We just wanted to let you all know of an exciting opportunity. During this time, many companies are offering special opportunities and discounts. I noticed that Comptia is offering a month of free access to their CertMaster training for the IT Fundamentals+ certification. This certification is geared for middle schoolers on up. Don’t let that fool you; it’s not an easy test. It covers everything from basic functionality of a computer, hardware, software, coding, databases, operating systems, and more. It was a fantastic test, and their goal in creating it was to give you a taste of many different IT areas so you can see which you enjoy best.
I took the test last January. This is a semi-new certification, and it wasn’t around when I was in school, so I took the opportunity to take it. It is a good stepping stone for A+ or other certifications. To find out more details, visit this link.
Anna
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” 1 Peter 3:8
Today, I’m sharing a post from Anna. I think you’ll find it extremely helpful and eye-opening. We’re often asked questions to which the answer is Google It!
People might ask:
How did you figure out how to stop that annoying Windows Update pop-up?
Where do you find fun children’s activities?
How did you figure out how to connect that printer to your computer?
How do you self-publish a book?
Where do I find the recipe for the s’mores cake?
My answer: Google.
Sometimes, when I worked on computers and got stuck, I asked Nathan, my computer instructor, for help. The first thing he said was, “Have you Googled it?” From there, I learned to go to Google for answers to various questions such as I have listed above. For example, take the recipe for the s’mores cake above. You can Google the phrase, “recipe for s’mores cake,” and you’ll get lots of results!
Google is a great tool, but please make sure to turn on Safe Search. You do this by going to Google.com, then in the very bottom right corner, it says Settings. Click that, then click Search Settings. Near the top, checkmark the box that says Turn on Safe Search.
Serving Jesus, Anna
“To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity.” Proverbs 1:3
Yesterday, we went to a kinder concert. Melanie was going to go, but it worked out better if she stayed back and enjoyed some quiet time! They invited me to go with them. It was a neat experience. It was in the Kauffman center in Kansas City with the Kansas City Orchestra. It was a great introduction to classical music. They did a excellent job applying classical music concepts to daily life for the kids such as sharing, waiting your turn, and turning our voices down and listening instead. Our favorite piece was Rossini Finali from Overture to William Tell.
Serving Jesus, Anna
Betsy, Tina, me, and Abby
Nathan, Betsy, and Tina
Nathan and his girls
In Kauffmann Center
“With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.” Psalm 98:6
Surprises are a wonderful, and Anna Marie knows just how to pull off a surprise celebration. She decided to have a surprise Moody Book party for Sarah. I have to add a little sis-in-law promotion. Anna Marie is super sweet, and she knows just how to make someone feel special.
Here is the list of events as they unfolded.
Mary and I were playing with the kiddos on Friday morning at Gigi’s house when Anna Marie popped over to discuss the party food. We came up with a long list of foods that were in the Moody books (mostly desserts) and started weeding them down. We ended up deciding to keep it simple—homemade pizza and sugar cookies—because there was so much to fit into one evening besides eating.
Hmm… wonder if someone was sampling a cookie.
Plans were coming together. The day before the party, we had Aunties’ playtime at Anna Marie’s house so Sarah wouldn’t come visit us. Mary let each of the girls take turns helping her make the cookies while I played with the littles outside. We then finished with a walk, staying away from our house because we didn’t want any little girls to announce that we had been making cookies.
Anna Marie busily worked on creating a sign and other projects while the rest of us felt a bit helpless, because we couldn’t do too much without Sarah knowing.
Abigail and Bethany frosted all the cookies and put sprinkles on top.
Tuesday, party day, rolled around, and things were finally coming together. Joseph and Elissa asked Sarah for some last minute help before dinner in order to allow us to finish the party preparations. Otherwise Sarah would wonder where we were all going. Yay! We could finally talk again as we raced over to Anna Marie’s.
Everyone was bursting at the seams with excitement.
Christopher called Joseph to see if Joseph would ask Sarah to drop a tool off at Christopher’s on her way home.
Sarah texted us to let us know that she would be a little late for dinner.
Christopher was out front “working” when she pulled in.
She gave him the tool, and Christopher asked if she could go inside for a minute because Anna Marie wanted to show her something.
Everyone had gathered at the end of the front hallway. As she walked through the door, we all said, “Surprise” and then told her we were celebrating the completing of her Moody book series.
Anna Marie’s surprise worked.
After dinner, the little ones went outside for a Moody I-J-N (In Jesus’ Name) project, picking up sticks at a widow’s house (aka Gigi’s house).We had Bible time and read 1 Corinthians 13, just like the Moodys did in one of their books.
We then played a Moody trivia game that I had written. It had everyone thinking hard and laughing hysterically as they tried to answer questions like, “Who was Mr. Adams?” Abby was the only one to get that one right.
Even Abby, Bethany, and Tina played.Meanwhile, Andrew occupied himself by trying to turn summersaults.
Nathan got 1st place, Sarah 2nd place, and Abby 3rd place. Nathan has been reading the Moody books to his family in the evenings so they got almost all the questions right—even more than Sarah!
We closed out the evening with one of the games the Moodys enjoyed playing—rhythm.
Anna Marie did an amazing job of planning and coming up with a festive Moody-themed party! We all had a blast together that night.
Congrats to you, Sarah, on a job well done!
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
One thing I love about little kids is to hear them retell news (that you already knew) in their own version. The other day, the little girls and Andrew had dropped over with Nathan, and as Christina was whizzing around me on her bike she was telling me this story.
She said, “Aunt Anna, did you know that Gigi fell down the stairs and broke THREE of her ankles?!”
She continued dramatically telling me about all that was going on with Gigi, while I sympathized with all that had happened.
I then asked her, “Tina, how did she break three of her ankles if she just has two?”
Tina said, “Well, she just did.”
Pretty sweet—a little three-year-old couldn’t quite comprehend that Gigi had fallen and broken three bones IN her one ankle!
Gigi is now recovering and learning to hop on one foot with her walker. It is a blessing to be nearby so that we can go over and help her.
Serving Jesus, Anna
Gigi and Tina
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13
Last year, we toured Samaritan’s Purse headquarters during our fall trip, and when November rolled around, we decided to pack some Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. This year, we have been buying things on sale during the year, and thus we will be able to pack more boxes with our available finances.
Mary and I have been watching for toys and clothes on sale. We always try to browse the clearance section when we are shopping. Sometimes we find good deals, but sometimes we leave empty handed. It’s been exciting to watch our pile grow. After Resurrection Sunday, we went shopping and found cute stuffed animals and candy on sale. Our best find was children’s winter hats at 10 cents each. Another time we had a $5 off coupon for Joann’s and were able to get yarn that was on sale for the older girls’ boxes.
In Christ, Anna
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
