Jul. 14, 2008 - thoughts about Bible
I had a few thoughts regarding reconciling how God deals with people in the Old Testament and in the New. For some time, my husband's blog has been talking about covenants. We've been a part of a group that is studying the 5 points of Calvinism. We've also been joining a group that is studying the Old Testament, more specifically, the Torah. All this time, both of us have been on the same page about what we believe is true. Each of our studies have given us a deeper level of conversation with each other and they all seem to be circling around a central theme.
Here is a couple of more things I could add to the table that lets me start putting some scattered pieces together. As much as I am for sola scriptura I know that sometimes you meet people that can sure teach you some lessons. We ran into this fellow that came across as boastful and arrogant. He openly told us the difficulty he was presently in and laid much of the blame on those around him. It reminded me of another person in my life that has gone through so much but seems so stubborn and life just doesn't go well for him. Now I know that I am a sinner and perhaps I've done as much bad (maybe worse) as these two people I've just mentioned, but why do things go ok for me. I've had bad things and disappointments come my way, but why does God take care of us? And also other people I know that only have thankfulness in their hearts? Have these people only done what is right? Have they followed each of the laws correctly? We always ask this question in our hearts because to ask it out loud might sound judgmental. We want to know why some have blessings upon blessings and others only curse after curse.
I want to propose a suggestion (now, not an across the board gospel fact always and neverending, but perhaps) of something God values. I'm thinking about the whole concept of repentance. What if all God wants from us is true repentance, whether we're elected or choose Christ as our Savior, whether we choose to follow the Jewish laws and regulations or we're free from the law and have no guilt in that. What if this idea of repentance spans Old Testament and New Testament Covenants (nevermind that redundancy)? What if this is the reason Jesus came and the reasons Jews sacrifice? What if this is why some have blessings upon blessings?
I was reading II Chronicles 6 this morning. Solomon says a prayer about the Temple and then God fills it. He approved. He was here. So many times in that prayer, Solomon asks God to hear the prayers of the people. He asks God to forgive. He says that "when they sin, and they most certainly will and when they ask for forgiveness, listen to them." He pleads for God to listen to the people whether they were Jews or foreigners. I find this very interesting, and I don't think that there is any other Scripture that down plays the need for repentance. If you find something, I'd like to hear your defense. I hope I'm not way off here--if I am, my sincere *apologies* :)
Jul. 7, 2008 - another year with CHEF
Well, I'm starting on my 3rd year as the homeschool group's newsletter editor.
It's all starting all over again--the deadlines, the frustrations, the pleas, and the rejections.
Why do I do this? Maybe it is that my membership dues are waived, or perhaps it is that I get to stay connected with what is going on. I don't know.
I've asked for only a few things. I've asked folks to send me articles that are written out in paragraph/complete sentence form. I didn't even ask for a certain number of words--short would be fine, even very short. I didn't ask for it to be perfect--I can correct spelling/grammar. I asked for submissions by a certain deadline, but even that is a bit flexible. I gave a rough idea of when I need articles and only a handful try to honor that, but it's ok and I can get around late submissions. I didn't ask for ideas or announcements. I didn't ask for items that you want to sell.
Maybe it is because I don't ask for so much that I hardly get any.
What I'd like is a person who likes to write and would take ideas (theirs, mine, other members) and turn them into short writing assignments.
This is the part that I don't feel I have the time for. I'm already spending the time for this newsletter to do the layouts. Are folks also expecting me to write all the articles? That's what it feels like. I will pray for such help.
Jul. 1, 2008 - American History Colonial
We worked on our American History some yesterday. I put it on my lapbook page here with photos of how it is going. I made a few comments about it. I'm still trying to figure it all out.
Jun. 26, 2008 - One of those kinds of emails
Had a friend send me one of those kinds of emails asking you about your favorite this, that, etc. Since I haven't been posting much, I'll copy paste my answers to her email here. It took some time for me to think about all my answers. If you have a moment and want to leave a comment with what your answers might be, I would like that.
What is your favorite...
>(I hope I don't have to pick just one)
> 1. candy? MMs, Nutrageous
> 2. gum? none
> 3. dessert? banana splits or something with ice cream
> 4. cookie? Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip
> 5. pie? Key Lime, Pecan
> 6. cake? Spice
> 7. bread? Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
> 8. snack? ice cream sundaes
> 9. treat? frozen cherries
> 10. ice cream? Cherry Cordial
> 11. beverage? cherry coke
> 12. tea? white tea or mint unsweet
> 13. coffee? flavored black
> 14. color? green, purple
> 15. hobby? scrapbook, reading
> 16. kind of book you like to read? other than Scripture? Fantasy Fiction
> 17. kind of movie you like to watch? Comedy
> 18. kind of music/band you like to listen to? Stuff like Toby Mac
> 19. flower? Morning Glories
> 20. fragrance? Sunflower/True Love
> 21. thing to collect? teapots
> 22. dip? skinny
> 23. chip? on my shoulder
> DON'T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR BIRTHDAY...
Jun. 19, 2008 - Poem worthy of an Emmy
At first, she tried to sing it to me. I thought it was sweet anyway.
Rainy Day
by Emma Reddin
Oh, Rainy Day go away
Let the Sun shine
Let the Thunder stop
Let the Dark Clouds go away
Let the Rain Drops stop dropping
And let the Puddles dry.
I love Sunny Days when I can go outside.
(on the way to Little Rock when I was 7 years old)
Jun. 18, 2008 - 11th Anniversary
My husband and I were able to take a trip together, just us.
We drove last Wednesday morning to Mammoth Cave in KY. We stopped at a Steak N Shake and we both got our own shake and we didn't have to share with anyone. (although we shared bites with each other)
We set up our tent and then ate at the hotel restaurant and went to a program at the amphitheater about creatures that live in the cave.
In the morning, we had breakfast at the amphitheater, then went for a hike on the Green River Bluff trail.
We made it back to the hotel Cafe for lunch and coffee. Then we went on a cave tour. We toured the New Entrance so we could see the "Frozen Niagara." We drove our van to Cave City and had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant.
During the night, deer walked all around our tent. They had no fear of people it seemed.
In the morning we had breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant and the best cherry preserves I've ever had. I bought a jar b/c they were so good. We then drove on to Louisville. We stopped at the birthplace of Lincoln. We saw the Sinking Spring and walked around a bit. We saw the museum in town and the new statue of Lincoln as a boy.
When we got to Louisville, we checked into our bed and breakfast. It was a place called Austin's Inn and it was located so close to downtown. It was a bit rainy, but not too bad. We walked to the Belle of Louisville and got our tickets for a dinner cruise. Since it was raining, they kept the boat tied up. But we ate dinner and listened to the band (called Crushed Velvet). I told them it was our anniversary and so they played a song for us and gave us a CD of their music. It was fun.
On Saturday, we had a delicious breakfast and visited with a couple from Indiana. Come to find out, the lady is the publisher Tanglewood. It was very interesting talking to them.
We got our bikes out and rode all around town. First, we rode through the historic district on the way to Churchill Downs. We saw one race, got some lemonade and then left. I just wanted to know what it was like. We didn't do any bets or anything, but apparently it was a good day for a race. It was a Stephen Foster thing. I don't know, but now I can say I've been to Churchill Downs.
We rode on to a quirky restaurant on the other side of I-65 called Lynn's Cafe. I had pancakes with chocolate and vanilla custard (oh my, you can't imagine my delight).
Then we rode to the Slugger Museum for a tour. We got mini bats when it was over. Then we rode our bikes over the 2nd street bridge to the the Falls of the Ohio State Park. My husband made the comment that Indiana is the only state we've been in that we have only been on bikes in. Weird.
We then found an Old Spaghetti Factory and shared a meal and a Kentucky Derby Pie (of course).
I know you're thinking, "Good grief all that food." But I justify it by thinking, "I was riding my bike all day." I think we rode something like 25 miles all day. That night, to soothe our aching you-know-what's, we took a bubble bath in the B&B jacuzzi. We crashed and slept very soundly on the memory-foam mattress. You can't imagine how well we slept and how late we slept.
The next day we had breakfast with the couple again. They were so very nice and fun to talk to. We packed up and said goodbye. We drove from Louisville to Land Between the Lakes. We had a picnic that overlooked the Kentucky Lake. We continued on to the Golden Pond. Someday we'd like to come there and camp and hike and all those things we love to do.
We drove to our house in Conway and then on to Texarkana getting there by 2am. We drove for 14 hours and the van's a/c was dripping water on my feet inside the van. It was ready for bed too.
That was a long day.
On Monday morning the children woke us up at my folks' house early. We gave them the trinkets and gifts we found for each of them along the way.
It was one of the best anniversary trips we've had.
Jun. 9, 2008 - new to lapbooking
I've been trying to figure out lapbooking. In the fall when we start our science, lapbooking will be a helpful tool. So today we were working on American History, I read through the material from last week and made some folded papers. I showed the children what I was looking for them to do.
This American History section was about the Native Americans and the Explorers. So I started with a folder and one cardstock weight paper taped to the top. Under that flap was a "tepee" like folded paper. On the inside, they were supposed to write or draw some of the dwellings that the Native Americans used. They kept asking me what to draw or write and I had to keep reminding them that they were supposed to look in the book for the information or pictures. This seemed good to me as I feel like they were taking that first step of learning on their own.
When the cardstock paper was laid down, they were able to add pictures and information about explorers. I wanted to give them the idea that the Native Americans were here first. I didn't have help or ideas to work with and I thought of that on my own. However, the folds and flaps were from a number of websites and links that I followed up on.
I made a list of the explorers, where they were from, what they found, and what year they did this. The kids copied that. I had asked, especially my oldest, to look for more info and add it to the flaps connected to the explorer's name. Those were added to the sides. Then in the middle on top of the main flap, the kids put a folded paper in the shape of a triangle or a sail and had them draw a boat under it. The triangle/sail booklet was for them to write about Columbus' ships. Again, the oldest only put in more info than just the names of the ships.
I might try and get some pictures taken and posted in a place called lapbooklessons.ning.com
If I get around to it before we leave on our vacation and that begins tomorrow!!!
TR
May. 31, 2008 - Science Experiments with pict2
May. 31, 2008 - Science Experiments with pict
May. 31, 2008 - Science Experiments
Right now, my husband is working with the children "growing crystals". It is really neat to watch. There are many details that he sees in the directions that I miss. Also, I get all worked up if a mess is made. I think it is better that DH does it with them. I got the kit from Hobby Lobby and they're doing the quartz and amethyst growing crystals.
We started today and we're supposed to do some stuff next Saturday. It should take a week. We'll be going on a vacation after that, so I hope it works ok.
May. 25, 2008 - school is finished
We wrapped up our schoolwork on Friday. I try to make our last day of school on Emmy Day. This is a special day we celebrate for our daughter who was born on Dec 23. We get her gifts and make a cake. Only this year we made brownies. Part of the present is the announcement that school is over for the summer. There is always much rejoicing at that, I can tell you. So Emmy Day is "our" holiday--part birthday, part last day of school--100% celebration.
Even though Emmy Day is our last day of school, I'm making plans to do some science, art and Amer.History during the summer months. I realized that as we have focused on World History, the children haven't had a clue as to what the Civil War was. I feel like I had too much American History growing up; in fact, it felt as if all the teachers were in some kind of conspiracy to NEVER talk about history that wasn't Amer.History. I went too far. Now when we visit a historic site such as a battlefield, the children seem so uninterested b/c they haven't a clue about American History. Well, I figured that we have 8 Mondays in the summer available to work on American History. I picked up an Amer. History Encyclopedia from the library and divided the time line until the 1900s (we'll have to do later than that next summer :). I have a few other books to use with it. I plan to take the whole day on Monday to talk about that period, read bios, look at pictures, or whatever can be done. I think it will work, but it will be an experiment on my part.
Art will be on Wednesdays. I plan to do about 3 or 4 lessons during the day using different forms (paint, drawing, markers, etc.). I'm thinking about doing science lessons on Tuesdays or Thursdays. I'm thinking about doing 2 or 3 lessons in the day and if we don't have the materials, we'll go out and get them and come back and finish the lessons. Science we never got to during the school year because of math and reading. I always meant to. In fact, I mean to do all this during the summer and who knows if it will really happen. Funny thing is, my son loves science and always "plays" science projects and knows a lot from the little bitty science Encyclopedia he has. He knows more on his own than anything I've done.
Well, I hope all these plans work out.
Apr. 21, 2008 - Passover Festival Meal
My family and I shared in a Seder Meal last night. We had participated with a smaller version at our church last year, but this year we went with some friends from the Simchat Torah of AR. The symbolism is amazing. We remembered the history of the Jews and what this means for us knowing that Jesus is the Messiah.
Before we went we were supposed to find all the leaven and get rid of it. Well, I started too late and didn't do this part right, but we did look for things with yeast--the obvious things, such as fluffy bread and packages that said "yeast." I told the children about the story of Passover and how we aren't supposed to have yeast in our house now and how that reminds us to get rid of sin. They found the bread and packages of yeast and threw them out. Well, in the trash. I didn't do this right either b/c I was supposed to take it off our "borders" but there wasn't going to be trash day before the meal last night. Like I said, we didn't do everything just right b/c we didn't plan for this very well. Next year I plan to try better and sooner.
We were able to worship together with songs sung in Hebrew. My husband was the servant for our family's table. He brought us water to wash our hands and he filled the cups and took the plates. He said he thought that was very neat. The children sang songs and we all learned a few Hebrew words to recite in responsive readings. My daughter ate the horseradish. I told her it was going to be bitter and might make her cry, so she was scared but prepared. Not me; I couldn't breathe, I had too much.
Everyone had assigned recipes to bring. We brought potatoes with rosemary and sauteed mushrooms. Delicious. All the food was.
It was all very wonderful and meaningful.
Apr. 10, 2008 - rain, rain go away
The rain won't let up--until this afternoon. I don't mind the rain so much, but it has really caused a lot of trouble around the state.
I had signed up for the women's soccer team and I have only played once, back on March 1st. We haven't played since because of rain, soggy grounds, tornadoes, etc. And now Sunday is my son's 9th birthday and so I won't be here for the double header. I wasn't looking forward to the double header anyway.
Since the time I played that game, I've been trying to run a little to be a bit better shape. Well, somewhere along the line, I got some kind of shin splint in my left leg. It hurts a little all the time and is horribly painful when I hop on one foot. (of course). I really think there is a fracture there, but I haven't been to the doctor and if it is, what will he do to me, then? put my leg in a cast, give me medicine, or perhaps say, "at your age, you shouldn't be running around on a soccer field."
Also I've decided not to do the co-op next year. I hated for that to be the decision for our family, but I have been very overwhelmed since joining with them. I don't guess I'm the co-op type, whatever that is. I'm certainly going to miss the people mostly. The children aren't bad either; I've actually gotten to like most of them. That has surprised me because that was what worried me the most. I am not going to miss the scrounging around Wednesday trying to pull it all together. I never did get used to the rushing around on Wednesday and that surprised me because I thought that would work out and get easier--it didn't.
I really do enjoy staying home and doing school work with the children. I like not having to rush and pacing ourselves at home. I do want to include more art/history/science next year as that was the classes being taught at the co-op. I have plans to do that. The kids seem fine with it too.
I think it will all work out.
Mar. 4, 2008 - let's see how this works x 2
clip of bouncing baby boy
I'm checking to see if I can get video on my blog thru here.
Mar. 2, 2008 - soccer sore
I guess you could say I'm a sore loser.
But I'm so happy.
I got to play on a team today. They started last week, but I signed up over this last week and
today I got to play with them. We played 6 x 6 (that's all they had and we had one sub). It was
very windy but warm. I hurt all over. I never made a goal (not even an attempt, :), but oh, how
I enjoyed myself. The other team won, but we all played very well.
Of the 7 that came today, four of us are homeschooling moms.
We all had our children out there which probably totaled
around 15 children. The other team only had dogs which probably totaled about 8. It was
actually a little fun to look at the sidelines and see half the field covered with children and the
other half with dogs on leashes. I would be surprised if the park made up some rule that all
pets and children must be on leashes. They could, if they wanted to be nice, is to leave stations
around with little poopy-diapers sacks (aka Wal-mart sacks) so we can pick up after our children :)
Well, I'm needing to rest after today's game. I hope I'll be up and kicking by next Sunday.
Feb. 20, 2008 - cabin trip
Here is Mountain Breeze near Ponca and the Buffalo River.
We had a really good weekend. My in-laws and my folks came.
My brother-in-law and his wife were going to come, but she got sick.
It rained a lot and was foggy all day on Saturday.
My dad and my husband and myself went out for a little hike (yes, in a little light rain/mist). We started out following a horse trail. Well, horses must not mind going over streams because the trail went right through the stream that was high b/c of the rain. My dad and husband thought it would be a good idea to go up and around the river and meet back up with the trail. Well, we climbed up and around a bluff looking down into the Buffalo River. We "bushwacked" through the woods following some faint deer (or perhaps elk) trail. I ripped my pants on the brush and brambles. I was cold and wet. I was very worried. I asked to stop and pray. We did and then not too long after that, we found the horse trail that led out to the place where we were going to meet my father-in-law and get back to the cabin. We beat him by about 2 minutes. It was scary and fun all at the same time. Both my dad and husband thought it great fun and they said they were never worried. I wonder if they only wished I hadn't come to discourage the great adventuresome spirit they owned. I now think I wish I were more trusting, but into my mind came thoughts of search and rescue crews searching all night in the rain looking for us.
Well, all's well that ends well, I suppose.
Here's the clickable link from his comment:
Husband's map and description
Feb. 20, 2008 - today is my birthday
Today is my birthday and I'm really having a good day.
I went to exercise this morning and mentioned that it was my birthday. There was a lady there who called later in the day to give me a gift--a massage. I've never had a massage before but I'm so thankful that I took her up on her offer. She has a business that she runs--just her--with a room with a table. I got all my muscles worked on. It was a lot better than I imagined.
I also took off the day from doing school. My husband worked from home so we stopped in the middle of the day and had a birthday cake that he and kids had made last night. It was cherry chip cake mix with from-the-can fudge icing; a bit like chocolate-covered cherry cake. It was very good.
I've been working on the newsletter most of the day and got it mostly completed. That's always a relief when I put the last of the newsletter together and send it to the proof-readers.
I've had well-wishers call here and there during the day; some were calling about other matters and didn't know it was my birthday and so it was fun to talk to them.
Tonight, I plan to sent the big kids to AWANA and excuse myself and go to eat with hunny and pumpkin to a restaurant. I'm looking forward to that too.
The other friend who works with PE with me at the co-op has been unable to come for one reason or another, but tomorrow she's got the games planned and called today to tell me. I told her that was one of the better birthday gifts given to me today.
It has been a really nice birthday.
I'm hoping that I can write a post about our cabin trip we took last weekend and post a picture with it. We had a special time.
Jan. 31, 2008 - finished a book
I've finally finished a book that has taken me close to a year now to finish. Never mind that I've had a baby in the mean time.
The book is The Worst Journey in the World. It is about an expedition to the Antarctica. This team of men, some explorers, some scientists who got to the South Pole some 3 weeks after the other team lead by Amundsen. On his way back, he got 11 miles from safety and got caught in a blizzard and died. You can check out this article from a year ago Explorer's Last Letter on USA Today
The book was very interesting and I really liked it. I especially liked the summary chapter written by Cherry-Gerrard. It gave all these reasons why it didn't work and solutions to the problems, etc. I learned so much about the South Pole and conditions there.
The last time I brought the book to the library to recheck it, the librarian said that I wouldn't be able to check it out anymore since I've had it over 6 months. (I didn't understand, b/c I don't see folks standing in line for this book) Anyway, I had a few chapters left and really tried to get it read before the due date. Well, the due date was the 30th of Jan. For a little while I thought, "I'm going to get 11 pages from the end and won't be able to finish." But I got it done!! Yay.
Jan. 27, 2008 - Lake Catherine
We went camping/hiking this weekend. Yes, it was cold. Yes, but just my husband and I slept in the tent. The kids slept in the RV with my folks. Here's my dad going on a hiking trail with my two little ones. The oldest kept the fire going while we were gone and the 2nd oldest did girly things with Nana in the RV like help clean up and crafty things.
It was a lot of fun. Lost a pound of bacon to a raccoon in the middle of the night. He's going to be so sick.
Jan. 27, 2008 - study got canceled
Since the previous post, much has happened. The Bible Study that I was going to start on Thursday night was canceled. This ended up being a good thing because the other mom I work with on Thursday at co-op called with a bigger problem than me not having her there to instruct the children in PE activities. It was her turn to lead the next morning and I had nothing planned. Nothing (but her issue was really more important). Then Wednesday, I threw together some games and then had an awful night at AWANA. I suppose it could be worse, but it was very frustrating. More on that some other time.
I had to make the plans and ask for help at the co-op during the PE activities and thankfully they put me with a good friend and she really helped me, not just with crowd control but moral support. However, that morning during "announcements", there was this "announcement" that was meant specifically for me b/c I was the only one who was early b/c my husband was meeting a friend for a ride into work (we were able to spend 10 more minutes together in the car and we prayed together--this is SPECIAL). The announcement was that no one should show up before 8:15am as the kids get tired out quickly and might get into trouble before class starts. AAAHHH.. Why not come to me and find out why I was early and ask if my kids could be given something to do? I don't know. I'm beginning to think I jumped this co-op deal and it's not working out. I feel I'm over-worked and picked on. Maybe it's just the way one of the leaders tries to work things out, but I'm already burnt out and we've been 3 times.
I don't know how I'm going to deal with this.
But this weekend was fun.
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