elohim - God - All Powerful One - Creator. Many Bible name end with the letters el which means "God" and I tried to find a list of Bible names ending in el and their meanings on the internet but couldn't find one.  So I thought I'd make one myself.  This is not yet an exhaustive list so if I've left off your favorite, please let me know.  Eventually I want to add the Bible references.

Abiel - God is my Father

Asahel - creature of God

Ariel - lion of God

Azareel - help of God

Azarel -  God has helped 

Bethel - house of God

Daniel - God is my judge

Emmanuel - God is with us

Ezekiel - God strengthens

Gabriel - man of God

Gamaliel - benefit of God

Hazael - God sees

Ishmael - God will hear

Israel - who prevails with God

Jahleel - God waits

Jazeel - strength of God

Jeheiel - God lives

Joel - Yahweh is God

Lemuel - belonging to God
 
Lael -  to God

Michael - who is like God

Nathaniel - God has given

Reuel - Friend of God

Samuel - Asked of God

Shemuel - appointed by God

Uriel - God is my light

Uzziel - my power is God

Zuriel - my rock is God
 

Gabriel and a Carton of Milk

The following is a blog entry that I wrote (on my very old blog) nearly 5 1/2 years ago when we were living in Romania.

November 3, 2006
Yesterday morning I woke up with every intention of doing a full day of school. I ate my usual breakfast, just a bowl of cereal, and was getting ready to take a shower. As I was walking into the kitchen, towards the bathroom, Gabriel was walking by with a rather bloody paper towel around his finger. “Mom, I cut my finger opening the milk.” Yikes! He certainly did a good job too. We do not have the normal gallon jugs here but one liter boxes that must be cut.

Kitchen sheers are the preferred safe method but although I have three pairs, they tend to wander away. So rather than search for them, Gabe opted for a knife. This was one of those bigger than a Band-Aid cuts and thankfully John was home to handle it. John examined it and bandaged Gabe’s finger and said he’ll be just fine. I slammed my finger in a car door at age 10. My mom took me to the ER and I didn’t need stitches. John cut his finger with an ax, age 30 and I took him to the ER. He didn’t need stitches either. We avoid Romanian hospitals if at all possible. Romania has come a long way since the fall of Communism in 1989 but the medical field is still a scary place. Please pray that Gabe’s finger heals without any problems.

While John was examining Gabe’s finger, Gabe started feeling a bit queasy. Could it be that my 15 year old son, taller and stronger than me and lover of action flicks, is qualmish at the sight of his own blood? We told him to lie down on the couch for a while. After I was sure he was ok, I finally took my shower. After family devotions, which were two hours later than usual, I decided that this would be a good day to watch some World War II movies that I had been wanting to watch with the kids. So even though we did not do the lessons that I had written down on our schedule, we still had a lot of learning going on.

Gabriel is nearly 21 now and fully recovered except for the fact that he apparently sliced a nerve and his finger is numb where he cut it. Doesn't bother him thankfully or affect him in any way. Praise the Lord!

Birthdays

We have always celebrated the kids' birthdays by giving them a day off of school. Traditional schools take off for Washington's, Lincoln's and Martin Luther King's birthdays, so why not celebrate our own instead? That has been our custom since our first kindergarten years in the mid 1990's. Each and every year the kids tried to convince me to take my own birthday off as well. Anything for a free day, right? No. I was adamant. I LIKED teaching! And what better way to spend my birthday than doing something I liked!

I don't remember if it was last year or this year, but Holly figured out that with Gabriel and Hannah being gone she didn't get the same number of "school holidays". So she convinced me to take off for my birthday and John's too. She's always been my little negotiator. Gabriel and Hannah now have to attend classes on their birthdays. Hannah hardly gets to even celebrate hers because it comes right in the middle of mid-terms!

This morning I enjoyed sleeping in late (until 7:30), uninterrupted devotions, and some quiet time to myself. Holly does have a co-op class today, birthday holiday or not. She is taking high school art this year. Later John, Holly and I will go see the new Sherwood Films movie Courageous. It opens today! I don't go to the theater often but this is one film I want to support. After the movie we'll have one of my favorite foods - Pizza!

One Thousand Gifts - Hurricane Edition

What a week we've had! An earthquake on Tuesday and a hurricane on Saturday. I have had enough natural disasters for a while. At least it has caused us to seriously look at our emergency supplies. The power has been out at our house since Saturday afternoon. Water has been off and on, sometimes looking a bit brown. Yesterday morning I was talking to John and I said, "Why don't you drive us to Knoxville and my mom and dad can come pick us up there." I was only half serious. A wish. Time to spend with my parents. I could still bring homeschool books and Holly and I could continue school in airconditioned comfort. Not to mention showers and warm meals. We both kind of dismissed the idea. John went to bed (he's working midnights) and Holly and I went to church.

That afternoon, Holly and I had tuna salad for lunch - leftovers from the night before. The house was comfortable for a while but as the day went on we became hot and sticky. There wasn't much of a breeze and the neighbors generator was making a lot of noise! Holly and I went to church early for orchestra practice. John arrived just before 6 for the service. He told me then that he had made some calls and we would leave on Monday morning for Tennessee! Packing was easy since there wasn't any way to do laundry. We just threw some things in our suitcase and were on the road!

So from the interstate, here are some of the things I am thankful for this week:

• Safety in the storm


• Peace to lie down knowing we are in God's Hand


• A strong roof over our heads


• A huge oak tree with strong roots and limbs - only small branches and large acorns fell on our roof - for hours


• paper plates


• paper cups


• disposable cutlery


• lots of ice in the freezer in preparation for the storm


• cold milk


• a gas grill


• food on the table


• nice juicy warm hamburgers


• a full pantry


• church after a rough week


• a neighbor with power offering showers


• and storage for our frozen/refrigerated itmes


• a cool breeze in the morning


• the portabiltiy of homeschooling


• a loving, generous husband


• loving, generous parents

What are you thankful for this week?

A Day in the Life of our Homeschooling

Long time readers of my blog will know that I have struggled with finding a routine for the past four years. I am beginning to realize that routine is probably lost forever. I do not imagine that I can sit down and write out one schedule and tell you that that is the way each day goes. Routine is difficult first of all because my husband works shift work. Monday he was at work during our school day. Tuesday he got off shortly before we finished and today he didn't have to work until 5 p.m. But here is a glimpse of our first few days:

On Monday we began with PE - a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Then we had our back to homeschool breakfast. After that, Holly did some typing practice while I took a shower. Next we dove into the academics; History, Science and Language Arts. We are still waiting on our math program to arrive - one more obstacle in my quest for routine.

Tuesday was basically the same minus the back to school breakfast. (I cook breakfast approximately two or three times a year, give or take.) Holly was working on her independent work when we had to dive under the table and pray for our own safety during the earthquake. More on that here.

Today John was off and he was a sweetheart and made us some French toast. He accompanied us on our walk and then we came home and enjoyed that treat. While we were eating he asked if we wanted to go out to lunch. Who turns down going out to lunch? Besides, he missed our back to homeschool breakfast so I thought a back to homeschool lunch with Dad was a good idea. Maybe it should be a new tradition too! So we did History and Science and then got ready to go out. (Still no math program) We also went shopping for some emergency supplies should Irene decide to pay us a visit. Not to mention I'm still a bit rattled over the quake from yesterday. (Why don't we name earthquakes?) We returned home and skipped Language Arts. Holly did her independent work and that was the end of day three.

John begins midnights this week so he will be in bed during our school hours. I'm assuming that Thursday and Friday will go much like the other three days. Next Monday we will add homeschool band to our schedule and in mid September Holly will take art and a literature and composition class at a local co-op. I suppose if I could sum up a day in our life in one sentence (and probably a run-on) it would be, "Trying to homeschool on most weekdays yet adding some flexibility to our schedule to mesh with John's along with some surprises that life throws in."

Check out more entries in the Not Back to School blog hop here.

Lazy Summer Mornings

Holly and I have been enjoying some lazy summer days these past two weeks. June was chaotic with moving and a trip to Alabama. July we were swamped with different activities like unpacking and settling in, Vacation Bible School, the Tomato Festival and camp. We are still settling in, bit by bit. And I'm working on school plans. "Working" probably isn't the right word because it's an activity I really enjoy. But our mornings have been rather relaxed; sleeping in late, internet surfing. It's been nice but I wouldn't want that to be our schedule forever. And it won't be because on Monday we begin our homeschool year!

As usual, I think I am more excited about the new school year than Holly. She is looking forward to some of her classes: band, art and even math. We are trying Teaching Textbooks this year. She saw it and fell in love with it. We shall see how long her enthusiasm lasts! The thing Holly dislikes the most is getting up "early". I'm thinking that will be (for her) around 7 a.m. this year.

It's our last year of middle school. Sigh. Speaking of planning, I'd better get busy! What time do your kids get up for school?

Not Back to School - Student Photos

It's the "Not Back to School Blog Hop: Student Photo Week. So let me introduce you to my student:




This is Holly. She is 13, an age that she has long awaited. Being a teen was on the top of her goals list for many years. I suppose having teenaged siblings for so many years has something to do with that. She is entering her last year of middle school. I cannot believe that in five years we will be sending her off to college. Now that she has reached her goal of "teenager", she is working on some others. Her interests include journalism, art and photography.


I also had to include Gabriel and Hannah. Would you call them my former students? I suppose as Mom, I will always be their teacher. They will begin their sophomore year next month at Pensacola Christian College. Gabriel is studying pre-law. His ultimate goal is president. Yes, of the United States. Hannah is majoring in graphic design.


These pages are some of my first attempts using digital scrapbooking software. I'm planning a give-away next week so be sure to stop by again!

Welcome to the Woodward Family Homeschool

We recently moved from a tiny apartment to a small house. The new school year is just around the corner so getting our school area ready is high priority. We do not have a room just for "school" Most of our work will be done here in the dining room. Definitely need some sort of window treatment on the window. Someday.


Here's our school/dining room table with some of the artwork Holly has been working on this summer.Lighthouse paint by number and ballet slippers done freehand.



Bulletin boards that used to be in Gabriel and Hannah's rooms. If we would have stayed in the apartment they probably would have remained in their rooms. But since we had to take them down . . . Now they are waiting for for something shcoolish to go on them. Above the bulletin boards are Gabriel and Hannah's high school diplomas.

Room decor is a bit of Americana combined with my children's art work. Above are George and Abe - pastel drawings by Gabriel when he was 16.

Pictures by Gabriel, Hannah and Holly circa first and second grade.

This room is equipped with an ugly air conditioner unit. It's also useless and unnecessary since the house has central air. If we owned the house we would simply remove it. But we don't. Well, I was wanting a place to hang my maps. But we don't have a lot of wall space. So my ingenious husband came up with the idea of hanging them over the AC.

I can easily change from the world map to the US map.

And what's a homeschool room without an over abundance of books?! Dolls on the top are awaiting room on a shelf in Holly's room. Maybe we'll get that painted this weekend.

Well, that's our "school room". But of course our learning isn't limited to this one room. I could also add pictures of the kitchen where cooking and science experiments are likely to take place, the comfy couch where we'll read lots of books, the piano, the back yard . . . You get the idea!

It's week 2 at the Not Back to School Blog Hop - School room week. Join in here!

Heart of the Matter {online}

Not Back to School Plans - 2011

I have said now that I have two graduated from homeschool, I know how to do it now! And it is true that I have learned a lot over the years. Gabriel and Hannah will be sophomores at Pensacola Christian College this fall. Gabriel is studying pre-law and Hannah, graphic design. They love it there and we are blessed that they made the dean's list both semesters of their freshman year. That leaves me with just one at home.

Holly is going into 8th grade this year. Homeschooling one is entirely different than two or three or more! When I had all three at home and we were done with "school" for the day, they would spend time with each other. Even if they were in the same room, doing different things, there was a togetherness.

(Picture taken in the Transylvanian Alps circa 2003)

This year, I found myself analyzing what did and did not work with Gabriel and Hannah and what would be the best options for Holly. She is like them in many ways but in other ways, she is very much her own person. She is very social and needs interaction with others. So, here is what I have decided to do for this year:

Middle School English Composition and Literature - To be taken at a local co-op. I am also hoping this will encourage her to read. She reads well but never chooses to. This will be my first experience with this group of homeschoolers!


Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra - This will be a first for us. I have heard many good things about it.

Abeka History of the World - I like Abeka. It is very thorough!

Abeka Science Order and Design (Life Science)

Band - Continuing to learn the clarinet in a homeschool band group - if we can afford the gas. It is about 45 minutes away.

High School Art - this is also at the co-op. I am a bit apprehensive about her taking a high school class but the teacher said it is for all skill levels and the middle school class is for 5th-7th graders.

Her interests at this time are either journalism or graphic design. In her spare time, should she have any, she will work on keyboarding and blogging. Time will tell what her actual college major will be. At this point in their lives, Gabriel was going to be an author and Hannah had no plans to go to college.

For more Not Back to School plans check out Heart of the Matter {online}

The Long Awaited Week

The long awaited week has arrived. Holly is now in a van full of kids on a 7 hour trek to camp. She loves any and all youth activities whether it's simply Sunday School, a Friday night time of fun at the youth leader's house or the mega event of the year known as camp. Taking a long ride in a noisy vehicle just to march around a campground in hot sweaty weather and then sleep on uncomfortable beds is not my idea of vacation. Not to mention camp food! But the teens love it. And I love hearing all the stories on Friday night when they return.

Meanwhile, I have plans of my own for the week. Here is a list of a few of my goals:

1. Unpack the boxes that are patiently waiting their turn in the den- such a never-ending job!
2. Pray for Holly
3. Homeschool planning
4. Purchase science and history books at ABeka materials display on Thrusday
5. Wonder what Holly is doing
4. Blog (like I'm doing right now!)
5. Read - I'm not sure what yet. Trying to read non-fiction this year.
6. Remind myself that the LORD is Holly's Shepherd too and the He loves her more than I do.

If you are one of the two or three people who read my blog, please pray for Holly and the other teens at camp. Pray for their physical health and protection, safety as they travel and that God will work in their hearts and lives. Thanks!

The Simple Woman's Day Book

You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

Outside my window...It's cold, cloudy and getting ready to rain. The weather forecast is calling for ice tonight and early tomorrow morning. That will make it a hazardous night for John who is working midnights this week.

I am thinking... that I've not been very successful with this blog. At least I'm doing the day book on a weekly basis. That is a start.

I am thankful for... modern technology. I love being able to text my children who are so far away.

From the learning rooms...Holly began notebooking science on Monday. The first chapter is on Oceans. Today we learned about Lt. Matthew Maury, The Pathfinder of the Seas." We found out by doing some research online that there is a monument of him here in town! So we drove by there this afternoon. (See picture below.)

From the kitchen... We had Beef Stroganoff for dinner. A "new to us" easy favorite.

I am wearing... Jeans, green top and my warm, comfy and obviously favorite State Police sweatshirt.

I am creating... an organized coupon file! Or at least that's what I plan on doing this evening.

I am going... to get my haircut on Saturday! It's long over due.

I am reading... Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin. One doesn't get very far when they only read once a week.

I am praying... for ways to pay off bills. College is expensive.

I am hoping... for spring!

I am hearing... Glenn Beck on the television.

Around the house... The house is fairly clean. Seems easier to keep it that way with only three of us living here. Our bedroom needs some serious work. One of these days. . .

One of my favorite things... Reading aloud. We've sadly gotten out of the habit with teens working and miscellaneous activities. Holly and I are taking turns reading Where the Red Fern Grows. It's part of her language arts curriculum so we can't read as much as I'd like each day. But we're still enjoying it very much.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I am now playing the clarinet in our church orchestra. I haven't played for DECADES! So that means lots of practicing for me. The week is almost gone! I started this post on Monday but life got busy!


Here is a picture I am sharing: This is Holly at the monument downtown. Matthew Maury - The Pathfinder of the Seas.

A Chute Full of Holes

When we left Gabriel and Hannah at Pensacola Christian College I said that I felt like my kids just jumped out of an airplane with a parachute that I had packed for them. They had spent most of their lives as homeschoolers. Not only that, they were missionary kids. Their academic life seemed to have been in constant turmoil. Most years really didn't go as I planned. So when we left them on campus, on their own, I was fearful. Did I teach them enough? Are their study skills good enough to handle different teachers, different tests? Did we work on taking notes enough? Each time, my answer was no. I needed more time with them. Another year. Maybe two or three. Then we'd be ready. But it was time to send them. So I worried about the parachute and their landing. Would the chute open? Was it full of holes? Would they crash and burn?

As a homeschooling mom, I found it very difficult not knowing what they were doing each and every academic moment. What topic were they learning in history? What kind of speech were they practicing that week? What kind of homework assignments did they have? What were they studying that evening? I tried not to interrogate them constantly, after all, they did need time to study. And hopefully, I improved somewhat during the semester.

On December 17th, they completed their first semester and it was amazingly successful. They received their report cards yesterday and they both made the Dean's List! They both love being there and made a lot of friends. I give all thanks and glory to God who helped them to land safely on the ground in spite of a poorly packed and torn parachute.

Quietness

I am sitting here in the quietness. An intense quietness. Such solitude I would have longed for in years past when I had a couple of toddlers underfoot. Now I find it peaceful yet odd.

John and I took Gabriel and Hannah to Pensacola Christian College on Sunday afternoon. They checked in on Monday, moved into their dorm rooms and registered for classes. On Tuesday we kissed them good-bye, gave them a long hug and came back to my parents house where Holly was staying.

Hannah's phone quit working on registration day. We are thinking it has something to do with her taking it for a swim a couple of weeks ago. So it's been hard to communicate with her. We have another one on the way for her to use. Today is their first day of classes. I am anxious to hear what they think! They also have a ton of meetings this week. I told them to expect the first week to be very overwhelming and also a lot of fun. I am encouraged that they have already made friends and seem to have terrific roommates!

Of course we are not empty nesters. Holly has six more years of school to go. My dad took her to the Space and Rocket Museum this afternoon. I am looking forward to all the individual time that John and I will have to spend with her. Homeschool begins on Monday!

Stay tuned for the adventures of Gabriel and Hannah at PCC and the Homeschooling of Holly - all right here. I hope you'll come back!

Graduation Day!

On Saturday, June 12th, Gabriel and Hannah graduated from high school. I do not think the fact has sunk in that a major stage in my life with them is over. The ceremony was great. It was held down town at the convention center with 198 other homeschool graduates from all over the state of Virginia. I went prepared with plenty of tissues. I knew I would cry as soon as Pomp and Circumstance began. I regained control of myself by the time the first 189 students marched in and was able to give a big smile to Gabriel and Hannah. We were privileged to hear Ken Ham speak.










Then the parents presented the diplomas to their students. So I pulled from my drama experience and was able to go on stage with a big smile. After that, the graduates flipped their tassels and we stood and sang "Be Thou My Vision". Well, I guess just about everyone else sang. I was all tears again and could hardly eek out a note.









Afterward, we had a party with family and friends. The next step in our lives is to make sure we have everything we need for college which is only days away. I am sure I will shed many more tears. Tissues are on the list!