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I love the new year and the chance for new beginnings. In the Word, we are told that God can make all things new and I know that it doesn't mean just in the month of January, but there is a sense of hope I feel at this time of year that is different than at other times. The Lord is always there for me and for my family, but in January the feeling of being able to leave behind my bad habits and life patterns that are not working ( always with His help, of course) seems more doable. Maybe I have bought in to the New Years Resolutions too much and am giving them too much clout in my life. I do know, however, that we should be reevaluating ourselves and our behaviour, especially as Believers, in light of God's Word and January is no worse a time than any other to do so. So, off I go to consider the areas in my life that need readjusting and rebuilding and thank the Lord on my way for providing me with a season that speaks to my need of new beginnings. |
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After seeing the Dr. Phil show on homeschooling, I could not just sit there without a response, so I sent one. I know that we are not promised justice in this world, which can be hard for me to accept at times
I sat through your episode on "The Great Homeschool Debate", waiting for there to actually be a "debate," as defined in the Webster Dictionary as "A discussion between sides with opposing or different views." What I saw "appeared" to be a discussion, but in reality it was a media pulpit that was very manipulative and set on making it clear to the American public that homeschooling is not an intelligent option and will actually bring harm to your children, as insinuated by Dr. Phil. You cannot have a discussion about such a controversial topic without bringing in all sides of an issue. Not only did you just have one style of homeschooling represented, you chose one of the most controversial within the homeschooling community itself! As well, there were many other "invited guests" in your audience from the homeschool community who represented other styles of homeschooling and yet they were never called on to comment
why invite them? The one lady who quoted from the book of Proverbs in the Bible, did not get to explain her comment further and, in my opinion, was portrayed as one of "those religious fanatical homeschoolers." Again, this show was highly manipulative in nature. The woman who spoke from the school district was given carte blanc as an "authority" and her comments were far from scrutinized by Dr. Phil. Remember the title of YOUR show
"The Great Homeschool Debate"
it was obvious that Dr. Phil was unwilling to acknowledge the homeschool community as a valid option by parents in educating their children and by his questions and comments to his homeschooling guests, seemed to take pleasure from showing how "absurd" this choice was. If my memory serves me correct, it was his final statement of the show in which he made a quick and unenthusiastic comment that homeschooling can be an option BUT only before a child reaches puberty. Thanks for the equality. As well, the "spontaneous" vote from the audience as to whether or not they agreed with homeschooling was a pitiful setup, as most of the audience was high school students bussed in, obviously for that "legitimate" vote. If Dr. Phil really cared to discuss the option of homeschooling and wanted to fairly represent it, with all of its pros and cons, to the American public, he would not have produced such a one sided, skewed view with very little true discussion. Rather it was a slander and an offense to those of us in this country that have made the choice to homeschool their children. I do not have to answer to Dr. Phil, nor do I care too, but I cannot stand when those with the journalistic authority and influence on the general public abuse their positions of influence. Up to this point, I have randomly watched some episodes of Dr. Phil (because I am very busy running my home and educating my children), and had thought him to be fair and provide some good counsel to people. After this homeschooling episode and all the experiences I have heard from those homeschoolers as guests on this show, I now question some of the other episodes I viewed and how authentic or slanted they were. As well, I thought I might add that I have a B.A. in Psychology from a
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, but when it is so blatant, it drives me nuts!!! Also, I could not believe some of the ignorant messages on the message board for this show. There are a lot of people, including Dr. Phil, who are extremely ignorant of homeschooling in general and who, it seems, feel very threatened by it. If interested in sending Dr. Phil your thoughts on the show, you can get there here |
I posted a message a few weeks ago about a friend's friend who had brought home her newborn son with lukemia and was told he wouldn't live more than a couple of days or a week at best...well, at the astonishment of the doctors it has been about five weeks and he is still alive. The doctors have decided to start treatment and so far he is responding. No one knows what the outcome will be, but in the end we know that God is in control of it all..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Please keep them in prayer. |
Posted in personal
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My family just celebrated the end of the season of my eight year old daughter playing the youngest orphan, Molly, in the musical "Annie" in one of our local community theaters! After twelve performances, many hugs, new friends, laughs, mic checks, mistakes, standing ovations, congratulations, exhaustion, exhileration, and now some tears...this part of our lives is over and will forever be a treasured memory for all of us. For it took the efforts of each one of us in our family to support our daughter in this experience. And what an awesome experience. Musical theater is a great venu for teaching kids many things besides singing, dancing, and acting. I see it as a "Team Sport" without the mud! Every show is only as successful as all the cast is in working together. I am so very proud of my daughter and all that she has accomplished through this show and am excited to support her in her future endeavors in theater...that is, after a bit of R & R (rest and relaxation) for all of us!!!! |
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I love to read books, books that tell me "how to" do something, especially if that "something" has to do with what is going on in my life at that time. I have books on parenting, homeschooling, marriage, childbirth, spirituality, gardening, exercising, organizing, cooking, scrapbooking, sewing, etc...Right now I am in need of a parenting book with some fresh ideas because I am feeling at a loss about the way to handle certain situations. I recently found an article online about grace parenting and it presented me with some views on disciplining that I had not previously considered. Tonite I came across Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel. From just reading the excerpt I was convicted because I was trying to find something to help "fix" my eight year old who is driving me crazy and God puts something in my path which is there to help "fix" me...one comment about this book by Kimmel is that it's not about the children's behaviour but rather about the parent's behaviour. If anyone has any input or comments about this book I would love to hear from you. Thanks. |
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I found this list in a catalog I have for Memoria Press and thought I could use it to help others understand why I am beginning teaching Latin this year to my girls...
Top 10 Reasons to Study Latin: 1. Latin is the superior method for teaching English grammar. 2. Over half of all English words come from Latin. 3. Latin students scored 159 points better than average on the verbal section of the 2001 SAT. 4. Latin is rigorous and challenging and prepares students for higher levels of learning. 5. 61% of colleges surveyed said they view Latin students as "much stronger" or "somewhat stronger" than other applicants. 6. Latin, the language used by history's greatest minds, is the gateway to classical texts. 7. Latin is systematic, organized, and teaches students how to absorb information. 8. Latin is pervasive in the specialized vocabulary of doctors, lawyers, scientists, astronomers, economists, educators, politicians... 9. Latin grammar is rhythmic and fun to learn. 10. "Latin is not dead, it's IMMORTAL"- Chesterton.
We just started Latin for Children this past month and my girls (8 and 5) are loving it! |
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I had a couple of different topics I wanted to blog about tonite but my mind has just been overwhelmed for a family I have never met. I spoke with a good friend of mine today and she told me about a friend of hers who is going through something no mother or father could even fathom. This couple has two beautiful little girls and just gave birth to a little boy after several miscarriages. This week they brought home their precious little boy. Yet, he won't be with them long, for he has severe lukemia and the doctors told the couple there is nothing that they can do for him. This mother and father had to bring home their new little son with the knowledge that at any time he could pass away from this life. How could they even bear to leave his side for a moment for fear that it could be his last . My heart truly goes out to them. I cannot even begin to understand the anguish and sorrow they must feel. I have an infant son and laid him down to sleep tonite and I could not even imagine how it would feel to not know whether or not he would ever wake up again. My prayer is that the Lord can provide them some hope, some understanding, no matter how small, as to how He can take such a tragic situation and use it for good. In my mind, as a believer, this is one of those situations that rattles my faith...I trust in God and I know that His Ways are not ours, but it is so difficult to hear of something so painful. Though, that is where our faith comes in...I pray that God will grant this couple the faith that they need to endure this hard and painful time. Please keep this couple in prayer. Where and who they are is not important, but praying for them is. Thank you. |
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In this vast sea of unleashed thoughts from the diversity that we have been given by our Creator, how do I jump in? With what should I create my waves? Do I start at the beginning or should I begin with the present? Well, I do not have much time to comtemplate on this matter for I have a HUGE pile of dishes persistently calling me to attend to them. Therefore, like all great writers, I will begin at the beginning... Once upon a time there was a girl who fell hopelessly in love with a boy. But not any boy, might I add. This boy was different. He did not seem to be in love with the ways of the world but , rather, with the ways of his Creator. This was new to him, but the obvious fingerprint of God was all over the manner in which he addressed this young girl. Now, this girl being recently made a princess of the King, was enamored by his simple, honest,and spiritual ways and , thus, a match was made! After five long years of serving their time at the higher institution, they were united as one in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three. For the next five years the very young couple would grow tremendously in their new faith together and strive toward living out the decrees of the King, who ever so graciously provided the means to do so. Did this mean that there were never any battles to fight or dragons to slay. By no means. What a boring life that would be! Throughout those years they both had to face many a battle, both together and against one another. However, through it all, the King was constantly on watch and was never far when wounds needed to be healed or hearts mended. For the King knew that without these trials, this young couple would not have been able to develop such a deep love for each other. Now the couple was ready to share their love with a child of their own and nine months later a precious baby girl was all theirs. She grew in beauty, energy, intelligence, and in the knowledge of the King, her true Creator. The couple enjoyed their new child so much, they were blessed with another precious girl who God blessed with a thoughtful and giving heart, more shy than her sister, beautiful and intelligent, too, as well as strong in spirit. These two girls brought much joy to the couples life, so much so that they could not even fathom sending them away at such tender ages to be trained in the ways of the world by people who did not know or love them like their parents did. Thus, the couple felt the King provide them with an answer. Keep the girls at home and continue to love, train, guide, and direct their paths in the knowledge of the Truth. Faithfully they set out. The young women would bear the greatest responsibility for the teaching as the young man had to work to support his little family. Through the joys and the tears they continued on this journey for they knew that in their hearts this was the path that their King was leading them on. They also knew that no matter what happened He would give them the wisdom to teach them thoroughly in what mattered the most. Well, they felt that their family had a lot to share with another little life, so nine months later they were blessed this time with a son. What pride the young man had and what joy leapt from the mother's heart. This little boy was welcomed with great love from all those in the family and continues to get bigger, stronger, and smarter with each passing day. He, too, will experience an environment where he may grow in stature and wisdom in those things that are eternal. The couple continues on their journey to this very hour, sometimes with eagerness and sometimes with angst, but they know that there are others that the King has called to a similar path and they find comfort in this.
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It only took me about four hours but I finally have my very own blog!! Now I am exhausted and have to go to sleep, but I look forward to waking up tomorrow and having a place to think, share, question, discover, and connect with others who are interested in so doing . |