Friday, May 23, 2008

Sudoku Crazy!

Recently, I have been having some fun learning to play a game called Sudoku(pronounced Soo-Dough-Koo). It looks challenging, and sounds challenging, and it is challenging. :) The object of the game is to fill the board with numbers. Now you cannot fill the board with random numbers, you have to fill it all out with the numbers 1-9. Sounds easy, huh? WRONG!

You must fit the numbers 1-9 in every column without repeating any numbers in that column. That makes it a little more difficult. But you havent heard the end of it yet! You must also put the num,bers 1-9 in every row without repeating. That sounds pretty hard, doesn't it?

Well, if you study a Sudoku puzzle board, then you will notice that there are rows of nine, columns of nine, and then there are boxes of nine. Yes, that's right, boxes. If you are thinking what I think your thinking, then I don't have to tell you that you also have to fit 1-9 in every box without repeating as well!

It might make more sense if you study a solved one.


Click Here for Enlarged Picture

So as you can see it can get pretty complicated. The game is mainly a process of ellimination. First you would look at the row and see, "Is there a 1?" and if there isn't you would find all the possible places in the row to put the 1, and mark it as optional. As you sontinue and find more areas where other 1's can be, you will eliminate more and more, and therefore leave only one left. Here are a few more puzzles that we have completed.



Click Here for Larger Picture


Click Here for Larger Picture


Click Here for Larger Picture

Now that you have seen it, why go to the stores for a book? Play it online free here! If you need some better instructions for playing, and some hints as well for how to solve, simply go to http://www.sudoku.net/ and explore around!

Have fun!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

A Heartfelt Poem to Share...

"Hold My Heart, Triune God"
By Kristen
Hold my heart, triune God; for, You
Have shown grace to those who through You came
From sorrow and shame to stand on Your name.
How great is this? to be made new;
What mercy does this compare to?
I, a sinner, You claim,
That Your work I might proclaim;
For to You all glory is due.
Take me, hold me in your hand;
Don’t let my heart be snatched away,
But, instead, fill it with joy to stay.
Even when I do not understand what You have planned,
Give me faith to persevere ‘til the day You appear;
And hold my heart, triune God; draw me near.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Quote of the Week: May 12


But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.
-Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

A Brief Intro...

Hello!

As a new member of the 4Homeschoolers team, I figured that it may be helpful for you all if I gave a brief introduction regarding myself. First of all, I have been saved by the grace of Jesus Christ and have the desire for Him to use the life that He has given me to bring Him honor and glory. Serving as the second oldest of six children, I have three brothers and two sisters whom I love and enjoy. Among these, the Lord has tremendously blessed our family with three precious adopted children from the countries South Korea and China.

The Lord called our family to home school seven years ago. My older brother and I had previously gone to the public school as well as a Christian school. My parents want to give us an education centered on Christ, and one in which they could actively participate and direct us according to the knowledge that God has revealed to them.

An interesting side note, Allison and I met at a Family Camp in Michigan two years ago. Both of our families attended a week long camp, and through it she and I began a special friendship. She has been a wonderful blessing to me as a sweet sister in Christ!

In addition, I have a blog at www.everlasting-treasure.blogspot.com. I have recently been posting about a medical missions trip my dad, brother, and I went on three weeks ago. You can find out more about me there.

Blessings!
Kristen

Monday, May 5, 2008

Quote of the Week: May 5

It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation's humble acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.
-John Adams

New Blog Author!

The 4 homeschoolers have a new blog member!!! Kristen is our new addition, our fifth author on the 4 homeschoolers “staff”. We are incredibly excited! We are keeping the original name—4homeshcoolers—but are simply adding a dear friend and pen-pal of mine.

Please join me in welcoming Kristen, by leaving a comment! And to any readers who may not have commented before, please take the time to do so now... :)