Oct. 12, 2009
Field Trip.....day 1
Posted in Homeschool
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For Day 1 of our 5 day field trip week.....we toured the KY countryside a little bit. Our first stop was Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace...in Larue County outside Hodgenville. The memorial that was built to resemble the monument in DC was under construction. So we didn't get to see the actual replica of his birth house. That was kind of a bummer. But we checked out the visitor's center and watched the little movie about his life. Then we headed to the other side of town to his boyhood home at Knob Creek. Little bitty house there. We drove into Bardstown, KY and ate at Old Talbott Tavern. We decided to sample the "authentic" KY dishes. We started with Burgoo. If you haven't had this before, it's basically beef soup with a little kick.  Then we had some fried green tomatoes. Not necessarily KY food...but a southern staple.  You can't really tell from the picture, but the ranch sauce was a bright green. Then we had a KY Hot Brown. (no picture...it was a cheesy mess!) After lunch, we headed to Federal Hill to check out the house that inspired the KY State Song, My Old Kentucky Home. While in the visitor's center, an employee made what she thought was a cute comment about owning slaves. >sigh< It is KY after all. Suppose I shouldn't be shocked. After that, we headed into Washington County to check out the Lincoln Homestead, where his father & mother lived for a while. His uncle, Mordecai Lincoln, was the eldest son, and therefore inherited his father's fortune. You can see the difference in the houses alone.  This is the replica of Mordecai's house. The replica of his father's house that he lived in until age 25.This was unpleasant to cross in a minivan!!   This covered bridge was called Sweetheart Bridge and was just the entrance to someone's property. |
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Sep. 27, 2009
when it rains...
Posted in Family Life
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It would seem everything in and on this house wants to fall apart this month. We have been without air conditioning for the past month. Although it has not been smoldering hot, the humidity has been very high. It's hard to do anything in this house without sweating. My skin in breaking out so bad because I seem to always be just slightly damp with sweat, which in turns seems to kick the oil production up a notch. Then we had this crazy leak in our pipes. Caused a little flooding to the carpet and bathroom floor, and soaked through the floor to the light in the ceiling below. Fun. I won't even get into the termites that are slowly eating away at the frame of the house. Then the microwave broke. That was just meeeeean. Now that it's just too hot to cook, I can't even use the microwave. grrrrrr The gutter guys are coming out tomorrow. Apparently all the money I paid to get those fancy gutter helmet thingies are not keeping the birds out. All the rain we've had caused the gutters to overflow INTO the windows. Unpleasant. We need $300 by Tuesday to keep the water turned on, the car insurance from being cancelled, and the car registration from expiring. Timing is everything...he gets paid Thursday. I have enough right now to pay the water bill. No water in a house with exceptionally high humidity would just be too much. !! As far as the other 2 pending bills....God is gonna have to make a way there. It's all in his hands anyway. We are all healthy, so I cannot complain. Wouldn't it be nice though if 1 thing could break at a time.... |
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Sep. 26, 2009
False Teacher or just Intelligently Superior to...well....God?!
Posted in Yearning for Jesus
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What is a cult? The specific Christian definition of a cult is “a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth.” In simpler terms, a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to remain unsaved if he/she believes it. As distinct from a religion, a cult is a group that claims to be part of the religion, yet denies essential truth(s) of that religion. A Christian cult is a group that denies one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity, while still claiming to be Christian. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We Believe:
So the belief statements all sound good. Seems like an awesome church right? So how come when you attend a service, you don't get any of that? Why is it people are dismissed to the back of the church for communion with a hand wave by the preacher? Why is Jesus not a focal point in sermons? Why are the sermons so in depth, that unless a person spent many hours studying not the Bible, but theological papers ahead of time, they will have NO idea what the preacher is talking about? Why is the preacher caught up in looking and sounding intelligent? Why does the preacher believe he can calculate the exact date of Jesus' return despite the Bible saying we will NOT know? Why do they insist on renting out of obscure locations? Why do they believe that buying their own building would be a waste of money, and yet they have a building fund? Why do they not mention or take up offering EVER during services? CAN YOU HAVE A FALSE TEACHER NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AN ACTUAL CULT? Jesus said “a tree is recognized by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33). When looking for “fruit,” here are three specific tests to apply to any teacher to determine the accuracy of his or her teaching: 1) What does this teacher say about Jesus? I don't know 2) Does this teacher preach the gospel? Not really...but I haven't heard EVERY sermon 3) Does this teacher exhibit character qualities that glorify the Lord? I don't know him that well, but what I have gotten from him when I have been around him is it is more about him than anything else. ...a false teacher can be known by his pride (Cain’s rejection of God’s plan), greed (Balaam’s prophesying for money), and rebellion (Korah’s promotion of himself over Moses). I am really struggling with this. It is not cut and dry, that is for certain. But there are so many red flags...I don't know where to start. And just things that seem just downright odd. Not to mention they are SO against getting their own building...which makes it really hard to have new visitors who were not specifically invited by a current member. There are sermons posted online...I need to listen to some more of them. The most recent service I attented was entitled "Repent of Idolatry". It was neither about repenting not idolatry. So i have to say the ones that mention Jesus....what are they really about. Then there is the withdrawal. It's all about their church members. It's like well, you wouldn't understand cuz you don't go to my church. What else is there to understand if we are supposed to be on the same page??? Anyone else dealt with this situation? Where everything on the outside looked good, but when in the presence, you felt your skin crawl and you couldn't get out of there fast enough? What is that?! |
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Sep. 25, 2009
Fake vs Authentic...Is there a difference??
Posted in Yearning for Jesus
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I just had a little epiphany I suppose you could call it. I am currently in a Bible Study on the book of John, and while reading through the notes, something hit me. I had been questioning myself and wondering why I wasn't more upfront about my faith. I generally don't have much to say about anything really, and I often want to say something, but don't for various reasons. When I think of all the kids & teenagers and parents that I am around, it kills me that I am not more upfront. When something offends me, I tend to walk away from it or look the other way. I rarely let the person know that I find whatever they just said or did offensive. There is more to it, but I cannot begin to go into detail. What struck me while doing my reading, was authenticity. That word just kind of popped into my head. I grew up watching my parents act and speak a certain way in church and a totally different way to me and each other. I completely resented their fakeness, and still do. I am always irritated by people who are ridiculously "nice" in church. No one is that **** happy all the time, and yet every Sunday, they smile and speak like they were just given $1,000,000. My mom would say things like they are just truly happy because they know Jesus, but seriously people...being a Christian and truly following Jesus means that you automatically have the whole world against you. I have had times when life was just really good since becoming a Christian, but that was just the beginning....when you follow Jesus life is just plain hard! There is nothing happy-go-lucky about following Jesus. When women come at me all cheery like that, I just want to say, you know....it's OK to just be you. You don't have to put on airs that everything in your life is OK. Because if everything in your life is OK, then you are doing something wrong. Why does the devil feel he doesn't need to mess with you? I realized I do not know how to be "authentically Christian". I have never been around anyone who was truly a follower of Jesus and seen how they behave during all the different trials and triumphs of life. All I ever see is the "happy church face", which I am incapable of doing. Sorry, but I am not going to act a certain way just so you can feel better about yourself? I don't get it. I try so hard to not "act like my mom". I have completely shut myself down at times. That needs to be my prayer, for God to reveal to me how to be a follower of Jesus and truly authentic at the same time. I need to pray for authentic women to cross paths with me. Friends who are not so fake that we miss the opportunity to be uplifting and encouraging to each other. I do not need people who want me to think their lives are so perfect that they do not have any problems. My thoughts here seem random and jumbled....but I needed to get it out. Now I will let my daughter back on to play her Veggie Tales games. |
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Sep. 24, 2009
A few flowers for this gloomy day
Posted in Family Life
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It has been raining here for a week straight now. And when it's not raining, it's completely cloudy, foggy, and misty. When did the weather from Northwest Washington relocate here?! I feel like Edward Cullen and his freakishly white vampire friends are going to start frolicking in the street. I started out thinking I might blog about my disgust with the public schools right now. But with the weather being so ick, I just don't feel like being ick with my post. How about some flowers on this icky day to brighten things up a little. These are some that were in my garden back in the springtime.     As you can see...I had a good time with purple-hybrid Violets. Or whatever they are.  Lilac I think Creeping Phlox...aka the plant that ate my garden Minty-smelling This was so good looking until the rabbits ate it back to a nubbin Hosta...I have a sort of love/hate relationship with these things. The previous owner planted 5 in the front garden area, and they are so big now. They look great for a little while, but when the leaves start to yellow, it's like something threw up in my garden. Yech. Columbine...I keep hoping they will multiply like the hostas...no such luck yet Last but not least, my favorite...the little bitty Japanese Maple Tree/Bush thing |
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Sep. 23, 2009
New use for Old spice jars
And by "old spice jars" I am referring to kitchen spices, not that nasty men's aftershave.  I went through my spices and had about 15 that needed to go. They were either real old or there was just a tiny bit left. Some of the jars were glass, and some were plastic. I hated to just throw them all out.  They are perfect for all those little-bitty craft items that easily end up all over the place. Perfect! |
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Sep. 22, 2009
Unit Study subjects
Posted in Homeschool
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In my planning for next year's homeschooling (remember this is my "year off" with just a 4 year old at home!), I thought it would be fun to incorporate Unit Studies. I plan to take about 1 week each month to deviate from the daily routine & delve into a Unit Study. I figure I will need 9-10 subjects. This is what I have so far: 1. Winter & Antarctica 2. Insects 3. Royalty & Castles 4. Dr. Seuss 5. this had been Names of Jesus....but I'm now going to do that this year...I'll either find something else, or maybe 15-20 different names 6. Airplanes & Helicopters (military & commercial) 7. Trains 8. Dinosaurs 9. Space & Planets 10. Haven't decided...debating between farms or Australian animals or US States I think it will be a lot of fun. So far I have started my research on #1, #2, #4, & #6. We are going to totally immerse ourselves in the particular subject....got to take advantage of them being at an age where playing dress-ups is still FUN! As I get them organized, I will post more details about what we will be doing if there is anyone out there who might also like some ideas for unit studies and what to do. Mine will be very simple...I will be doing them for a 7 & 5 year old. |
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Sep. 21, 2009
15 Names of Jesus project
Posted in Homeschool
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So...I had originally planned for this to be a part of the unit studies that I am currently preparing for next school year. But, then I felt that God told me to not wait and do it with all the kids this year during the month of December. Makes perfect sense...why wait?! I have 15 names...plan to do 1 a day. Since there will be days when we are just plain busy...this gives us a little lee-way. (NO idea how to spell that word!) The plan is to keep track of all their paperwork/projects, and at the end, bind each one into a little book for them (or me!) to keep. I have the made a "title page" for each name for them to decorate if they want...that way they can look back and remember exactly which words. DAY 1: ALPHA and OMEGA 11 yr old: Write Rev. 21:6, Rev. 1:8, Rev. 22:13 5 yr old: Write Rev. 22:13 4& 5 yr old: alpha & omega symbols to color....have the 11 yr old draw her own Discuss the Greek alphabet (I printed out all the letters for them to see) & find Greece on the globe. Learn words to Little Drummer Boy DAY 2: WONDERFUL COUNSELOR 11 yr old: Write Is. 28:29, Ps. 139:14, Jn 14:26 5 yr old: Write Prov. 1:8 Coloring page for 4 & 5 yr olds. Discuss what it means to counsel someone/give advice Learn words to Joy to the World DAY 3: THE MIGHTY GOD 11 yr old: Write Eph. 6:10, Zeph. 3:17, Jer. 10:6 Coloring page. Learn words to A Mighty Fortress is our God (they all looove to sing) Discuss what "mighty" means....I predict the 5 year old will quickly direct the conversation to Prince Caspian! Learn words to Jingle Bell Rock DAY 4: THE EVERLASTING FATHER 11 yr old: Write Jn. 6:47, Mt 23:9, Is 40:28 Have them draw a picture of them & their daddy. Discuss what everlasting/infinity means....have paper with infinity symbol for them to color. Make a paper wreath with their hand prints....discuss the circle...does it have an end? Discuss how God is our father. Learn words to Frosty the Snowman DAY 5: THE PRINCE OF PEACE 11 yr old: Write Is 9:6, Jn 14:27 5 yr old: Write Is 9:6 Craft: make a dove; have picture of dove & crown for them to color/decorate Discuss what peace means...the significance of the dove Learn words to Away in the Manger DAY 6: UNSPEAKABLE GIFT 11 yr old: Write 2 Cor 9:15, Acts 2:38, Rom 6:23 5 yr old: Write 2 Cor 9:15 Draw picture of Christmas tree with gifts underneath Discuss how Jesus is our unspeakable/indescribable gift...wrap an empty box and keep in the open as a reminder of God's gift of love = Jesus Talk about the best gifts we have received at Christmas or Birthdays and how they do not last forever...contrast that with God's gift... Learn words to 12 Days of Christmas DAY 7: LAMB OF GOD 11 yr old: Write Jn 1:29, 1 Peter 1:19, Rev 5:12 5 yr old: Write Jn 1:29 Sing Mary Had a Little Lamb (more for the 4 yr old haha!) Decorate picture of lambs with...cotton balls maybe? Discuss how/why Jesus is called a lamb...what are characteristics of a lamb Discuss products we get from sheep's wool DAY 8: GOOD SHEPHERD 11 yr old: Jn 10:11, Ps 23, Is 40:11 5 yr old: Write Jn 10:11 Shepherd w/ flock coloring page Little Bo Peep & Baa Baa Black Sheep (again...for the 4 yr old) Discuss how Jesus can be called both a lamb and a shepherd Get our nativity scene set up What is a shepherd? DAY 9: IMMANUEL 11 yr old: Is 7:14, Mat 1:23 5 yr old: Is 7:14 What does immanuel mean? How do we know that God is with us? Discuss creation. Learn words to O Come, O Come Emmanuel DAY 10: HOLY ONE 11 yr old: Mk 1:24, Rev. 15:4. 1 Pet 1:15-16 5 yr old: Mk 1:24 What does it mean to be holy? What is the Holy Land & where is it? Learn words to O Holy Night Color map of Israel...11 yr old gets to mark important places on her map. (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, etc) Have doughnut holes for snack. Homonyms?  DAY 11: LIGHT OF THE WORLD 11 yr old: Write Jn 8:12, 1 Jn 1:5, 2 Cor 4:6 5 yr old: Write Jn 8:12 Coloring pages. Decorate the sun. Discuss various sources of light. How can Jesus be light? DAY 12: THE WORD 11 yr old: Write John 1:1, Rev 19:13, John 1:14 5 yr old: Write John 1:1 Make a collage of Christmas themed words. Older kid write an acrostic poem of the name Jesus. Scroll & Bible coloring page Discuss different words...nice words vs mean words...etc How is Jesus a word? DAY 13: KING 11 yr old: Zech 9:9, Rev 17:14, Ps 44:4a 5 yr old: Write Zech 9:9 What is a king? How would you describe a good king? a bad king? Discuss different kings in the Bible. Coloring page. Decorate a crown. Learn words to We Three Kings DAY 14: FRIEND 11 yr old: Write Matt 11:19, Jam 2:23, Jam 4:4 5 yr old: Write Prov 17:17a Learn words to What a Friend we have in Jesus Discuss friendships..what makes a good friend...how we can be a good friend...how is Jesus our friend DAY 15: SAVIOR 11 yr old: Write Jn 4:42, Jude 24-25, Titus 3:5a-7 5 yr old: Write Jn 4:42 Coloring pages. Learn words to O Little Town of Bethlehem What is a savior? What has Jesus saved us from & how has he saved us? After this....start on the Christmas Story. After we do this, I will get some pictures posted of the finished products. I am so excited just thinking about it!! |
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