A Quiet Simple Life with Sallie Borrink

Cozy and Simple Living, Homeschooling, Faith, Homemaking, & Books

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AQSL 005: Bringing Peace to Your Life and Home

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I define a cozy life as one that brings greater peace, understanding, joy, beauty, and faith to you and your loved ones. Today we're going to take a look at peace, the first item on the list.We'll look at a definition of peace and the specific parts of our life that it includes. I'll share five choices we've made over the years that have brought greater peace to our home, including one that might surprise you! Hopefully at the end, you'll be inspired to make some changes that will bring greater peace to your life and home. Listen to the … [Read more...] about AQSL 005: Bringing Peace to Your Life and Home

A Day in Our Cozy Life #4

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This week we enjoyed living life. We've been doing school all summer so we continued with it this week. We also took the time to cross off one of Caroline's summer to do list items - a visit to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.So on to the pictures!A few weeks ago I won this lovely giveaway from the website Isabella Alden and I wanted to be sure to share a photo. The journal is absolutely beautiful inside.If you aren't familiar with her, Isabella Alden (known as Pansy when she wrote) was a very popular Christian author in the late … [Read more...] about A Day in Our Cozy Life #4

The Life Lessons of Warren Wiersbe, Rachel Held Evans, and Those Falling Away by Deconstructing Their Faith

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I started writing a post last spring when Warren Wiersbe and Rachel Held Evans died within a few days of each other. To say their lives ended up being radically different is not an overstatement. I wrote a bit and then set it aside since I did not think it was the right time. Generally when this happens I discover later there is a reason. I think that reason is because there was more to say, but we hadn't gotten there yet.But now I do have some thoughts to share about not only Wiersbe and Evans but also some of the other Famous Christians … [Read more...] about The Life Lessons of Warren Wiersbe, Rachel Held Evans, and Those Falling Away by Deconstructing Their Faith

Free Squirrels Word Search Printable

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Squirrels are amazing little creatures. Children love to watch them playing in the yard or park as they jump from tree to tree and bury their nuts. This free squirrels word search printable makes it possible to add some squirrel fun to your learning!The squirrels word search puzzle for kids works well with lower to middle elementary aged students depending on their abilities. It is a great way to practice vocabulary, spelling, and visual skills. Word searches aren't just fun! They are practical learning as well! Free Printable Squirrel … [Read more...] about Free Squirrels Word Search Printable

Christ-Centered Homeschool Science In-Person Lab Intensives

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I'm guessing most homeschool parents find two things intimidating about high school - advanced math and science. We've discussed math many times on this site since I'm homeschooling a daughter with dyscalculia. We haven't discussed science as much, mostly because we've taken a very relaxed approach to it.But science is a thing as your kids approach high school and unless you are a science-oriented parent, I'm guessing science labs and especially biology labs might make you feel some combination of light-headed, panic-stricken, and flat-out … [Read more...] about Christ-Centered Homeschool Science In-Person Lab Intensives

Free Printable Back to Homeschool Word Search

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It's time for back to homeschool and I have a fun printable for you! This free printable back to homschool word search can be a great addition to your first day or week of learning with lower elementary aged children.Word searches might seem like busywork, but they aren't. They help provide practice of many important skills such as spelling, vocabulary, and visual processing. For children who struggle in some of these areas, word searches are a fun and non-threatening way to practice these skills. Free Printable Back to Homeschool Word … [Read more...] about Free Printable Back to Homeschool Word Search

How Do You Protect Your Tweens and Teens?

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Sometimes I like to call upon the collective wisdom of the women who read this site. Today is one of those days. A couple of things have happened in the past few weeks that make me wonder how other people make decisions regarding the safety of their tweens and teens.The New York Times had an article recently about Pastor Matt Chandler and The Village Church regarding a lawsuit that is being brought against the church: Her Evangelical Megachurch Was Her World. Then Her Daughter Said She Was Molested by a Minister. Here is the … [Read more...] about How Do You Protect Your Tweens and Teens?

Pruned to Yield Fruit – Streams in the Desert

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"And every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2A child of God was dazed by the variety of afflictions which seemed to make her their target. Walking past a vineyard in the rich autumnal glow she noticed the untrimmed appearance and the luxuriant wealth of leaves on the vines, that the ground was given over to a tangle of weeds and grass, and that the whole place looked utterly uncared for; and as she pondered, the Heavenly Gardener whispered so precious a message that she would fain pass … [Read more...] about Pruned to Yield Fruit – Streams in the Desert

We Know Not What We Should Pray For (Rom. 8:26) – Streams in the Desert

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"We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. 8:26).Much that perplexes us in our Christian experience is but the answer to our prayers. We pray for patience, and our Father sends those who tax us to the utmost; for "tribulation worketh patience."We pray for submission, and God sends sufferings; for "we learn obedience by the things we suffer."We pray for unselfishness, and God gives us opportunities to sacrifice ourselves by thinking on the things of others, and by laying down our lives for the brethren.We pray for … [Read more...] about We Know Not What We Should Pray For (Rom. 8:26) – Streams in the Desert

History Timeline for Relaxed Homeschoolers

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I attempted to do a wall timeline with Caroline a number of years ago. For a variety of reasons, it did not work for her. I think part of it was her age, part of it was her learning challenges, and part of it was the layout. However, I think timelines can be very valuable which is why I was excited to get the opportunity to review the Timeline Trio from Home School in the Woods. I received this product for free and am being compensated for my time to write this review. The opinions and content are my own and I was not required to provide a … [Read more...] about History Timeline for Relaxed Homeschoolers

A Day in Our Cozy Life #3

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Caroline and I are both longing for the cooler, rainy days of fall. I've looked wistfully at the fireplace many times the past week, knowing that we won't be able to use it for probably many weeks yet. We've been doing our best to combat the relentless sun, heat, and humidity with little things like closing the blinds and turning on twinkle lights, playing my favorite thunderstorm track on YouTube, and visiting the autumn aisles at Hobby Lobby. I've never been a fan of summer and wilt fairly easily, but Caroline really dislikes the endless sun. … [Read more...] about A Day in Our Cozy Life #3

Trust Amid the Silence – Streams in the Desert

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"He answered her not a word" (Matt. 15:23)"He will be silent in his love" (Zeph. 3:17)It may be a child of God is reading these words who has had some great crushing sorrow, some bitter disappointment, some heart-breaking blow from a totally unexpected quarter. You are longing for your Master's voice bidding you "Be of good cheer," but only silence and a sense of mystery and misery meet you--"He answered her not a word."God's tender heart must often ache listening to all the sad, complaining cries which arise from our weak, … [Read more...] about Trust Amid the Silence – Streams in the Desert

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