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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

My kids will tell you, reading is the “one thing” this mom takes very seriously. Again and again, I tell my children, if you can develop strong reading and comprehension skills, there is nothing you cannot do. Reading is the foundation upon which we build everything else. For that reason, I am always thrilled to find programs like Reading Eggs and Mathseeds from Reading Eggs to help my younger ones have fun while they grow!

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This is not the first experience we have had as a family with the Reading Eggs program. I think my oldest (now soon to be 16) started reading in part, thanks to this program. So this is one of those things that I really enjoy having as a part of our home learning. I mean, when learning can be this fun, why not?

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My youngest daughter was so thrilled to find out that she would be using this one again! Our last experience with this she and her older sister were using Fast Phonics – Watching them compare progress and compete with each other was to get to the next level was entertaining to say the least. Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, right? They even provide progress reports so you can see exactly what they are doing and where, if at all, they need a little more help. Since my daughter will often sit down on her own and work on this program, it is certainly appreciated that I can still know where she is at.

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Since it had been awhile since we used this, I was grateful for the placements tests for both Reading Eggs and Math Seeds so we could be sure to get her started in the right place. Once the test is completed, all she has to do is follow the path on her map as she works through all sorts of fun activities that help her grow her skills in reading and in math.

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I know my little lady really loves easy this whole program is to use. She is quite independent! Being able to switch from math to reading to phonics all by herself really makes her feel so good. The fact the lessons are all super fun definitely encourages learning. Some days, truthfully, I have to tell her that it is time to be done. If that isn’t the sign of a fabulous program, I don’t know what is.

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One of her absolute favorites right now are the Driving Tests. She can choose from sight words, Letters and Sounds or Content Words and race around the track. Wht a fun way to practice some basic skills!

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There is also a section full of puzzles that can be fun to play. There is the Puzzle of the Day or you can choose from a bunch of options on the gallery. Practice color recognition, or have fun with What is It? Animal recognition is fun too. There is a timer at the bottom of the screen – see how many you can get right. 🙂

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For your little ones (ages 2-4) they can enjoy Reading Eggs Junior and work their way up to Reading Eggs and Math Seeds (both are recommended for ages 3-9). Fast Phonics is recommended for ages 5-10 and the Reading Eggspress is an amazing treat for older kids (ages 7-13). There really is something here for ever age and stage or reading.

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This is such an amazing program for learning and reinforcing the many skills our kids need to learn and grow. I cannot say enough how much fun my little lady is having in all the different areas that are a part of this program. Be sure to check it out – start your free 30 day trial and see for yourself how fun learning can be!

Reading Eggs is on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readingeggsUSCA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/readingeggs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readingeggs/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ED-7e2xA3fxgrM7Wq2XGQ

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I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

For I time, my oldest son was involved in a local speech and debate homeschool group. One of the things I loved about them was how they wove the news into different activities assignments helping our kids to look and see things going on in the world around them. When we were no longer able to do this I pondered how to continue encouraging my children to get their daily (r weekly sometimes) dose of the new Needless to say, it was with much enthusiasm that we grabbed the opportunity to review WORLD Watch. This includes 10-minute daily news videos from a Christian perspective, a perfect opportunity to explore all that WORLD Watch includes and to get my kids curious and involved in exploring life in the world they live in.

Meet Brian Basham, program director and host. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife and two daughters. He began broadcasting over 15 years ago at NBC in El Paso, and has been a meteorologist and news anchor since then, in Tucson, Memphis, and Charlotte. Fun facts: He went to college on a trombone scholarship. He also worked as a Jungle Cruise skipper at Disneyland! He is full of enthusiasm and so very engaging (as is the whole team that is a part of World Watch.

For this review we received a six month subscription for our whole family to WORLD Watch. My boys, from the start, enjoy their 10-minute newscast, every day, on the news presented from around the world, with a Biblical focus. Since how we see things really matters (we have been studying a lot about worldviews) this is quite encouraging to find!

Some of the stories are a little heavy – talking about the Taliban. Others are lots of fun – using legos to explain budgets. Choose from headlines, news briefs, and feature stories. There are so many good ones to explore! Go into the archives and bam – now you’re doing history! 🙂

My boys especially appreciate all the stories that cover sports and technology and science. Did you know that Google Tech helped a visually impaired marathon runner? Signature Science always has so many amazing scientific stories about studies that have been done, are being done…think of squirrels.

Some videos make you hungry:

Others might make you want to hurl:

Some of the stories are so fascinating and lead you down all sorts of rabbit trails: the sculptor of Wall Street’s famous charging bull dies. Oh the places you can go as you explore the story behind the statue and the sculptor and the bulls!

There is also What in the Word? This is super cool for my younger son who ponders the reason for something being the word that it is. Here we can explore the meaning of certain words. And this is lots of fun!

So grateful to World Watch for allowing us the opportunity to explore all the good things they have to offer! This isn’t just keeping up on news but also a lesson in thinking Biblically, discerning things well. And there are so many ways this can help us to grow and learn in a plethora of topics of all sorts! Materials like this are such a blessing for helping us learn to see and think critically about the things taking place in the world around so that we can properly watch and pray!

WORLD Watch on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwatchshow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwatchnews/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhlnq_RLfpSdQ8Fm6VEEjw

WORLD Watch has a 30-Day FREE Trial also so you can try it out and see if it is a great fit for your family!

Click on the banner below and read reviews from other members of the Crew

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Disclaimer: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

My oldest turns 16 in a few weeks and this last year, academically, has been a real struggle with him. He isn’t sure exactly what he wants to do after high school, he is considering trade school right now but I want to be sure he is ready for whatever direction he feels God calling him to. So I was actually glad to be given the opportunity to review ACT Mom Online Class from ACT Mom. We don’t always know exactly where we will go but we do believe in the value of preparation that comes from something like this. And we have access for one full year; since my son works more slowly as of late, that is very important to us that we have plenty of time.

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This whole class is online and self-paced so students can complete the four courses included in as much or as little time as they want. Included in this course are thirteen hours worth of videos within four different courses. There is one for reading, math, science, and English. Once registered there are also materials that are shipped directly to the student. The complete class includes a binder full of the materials you need to go along with the videos. The same materials are also downloadable in her class; there are lots of tests for students to complete for practice. I personally find this to be a great help in learning strategic learning as well as creating some helpful habits. Want to see inside?

Can I tell you how much we really appreciate the binder that was sent to us as a part of this program? It includes all we need to work through the program: graphing paper and ACT practice tests in sheet protectors. There was also a pencil pouch with a dry erase marker (for taking the practice tests in the sheet protectors), eraser, and sticky tabs. Everything we need to get started right away. There is also an answer key along with scoring instructions so you can score their tests and see how they are progressing as they work through these courses. 

Each session includes videos, a quiz, and additional resources should students want to continue their studies. Her videos are very engaging (like having coffee with your professor friend) as she walks you through the information, casually defining terms and relating them to everyday life experiences. Upon completion of each course, she links approximately eight practice tests for students to complete. There are so many opportunities for students to practice actually taking these tests.

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One of the things that really got my son was the “why.” She states in her video how important it is for students to “know their why.” I love that because I believe there is so much power in that. On those hard days, it is good for us to remember why we are doing the work we are. So many of us can go so much further when we have one of these as well.

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Never a fan of tests myself, I appreciate the honesty which she shares with students as she explains the purpose of these tests and the benefits that come from being studious in them. She also speaks a great deal about the need for organization which is another thing that is so important (and not just when studying for a test).

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She also teaches how to read, how to discern necessary information from that which is perhaps misleading to best find the correct answers. So much of this has to do with learning to see those concepts that are repeated; how to have a strategy in your test taking that will help you to have success. Again, an additional benefit in gaining critical thinking skills within this course. Having taken these courses long ago myself, I certainly remember how confusing the wording can be sometimes. How to read, how to think on these things can make a big difference!

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This is definitely one of those programs that contains so many benefits beyond just studying for a standardized test. As my son works through the courses that were included in this bundle, I can see how he is gaining more understanding and comprehension in regards to digesting information.

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My oldest son tends to be very wary of academic materials; he is very practical and purposeful in what he does so if he cannot relate something to his “right now” he tends to need a lot of encouragement to complete it. Since he started these courses he has been consistent with working through the program. He appreciates the reality of what is taught and how the information is being presented. This seems to be helping him gain some better study skills as well as some more consideration about what his “why” shall be.

You can purchase the bundle of all four courses or you can pick and choose which ones you feel are best for your family. There are definitely many benefits to this course for our older students whether they have a plan or not for after high school. In my opinion, it is always good for us to keep our options open so that whatever we determine to do, we have at least a bit of the way paved. I sure wish this course would have been around when I was test taking because the insight and wisdom shared in this course is so valuable!

The ACT Mom is on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actmom36

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In the last days, many are departing from the faith because they are influenced by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

What doctrines do devils teach?

“Speaking lies in hypocrisy.” LIES! The most popular preaching nowadays is NOT biblical! Hypocrisy (phony spirituality) is the order of the day. Satan said to Eve, “Hath God said…?”

Ancient truth is being subverted in pulpits everywhere. Men have no conscience, no conviction against their lies. Multitudes are going to hell because of it.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 – “…seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

I have been known to use the phrase, “It’s all Greek to me” now and then. While I would love to learn Greek, there are some things that, I admit, I am just not comfortable diving into! Greek being one of them. So imagine how thrilled I was, when I had the opportunity to review It’s NOT Greek to Me! from Ready to Teach. We received the Instructor’s Manual, a USB Flash drive with PowerPoint programs providing step-by-step instruction for each lesson, and also a Student Book. The books we received are softcover physical books; each one with 120+ pages.

I have one child in particular who is always asking, why a word is what it is. For this reason he did some studies in Latin a few years ago. Now it is time to dig into the Greek to satisfy his curiosity. In fact, he informed me recently that, about 60 percent of all English words have Greek or Latin roots – when you include the vocabulary of sciences and technology, the figure rises to over 90 percent. Pretty awesome I think!

So where do you start when you are beginning to learn Greek? This is an amazingly simple program to use – just open the books and start learning! The very first section (there are 5 sections in all) covers the background and suggested lessons plan for the morphemes lessons. There are also some really good ideas for creating a display (visuals can really help the learning process, right?).

This course is about so much more than just obtaining a Greek vocabulary. This is a program that combines reasoning, analysis, speech presentation, reading strategies and using the dictionary (am I the only one who gets excited about that?). The focus of this program is on knowledge and assessment as well as community and individual learner. Whether the student is a visual, auditory or tactile/kinesthetic learner these lessons involve them all.

“Research demonstrates that our brains learn and remember more with paper and pencil writing than with keyboarding.”

There is little that is more encouraging to me than a program that has a page entitled, “Weekly Assignments in the Proverbial Nutshell.” As we have been slowly remodeling inside our house, as I have been slowly, trying to minimize our stuff, I have a greater appreciation for materials that I can open up and start learning with.

The Student book is approximately 112 pages; these pages have lots of fun activities to help grow understanding that lasts. There are twelve lessons in all; each one incorporates from 15 to 22 Greek morphemes, lessons building upon one another. The crossword puzzles were a fast favorite of ours. There are also some passages to read words being learned in their context.

I will admit we had some difficulty with the USB drive since we do not own Microsoft Office Powerpoint.  We did using a few other other powerpoint programs we found but unfortunately none of them were able read the drive – including Open Office, which is what we use mostly.  I did sign up for the free trial of Microsoft Office so that I could use the lessons on the thumb drive but once the trial ends, since we will not be purchasing the program, I fear we will not be able to access the slides for these lessons anymore.

We do plan to continue with this, perhaps using lessons more slowly than the recommended five days a week. I am looking forward to completing this program with my son. Perhaps this will even lead us into a deeper learning of Greek language as well. I can also see us going through this program a second time since the readings and activities really are such wonderful ways to further cement learning.

Perhaps the best thing about this course is how simple and gentle it guides you through the many morphemes. With a variety of activities and tools, whatever style of learning your student may be best suited to, this program has something for them.  This is about so much more than simply learning Greek – gain a greater vocabulary, stronger analytical skills and watch as they learn how to recognize and access the knowledge they have gained from their studies.

Click on the banner below to read additional reviews from members of the Crew who used this program with their families!

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Disclaimer: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew

Do you feel like I do? That it is becoming so much more necessary for us to learn how to discern the truth from the lies? Critical thinking and logic has always been one of those things that I just love! That said I was so excited for my family to receive a copy of the book, The Fallacy Detective for review. This is over 200 pages, 38 lessons, on how to recognize bad reasoning as well as exactly what it is.

Written by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn, they enjoyed so many adventure stories read to him by his mother. These stories developed his imagination and stirred in him a passion for writing first discovered through the classic tale, Beowulf. I love how they say that with these books you are able to learn to solve thinking problems just like the way that a plumber fixes faucets!

Something even cooler – shortly after we got this book in the mail and started reading and discussing – we found a group of home educators that are going to be meeting to work through this and other materials – this fall! Talk about excellent timing. The idea of meeting new friends and exploring logic and reasoning together…It is so very exciting!

So how does this work? What is a Red Herring? Or an Ad Hominem or a Tu Quoque? This book does a fabulous job of introducing exactly what a fallacy is and why it is good for us to stretch and exercise our minds with logic training. We learn how to spot bad reasoning, to put a higher value on good reasoning and how to avoid fallacies in our own thinking because we all have them sometimes.

While this is recommended for ages 12 and up, my older daughter (10) did enjoy being a part of some of the lessons. As I mentioned, this is a favorite study for momma, so I made sure we did this as a family. As you work through the chapters in this book, you gain confidence in your ability to think reasonably; you begin to recognize the many errors that are all around you, both in your thinking and in that of the world we live in. Certainly this is a very necessary and timely study for the days we live in.

Our family would gather to read each chapter together and then complete the exercises also together. This book contains many concrete examples as well as fun exercises for a variety of levels of difficulty. The concepts are easy to understand, the skills are easy to learn. With this book– discover the logic already written in your mind by God. Starting with inquiring minds and moving through topics such as propaganda, assumptions, statistical fallacies this is an amazing workout for minds of all ages! Did I mention, there are some great comic strips strewn about throughout the lessons! Serious work, seriously fun!

At the end of each chapter are some exercises you can do together, or individually. Some of them, such as Find the Propaganda, it was fun to have the kids locate some examples (I mean, this stuff is everywhere right now) and then come back so we can share what we found and talk about it a bit.

One thing I really stress with my children, in learning anything, we need to have an Inquiring Mind. What does this mean exactly? It means exercising our mind; our mind is a muscle so it needs a good workout regularly. We need to be willing to consider things, to test all things. We are told in the Bible to come and reason together. There is nothing worse than engaging in a conversation with someone who already has their mind made up and believes they already “know.”

Perhaps it is most valuable for us to be wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove, in that we are willing to learn and unlearn things as we think critically about them. There is far too much false information out there, we cannot allow ourselves to get stuck in unhealthy thoughts and false facts. This is a very valuable skills for everyone to have in their toolbox!

We are definitely going to continue reading and discussing and seeking out the bad reasoning in ourselves and in those people and things around us using this book. We will even be working through it a second time this fall with a local group so we should have some strong logic skills growing in this home!

Click on the banner below and read reviews from other members of the Review Crew for Fallacy Detective and also the additional book, Archer and Zowie.

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“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

We cannot truly have His wisdom if we do not have His Spirit.

Revelation and understanding come from God alone.

It saddens me how so many spend such time reading and yet do not have understanding.

I remember reading the Bible now and then when I was younger (before Jesus changed my life) and I couldn’t really make sense of it all. It seemed silly, foolish.

But then He filled me with His Spirit and now – it is foolish to the world but He shows me the greater things within this book.

He reveals truths that are timeless and powerful. Without Him, I would never have the wisdom I have today. It may be foolishness to others but it is priceless to me.

When we find one who does not understand we need to be wise, we need to pray for God to reveal truth to them. We cannot change hearts and minds. Only He can.

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

I cannot believe. I am officially homeschooling a high schooler! I think I might hyperventilate. This is scary stuff! But then, I am told that it doesn’t have to be. That is can be fun and amazing – Who said that? The HomeScholar LLC – What a blessing to have the chance to explore and learn from her using her online course, High School Solution. I was given six months access to this one and I sure do appreciate that because there is so much great information in this!

This course has a singular purpose: “to help parents homeschool high school.” Lee Binz is bold, confident and at the same time gentle as she teaches us how possible it really is for us to homeschool high school. Again and again she reminds that we have no reason to fear; we just need to take things one step at a time. They have so many amazing materials to equip, train, and encourage us on this journey. It doesn’t matter if you are a veteran or new to homeschool, there are great resources for all styles of learning and budgets. Doesn’t this sound wonderful?

The first thing that comes to mind when I am trying to think of how to explain this course is WOW! From the very first video, I was hooked! This course includes videos, handouts, audio recordings, blog posts, and monthly webinars. She provides so many ways for you to get the most out of the information she is sharing! There are also monthly webinars you can sign up for (these are included for the first month, then for a monthly fee). She also provides materials specific to gifted and struggling learners. Also, she includes delight directed learning and guidance for how we can go from teachers to mentors. The goal really is for our kids to become independent learnings who are taking responsibility for their education.

I am so grateful that she has a video that helps explain how to use this course, where to go. There really is so much – I feel like I still have only scratched the surface. This is very thorough. I do not think that there is a need we have that is not covered within this course. I am not exaggerating when I say that she provides ALL the resources you need to create a rigorous curriculum for your kids! She even breaks this down by each subject area and every high school level.

Are our kids challenged or overwhelmed?

Lee Binz believes very much that every child should have a rigorous program so that they are prepared for college – whether or not they choose to go – She states that it is more about life preparation – students being ready and able should they change their minds (as we all tend to do).

For that reason she also provides numerous materials – video presentations, blog posts, handouts – also Essential E-books for the High School Journey (there are four in this section). Designing transcripts, grading courses – you will be ready.

Motivation. It is a big deal for so many. Our kids just aren’t motivated. I know this is a very difficult area for me personally. I was very grateful to find a Motivation Pack – some webinars to watch and some things to read. One of the webinars here is from Andrew Pudewa on the Art and Science of Motivation! If you are familiar with his name, you know that this he always has so much wisdom to share.

Another section speaks to taming technology; this one is full of great information as well. I am not completely through it yet but let’s just say, the six hour webinar Training Series with Experts in Technology and Internet Addiction (video, audio and handouts) is sure to be a real blessing!

Faith. This one is for the parents. Especially as our kids get older it can be a time of great shaking. As we work through this pack we grow the confidence we need to know that we can do this. Even with all the course requirements – all of those tests (PSAT, SAT) even college admissions – these things can really cause us to wonder if what we are doing will be enough. Lee Binz assures us that it is! As you listen and read you too will be certain that you can do this and it will be the best thing for your children.

From tools and templates to planning guides and record keeping, there is so much in this course that is definitely necessary for homeschooling our children and preparing them for life. As you go through this, you will learn all you need to know to make sure your kids are ready for whatever path they choose to walk. Grow in confidence and wisdom with The HomeScholar.

The HomeScholar LLC is on Social Media:

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Make sure you click on the banner below to read what Crew Members thought of the materials they received such as: Total Transcript Solution, Comprehensive Record Solution, and College Launch Solution.

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

Is math a friend or a foe in your home? Here it’s a bit of both but thankfully with Math Essentials  we are becoming better acquainted, more friend and less foe. They have so many wonderful materials for just about every stage of math learning. This time around we were so blessed to receive three workbooks to use with our children! Addition, division, multiplication – Math Essentials Speed Wheel Drills! Whether we are just keeping up on what we know or working to master the things we need to know these are just great!

What’s a speed wheel drill? Picture a wheel: in the middle you find one number. Where each “spoke” of the wheel would be is another number. Solve each problem using the middle number and the outside number. Grab a timer and see how fast you can complete each wheel; when you are done be there is a place to mark the number correct and the time.

Each book includes 1,440 Speed Wheel Drills to help kids gain instant recall of math facts, making math so much more enjoyable as they proceed into higher math. These can be such a fun way to practice those math facts – kids can time themselves and see how fast they complete each wheel. It is also so fun to look back and see how they are advancing as they work through the pages.

We used the addition book with my youngest girl (6) who loves numbers and has been having so much fun completing wheels every day. Some days she only did one or two wheels but other days she just kept on rolling and I am not about to tell her to quit doing math when she is having so much fun!

My older girl (9) started working on the division book – she isn’t a big fan of workbooks but when you start a timer – she has quite a competitive spirit in her. As she completed one wheel she loved knowing how much time it took her and then trying to complete the other wheels in less time than the one before. Good motivation!

My younger son ((11) decided that he was going to tackle the multiplication book since he knows his tables, but he wants to know them better and answer faster. Sounds good to me! He also liked to see from wheel to wheel if he was improving. There is something about seeing your progress that really helps you to keep going.

As I mentioned previously, we have used quite a few materials from Math Essentials in the past and we have not been disappointed yet. These books have been super for all three of my kids as I have been seeing them recall their math facts more quickly – That means there are fewer struggles involved each day when momma says that it is time to get some math done. Who doesn’t like that?

Something else that I love about these workbooks: this one includes 21 Important “Math” Tips to make things easier. It is good for my kids to read through before they begin so they can see that mom isn’t the only one insisting on writing neatly and not using pen. I say this so many times – It is a terrible mess when mistakes are made and you cannot erase – Makes things so much more difficult. A few tips are inspiring: find a study buddy or teach someone else some math. Great ideas for developing in math.

Don’t take my word for it though; click on the banner below and see what other members of the Crew thought as they used these books with their families.

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How can we say that we know and believe this precious TRUTH if we do not speak it, shout it, out loud?

So many shall be lost, yet HE called us to reach out to them and that we must do if we are truly His!

HE did not save us that we should be silent but that we should declare as did Peter on the Day of Pentecost, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost…

you WILL speak in another tongue, in a beautiful mysterious language meant to edify you, to build you up, to reach those things that we know not but He does, to guide into greater truth and holiness….

Have we showed anyone lately, the love and the way of our Lord and Savior?