What Really Matters

The Rich Young Ruler

 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
(Matthew 19:16-30 ESV)

One of the great saints in the family of God was called home to receive her reward last week.

Deborah Hawes Godwin McAnulty lived everyday loving Jesus, loving her family and loving her friends. If you met her, she loved you. If you were related to someone she met, she loved you And she made sure you knew it. Her love for Jesus, for what He had done for her, filled her up with so much joy that it spilled out in a continous flow to everyone.  She knew that knowing Jesus and sharing His gift of eternal life, grace and peace was the only thing that really mattered.  Debbie lived the Gospel out loud. The Lord gave her many opportunities to share His Love all around the world. He gifted her with a very special way to encourage and comfort, always pointing back to the One who suffered the wrath of God in our place.  She leaves an inspiring legacy. Post after post on her Facebook page shows how far and wide her impact for the Kingdom on God reaches.

Although this world is a little less bright as we who remain adjust to her departure, I know without a doubt she is Home where she belongs. Receiving her crown of glory, casting it at the feet of Jesus; hearing the words all the saints long to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant.....you have fought the good fight. You have finished the race...."  I know Debbie is safe in the arms of Jesus, praising and worshipping Him face to face, resting in His perfect peace.

As radiant as her smile was here on earth, I can just imagine how glorious it is now that her faith has become her sight?

YES! Young Brains Do Need Play

Regarding the Early Years, Charlotte Mason says of parents: "To form in his child right habits of thinking and behaving is a parent's chief duty...To nourish a child daily with loving, right, and noble ideas we believe to be the parent's next duty" ( Vol. 2, p. 228).

Contrary to the current performance-based, "the-earlier-the-better mentality," Mason also advocated postponing formal school lessons until the child is six.

"We (of the P.N.E.U) begin the definite 'school' education of children when they are six; they are no doubt capable of beginning a year or two earlier but the fact is that nature and circumstances have provided such a wide field of educaiton for young children that it seems better to abstain from requiring direct intellectual efforts until they have arrived at that age" (Vol.6, p.159).

New research is confirming what Charlotte Mason said 140 years ago,  that "it takes six years of ideal conditions where a child gives his heart to his parents."

Read more here:
"Young Brains Need Play; Preschoolers Learn Best While Having Fun."

This philosophy is why in my preschool class I provide numerous activities and experiences designed to help children explore and discover the world around them using all their senses.

Walking for Lupus

On May 5th I'm walking for lupus.

Walk for Lupus Now Charlotte 2010

{WHY I'M WALKING}
I am walking for my daughter's best friend. She was diagnosed two years ago at age 17. She is a sweet young lady who is persevering with a positive outlook and lots of smiles! I also want to do something for the people who have been diagnosed and to prevent more from learning what it means to live with this disease.

{WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT MY EFFORTS}

• More than 1.5 million Americans and 45,000 NC residents have lupus. 
• The effects on individuals with lupus and their families can be life diminishing and life threatening.
• Lupus is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed diseases, with no known cause.
• On March 9, 2011, the FDA approved, BENLYSTA, the first drug ever to be specifically developed to treat lupus. This is a significant first step.
• The LFA, Piedmont Chapter uses funds collected from WFLN to support research efforts and to provide programs & support to lupus thrivers. 

{HOW YOU CAN HELP TOO}
Please join me in supporting all those living with lupus and their families. There are two ways to help.

1. Sign Up to walk with us at Walk for Lupus Now Charlotte. It's free to walk   ~OR~
2.  If you can't join us, please donate and help me raise funds and awareness about this disease. My goal is $100 (not $135,000 like the widget says). Click the Thermometer on top right sidebar to donate to this worthy cause. 

Year in Review

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

In a contemplative mood this evening, thought I'd recap the Top 5 most viewed posts from 2011.

5.  Where I'll Be Until Further Notice

4.  Hometown Heroes on the Food Network!

3.  10 Tips for Real Food Newbies from Nourished Kitchen

2.  While the Cat's Away

1.  First Days 2011

Looking forward to 2012 and all that the Lord has in store for our family. May you be blessed in the coming year!

Adventures in my Kitchen: Rendering Lard

Last weekend we took the annual "Know Your Farms" Tour.

 

We first went to Barbee Farms, a sixth generation farm family. They grow and harvest a wide variety of vegetables year round. We took a farm-wide hayride and learned that 98% of their business is from local consumers. After the tour we stopped in their on-farm market stand where we enjoyed some homemade ice cream. I also bought some arugula and kale. They're real nice folks and I plan to make good use of their year-round farm store!

 

Next we returned to a favorite from our tour last year, T&D Farms. As owner, Todd Maudlin explained on our hayride of his property, they grow grass-fed beef, pastured pork, chicken and free-range eggs. The cattle are a beautiful cross between Charolais and Limousine breed. The meat is lean and tasty, but what I appreciated most was that the cows are grass-fed AND finished. No grain or soy is given to these cows! After our hayride, we stopped off at their farm stand to buy some products. I was so excited to come away with nitrate-free bacon, pork fat and chicken feet {That's a post for another day!}.

 

I purchased about 2 pounds of pork fat for $1.50 a pound!! My first attempt at rendering I came away with 3 cups of lard and a plate full of cracklings, or as my children corrected me, in the South we say cracklins! I salted them and we ate them. My son loved them and said they tasted just like the ones from the gas station! I think that was a compliment. 

Cracklins, A Southern Delicacy

Golden Brown Goodness

Lard cooling in jars.

Because it has a higher smoke-point, I'll be using it instead of butter for my cooking, baking and frying. Can't wait for some lard-fried french fries. {Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my mouth!}

 

Find out why I would do such a thing here:  How to Render Lard | Nourished Kitchen.

 

Until my next adventure in the kitchen, be sure to Eat Your Fat!!!

First Days 2011

Preschool is off and running. Our first couple of days have been magical. The children got along like old friends!

This year I am striving to incorporate more outdoor and more sensory activities. In Charlotte Mason's writings she beautifully outlines how important using the senses is for young children.

"In his early years the child is all eyes; he observes, or, more truly, he percieves, calling sight, touch, tatste, smell, and hearing to his aid, that he may learn all that is discoverable by him about every new thing that comes under his notice. " (Vol. 1, p. 65)

"That the knowledge most valuable to the child is that which he gets with his own eyes and ears and fingers (under direction) in the open air. (Vol. 1, p. 177)

In Volume 2, Mason lists several ways to help a child cultivate his senses by means of "incidental object lessons." Instead of contrived object lessons where an object is brought to the child and a lesson given, Mason advocated using what I like to call teachable moments to "assist the child to educate himeself on Nature's lines, and we must take care not to supplant and crowd out Nature and her methods with that which we call education." (Vol. 2, p. 182)

Contrived object lessons, Mason calls, "miserable fragments" of information "presented to the children which have little of the character of the object in situ (referring to the natural habitat or environment). (Vol. 2, 180)

In contrast, Mason says, "object lessons should be incidental; and this is where the family enjoys so great an advantage over the school. It is almost impossible that the school should give any but set lesson; but this sort of teaching in the family falls within the occurence of the object." (Vol. 2 p. 182)

Now Mason didn't say it was impossible to give these incidental object lessons, these teachable moments that pop up out of the blue. She said it was ALMOST impossible. That gives me all the motivation I need to at least try. 

This week we got really messy painting Sweet Gumballs we collected on our first Nature Walk.

We also had a blast squirting colored vinegar onto a tray of baking soda! The kids were amazed at the reaction, bubbling and fizzing. This turned out into a beautiful, collabrative unique masterpiece!

We couldn't just leave it like that.  "It feels salty!" one exclaimed!

GAPS Intro Day 2 & 3

While researching the GAPS diet, I noticed that most people experience a die-off reaction ranging from mild to severe. According to the GAPS website:

DETOXING, DIE-OFF, & OTHER SYMPTOMS

What are "die-off" symptoms?
As you introduce a probiotic into the digestive system, the pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi there will be dying, which releases more toxins. This increase in toxicity may produce a so-called "die-off" reaction, when you may feel more tired or generally "off color". It is a temporary reaction and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks in different people....If you get a severe reaction, cut the daily dose [of probiotics, my note] down to the previous level and settle on it. Then carry on increasing the dose.

I've been anticipating not feeling well as the toxins die and release into my system before being eliminated. So far, my symptoms have been quite mild. 

Day 2 was pretty good. Only die-off symptom to speak of is fatigue.

Meals consisted of shredded boiled chicken, broth & leftover butternut squash soup, steamed acorn squash and onion leek soup.

Between noon and 2 o'clock I felt extremely tired and a little weak. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open. Thankfully, I was able to get off work early. Came home and ate some more steamed acorn squash and relaxed for a bit which helped.


Day 3 has been good also. Again, I had fatigue after lunch. Rested my eyes for a few minutes and was fine.

Meals today were boiled burgers with a cauliflower & carrot "gravy",  cauliflower boiled in stock, mashed carrots and onion leek soup. 

 Appetite is fair. Eating about every three hours since the food is so easily digested. Getting tired of all the boiled foods. Ready for something chewy.  Had cravings for my after dinner chocolate chip cookies (sugar) twice. Cured (suppressed) by drinking some mint tea with a drop of honey. 

Haven't managed a recommended Detox Bath yet. I know it will help with detoxing, but symptoms seem so mild, I've neglected that part. Maybe I can work it in tonight.

Since we're doing so well, we'll do one more day on Stage 1. If all goes well tomorrow, we'll be skipping to Stage 2. Then we can start having eggs and fermented veggies!