Christmas 2010

My Comes from the Lord!



Family, Food, Fun, Fabulous!

Merry Christmas

Nativity Prayer of St. Augustine

Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.

Let slaves rejoice,

for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.


St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-440)

Delicious Way to Start the Day

Cold Winter Morning + Apples, baked to perfection + Plump Raisins +  Honey + Cinnamon + Real Butter =Ooey, Gooey Deliciousness!

I sort of made it up but I'm not the first. Here's an easy recipe at Making Love in the Kitchen.

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" & The Story Behind It

The year was 1978. I was but eight years old. As was usual,  invited to church by compassionate neighbors, I tagged along each Sunday. I'm not sure if the invitation stood each week, nevertheless, I showed up on the Carmichael's doorstep each Lord's Day ready and eager to go to church.   Details are fuzzy, but that year, somehow, I was assigned to be Gabriel in the Church Christmas play. I had one line: 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men' (Luke 2:14)

I practiced my part over and over imprinting the words upon my mind and hiding them in my heart. A seed was planted that year, though sat dormant for many years until God's good grace watered it and gave it growth. It may be the first Scripture I ever memorized. It still stands out in my heart.

This song, inspired by the old hymn, was originally a poem, and is based on that treasured verse:
(Remember: you will  need to pause my Playlist to watch the video.)

Casting Crowns: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - The best home videos are here

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Story Behind "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day": "One of America's best known poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), contributed to the wealth of carols sung each Christmas season, when he composed the words to 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' on December 25th 1864. 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men' (Luke 2:14). The carol was originally a poem, 'Christmas Bells,' containing seven stanzas. Two stanzas were omitted, which contained references to the American Civil War, thus giving us the carol in its present form. The poem gave birth to the carol, 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,' and the remaining five stanzas were slightly rearranged in 1872 by John Baptiste Calkin (1827-1905), who also gave us the memorable tune. When Longfellow penned the words to his poem, America was still months away from Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9th 1865; and, his poem reflected the prior years of the war's despair, while ending with a confident hope of triumphant peace...." Continue reading...

HT: Conservative Manifesto for the video; What Saith the Scripture? for the story.

And Can It Be (Amazing Love)

Still reading in Matthew.  Currently,  The Arrest, the Trial, The Death and Burial of Jesus. I read it slowly.

It may seem strange to be reading about the Crucifixtion of our Lord as we are in the midst of the Advent Season. I know it is not by accident that I find myself reading of the Death of Jesus at the same time we are celebrating His Birth.

The two cannot, must not be separated.

That sweet, helpless Babe, born in a stable, wrapped in scraps of cloth, lain in a feeding trough must be juxtaposed with the brutal, cruel torture that our Savior suffered upon that tree.

The whole world embraces the one event. Idealizing it, imploring us to have Christmas Spirit, Joy of the Holidays and Peace on Earth. That is all well and good as long as that cute little baby with a ring of light around his sleeping face stays in that feeding trough.

The other event, the culmination, the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Rescuer; to once and for all settle the score; to wipe the account books clean, to bring hope to a lost, darkened world tends not to stir up such warm and fuzzy feelings. Rather this event, which accomplished and satisfied God's wrath tends to stir up disdain at best and rage at worst. This is evident to me even by my aversion to read the Scriptural account. This event points the proverbial finger in my face and says: You are the reason I did this!
This Advent season, reading about the Death of Christ, I see it as a glorious event which brings the True Peace on Earth, Never-Ending Joy and Love Everlasting. I am also seeing that while the Birth of Christ is cause to celebrate ( and believe me I am!) I am more aware that this precious Baby is my King who humbled Himself for me. This newborn Babe is the One who would trade His righteousness for my filthy sin. This helpless infant is the One Who would die for me. Oh, How Can it Be?

So, I celebrate because God is Faithful!
(Please pause my Playlist before viewing)

Christmas Past

I've been in a nostaglic mood this Christmas. Spent the better part of the day sifting and sorting through a lifetime of pictures. Good times, good memories, good people. The Lord has been good to me.

The Christmas Story

The Nativity with Donors and Saints Jerome and Leonard, ca. 1510–15
Gerard David (Netherlandish, ca. 1455–1523) Oil on canvas,
transferred from wood
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a beautiful website devoted to the Christmas Story.

Listen along as beautiful, Scripture-inspired art and music accompanies The Christmas Story.

Good Advice

We're having Thanksgiving at my house this year. Wayne's grandmother and a childhood friend of mine and her family are coming.

Now, I absolutely LOVE having people over! But, I confess, I  we (Wayne is not afraid to brandish a mop!) often scour my house top to bottom each time making it feel more like a museum than a home.

Plus, Wayne's grandmother is a wonderful housekeeper and I fall very short of her standard! (Or that's how I feel!) And my friend, who lives in Tennessee, has never been to my home, so naturally I want my house to look fabulous!!!

For days now, I've been looking around my house and stressing thinking and making mental checklists of everything I want to get done. While I do try to keep the house clean each day (operative word: TRY), I still think: "I'll never get this house looking right!!"

Oh, the pressure!!!!

But after reading this article, I think I'll just let that go. Having people I love in my home is more important than showing off what a great housekeeper I am (or not!).
How To Quickly Get Your Home Ready For Guests Keeper of the Home

Hope you'll enjoy the company and the time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving. Time is a gift. Spend it well. 

This Goes to the Top of My Wishlist

Initially, I started reading the Gospel of Matthew in preparation for our Middle School Sunday School class's survery of the NT.Been studying this book for about 5 months now. Reading Matthew Henry's commentary alongside.

I recently read Chap. 25, the Parable of the Talents.

You know the story of the Master who left his money to three of his servants. Two of them invested the talents well and doubled them. But the third one buried his talents in fear of the master. When the Master returns he is well-pleased witht the first two servants, but the third, he banishes to the outer darkness.

Matthew Henry's commentary that really spoke to me was this:

"We must never look upon our improvements but with a general mention of God’s favour to us, of the honour he has put upon us, in entrusting us with his goods, and of that grace which is the spring and fountain of all the good that is in us or is done by us. For the truth is, the more we do for God, the more we are indebted to him for making use of us, and enabling us, for his service. Secondly, They produce, as an evidence of their faithfulness, what they have gained. Note, God’s good stewards have something to show for their diligence; Show me thy faith by thy works."

The artist in this video reminds me of the one who used his talent for God's glory. God gives each of us talents to use for Him.

Reminds me of that beloved Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy.  I always get teary-eyed listening to this song because the only gift the little boy has to give Jesus is the talent that Jesus first gave Him. 

No matter the amount of the talent God gives us, (and He gives each of His children a special talent) we must use it ALL for Him so that when we stand before Him to give an account, we will hear those words we long for:  "Well-done, my good and faithful servant."

Fujimura - 4 Holy Gospels on Vimeo
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Thanks to Bonnie for introducing me to Makoto Fujimura!!

My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness

The Gettys have an amazing way with words and music. Modern Hymns for the soul...

(Be sure to stop my Playlist below before watching.)

How to Judge a Book by its Content

‎"Value all books in proportion as they are agreeable to Scripture.

Those that are nearest to it are the best,

and those that are farthest from it,

and most contrary to it, the worst."

~ J.C. Ryle

It's Pumpkin Time!!

As the days grow shorter and the air a bit crisper, The Farm is quite possibly my favorite place to be.

I'm just one of the many who has had the privilege of being welcomed into the large and ever expanding Holdges fold. We visited so often when my children were small that they grew up believing we were kin by blood not just love! Now, I bring my preschool class.

No matter how far I go or how much time passes, each Fall, I'm compelled to go visit The Farm.

The Farm comes alive. Bustling with happy, smiling faces on the lookout for that "perfect" pumpkin. There's lots to do and see at the Farm. One day is never enough. Spend time there. Talk to Frank, the third generation owner of the Farm. You will learn. You will understand. Farms are important. Farms are necessary. Perhaps, if you spend enough time there, you'll meet Mrs. Hodges. You'll know her by her radiant smile!

Pick your own pumpkin and experience a real farm, the farm I love, the Hodges Farm for yourself.
(Remember to turn off my Playlist below to watch this video.)

Nature Walks Improve Learning More than City Walks

What current research data is saying....

Nature Walks Improve Learning More than City Walks

The non-stop stimuli of city life may be inadvertently promoting short attention spans; there is simply too much going on vying for our ever-limited attention.

In fact, according to environmental psychologist Stephen Kaplan (also of the Univ. of Michigan), attention is the crucial mediator between green space and psychological benefit. Urban environs place continuous demands on what’s known as directed attention. Natural environments, on the other hand, allow our directed attention to rest. What’s more, they engage a different form of attention that he calls fascination. This involuntary form of attention improves mood, directed attention and cognition.

What 19th century educationalist, Charlotte Mason said,

But a stressed, overworked mother may see no way to give her children more than an hour on the neighborhood sidewalks. Well, long hours in fresh air is the ideal for children. It may not be practical for every family, but when mothers understand the good that a measure can do, they will often work miracles to provide it. A twenty minute trip with a picnic lunch can make a day in the country accessible to almost anyone, but why do it just one day? Why not do it lots of days? Or even every nice day?

But suppose we have those long days in the open air, what is to be done with them so that they are pleasant days? There must be a plan, or else it will be all work and no fun for the mother, and the children will be bored. There is a lot to get accomplished in this large block of time. The children must be kept in a good temper if they are to get the most out of the refreshing, strengthening atmosphere of the great outdoors. They must be left to themselves for a good part of the day to take in their own impressions of nature's beauty. There's nothing worse than children being deprived of every moment to wonder and dream within their own minds because teachers and adults are constantly talking at them, not leaving them a moment's peace. Yet, the mother must not miss this opportunity of being outdoors to train the children to have seeing eyes, hearing ears and seeds of truth deposited into their minds to grow and blossom on their own in the secret chambers of their imaginations. In addition to increasing their powers of observation, children should spend an hour or two in free, active playing, and a lesson or two should be done. (Vol. 1, p. 44.)

Nature study increases your child’s intellect and makes him a more interesting person. “Consider, too, what an unequalled mental training the child-naturalist is getting for any study or calling under the sun — the powers of attention, of discrimination, of patient pursuit, growing with his growth, what will they not fit him for?” (Vol. 1, p. 61.)

Charlotte Mason was right once again!

Just One of Those Days....

...when I wish I could just lay in an open meadow and watch the clouds go by....


I realize these are not the most interesting picutres, but in realtime they were big, fluffy and beautiful!

Makes me feel very small!

Callout for Your Best Recipes

This past May, a friend of my children was killed in Afghanistan.

Christopher R. Barton made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in Afghanistan on May 24, 2010.

My children were deeply affected by this which in turn deeply affected me.

To honor the memory of Christopher, the family established the SPC Christopher R Barton Foundation which "will strive to touch the lives of Active Duty Soldiers, their families and veterans through scholarships and donations."

One of the many fund raising projects will be the Hometown Heroes Cookbook. Currently, 200 recipes have been collected, but we need MORE! The goal is 500!

This is where you come in! I know you all have recipes! This is an official call out to all you budding chefs to please contribute your favorite recipes to the Hometown Heroes Cookbook.

Please email them to me at jsm_ph48@yahoo.com Submissions must be received by October 15.

We are also taking Pre-Orders. The books will be $12.50. The books will be delivered by December 17. Let me know if you'd like one.

Lastly, if you're interested in placing an advertisement  for your business in the cookbook please contact me.

Your help is very much appreciated.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13).

I Believe

Turn off my Playlist and turn your volume up for this one!!

The Baby Conference {Audio Giveaway!} | Raising Homemakers

I love giveaways. This is a good one!!

Birth, biomedical ethics, doing laundry with a large family, ending
abortion in America, the blessing of life, the hopeful theology of miscarriage,
adoption, naming babies, home schedules . . .

The above subjects - and MORE - were discussed at The Baby Conference!

Although we were unable to attend The Baby Conference, put on by Vision
Forum this past July, we were able to listen to the recorded audio from the
conference.

There is approximately 36 hours of audio (including panels,
discussions, and interviews!) from the conference. A sampling of just a few of
the titles:...."

Keep reading and enter in the giveaway at The Baby Conference {Audio Giveaway!} Raising Homemakers:

Weave Truth or Fail as a Parent |

Weave Truth or Fail as a Parent :

"In What Is a Family, Edith Schaeffer writes:
“The primary place for the flag of truth to be handed on is in the family. The truth was meant to be given from generation to generation….

Explaining the things of the Bible, of God’s love, and of future prophecy is not meant to be something separated into a cubby-hole of “religious instruction” or “family prayer.”

As children grow older there is to be a flowing unity in talking about history, present world news, science, which has its seeds in the beginning days of the first understanding of sentences, the first questions.

Children’s questions must be taken seriously at the ages of two and three, or they won’t be continuing to ask you at twelve and twenty-three. The importance of being given answers and being treated as a significant human being begins as soon as answers are asked for…."

Please keep reading at Generation Cedar.

Bubbling With Excitement

Preschool is in full swing. Small class this year, big blessings.

Today for the Letter of the Week: "B," we made our own Bubbles.

We mixed:

• 2 cups of water 
• 1/2 cup of dishwashing detergent 
• 1 teaspoon on sugar.

We dipped the tip of plastic straws in the mixture. That was initially fun, but made very tiny bubbles.

Then we made wands with pipe cleaners. This made GIANT bubbles!!

We also dipped an old strawberry basket in the mixture. Those bubbles came out looking like clusters of grapes that floated off "to China," as one of my students exclaimed!

Happy Tummy!

Last weekend I toured some local farms with my Mother-in Love, Grandmother-in-Love and Niece. First we went to the Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm where they raise not so much produce, but rather, farmers. Great educational opportunity and easy way to test the waters (or dirt) of "getting back to the land" without taking a blind leap!

Next, we travelled up the road a bit to T and D Charolais Farms. This was more of a ranch with grass-fed cattle from start to finish, free-range chickens and pasture raised pigs. Sampled a bit (or two) of the beef. What I thought must be Filet Mignon because of the velvety texture was actually flank steak! FLANK STEAK!

Needless to say, I had to buy some beef. I chose a bone-in Chuck Roast.

I prepared using the Pioneer Women's Perfect Pot Roast recipe, which despite the unofficial designation as perfect, IS perfect!! The only modification I made was to the roast it in the Crock-Pot. It was deliciously tender, full of flavor and melted in our mouths! 

Mama, Do You Like Your Children?

Once upon a time, I was caught up in this mindset.

I may be a slow learner, but I now cherish my role as Mother.

"Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he
confronts his accusers at the city gates."

Please read this article from Generation Cedar:

Mama, Do You Like Your Children?

AlbertMohler.com – John F. Kennedy in Houston, Fifty Years Later

AlbertMohler.com – John F. Kennedy in Houston, Fifty Years Later

Know Your Farms - Local Food Services

Know Your Farms - Local Food Services

Duggar kids, free indeed - Jill Stanek

I may have said this before, nevertheless, I love the Duggars!

Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Duggar kids, free indeed - Jill Stanek: "As we spoke to the 3 of them, one word kept jumping out at me: Freedom. These girls were experiencing freedom teenagers rarely taste. Completely free to be themselves. The exact opposite of the words so often used by media folk to describe the 19 kids."
Click here to continue reading.

A Mother’s Life: The Profoundest of Classroms

From LAF/Beautiful Womanhood:

"So mothers, does your job feel menial–the scrubbing of toilets, the wiping of noses, the changing of diapers? If you will only perform these tasks with humility, tenderness and contentment, your life has become the profoundest of classrooms, and your children will become the wisest of students."

Jenny McCarthy's Generation Rescue: Autism is Preventable and Reversible

From Jenny McCarthy's Generation Rescue: Autism is Preventable and Reversible:

"Generation Rescue is an international movement of scientists, parents, and physicians researching the causes and treatments for autism, ADHD, and chronic illness. Our parent-volunteers are currently mentoring thousands of families going through the recovery process with their children. We invite you to explore our website, join our Rescue Community, and begin helping your children today."

"AUTISM YESTERDAY" Autism is Reversible from JB Handley on Vimeo.

Slugs and Bugs Tour Promo

    
FREE Family Fun
August 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM
Living Faith Baptist Church
8600 Hood Road
Charlotte, NC 28215

"Slugs and Bugs Live is appx. 1 hour, with live music, animated video and background musical tracks that extend through all the songs. The concert is geared toward boys and girls age 10 and under, but we won't kick the older kids out - they love it too! There are fun interactive moments, and also teaching moments during the program. Some of the material is ridiculously silly, and some of it is deeply meaningful and gospel centered. Slugs and Bugs Live is a super great time, and Randall leaves the kids (and maybe the parents!) with a deepening awareness of the presence of Jesus in their lives.

Randall Goodgame is a critically acclaimed American singer/songwriter, some-time worship pastor and lover of silliness. He has released 6 solo recordings, and has written many songs for other artists, including 17 songs for the award winning band Caedmon's Call. Randall has written several songs for Veggie Tales (with Andrew Peterson), and he spent 4 years as the worship pastor of Midtown Fellowship in downtown Nashville. Randall and his family of 5 live in Nashville, TN."

Musings: Coldsaladpalooza 2010

Musings: Coldsaladpalooza 2010

My friend over at Musings is hosting a Coldsaladpalooza today. The first one I submitted is Orecchiette with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese by Giada.

The pasta only takes 10 mintues or so and then once you pour it onto the salad, it melts the goat cheese into creamy perfection!!!


Here's another that is probably my all-time favorite. I make it for our yearly "Italian Christmas Feast."

I could eat it all year long but, just to keep it special, I only make it during the holidays!

The combination of the beans, salami, cheese plus the homemade vinegarette make my tastebuds stand up and clap!!

Hop on over to the Food Network to get the recipe for none other than Giada's"Italian Anitpasto Salad."

Bryce Daniel

Grab a hankie and watch this ENTIRE video... Oh, and turn off the Music player below before watching.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Psalm 118:8-9

HT: LAF/Beautiful Womanhood

My Forever Love Song

 (Please turn off my Playlist before viewing.)

I Love My Job!

This is not something I could have said at the beginning of my marriage, I did not understand at 19 what it meant to be a wife nor mother. But over the last 20 years, the Lord has had lots of patience with training me.  So much so that, although I still have a long way to go, I am happy to say,

I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!

The post below is from one of my new favorite bloggers. Hope you enjoy!

Home is More Than Dirty Laundry Raising Homemakers:

"Willing submission to my calling and to my husband is not hard because it
is nothing more than submission to my Savior.
And his heart beat while on
earth leaves us with the answer to life:
'Let this cup pass from me;
nevertheless,...' Continue reading here

Sky's the Limit

Great article from Psychology Today.

"A disproportionate number of children labeled ‘ADHD without hyperactivity' are exceptionally bright and creative children. I've often thought that these kids find their own inner theater much richer and more interesting than the outer theater of the classroom and, so, naturally, focus on it at the expense of classroom attention. . . The proper fix for this problem would be done at the school level, a place where I am unlikely to have any significant effect. I can, however, help these children concentrate and return their attention to the classroom."[5]

Interesting confession from a highly respected pediatrician at Yale University who treats (with drugs) many children diagnosed with this disorder .

Read the entire article here.
ADHD and School: The Problem of Assessing Normalcy in an Abnormal Environment

More reinforcement on why I am so thankful for the Charlotte Mason Method.

One of the first (and in my opinion, the most important) principles of CM:


A Child is a Born Person.

They are uniquely designed by God. No two children are the same, nor will they learn the same. Our so-called standard schooling is choking our children. Children are not in the process of becoming people, they already are people. What their niche is has already been determined by God.

What are we doing to our children by forcing them to conform to a one-size fits all system? How can they thrive in a setting with such stringent restrictions?

I'll tell you what. We are teaching them to hate school, to hate learning, to not care about what their calling is. If they can graduate high-school, many turn their backs on education. But thankfully, God is sovereign and He is faithful and He will finish the good work he began. His purposes will not be thwarted.

We have dealt with the issue of ADHD and I have never accepted it. I always believed that my now adult son has strengths and abilities that are on a higher level than what the teachers were able to grasp. He is highly intelligent, but he himself admits having a different way of thinking than most people. His zest for life and imagination were second to none in his early years. His curiosity and energy was boundless. Sadly,years of failing to conform to standard schooling left him feeling dejected, inadequate and incapable.

But glory to God, he is now learning a trade and disovering what his true interests are and for the first time just how capable and smart he truly is.

Tomorrow he's taking off for his first flight, across country, to New Mexico for tradework.  Now, the sky's the limit!

GW Treasure!

Here's what I got today...

Two Things I Love Now Together!!

Spend $15 at Goodwill and get free jeans

1.) I Love the word FREE and 2.) I love Goodwill.

Find lots of great stuff there almost everytime. Lots of times I find exactly what I "need." Once I "needed" a picnic basket. Walked in, straight to the back and viola! Picnic basket! Complete with plates, cups and utensils!! We've enjoyed it many times!

Have also found many of the good books on my never-ending, constantly growing book list. 

Now through the end of the month you can get a FREE pair of jeans after spending $15 at any Goodwill in the Southern Piedmont region (but not the outlet {huh, a Goodwill outlet?} or computer stores).

Don't know about you, but this sounds like as good an excuse as any to go to GW!



(Note to self: Find out about the GW outlet!)


HT: Charlotte on the Cheap

Using our Senses

Found this free E-Book today! Good find. Fairly quick read. (UPDATE: On second look, not so quick, acutally quite meaty!)

Particularly like Chapter 11, HOW TO WIELD THE WORLD IN THE FIGHT FOR JOY, Using All Five Senses to See the Glory of God.  Particularly interesting to me because that is how I like to find joy, through my senses of hearing, smelling, tasting (my mouth is salivating) touching and seeing the beauty in God's creation. Same technique I use teaching the preschoolers as well. Here's the quote that popped out to me:

"So the question must be faced: How do we use the created world around us, including our own bodies, to help us fight for joy in God?In God, I say! (Emphasis mine)Not in nature.  Not in music. Not in health. Not in food or drink. Not in natural beauty. How can all these good gifts serve joy in God, and not usurp the supreme affections of our hearts?" p. 173

My morning devotion answered this quite well:

"God should be your first priority, your second priority and your third..."
~My Utmost for His Highest

Piper continues....

"I assume that this joy is not idolatrous—that is, I assume it does not terminate on the works themselves, but in and through them, rests on the glory of God himself. The works “declare” the glory of God. They point. But the final ground of our joy is God himself. (p.179)"

And further...

"We don’t just stand outside and analyze the natural world as a [sun]beam, but [look along to] let the beam fall on the eyes of our heart, so that we see the source of the beauty—the original Beauty, God himself. (p. 184)."

And lastly...

"All of God’s creation becomes a beam to be “looked along” or a sound to be “heard along” or a fragrance to be “smelled along” or a flavor to be “tasted along” or a touch to be “felt along.” All our senses become partners with the eyes of the heart in perceiving the glory of God through the physical world (p. 185)."

This little snippet does not do an iota of justice to the chapter nor the book. I encourage you to read it for yourself.

When I Don't Desire God by John Piper

True Freedom

Celebrating our freedoms by remembering our past. While my love for American History is strong, it is not without recognition of the One who gives True Life, True Liberty and True Happiness.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."--(Romans 5:6-8)
"Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." Galatians 4:7
"...so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)

Thankful this Independence Day for the True Freedom I have in my Savior !

Celebrating while Remembering

 


The Declaration of Independence

07/04/1776
 When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitles them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of governments. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative Houses repeatedly for opposing with manly firmness his invasion on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without and convulsions within.


He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.


He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their offices and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to ren-der it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliance, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.



Signers of the Declaration of Independence
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
MASSACHUSETTS: John Hancock, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine
RHODE ISLAND: Elbridge Gerry, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
CONNECTICUT: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
NEW YORK: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
NEW JERSEY: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
PENNSYLVANIA: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
DELAWARE: Ceasar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
MARYLAND: Samuel Chase, Thomas Stone, William Paca, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
VIRGINIA: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
NORTH CAROLINA: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
SOUTH CAROLINA: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Authur Middleton
GEORGIA: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Got Corn?

I do!

You can have some too! Just go straight on down to the Hodges Family Farm in East Charlotte. Get it while the gettings good. Organic Silver Queen goes fast! They have a small supply of honey harvested right on the Farm! Same as the corn, get it while you can!

Support your local farmers! No Farm, No Food!

Still Slowing Down

Wendell Berry Discusses Life

Been contemplating slow living for a while now, the agrarian life in particular at the moment. Almost a time gone by but for the few who persevere to bring the bounty of the earth to our local markets.  This weekend I spent lots of time with some of the best people I know, helping shuck and freeze countless ears of corn to put up for winter. 

Been learning more about making my own household products this year. Good results on every account.

What would the home look like if we did more of this? If we lived a slower life, a more agarian life. How would we spend our time? I think it would be very different.

The older I get the more I love being a wife and mother, a job of the highest improtance. Feminism would say otherwise. Kudos to Piper for his answer to the question, "Is it OK for Moms to Work Outside of the Home?"

Wendell Berry was introduced to me by way of Hannah Coulter, by my sweet friend, Bonnie. I hope she enjoys this video of this author with whom she corresponds!  Right around minute 19, Bonnie, Wendell speaks about a topic we've been contemplating this year.

Fathers

In Loving Memory of My Dad, Thomas Peter Sansone...

(Turn off the Music Playlist below to view the videos)

In Honor of My Loving Husband and Father of our Three Children...

How to Make Your Own French Vanilla Coffee Creamer | eHow.com

How to Make Your Own French Vanilla Coffee Creamer eHow.com

This is a keeper.
Tasted-tested and approved by my girl!
Actually, she was fooled in the taste test.
Thought the homemade was store-bought!

Can you hear it too?
The cha-ching in my purse from all the money I'm saving!!
I'm on a roll!

How to forecast the weather without any gadgets - 22 Words

This dandy chart goes along well with my simplicity attitude:

How to forecast the weather without any gadgets - 22 Words

Little shout out to Kelly for introducing me to this and so many fascinating new blogs! Keep 'em coming!!

At Ease, Soldier

Click here to view these pictures larger

This is the Preschool That I Want to Go To!

The article below describes the kind of preschool I would love to go to.  We're a quarter of the way there! We spend a minimum of 1 hour outside each day!Always on the lookout for something new in nature that we never noticed before!

My hope is to pique the curiosity of my young friends so that long after they leave me, they'll continue exploring God's creation, have an enduring appreciation for the beauty of it and always remember with fondness the time they spent out in the woods!!

Local News Outdoor preschool takes root on Vashon Island Seattle Times Newspaper

Learning Herbs

I've always loved natural remedies and homemade products.  I recently made a BIG batch of laundry soap. Let me know if you want some, I have enough for years!

I've also made my own dishwasher detergent, toothpaste and deodorant! Next on tap is some homemade shampoo, facial cleanser and a bath scrub!

I've always loved using herbal remedies and essential oils.  Lavender is my oil of choice because of its versatility!

I've been on sort of a mission of late, trying to eat healthier, cut out processed foods, HFCS, gluten and even my beloved nightshades. In doing some research I came across this great little website.

LearningHerbs.com is full of easy remedies and helpful information in an understandable and sometimes funny format. 

I've recently learned about Supermarket Herbalism, a FREE video class on to use items found easily in the grocery store for colds, digestion and first aid. 

Today I watch a webinar called Herbal Ninja.  This was a review of the Supermarket Herbalism with lots of NEW information.  I took 9 pages of notes on a steno pad!!! It probably would have been fewer pages, but they had these nice pictures of all the herbs and food items that I couldn't resist sketching!

If you want to go more "green" or just save money, check it out for yourself at Herbal Ninja. By clicking on this link, you'll be helping me to get a free ebook. I would greatly appreciate it!! :)

Learning Herbs is one of the best websites I've ever come across for learning about herbs!! Lots of freebies here!!!! I love learning about the ways God has provided to take care of His children!!!

There Will Come a Day

Been a while since I lated posted.  Very busy around here these days. Here's a round-up of our lives since my last entry:
We've had three birthday celebrations in rapid succession,
Resurrection Celebration,
gardening,
driving to the Mountains ever other week to pick my boys,
death of our beloved Misty the Cat,
practice for our upcoming Preschool Graduation,
Flocks,
yard sale-ing,
praying for family and friends with health issues,
Making my own Laundry soap,
Learning about proper nutrition to help my psoriasis,
I Walked for Lupus--5K!,
Homeschool group end of year Fellowship,
National Day of Prayer,
fighting allergies, naturually
and now Mother's Day. 

Each of these events have their own stories, not sure if I'll ever catch up on them though!

Today, I'm sitting in my shady backyard, listening to some baby birds in the woods, watching the wind dance across the tree-tops, feeling the cool breeze on my bare feet, drinking coffee and smelling honeysuckle with which I have a love-hate relationship. Love the smell--hate the allergies! I actually just saw our first Indigo Bunting at the feeder!!!

I'm also reading my Bible, preparing for our Sunday school lesson tomorrow. Haggai. Read it before, but each time I see something new. Its a quick read, only two chapters. 

Haggai tells the people of God to turn from building their own wealth and security and to focus on rebuilding the Temple of God as they were instructed fifteen years earlier.

The people obey and worship God in earnest. The LORD then sparks their enthusiasm and they begin work on the new Temple. He assures them that although this new Temple now pales in comparison to the original, there will come a day when the future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory. In this place God promises to bring peace. 

The Lord finishes with more assurance that He is God, He reigns over all the nations and He will honor his chosen people. 

And this is exactly what God did! Jesus is the Temple, He brings Peace to His people, His glory is greater than any earthly temple. Because of what Jesus did, we have peace with God, an eternal Sabbath. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit of God resides in His people!


My prayer is that the people of God will hear and obey the Word of the Lord. That God will spark the enthusiasm of His people to walk in a manner which is pleasing in His sight, to bring honor and glory to His Name. That we would rest assured knowing that God is in control, over all nations, over all men and one day we will see Him face to face!

Read it for yourself. I pray you too will be encouraged!

This song captures my thoughts perfectly:
(Turn off the Playlist Music Player beofre watching)

Singing Him Psalms of Praise

Reading through the Psalms, one a day. Today is ninety-fifth day of the year, so I read Psalm 95.

Perfect for the day after celebrating the Resurrection.


(Please turn off my Music Player below before watching)

He Is RISEN! Hallelujah!! He is RISEN!

(Please turn off my Music Player below before watching.)

At the Foot of the Cross...

I trade these ashes in for Beauty;

and wear Forgiveness like a Crown.

Coming to Kiss the feet of Mercy;

I lay every burden down

at the Foot of the Cross.

~Kathryn Scott

(Please turn off my Music Player below to watch this video.)

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

~Robert Frost