Letters from Customers...
January 6, 2012
I just want to take the opportunity to thank you for your wonderful customer service. I had a question about the condition of a discounted book and the gentleman that helped me in your Live Chat was very helpful. He contacted the warehouse and they immediately answered my question and he communicated the answer to me. I didn't expect to get an answer so quickly! Then to get this e-mail that my order already shipped! Great job! In a time when customer service is lacking in all businesses I have dealt with, your company is a breath of fresh air!
SOUTH CAROLINADecember 14, 2011
Dear Rod and Staff,
I wanted to take a second to say thank you for being a part of our homeschool life this year through your materials. I did order some directly from you this fall, but was also able to find some second-hand that we are using with our older ones this year as well.
We have been homeschooling for many years now, as our oldest is in 5th grade, and I have used/tried/viewed countless materials, especially a lot of the "latest and greatest" things. I can honestly tell you that I have been so relieved, surprised, and delighted by what we have found in the Rod and Staff materials.
As you can tell from our email, we are a Roman Catholic family, and therefore do provide our own Catechism materials. But the familiarity that we are gaining with the Holy Bible is something for which I am so thankful. It truly does form the foundation of the curriculum, in every subject, and it so wonderful. Also, it provides character training throughout by having this foundation. All the lessons and rules I try to establish with my children are explained and reinforced by their schoolwork... giving me more tools, as well as making them more aware of the reasons for those rules. I have wanted this in every curriculum I have tried, and no one else even comes close to the materials from Rod and Staff.
Finally, the other answered prayer that has come to us through Rod and Staff is the amazing amount of help that the materials give to me as the teacher. I am currently teaching four different levels... and if I had to do all the fancy new programs with each subject taking 45 minutes to get NOTHING accomplished, I would never finish. Not to mention I do not have that much time with each one! Your materials are traditional, concise, efficient, and effective... and I am so grateful. Rod and Staff is truly making us have a wonderful education.
Thank you so much... and have a very blessed preparation for Christmas. You will be hearing from us again this spring!
VIRGINIANovember 18, 2011
I just want to thank you so much for the wonderful Biblical materials you sent us! I gave my life to Jesus since I was 16 years old (I'm 45 and a mother of 3) and I have always loved to study the Bible and read Biblical literature. However, I have NEVER—and I mean NEVER—read books like the ones you offer for children: So simple to read, yet so profound.
I started homeschooling my youngest daughter this year (she is 11) and I bought the Reading Books starting from Grade 2. The reason being is that your books have the whole Bible by chapters and I didn't want her to miss any! I have read the Bible many times during my lifetime, and I am surprised that I have been "discovering" things and details that I had "overlooked" in the Bible, yet I go to my Bible, and there they are! (Thank you for being so detail-oriented!).
I am also a professional translator and I decided to buy the Spanish reading books as well: I just want to tell you that they are perfectly translated; so far I haven't found any spelling, nor grammar or syntax mistakes. Before buying them, I did some research on several very reputable homeschooling curriculum providers, and their Spanish curriculums had so many mistakes, however yours was impeccable!
I can't praise the Lord enough for having found Rod and Staff and allowing my child to be learning about the Word of God in such an engaging, true-to-the-facts, and clear way!
COLORADONovember 17, 2011
Dear Martin Family,
Thank you for the kind email newsletter. We are so thankful for the service you provide. It is very important to us to supply our children with stories that give our Father glory and recognition, as well as illustrating the walk of truly living the life of love God has called us to live. Until we found you we struggled with finding these sorts of books.
We have enjoyed the many stories we have purchased from you over the last few years and I know God has used them to speak to my children's hearts, as well as my husband's and my own. You are providing a very valuable and much needed service and I pray God's blessing so you may continue this good work. The ability to supply children with the type of books you sell is becoming more and more important as the time of our Lord and Savior's return draws near.
It has been on my heart to thank you and tell you what a blessing your service has been to our family. The poem you posted in your email was timely for my family as well and I am excited to share it with them in the morning. Isn't it wonderful how our Lord provides and cares for us so constantly when we turn our face to Him?
Have a beautiful day!
NORTH CAROLINASeptember 22, 2011
You are my favorite company to purchase from. I can always rely on your integrity and kindness. Thanks for making your literature available for my family.
UTAHSeptember 12, 2011
Dear Staff,
I was wondering if you could give me a little information on Rod & Staff. I have an 11-year-old who has dyslexia. I used Rod & Staff with him in years 1 and 2 but found it heavy going with him. They seem to me to have a very high standard, which is wonderful, but I gave up, thinking I was stifling his love of learning by using them.
I would dearly love to resume using Rod & Staff, but am wondering if you have any information or opinion on whether this curriculum is suitable for "learning different children" who have challenges such as dyslexia. I love how the curriculum is so Bible-based and thorough! My son tires very easily and doesn't cope too well with a lot of book work and desk time.
Any information would be gratefully received.
AUSTRALIA...
September 23, 2011From Milestone Ministries:
I am sorry for the delay. Because of your inquiry and others, we sent out an email to our customers asking for help on this topic because we have no experience in this field. We now have some of the results and you will find them at our Learning Difficulties page.
This will give you some idea of what others are doing. I hope this is helpful.
Silas
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September 26, 2011Dear Silas,
I can't thank you enough for going to the trouble you did and asking your customers for their input into learning difficulties and your curriculum. I so appreciate all of the advice and I feel so touched that you would go to this effort to help myself and others out! I am still reading through and studying the responses and are finding them to be an absolute blessing.
God bless you, your family, and your ministry!
AUSTRALIASeptember 9, 2011
Dear Rod & Staff,
I just wanted to tell you that I love your ministry, and its materials. My family and I are not Mennonites, but we are born-again Christians who homeschool. We allowed our children to go to public school for 2 years. It was very hard for them even at the K-2 grade level, and then we felt the Lord prompting us to take them out. That was 3 1/2 years ago, and we've been homeschooling ever since. But it was scary. I had no idea what to do, and I was afraid that I would fail them. But we know there is no failure in Christ, and whatever He calls us to do, He also provides the grace in which to do it.
We wasted so much money trying different curriculums that we weren't satisfied with. Then I received a packet in the mail with flyers and postcards for homeschool materials and curriculums. I looked through them, and yes, even after sensing the Holy Spirit's nudge towards Rod & Staff Publishing, I still passed it by. Needless to say, after so much prayer and crying out to God, He brought me full circle and right back to you, and I'm so glad He did, and so sorry it took me so long to finally "get it." Anyway, I just wanted to commend you (Rod & Staff Publishers) for your faithfulness to the truth of God's Word, and the simplicity in which it's presented.
ILLINOISSeptember 7, 2011
Thank you so much for the prompt response! I've added it to my cart and place my order. Thank you so much for the wonderful customer service. This is my second order from your company and our first year using Rod and Staff curriculum. I am so glad I found both Rod and Staff books and your company that allows me to purchase them on the internet.
NEW YORK August 25, 2011Thank you! I appreciate being able to buy top quality curricula at a very reasonable price!
IDAHOAugust 7, 2011
Thank you so much for the wonderful resources you make available, our children love the stories and their attitudes and behaviors are always better when we are reading them often. And many thanks for making overseas shipping so affordable.
AUSTRALIAJuly 28, 2011
Thank you very much for your quick response to my order. I really appreciate it. I love Rod &map Staff books. I have used them with all 6 of my children. I love the fact that they are biblically based.
GEORGIAJuly 19, 2011
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my message in the "notes" section! I just wanted to make sure it didn't process twice, and I can see you took very good care of that for me. I appreciate your attention to each order like this.
NEW HAMPSHIREJuly 15, 2011
I just wanted to send an email and thank you all for your prompt and courteous service. I am a home schooling mom of two children and have used Abeka exclusively for 6 years. This year I really prayed about curriculum and was searching for one that was centered around the Word of God and that would teach my kids an attitude of servitude and ministry. Your curriculum was the answer to that prayer. I was so impressed with your Bible programs that we have decided to use Rod and Staff in most other subjects this year as well. I love that the Holy Scripture is the focus of each subject. Your ideas of always going first to the Bible is what I want to teach my children. You really brought me back to the reason I chose home schooling to begin with. I will pray for your ministry and be a loyal customer. Thanks again and keep up your service for Him.
MONTANAJune 2, 2011
My mother used this curriculum with me. I can't wait to share it with my boys!
CALIFORNIAApril 15, 2011
We are so happy you sell KJV homeschool books and that Christian attitudes are in every lesson.
KENTUCKYApril 7, 2011
Thank you so very much for the discounted international shipping!
AUSTRALIAMarch 8, 2011
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate that Rod & Staff keep their materials the same for years. I have been able to use the readers that I learned to read with and order new workbooks to use with my children. I so greatly appreciate not being required to update my entire curriculum every few years as some companies require.
MINNESOTAFebruary 17, 2011
Dear Milestone Ministries / Rod & Staff Books,
The following review is one that I wrote and posted on a web-site for home school curriculum reviews.
I thought I would share with you the positive review I wrote. Your books have been a wonderful blessing and addition to our home school.
Blessings,
C.
REVIEW OF ROD & STAFF PHONICS/READING/READERS:
I hesitate to write a review so soon on a curriculum, but after all my searching for a good solid phonics program I have to say that I LOVE Rod & Staff phonics. We started with this program two months ago, and it is such a relief to find a program that teaches a complete package of phonics in a way that makes sense to children.
We used MFW Grade 1 bible/phonics for the second 1/2 of K and fall of first grade. At the end of it my son was easily reading at around a 2nd grade level. So we went with MFW recommendation of doing R&S grade 2 spelling next. He could read the words on the page easily, but at the end of the week he still couldn't spell a single one. I realized that his Grade 1 program had left him with an ability to read, but not an ability to do phonics or spelling. He had completed the MFW Grade 1 phonics workbook easily, but it never required the real thinking that is needed for learning. So I went to the R&S web site to find a first grade level spelling. What I found instead was their first grade phonics & reading program. I am so GLAD that I did!!!
The saddest part for me was when I started to place him for the phonics and readers by using the pages on the R&S web site. I quickly realized that the R&S program had passed his knowledge by unit 2 (there are 5 units for grade 1). He had been presented an overview of the phonics for grade 1, and had been exposed to certain parts of the R&S first grade phonics; but there was so much more information being presented that even unit 1 had a few concepts I knew he had not seen before. As a result I started him with grade 1 phonics unit 1. The early part of unit 1 especially was a review. His reading is beyond the intended reading level. However, I am so glad that I have chosen to spend time on laying this foundation. His spelling and reading have made significant progress in 2 months of the R&S program. He is becoming more confident, sounding out words more easily, able to spell phonetically, and learning the foundation I want him to have for reading & spelling down the road.
The R&S grade 1 phonics/reading program includes a phonics workbook, reading workbook, readers, and teacher's manuals. The phonics workbooks make him think. The reading workbooks make him think. The questions are presented in a way that requires the student to process the information and think about the concepts being learned. The teacher's manual for phonics includes a daily spelling test that we use. There are also other activities that could be used. The reading teacher manual includes bible questions about the story read from the bible reader. These questions are thoughtful, and often convicting in a very good way. The teacher's manuals also have answers to the question of what the picture is, since I don't always know.
The readers themselves are the heart of the program. We started with unit 1 as a two-day review, and then continued with unit 2 at a slower pace. We did skip the 1st reader workbook. Even with his reading ability though the unit 2 workbook has given him additional reading practice, as well as introducing early concepts of grammar such as singular and plural and 'a' before a constant and 'an' before a vowel. Some of this had been in the MFW Grade 1 phonics, but some had not. I am really glad that I choose to allow him to start with the unit 2 reading workbook. There is much information in it that he had not had, and will need for an English foundation. It will enable him to be successful when we reach R&S English 2. These readers are wonderful for character building as well as learning the Bible.
This program builds on itself. I think it would be difficult to jump into the middle of, unless the student has a solid foundation elsewhere.
I have bought the phonics and reading workbooks for my second son, and plan to start them when he is soon finished with MFW K. He can read three letter words easily, but I will be starting him with grade 1 unit 1 for both.
For a student who has no prior knowledge in reading, or even the alphabet, this program starts at ground level and could be used as a first program. I would think though that it would require a slow pace initially for the first unit.
The books are very inexpensive, which is a nice bonus. The pictures are all in black and white, not entertainment based at all. Interestingly, my children have really liked these books. I think the lack of color makes them calming, instead of stimulating, and allows them to focus on the work at hand.
I am also using the pre-school books with my 4-year-old, and they are working very well.
I think the thing I like best about this curriculum is I am not dissatisfied with any part of it. I don't have any part of it that I would wish to change. I like everything about it. These books are a great academic foundation in phonics and reading, and a love for the LORD. I don't see any pride in it at all. The Rod & Staff books are very humble in their approach to learning and teaching our children.
WASHINGTONJanuary 29, 2011
We ordered part of the grade 1 package last year. Your prices are the best, and as a very conservative Seventh-day Adventist, I appreciate the modesty in the pictures. My children are EXTREMELY sensitive to immodesty and complain about it a lot if they come across it. My daughter is 4 years old and she's already done with the grade 1 unit 1 reader, that's how much she's enjoying your books. So much for my having planned for them to only start "school" when they turned 8! I actually have to try coax both my children to STOP reading! Your curriculum is easy to follow—as a "new" teacher—and I look forward to using this curriculum till they're done with high school—if God hasn't come yet! God bless you all abundantly. Thank you so much for the hard work and thought.
SOUTH AFRICADecember 6, 2010
Thank you for your letter of encouragement on your website tonight, "An Open Letter to Homeschool Families." I am thankful that you are encouraging home schoolers to not accept the offers from school programs, known as MP3 in our area; programs that offer, as you put it, "candy" to home schoolers.
My oldest, of four children, is seven. So we are still fairly early into home schooling for grade school. I was very fortunate that the leader of our home school association showed a movie on the very issue that you area discussing a week into my oldest son's K year. I was one of about ten parents, out of hundreds, that attended the movie. It was very eye-opening regarding this issue. It gave examples of home schooling in Canada and Australia and the changes that can occur.
Thank you, as one who can reach many home schoolers, for taking the time to inform people.
We have chosen to stay out of the MP3 program. Since our curriculum is entirely Biblically based, except for math, it would be problematic.
I want to end with a quote from my son, age 7, today while doing his Rod and Staff English 2 book: "This is a really good book mom."
The heart of the Lord is in it, and he is loving his English and Spelling books as much as I am.
WASHINGTONNovember 8, 2010
We are a homeschooling familiy and we would like to say that we love your site and your books. In our days it is not easy to find God-centered and effective educational material. So, we are happy that we found your books, they are a big help for us.
GREAT BRITAINOctober 6, 2010
From Milestone Ministries:
Thank you for ordering with us. I'm sorry for any trouble you experienced with our website. It appears that you attempted to pay several times with Visa. We have voided the duplicate pending charges made to your Visa account, and will be shipping your order soon.
...
October 6, 2010Thank you so much for correcting the multiple times I tried paying. I kept getting an error message and was not aware that it had been accepting them. I'm so glad it went through. I look forward to receiving my order, but wanted to ensure I let you know how much I appreciated the email making me aware of the multiple pending charges and thank you for prompt adjustment and outstanding customer service I have received. Have a blessed week and look forward to future purchases with your company.
FLORIDAAugust 27, 2010
Thank you for writing "An Open Letter to Homeschool Families." A number of people I know are homeschooling through a charter school. I feel like I am one of the few in the group who is our own private school. This year a number families have also changed from their own private school to charter and are talking about how it has helped them financially. Since we are struggling financially, I find myself wondering.... from time to time. Your letter has helped to keep me on the path that I know is best—our own private school without government involvement.
CALIFORNIAAugust 17, 2010
I am so eager to receive this and appreciate the wonderful service you've given! I am amazed it shipped the same day I ordered it. Thank you for doing 1 Cor. 10:31, what a testimony.
FLORIDAAugust 3, 2010
I just wanted to take a minute and tell you how much we have appreciated doing business with your company. We've used the Rod and Staff books for 3 years now. I've tried other curriculum brands, but I've been most pleased over all with Rod and Staff and the Pathway readers. Although we are not Mennonite, she relates to them very well with their animal and farm-related subject-matter. I can ALWAYS trust that they will set a godly example for her. I don't need to be concerned about what she might find in them, as I am with some other materials. They are simple, straight-forward and (I think) suited to children. They are challenging while not pushing children to "grow up too fast."
TEXASJuly 18, 2010
Thank you for the "open letter to Homeschool Families" on your website. It is indeed some food for thought, especially as I've been thinking about this very thing lately. [...] Please keep us (my family) in your prayers.
On another note, my youngest son is very much enjoying the pre-school set I ordered from you a while ago. I especially appreciated the tips for using it that you have in the description on your website.
BRITISH COLUMBIAJune 17, 2010
I am crying and praising as I type this as I believe our God is a good God and answers our prayers.
We are a homeschool family in South Africa and we are struggling financially. I cannot begin to describe what a blessing it was to log onto your site today and see reduced International shipping rates. I am unable to thank you enough. You see, shipping to South Africa by some vendors can be from 35% to 75%, making our homeschooling very pricey.
We have tried various curriculum, and I recently said to my husband I would like to stick with Rod and Staff—it is so Godly, affordable, an excellent academic foundation and I can re-use so much of it with my children.
I have been praying about our curriculum and asking God to make a way for this to happen. I have been waiting until we can afford to order our curriculum. Now I will be able to. Thank you!
Please can you convey my heartfelt thanks to everyone concerned. I am singing praises at the power of God and at the faithfulness of God's people. It is impossible to describe my gratitude in words.
SOUTH AFRICAApril 14, 2010
Just want to say "THANK YOU" for catching my mistake before it shipped!
ALABAMAApril 1, 2010
Thank you so much for your promptness in fulfilling my request. These items are to be presents for my six Kindergarten students at their graduation ceremony in late May. I have seen these little books at my daughter's home; she had purchased them for my grandchildren, who are so pleased with them. They say the truth in the simplest and kindest way—a style of presenting facts that is fast disappearing today, even within various Christian ministries.
Thank you so much for maintaining the truth.
MASSACHUSETTSOctober 28, 2009
Dear Fellow Brothers In Christ,
I just wanted to thank you so much for being a blessing to me and my family! After going through an ordeal with my daughter's teachers and her free state homeschool program, I remembered that a friend and sister in Christ from WA state told me about your program this past summer and she mentioned how she really liked your homeschool program for her daughter. I did not follow through with her suggestion because I thought it may have been too costly for me and I didn't know if my state would approve of your program so I didn't think twice until I was faced recently with a dilemma, should I put my asthmatic child (who I am striving with God's help to raise in the fear and admonition of Him) back into public school where she picked up so many negative character traits so that I can go back to work in order to pay off some bills and purchase what I want, or do I trust God and sacrifice to teach my child at home? Well, as you can see, the good Lord directed me to your website after praying for some direction, and lo and behold, in addition to looking into your homeschool program, I discovered your awesome tracts on "Halloween." I immediately felt led to order them ASAP! That's where you all came in and blessed me by sending the tracts out before I even paid for them to ensure that I would receive them on time. Thank you for allowing God to use you to be such a blessing to me because I really want people to know the truth about Halloween like the Good Lord allowed me to know the truth. Anyhow, I look forward to ordering the homeschool program for my daughter prayerfully in the near future when I get enough money. Until then, may the Good Lord Bless You All and Keep You and continue to use you all to continue doing a good work for Him!
PENNSYLVANIASeptember 3, 2009
A friend of mine homeschools her two children. She showed me one of your books she is using for English/Grammar subject and I was thrilled to see the Biblical references in the teachings. I spent a few hours on your website getting a better understanding of your materials. You have a great website that is so useful! I am asking God our wonderful Heavenly Father to make it perfectly clear to me when/if He calls me to Homeschool. I trust Him thoroughly with this prayer request. The purchase I have made from your wonderful company will be used to supplement our son's public school education.
I just started reading the book A Sower Went Forth ...very good! I also purchased Thursday at 5:00pm tract. I wasn't sure what the content would be, but I got them anyway. I volunteer at a Pregnancy Crisis Center (a Christian ministry), where I meet young women/teens in an unplanned pregnancy. We show them the love of Jesus, counsel them on pro-life choices (adoption, parenting), and make every attempt to take Abortion out of the picture for them. I am going to show this tract to the Director to see if we can hand them out along with our other materials and Bibles. Please keep our ministry in your prayers (and others around America).
Praising our Lord and Savior Jesus!
NEW JERSEYAugust 31, 2009
I just wanted to tell you how wonderful your website is. You give all the information that the consumer/mommy needs. I love the feature that shows the sample text. That is so helpful in deciding which books are appropriate for each child's level. It gives me such peace in making decisions for my family and gifts for others.
TEXASAugust 28, 2009
Thank you for responding to my email. The kind of customer service you're offering is almost unheard of in this day and age. I appreciate your willingness to compensate me in some way [for the books damaged in shipping].
As I didn't email R&S looking for any compensation, I'm hesitant to even specify a dollar amount. If R&S would like to offer me a little discount, then I'll be grateful for whatever you're willing to give.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your prompt response. If this is the kind of service R&S is going to offer our family, you can be sure we'll be coming back for more material.
On a side note, I've looked through front to back the Grade 4 English text and am thrilled with it. Why elementary kids are no longer taught diagramming is beyond me! And the way you incorporate scripture into everything is a blessing to the moms and the children using these books.
MAINEAugust 20, 2009
Thank you so much for catching my error on my order! I would have been so disappointed with two teacher manuals. I can't tell you how grateful I am for wonderful and caring customer service. Thank you again and can't wait to start our first year of homeschooling. I've heard great reviews about your books and can't wait to try them out ourselves.
TEXASAugust 10, 2009
I just recently ordered the 5th grade basic package from you for my son. I have received the books and just wanted to write and tell you I am soooo very happy with them. I have used a couple different types of books for his homeschooling and have never really been happy with what I was using. I am really looking forward now to starting this school year and I am confident we have finally found the books we will use from now on.
Everyone was very nice and helpful when I ordered, I will make sure to refer all of my homeschooling friends your way.
ILLINOISJune 9, 2009
Thank you for fast, friendly service! My children and I love your English, Spelling, and Art curricula. I love the straight-forward approach to language. The art is very creative and my children enjoy the variety of projects. We always have something nice to put on the refrigerator each week. It is a blessing to find such wonderful products that give the praise, honor, and glory to God our Father and Savior.
MONTANAJune 8, 2009
I want to tell you how much your curriculum is a blessing to me. I have been homeschooling for 18 years and have ten children. There have been times I was tempted by curriculum that looked more "fun" or exciting, but in the end your curriculum remains my favorite. I am now back to using Rod and Staff for all of my younger children ages 13-3 and am excited to see the new highschool ideas. Thank you from a busy mom who appreciates your excellent quality, Godly values, and keeping it simple!
MICHIGANMay 28, 2009
I just recieved the preschool material this week. I could not be more pleased at the thought of using it! I wanted to thank you for sending the First Grade Curriculum Sample—I was not expecting it. I really helps me get a thorough feel for your first grade material in the comfort of my own home. Thank you!
MISSISSIPPIMay 18, 2009
I want to thank you for the speedy service. Also, I really want to tell you that I love your products. We have used many of your books in the past and are really happy with the content. I don't have to worry about questionable material when we use your books. Thank you for doing your best to honor the Lord. That helps the rest of us who want Godly curriculum for our children.
VIRGINIAMay 6, 2009
I didn't notice the mistake I'd made--ordering the same book twice--and I'd have been utterly irritated with only myself to blame. Your excellent customer service saved me both aggravation and money, and that's a major blessing. Your efforts are way above and beyond the expected. Thank you so much!
GEORGIAApril 27, 2009
I just wanted to tell you that I have just received my order! Thank you very much! What a wonderful, blessed start to the week!
I wish you many more successes. Thank you for your wonderful service and the wonderful resource itself.
PENNSYLVANIAMarch 27, 2009
I was going to set down and start the study in my new book, "What the Bible Says About... Child Training" and imagine my surprise when I found several blank pages! I looked carefully thinking it would be OK, just extra pages between the text, but these pages are actually not printed!...
How do we get this rectified? Do you want me to return my copy to you or will you just send me another and then I can return this one to you? Anxiously awaiting your reply. (I know it will be Monday before you can work on this.)
FLORIDA...
March 31, 2009From Milestone Ministries:
The publisher will be sending you a replacement. You don't need to return the defective book.
...
April 1, 2009Thank you so much for the prompt answer to my problem.
I am a home-schooling grandma. Our daughter and granddaughter live with us. I started with her at four and used your workbooks--"Color, Count and Cut" and the Bible story alphabet. (We used one letter and story a week.) She is now 5 and ready for "big school." I used a combination of workbooks and "Hooked on Phonics" last year and we had her tested this spring and she is "definitely ready for first grade.I agonized over curriculum--prayed and had others praying for me to make the right decision. I narrowed it down to two and spent days going over samples and talking to people who had used both of them. I finally made the choice to use Rod and Staff and am so pleased. I have the whole curriculum and probably enough other supplies to keep me going for a while! I have a tendency to over buy when it comes to books. I love reading and do a lot of it.
We are independent Baptists and appreciatate all who continue to use the King James Bible....
I am so excited to start the Rod and Staff curriculum! I am gong to start the math program now in the spring to get a jump on fall.
Thank you again so much for your help and for maintaining a God-centered, Bible-based curriculum.
FLORIDAFebruary 15, 2009
Thank you so much for your prompt attention to my order. I always receive my orders quickly and in perfect shape. I love your curriculum too. The Lord blessed me with only one child and she was a miracle at that. Her name is Sara and she does so much better with your curriculum than the other one I tried in the beginning of my homeschooling career. I have wished many times that I had listened to my sister who highly recommended your curriculum from the beginning. Praise the Lord it only took one year and not two or three to learn my lesson.
TENNESSEEJanuary 24, 2009
I love doing business with you! Thank you for your consistently superior products and your amazingly fast processing and shipping.
NEVADADecember 3, 2008
From Milestone Ministries:
Sorry about the missing timeline. We'll send you one today.
...
December 3, 2008Thank you so much and we really love your products. It is so nice to have Godly resources that don't cost a fortune.
NORTH CAROLINANovember 3, 2008
Thank you for making a great product available at affordable prices and wonderful customer service!
KANSASSeptember 2, 2008
Thank you! so much for all that you do for Jesus and the furthering of the Gospel through Bibles ~ this Bible is going to Australia that is where my Husband and I were both born. Across the road from my dads house is an elderly Russian lady. I grew up with her children and have just recently been speaking to her about the Gospel of our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I needed a Russian Bible for her and a friend suggested you guy's. So thank you very much for being there for us!
Plus! I was so excited about seeing the scripture that you added to my e-mail :) You truly blessed me!
KANSAS
June 18, 2008
Wow! You guys are fast!! I ordered from you last year. We have a little girl from Belarus who comes to stay with us six weeks each Summer. I want her to know of the Lord. We have translators at our church for Sunday School, but she loves to read, and it is great to have a place from which to order.
SOUTH CAROLINAApril 25, 2008
Thank you so very much for your explanation about the charge. It shows the quality of your customer service. We've been very happy with the products and the service, and we will continue to shop your store online as we homeschool. I knew it was some kind of problem in the system and that it would be resolved. Thank you for clarifying that for us.
TEXASApril 23, 2008
Dear Silas,
Thanks for your quick response. I had no clue where to find evangelistic material in RUSSIAN. But there you were! Pray for Vladimir and Sasha as God leads me to bring them to the HIM.
VIRGINIA
March 21, 2008
Dear Silas,
WOW! What quick and prompt service. We just received our order today. Everything was so well packed and arrived in excellent condition. Thanks so much and for your ministry that comes from your heart. We're eager to dig into these books.
OHIOJanuary 23, 2008
Just wanted to say I used your website for the first time today, and was so impressed. It was SO very user friendly, simple to use, and I loved how easy and fast it was to look inside a book, and also to see the shipping cost for an order. Really great website design! Thanks for making it so easy to order online.
WASHINGTONJanuary 3, 2008
I received my order today and just wanted to drop a line to say Thanks! The books were in excellent condition—even the used book. I'm in the process of ordering a few more books and will most definitely order more books for my son for next year. Also, your s/h is very reasonable and it's much appreciated that you don't overprice in this area.
GEORGIANovember 26, 2007
I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the efficiency and speed of your service. I live in England and someone from the States is coming to visit me so I asked them to bring the books. They are leaving next week and I was hoping they would arrive in time. I ordered the books this morning and you have shipped them in a matter of a few hours! That is truly excellent service. I will use you again for sure and I will highly recommend you to anyone I know who may be interested. I had ordered the books from someone else nearly 3 weeks ago and they haven't been shipped yet so I thought I would see if someone else could get them to me quicker. You have exceeded my expectations! Thank you and May God richly bless your ministry. Also your website is very easy to use, informative, and well done.
GREAT BRITAINOctober 20, 2007
Thank you for your prompt service! I couldn't be happier with everything I have purchased and the quality of service you provide. I look forward to many years of doing business with you.
CONNECTICUTSeptember 21, 2007
Thank you so much. You guys have been such a great company for us to work with. It has been such a blessing for our family to find you this year. I was feeling overwhelmed aat the idea of teaching all 4 of my children in different grades this year, but Rod and Staff has made it easy and a pleasure. We also have appreciated the speed in which our orders have been processed.
CALIFORNIAAugust 1, 2007
As a homeschooling mother of 22 years, I have wisely (and often unwisely) bought books and curricula from many publishers and companies. The one place I always come back to is Rod & Staff and here’s why: I have emphatically never found early-readers so saturated with sterling character-builders. Portraying kindness, courtesy, honesty, hard work and service, each of these books grabs the reader’s attention and interest in a profound way. Regarding math, I should be ashamed to admit how many programs I bought and barely used until I found Rod & Staff. This math program contains absolutely no weak areas whatsoever but thoroughly covers not only all basic math operations, but time, money, weights and measures. If I’d started out with Rod and Staff, I would have saved our little homeschool much time, energy, and money.
TEXASJuly 25, 2007
Dear Silas and Martha,
I just wanted to let you know that my order arrived today and I am thrilled with the Rod and Staff curriculum. I am so happy I discovered your website and books. I sent in another order recently to complete my daughter's curriculum for the upcoming school year, and then I will order my son's books. (I have to buy a little at a time because of my budget.) The books are so beautifully simple but thorough, and filled with examples of virtue. The teacher's manuals are excellent. I love the way the teacher's manual incorporates Bible lessons into everything, and instills respect for God as well as for the teacher, instead of "entertaining" the child.
I had considered getting books which were more colorful and had a greater variety of stories, other than the Bible--and then I realized, they have plenty of that available in all their other story books! What they really need is a solid foundation in the Bible as part of everything they learn. I have really come to prefer these boks as a breath of clean, fresh air in a cluttered, complicated world. Thanks again for the wonderful service and materials you provide.
MASSACHUSETTSJuly 23, 2007
I have spent many hours trying to find a good-solid textbook that teaches basic English skills for our Christian school. I was becoming increasingly frustrated until I stumbled upon your website.
I want to tell you how much I appreciate the detailed information available about your curriculum and the concepts taught on each level. It seems to be exactly what I was looking for and with affordable pricing. I am thrilled. I cannot wait to receive the order.
FLORIDAJuly 5, 2007
Help me, please! I got so carried away with all the great things on your site, I forgot to order the worksheets and test booklet for English 3rd Grade, Beginning Wisely that I originally went on the internet to find.
I had picked up the 3rd grade English teachers manual and pupils textbook from a homeschool conference and still needed the worksheets and test booklet. Susan Wise Bauer, coauthor of "The Well Trained Mind," advised us at the conference that the Rod and Staff English Program is one she would recommend, so I bought it. Looking at your web site, I did not realize that Rod and Staff had so much more, and put in the order below for our next school year. The long and short of it is you had such great things that I got carried away and forgot to order the worksheets and test booklet that I was originally setting out to order. I would really, really appreciate as a homeschool mom if you could put the worksheets and test booklet in with this order so to save on shipping.
CALIFORNIAJune 25, 2007
Just a short note to say thank you for a wonderful website. I just ordered some Rod and Staff English set from your website. Thank you for allowing me to use a Singapore credit card and sending the order to a US address as it saves me a lot of postage. My friend will bring it back to us when he returns to Singapore.
It has been really hard to find a good English text and I was so relieved to have found Rod and Staff.
Keep up the good work!
SINGAPOREJune 17, 2007
I received my order on Saturday. I just wanted to let you know that I am very pleased with the Rod & Staff books I ordered. I hesitated for a while about this curriculum but I am glad I placed my order. The material is A1 and it is very affordable, specially with the 5% discount.
Thanks for the free curriculum samples, that helps a lot with the decision making. I also appreciated having my questions answered in a timely manner.
ALABAMAMay 2, 2007
Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how much I am enjoying the "Amazing Grace" CD that I ordered from you.
I was ordering some workbooks for my youngest son and just happened to look through the "Recorded Music". I am glad that I did. This singing is beautiful!
TENNESSEEApril 25, 2007
From Milestone Ministries:
Thank you for writing. Sorry that our website seemed confusing. The order lists are automatically generated as soon as you place an order, so we did not substitute any items on your order.
We are sending you "The Egg and the Chick (Book 1)" and "The Squirrel and the Nut (Book 2)." We are including an envelope for you to return to us the books 4 and 5 which you don't need.
...
April 25, 2007Thank you for your reply. I do remember when I would click on an item the page would shift up or down, but this was after I clicked to order an item. Nothing wrong happened on the first order, and I never had that problem before. But I really should have read the order carefully afterward. I just knew I clicked on the beginner books, but I guess I didn't. I am truly sorry if this is my fault and I sincerely appreciate you going out of your way & expense (your books are SO reasonable already! This is what the other church families said, too) to mail me the correct books and let me mail back the ones not needed.
FLORIDAApril 17, 2007
Thank you for another shipment of your books and CD tracts! It's so exciting when another package arrives! I buy these books for myself and my 6-year-old granddaughter, and there is nothing comparable to be found anywhere that I know of. The children's books at the average Christian bookstore contain very shallow Christian content, and it's presented in such a way as to entertain, rather than soberly instruct. Many are cartoon characters that carry trademarked toys and paraphernalia! Your Rod and Staff books are SUCH a blessing to us.
CANADAApril 12, 2007
From Milestone Ministries:
We have canceled this order, as it appears to be nearly the same as your next order. We will be processing order 15138 instead. If you have any questions, please let us know.
...
April 12, 2007There was a problem the first time I put my order through and it sent me back to the beginning of the checkout process and said that my cart was empty. I had to start all over again. Thank you for paying such close attention. I appreciate your hard and honest work.
CALIFORNIAMarch 20, 2007
We will most definitely be highly recommending you to our friends and family. We have been greatly pleased with your company. The orders always arrive in good condition and are packed with great care. The orders have all been processed, shipped and delivered very quickly, which has been wonderful! Your books are all so wonderfully filled with God's Word, which is something we are instilling into our 3 children. We will definitely be ordering from you again! May God Bless You all!
GEORGIAFebruary 9, 2007
I just wanted to let you know that I received our order today. Wow, that was fast shipping! Thank you so much for your prompt service. My children were so excited to go through the boxes and look at their new school books. I can't wait to get started. This is just the type of curriculum I've been looking for.
FLORIDAJanuary 31, 2007
Thank you so much for having such a great website. My children love to do school since we switched to Rod and Staff.
IOWAJanuary 30, 2007
Thank you so much. I wish I could order all of my curriculum needs from you as you are such a joy to work with.
KENTUCKYDecember 5, 2006
We love the Biblical emphasis and accuracy. The books are so clean and wholesome. I feel our children are receiving a solid academic and spiritual education.
MISSOURINovember 7, 2006
Thank you for catching my mistake and combining my orders and refunding my card. That was a super nice thing to do. You have, honestly, guaranteed my lifelong patronage by that one simple act. It reinforces my decision that we have chosen the correct curriculum to educate our children.
TEXASOctober 20, 2006
Thank you so much for shipping your packages out so quickly! This is the second time I have ordered from you and I am absolutely thrilled with how quick you fill orders and ship them out! This is so helpful, because I will need this material by around Tuesday or Wed. of next week and now I know that it will be here!
If I have the opportunity to recommend you all, I certainly will! I love Rod & Staff Reading materials because my children can study the Bible and also learn their reading skills!
MISSOURIAugust 22, 2006
I would like to let you know how much I appreciate your fast service. Thank you so much for helping my school year to go smoothly!
INDIANAAugust 4, 2006
Hello. I recently ordered my children's schoolbooks from your website. I would like to thank you for a job well done! I couldn't believe how quickly my order was processed, shipped and in my hands. I appreciate all the little pamphlets you included with my order. I found them very good, interesting reading. You definately went the extra mile and I will be a return customer! Thanks again for providing a great service!
GEORGIAJune 4, 2006
I ordered your Rod and Staff 3rd grade English, Math, and Spelling curriculum last week and just wanted to say thank you. Your ordering process was easy and fast. They were delivered during a rain storm and the box got very wet, but the books were completely dry inside because you wrapped them so well.
I've already looked through all the materials and I'm very pleased with everything I purchased. The books are simple and straighforward. The teacher's manuals are also clear and to the point. (I would love them even more if they came in a spiral notebook, instead of hardback.)
I've spent the past several weeks trying to find just the right home-school curriculum for my son next year. I've spent countless hours online and in our local home-school store trying to find something that would fit our needs. I've looked at many different publishers. After receiving these products, I think Rod and Staff will meet our needs perfectly. I really appreciate being able to view examples of the books online before I had to purchase them.
I also ordered one of your report cards. I love the conduct grade side of the report, it's fantastic. I'm looking forward to many more years of home-schooling using Rod and Staff books.
I should also mention the price. WOW... GREAT price for what you get! I'm just thrilled that I didn't have to spend a huge amount of money for such great books.
Thank you.... Thank you.... Thank you....
FLORIDAMay 11, 2006
I recently ordered new curriculum from you for my daughter who was severly struggling in spelling and grammar. We were using another popular curriculum but, for her, it simply was not working. In spelling she was so confused and defeated. She has done a phonics program before so I thought spelling would be a breeze for her, not so. As for English, she was bored and not really learning anything concrete. We spent nearly a full school year to cover what is covered in the first unit of your English program. What a waste!
It got to the point that everytime I mentioned doing spelling or language—she cried; it was awful. I finally decided to scrap the other stuff and search for new.
I found your program (and loved being able to check everything out before I purchased it online.) Your approach is simple and straightforward, with plenty of review. I love how you build upon the previous lessons; the programs flow very well.
My daughter is no longer crying about Spelling or English. In fact, if she is given the choice, she chooses spelling first. She is passing all of her tests without tears and is now enjoying homeschooling again. She does a little victory dance after her spelling tests because she knows she got them all spelled correctly, even before I correct it.
Thank you for sticking to the basic Biblical principle of 1 Corinthians 14:40: "Let all things be done decently and in order." That truly sums up how you have put this curriculum together.
WASHINGTONApril 7, 2006
I wanted to let you know how pleased we were with the quick service we recieved from you folks. It was also a joy to recieve the Gospel tracts on compact disc. They were VERY timely as my 12-year-old son had recently been talking about "feeling heavy because he is a sinner." The disc about the plane that stalled over the volcano really helped him to understand some things. Thank you, and we will definately be ordering from you again.
INDIANAMarch 17, 2006
I wanted to thank your organization for helping me with this order and processing it so quickly.
CALIFORNIAMarch 6, 2006
The books are wonderful and are a terrific price. I also appreciate the grade 1 curriculum sample that you sent. Thank you so much for the exceptional service that you gave to our family. Our boys can't wait to get started on their "real schoolbooks!"
TENNESSEEMarch 5, 2006
I received the books promptly, very much appreciated.
AUSTRALIAMarch 3, 2006
Believe it or not, I spent nearly an hour online trying to locate and order Pathway workbooks. Some web sites are so cluttered and confusing they're almost impossible to use!
Thank you for your clean, user-friendly look. It was a joy ordering from you.
OREGONFebruary 28, 2006
I am looking forward to receiving my order. I noticed however in the shipping notice that it was sent Media Mail. I payed for Priority Mail. Could you credit my PayPal account for the difference?
VIRGINIA...
February 28, 2006Thank you for writing. We apologize for our mistake. We were able to retrieve the package before it left, and we will be sending it by Priority Mail. You will receive another shipment notification email with new tracking information.
Milestone Ministries...
February 28, 2006Thanks so much for your quick response to and resolution of the problem.
VIRGINIAFebruary 19, 2006
Thank you so much for your products. Your website was very user friendly too.
WASHINGTONFebruary 15, 2006
Thanks so much for your help!
PUERTO RICOFebruary 10, 2006
We home-schooled our four kids until college. You were a source that was valuable and dependable to get Christ-centered materials from....
Thanks again for your ministry—by the way, our kids are doing great (one physician, one graduating from med school this year, one the mother of two beautiful girls, and the youngest graduating from a prestigious music conservatory) and your material was a big help.
MAINEJanuary 26, 2006
Thank you for your fast and efficient service. I appreciate it.
ALASKAJanuary 23, 2006
Greetings!
I wanted to thank you for your prompt service. I submitted my order late Thursday night, and it arrived today (Monday)! I am so grateful that I found your site. It really makes it so easy to order Rod & Staff materials.
ARIZONAJanuary 17, 2006
Your catalogue made things easier and it will help me next time I need to place a large organised order. God bless you and thank you so very much. We started our school year today and just adore your books. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
AUSTRALIAJanuary 11, 2006
I just wanted to let you know that the package has come. I also wanted to say how impressed I was with the reasonable shipping charge and prompt service. I can't thank you enough. I will enjoy reading the books. Also you can expect another order from me soon.
GREAT BRITAINJanuary 10, 2006
Thank you for making this so easy!
VIRGINIADecember 17, 2005
You guys are really fast! Thanks! It looks like it should arrive by Christmas - it will be a blessed gift for my neices and nephew who have everything they want but need an introduction to fun that has eternal value and leads their precious minds to Christ. Thanks!
P.S. I'm glad to find you - I'll let my friends know where they can find inexpensive reading of moral integrity for their children.
NORTH CAROLINANovember 23, 2005
Just a note to thank you for your prompt service.
OREGONNovember 12, 2005
Hello,
I recently placed an order and it was received today. This was my first time seeing/ordering any materials by Rod & Staff.
I just wanted to commend you all for such fast, friendly customer service and great products. I am so please with our curriculum! I sat down and went through the Grade 1/ Unit 1 of Bible Nurture and Reader series and it exceeded my expectations. Thank you for carrying products that meet high standards in academics and Truth!
MICHIGANMay 10, 2005
Thank you so much.
The English texts I ordered last month are fantastic. My boys and I are enjoying them very much indeed.
WASHINGTONApril 20, 2005
I ordered via phone last week and rec'd my order yesterday. [...] thank you for the great price and the fast shipping.
K.N.March 22, 2005
I just received my second order of Rod & Staff curriculum and want to just thank you!! My son (and I) have a new-found love for Rod and Staff and it has been a blessing in our home. I will be calling you soon to place my next order. [...] I have received my orders from you guys so quickly and love the website, etc.
NORTH CAROLINAMarch 9, 2005
Thank you for the excellent service and delivery. Everything came very fast and in plenty of time for our move to Germany. I have since told my sister-in-law of your website so she should be ordering from you soon. I will highly recommend you to others, too. Thank you again for your great service!! God bless you and your ministry.
TEXASFebruary 4, 2005
I just had to write and say that yours is the BEST website I have visited so far for Rod and Staff Curriculum. The extra information is sooo helpful.
FLORIDAJanuary 3, 2005
You made my day today! I ordered part of the 2nd grade math program last Thursday, and it arrived today! I can't believe how fast you are! I haven't even had a chance to open it - I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your speedy delivery. I'm going to tell all the members of our homeschool group about you!
L.M.June 2, 2004
Dear Silas and Martha Martin,
I just wanted to send a quick email thanking yourselves and Milestone Ministries for the excellent, prompt, professional customer service I received. Not only did my Rod & Staff samples arrive within a few days of my requesting them, but after I placed my order it was also received within a few days. I'd like to add that the order was packed wonderfully and the contents were safe from any bent corners or other damage often incurred during shipping. Thank you!
CALIFORNIA