Happy New Year to all!!  Celebrated New Year's at a nightwatch service with 2,500 others, including our youngest son (who was in the balcony with my hubby and I) and oldest daughter who was on the main level of the church.  Our oldest son and 2 youngest daughters were at a party with friends from their young adults group.

My husband recently reconnected with an old childhood friend, who is now on the West Coast.  I actually worked for his dad briefly around the time we were getting married.  His mom was close friends with my mil for years.  Turns out this man is also a Messianic Jew, having accepted Jesus into his heart 24 years ago.  I had a chance to speak to him and he is on fire for the Lord.  How wonderful!!  I'm so glad my husband has a brother in the Lord to hang with, even if it's long distance.  Guys tend not to connect with other guys as easily as gals do.  My hubby is sooo excited about this.  D, his friend, will be coming east to visit family and his fiance later this year and we'll be able to get together.  Looking forward to it.

No word on the layoffs so far, but other related company news (good news) is making me less worried about it all.  Gotta take this one a day at a time, but it's not always easy.

We start our End Times Bible study this Saturday night at our home fellowship meeting, weather permitting (snow is expected).  Looking forward to this.  People need to become more aware of what the Word says in this area and see just how what is going on in the world line up with the Word of God.  It's amazing to me that more churches are not teaching about this.  It would be such a great witnessing tool, among other things...

"They reported their findings to the Angel of God in the birch grove: "We have looked over the whole earth and all is well. Everything's under control."  - Zechariah 1:11 - The Message Bible

Normally, when I quote the Bible, I love to use either the New American Standard or the New King James, which are the two Bibles I've studied from over the years, but the Message translation applies here so well. 

A couple of entries back, I shared about the personal meaning that the song, All is Well, has come to mean to me.  Along those lines, I prayed for a Scripture.  You see, every year, my hubby and I ask the Lord for a scripture for the new year and He has always been so gracious and given us one.  In this case, the Scripture's mirrors the meaning of the song, All is Well, as well as one of my hubby's favorite lines, "Everything's under control."  Isn't that just like God?  We not only took this Scripture, Zechariah 1:11 to put on our dated Christmas ornament for this year (I make them), but also for our theme Scripture for the new year.  It applies in so many ways...

Had an interesting conversation with my husband in the wee hours of this morning.  (It's 4 am here - can't sleep.)  We've agreed to try to do something we always seem to have problems being disciplined enough to do - to take time to read the Word and pray together, not just "surface prayers", but deep, from the gut prayers and to see what direction He wants to take us in in this new year.  We both are feeling more and more of an intensity to go deeper with the Lord and to serve Him more intently and we're hoping that doing this will give us more direction.  Personally, I get the feeling that the Lord wants to birth something new and greater in us, but are we ready for it, are we ready to fine tune our ears and step out in whatever direction He wants us in?  I hope to report what the Lord does with this new commitment here and will use this journaling to chronicle whatever He does with us through this in the next year.  I'm really excited about it.  I wonder where this new adventure in surrendering to the Lord will take us. 

All this comes at a funny time, when you consider that my husband's company is planning to start layoffs in January.  (The likelihood of my husband being cut is small, but, in this economy, we can't ignore the possibility.  I would appreciate the prayers of any who see this.)  Somehow though, this new spiritual adventure has me less concerned about the layoffs and more excited to see what the Lord is going to do.  In any case, I am convinced that He will take care of us, even when it's hard to see...

On a somewhat related note, our 24 year old son and I help lead worship once a month for a couple of hours at a local International House of Prayer.  During our time there this Friday, something amazing happened.  No one was there except for us and we were praising the Lord and singing while our son was playing the guitar.  As that happened, on a number of occasions, we both felt a rushing of air around us.  We both checked.  No one entered or left.  We also felt a presence, at one point, to my right (his left) and later I felt a presence in front of me to my left.  I am convinced there were angels in that room with us.

I was dreading the new year for a whole lot of reasons - the job cuts, the economy, a new presidency, etc., but now, I'm actually excited to see what the Lord will do in this new year.  Will keep all who read this posted...Please keep my husband and I and our family in your prayers...Will add a specific list of prayers as I report further...Blessings to all...

All is well, all is well

Angels and men rejoice

For tonight darkness fell

Into the dawn of love's light

All is well, all is well

Let there be peace on earth

Christ is come, go and tell

That He is in the manger

All is well, all is well

Lift up your voice and sing

Born is now Emmanuel

Born is our Lord and Savior

Sing Alleluia

Sing Alleluia

SIng Alleluia

All is well

This some by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith has been in my head and heart lately sooo much.

The words are echoing inside of me.  With all all of us face, health issues, financial issues, job losses, etc., so many of us have worries we never dreamed of this Christmas.  It's such a rough time for so many.  A few days ago, I was still having trouble "getting in" the Christmas spirit.  There are so many things going on in the world right now that can set us reeling and one of them, upcoming layoffs at my husband's company, are eminent.  After previous rounds of layoffs, it's just so disheartening, not to mention scary, especially when you're a one income family.

I was up in the wee hours of the morning and caught a re-broadcast of 700 Club when they advertised CBN Radio.  So I went to the computer and turned it on.  A few minutes later, the Point of Grace version of "All is Well" came on and I sat there and sang along.  Suddenly, I had tears streaming down my face and praising God.

Each year, I make a dated ornament for our Christmas tree.  This year's will be entited All is Well.  It  will have those words on it, a cradle with the Baby Jesus in it or a cross with a star behind it  and a scripture (gotta pray on those).  It will be a precious reminder that, no matter what is going on around us or to us, the eternal values remain.  Despite it all, all is truly well...

I wish I could say that it's just holiday busyness that has been getting me so stressed out.  It's just so many things.  Our 19 yo dd has been looking for work for 6 months and has been unable to find a thing.  DH and I are footing the bill for college for her and while the price is low, it's starting to hurt.  Health issues haven't helped the situation either and now, after months of rumors, more layoffs are expected at DH's company after the 1st of the year. 

While DH's job will probably not be affected because of the type of work he does (he's a technician), we just can't be sure.  There's no guarantees and just like last year, we'll be living with the uncertainty of whether or not his job will survive the cuts for at least 2-3 months.  He's survived numerous rounds of job cuts over the past decade, by the Grace of God, and we're trusting God that He will preserve DH's job yet again.

I keep reminding myself of the promises in God's Word.  I know He will provide.  I just wish things weren't so stressful.  This entire year has been difficult, whether it's been job cuts, DH's uncle's deteriorating health, my diagnosis with diabetes and the struggle to deal with it without drug intervention, things with the kids, living in a house that is way too small for the 7 of us and trying to eek out some extra space anywhere I can, whatever.  I know it could be a whole lot worse, but I just wish it were a little less stressful...:::sigh:::

Friends, if you read this, please keep our family in prayer...This is just one more straw on the camel's back...

Our baby boy just turned 10 yesterday.  Time flies....:::::long sigh::::  Saturday will hold errands and a chiropractic appointment, helping our 19 yo dd with her job search and a trip to the planetarium with our birthday boy followed by pizza and birthday cake and maybe a friend or two.  Then a call to my mil to wish her a happy birthday.  Sunday is church and decorating.  Lights and the manger outside, lights in the living room window and pine and tinsel throughout the house.  

This year has been non-stop and this month will be no exception.  But the Christmas packages are out, the snail mail cards are in process of being written, the mailing list is done and the gift shopping is done, except for gift cards.  Still have to find an email card to send friends who are online and plan and send invites for our holiday open house. 

With DH having to work overtime for weeks on end, not to mention his already crazy hours, and our oldest dd finishing her last class for her master's (except for a student teaching experience next summer), the constant demands and needs DH and I have had to tend to, and so much other stuff going on, getting in the Christmas spirit has been tough for all of us.  It's been a year of stress - DH's uncle's been ill and in a nursing home for months, job troubles, health and money issues, etc., but it reminds me to keep focus on the reason for it all, the incredible gift of the birth of our promised Messiah.  Despite all the stress, all the worries, all the disappointments, all of ups and downs of this year, we are so incredibly blessed...

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  All five of our children were with us.  Now that 2 of them are in their twenties, it reminds me that we might not have the opportunity to have all of them with us every Thanksgiving much longer.  I treasure these times.  I'm grateful that family means so much to our children and that they will always try to be in touch during the holidays, but I know they won't always be able to be here.  It's a sad thought, but realistic.  After all, they're growing up, as they should, and making their own lives, as they should.  :::sigh:::

Dinner was very good, and I was blessed to have a lot of help from the kids, so I was able to relax a bit.  Ralph was on call, which was a bit stressful, but he wasn't called in, thankfully.  The joke was, they can have you before dinner or after dinner, but when that turkey hits the table, you're mine!  LOL

I was diagnosed with early onset diabetes a couple of months ago, so I modified dinner a bit.  We skipped the traditional cranberry sauce in favor of cranberry-apple jelly, which has a lot less sugar.  Aside from using stevia to sweeten foods instead of sugar, and using a multigrain mix for the pie crust, everything else was pretty much normal, although I did miss being able to have some apple cider.

Saw my homeopath today (we're treating the diabetes with diet, exercise, and a ton of supplements), and both he and my nutritionist are thrilled with my progress.  My blood sugar numbers are down well over 100 pts. since my diagnosis.  I'm about 3/4 of the way to my goal.  Also have lost 12 lbs. in the process, so I'm a happy camper.  Am able to slightly modify my diet now (occasionally), so it's a little less strict.  Will make the holiday season a whole lot easier.

Holiday shopping (we celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas) and shopping for our youngest son's birthday is done except for a few gift cards (gas, restaurant, department store) for the older kids and a friend and cookie/fruit platters for our doctors.  Packages will go out Monday or Tuesday and cards the next week.  Decorating next weekend and the tree and a holiday party with friends the weekend after that.   Lord willing, things will run smoothly.  With my DH having to work overtime for another couple of weeks, it will help keep the Advent season peaceful and relaxed.  I hate when it gets people nuts;  that's not what it's all about.

More soon...

I know it's been forever since I posted.  I'm nothing if not inconsistent with these things, but I'll try to do better.  Have a lot of fixing to do on the blog, but that's for another day.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  DH and all of the kids and I were together.  Was stressed though.  DH is on call and, even though he wasn't called out, it really put a crimp in the day.  I could just see it:  The kids and I are slaving over the fatted turkey and he gets called out.  Don't know if I'll ever get used to DH's hours.  It's been over a year since the schedule change and I still can't totally adjust.  But with the economy, I'm so grateful that he has a job.

Have a lot to share, but I have to get ready to go out.  Our oldest son and I lead worship for 2 hrs. of a monthly 24 hr. prayer meeting and I have to leave soon.  Will post again...soon...I promise!!

Blessings, Pam

What a busy summer!!  I spent most of it working on paperwork in preparation for our new school year, then took a few days to "relax" (well, sort of) and started school on August 27th.  Did some work           throughout the summer, mostly reading, some math, and language arts to keep us sharp, along with some projects, but our traditional school year started on the 27th.

My hubby also started something new.  He did get that new job with his company and started the new job the same day we started school.  Spent our at home vacation rejoicing that we did not go upstate where we had planned to go since the night temps were 30 degrees (yuck), getting some rest and hunting to another car.  DH needed one since he was losing the company car he had for several years in his old position, which required travel.  I think we need a vacation from our vacation.  LOL

There are plusses and minuses with this new job, but most of it is really positive.  He gets to do a job he's wanted for years, doesn't have to travel, and he feels that he is more productive in this type of work. He also has the potential for better overtime, which was drying up in the other position.  The bad news is that he loses his company car (thus the need for another car) and money-wise, it's a lateral move.  The most interesting news is that, after a training period, his hours switch from 8am-4pm to Noon to 8pm. That means that he will be able, for the 1st time ever, to get involved in the nitty-gritty of homeschooling instead of the peripheral (outside) stuff.  Should add an interesting dynamic to our new school year.

September is always busy, but this one might be moreso than most.  Our 30th anniversary is at the end of the month, along with our middle daughter's 18th birthday and our oldest son's 23rd birthday is soon after.  We are going on a fishing trip with our church and DH and I may be going on a "cruise to nowhere" for a couple of hours to celebrate our anniversary.

School this year includes 3rd, 9th, and 12th graders.  Our 9th and 12th graders will be taking Bible, ASL and PE together and our little guy will do PE with both of them and do early parts of music with our 9th grader.  Classes and resources include:

Ms. 12th Grader:  Lots of half year courses here:                                                                                                                      

Bible Apologetics (various sources including materials from Answers in Genesis)

British Literature (A Beka and others including Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet - Shakesphere)

Composition (Wordsmith Craftsman)

Spelling and Vocabulary (edHelper)

Grammar and Study and Research Skills (Sentences, Paragraphs, and Beyond)  

Math Review (various sources) and Geometry (High School Advantage CD-Rom)

Social Studies:  2   1/2 year courses:  Constitutional Law (1/2 year - Whatever Happened to Justice, some parts of Mike Ferris' Constitutional Law course and various internet materials) and Economics (1/2 year - Economics in One Lesson, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, and The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business)

Food Science - Glencoe

Photography (1/2 year - KISS Guide to Photography)

Introduction to Early Childhood Ed. (1/2 year - Introduction to Early Childhood Ed. - Delmar Publishers)

American Sign Language III (Joy of Signing, Webster's Millennium American Sign Language Learning System and various internet sources)

Health (1/2 year - Fit and Well - Fahey, Insel, and Roth), I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Harris, and Tilly - Peretti,

Driver's Ed. (1/2 year - Handbook Plus, the NYS Defensive Driving Course Guide, and Driver's Education CD-Rom

Physical Education - the guidelines of the President's Physical Fitness Challenge. 

Extras - She is also teaching preschoolers Sunday School on rotation and is involved in a young adults' group, a youth group, plays recorder in our home fellowship's music ministry and will be getting involved with the Keepers at Home program.

Ms. 9th Grader: 

Bible Apologetics (same as her sister)

Consumer Math (A Beka)

Christian Literature (various sources including In His Steps - Sheldon, Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis and others)

Grammar (Easy Grams)

Writing (Wordsmith and the Write Stuff Adventure)

Spelling, Vocabulary, Study and Research Skills (edHelper)

Social Studies:  2  1/2 year courses:  American Government (BJU and the Standard Deviants videos) and New York State History (New York: The Empire State, Long Island - Our Story - online via Newsday, our local paper, and a series of 8 dvds called New York)

Science - Basic Science (BJU and the For Every Kid Series - VanCleave)

American Sign Language I - same material sources as Ms. 12th Grade

Typing and Computer - Using the Personal Computer - A Beka

Music - Several internet sources for history, appreciation and theory, plus singing and violin lessons

Physical Education - Same sources as Ms. Grade 12 and Little Mr. Gr. 3

Extras:  Like Ms. Gr. 12, she's involved in a young adult group, a youth group, and Keepers at Home and will also be studying voice, violin and guitar.

Little Mr. Grade 3:  Except for Physical Education and Music Appreciation and some other aspects of music, all of his courses are separate from the girls because of the age gap between them:

Bible and Character Building - Leading Little Ones to God and Faith 4 Living

Reading - Reading list includes Aesop's Fables, A Child's Garden of Verses - Stevenson, Farmer Boy - Wilder and others plus exercises from Learning at Home - American Education Publishers

Phonics - Handbook for Reading: The Blue Backed Speller - A Beka

English - The Complete Book of Grammar and Punctuation - Gr. 3 and The Complete Book of English and Language - Gr. 3

Spelling and Vocabulary and Study Skills - edHelper

Writing - Wordsmith Apprentice

Penmanship - edHelper and Faith 4 Living

Arithmetic - BJU Math 3 and The Complete Book of Math Gr. 3

Social Studies - Our American Heritage - A Beka, They Made America Great - Macmillian, Ben's Guide to U.S. Government, The Complete Book of United States History and The Complete Book of Geography and Maps - American Education Publishers and Amazing States - Burda                        

Science - Exploring God's World - A Beka, The Complete Book of Science Gr. 3 - American Education Publishing, The Way Things Work - Macauley, and the Science for every kid series - VanCleave

Health - Health, Safety and Manners 3 - A Beka, parts of The Complete Book of Science Gr. 3 - American Education Publishing and The Body Book - Silver/Wynne

Music - The Ready to Use Music Reading Activities Kit - Mitchell, Enchanted Learning worksheets, Classics for Kids, and some materials from Think Quest

Physical Education - Same sources as Ms. Gr. 12 and Ms. Gr. 9 

Extras:  Royal Rangers and Contenders of the Faith plus all the computer programs he can handle...

Please note that we don't do every single page or project, but use these sources picking and choosing what works best or these poor kids and I would burn out in a week.  LOL  So far, so good, just busy, busy, busy.  I have 3 years of portfolios to finish for our 12th grader in preparation for her graduation next June for North Atlantic Regional Schools (NARS) for her transcripts and diploma, which is also keeping me very busy.

Most of the family is getting over respiratory bugs, so we are going a little slowly right now.  Otherwise, we're getting in the swing of things.  Have to get back to work here.  Was writing this as we listened to music appreciation - Bach and the Brandenburg Concerto today...May your schoolday be blessed...

Blessings to all, Pam

I am so up to the yazoo with paperwork, it's not even funny.  Here I am, trying to plan the school year for the kids, plus I have portfolios for Grs. 9-11 to set up for our 17 yo for her umbrella program (if I leave it all for the school year, it will never get done), plus I have re-organizing in the house to do, a yard sale to plan and homeschool materials to declutter, list, and sell.  On top of that, I am still working on rehabing my leg and knees (I had an injury 13 months ago that I am 90% recovered from, but there are still issues...) and dental and eye doctor appts to make.  Am I complaining too much?  I just feel a little overwhelmed right now.  It's a lot, believe me...

If I can get through all of that, I will finally be in the position to get back on track with finishing my degree.  I really need to get these other things out of the way in order to have the time and the money.  I've wanted to finish my degree for a long time and this will give me the opportunity to do so.  I'm going to need the Lord to stretch the hours and my ability and energy this summer to get the job done.

Menopausal symptoms are still going pretty easy, except for a nasty tendency towards insomnia, as evidenced by the hour I am making this post (4 am).  My other symptoms are some of the mildest my doctor has ever seen.  He's not even convinced that the insomnia is from menopause, and says that it could very well be that I have too much on my plate (not to mention my hubby's occasional snoring keeping me up - LOL).

Now, for some really good news, well, potentially anyway...About 6 1/2 years ago, my husband was promoted from his original position with the company he works for (he's in wireless telecom and was originally hired as an inventory specialist) to field technician.  At that time, he told me that he had the goal of becoming a switch tech.  A switch tech does the same basic type of work as a field tech, but does it at one central location.  About a month ago, he felt impressed of the Lord to mention his interest in becoming a switch tech to one of the managers there (this man manages the switch).  Less than 2 weeks later, this man let my husband know that there was a possibility that one of the current switch techs was being promoted and that his position was going to open up.  Well, the long and short of it is that this other tech was, in fact, promoted and the position opened up.  Although it is not official yet, it looks almost certain that my husband is getting the position.  It still is not official and won't be for a while.  He has to go through the usual channels, but it looks very good.  He's very excited about it and we are just praising God for the way He seems to be putting this all together.  He knows and gets along with the others that work in this capacity, including the manager, and they are all very excited about him on board.  One of the other techs is another believer, so he will have fellowship on the job if this all works out as well. 

His hours will change some; his base hours now are 8am-4pm and they will be noon-8pm, but the change is so severe that it will have any kind of major effect on our family life (the only 2 things that will change is that I or one of our older children will transport our teenage girls and younger son to evening activities and any fellowship he and I attend during the week will see us a little late and we will not be able to eat dinner together unless I drive the crew over to the office and bring or pick up dindin (which we may do sometimes - aside from that, we may not eat dinner together, but we'll be able to have breakfast together instead, as well as dessert most evenings.  He will lose the company car that he uses on the field, but the partial differential pay should help us be able to afford another car.  Most importantly, my husband will have the opportunity to achieve a goal, a job that he's wanted to do for a long, long time.  I am soooo thrilled to see God answer his prayers like this.  It's been a growing time for my husband too.  Despite how much he wants this, he truly left it in the Lord's Hands.

We are still praying for wisdom regarding our church change.  We love the Vineyard church we are attending and are being so blessed there, but are keeping ties with the church we previously attended, attending some Sunday evening services, so our daughters and oldest son will be allowed to continue to work with the Missionettes, Royal Rangers, and youth group.  Without some kind of regular attendance, despite the lack of workers there, they will not be able to help.  This church has become one that is attended mostly by those over 50 and has lost a lot of its youth, except for in activities.  We love the people there, but are broken about the way the pastor and others in authority there are ignoring the youth in their weekly services.  They are so set in their ways, and so many there that we know are so frustrated, but the pastor, who is in her early 80's, refuses to see, yet can not understand why the church, which years ago was packed with over 200 people, is down to 50 - 60, with almost no one ages 12-30!!  We still hope to see this dying church revive.  We've known many of these people, including the pastor through various activities and, the pastor and her husband through the pastor who married us, for 25-30 years, and we can't just totally walk away unless we feel that the Lord is showing us that we must.  It's a heartache and a sacrifice, but we feel to stay open to this, at least for this season...

Am trying something a little different this year.  Along with the usual things we cover during our summer school session (reading, math, language skills, writing,(including remedial work wherever needed)  ASL, swimming, sports, crafts, movies, and projects, we are adding contests.  The weekly contests are spelling and geography bees, a science fair, art and poetry writing contests, and summer long reading, Bible reading and blessing contests.  The blessing contest is all about finding ways to bless others.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to get school plans together, but that's another entry...

For those of you who are Jericho fans (or those who want to check out the show), there are two episodes airing tomorrow night starting at 8pm EST on CBS.  Please note the change in time.  The normal time is 9pm and is 8pm only to accommodate this extra episode. 

We did win our time slot in the Neilsen ratings last week, but not by all that much.  Remember, we really need folks to let CBS know we’re watching the show so we can get the ratings up there - very important if we are to get beyond the 7 episodes promised for Season 2 and to make sure we have a Season 3!!

If you are a Nielsen family, PLEASE keep all of your TVs tuned to Jericho when it is on so it will be counted for the ratings. 

If you are not a Nielsen family, please be sure to email CBS after you watch and thank them for putting Jericho back on the air.  Same thing if you watch online, tape and watch later, etc.

If you don't watch and you'd like to help keep a great show on the air, please check it out tomorrow night and if you can't check it out online. 

You can watch online at: 

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jericho/

Go to the center top of the page where it says "Video" and scroll down to "Watch Full Episodes" and click.  You can watch all episodes from there.

and you can contact CBS at:

http://www.cbs.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Feedback and a form comes up you can use.

Personally, our entire family would REALLY appreciate as many as possible giving CBS a great big Thank You for putting the show back on the air!!  Because of the quality of the majority of TV shows, Jericho is the only show our family watches aside from the news.  Thanks Everybody and God Bless!!

Please check this show out!!  It's one of the rare ones.  Wonderfully written and acted and totally riveting.  It's clean too.  No dirty jokes, no garbage.  The violence of warfare done was carefully staged, in context, and with a minimum of blood and gore.  The only negative I can see from it's first season was that one of the characters was having an affair and that was denounced by his own mother (very well handled and shown to be wrong).  With all of the garbage on TV these days, this show is a standout for its quality.  To be honest, now that reruns of The Waltons and Touched by an Angel are no longer shown, Jericho is the only show that our family watches on TV other than the news. 

Many people fought hard to get it back on the air after it was cancelled and we are blessed to have it back.  Reruns will be throughout the summer, with 7 episodes coming sometime this fall.  If we want more, CBS needs to see big numbers of viewers, a tall order in the summer, but it would be just great if everyone who can would take the time to watch and see why 6.5 million viewers are raving about this great show. 

We really need folks to let CBS know we are watching the show so we can see the ratings up there - very important if we are to get beyond the 7 episodes promised for Season 2 and to make sure we have a Season 3!!

If you are a Nielsen family, PLEASE keep all of your TVs tuned to Jericho when it is on so it will be counted for the ratings.

If you are not a Nielsen family, please be sure to email CBS after you watch and thank them for putting Jericho back on the air. Same thing if you watch online, tape and watch later, etc.

If you don't watch and you'd like to help keep a great show on the air, please check it out tomorrow night and if you can't check it out online.

You can watch online at:

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jericho/

Go to the center top of the page where it says "Video" and scroll down to "Watch Full Episodes" and click. You can watch all episodes from there.

and you can contact CBS at:

http://www.cbs.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Feedback and a form comes up you can use.

Personally, I would REALLY appreciate as many as possible giving CBS a great big Thank You for putting the show back on the air!! And Spread the Word!!! Thanks Ladies!!

It became official last Wednesday that our fight to get the CBS show, Jericho, back for a 2nd season is a done deal.  Just found out that the reruns of Season 1 will begin on July 6th, with Season 2 to begin sometime in October or November.  7 episodes have been ordered for Season 7, with the promise of more if the ratings are high. 

Now here's the thing.  If you love this show, watch it, from the reruns on and let CBS know you are watching - call, email or write them a letter or two and thank them!!  They will only extend Season 2 if the ratings grow.  The unfortunate thing here is that, although many people watch the show online or through TIVO, DVR, etc., only the Neilsens count towards the ratings at this time (Neilsen, as a result of what fans did towards getting Jericho back brought up, is working on a new way to include these others as part of the ratings, but at this point, all that CBS (and after all, they are a business, has to go on is the Neilsens).  From what I have heard, it is critical, because of this, that fans watch the televised broadcast and then let their voices be heard to CBS, show advertisers, etc.

Remember - July 6h - 9PM EST - Be there and spread the word!!!

Have had a lot of problems with my account over the last few months and am still working the bugs out (thanks to a couple of you wonderful blogger tech gals), so until I can get everything up and running again, let me give you all a quick update...

Life has been very hectic, but we're all hanging in there.  Ralph's doing well with the ITP and continues to not need treatment, Praise God, beyond the Chinese herbal regiment.  We're all thrilled and praising God and even his doctor admits that all she is doing is monitoring him!!  It's truly a God thing.

I am still recovering from a leg injury (muscle and tendon damage) from a year ago.  I'm a lot better, but a flight of stairs is still difficult at times.  The injury hurts my ability to do a lot of physical activity still, but I am slowly getting better.  It's been a real trial and very discouraging at times and I have to remind myself that I will totally, by the Grace of God, recover.

Now at 50, menopause is rearing it's head, but I'm really blessed, considering the horror stories I hear, that it's been a pretty easy ride so far.  Minimal symptoms, all manageable.  Recovering from this leg thing is far worse.  I think the worst of it is I retain water more easily and get weepy at times (just give me the right kind of music and I tear up in a hurry)

The kids are doing well, for the most part.  Our oldest dd is co-teaching 1st grade, still at a local Christian school.  No big romance yet, but we are waiting...Our oldest ds is busy at work and is considering taking civil service exams and leaving the company he is at - he's worship leader for a couple of young adult groups.  Saw him at one a couple of weeks ago and it was just so amazing to see.  Our 17 yo is our special needs student, but is continuing to work hard and this year has become fluent in ASL and a Missionettes leader.  One more year of school with me and she will start an online program to get her associate's degree in early childhood ed. (she's great with kids).  Our 14 yo dd is doing well and shows a lot of promise, especially in writing (like her big brother) and the little guy is now 8 and taught himself PowerPoint, and is now making movies for himself on the computer!! (scary)

Our work on the house is continuing to come along.  We finally replaced the shed that was destroyed in the storm in November and the yard is in a lot better shape now.  Most of the garden is planted, with just a little more to go.

We made the difficult decision to leave our church.  Despite what our pastor says, it continues to ignore a number of the needs of the youth, and as much as we love the people, it's a struggle.  We are not leaving there yet, but with the youth group ass't leader/choir director leaving in a matter of weeks, there is less and less there for the kids.  It's very sad. 

The good news is that a new church opened cross-town from us about 6 months ago (our oldest son goes to their young adults group) and it turns out that the pastor is an old friend and former associate pastor of ours from another church.  We are going to both services at both churches back to back on Sunday mornings until we sew up some loose ends for the kids, but then will most likely be just going to this new fellowship.

In the meantime, our home fellowship is going well.  What a blessing our little fellowship family has been to each other.  No words describe it.

Our 4 legged family members has increased by one.  Our little guy now has a little tuxedo kitty, whose momma was a feral cat.  Her name is Maggie.  Very cute, but very skittish.  Our older kitty is not happy with her, but our dog like her.  All three are going through some growing pains.

***One more thing, are there any fans of the TV show, Jericho, out there?  The show was cancelled, but there is a movement to get it back on the air that is just huge.  If anyone wants info, just give me a shout out...***

Blessings, Pam

Around our house, we're up to our necks, but so what else is new? LOL  Typical round here.  The holidays are just busier than usual.

Am waiting for the last couple of gifts to arrive, along with an order of clothing for me (don't you just love mail order?).  Still have the last couple of rehearsals for the children's choir for our little guy, the Christmas play for the older 4, the cantata for DH, our 2 younger girls and I and working on a special with our oldest son.  (Of course now I would strain my vocal chords and need to rest them...UGH!!)  Our Christmastime fellowship meeting went beautifully and it looks like it was a real blessing to all.

Still have clothing shopping to finish, decorating to do, a tree to get, cards to write and cookies to bake.

That along with school, rearranging 3 rooms and the day to day makes things soooo hectic, but the Lord impressed something on me that I shared at the fellowship.  We have choices to make, especially at this busy time of year, as to whether we are going to choose to be more of a Mary or a Martha.  Yes, we have to be a Martha and get things done, but, more importantly, we have to be a Mary and keep our spiritual focus in the midst of all of this busyness. 

One way the Lord impressed on me that we can do that is to focus on the fact that this is the celebration of Jesus' Birthday, so instead of focusing on planning and giving gifts to one another, let's plan on what we can give Him for His Birthday.  How can we do that? 

We can give Him our love, love others, our faith, our service, our humility, our finances, our praise and worship.  Remember, it's not all about us, it's all about Him.  Merry Christmas!!

I just read this on the blog of an online friend, (((Connie))), and wanted to share this.  (Hope that's okay, Connie.  This is soooo powerful!!):

The Seven "P's" of Highly Effective New School Years

1. Pray ~   Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
                      And lean not on your own understanding; 
                      In all your ways acknowledge Him, 
                      And He shall direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6                  

First and foremost we must pray. Unless we put God first and seek his counsel, even the greatest plans or ideas will fail because they didn't come from Him.

2. Ponder ~ We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;  if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully - Romans  12:6-8  

Consider the interests and special abilities that God has given to each one of your children and develop your curriulum around that. If they like what they are doing they are more apt to become independent learners and persue their interests during off school time as well.

3. Peruse ~ Look over the materials you already have and see if any of them fit the interests of your child. This will help you to avoid overbuying. Look through catalogs to find what might best meet the needs of your family and children. Don't forget to skim over those favorite books that help to motivate you and remind you why you homeschool in the first place. One of my favorites is "When you Rise Up" By R.C. Sproul Jr.

4. Prepare ~ You don't have to plan the whole year or even sememster at one time. You don't even have to have a definite plan for the first week. But you do need to have a few goals in place for each child and some idea of how you are going to meet those goals. Plan activities that fit with the goals you have. If your child needs to work on writing, have them start journaling, writing letters to grandparents, creating a family newsletter. If your child needs work in math, play store, count money, play games such as monopoly, cook and measure ingredients.

5. Purge ~ get rid of any and all outside activities that are not in keeping with your goals for your children and your family. Don't feel your child has to play a sport and take piano lessons just to get credit in physical education or fine arts. However, if your child is gifted or has special interest in an area, it may  be worth the sacrifice.

6. Play ~  Don't forget to schedule time to play together as a family. It could be an educational outing, or just a movie or game night.  No amount of education can make up for decline in family relationships. Make sure you are building strong family relationships, by spending fun time together. Take off your teacher hat and just be a mom sometimes.

7. Picture it ~ Believe that you will have a successful beginning to your year. If you believe in yourself and your children, they will know it and they will want to work harder. No one wants to fail at something. Usually failure comes from expectations that are too high, goals that are to lofty, or schedules that are to structured. Make sure you aren't expecting more of yourself or your children than any of you can live up to.

With many thanks to Sheri who started this on Blogspot and my online friend, (((Connie))), here is a wonderful list called "A Month of Praise".  I hope to make this a sidebar as soon as I can figure out how!!  Hope to update this monthly...

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (New International Version)

Aug 1   ~ Answered Prayer
Aug 2   ~ A long walk in the early morning
Aug 3   ~ Having time to read a good book
Aug 4   ~ A good movie that makes you cry
Aug 5   ~ Living your life in God's will
Aug 6   ~ Having enough money to catch up on bills

Aug 7   ~ Having enough money to be able to get away
Aug 8   ~ Starting a new, small scale, home improvement project  
Aug 9   ~ Owning your own home and the freedom it gives you
Aug 10 ~ Memories of what a marriage and family can build together
Aug 11 ~ Baby steps in the right direction
Aug 12 ~ A Project that turned out better than I expected
Aug 13 ~ Fellowship with Christian Friends
Aug 14 ~ My son's sense of humor
Aug 15 ~ Knowing God is in control in the midst of tribulation
Aug 16 ~ Finding a new favorite Bible passage
Aug 17 ~ The blessing of having enough of what you and your loved ones need.
Aug 18 ~ Having someone tell you they have been praying for you
Aug 19 ~ Saturdays, and no place you have to be
Aug 20 ~ Community Worship
Aug 21 ~ Downtime, a comfy couch and a beautiful lake to sit by
Aug 22 ~ Bonfires and singing  

Aug 23 ~ Uninterrupted cuddle time with my husband
Aug 24 ~ Picnic in the park
Aug 25 ~ Canoeing on a calm and peaceful lake
Aug 26 ~ Coming home
Aug 27 ~ A new blogging friend and a post that makes you laugh
Aug 28 ~ Forgiveness
Aug 29  ~ Praise and Worship Time
Aug 30  ~ Knowing we have a loving God who hears our prayers.

Aug 31 ~ New Christian Friends

...My hubby did have the 2nd blood test and his platelet numbers rose even further to 90K last week.  The immediate crisis appears to be over, Praise God!!  Now for the healing...