Fun in the Son - Homeschool Blogger

A Little Nuts

Thu, 5 Jul 2007 22:09:00 -0500

Dear Case,

You were born a little nuts. I mean it. We're Walkers. We're relatively, I don't know...reserved? Okay, maybe not once you get to know us, but to the general observing eye, we're pretty...boring. But not you. Before you could walk you were schmoozing the masses, climbing on furniture, and demanding attention. We'd go to parks when you were a toddler and before I'd know it some six or seven year old kid would be dragging you around saying "This is my friend James" or "Toby" or "Gertrude". You couldn't yet talk clearly enough for anyone to know exactly who you were, but it didn't matter. You answered to whatever they called you, did stunts to earn their applause, and smiled non-stop from ear to ear. To this day you ooze confidence and charisma.

God gives good gifts. Among other things, He's gifted you with a ready smile and friendly ways. Dad and I pray that you will always use these gifts to His glory. Remember that who you are is only because of Who He is. Of course, I'm exceedingly thankful that God made you the way He did. You're a goofy kid who makes us smile, is always ready with a hug, sparks our imaginations, loves Christ, and delights in babies and the elderly alike. You are all Walker, and yet you're a little more comfortable and a little less serious than the rest of us.

My continued prayer for you is that you never allow your charisma to become arrogance or your confidence pride. Remember your salvation. You're a redeemed worm. Of course, you're a worm that God created just a bit crazier than the rest of us. Peanut, I'm thankful you're just a little nuts!

First Born

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 05:48:00 -0500

Dear Kevers,

Your first Sunday at church found you dangling from Dad's arm in a baby carrier. I'm relatively certain that Dad let not one guest or regular attendee leave that service without acknowledging you with at least a friendly glance. Beaming from ear to ear he would literally shove the carrier in front of women making their ways to seats or men gathering their own children before the morning welcome. He was so proud of his first born son! He still is. And so am I.

What a help you have become in our home. Whether it's repairing a broken fence, fixing a computer problem, locking up the house at night, putting your hand on my arm when you sense I might need a little encouragement, reading the Word in Dad's absence, shoveling gravel, or folding loads of laundry, you have become an uncomplaining, Godly young man.

Dad and I are both first borns and understand the unique challenge of shouldering a bit more responsibility, the desire to please, and the blessings and curses of being the guinea pig. And yet, we've often forgotten these challenges when parenting you. Too often we expect much and praise little. Frequently we talk excessively and listen in moderation.

But I will not let today go by without telling you that I delight in seeing Jesus in you. As you grow more in love with the Lord I marvel at the joy of being both your earthly mother and your eternal sister in Christ. I am proud of who the Lord has created you to be and I can't wait to see your continued spiritual growth as you serve Him.

Never forget for Whom you live. This life is not your own, dear son. I love you. Lots.

Cooking 101

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:02:00 -0500

Steve's working on raising masculine boys...thus, the woodworking projects, manual labor, and auto mechanics lessons. I'm working on raising sons who can bless wives who might like a break due to sickness, fatigue, or just pure gentlemanly love...thus, laundering reminders, toilet-seat instructions (the lid goes down!), and cooking tips.

Last week the boys and I began a more intensive course of study for cooking and are, so far, thoroughly enjoying our Cooking 101 DVDs and book. Chef Jean-Pierre keeps the boys (and me) laughing...(with a thick French accent) "should we throw these mussels out jes because they're open? Nuh! They mey be sleepin'!" (smacking two mussels together) "Hallo! Are you sleepin'? Hallo! See! See! She closes! She jes sleepin'! (smack) Why do I say 'she'? (smack) How do I know it is not a 'he'? I am going to have to read that it one of my books. I do not know this!"

This week the boys tested some of their new-found skills. The boys thought I should share the recipe

Snapper and Orzo Puttanesca

4 snapper filet, 6-8 oz. each (we substituted tilapia)

Flour seasoned with salt and pepper to dredge fish

1 Tbls. olive oil

4 Tbls. sweet butter

1/2 cup chopped onions

2 Tbls. chopped garlic

2 cups tomato concasse (I had no idea what this was until the videos. For those of you as "clueless" as me, it's just peeled, seeded, and diced tomatoes)

2 Tbls. capers

4 finely chopped anchovies (I know it's weird to think about putting fish on top of fish, but it's tasty)

1 tsp. chopped rosemary

1 tsp. chopped thyme

1 cup vegetable or chicken stock

2 Tbls. chopped parsley

salt and pepper

Dredge the snapper in the seasoned flour. Heat the olive oil and 2 Tbls. of sweet butter in a saute pan. When hot, add the onions and cook until translucent Add the garlic and when fragrant, add the tomato concasse, capers, anchovies, rosemary, thyme, and stock. Let reduce for 2 minutes. Add 2 Tbls. more butter (I think the boys skipped this step in an effort to make it less fattening for Mom--I'm not sure that's a compliment ) and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve on a bed of orzo.

Just for Smiles

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:40:00 -0500

Out of honor for my husband, I will not go the "egg-head" route...

Passing-Over

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 23:35:00 -0500

Last week our family continued the tradition of enjoying a Passover celebration. I love the symbolism that non-Messianic Jews sadly miss: the three pieces of matzoh bread (representing the Trinity) with the second piece broken and hidden away (Jesus' broken body), the hidden matzoh later retrieved (the resurrection?), and the cup of fellowship (of which Jesus did not partake on the night before his death since he had the cup of wrath to drink, but that we enjoy because of His sacrifice). There's so much more of course: Jesus, the Passover lamb himself; salt water to remember the tears of bondage while in Egypt (our bondage to sin before redemption); herbs to remember the hyssop which brushed the blood above the doorposts (perhaps a tie-in to John 19 or Hebrews 9?).

I love the fact that God gives us Old Testament pictures to point us towards Christ and opportunities today to be reminded of the work done in Him. Our celebration was indeed a time of great rejoicing and thankful remembrance of the Lord's passing-over.

The Blessing of You

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 08:40:00 -0500

Dear Heather,

Most people don't expect to be the mother of a sixteen year old when they're thirty-something: I was no exception. And yet, just months after my thirtieth-first birthday, God radically changed my expectations...He gave us you.

When we adopted you--I never use that term legally; as far as I'm concerned, you became our daughter in April of 2001 not a year and a half later when the courts signed official papers--I didn't expect the myriad emotions that would run rampage in my mind. Love, fear, concern, worry, and protectiveness seemed to mingle in a jumbled confusion as I learned to be your mother.

I loved you before we adopted you, and yet differently than I would grow to love you. Unlike most moms, I knew my little girl before she was "mine". I'd come to care about you while Dad was your pastor, not your father, and I had grown to love you as we sang silly songs together in a tiny back room of our little church when I was your youth leader, not "Mommas". Once you came into our home, I found myself growing to love you more and more. Perhaps as I learned to sacrifice my own desires and began serving your needs better, I learned to love you more richly. Perhaps as you allowed your protective barrier to inch its way down further and further, I loved you more deeply. More likely, I believe that I loved you more and more as God knit the six of us into the Walker unit. You were chosen as a member of our family before the foundation of the earth. God had finally brought us together.

But I still had much to learn. I was still so self-centered in much of my thinking. I was afraid of making mistakes. I'd never parented a girl before, let alone one who was already a teenager. Would you love me back? Would I earn the title "Mom"? Would you wish you'd never become a part of our family? Would you rather live with your biological mother? Would...would...would? Each night I found myself questioning, wondering, and crying out to God. I was concerned that you wouldn't understand our desires for you and would rebel at our principles. I was afraid that we wouldn't capture your heart. I was concerned for your well-being at a public school when we were against everything that it represented. I was fearful for your spiritual health--worried that we wouldn't have enough time to teach you Godly principles. But God is faithful.

One tool that he used to grow us as mother and daughter was our journaling. I'm so thankful that we began writing to one another. Those letters were the beginnings of my love letters to you, my dear. As I wrote, I began to understand God's plan for me as your mother. I prayed for you before penning many of those notes and through those prayer times God began to grow a love deeper than I could have imagined possible. Slowly, my fears began to dissipate. Oh sure, I still worried about you, and still do, for that matter, (that's a mother's perogative, isn't it?) but it became the natural fears of motherhood, not the irrational fears of a floundering woman learning her role. My worries were gradually replaced by great joy in our relationship. My heart was filled with wonder at the blessings of God.

Six years later, I find myself changed again. You've been married for three years now, and our role has metamorphosed into a new delight; we've become friends. How good God is. How very, very, GOOD.

My daughter and friend, may you always know how very thankful I am for the blessing of you.

Fearsome Monster

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:00:00 -0500

Dear Corey,

If Dad and I had named you as the Old Testament prophets named their children, we might have called you "Son-of-Many-Faces". You love to entertain! Your clownish facial contortions make us smile and you've always delighted in bringing laughter through wiggling ears and alternating eyebrow lifts. Of course, your myriad faces haven't always served you well. I'll never forget a night many years ago: the night of the fearsome monster.

When you were about two and a half or three you realized that if you raised clawed hands, stomped your feet slowly across the living room, raised your eye brows high, and growled through half-smiling, snarled lips at your older brother, he would squeal hysterically, laugh uncontrollably, and run circles around the house. That of course, was just the payment "Son-of-Many-Faces" desired. So, one night when sweet-little-you came stomp-growling into our bedroom, Dad and I clung to one another with feigned terror while I cried, "Oh no! It's a monster! Help!" To this day, I shudder to remember your frightened face. The cute wide-eyed "beast" became once again, our sensitive Corey as you ran, panic on your face, full-speed into our arms. Never imagining yourself as a monster, you assumed that there was imminent danger from a prowling creature right on your heels.

You will find Corey, as you mature, many times when you will fail to recognize the monster that is you. What I mean is this: humans commonly fear the unknown--dark places, uncertain futures, big moves, rejection. But what we often fail to realize is that the biggest danger typically lurks much closer to home: right in our own flesh. Even as redeemed believers we face daily battles against ugly "self". If you can become a man who examines his heart on a daily basis, confesses his sinfulness, studies God's Word, abides by Scriptural principles, holds himself accountable to others, and prays for his Father's will rather than his own, you will become less and less "monster-like" and more and more Christ-like.

Last, dear son, remember the refuge you found in arms of your loving parents; your heavenly Father loves you infinitely more. He's there when the "monsters" really are at your heels and He's there when the struggles are a bit closer to home. At all times, even when the monster is you, find comfort in His arms.

With Love,

Mom

A Bunch of Violets

Fri, 9 Mar 2007 22:23:00 -0600

"Piglet had got up early that morning to pick himself a bunch of violets; and when he had picked them and put them in a pot in the middle of his house, it suddenly came over him that nobody had ever picked Eeyore a bunch of violets."

-The House at Pooh Corner

When I was a little girl and would spend a night at my paternal grandparent's home, my grandma always curled up with me to read aloud from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh books. How I loved the sweet way my grandmother did Piglet's bits--a little frightened sounding, yet brave...always gentle.

I want to live like that. I want to pick a bunch of violets and share them with a grump. I want to call to the neighborhood children to share the cheery joy of spring's first crocus opening it's brilliant cup to a world of browns and grays. I want to fill the gas tank of the stranded, smile at the broken-hearted, hug the stranger-woman who cries for a reason unknown. I want to open my door to the needy, call the lonely gal who desires to talk when I have "better things to do". I want to walk slowly with the aged, sing songs in the ears of the suffering, give until it costs. I want to be a balm to the hurting, a light to the dying, a living letter to the world. I want to live for Christ even when I'm a little frightened. I want to be brave...always gentle.

Unprepared

Sun, 4 Mar 2007 09:35:00 -0600

Dear Lord,

It's Sunday morning and I'm not prepared to worship. I'm tired, I don't feel well, and my mind is whirring with a "to do" list for the upcoming week. My heart is not focused on You, nor is it desirous of gathering with Your people. Try as I might, I cannot muster delight for the day. I am weary, Lord.

Isa 40:28-31
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
NKJV

I need your strength, my Great King! You who never grows weary, carry me today!

Heb 2:10-12

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:

"I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."
NKJV

As one whom you have redeemed and who is being sanctified by the working of Your Spirit within, I will, like my Lord Jesus, declare Your name today. Despite my emotions or lack of them, despite my failures to serve you well this week, despite my fatigue and insecurities, I will rejoice because you You Are, when I am not.

1 Chron 16:8-10

Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
NKJV

Holy One, my heart does rejoice because of Your great love and tender compasssion. You are a long-suffering, patient Creator as you mold and refine me. Make me like You! I love You my mighty King! Oh how I love You and long to be a reflection of You! I will love Your people today because You have purchased them with Your blood. I will sing Your praises today because my worship is not based on my feelings, but on Your perfect character. I will glory in Your holy name!

Promise Keeper

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:53:00 -0600

Yesterday's beautiful reminder of my mighty,

promise-keeping,

Lord:Psalms 16:9 "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope."