New Year, Eternal Hope

2009 has been a challenging year to say the least.  Lots of bumps and bruises, but the grace of God is an ever-present balm for our spirits.   

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.(Phil 3:13,14)


Psalm 90, A prayer of Moses
Seventy years are given to us!
Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
soon they disappear, and we fly away.
Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.(2009)

Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom. (2010)

O Lord, come back to us!
How long will you delay?
Take pity on your servants!
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. (2009)

Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!(2010)

(verses 10-17)

WARNING! DO NOT WATCH JULIE & JULIA....

Unless you want to be inspried or rather compelled to cook and bake!

I just got around to watching this movie last night.  It was so good!  Afterward I hunted around on my favorite book site to see if I could swap a copy of Julia's book (no luck, yet).  I even found Julie's blog and read the first week.  Quite good, and added to my already too long list of blogs to read.

Wayne's out of town, so I went to bed late after some reading (trying to finish The Bird's Christmas Carol  before its due back at the library).

Everything was going just fine this morning.  I woke up to my purring alarm clock who does't care if its Saturday nor that I went to bed late.  Came downstairs, fed my alarm clock, poured a hot cup of coffee with vanilla cinnamon cream and sat down to check facebook.  Drove my girl for work at 8 AM. Came home.

This is where things get a bit foggy for me now.  I intended to warm up Laurin's leftover full cup of coffee, but I'm not sure what happened next.  All I know is that the cup of coffee remains on the counter FIVE hours later, because somehow instead of opening the microwave door, something possessed me to open the pantry door, pull out all my baking stuff....powdered sugar, chocolate chips, corn syrup, peppermint chips, oyster crackers, ranch mix, flour, sugar, salt, dry active yeast and oatmeal. 

I didn't even know I had all that stuff in my pantry!

I just started baking like a fiend, which led also to cooking. 

Now mind you, I LOVE to cook, but, I must confess, baking is just not my thing.  My family won't eat biscuits I make, because you could use them to build a house that even the Big Bad Wolf can't blow over. And last year's fudge could have served as the mortar.  Plus, I find it a bit messy, with flour and sugar dust flying around and sticky pots and utensils that are hard to wash.  As a general rule I stay away from baking.

Today was different. I was relentless in my pursuit to use up all my baking ingredients that I buy with the best of intentions but never manage to get around to using.  And NOW I have all these yummy concotions and I'm not quite sure who I'm giving them to!

While I was on a roll, I figured I'd prepare the chicken stock for my Grandmother's delicious Christmas Day Chicken Soup by boiling a leftover carcass from a roast chicken.  I've NEVER done that before!! What in the world came over me? I feel so......like Julia today!!!

So, thanks to Julia I baked up a storm and thanks to Julie I just had to blog about it!

Here's the proof:

How Beautiful Indeed

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Zion reigns. Isaiah 52:7

(Please pause the music player below, before watching the video.)



I realize this song may be interpreted to refer to the Resurrection and we are now in the season of preparing for the Advent of the Messiah. Can we truly separate the two events?

The cradle and the cross.

The Cradle of Christ began the final chapter in God's redemptive plan to rescue His children. The Cross of Christ fulfilled the promise and completed the plan.

How beautiful indeed!

Unto Us a Son is Given......

Wonderful.

 Counselor.

The Mighty God.

 The Everlasting Father.

The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6,7

Can I Just Say YUM!!!

Orecchiette with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis (my favorite chef)
Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 10 min Level: Easy, Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 cup dried orecchiette pasta
2 cups Mediterranean-style mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (packed in olive oil), chopped
1 tablespoon goat cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
Pinch salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.

In medium bowl, mix the salad greens with the sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and Parmesan. Top with warm pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and wilt the greens. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper, or to taste. Garnish with additional Parmesan, if desired, and serve.

I used ricotta and spinach stuffed tortellini instead of the oreccchiette and it made a delicious substitute.

Verdict:  Everyone enjoyed this at our weekly FLOCK gathering.  This one's a keeper!!

What a Blustery Day....

(Turn off the music player before watching this...and HOLD ON!!)

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

Jesus stumped the Pharisees when He asked them this question (Matthew 22:41-45). 

Matthew Henry's commentary on the passage:

"He took upon him human nature, and so became God manifested in the flesh; in this sense he is the Son of man and the Son of David. It behoves us above all things seriously to inquire, "What think we of Christ?" Is he altogether glorious in our eyes, and precious to our hearts? May Christ be our joy, our confidence, our all. May we daily be made more like to him, and more devoted to his service."

Who do you say He is?

We easily embrace him as the Babe away in a manger, with no crib for a bed, laying down his sweet head. Do we so easily embrace that Babe as the Great Shepherd laying down his life for his sheep?  

I'm reading a thought provoking little collection of Martin Luther's Christmas sermons. Luther asks: "What could be sweeter than the Babe?"

Consider,

This sweet Babe who was born into the world just when a heavy burden was decreed to trade his light and easy burden for ours.

This Babe, the Creator of the world born in a stable without notice nor regard, lying in a wooden feeding trough. What kind of throne is that for the King of kings?

 A scared, first time mother having to birth her son alone....in the town of Joseph's ancestors....where was his family, surely they could have housed them, helped with the birth?  But, no one came to give the customary assistance. No one took her condition to heart.  No one attended to this woman. 

was there light to see what she was doing? water to bathe Him? where did the wrap come from?

.  In regarding the Nativity, Luther says:

" ...many of you... who think to yourselves: 'If only I had been there! How quick I would have been to help the Baby!  I would have washed his lined.  How happy I would have been to go with the shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger.' Yes you would!  You say that because you know how great Christ is, but if you had been there at that time you wold have done no better than the people of Bethlehem.  Childish and silly thought are these! Why don't you do it now?  You have Christ in your neighbor.  You ought to serve him, for what you do to your neighbor in need you do to the Lord Christ himself. "

 "What think we of Christ?

Is he altogether glorious in our eyes, and precious to our hearts?

May Christ be our joy, our confidence, our all.

May we daily be made more like to him, and more devoted to his service."

 
 

How Do I Love Thee........

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

All praise to God, who blessed me with the man of my dreams, my very own Prince Charming.  I thank God for my dear, sweet, wonderful, husband.  Today we celebrate 20 years of wedded bliss  (mixed with love, tears, sorrow and joy)!  I pray the Lord gives us more and more TIME together.

Preparing....

This year in celebration of our Saviour's birth, we have decided to make a few changes. Some out of sheer necessity. Mostly, because for years, we've want focus on what really matters.

Christmas is an event that IS recorded in Scripture.  Therefore, it is an event that is worth our TIME. Instead of getting caught up in all the frenzy, we are choosing to s l o w  d o w n.....enjoy TIME together with family and close friends.....savor these fleeting moments......reflect on just what the arrival of Christ means to us and for us.

God's grace has been measureless to us this year so simply contemplating on the reason we receive that privilege in the first place by consciously reducing the seasonal distractions seems a proper and most fitting way to end this year and begin a new one......

Although decorations are minimal, we are spending TIME together each evening. Sharing a cup of tea and conversation......reading favorite Christmas stories like The Bird's Christmas Carol and Take Joy! ...... watching our favorite cheesy Christmas movies like A Christmas Story, Elf and of course, old Rudolph. 

Gifts may be smaller than usual:  homemade, handmade, heartfelt. Love, joy, peace....these last longer and cannot be wrapped anyway. Love the ideas on this site.

Most of all we're also taking TIME to prepare our hearts....celebrating Advent at home with daily Scripture readings.  I found a wonderful at home guide here at King of Peace.

Yesterday's reading, Isaiah 1:16-18, really struck me. 

Wash yourselves and be clean!

Get your sins out of my sight.

Give up your evil ways.

 Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows.

 “Come now, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool."

This is why I have peace with God; this is why His grace is sufficient.  This is why my heavy burden of guilt and shame can be lifted. The stubborn stain of my sin is no match against the mercy and compassion of God, the sacrificial, stain-cleansing Blood of His beloved Son. 

If you do not already possess this eternal gift or if you (like I am prone to do) have become complacent about the treasure you've already received, I pray that this will be the Christmas you receive or remember  (as the case may be) with awe and wonder the gifts of God: forgiveness, peace with Him, joy everlasting, life eternal which were all paid for with the blood of that sweet babe lying in a manger.

This unfathomable event, when God Himself stepped down into TIME, to rescue me from an eternity without Him; this is where I choose to turn my TIME and attention this Christmas season.

Won't you join me? How do you and your family prepare for this Advent of the newborn King?

Treasure in My Heart

Reversing Rousseau

Haven't been blogging much of late. Lots of thoughts swirling in my mind, not quite ready to be poured out.

Found this interesting article on a newly bookmarked website, Generations with Vision:

On one chilly winter's day in 1746, a child was born to a couple in Paris. The father took the child from the arms of his wife, and against her protestations, delivered the baby to the steps of an orphanage. Without even taking the time to note the child's gender, he abandoned the child to what would have been almost certain death. Subsequently, his wife had four more children, each of whom received the same treatment.

Incredibly, this man went on to unprecedented fame, becoming (Read the rest here)

Anthem of the Reformation

"The sound of a hammer was heard throughout the Christian world and it did not come from a construction site. It originated in the heart and soul of an angry Roman Catholic priest, on October 31, 1517," wrote Lucy Neeley Adams about what Christians now call Reformation Day.

This song was sung by Luther upon entering Worms for the Diet in 1521.



As an aside, Steve Green is a personal favorite (we listen to his "Hide 'Em in Your Heart collection in my preschool class every week!), so I was thrilled to find this recording from 1994.

Minestra di pollo del mio Sansone della nonna (My Grandmother Sansone’s Chicken Soup)

I originally posted this recipe about a year ago. http://thisnthat-jennie.blogspot.com/2008/09/la-mi-nonna-sansone-minestra-di-pollo.html

With nearly half my church family and friends under the weather right now, I think it's a good time for a Re-Post!

In my Sansone family's traditional Christmas Feast, this was an appetizer, the First Course.

(As remembered by my uncle, Joe Sansone December 16, 2006)
I have simplified the instruction, took out the guess work and explained as best as possible what I do:

3 chicken breasts (You could use any pieces of chicken though)

3-4 Chicken bouillon cubes

5-6 cups Chicken stock (may use more or less later, depending on how "soupy" you want it to be)

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

2-3 Carrots, sliced

1 Onion, sliced

2-3 Celery, chopped

2-4 cups Soup greens (spinach, kale, or your favorite), chopped or torn

Salt & Pepper to taste

Other Italian soup spices (I use 2 tablespoons or so of dried oregano and parsley and a dash [or two or three] of red pepper flakes. You could use basil too)

½ cup uncooked Pastina (little pasta)

1-2 eggs



Boil chicken breast in 5-6 cups water, add bouillon cubes. Boil until tender. Remove chicken to cool, reserve chicken stock.


Add to the chicken stock: garlic, carrots, sliced onion, chopped celery, soup greens and a tablespoon of your spices and a dash of red pepper. Bring to low boil.


Add shredded chicken into the stock pot.


Cook together to a slow simmering low boil.


Add Pastina, into the soup; it becomes quite thick. You may add more water or chicken broth at this point to thin it down. Boil for 10-12 minutes or until Pastina is done. Add the remaining half of spices.


Just before serving, beat an egg or two and very slowly, with a fork, drip the eggs into the pot, a few drips at a time. This will poach into fine little egg drops.


After serving, add grated Pecorino Romano or Locatelli Romano Italian or grated Parmesan cheese to taste.


This is actually very easy and only takes about 30-45 minutes to prepare. The longer it sits, the better it gets! Drop me a note if you try it!

Buon Appetito!

Faith in Action

Wayne & Steve will share about their recent Mission Trip to India on Sunday, October 11 at 6PM. 

Here's a sneak peek of what they did while visiting the Little Lambs:




Join us if you can to hear the rest of the story! For directions, visit Living Faith's website. www.livingfaithbc.net

Rainy Days and Mondays Make Me Glad

After suiting up in our waterproof outerwear, we traipsed outside for our first Rain Walk of the new Preschool year! 

What fun we had listening to the sounds of raindrops tinkling upon our heads and if raindrops were gumdrops oh!, what a wonderful place this would be!!

By the sound of cheery chirping, we imagined the birds were quite happy too! 

We counted eight squiggly, wiggly earth worms taking a bath in tiny puddles and watched willow oak leaf boats float merrily down a little stream. 

We went on an explore along the edge of the "Hundred-Acre Wood" in our backyard spying for a glimpse at the residences of Pooh and Company.  We may have found Owl's in the hollow of a mighty old pin oak!

Green Hour Activity Feeder

Nature. Play. Learning.

http://www.greenhour.org/

Satisfying My Father’s Heart © by A.H.L.*

My dear friend led me to this site and to this author whom she met at Trader Joe's!

Satisfying My Father’s Heart © by A.H.L.*

Though a thousand thousand waterfalls

Cascading eons without end

Should pour out their liquid praise to God –

Though the earth’s mighty oceans, roaring,

Crashing over miles of depth

Should cry out joyfully to Him –

Though the myriad trees of countless forests

Shimmering in nature’s dance

Should lift leafy arms to worship their Creator –

Though the birds on every continent and isle

Should join in one grand symphony of adoration –

These could never satisfy my Father’s heart

Like one grateful leper–cleansed

Returning humbly to say “Thank you.”

*A.H.L stands for Aretta H. Loving, composer of this poem; but it also stands for A Healed Leper, a name I claim with thanksgiving to Jesus who cleansed and continues to cleanse me from the leprosy of sin.

HE IS! and He Does!

Wayne called from India today asking me to help him find this song for Joshva. Joshva really enjoyed this song by Aaron Jeoffrey and Selah's "You Raise Me Up," when he visited with us 3 years ago.

I haven't listen to either of them in a long while, but love each as much today as when I first heard them!

My favorite way to learn the books of the Bible in order and what they say:



This next video has beautiful nature scenes and thought-provoking commentary:



My troubles are so small in comparison. Forgive me, Father for my selfishness. You have richly blessed!

Parents & Children, Chapter 6

This meaty chapter was delicious! 

It reminds parents that their highest function is to reveal God to their children then, ponders ways we plant primal ideas about Him do that successfully or unsuccessfully.

Relying on Reason by reading the Scriptures and appealing to the mind is a mistake. Bible stories convey many incidents of people who, relying on their own logic and reason, are ultimatly led astray.   Reason is faulty.  The Jews reasoned that the Jesus must die because in their mind, he was a law-breaker.  This logic was derived from a lifetime of wrong thinking.  They believed by simply adhereing to a list of rules (mostly man-made) they were counted as righteous.  They were unwilling to change their minds; change their primal ideas about God and their Messiah.

Planting the proper primal idea of God is so important; it determines the habit of thought for a lifetime about Him.

Parents' first duty and highest privilege is to introduce such primal ideas of God as to impel the soul to Him.  If unbelief sets in, are the parents without blame?

Parents are obligated to teach by example.  Teach your children to pray by praying with and for them aloud.   Teach them to pray with their hearts. Teach them to commune with God by allowing them to see and hear you in order that they may grow up in the sense of God's constant Presence.  Teach them to pray in everyday words, not strange speech that may put up a barrier between them and their "Almighty Love'" using outdated words that may have no place in their day to day lives. 

One of my many favorite CM quotes is found in this chapter:  "Let the child grow up aware of the constant; immediate; joy-giving, joy-taking Presence in the midst of them..." (p. 57 P&C).

We must live a life of worhsip before our children.  It must be more than once a week occurence and even more than a once a day occurence.  it must be our lifestyle to worship and praise our Creator, to meditate on His Word daily, to speak to Him as our loving Father.  All this so our own children may also "speak out their joys and fears, thanks and wishes." (p. 56)

"It's very Hard to do God's work," remarked a boy of five.  Children know there is an ongoing fight between good and evil.  They understand they are a part of this battle between light and truth and darkness and sin.  Parents would do a disservice to their children to think otherwise.  We may smile at their little "crimes" once in a while, but not too much.  But lest our children become overly depressed with their sinfulness, we must take care to teach them "to live in the instant healing in the dear name of the Saviour of the world." (p. 59)

Lord, help me to do my duty well.

Reminds me of this passage from

Deuteronomy 6, verses 1-9


A Call for Wholehearted Commitment


“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy,  and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.  Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.


“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

My Daily Bread

Psalm 25 

[a]A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, I give my life to you.

2 I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,

but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

4 Show me the right path, O Lord;

point out the road for me to follow.

5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,

for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,

which you have shown from long ages past.

7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.

Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,

for you are merciful, O Lord.

8 The Lord is good and does what is right;

he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

9 He leads the humble in doing right,

teaching them his way.

10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness

all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

11 For the honor of your name, O Lord,

forgive my many, many sins.

12 Who are those who fear the Lord?

He will show them the path they should choose.

13 They will live in prosperity,

and their children will inherit the land.

14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.

He teaches them his covenant.

15 My eyes are always on the Lord,

for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

16 Turn to me and have mercy,

for I am alone and in deep distress.

17 My problems go from bad to worse.

Oh, save me from them all!

18 Feel my pain and see my trouble.

Forgive all my sins.

19 See how many enemies I have

and how viciously they hate me!

20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them!

Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.

21 May integrity and honesty protect me,

for I put my hope in you.

22 O God, ransom Israel

from all its troubles.

Footnotes:

a.Psalm 25:1 This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

 

This Psalm is my prayer and my thanksgiving not just for me but for my children as well this day. 

 

I usually read a Psalm on Wednesdays, but (I realized just this morning) I mixed up my days and read a Proverb instead.  The Divine Planner was not mixed up as the Proverb yesterday spoke volumes to my heart and renewed my spirit.  Same thing for today's Psalm reading. 

 

Thank you Father, for your Divine Guidance.  Thank you for your patience with me learning to surrender my worries and concerns to you.  Help me trust You more each day.  I know You can move the mountains, You are mighty to save; You rose and conquered the grave.

Yesssss!

The Mind of the Child is 'Good Ground.'––Their keen sensitiveness to spiritual influences is not due to ignorance on the part of the children. It is we, not they, who are in error. The whole tendency of modern biological thought is to confirm the teaching of the Bible: the ideas which quicken come from above; the mind of the little child is an open field, surely 'good ground,' where, morning by morning, the sower goes forth to sow, and the seed is the Word. All our teaching of children should be given reverently, with the humble sense that we are invited in this matter to co-operate with the Holy Spirit; but it should be given dutifully and diligently, with the awful sense that our co-operation would appear to be made a condition of the Divine action; that the Saviour of the world pleads with us to 'suffer the little children to come unto Me,' as if we had the power to hinder, as we know that we have.

Exerpt from Parents and Children by Charlotte Mason. p. 48

Just testing Mobile Blogging...

Government's Goal of Education

I think it all boils down to your philosophy of what education truly is. That's why over the last several days, I hear Charlotte Mason's words ringing so clearly. She strived her entire career to define that question. What is Education? The fruit of her quest is what CMers continue to study and apply: "Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life." Her grounding belief that all children are born persons and are deserving of a rich education rings so true today. Just read her Educational Manifesto.

The government and public educators will tell you that happiness comes from getting a good education so you can get a good job and really "go somewhere" in your life. Most parents buy into to these goals of education. One of the true goals of American public education has always been to produce human resources for our workforce so America can compete in a global economy. It's all about money. Get a good education, so you can earn lots of money and pay your taxes. They preach that only money will make you rich and happy. But this is a false doctrine, a false gospel. I thought love of money is the root of all evil.

What about joy? What about contentment? What about being satisfied with doing a job well done? What about not joining the rat race, clawing your way to the top? Wouldn't you be lonely up there all by yourself? What good is it to own the world but be lonely and miserable because you spent all your time working rather than living? What about stopping to smell the roses?

How about investing your time in building relationships? We were created in the image of a triune God. We were created to have fellowship with Him. We were created to have a relationship with Him. Our cheif aim is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. As long as we are pursuing living an holy life before the face of God, do we really have to struggle to the top of man's ladder?

Sorry to be so long winded, I could go on and on but I know you have children to tend to, husbands to take care of, gardens to weed, music to listen to, life to enjoy. I am so glad I found Charlotte Mason's teachings. As I say over and over again, she was right !

"Our aim in Education is to give a Full Life."

~Charlotte Mason ( Volume 3, page 170)

Well Put, Spunky!

I think the outrage over the President speaking to the nation's children is very puzzling. Why, all of a sudden are parents getting so upset that they are willing to excersice parental authority and keep their children home the day of the speech? Why is having the President address our children so unacceptable? What is the difference between a guest speaker coming to address students in an assembly and the President of the United States addressing them via a televised speech?

Isn't it an honor to have the POTUS encourage our children to excel in their studies?? And why, if the public option of healthcare is so unacceptable, is the public option of government schools okay?

Just seems incongruent on so many levels. I personally don't mind if the President addresses my child. He is the President and bibically we are called to honor him. If we disagree, that could lead to a great discussion comparing and contrasting what he says with our own beliefs. One problem is that this is being done during school hours not during familytime. Therefore the replacement parents(teachers) will be the ones steering the discussion and perhaps echoeing ideas contray to our own.

I'm more worried about what is being taught in the 55-60 hours a week our children spend in a government school (plus the 55 hours they spend watching TV). If parents are afraid the POTUS is going to give our children wrong ideas about Socialism and Democracy, they should ask themselves some tough questions about why they allow their children to be in that socialist breeding environment in the first place. Is it because they do not believe they can teach their own children, gifted to them by God? Is it so they can pursue their own goals, dreams, desires, achievements outside of the family. Is it so they can live at a certain level of attainment, keeping up with the Joneses mentality? Why do we abdicate our parental authority to the schools and later scratch our heads when our children don't share our family values?

I think it all boils down to your philosophy of what education truly is. That's why over the last several days, I hear Charlotte Mason's words ringing so clearly. She strived her entire career to define that question. What is Education? The fruit of her quest is what CMers continue to study and apply: "Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life." Her grounding belief that all children are born persons and are deserving of a rich education rings so true today. Just read the Educational Manifesto.

The government and public educators will tell you that happiness comes from getting a good education so you can get a good job and really "go somewhere" in your life. Most parents buy into to these goals of education. One of the true, main goals of American public education has always been to produce human resources for our workforce so America can compete in a global economy. It's all about money. Get a good education, so you can earn lots of money and pay your taxes. They preach that only money will make you rich and happy. But this is a false doctrine, a false gospel. Love of money is the root of all evil.

What about joy? What about contentment? What about being satisfied with doing a job well done? What about not joining the rat race, clawing your way to the top? Wouldn't you be lonely up there all by yourself? What good is it to own the world but be lonely and miserable because you spent all your time working rather than living? What about stopping to smell the roses?

How about investing your time in building relationships? We were created in the image of a triune God. We were created to have fellowship with Him. We were created to have a relationship with Him. As long as we are pursuing living an holy life before the face of God, do we really have to struggle to the top of man's ladder?

Sorry to be so long winded, I could go on and on but I know you have children to tend to, husbands to take care of, gardens to weed, music to listen to, life to enjoy.

I am so glad I found Charlotte Mason's teachings. She was right over a hundred years ago.

"Our aim in Education is to give a Full Life."~CM

I like Spunky's perspective:

SpunkyHomeSchool:
What if?: "Friday, September 04, 2009
Conservatives rightly decry the 'public option' in Obamacare but annually choose the 'public option' when it comes to their child's education. But what if....

all the children of smart parents were “yanked off the premises” not just next Tuesday, but permanently. If this is the event that finally reveals to smart parents the truth of what this system is really all about, what if Sept. 8, 2009, marked the
first day of home-schooling for millions of American children? (Via Hot Air)

Obama's address to the nation's school children next Tuesday is
finally" .... Here's the rest of the story

Contest: Win 4 tickets to ANY Children’s Theatre of Charlotte production « Charlotte On The Cheap#comment-2703

I love FREEBIES!! Another great giveaway!!!

Contest: Win 4 tickets to ANY Children’s Theatre of Charlotte production « Charlotte On The Cheap#comment-2703: "

"

The Jesus Storybook Bible Review & Giveaway

I found a great giveaway over at Energizer Bunny's Mommy Report today.

The Greatest Book ever written is, without a doubt, the Bible. Over the years, we've seen, read and studied several versions in different languages but the beauty of God's Written Word is this....it never fails to lift a weary spirit, encourage an unhappy countenance, bring hope to the hopeless and joy to the seeking. The Word enriches both young and old." More.....

Find out how to enter here:
Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports: The Jesus Storybook Bible Review & Giveaway

"Eighteen Short Years" - Family Raising

"Eighteen Short Years" - Family Raising: "Eighteen Short Years
By: Anne Tess
My daughter, who will be eighteen in less than two months, has had to grow up in a blended family. Her dad and I were young when we married. More importantly, neither of us knew the Lord. We were unregenerate sinners living life the way we wanted to live it. Our marriage...." (Click on the title to continue reading)

36 hours straight?!?

I found a great family guide to recruit training which explains in detail nearly everything my son is experiencing.

As a mom, I am here worrying about how he is holding up, whether he is getting enough to eat, getting enough sleep, etc....

I learned in this guide that the new recruits DO NOT SLEEP for the first 36 hours!!! Add that to the sleepless night before shipping out and Brandon has probably not slept in 3 days!

According to the Training Matrix Interactive Schedule, he is still in receiving and Orientation today. On Thursday/Friday he will begin the IST (intial strength training, for you civilians).

Brandon has prepared well for this. He was running and doing his pull-ups, swimming and other exercises for his training. The last time he was clocked, he ran the 1.5 miles in 12:20 minutes, a whole minute under the minimum! Except this time, he will be completely fatigued. Please pray for him to pass this test!!

Here's what he must do for the IST:

Initial Strength Test - Male Recruit

The Initial Strength Test (IST) is a physical test recruits are required to take upon arrival to Parris Island and consists of: pull-ups, crunches, and a 1.5 mile timed run. IST results assist in determining weather or not a recruit is at the level of fitness adequate to begin training, and also sets a fitness baseline for measuring progress. The more you can prepare in advance of your arrival to MCRD Parris Island, the better off you will be. It's important that you get into physical shape. Concentrate on running, walking, stair climbing, crunches, core training, upper body strength, and pull-ups. This will help prepare you for the Combat Conditioning program and long marches (up to 10 miles). Also, if you don't know how to swim, try to learn before you leave for recruit training. Before you graduate, you'll have to demonstrate basic water survival skills. Recruits who do not meet adequate fitness standards are reassigned to the Physical Conditioning Platoon (PCP), where they are given individual attention and exercises to develop their physical abilities.

Minimum requirements for male recruits:

2 Pull ups
44 Crunches
1.5 mile run in 13:30 min (Timed)

WHEW!

This is it...

I knew this day would come, they day when one of our children leaves the nest. We are sending our middle son to bootcamp at Parris Island. They promise to make and my son aspires to become one of "the highest quality basically trained U.S. Marine." Their stated mission is: "We make Marines who are committed to our core values in service to the country." This is a noble and worthy cause. I also pray that my son will feel the presence of the Lord with him and commit himself to following his King of kings.

The Lord was so gracious and we've had a wonderful, week-long family good-bye at the beach. It has been emotional to say they least. Sometimes all I can do is sit, think and remember. How can you talk when your heart is in your throat?

I started a notebook and asked our family and friends to write a note of encouragement or of a memory they share with Brandon. I'll start mailing those today. Hopefully, he will receive a letter each day of the 12 week training.

Here's what my son will experience according to the Marine Corp Recruit Depot website.

Week 1
Marine Corps Recruit Receiving & Orientation

Marine recruits start the receiving process when they arrive at Parris Island via bus or van between the hours of 8 pm Monday night and 2 am early Tuesday morning. Recruits will continue to arrive at those times until early morning on Thursday. Upon arrival, male and female recruits are separated, all recruits are given one last opportunity to turn-in any unauthorized material or items, and male recruits are ushered to the barber for their first Marine Corps haircut.All new Marine recruits make a phone call home and repeat the following words:

• I have arrived safely at Parris Island.


• Please do not send any food or bulky items.


• I will contact you in 3 to 5 days via postcard with my new mailing address.


• Thank you for your support.


• Goodbye for now. (that's all I get??)

The recruits are then issued uniforms and basic gear, and turn in all personal effects. Don't bring anything except your important papers (such as driver's license, social security card, and banking information). Everything you need will be issued to you. Recruits receive both medical and dental exams throughout the week. Over-the-counter medication is not allowed in recruit training. All prescription medication will be re-evaluated by a military doctor upon arrival. If the doctor determines that the prescription is necessary, the civilian medication will be taken away, and the recruit will be re-issued the medication by the military pharmacy.

Please pray for my son as you feel led. Your prayers are deeply appreciated!

Early Marriage is a Blessing

Maybe because we will be celebrating 20 years of marriage later this year, or maybe because we have three teen-aged children or maybe a little bit of both, I have been rethinking what we've communicated to our kids about marriage. Getting married young ourselves, we struggled greatly in all areas of our relationship. Not wanting our children to have to deal with that, we encouraged them to wait for "Mr/Mrs. Right" to come along so they can finish their education, get established, yadda, yadda, yadda. After conversations with them, I'm afraid we've turned them off marriage all together.

Thinking back over our early years of matrimony I admit we were so immature and silly. We were selfish and self-centered. We failed miserably in many ways, but God is faithful. Thankfully, HE honored our covenant although at the time we made it, we barely understood the weight of those vows we uttered nearly 20 years ago. Through all the mistakes we made, He was wooing us to himself. Each failure was really an opportunity to turn to Him. He redeemed us to Himself and restored our marriage. I thank him for directing our paths when our only plan was just flying by the seat of our pants. Now our God-given plan is to glorify God through our marriage. He has blessed immeasurably. I see his hand at work in our lives, growing us in the grace and knowledge of our Savior, conforming us into the image of His Son each passing year. We have matured together: learning to die to self; preferring one above the other, demonstrating sacrificial love, seeking to communicate with respect for one another, learning to budget our finances; run a household and realizing that we are not just partners for life but partners IN life. Our relationship has deepened through ALL the struggles, trials and joys and over the years has grown sweeter and sweeter. We still have (many) lessons to learn, but I thank God for never giving up on us. I praise Him for using our marriage as a testimony of His faithfulness to His people.

Even those very thorns that poked us, made us bleed, I count as blessings. I am starting to see for the first time, that our early marriage with all its imperfections has been the primary means of God to bring us into His Kingdom. Our early marriage is a gift from God that I treasure.

Later this year we will celebrate two decades of sharing life together. I am so grateful for each day. God granted me the desires of my young heart and let me marry the love of my life; he knit us together even as we unraveled and He patched us up along the way. He redirected both of our hearts to Himself. Even now, He patiently transforms us to be the godly spouses He designed. It was God's plan to unite us in marriage in the days of our youth and I praise Him for His wisdom!!! All for His glory!!!! These and more are the things I want my children to know about marriage.


This is the article that stirred my brain juices this morning......

"The Case for Early Marriage"
by Mark Regnerus

Virginity pledges. Chastity balls. Courtship. Side hugs. Guarding your heart. Evangelical discourse on sex is more conservative than I've ever seen it. Parents and pastors and youth group leaders told us not to do it before we got married. Why? Because the Bible says so. Yet that simple message didn't go very far in shaping our sexual decision-making.
So they kicked it up a notch and staked a battle over virginity, with pledges of abstinence and accountability structures to maintain the power of the imperative to not do what many of us felt like doing. Some of us failed, but we could become 'born again virgins.' Virginity mattered. But sex can be had in other ways, and many of us got creative."

Read this rest of this thought-provoking, conscience pricking article here.

Parents as Inspirers

My notes and impressions of Chapter 3 of Parents & Children by Charlotte Mason. This chapter discusses how parents can affect their child's character from an interesting scientific, psychological viewpoint.

1. Mr. Adolf Monod contends that every child has a right to a higher life at the hands of his parents. Parents are charged with the great task of leading their children into the spiritual life of the intelligence and moral sense. However, many parents fail to launch the child into higher life, a more blessed life.
2. Countless evidence suggests that a careless parent may bring upon her child unnecessary and unforeseen trouble; likewise, a conscientious parent may introduce the well of blessings for her children. Parents must come to apprehend that God uses them as the chief means to share His gifts and that He is honored when we keep His commands. We must strive to understand His law ourselves and that it is also written upon the hearts of our children. With thanksgiving and heartfelt gratitude, parents will see in the simple, ordinary ways just how merciful and gracious God is toward those who love Him and keep His commands.
3. Solomon's wise words "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" is more than a promise. It is a statement of fact based upon the author's countless examples and experience. Heeding this wisdom or not, fruit will bear. Training in righteousness will bear sweet fruit. Conversely, no training in righteousness will bear bitter fruit. The results are inevitable.
4. Children will inherit many traits and natural inclinations from parents, grandparents, etc...This inherited nature is the foundation upon which the character will be formed.
5. Disposition is the sum of certain natural tendencies and inclinations. Character is learned or rather built upon as life and experiences proceed. "Original disposition is modified, directed, expanded by education; by circumstances; later, by self-control and self-culture; above all by the supreme agency of the Holy Ghost, even where that agency is little suspected and as little solicited." (Parents & Children, p. 23)
6. Every impression upon the mind leaves a mark in the brain tissue. "This physiological process , whatever be its nature, is the physical basis of all our mental functions." That mark may be called a residue or trace or a dormant idea. All feelings leave behind this structural imprint and "lay the foundation of modes of thought, feeling, and action." Once active, these feelings leave a large residua affecting the future formation of character, that apart from the original disposition, lead to traits of "contentment, melancholy, cowardice, bravery, and even moral feeling." These are generated from individual life experiences.
7. As parents and primary teachers of our children, we are responsible to "lay the foundation for the development of all mental functions" by seeing to it that the earliest impressions formed upon the brains of our children be noble, worthy, good, true, joyful, beautiful, neat, orderly, sweet, soft and pure. "These memories remain throughout life, engraved upon the unthinking brain." This is weighty thought that everything my child sees or hears is leaving an indelible mark in his memory.

Some practical things parents can affect for the development of their future adults even in the early years:

• His definite ideas about certain subjects, such as how he relates to other people.
• His habits in things like neatness or disorder, promptness and moderation.
• Whether the general way he thinks is affected by generosity or selfishness.
• The way he feels and what he does as a result of the way he thinks.
• What he thinks about--the trivial affairs of daily life, nature, the way the mind works, how God relates to people.
• His distinguishing talent--music, speaking, creativeness.
• The way the disposition of his character shows and affects his family and others he interacts with regularly--reserved or open, sullen or friendly, depressed or cheerful, timid or confident. (P&C, Modern Paraphrase, p. 27-28)

Beautiful Resource--FREE

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare





Thanks to LindaFay once again for finding this gem!

Huh?

Did I hear you right? Greater inefficiencies to our Heatlhcare?



Hmmmm.....

Never Be Within Doors When You Can Be Without!!!~~Charlotte Mason

I thought I'd share these websites I was introduced to this morning from one of my (many) yahoo groups.

They are all about the benefits of allowing kids to have unstructured play in nature. The Green Hearts Nature Preschools is exactly what we do at my preschool. We go outside for 60-90 minutes (longer if possible-but most of the kids aren’t used to that much time outside-we have to work up to it) and explore the woods and have a little time at the playground. Indoor activities are nature based as our yearlong theme is the Creation. Day One: light and dark, Day Two air, space and water, etc….

There is a lot of research on the Children and Nature Network website proving the benefits of outdoor play and the consequences of not getting enough time to roam freely in nature.

Check out the Parent Guide from Green Hearts. It has tons of ideas for creating a safe outdoor space kids in the safety of your own backyard. Oh the fun of a pile of dirt!

Even if your kids are too young to go out alone, you can still start now learning about these great benefits yourself and by taking the kids out now so that when they're older, it will be “second nature” to be outside!!

On the C&NN site they have a Nature Club toolkit. I may start my own with the nieghborhood kids. (Wonder how would weird that would be...a crazy old lady whose kids are all grown hosting a Nature Club for other people's kids?!?!)

I fully believe in the power of free, unstructured outdoor play and that is severely lacking in today’s childhood. I had one child last year afraid of the sunlight. He bravely tried so hard but never quite got over the shock of that first step into the great outdoors when a beam of sunlight first touched his skin. Sad, very sad!

OK, off my soapbox now, here’s the websites:

Children and Nature Network http://www.childrenandnature.org/

Green Hearts http://www.greenheartsinc.org/Parents__Guide_4MOL.html

I wonder if they've ever heard of Charlotte Mason. Her wisdom continues to hearken......

Could Have, Would Have, Should Have...

Oh, that I could have read the wisdom of Mason in the early years of my parenting. Oh, that I could have realized the enormity of my task in the dawning of my parenthood . I knew on some levels, but, oh, that I could have had a better understanding. I was young and inexperienced, naive and quite frankly, selfish. All the things I would have done differently.....but truly, there is no time to wallow in the past...it verges on doubting in the Hand of the Sovereign One who ordained me to walk this path. Plus in looking back, one thing that does stand out is God's hand working well before I acknowledged His grace and mercy. All the while, He was drawing me unto Himself and brought me into His Kingdom at the time He appointed. Questioning the working out of His will according to His ways must be blasphemous.

I can clearly see his grace upon grace and mercy upon mercy in those early years and it makes me all the more grateful. In His wisdom, He allowed me to become acquainted with the writing and teachings of Charlotte Mason during the sunset of my parenting. These writings help me understand how I could have been a better parent, but instead of dwelling on the mistakes, I praise Him for His grace. I was ( and continue to be) a slow learner, but He is long suffering with me. I praise Him more! So while my mothering is swiftly it seems coming to an end, He is here. He gives me a passion to share with others lessons I've learned (hopefully) from my successes as well as (perhaps, even more) my failures.

Today I read Chapter II of Parents and Children. Her weighty words from over a century ago at once convicted and inspired me. Mason's foresight is profound. I found myself asking, "How did she know?" several times.

Here's an excerpt and I encourage you to read it in its entirety here. I pray you are encouraged and edified and renewed in your purpose to fulfill the privilege of parenting to which you have been called.

Chapter 2 - Parents As Rulers
The Family Government is an Absolute Monarchy Let's continue our illustration of the family as a miniature nation that has the same responsibilities, rights and requirements that nations have. The parents are like the 'government,' but the parental government is always an absolute monarchy. It makes adjustments according to the needs of its citizens, but it rules in accordance to whatever laws the parent has engraved on his own conscience. Some parents reach levels of higher thinking and are like Moses when he came down from Mt. Sinai beaming, with the tablets of The Law whole and complete in his hands. Other parents never reach those challenging heights and have to be satisfied with whatever scraps and fragments of broken tablet they can find lying at the bottom of the mountain. But whether a parent's knowledge of the law is thorough or only a fragment, he can't escape his responsibility to rule his household.

Reformed Voices: Defining Worship

Reformed Voices: Defining Worship

Listening to this post from Reformed Voices reminds me of my own church.

While I used to long for a big church with big programs, I am now grateful to God that He has seen fit to place our family in a small, simple church whose main focus is the preaching of God's Word. Where we may lack in bells and whistles we make up for in straight forward, expository, no holds bar preaching of Christ and Him crucified.

Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria, Sola Gratia!!

Parentalrights.org --

Please take amoment to view this video. Afterwards, please sign the petition and forward this to all your liberty-loving parent friends.

Parentalrights.org --

Shared via AddThis

Then watch this video lest you think opposing the UN-CRC is not that important:




"Every parent, every American citizen should be concerned." Mike Huckabee

Stepping Heavenward - Google Books

"One morning she seemed almost gone, and we knelt around her with bursting
hearts, to commend her parting soul to Him in whose arms we were about to place
her. But it seemed as if all He asked of us was to come to that point, for then
He gave her back to us, and she is still ours, only seven fold dearer. I was so
thankful to see dear Ernest's faith triumphing over his heart, and making him
so ready to give up even this little lamb without a word. Yes, we will give our
children to Him if he asks for them. He shall never have to snatch them from us
by force."

Stepping Heavenward - Google Books

This describes very well how I feel about my son going into the Marines.

Background: Leading up to this scene, Katy talks about how women are apt to love our husbands and children to the point that this love often times replaces our love for God in our hearts. They become idols.

I know I am guilty of that too. Now with one my sweet sons preparing to leave us for the military, I find myself asking myself, "How am I going to survive this? How am I going to let him go?" So I've prayed without ceasing that God would be my strength and my comfort and that I would be able to bring glory to Him during this life-changing event in the history of my family. And God has been faithful for He has calmed me and given me peace as I cling to Him.

This passage from Stepping Heavenward, although it is describes how the parents thought their precious daughter was about to die after an extended illness, really strikes me. Especially so because after praying and preparing for my son's impending departure in mid-July, we received news that boot camp is overcrowded and his new leave date has been extended to the end of August. We have eight more weeks with him and he now can join us for our annual family beach vacation!

If I replace the pronouns and names it very nearly describes my situation and how I desire to react in it.

One morning he almost seemed gone (My son was due to leave in a matter of days) and we knelt around him with hearts bursting, to commend his parting soul to Him into whose arms we were about to place him. But it seemed as if all He asked of us was to come to that point, for then He gave him back to us (even for eight more weeks) and he is still ours only seven fold dearer. I was so thankful to see dear Wayne's (as well as mine) faith triumphing over his heart so ready to give up even this little lamb without a word. Yes, we will give our children to Him if He asks for them. He will never have to snatch them from us by force. (This is my prayer.)

I know we are not giving our son to the military nor the government; we are giving Him to the One who made him, who loves him and who takes care of him. The One who has numbered the hairs on his head and has a future and a hope planned for our son. (This is my blessed assurance)

Praising my Savior all the day long.....