I spent the entire day Thursday on the couch with a tissue stuck on my drippy nose.  Don't you just love days like that?  I was really tired, sneezing, and just unable to do very much other than to cuddle under the goose-down throw blanket and stare at the fire in the fireplace.  By Friday evening, I was still tired, but doing better...at least the big sneeze-fest was over!  Somewhere around 8pm, the phone rang.  I let it go to voicemail, and half an hour later, I decided to check it.

Turns out, it was my new but dear friend, Diana Waring, who is celebrating the arrival of her 2nd grandbaby!  She was home in Seattle, preparing for a Saturday morning flight to--of all places at that particular time--North Carolina (you know, the place that got about 10 inches of snow and ice on Saturday???), and the flight was connecting through Chicago (my homeland!).  "Just in case I get stuck at O'Hare, could I come and visit you guys?"  I called her back and let her know my "cold-status," and we decided to just see what would happen on Saturday with the flights, and let the Lord lead.

She boarded the plane in Seattle Saturday morning, after being assured that flights WERE getting into North Carolina.  Halfway into the flight, she said they announced that all flights to NC were cancelled.  (How good of them!)  So, we drove to O'Hare and picked up our friend and ended up having a most wonderful time!  Her rescheduled flight didn't leave until 4pm on Sunday, so we were able to just relax and really have time to talk and get caught up with each other's lives again (we'd hosted her and her husband here last year for a weekend, which is when we first met them). 

I first fell in love with Diana's books about homeschooling 5 years ago; then I fell in love with her history curriculum.  Now I just love her as my friend!  It was such a blessing to have that time to just talk about life, about family, about our walk with the Lord and about serving Jesus Christ, and all that means.  This is a great woman to talk to when you are ready to challenge yourself with tough questions about following Christ!  She's had some really neat experiences in life.  Oh, it was a rich time, and I am grateful that God gave it to us, and so unexpectedly! 

He had to rally my health, and He did...I felt so energetic and "with it" that day, and Sunday!  But, by Sunday night, I think all that sudden burst of energy took a little toll on me, and I collapsed back on the couch, beat tired!  Today (Monday), I've been a couch potato again.  :-)  I think I need to get back to my green tea, my Vitamin D (what isn't Vitamin D good for???), and plenty of rest.  It is supposed to snow tomorrow (just a little bit).  A good day to cuddle back under that blanket!

I'm feeling pretty sick (flu bug) today, so this will be short and sweet!  I just want to commend my teens for their perseverance this week.  Nathan is coming off of this virus, and I now know how he's been feeling for the last week and a half!  Crummy!  But he has kept completely up with his school work; since the worst of this, for him, happened over a 3 day weekend (PTL!!!), he didn't skip any of his classes at the community college, even though he was sick.  He took his Dayquil caplets and we headed out!

The beginning of this school year was a shock to both of the guys, since it is a VERY heavy (academically) year.  The first semester was one of constant falling-behind and discouragement.  But they've both "picked up the pace" of thier studies, and have found a "rhythm," I guess you could call it. 

And I'm very, very proud of them!  It is still a hard year...but they are past the halfway point now.  Lord willing, it'll be all downhill from here!

And I want to commend Bryan in advance for what he's going to do today...we have a 10 degrees below zero wind chill today, it is BRUTAL outside, and he'll be going to Kline Creek Farm this afternoon to harvest more ice from the lake!  And this is telling...he's EXCITED about it!!!  I just pray that none of the ewes lamb today...poor little things that are born in this weather!  (Yes, there are warming lights in the barn for them...we break the "1890's living" rules in this case!)

Have a blessed week, and please say "hello" while you're here!

Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

We spoke our vows...

 ...to the celebration time!

 And then the real adventure began...

Today is a special day...

For my TWT tip today, I wanted to share my favorite moisturizer...it's Coconut Butter!  My friends at church and I are part of a co-op, where we buy bulk food at a reduced price.  A couple times a year, we have a coconut oil party at one of the girls' home.  We figure out a total amount of coconut oil that we all want, then order the big bulk bucket of it.  When it arrives, we bring containers from home, and have a very fragrant, oily, messy scooping party! 

Best of all, it's all natural!  The coconut oil/butter we buy from the co-op is organic, and raw.  LOVE IT!  Here, btw, is a recipe from Serene Allison's book of Coconut Butter Recipes:

Snow Ice Cream

Fill your blender with the following:

4 young coconut meats (these are NOT the brown, hard-shelled coconut meats...young coconuts are sold already shelled, and usually wrapped in saran wrap)

2 young cocnut waters

2 Tbsp. coconut butter/oil

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

Optionals: a handful of dates and/or walnuts (blend nuts in the mix or throw chopped nuts on top)

***Blend until cream and pour over cups filled with clean snow (thickly fallen on top of a clean surface!).

Coconut Oil Icing

1/2 packet squished dates or 1 cup of regular dates

4 heaping Tbls. Coconut butter/oil

4 heaping Tbls. of a creamy nut e.g. pine nuts, cashews, walnuts, or macadamias.  In a pinch, use sunflower seeds.  Process the nuts before adding to the rest of the ingredients!

4 Tbls. carob powder

Optional: A little tad of raw honey

***Blend until perfectly smooth.  Don't forget to process the nuts first!

Have a blessed day!

To join the fun, visit Carol's blog at Three Little Ladies , and link us all to your post!  Be sure to leave a comment here so I can visit your blog, too!

Happy Friday!  I am sooooo glad it is the END of the week.  It's been one of ups and downs.  Here's a peek:

Foreign Language: Nathan is back in the swing of his German course at the college.  He really enjoys this one!  I think by the end of the semester, he'll have enough vocabulary built up and enough understanding of the way the language "works" that he'll be able to have a little conversation!  That will be fun.  He attended "Stammtisch" (conversation table) on Thursday--this is just anyone who wants to can meet over lunch at the college cafeteria with the Professor; they play card and board games, and try to do it while speaking as much German as they know.  It's open to all of the German classes that this particular professor teaches, so some of the students are in advanced levels.  It's been really good for Nathan, and he enjoys it a lot.  He also gets extra credit points, one every time he goes.  It's a nice little "hedge" in case, for some reason, he blows a quiz or test!  The professor seems to really enjoy the students, and enjoys teaching.  She is very kind!

Bryan got 100% on his last Spanish test!!!  Hooray!  I am so grateful to my friend, Christine, for teaching him.  He is having a blast, and the one-on-one is the best set-up for him. 

Farm Work: Bryan worked yesterday (Thursday) at the Farm.  It was "MAN DAY!!!"  No, it wasn't an official designation...just that, because we scheduled him on Thursday instead of the usual Saturday, he was working with all the men instead of the young women who are there supervising on Saturdays.  We're going to try to schedule him with the men as much as possible, even though it makes Thursday afternoons REALLY crazy for me in terms of tons of driving.  Bryan is VERY close to getting his drivers license--thank God!  That will help.

Anyway, at the farm they did something that is heavy, hard work, but totally cool.  He came home tired, but satisfied and HUNGRY as a bear.  This video was made a while ago (Bryan's not in it), but you'll see how they do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zcRe_ilp8

I mailed in a packet of information and letters to Harvest Home Farm for Bryan's search for an apprenticeship.  It's in the Lord's hands, and we are completely trusting Him for the outcome.  I'll keep you all posted...we are feeling that it may be better for Bryan to complete his Associates Degree and his other learning experiences before taking an apprenticeship position.  There are a number of reasons for this, and it's been beautiful the way God has lead us to this place of complete peace about all of this! 

Social Studies: The study of economics continues.  The guys are studying about the 3 main economic models: capitalism, socialism, and communism/marxism.  We will also be looking at what is happening with our own US economy (this is not part of the curriculum, just doing this on our own for future preparedness), and about the gold and silver markets.

Science: Chemistry continues.  We're using Apologia Academy's online class that goes along with the Apologia curriculum.  It's going well, and they're keeping up with it! 

Math: Algebra 2 for Nathan is picking up steam again...he has to take the Unit Test, and then, if he passes with at least an 80% (my requirement), he can move on to the LAST module!!!  His goal is to finish it and then rapid fire through geometry by the end of the summer, so he can get into pre-calculus in the fall.  He's going to have to be a lot more self-disciplined in not wasting time during his day in order to complete this goal! 

Geometry for Bryan is going just fine, PTL!   

English Composition: A college course, so it's going to be dual-credit and will count towards their future "Gen. Ed." requirements for their respective college degrees.  College English classes are dicey, they are often quite liberal, and this one has a required play that they have to see which is not anything that I desire them to see (I've searched and reviewed what it's about...and I'm not too pleased).  We will go as a family, and have already discussed a Scriptural response to the basic premise of the play.  I'm not sure what all the Prof. will ask them to write in response to the veiwing of it, but they know that, while including Scripture in a secular college paper is a risky thing, there are ways that it can be included so as to strengthen the opinion being expressed and to not "beat down" in an offensive way that which is being discussed.  I will never counsel my sons to shy away from standing for their convictions, especially in the educational setting.  I will encourage them, in fact, to state their beliefs and to use the Scriptures, for their is so much wisdom in them, and the world needs to hear them!  It's always hard to go against the grain...but it is often precisely what we need to do, and we will pray that God will go before us...even in an English paper! 

Bible: We have 2 weeks left in our Biblical Survey (also known as the "Kingdom Study").  We are still in the book of Hebrews, and it is fantastic.      

Music:  Bryan has not been practicing enough between lessons, I think.  So it was a little rough sounding!  I have to remember to get on him a bit about this!  I have seen Nathan "noodling" around at the keyboard, using Bryan's books.  He does not want to take lessons, I've asked.  But he can teach himself all he wants, as far as I'm concerned!  He also pulls out the guitar each week, a few times.  I really wish he would just commit to it.  I really wish I would just commit to it!!!  I would love to play guitar, but I seem to get discouraged easily.  I'll get there.  We got a real  "boost" to the desire for guitar in the mail...more on that below!

Homekeeping/Family:  I am working on identifying the priorities in my life so I make room for them.  I am going to have to walk away from some stuff...good stuff...but I need to clear out my heart and my head, which have become too cluttered with the stuff of life.  I'm getting it written down to help me really see it.   

OK, so I mentioned something we got in the mail that has kind of turned on the musical machine.  I had loaned my dear friend a video concert featuring Nathan Clark George.  We'd loaned it out months ago, and she had asked if she and her sons (the ones my boys like to get together in camofluage clothing and sing hymns with...remember the "Band of Brothers" I posted about a while back?) could keep it, as it was really speaking and ministering to a need in their lives.  Of course they could! 

It was in my mailbox on Tuesday afternoon...a delightful surprise!  Like an "old friend" coming back home.  Of course, we had to play it that evening!  I could see a little spark in Nathan's eyes, as we watched this particular song performed...he told me that I should learn to play the mandolin, and then we could play together!  Oh my...what a challenge!  I have to say, I have NEVER heard a mandolin played like this, and I loved every bit of it!  This is from the Franklin Springs Family Media DVD, "Nathan Clark George: Pull Up A Chair."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u8IDFI7y10

May God Bless you this coming week!  Let me know you were here, and be sure to visit Carol at Three Little Ladies!

Now that my sons are each taking classes at the community college (we're doing some dual-credit stuff for high school, fyi), I am out there every day of the school week.  I usually hang out in the coffee shop that is just off the library while they're in class.  It gives me time to blog, and to just sit, observe, and listen to the conversations around me.  Most of the conversations are well-peppered with expletives, typically beginning with the letter "f."  I listen to young men conversing absolutely nothing but personal foolishness.  I listen to young women who clearly have NO idea how much their Father in Heaven loves them and longs for them to turn to Him.  Rather, they turn to boy after boy after boy, offering themselves in the worthless hope that one of them will truly mean it when he tells her he "loves her."  These girls are so young, and yet they're so "done."  They've given away so much of themselves to so many boys who care nothing for them save the temporary pleasures they offer, and now they are hard, hurt, and angry. 

And lost...so lost. 

Bryan is so funny to see in this environment.  In this college filled with, for the most part, bored, directionless, semi-affluent to fully-affluent suburban teens and 20's, he seems to stick out like a sore thumb in a lot of ways!  He walks the halls with eyes straight ahead, feeling very much like an "alien" amidst all of the spiritual darkness around him.  At least it's winter here, so the girls are wearing more clothing...though it still doesn't stop some of them!  (As it gets warmer, it's difficult for the boys to know where to hold their eyes as they go around the buildings, since soooooo many of the young women here practice partial nudity in their manner of dress).  

I am so grateful for their commitment to purity; for the way they've commited to not allowing their eyes to gaze upon that which would destroy that commitment to purity.  Since they were younger, we began practicing something we call "eye bouncing."  It comes from our teaching them that, here in the uber-suburbs, obscenity and pornographic images are often surrounding them (billboards for places like Hooters, sex stores, magazine covers at the grocery store line, etc.).  We've told them that they are not responsible for what their eyes accidentally fall on...but that they are responsible for what their eyes then continue to gaze upon.  So, if they accidentally look up and there's a sensual billboard, for example, they are to have their eyes "bounce right off" of it and look in the other direction.  They have practiced this consistently for many years now, PTL.  It's sometimes funny, we may be at a movie theater, and the previews wil come on.  Something inappropriate will come on the screen, and I'll look over at the boys and there they are, in the theater, with their heads turned away from the screen, staring upward at the ceiling! 

I'm sure other kids around them might think they're wierd.  But I just pray that they will continue this care of protecting their eyes and their hearts, and that it will be a blessing to them in that time when they finally do give their hearts...for the first time...to a Godly young woman in marriage.  If you have teens, or (better still) pre-teens, I invite you to join with us in doing the "eye-bounce," and in encouraging your kids to purity!  All of this reminds me, as a parent, that I need to pray every single day for my sons in this intense battleground.  I'll be praying for your teens, too! 

Have a blessed week, and please say "hello" while you're here!

Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

Well, I am cautiously optimistic that Nathan has made it through this difficult week and has reappeared on the "other side!"  I'm speaking, of course, about having all 4 wisdom teeth out...one week ago today (it's actually Wednesday evening as I'm writing this).  But it's not over until the oral surgeon says it's over, so I'm still praying! 

Both of my sons just bless me so much!  Oh, they're not perfect, any more than I am (they are my kids, afterall!), but I just love their character...Nathan only had one day where he was, well, it wasn't grumpy, more like discouraged, so he just wasn't at his best.  But he really never got crabby.  I don't think I was so nice after I had all my wisdom teeth out!

Bryan has been so helpful this week, doing extra tasks around the house w/o being asked, helping with meals for us while I was pureeing chicken and gravy for Nathan...it really is a great thing to have young adults around! 

We resume classes at the college tomorrow morning. For Nathan, this is "old hat" now. Bryan is going to get his first taste of a very different world out there on Friday morning! I'm glad they'll both be in English Comp. together!

Have a blessed week, and please say "hello" while you're here!

Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

Hey there!  I posted this article on HSB's Company Front Porch for my "Homeschooling Through High School" section.  I know not everyone reads there, so I wanted to post it here, too, as it's really great stuff!  Enjoy!

In honor of Amelia Earhart's solo flight across the Pacific (this week's topic for the Front Porch Team articles), I wanted to share something that we have really enjoyed here in our home as we've tried to learn more and more about possible career options related to the things our sons were interested in.  In this case, it would be my youngest son Nathan's interest in design, technology, and the fun of flight simulation. 

What career might this be?  If you guessed Aerospace Engineering, you're right!  Now, I have to admit, I would find it just so much fun to say "yeah, my kid's a rocket scientist!"  Nathan's not so sure about all of that, but a mom can dream, right? 

Anyway, this link will take you to a wonderful "Interview with a NASA Aerospace Engineer," Jill Marlowe.  (Just in case you thought this might only interest the boys, take note...this rocket scientist is a "she!")  I learned a lot about this exciting field of engineering, and I hope you enjoy it, too! 

http://meweb.larc.nasa.gov/meweb/Aerospace_Engineer_Interview.html

We've also discovered a wonderful place on the web called "NASA e-Clips."  From their website comes this description:

NASA eClips(TM) are short, relevant educational video segments, designed for a spectrum of learners. These videos inspire and engage students, helping them see the value of their classroom learning through real world connections. New video segments are produced weekly, exploring recent and relevant applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM topics. The programs are produced for targeted age groups including: grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12 and the general public.

The video segment produced for grades 9-12 is called "Launchpad."  We just love to watch these!  Below are two of our favorites (I provide the URL links beneath the videos, just in case you aren't able to view them here for some reason).  This first one is a wonderful glimpse into just some of the practical problem-solving done by aerospace engineering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqVs2G62lJ4

This second video is pure fun and imagination for the budding aerospace engineer!  Just in case you're wondering, Nathan started his now beloved hobby of computer flight simulation by using the free download of Flight Gear.  It takes time to figure out, but if you have a kid like mine, they'll love every confusing minute of it!  Someday, Nathan would love to be able to "play" in something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOs-LKCPhmo

May God Bless you and your homeschool this week!  And if you know someone who works at Langley, and could arrange a tour for us, let me know!!!

~Lori

Let me know you stopped by today!  Have a blessed day...

To join the fun, visit Carol's blog at Three Little Ladies , and link us all to your post!  Be sure to leave a comment here so I can visit your blog, too!

It's been a fairly unproductive week for us owing to the removal of Nathan's wisdom teeth on Wednesday afternoon.  He's still recovering, but I see glimmers here and there of the other side of this "hill" that tell me we are at the peak of it, and the "slide down the other side" is about to begin.  I am grateful for that.  This was not as big a deal when I went through it with Bryan last year, as he isn't diabetic.  This time has been more intense for me, as I've had to really be "on" all the time, assessing how Nathan's doing hour by hour.  Again, I think we've crested the wave, and it should start to get easier now, PTL!!!  Do keep us in your prayers just a few more days!

Foreign Language: German class at the commmunity college begins next week.  I think Nathan may have looked over some of his notes and vocab. from last semester's class, but I'm not completely sure.

Bryan had a Spanish class scheduled on Monday at 1pm.  It was the first one back in the new semester.  Monday was an errand day for us, buying all the soft foods we could find for Nathan to have post-op, and then we headed out to the college to buy their textbooks for the Composition class both guys are taking this semester.  While we were at the bookstore, my cell phone rang.  It was my dear friend, Christine...Bryan's Spanish teacher..."where are you?  Is everything alright?"  I am such an idiot sometimes!  I totally blanked out the class...think my nerves were beginning to get to me as I was racing around prepping for Nathan's oral surgery!  So, we missed it.  We'll try again on Monday.

Farm Work: None this week...I haven't even turned in a schedule for Bryan at Kline Creek yet.  Guess he'll begin at the very end of the month. 

Social Studies: Econ has begun!  The guys seem to like it, so far so good.  We're using the homeschool materials offered by Accelerated Christian Education Ministries  .  I think it will be a good course, yet not as challenging as what they had with Government last semester, which is a gift at this point.  

Nathan is finally getting caught up with his College Plus! Prep assignments (he's completed the logic and rhetoric portion, as well as the critical thinking, and I think he's starting the speed reading and dynamic memory sections next). 

Science:  Online Chemistry lecture was on Tuesday.  Fortunately, there weren't any experiments in this chapter, so other than needing to read the chapter in advance, Nathan isn't missing anything huge.   

Math:  No math for Nathan (tough to do Algebra 2 while on Codeine!); Bryan started with our new Harold Jacobs Geometry, for which we purchased the "Ask Dr. Callahan" video CD's to go with it.  I was a little worried about the style of this course, given Bryan's extreme dyslexia.  My gut feelings were correct...it was a disaster for him!  He said, "it's like Saxon, only WORSE!"  So he's doing Videotext Geometry now, and it's going GREAT.  PTL!  We'll save the H.J. geometry for Nathan, who has been reading the textbook and saying that he thinks it looks awesome.  It does have a lot of SAT prep problems in it, and great algebra reviews, as well.  I think it'll work well for Nathan's learning style and love of math.  But first, he's gotta finish Algebra 2!!!  Hopefully he can resume it in a few days.  I'm going to wean him off the Codeine pain mends beginning today.    

Bible: We continue our Biblical Survey (also known as the "Kingdom Study")  with Cindy Zeigler's materials.  Another thing we did just last night was to watch a DVD from Vision Forum  that we gave to ourselves at Christmas, "The Mysterious Islands."   It's about Darwin and the Galapegos Islands...VERY good, VERY well done!  Here's the trailer (URL link is below the screen, in case for some reason it won't run for you here):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwyteUF43d0

 I highly recommend it!   

Music:  Bryan starts up piano in a week and a half.  I did the opposite of our Spanish class mix-up...I had him practice and get all ready for his piano teacher to arrive on Tuesday...only to discover, after waiting for her for 1/2 an hour, that he wasn't supposed to begin this week!!! 

Homekeeping/Family:  All the Christmas decor is put away; no particular homekeeping going on this week.  I'm pretty tired from the post-op routines for Nathan!  (I can't just put him to bed at night and go to sleep...have to monitor blood sugars, and dole out pain meds).  So I'm giving myself a break from ANY projects around the house...other than my blogs.  I had done all the laundry before Nathan's surgery, so that was really the only big thing that needed doing.    

I pray that next week Nathan will be quickly recovering, and that we will have made some progress in school!  We'll see you then. 

May God Bless you this coming week!  Let me know you were here, and be sure to visit Carol at Three Little Ladies!

"Quiet Moments" is hosted by my bloggy-friend Tina at Solid Rock. 
Visit her blog by clicking the graphic above to add your post at any time during the week. 
Be sure to leave a comment so I know you've been here, and so I can visit you!

I wanted to share this devotional from Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies.  These come to me in weekly emails, and there is an address at the end if you'd like to sign up to receive her emails, as well.  Be blessed!

IT'S FUTILE

1 Samuel 12:20-21 NASB, "Do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver, because they are futile."

How true it is that when we turn away from the Lord, we tend to follow after futile things. When we keep close to the Lord, through prayer and guidance of His Word, He keeps our hearts in the right place and leads us into His truth. When we turn aside to our own ways, we have nothing to deter us from walking after vain things and running into deception.

Romans 1:18-28 tells us that when people turn aside from God and focus all their attention on themselves, worshipping "the creature more than the Creator", they become "futile in their speculations" and God gives them over to a "reprobate mind" which is a mind that is void of all judgment and understanding.

We gain more understanding of the word "futile" (tohu in the Hebrew) by looking at other passages where it is used. We find that it also means...

Wasteful. (Deuteronomy 32:10) To go a different way than God has planned for us is to waste our lives. I have always thought that the saddest thing anyone can do is to go through life doing their own thing and going their own way. They miss out on the destiny that God has planned for them before the foundation of the world. That's a wasted life.

Nothingness. Job 16:18 says, "The paths of their way are turned aside: they go to nothing and perish." There is only nothingness at the end of a life that is spent on itself. Luke 12:8-21 reveals the nothingness at the end for the one "who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God."

A Wilderness experience. (Deuteronomy 32:10 and Job 12:24) To turn aside from God's ways is always a wilderness experience.

Confusion. (Isaiah 41:29) We live in a society that is deceived and deluded. Because we are engulfed by humanist thinking--in the media, the education system and the mindset of the majority around is, it can seem normal to us. Unless we keep close to the Lord and live in His word, we can also be deceived and confused without knowing it.

Vanity. (Isaiah 40:17; 23; 44:9; 59:4) It is a vain thing to pursue our own way. It has no eternal reward.

Empty. The Jerusalem and CJB translate tohu as empty. Many people try to fill their lives with pleasure, satisfaction and material possessions. They fill their homes with stuff--TVs, beautiful décor and every new thing that is advertised. And yet their homes are empty of people--empty of babies and children, the true riches that we can take into eternity with us.

I think of God's words about Israel when they walked in their own ways, "Israel is an empty vine, he brings forth fruit unto himself." (Hosea 10:1) When we focus on ourselves and our own aspirations, we are empty. We have nothing to give to anyone else. We have nothing to take into eternity.

The word empty in this Scripture is baqaq and means "to empty, to depopulate." Isn't that interesting? This is what has been happening in the church over the last few decades. As people have turned away from God's truths to fill their lives with the pleasures of this world, they have depopulated the church. Thousands and thousands of godly children who God intended to come forth to bring God's light and salvation into the world are not here. Not only have we depopulated the church, but we have depopulated the land. In turning from God's ways, we have become empty.

Other translations use the words useless (MLB), worthless (NLT) and false (Knox).

May God help us from wasting our lives on our own pursuits.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES

PRAYER:

"Oh God, please keep me on your narrow way. I don't want to waste my life. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

Not my way, but God's way.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

This is only a quick post, mostly to put up these pictures of our lovely snowfall which happened yesterday and continued overnight.  Bryan, once again, is my cheerful shoveler!  This, btw, is his SECOND ROUND of shoveling!  He cleared about 3 to 4 inches off the driveway yesterday afternoon during a lull in the storm! 

My 9.5 year old yellow lab, Sunny, loves the snow! 
She runs through it scooping up mouthfuls of the cold, refreshing fluff...

Nathan would usually help shovel, but he's still recovering from his wisdom teeth out 2 days ago. 
My sister was visiting from California, and brought him the saber-toothed toy...

Have a blessed day!

~Lori

Thank you to those of you who were praying for Nathan today...he had all 4 wisdom teeth out this afternoon.  None were impacted yet, but they would be in a year, so they said to get them out early.  We did that with Bryan a year ago.  Nathan is a diabetic (he was diagnosed with it age the tender age of 4), so this period of not being able to eat much is tricky for us.  He uses an insulin pump, which makes it much easier than when we were using injections, but it is still a balancing act.  Please continue to pray for his recovery and that we could keep his blood sugars stable until he can eat better.  Thank you so much!  BTW...he is just a delightful trooper so far!  I am so grateful for his sweet character...I am just a little while away from blogging his story (I did Bryan's first, the "I Wish I Could Go To A Farm" saga), and you can learn more about this terrific guy!  That said, the novacain hasn't worn off yet...it should do so within the hour.  But he's well-medicated, and I'm pretty good at pain med management (I'm an RN, and I believe in pain meds when you need them after surgery!), so we'll stay on top of it, Lord willing!

For the rest of this Thursday TAT post, I wanted to share this bit that I wrote for the Front Porch "Homeschooling Through High School" blog here at HSB.  "My cup runneth over!"  I love my kids!

~Getting Ready to Let Go~

I thought I would briefly share a "shapshot moment" that I had over the Christmas break. 

We went to see the film, "Blind Side," and we just loved it.  If you haven't heard about it, you can view the trailer here.  There was a scene where the family takes their son to college, and the mama bravely hugs him, says "goodbye," and quickly gets into the car so he won't see her fighting back her tears.  Of course, he makes his way to the car and makes her come out to give him "a proper hug," and the tears are allowed to flow.

After the movie, we headed out to the car, and my almost 18 year old son got in the driver's seat to take us home (I sat in the back seat with my 16 year old son, as dad was up front).  As I watched my son driving us home in the dark, I suddenly, without warning, got a mental "glimpse" of the man he is rapidly becoming, and became acutely aware that my time with him at home full time was growing short.  I felt my eyes blur with tears that I rapidly blinked back. 

Although I'm sure the movie played a part in it, I don't quite know why else I suddenly had such a strong, instant emotion come over me.  But when things like that happen, I try to pay attention, and find out what it is that God might be saying to me.

Our children have never really been "ours."  They belong to God.  We all know this, we all know that we are just "stewards" of His creation, that He allows us to raise these children for Him, and then we are to give them back to Him when they are grown.  Every Christian "new mommy" can recite that litany.  But when that little baby in your arms is suddenly (it does happen suddenly, you know!) on the edge of that "time to give him back" cliff, WOW!  There is an awful lot to consider!

The homeschool high school years are so much more than just academics, credits, college entrance exams...though none of those things are unimportant.  But the real benefit of homeschooling through these years is the character development, and the nurturing of these young adults' relationship with their LORD that counts.  What a privilege!  What a joy!  What a blessing!  If you are reading this, and you're considering ending your homeschooling efforts before high school, oh, precious mom or dad...think again!  These final years of growing, of character-shaping, of relationship-building are the sweetest of them all!  Don't let your children go before they're ready!   Homeschooling through high school is not hard.  It's busy, and sometimes a little crazy, yes, but it's not hard.  There are lots of great folks here at HSB and other sites to help walk you through it! 

We have begun our "New Year's slide" back into school.  My 16 year old is getting all of his wisdom teeth out in the morning (Wednesday...please keep us in your prayers, as he is diabetic, so balancing insulin when he can't really eat gets very tricky), so we decided to hold off the full-on start up until next week.  It's been kind of nice, because we've really been able to focus our attention on a lot of worldview and character discussions.  I really love these two guys.  I love to hear what they think...I love to hear how they think (though I don't always get it!)...I love their ideas, their hopes, their dreams, their prayers.  

Give up this time of their lives to the public school system?  Not on your life.  When I give them up, it will be to give them back to the One who gave them to me...for a time.   

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

 Happy New Year's Eve!!!

It's been an insanely busy last couple of days...I've pretty much been absent from bloggy-land until now!   On Monday and Tuesday, Bryan (my 17-almost-18-year-old) was teaching his very first class!  He is helping two good friends of ours and his brother to start up their own knife-sharpening businesses, and he held a two-day training course for the guys.  It was "controlled chaos" down in our basement "school," but a lot of fun. 

There were two father-son duos, plus brother Nathan, so 3 new sharpeners were "birthed," in all.  Bryan taught the new skill on day one, and they had all brought knives and garden tools from their own homes to learn on.  I made a lasagna dinner for everyone (they all live between 1.5 and 2.5 hours from us), and we had a wonderful time of fellowship.  That was NOT the "controlled chaos" day! 

Day two was where it got crazy!  I had emailed our small church and asked everyone who wanted free knife sharpening to bring us everything they had that had a blade so the newly minted sharpeners could keep practicing, honing their skills and, mostly, building up speed so they could handle the fast pace of the farmers market setting.  The church came through,

(this is just a small portion of what was donated for the apprentices)

and we set up the basement with our farmers market booth, complete with invoices, receipt booklet, cashbox, claim tickets, the works!  Because on day 2, the wives/mothers/sisters got involved doing what I do for Bryan at the markets...they learned how to "work the check in desk!"  I got to be a pretend customer, and they all had to do the intake and the check out procedures, paperwork, and other things I threw at them, like hadnling a crabby customer, dealing with impatient customers when there were 5 orders ahead of theirs, and wait times were high, customers who'd lost their claim tickets, would-be thiefs who had found a claim ticket on the ground and wanted to pick up "their"  expensive knife set, etc. 

The gals would do a "check in" of one set of church member's knives, then put it on the "sharpener's table" behind them...Bryan then took it back to the big table where the apprenticed sharpeners were, and they'd all work on that bin of blades until all were sharpened to their and Bryan's satisfaction, and then it would come up to the girls again so they could clean the blades and put protective sheaths on them. 

Bryan's "school" ran for about 8 hours each day.  The guys took "Wii" breaks now and then, and a pizza party to culminate the day. 

I think it was a great growing experience for Bryan; he knows he's a good sharpener, and takes pride in doing a good job.  Now, he knows the joy of passing along something you're good at to someone who is eager to learn.  I asked him how he enjoyed teaching..."it's alright, it's harder than I thought it would be, they don't always listen!" 

Oh, I could have given him a long litany of the times he had failed to listen to me over the years...but I just smiled!  I think he'd already figured it out for himself!  He is marching onward and upward to adulthood...and I am LOVING this time of life as a mom!

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

To join the fun, visit Carol's blog at Three Little Ladies , and link us all to your post!  Be sure to leave a comment here so I can visit your blog, too!

Merry Christmas!  We've had a whirlwind of weather here, beginning with a lovely little snowfall 2 days before Christmas, then rain which turned to ice the morning of the 24th, coating everything and making it dangerous to walk outside, which then turned to more rain as the temps went up, washing away and melting the ice, followed by cold, gusty strong winds with snow, and Christmas night into this morning, big, fat snowflakes accumulating to about 3 inches!  Here's the view out my window this morning:

Now, a quick trip through our homeschool week, ending with our Christmas...

Foreign Language: Nathan enjoyed some attempted conversation in German with my mom (his "Oma"), who was born and raised in Germany.  She was actually born in what is now Poland, but before WW2, it was Germany.  They had to flee the Russian Army in WW2, taking just one suitcase and wearing as many coats and hats as they could put on and still move.  Everything else had to be left behind.  She and her parents fled to Berlin...and then they had to leave there, as well, at the end of the war because the communist Russian army was coming to occupy there, too...so they headed to Dusseldorf area.  Oma said she remembers the American army, which had occupied Berlin initially, letting the citizenry know when they'd be leaving, and warning them all to get out.  She said she remembers seeing the Americans leaving in their tanks and Jeeps, and the Russian army coming in on horsedrawn wagons and carts...

Bryan would answer my questions in the best "Spanglish" (Spanish + English when you don't know the Spanish word) that he could muster...it was fun! 

Farm Work: None this week...Bryan will be back at Kline Creek Farm next week, Lord willing!  He has another cold virus now. 

Social Studies: The boys finished their American Government class!!!  What a relief!   Next semester brings on Economics.  Since they are both taking "English Composition 101" at the community college next semester, it is a relief that Government, with it's weekly essay papers, is over. 

Science: Chemistry is on break now for another week and a half.  Ahhhh...

Math: There hasn't been any math done this week...until today!  Nathan gets back to the last book in the Algebra 2 series (should take him a month or two to complete it), and bryan begins Geometry today.  We want him to finish it in one year, and then he can GRADUATE!!!  Wow, I cannot believe this is so close to being real!

Bible: Our whole family is studying Scripture with Cindy Zeigler's materials, and we are almost at the end of our Biblical Survey (also known as the "Kingdom Study").  We are hot and heavy into the book of Hebrews, and are learning about the 5 warnings that God has given to Christians in this book.   

We are, since the Zeiglers took what used to be (10 years ago) a one year Survey of the Bible and condensed it down to 17 weeks, moving rapidly through Hebrews in this study.  Next semester, we have our next study's materials here and ready to go...a 16 week study of just the book of Hebrews.  Whoa, this is going to be good!  So for now, we're getting a quick introduction to the "jist" of the book. 

Music:  This reminds me to have Bryan practice piano!   He's not feeling so well, so he probably won't think of it.  A little "Dayquil" to the rescue, and I think he might find 15 minutes! 

Homekeeping/Family:  Christmas Eve was spent at my mom and dad's, and we picked up Kev's mom and brought her along.  We had a gift exchange, dinner, and then went to Christmas Eve service with them at their church. 

Our church is what I describe as a "house church that got too big for the house," so we rentspace at a beautiful century-old chapel on the grounds of our local living history museum.

It is just lovely...but we only have it on Sundays.  Since Christmas Eve and Christmas were on other days this year, we don't have a service to go to.  My parents attend a local Lutheran congregation, and we like to go with them for their beautiful Christmas Eve candlelight service.  It was a wonderful time of worship in prayer, hymn, and communion. 

Christmas morning I got up early (I liked having the extra time!), turned on the Christmas tree lights, started a fire in the fireplace, brewed coffee and mixed up the scrambled egg ingredients, so everything was all prepped and ready.  The nice thing about having older kids is that they come down and you get to enjoy a quiet, leisurely breakfast BEFORE opening presents!  Once we were happily full, we settled into our gift exchange.  Nathan will be joining Bryan in the knife-sharpening business, so he get a Tormek T-7...that was the big gift of the year!  Bryan's "biggie" was an Aussie drover's oilskin coat...he got an oilskin hat from my parents to go with it.  This isn't Bryan, but a catalog picture:

A classic Australian sheep-rancher's coat (or any rancher...it's a Drover/Aussie Cowboy coat).  Also happens to be "period-correct" for Kline Creek Farm's 1890's costuming.  Now he'll be warm and DRY when he needs to be out working in the cold rains of winter/spring.  Lambing happens at Kline Creek from January through March, so the guys need to have good warm coats!  (The mama ewes and lambs are, of course, in the sheep barns!)

Since Kevin and the boys and I all like different kinds of coffee, we got ourselves one of those Keurig coffee makers, the one where you get the little "K-cups" and each one brews one cup of coffee.  It's pretty neat, and we've been sampling the different brews that came in the sample pack with the machine. 

So now we settle in for the walk into 2010.  God knows what He will allow this new year to bring, and nothing...NOTHING...will happen that isn't exactly in line with His plan.  We believe that Christ will be returning soon.  And so, rather than focusing on all the evil that is happening in this world, and the changes that are happening in our nation, we keep looking up, anxiously awaiting his Glorious appearing!  The battle is in the heavenly places, is being "mirrored" here on earth, and we know who will be victorious!  Praise God! 

May God Bless you this coming week!  Let me know you were here, and be sure to visit Carol at Three Little Ladies!

Merry Christmas Eve!  I have just a quick post, going up in the evening, but we've been with my parents all day.  Illinois has seen a lovely snowfall earlier this week...and my sons BEGGED me to let them shovel the driveway!!!  At first I had to say "no," because the reason they wanted to shovel the driveway was because they were wanting to do anything besides finishing writing their final paper for American Government!  I had to keep saying, "no, no snow shoveling until those papers are done...then you can celebrate the end of Government class! 

Needless to say, they finished...IT'S OVER!!!  No more American Gov't class!!!  And then they got to "celebrate:"

Boy, I wish I could bottle this!!! 

They've completed the work required of them for this semester, and we are all really happy!  There will be schoolwork over the Christmas break, but only the stuff that they are wanting to either get ahead in or, for Nathan, that will help him to CLEP test an English course in May, so it's by their own choice to do it.  This was a very tough semester, demanding.  Good job, guys!!!

 
Join Us Each Thursday! Here's How:

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 

I want to share three video clips which I located on YouTube...the first two are from a Public Television show that I have seen many Decembers over, titled, "Rick Steve's Christmas in Europe." These two clips share my favorite parts of the show.  I love the peacefulness, the simplicity, and the picture of the family generations coming together.  I hope you enjoy it, too!

The 3rd clip is of the WWI Christmas Eve Miracle.  It was the celebration of the FIRST coming of Christ that brought peace into the middle of the bloodiest battlefield...oh, Lord JESUS, what peace your SECOND coming to earth will bring about..."even so, come, Lord Jesus."

(*Note: in case the videos don't want to run here on this blog entry page, I've included a direct link to their YouTube home, as well!  I recommend watching in High Def, with the viewer expanded to full screen!)

Rick Steve's Christmas in Europe ~ Part 9

Rick Steve's Christmas in Europe ~ Part 10

To join the fun, visit Carol's blog at Three Little Ladies , and link us all to your post!  Be sure to leave a comment here so I can visit your blog, too!

Foreign Language: Nathan is done with German for the semester, but is enrolled in "Beginning German Level 2" at the college for next semester.  He's finishing up all the "loose ends" this week, before Christmas, so I'm letting him take a break from reviewing for now.  He does enjoy just randomly speaking German to me throughout the day, so that's good!  Keeps it fun, but keeps it in the brain! 

Bryan had a Spanish lesson today with my dear friend (it was her family who were over last night so late...we were all tired today!).  It was supposed to be the last one, but he's about one page away from taking the test and finishing the chapter/unit, so we decided to go again on Wednesday.  Much better than stopping so close to the end and then waiting 3 weeks!  He's doing very well.  Wish I knew Spanish, I could try and talk to him!  dh took it in high school, but can't remember a word of it.   

Farm Work: Nothing this week!  Off til January 2nd! 

Sharpening Business: Bryan is going to be teaching his brother to sharpen over the Christmas break, as well as two men and their teen sons from church.  We ordered all the sharpening machines, and they're lined up on a huge long table in our basement.  It'll be a two day class, with day 2 primarily sharpening every knife we can get our hands on, so they build up speed and efficiency...absolutely needed for the market environment!  It gets pretty fast and furious out there when there are 100 knives lined up to be sharpened!  We sent out an email to our church asking for their knives...hopefully we'll get enough, each "student" needs to sharpen 75 to 100!!!  Bryan's learning how to teach sharpening with this event, so these are his "guinea pigs!"  (They know it, we're all good friends, LOL!)  So this one's free; in the future, he can grow his sharpening business, potentially, by adding teaching sharpening as another way to earn extra income.  I'm so proud of him!  As a sheep farmer, every bit of extra income he can make is going to be VERY needed! 

Social Studies: Both guys completed the final American Government exam on today (Monday)!   YAY!!!  This was a BIG hurdle, these tests are not easy...50 short answer questions.  (Pain in the neck to grade, too, but they sure learn their stuff!)  Somehow Bryan forgot to take one of the quizzes (can you tell how not on top of things I was here???), from way back in unit 8 (that's 8 out of 15), so he has to review and take that quiz.  Quizzes are pretty easy, 15 multiple choice Q's, and he said that unit was an easy one, so I'm keeping my hopes high.  He has 2 more Government papers to finish, and Nathan has one more.  THEN...and only then...it is OVER.  I can't wait, and they'd better get it done by the 23rd!  I'm not excited about grading papers and writing course summaries on Christmas Eve!  I don't want to take this into the New Year, I really want my school work wrapped up before Christmas, so I can have a little break, too. 

Science: Chemistry is on semester break until January 5th.  Yahoo! 

Math...we are taking just a week off here so they can work full time to finish up Government.  Once that's accomplished, Bryan will begin Geometry immediately, and Nathan will continue Algebra 2, which he's a couple months away from finishing.

Bible: We continue to head toward the end of the Biblical Survey study.  Last Wednesday, the boys and dh went to their "Men's Mentoring" group, which meets once a month (it's the men and older sons from our church who get together).  The topic was on "Knowing when it's time to get married."  It was a packed house, the most attendance of the entire year!    

Music: We miss practicing with the choir, but are looking forward to our next musical adventure, which we'll begin preparing for in a few weeks...I'll update then.  Bryan's piano lessons are on break until the new year, but he keeps practicing.  Nathan is still teaching himself guitar.   

Homekeeping: I got the Springerle baked, and the lebkuchen, too.  I'll post those recipes and photos on Tuesday (the 22nd), Lord willing, over at my HomeSTEADblogger place, "Serenity in the Suburbs."   

 May God Bless you this coming week!  Let me know you were here, and be sure to visit Carol at Three Little Ladies!

How funny...to be able to add what I found to what I originally thought I'd post about!  What a hoot!

On Sunday, the boys and I joined the Jr. High through college-age friends in our small church's "Young Adult Choir" for the Christmas Hymn and choral music ministry to a local nursing home.  Our audience was in a room where they were having a special turkey dinner...most of them were being fed, they looked to me like a group of folks struggling with the after-effects of stroke.  Some had a family member with them, others were attended by aides.  After we sang for them, we spent some time visiting with them, and they were pretty verbal, which was nice!  They were all quite appreciative of the music we shared, and were most complimentary to the young people. 

You should have seen these terrific kids, all decked out in their Christmas finery!  Pretty dresses, handsome suits and Christmas ties, smart slacks and sweaters...one elderly lady asked me if they sang together just this one time, or did they do it more than once a year?  I told her that we were blessed to hear them sing many times throughout the year, on numerous occasions, both at church and just for social get togethers, for fun.  She said, "it's so good to see teenagers do something besides hang out on street corners and be in gangs!"  (This is Chicagoland, afterall...)  I laughed, and assured her that these were really wonderful kids!  It is a blessing to be around such a vibrant group of young adults! 

Fast forward to Tuesday...I was clearing out my cell phone's "missed call" record, and other junk on it, and I got to checking the old photos that are on it.  I hardly ever use my phone's camera, and have never done anything with the few pics that are on it.  But I found these that were taken in early November on a day when these same wonderful, angelic-looking young men from the choir were decked out in a different kind of "finery" for a fierce day of playing "Airsoft wars"...my boys are the two on the left, one standing, one kneeling:

I wonder what that lady from the nursing home would have thought if she had seen them racing around on ATV's at Mach 2 with their hair on fire, Airsoft guns (semiautomatics!) slung over their shoulders as they headed out to the abandoned barn to pretend they were commandos...

It reminded me, too, of this scene I put in a previous post (hit your "back" button to come back here after you've watched it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8LmPF9B5EY&feature=player_embedded

(This was my sons with their friends practicing for our Reformation Day party, decked out in their newly purchased camo-wear!)

I just had to laugh!  Ah yes, boys will be boys...and then they'll put on their suits and ties and minister to "the least of these" around them, singing the praises of their Heavenly Father and their Coming King.  I do love my teenage sons!

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

To join the fun, visit Carol's blog at Three Little Ladies , and link us all to your post!  Be sure to leave a comment here so I can visit your blog, too!

Foreign Language: This week saw the end of Nathan's German class at the college...HOORAY!  He completed the oral portion of the final exam on Monday, and this Monday (the 14th) he will take the written portion, and that will be the end of it!  He feels pretty good going into it at this point, but is in his room studying as I type this Saturday evening.   Bryan is being tutored in Spanish by my dear friend, Christine, and loves it.  Christine is fun, a great teacher, and the mother of 4 GREAT sons who happen to be some of Bryan's favorite buddies.  Not a bad setup!  All the guys speak Spanish (or are learning it), so there is lots of laughter going on alongside the learning.

Farm Work: Bryan is over his flu bug, other than an occasional lingering cough, and put in 12 hours of volunteer work this past week at Kline Creek Farm, 8 hours of it on Friday in the 20 below zero wind chills.  He was comfortable enough, he said, as we got him a set of "under Armor" long underwear, plus winter boot socks, and arctic-lined Carhartt bib overalls and the blanket-lined Barn/Chore coat which is the accepted "period costuming" for the 1890's that he interprets at the farm for visitors.  Guess he'll be ready for the ice-harvesting in January/February!  In addition to the usual chores, he and his supervisor spent most of the day in the barns (to get out of the wind), grinding corn (1890's style, in a hand-cranked grinder...VERY aerobic, definately keeps them warm!) and mixing feed.  He took a long, hot shower when he got home, and slept very well that night! 

After dropping Bryan off that morning, Nathan and I had a delightful breakfast together at Cracker Barrel.  We buy Nathan's sugar-free maple syrup there...it is the BEST tasting sugar-free we've found, and believe me, we've tried just about all of them!  We buy 6 bottles at a time (he LOVES pancakes for breakfast), and it lasts a long time.  When we run out, finally,  we treat ourselves to breakfast there since we're going to the Cracker Barrel store to buy syrup :-)

Social Studies: Both guys have completed all but the final chapter in American Government, and are REALLY looking forward to finishing the course next Friday, then they study over the weekend for the final exam on Monday the 21st.    They will switch to Economics for next semester. 

Science: Chemistry will finish for the semester with a test on the 18th.  Math...well, we know better now than to "finish" math for a semester...math NEVER stops.  Period!  Both of the boys are wanting to "fast-track" through their remaining math studies...Bryan with geometry (he's skipping Algebra 2), so he can finish and perhaps graduate in december 2010; Nathan with Algebra 2 (he's in the last module now) so he can try to finish it in February, then complete the year of geometry by the end of this summer...he wants to be in calculus either at home or at the community college next fall.  Yeesh!

Bible: Our whole family is studying Scripture with Cindy Zeigler's materials, and we are almost at the end of our Biblical Survey (also known as the "Kingdom Study").  What an awesome blessing.  I know I've written about this study before, but it is just jaw-dropping, how MUCH is packed in Scripture, and how, once you've thoroughly studied TOT, and then go into TNT and learn exactly what "The New Man" and "Living Stones" are, and what "the Church" really is, TNT just "unfolds" TOT.  It has been such a growth experience to finally take the boys through this study.  PTL!  I can't recommend this one highly enough, especially in these end times.

Music: Since the boys and I were sharing that cold/flu bug last week, we were not able to sing with the choir at church last Sunday, but we WILL be singing at the nursing home tomorrow.  We have been having a GREAT time this afternoon and evening practicing here!  I am soooooo glad they "invited" me to sing with them!  What a blessing this new activity has been in our lives!  God is so wonderful to bring music back into our home, even if we're not very good at it, it is such a pleasure.  Bryan loves taking piano lessions, and Nathan is teaching himself to play the guitar which has been sitting idle for the last 3 years.  Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Homekeeping: I was able, along with my dh and ds's, to put about 7 large bags of give-aways out on the porch for Amvets to pick up on Monday.  I also took 2 boxes of craft supplies (from my 4-H club leader days) to church, and I spread the word amongst the kids...they all descended upon the boxes, and most of it was snapped up!  It was packed in so tight, I don't think they found it all, so I am re-packing it (more organized, this time) and taking it to church again.  There is a lot of craft felt, much in red and green, and I would think they might be able to make some neat things out of it!  What I can't give a way at church, I will offer to a local day care center, or pre school, or something.  After that's exhausted, the garbage can will have to be next.  It is SO good to be able to see space again on the basement shelves!  We have all this stuff in bins, so we don't tend to be aware of it.  But much of it is unusable here anymore, so better to give to someone who will be blessed by it. 

 I still desire to make some special German cookies this coming week that I never got around to this past week as planned; Christmas will likely be fairly quiet this year, no big family "to-do's" coming up!  I like that! :-)

May God Bless you this coming week!  Let me know you were here, and be sure to visit Carol at Three Little Ladies!

This week has been a real busy one for us.  We've been on the "hunt" for clothes for Bryan, who is a couple months shy of his 18th birthday.  And it is, indeed, a hunt...Bryan's pant size is 29W 34L.  YOU try to find that, LOL!!!  We located one pair of Levi's jeans at Sears in that size, but only one.  I had to order a second pair online.  Dress pants had to be ordered online as well, and very few stores carry them.  We finally located them at Men's Warehouse.  Had them shipped to a local store so there wasn't a shipping charge.  We went to pick them up, and they were great...they tailored them so the length was just perfect!  We went back a couple days later and took advantage of a 50% off suit sale, and got Bryan one.  It's navy blue, and the jacket can be worn separately as a blazer, so we got "2 for one" that way!  He has a black suit from JC Penney, but the pants length was too short.  I brought it with us to Men's Warehouse, and the salesman said they'd lengthen them for us for $14.  That's better than buying another suit!   Nathan, 16, came along for the shop.  He's not quite into the men's sizes yet, so he just sat and waited while his brother got all the goods.  Nathan was content, though, and doesn't complain about getting "hand-me-downs."  He's very good about it!  (He wasn't always, but is now.)  He's got my husband's genes, so won't ever wear Bryan's suits unless they are heavily tailored!  Nathan's not quite that tall as Bryan (B's 6 ft at this point!)

Nathan is blazing the academic trail, though.  He is, as I type, sitting in his last German class of the semester at the community college...YAY!!!  They're doing a little bit of review, then having a party complete with German Christmas cookies (Lebkuchen...my FAVORITES!).  Monday he'll take his final exam, and that will be it!  He'll have 4 college credits, likely an "A" in the class, and 1 year of high school German credit...all completed in 4 months.  He has really worked hard for this, and he's so excited!  It has been a VERY tough semester for him, as far as his course load goes.  Once he finishes his American Government course, which is a challenging one (we got Notgrass...it's excellent!), we'll switch to Economics for next semester.  Though the material won't be a cake-walk, there isn't a weekly paper or speech due for it, so both of the guys are looking forward to that! 

Next semester will have new challenges for them...they're both taking English Composition at the college, so weekly papers will again be the norm, but won't require, I don't think, the research that the Government papers asked for.  Bryan will be heavy into Geometry (he begins today), and Nathan is fast-tracking through the end of Algebra 2 so he can begin Geometry in the early spring, he hopes.  He's doing a College-Prep Plus! course, which will culminate in taking a CLEP test for English Literature.  I don't really care if he passes that CLEP the first-time through...but it would be nice for him!  It's a course that is over and above his regular class load.  He's a week behind in the reading right now, so plans to work over the Christmas break to catch up and perhaps get ahead for next semester, as the study requirements will pick up before the CLEP.  I will give him a full credit for a course which I'm calling "Intro to Logic and Rhetoric," for all the work he's put into this.

Bryan is continuing his work at Kline Creek Farm, operating his knife-sharpening business, and plowing through school with the goal of graduating this time next year. 

I find myself, at this point, feeling kind of "vicariously overwhelmed" for them.  More than once I've caught myself saying, "they can't do it...it's too much."  But when I look at them working away, sometimes struggling under the load but steadily hammering away at it, usually smiling, I realize that I'm the one that's weary and ready to give up...they aren't!  They're excited about all they are accomplishing! 

Isn't that one of my goals for them, that they would learn the satisfaction of hard work and accomplishing something that seems just out of reach?  Isn't that how they grow, gain confidence, and build character?    So what do I do with my "vacarious weariness?"  I get out of their way and let THEM run!!!

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

(To Participate in Tightwad Tuesday, write your post, visit CanadaGirl's blog, and add it to the list!) 

I'm not feeling terribly creative today...so for my TWT post, I want to point you to something that I discovered on the beautiful blog, "Eyes of Wonder." 

What I found there that I loved were "Window Stars."  These are tissue-paper "stars" that you make and hang up on a window, like stained glass.  They are gorgeous!  Here is a link to a tutorial on how to make them, and a photo of them from that same blog.  Note...it's NOT my photo, it's from the tutorial at the blog given...I just really want you to see how beautiful these are!  This is sort of some free advertising for duofiberworks:

Click this link for the tutorial: http://www.duofiberworks.com/journal/2009/1/5/window-star-tutorial.html

Photo from http://www.duofiberworks.com/journal/2009/1/5/window-star-tutorial.html 

You can view another gorgeous photo of them on Eyes of Wonder here (you'll have to scroll WAYYYYY down until you see the young woman at the sewing table):

http://eyesofwonder.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/piglet-sidled-up-to-pooh-from-behind.html

Thanks for stopping by today!  Let me know you were here, so I can visit you, too!

God Bless you!

To join the fun, visit Carol's blog at Three Little Ladies , and link us all to your post!  Be sure to leave a comment here so I can visit your blog, too!

Our week can be summed up fairly quickly...sick, getting sick, and getting over being sick.  We've had a laryngitis-causing cold virus going through our church this month, and this past week was our famiy's turn!  Bryan got it first, and he got it the worst.  Completely lost his voice!  On the advice of a good friend, we began taking mega-doses (5-6000IU's per day) of Vit. D3.  Nathan and I also got it, but it was MUCH milder, so perhaps the D3 actually helped!  We cancelled most out-of-school activities, but everyone was well enough to make the trek into Chicago yesterday (Saturday) to join Nathan's college German teacher and some of the classmates (from all levels of German classes) at the annual Christkindlmarket.  It was quite cold since there was some dampness in the air on Saturday and the city of Chicago is on the shore of Lake Michigan, so damp cold is COLD!  Not much sun to warm us, either.  But the hot spiced cider in the little "boot" mug tasted that much better!  (I don't know these two girls...all photos below are from the gallery at http://www.christkindlmarket.com .)

Here are a few other pictures of the festivities in Chicago at the Christkindlmarket:

For special occasions, the city of Chicago sure can be fun!  But we've lived in it, too, and unless you can afford the VERY VERY "high rent districts," I think big-city living is horrible.  Not for me, never again, no thank you!  But I don't mind a special event now and again!

Today will finish my week's activities, I'm scratching my "itch to pitch" as I have an Amvets pickup coming tomorrow.  So I am bagging up all the outgrown and no longer worn clothes, and EVERYTHNG else I can manage to bag up that I don't use and love.  I hope to have the front porch filled with bags!  I am praying that all of these things will be a blessing to someone who needs and cannot afford to purchase them. 

Let me know you were here, and be sure to visit Carol at Three Little Ladies!

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

(To Participate in Tightwad Tuesday, write your post, visit CanadaGirl's blog, and add it to the list!) 

My husband and I have, this semester, introduced our boys to one of the best Bible studies we've ever gone through.  Originally, when we first took it, it was a one-year study, but over the last decade or so it's been condensed into 16 weeks--perfect for a one-semester Bible credit!  It was written by our dear friend, Cindy Zeigler, and she and her husband, through their church in Florida, offer it at no charge.  I have a link to her and the study on my sidebar at left.  It's been there for a while, so this isn't really new, but the reason I wanted to post this today is because the season of Advent is upon us.  I know some have completely stopped celebrating Christmas, and that is an individual choice.  Dear family friends of ours here have done so, and we understand why, and respect their decision, though we have not made the same decision, even after reflecting upon what they've shared.  I've been thinking so much this week about the first coming of Christ, and I just wanted to share something from our Bible study that I mentioned above (and that you can get absolutely free...no cost, no shipping charges, nothing...did I already mention that???  It is Tightwad Tuesday, afterall!!!).  From "Understanding the Bible: A Biblical Survey," comes the following:

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Shortly after the onset of Judah's captivity, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzer.  Then, after the Medes and Persians overtook Babylon, and after the 70 year period of Judah's captivity, Judah was allowed to go back to their land and rebuild Jerusalem, the wall, and the temple.  There were three post-exilic prophets -- Haggai, Zacharia, and Malachi -- each telling of the plans the Lord has yet for Israel.  After the Word of the Lord came to Malachi, the final prophet, there was a long period of silence from Heaven -- 400 years.

 

The prophecy of Amos came to bear on the Jews.  Amos, after being told by a priest to leave the Northern kingdom and go prophecy in the Southern kingdom (Amos 7:12), uttered these words:

Amos 8:11  "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD..."

So there was silence.

The voice of Heaven was not heard by the ears of earth.

...for 400 years.

...four hundred long years!

And...

A woman who was called barren,

bore a son, and they called him John.

Suddenly a bright light shown in the darkness...

...a star shining in the east.

A virgin had conceived and had borne a Son, and they called Him Immanuel, "God with us."

Then a voice was heard...

...a voice crying in the wilderness

...calling the people to

"Repent for the Kingdom of the Heavens was at hand."

(Now, jumping ahead in the study, we come to the First Coming of Christ in fulfillment of so much O.T. prophecy...)

"Not far from the city of Bethlehem was a place where shepherds were keeping watch over a flock of sheep.  After "Immanuel" was born, an angel appeared to these shepherds.

Luke 2

8     And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.  9  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  10  And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;  11  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  12  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."

13  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 

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The prophecies which are enfolded in the Old Testament are unfolded in the New Testament!  This is so much more than prophecies of the Baby born in the manger...when one understands the meaning of the "Kingdom of the Heavens" (first introduced in the Mosaic covenant, but WOW, what happens while Christ walks the earth is incredible!), when one comprehends what all the talk of "peace" in TNT is referring to (it's not what you think...), when one recognizes the hugeness of the coming of this Child and what His purpose was (have you looked to see what the New Testament says His purpose in coming was?  Jesus Himself is the one who says exactly why He was sent!), you begin to understand why, after 400 years of not hearing the Word of God from Heaven that the sky was suddenly filled with a multitude of angels praising God and giving glory!  When we, at Christmas-time, look at and remember the first-coming of Jesus Christ to this earth, we should...if we understand the Kingdom of the Heavens...be awestruck at the Masterful and Powerful Hand of God!  The Heavenly host celebrated this event in a most dramatic way...so for us, it is still something that we wish to recognize and celebrate, as well.   

Oh, may I urge you to obtain a copy of this study and accompanying DVD lessons (all free, I say again!), and to be diligent to complete it?  It is long...it's a semester-long, if you think of it in terms of weeks, but it can be such a life-changing time in God's Word...and ONLY God's Word!  This isn't someone's "take" on the Scripture, you'll just study Scripture, and interpret Scripture by studying Scripture.  One friend who began the study quit after the first week..."this is review, I know all of this already."  Oh, I could cry for her.  One MUST begin with the beginning...with the foundation, but I promise you, the depth and insight you will gain over the 4 months of study will be immense!  Start the study...and finish it!!!  

To obtain your free study (if you have high schoolers who could do it with you, just ask for extra study books and notes, one copy for each person doing the study...then get one set of the DVD lectures per family), just click HERE or on the link in my left sidebar under "Curriculum Picks: Biblical Survey by Cindy Zeigler," and send an email to Kim asking for the "Biblical Survey."  That's the one you want to begin with.  You can tell them that I sent you, if you like!    

Think of it as a FREE Christmas gift that will continue giving to you until Christ's SECOND Coming!!!  May God bless you today!

We've had a wonderful week complete with Thanksgiving celebration and then the "rapid-fire-turnaround" this weekend toward Christmas.  I love this time of year, though it can be exhausting (just this week...the rest of it isn't so packed with activity!).  I'll do my Wrapup by days:

Monday: School School School...really, nothing else!  Though while Bryan was at my friend's house for his Spanish lesson (she tutors him), I did get to the grocery store across the street from her house and do much of the Thanksgiving shop...

Tuesday: School School School...I did the last of the Thanksgiving meal ingredients shopping while the boys had their chemistry class online (it's 1.5 hours long...good time for me to get something done!)

Wednesday: No German class for Nathan, as the college was off for the Thanksgiving break.  But we did everything else...they didn't have time to stop!  I began to clean/dust a bit (there wasn't too much to do).  Bryan had a fever and felt tired.  So he rested and just did bookwork.  Nathan was my main help this time around!  After they completed their school assignments, Bryan "veged out" on the couch and happily watched Nathan vaccum and dust and clean toilets!  I made cranberry sauce and made the stuffing up to the point where I bake it for 1/2 hour.  That gets done Thursday!  Pulled out the silverplate cutlery and polished it, then set the table for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.   Made sure I had all ingredients ready to go, and verified the menu.

Thursday/Thanksgiving Day: Got up a little early, had breakfast and coffee, then baked pies (I already had frozen a lot of pie filling this summer)--Concord Grape Pie, and then I made "Sweet Apple Hand Pies" which are puff pastry cut into sqauares, and put around apple pie filling, which I made with apples gotten on an autumn trip up to Wisconsin.  They're just like Pepperidge Farm apple turnovers that you buy frozen, but they're square instead of triangular.  By then everyone was awake, so we had a nice breakfast together, and turned on the local parades on TV, then had football on in the background later.  I made the rest of the dinner, my parents arrived at 4pm, and we had a lovely, quiet celebration and time of fellowship.  Bryan was feeling a little better, but still not all together well.  I did dishes until about 11:30pm, and then they were finally done!  Got it all put away (the holiday serving bowls, utensils, etc.).

Friday:  Bryan the same...not well, but not terribly sick.  The rest of us took down the autumn decor, inside and out, and put up some of the Christmas decor in the house...just a little, as I was tired!  The boys set up our "Mountain Village," my favorite!  Mostly we sat around and enjoyed each other's company.  :-)

Saturday: We made the annual trip up to Waunakee, Wisconsin, to get our Christmas tree from CaPaul's Tree Farm.  It's about a 2.5 to 3 hour drive up there, so about 6 to 7 hours for the entire day.  We take the dog (an 85 pound labrador), she loves it!  Bryan was coughing a bit, but said he felt pretty good! Found  a lovely Frasier fir tree, the boys sawed it down.  When we arrived home again, we microwaved leftover Thanksgiving dinner and had that, then unloaded the tree from the cartop, and got it in the house, trimmed and placed just right in the stand!  A nice drink of water and we let it set for the night to let the branches spread out wide.

Sunday (today):  Bryan is now officially sick!  He's starting to sound "goopy" and is coughing more.  I think the trip to the tree farm finally pushed him over the edge!  So he and Kevin stayed home from church while Nathan and I went (we are singing next week with the choir, so we needed to practice; we STILL need to practice, LOL!).  Our sermon was on the beauty and power of the Gospel message, and the beauty of the message of the CROSS, the power that is within that.  We hit Trader Joe's on the way home, plus the other grocery store nearby, for the week's items. 

Once home, Kevin and Bryan had gotten the lights on the tree (YAY!), and Bryan was beat.  So Nathan pretty much did the rest, with intermittant help from me and Kevin.  Here's the finished product, minus the tree skirt:

We had Christmas CD's playing all afternoon, and it is fairly cold and rainy today, so it helped make it seem more real that it's actually almost December!  It's been so warm all month, it hardly seems possible! 

Both boys spent a couple of hours studying, and are now caught up (YAY!!!) in their work.  College course ends in 2.5 weeks for Nathan, and we'll have our other homeschool classes done for the semester in about 3 weeks.  We are ALL really looking forward to that...it's been an intense semester, and we are weary.  But overall, the guys are doing well, and we are marching on toward completion!  My prayer is that Bryan would be healthy again very soon, and that Nathan and I would not catch this...but I'm pretty sure we will.  For Nathan, with his diabetes, these sort of viruses can really knock him out for a while.  NOT GOOD with finals coming up at the college in German!  But his teacher is very, very kind, and I'm sure she'll work with him and whatever his needs are.  He's a good student in her class, getting an "A" and participating really fully, so she enjoys him! 

That's our week...thanks for stopping by to visit!  Leave me a comment so I can find and visit you, too!

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below, giving the EXACT URL of your post.
  (Example: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you/123456)
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs and leave them comments, too!  I'll visit your blog once your link is posted!)

• Simply write a positive post about something (or things) that your homeschooling teenager has done which impressed you this week.  Keep it focused on good/encouraging/growth-maturity-related things you've observed about them; lessons they've learned, or that you've learned through them.  
• Link back to me (Lori @ Plans4You) in your post somewhere, so your readers will know where to go to join Thursday TAT.  If you'd like the link-button to put on your blog and/or at the top of your post, you can get it HERE. 
• Sign the Mister Linky below.
• Be sure to leave me a comment, and then visit the other participant's blogs! 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Things are moving at such a fast pace here, especially in our homeschooling and home training.  My babies of yesteryear are young men who are rapidly approaching independence.  I so love that opening Diana Waring quote, "Got Teens? You lucky dogs!!!"  I agree with her heart and soul.  I am so blessed to have teenagers in my life!  There are so many "horror stories" out there about raising teenagers, but I want to use this weekly theme to encourage and uplift, to share the joys and out-and-out delights of parenting and homeschooling teenagers!  I hope you'll share the fun alongside me!

Got teens?  Keep your eyes and ears open for something you'd like to share in a blog post on Thursday, and then come on over and join me!  Please tell your bloggy-friends about "Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers,"  so they can join, too! I look forward to reading your posts!   

You can use this Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers link button in a couple of ways:

1. Insert it at the top of your posts (like I have, above) 

2. Place it in your sidebar so others know you are participating (mine is in my left-hand sidebar)

Use the following code, taking out all the asterisks * first:

<*br><*center><*a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/plans4you">
<*img src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy360/kevloril/thursdaytatplans4you.jpg">
<*/a><*/center><*br/>

Thanks so much for joining Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers, I'm looking forward to reading your posts!

God Bless,

Lori @ Plans4You

Welcome to my "Weekly Wrapup" with Three Little Ladies :