It's been a while...

It's almost December and I just realized I never did a Back to School post, so let me bring y'all up to speed!  This year Thomas and I, through much prayer and consideration, decided that we would homeschool both children!  At first I wasn't sure if we were making the right choice even though we knew it was best for our family, but man am I glad that we are obedient to God's call on our lives!  Emily is doing great!  She is pretty much ahead of pace in the 7th grade.  She will finish school early again this year. Woo hoo!  Xavier is in 1st grade and doing well also!  He is reading and his speech is improving!  Another woo hoo!  He also just finished up his first soccer season! We have had a great school year so far!  


Earlier this month Thomas and I decided to start going to a new church in Bagdad, FLORIDA (not overseas).  It has been great for our family!  FBC Bagdad has welcomed us to their family with open arms!  The pastor is on fire and always preaches a good word, even when it hurts.  The music is great!  Thomas is singing with the praise band on Sundays.  Emily is working with the Acteens (mission group for girls) and Xavier is singing in the children's choir for Christmas.  I am helping where I can, when I can.  It's truly an awesome experience for our family!  


For Thanksgiving this year we went the non-traditional route and decided to help feed the homeless.  We went to Nothing Lost Outreach in Pensacola.  Our friend told us about it, and we knew it was what needed to be done for our family.  It was great to see the smiles and the thankfulness of those who were fed.  Em and X learned some valuable lessons.  Ever since they have seen the reality of it all, they are very concerned and remember to pray for them every day that the Lord will protect them and keep them.  Very sweet for a mama to hear.  


With December around the corner we are looking forward to our family vacation that we take most every year.  This year it is coming earlier than usual, we are going in January for a week to Disney World.  The kids are overjoyed and really looking forward to it.  Mom and dad are too!  ;)  


I have so much more I could tell, but I don't want this to bore y'all!  


Love from the 4 Sanchez's!  Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it!

I can't believe it! Quite a few months ago, I wrote a blog on Emily finishing her first week in FLVS! As I sit here, Emily is almost finished. She only has 1 week left!!!

When Thomas, Emily and I started this homeschool journey, I can definitely say that although I knew it was God's plan for us, I was scared. I wasn't sure what we were going to get accomplished together. We took the leap of faith and stood on God's promises. I can definitely say I am glad we did, and speaking for them, I am sure they would agree.

On this journey, I must say that the things I cling to are that God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) because it wasn't always a walk in the park and that He will never leave us, or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6) because He didn't and wouldn't.

This has been an interesting journey to say the least and I can't wait to see what comes up NEXT on our homeschooling path...

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Max on Life by Max Lucado-Review

I recently read the e-book "Max on Life" by Max Lucado. This book is based on people writing to Max and asking all different kinds of questions that they have about life and life situations and Max responded to them based on a biblical view. Max referenced the bible in every answer he gave, and a list of verses he used to respond were included in the back of the book. Some of the issues he covers in the book vary from "Why am I here?" to "Why church?" to "Who goes to Heaven?" etcetera.

At first I wasn't drawn in, because it seemed as if I had already heard the questions and seen the answers before about why I am here and such, but as it got more towards the middle of the book about marriage and relationships, I got more into it. I was definitely impressed with the way Max biblically answered each question, giving backup from God's word for every situation.

Because of the wide variety of questions, I believe that this book would be helpful for every type of Christian, whether they are new or have been a Christian for a long time and I would recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Unto The Hills: A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham

I recently had the honor of reviewing Unto The Hills: A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham. It is a daily devotional with a new reading and scripture for every day of the year. Each daily devotional is laid out with a date at the top, a scripture to focus upon, a message from Billy Graham about the scripture listed at the top of the page, and a prayer for you to pray after reading the message. It is very well laid out, in my opinion.

This book was interesting to me. When I read it, the scripture references and messages made points that really made me think. I really enjoyed the fact that on holidays such as Christmas or Fourth of July, the readings are holiday specific. It had "meat" to it, and it isn't full of frills like other devotionals I have read before. There was very much biblical truth in this book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new devotion to read in the new year.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Start! The Bible For New Believers, NKJV, Greg Laurie, Editor

I received a book from Booksneeze.com to review, called Start The Bible For New Believers. It is a NKJV Bible that is laid out for someone just coming to know Christ, or may be curious about Christianity. In this Bible, there are pages of writing before you reach the scriptures, written by Greg Laurie, all seeming to be full of biblical truth.

It starts with one of the most important things one should know about Christianity, the Plan of Salvation. Included in that writing is the "Sinner's Prayer". The following pages explain the "Secrets to Spiritual Success". It explains now that you are saved, what you need to do, such as read your bible, have a healthy prayer life, become actively involved in church, giving, and telling others about Christ.

At the beginning of every book in the Bible, there is an introduction. The introduction tells about who wrote that book and a summary of what happens. There are also small sections throughout the Bible entitled Grow, Know, Live, and Learn. In these little sections, there are short summaries and stories, from the Bible, that give you a small lesson, and then tell you to turn to another page if you want to know more.

I would highly recommend this Bible to a new believer, however, I wouldn't say it was solely for a new believer. I would also recommend it for those who want to know how to teach a new believer, kind of like a guide to help you help others. The only thing I did not like about it, was the cover. I felt that for a Bible, it should be a little more sturdy, so I do recommend buying something other than the paperback.







Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

1 week down...

Today marks the end of our first full week of FLVS. What is FLVS you ask? It is Florida Virtual School! Check it out here! http://www.flvs.net/

Emily has done awesome! She is currently enrolled in 6th grade classes for History, Science, Math and Language Arts. We do daily Bible reading and she is also reading books of her choice.

She has thoroughly enjoyed herself this week, and couldn't be happier with the decisions to place her there. I have really liked the programs and being able to come behind her and check her work out, seeing how she is doing, and not having the full teaching on me.


We have set up a little area for her to do her work. It's a desk all her own, given to us by a friend. With our patience, God provided, and we are thankful! Here is a picture of her sitting at her desk.

We are looking forward to this journey on this path the Lord has set before us. I am excited to see the results!

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

God can use ME!

Last week, I had the awesome opportunity to go to Olive's Kid Camp "Mythbusters" in Marianna for the week. We left Monday morning and returned Friday afternoon. I must admit that at first I was a little apprehensive to go, because I had never gone to anything like this in my life. I knew that no matter if I had been before or not, the Lord had great plans, and I was ready to see what was in store for all of us.

The theme of this year's Kid's Camp was "Mythbusters" where we would "bust" common myths about our faith. We were given a pamphlet with daily devotions when we arrived, that had a daily myth to be "busted".

Friday's devotion was one of my favorites. It was in reference to 2 Timothy 2:21 "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." The myth to be "busted" here was that "God is too critical to use me".

The lesson I learned from this is that even though I may say the wrong things and do the wrong things, God can still use me so long as I cleanse myself daily. Daily I must remember to pray, confess my sins, read His word, repent, etc. so that I can be a vessel used by Our Heavenly Father. I am not perfect and for that matter, no one but God is perfect. I am so glad that I was there to learn this lesson, it couldn't have been a better time to learn it...