After the post I wrote last night, I just heard this song on the radio a few minutes ago. It is awesome!
You can listen to this song on their website--it will start playing when you go to the link (don't click on the UTube button--it starts by itself).
http://www.castingcrowns.org/splash/altar/index2.php
You can pre-buy the album on their site. I can't wait to get this now!
Listen and be encouraged!! Our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west!!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Stepping Heavenward
I have been re-reading a book called, Stepping Heavenward - One Woman's Journey to Godliness by Mrs. E. Prentiss.
This book was written by Elizabeth Prentiss. She lived during the 1800's. This book was first published in 1869.
This book is written in the form of diary entries starting when the main character is 16 years old and records her thoughts, trials, joys, and experiences through her life.
I am finding that the book has some thought provoking entries, so I have decided to post these as I come to them.
Katherine (Katy) has been struggling to "be a good Christian" but always seems to fall short as she does things in her own strength. This passage comes from one of the conversations with her preachers about her new found faith/walk with the Lord and her struggles in that walk:
"'Poor child!' he said in a low voice, as if to himself 'Poor, heartsick, tired child that cannot see what I can see that its Father's loving arms are all about it!'
I stopped crying to strain my ears to listen. He went on. 'Katy, all that you say may be true. I dare say it is. But God loves you. He loves you.'
He loves me, I repeated to myself. He loves me. 'Oh, Dr. Cabot, if I could believe that! If I could believe that, after all the promises I have broken, all the foolish, wrong things I have done and shall always be doing, God perhaps still loves me!'
'You may be sure of it,' he said solemnly. 'I, His minister, bring the gospel to you today. Go home and say over and over to yourself, "I am a wayward, foolish child. But He loves me! I have disobeyed and grieved Him ten thousand times. But He loves me! I have lost faith in some of my dearest friends and am very desolate. But He loves me! I do not love Him; I am even angry with Him! But he loves me!'
I came away; and all the way home I fought this battle with myself, saying, 'He loves me!' I knelt down to pray, and all my wasted, childish, wicked life came and stared me in the face. I looked at it and said with tears of joy, 'But He loves me!' Never in my life did I feel so rested, so quieted, so sorrowful, and yet so satisfied." (pgs 58-59)
*Have you ever had this struggle within yourself? Condemning yourself for all your mistakes and failed attempts to please God? Please know that once you accept God's son, Jesus' sacrifice that was made so that we could be reconciled to the Father, that He loves you no matter how much you mess up! The more time we spend reminding ourselves of how great God's love is for us--not because of anything we have done ourselves--the easier it becomes to trust Him in all circumstances, and to thank Him for all the blessings (as well as trials) in our lives!
He is there with His arms wrapped around us as a loving father cuddles his child on his lap. He loves us!!
"Dr. Cabot came to see me today. I told him about it. He could not help smiling as he said: 'When I see a little infant caressing its mother, would you have me say to it, "You selfish child, how dare you pretend to caress your mother in that way? You are quite unable to appreciate her character; you love her merely because she loves you, treats you kindly.?"'
It was my turn to smile now at my own folly.
'You are as yet but a babe in Christ,' Dr. Cabot continued. 'You love your God and Savior because He first loved you. The time will come when the character of your love will become changed into one which sees and feels the beauty and the perfection of its object; and if you could be assured that He no longer looked on you with favor, you would still cling to Him with devoted affection." (pgs 61-62)
* What a great reminder that we don't have to have it all figured out right away, but that we will grow in our understanding of God's character as we go through the years in our relationship with the Lord! We should see change and growth in our relationship with the Lord every year. We will gain a greater understanding of who God is and who we are in Him as we study His Word.
May God bless you in your walk this week as you seek to learn more about who He is!
This book was written by Elizabeth Prentiss. She lived during the 1800's. This book was first published in 1869.
This book is written in the form of diary entries starting when the main character is 16 years old and records her thoughts, trials, joys, and experiences through her life.
I am finding that the book has some thought provoking entries, so I have decided to post these as I come to them.
Katherine (Katy) has been struggling to "be a good Christian" but always seems to fall short as she does things in her own strength. This passage comes from one of the conversations with her preachers about her new found faith/walk with the Lord and her struggles in that walk:
"'Poor child!' he said in a low voice, as if to himself 'Poor, heartsick, tired child that cannot see what I can see that its Father's loving arms are all about it!'
I stopped crying to strain my ears to listen. He went on. 'Katy, all that you say may be true. I dare say it is. But God loves you. He loves you.'
He loves me, I repeated to myself. He loves me. 'Oh, Dr. Cabot, if I could believe that! If I could believe that, after all the promises I have broken, all the foolish, wrong things I have done and shall always be doing, God perhaps still loves me!'
'You may be sure of it,' he said solemnly. 'I, His minister, bring the gospel to you today. Go home and say over and over to yourself, "I am a wayward, foolish child. But He loves me! I have disobeyed and grieved Him ten thousand times. But He loves me! I have lost faith in some of my dearest friends and am very desolate. But He loves me! I do not love Him; I am even angry with Him! But he loves me!'
I came away; and all the way home I fought this battle with myself, saying, 'He loves me!' I knelt down to pray, and all my wasted, childish, wicked life came and stared me in the face. I looked at it and said with tears of joy, 'But He loves me!' Never in my life did I feel so rested, so quieted, so sorrowful, and yet so satisfied." (pgs 58-59)
*Have you ever had this struggle within yourself? Condemning yourself for all your mistakes and failed attempts to please God? Please know that once you accept God's son, Jesus' sacrifice that was made so that we could be reconciled to the Father, that He loves you no matter how much you mess up! The more time we spend reminding ourselves of how great God's love is for us--not because of anything we have done ourselves--the easier it becomes to trust Him in all circumstances, and to thank Him for all the blessings (as well as trials) in our lives!
He is there with His arms wrapped around us as a loving father cuddles his child on his lap. He loves us!!
"Dr. Cabot came to see me today. I told him about it. He could not help smiling as he said: 'When I see a little infant caressing its mother, would you have me say to it, "You selfish child, how dare you pretend to caress your mother in that way? You are quite unable to appreciate her character; you love her merely because she loves you, treats you kindly.?"'
It was my turn to smile now at my own folly.
'You are as yet but a babe in Christ,' Dr. Cabot continued. 'You love your God and Savior because He first loved you. The time will come when the character of your love will become changed into one which sees and feels the beauty and the perfection of its object; and if you could be assured that He no longer looked on you with favor, you would still cling to Him with devoted affection." (pgs 61-62)
* What a great reminder that we don't have to have it all figured out right away, but that we will grow in our understanding of God's character as we go through the years in our relationship with the Lord! We should see change and growth in our relationship with the Lord every year. We will gain a greater understanding of who God is and who we are in Him as we study His Word.
May God bless you in your walk this week as you seek to learn more about who He is!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Body Clutter Resources!
I have been reacquainting myself with some great recipes and ideas for
losing weight.
You may or may not have heard of The Fly Lady, she has a great system
for cleaning/organizing your life/home. But she also developed a
weight loss type program for herself and has shared it with everyone! Her friend came up with menus to go along with the plan too! They have a book out that you can buy also.
You can read more about it at:
http://www.flylady.net/ Just scroll down a bit to the "Body
Clutter" Section. There are links to her new resources as well as a
link to the Body Clutter Menu Mailers (which I highly recommend--the
recipes are delicious!) and has added some new free downloads to do a "contract" for losing your Body Clutter and one for tracking your daily
"stats"--many things we don't normally think about tracking that do
affect our weight loss! It is called the Body Clutter Investigator. I
am going to start using this to help me track what I am/am not doing
each day!
Here is the link to the Body Clutter Menu Mailer:
http://www.savingdinner.com/menu_mailer/body_clutter_menu_mailer.html
Here is a link to more info about Body Clutter by Fly Lady!
http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp
Here is the link to all her menu mailers:
http://www.savingdinner.com/menu_mailer/subscribe_to_menu_mailer.html
Plus, if you look around, you will see that she has a variety of other
menus items like freezer cooking, etc. plus lots of tips!
I hope you enjoy checking out these resources! They are great!
losing weight.
You may or may not have heard of The Fly Lady, she has a great system
for cleaning/organizing your life/home. But she also developed a
weight loss type program for herself and has shared it with everyone! Her friend came up with menus to go along with the plan too! They have a book out that you can buy also.
You can read more about it at:
http://www.flylady.net/ Just scroll down a bit to the "Body
Clutter" Section. There are links to her new resources as well as a
link to the Body Clutter Menu Mailers (which I highly recommend--the
recipes are delicious!) and has added some new free downloads to do a "contract" for losing your Body Clutter and one for tracking your daily
"stats"--many things we don't normally think about tracking that do
affect our weight loss! It is called the Body Clutter Investigator. I
am going to start using this to help me track what I am/am not doing
each day!
Here is the link to the Body Clutter Menu Mailer:
http://www.savingdinner.com/menu_mailer/body_clutter_menu_mailer.html
Here is a link to more info about Body Clutter by Fly Lady!
http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp
Here is the link to all her menu mailers:
http://www.savingdinner.com/menu_mailer/subscribe_to_menu_mailer.html
Plus, if you look around, you will see that she has a variety of other
menus items like freezer cooking, etc. plus lots of tips!
I hope you enjoy checking out these resources! They are great!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Happy 9th Birthday!
My youngest daughter celebrated her 9th birthday in June with a friend party and a family party.
She had a lot of fun and was blessed with many items she had requested. What fun is to be had when you have little girls in the house!
Daughter you are a blessing from the Lord. Always our helpful, encouraging little one. You have had a heart for the Lord since your were tiny. You have always been verbally sharing encouraging words to everyone around you. You tend to want to lead and direct, which will serve you well as you learn to do so with continued patience and love. You are changing before our eyes from a little girl to a young lady.
May God continue to lead you in His ways all your days! God bless you our "pure, babbling brook"!
She had a lot of fun and was blessed with many items she had requested. What fun is to be had when you have little girls in the house!
Daughter you are a blessing from the Lord. Always our helpful, encouraging little one. You have had a heart for the Lord since your were tiny. You have always been verbally sharing encouraging words to everyone around you. You tend to want to lead and direct, which will serve you well as you learn to do so with continued patience and love. You are changing before our eyes from a little girl to a young lady.
May God continue to lead you in His ways all your days! God bless you our "pure, babbling brook"!
Never Enough Time!
I have been feeling slightly overwhelmed lately with all the "to-do's" I have on my list that I never seem to quite finish! I seem to go through phases where I am "on top" of that list and other times where I just can't seem to keep up! If only time would stop for about 2 weeks for me to get caught up....so I think to myself!
I am really working this week to get my outside job responsibilities caught up while I am also beginning to work on detail planning for the kid's school lessons for the rest of the summer and into the fall. I want to try to have things more laid out (in addition to our unit work which I always plan out) so they can become more responsible for completing their oen work each week. Especially for my two older kids, they need to realize that school isn't over until the work for the day is done! Even if that means working into the evening and missing out on "free time". I know that if we are consistent with this tactic, they will reap the benefits of being a more disciplined student and they will be able to make progress much more quickly.
To help me with this very detailed planning, I am using The Full-Year Notebook System by Julie Anderson. I have my own way of planning in general and for our KONOS Units (which is posted on www.konoskarats.com under Resources) but I am going to try out this method also to see if the more detailed layout will help us all to stay on track better despite all our activities and responsibilities that will start back up in the Fall. It is going to require some time before we start to really lay everything out, but after the work will come the reward of plans to follow and no excuses to take unnecessary breaks during the year!
You can read more about her system at: www.full-year-notebooks.com
Although I like the flexibility of being able to do what we want, when we want, as the kids are getting older we need more structure to make sure they cover the basics they need before graduating along with all the extracurricular/enrichment activities we are involved in.
I will try to give an update on my progress as I work through this system!
The Lord is faithful and I know He blesses the time we spend getting our life in order...it only allows us more time with Him!!
"The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation." Psalm 118:14 KJV
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 KJV
I am really working this week to get my outside job responsibilities caught up while I am also beginning to work on detail planning for the kid's school lessons for the rest of the summer and into the fall. I want to try to have things more laid out (in addition to our unit work which I always plan out) so they can become more responsible for completing their oen work each week. Especially for my two older kids, they need to realize that school isn't over until the work for the day is done! Even if that means working into the evening and missing out on "free time". I know that if we are consistent with this tactic, they will reap the benefits of being a more disciplined student and they will be able to make progress much more quickly.
To help me with this very detailed planning, I am using The Full-Year Notebook System by Julie Anderson. I have my own way of planning in general and for our KONOS Units (which is posted on www.konoskarats.com under Resources) but I am going to try out this method also to see if the more detailed layout will help us all to stay on track better despite all our activities and responsibilities that will start back up in the Fall. It is going to require some time before we start to really lay everything out, but after the work will come the reward of plans to follow and no excuses to take unnecessary breaks during the year!
You can read more about her system at: www.full-year-notebooks.com
Although I like the flexibility of being able to do what we want, when we want, as the kids are getting older we need more structure to make sure they cover the basics they need before graduating along with all the extracurricular/enrichment activities we are involved in.
I will try to give an update on my progress as I work through this system!
The Lord is faithful and I know He blesses the time we spend getting our life in order...it only allows us more time with Him!!
"The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation." Psalm 118:14 KJV
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 KJV
Friday, June 08, 2007
Update on life....
I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted! How time flies when you are busy!
As a follow up to my post about Healthy Eating/Weight Loss tips, I can say that it does help--just doing some of the tips. I lost several pounds and started feeling better as I made a point to follow what my friend suggested.
Unfortunately, this past week has been crazy and I have been staying up way too late! It won't change tonight as we have Bible Study and are always up late!
We have been busy trying to finish up various topics with school and enjoy some summer time fun with friends. It has been a busy but good couple of weeks.
In the midst of the fun and work, my grandmother because ill with pneumonia for the second time in 2 months. It caused her body to begin shutting down this time and she passed away on Wednesday evening. I will be doing a separate post about her shortly.
So, we are all still here, plugging along and trying to enjoy each other as we do so!
Have a blessed weekend!
As a follow up to my post about Healthy Eating/Weight Loss tips, I can say that it does help--just doing some of the tips. I lost several pounds and started feeling better as I made a point to follow what my friend suggested.
Unfortunately, this past week has been crazy and I have been staying up way too late! It won't change tonight as we have Bible Study and are always up late!
We have been busy trying to finish up various topics with school and enjoy some summer time fun with friends. It has been a busy but good couple of weeks.
In the midst of the fun and work, my grandmother because ill with pneumonia for the second time in 2 months. It caused her body to begin shutting down this time and she passed away on Wednesday evening. I will be doing a separate post about her shortly.
So, we are all still here, plugging along and trying to enjoy each other as we do so!
Have a blessed weekend!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Healthy Eating/ Weight Loss Tips
I am continuing my journey towards losing my extra "fluff" after a bit of a break the past few months. I will be posting "my story" that I recently shared with some fellow homeschool moms in the near future.
Tonight, I just wanted to post the tips a fellow homeschooling mom shared with me. They will help you lose weight and get your metabolism going even before you start to watch what you eat or exercise! Some of these I knew about (and have seen them work) and some I didn't.
Here they are:
1. Eat within 30 minutes of waking up (I also drink a glass of water with a little lemon juice in it first thing in the morning.)
2. Eat small meals throughout the day when you are hungry (many people who struggle with excess weight have lost their ability to tell when they are actually hungry, this is one of the first things to work on!)
3. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Divide your current weight in half, and drink that many ounces of water a day. You can work up to this amount over several days if needed. It will help to cleanse your body, keep you correctly hydrated (we often mistake thirst for hunger) and help you be more alert!
4. Go to bed by 10:30pm and get up at the same time each morning regardless of when you go to bed! Once again, work up to this better schedule! It will keep you from wanting to eat late night snacks and my friend explained that certain stress hormones are also secreted when you stay up late, making your body stressed the whole next day!
5. Sleep in complete darkness. Your body will actually get more rest that way and it will function correctly!
If you try some of these, let me know how it works for you! I have been working on all of them to some degree or another this week and my weight has dropped by 2 pounds! We will see if it continues. I will be working on eating healthier as I go along also. Right now, I am writing down everything I eat to get an accurate picture of how what I am eating, doing and trying out the above tips, is affecting my weight!
I will share more as I can of my progress!
Tonight, I just wanted to post the tips a fellow homeschooling mom shared with me. They will help you lose weight and get your metabolism going even before you start to watch what you eat or exercise! Some of these I knew about (and have seen them work) and some I didn't.
Here they are:
1. Eat within 30 minutes of waking up (I also drink a glass of water with a little lemon juice in it first thing in the morning.)
2. Eat small meals throughout the day when you are hungry (many people who struggle with excess weight have lost their ability to tell when they are actually hungry, this is one of the first things to work on!)
3. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Divide your current weight in half, and drink that many ounces of water a day. You can work up to this amount over several days if needed. It will help to cleanse your body, keep you correctly hydrated (we often mistake thirst for hunger) and help you be more alert!
4. Go to bed by 10:30pm and get up at the same time each morning regardless of when you go to bed! Once again, work up to this better schedule! It will keep you from wanting to eat late night snacks and my friend explained that certain stress hormones are also secreted when you stay up late, making your body stressed the whole next day!
5. Sleep in complete darkness. Your body will actually get more rest that way and it will function correctly!
If you try some of these, let me know how it works for you! I have been working on all of them to some degree or another this week and my weight has dropped by 2 pounds! We will see if it continues. I will be working on eating healthier as I go along also. Right now, I am writing down everything I eat to get an accurate picture of how what I am eating, doing and trying out the above tips, is affecting my weight!
I will share more as I can of my progress!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Free Ebooks!! Win a Prize!
Hello, everyone! I just wanted to share about this great site I found. I have already been able to download over 20 books for free!
There are all categories of books and the free book of the month (on the front page towards the bottom) is the Velveteen Rabbit.
Just go to: http://www.wowio.com/index.asp
Click to sign up for a free account on the right hand side. When you get to the part of the registration asking if anyone referred you, please enter my email address (minus the spaces):
wencla 2004 @ earthlink . net
Have a look! It is all free and you can find many types of books good for adults and children!
There are all categories of books and the free book of the month (on the front page towards the bottom) is the Velveteen Rabbit.
Just go to: http://www.wowio.com/index.asp
Click to sign up for a free account on the right hand side. When you get to the part of the registration asking if anyone referred you, please enter my email address (minus the spaces):
wencla 2004 @ earthlink . net
Have a look! It is all free and you can find many types of books good for adults and children!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Clean Room!
Our boys, 7 and 10 1/2 years old, share a room. They have been struggling lately with keeping their room cleaned up. A lot has to do with the younger one not putting things away when he is done, but both have some bad habits we are trying to work on.
Well, yesterday, they did a great job getting the room cleaned up with the youngest actually doing a majority of the cleaning this time! He was so proud of himself! He even cleaned out their closest!
Here are a few pictures of their progress. I know it may not be "clean" by some standards, but for them it is a major improvement and they will finish up some of the problem areas today (like the corner of clean clothes to put away and boxes--the clothes are actually done now).
Well, yesterday, they did a great job getting the room cleaned up with the youngest actually doing a majority of the cleaning this time! He was so proud of himself! He even cleaned out their closest!
Here are a few pictures of their progress. I know it may not be "clean" by some standards, but for them it is a major improvement and they will finish up some of the problem areas today (like the corner of clean clothes to put away and boxes--the clothes are actually done now).
Harvest Honey Cake
A friend of mine has inspired me to do some baking! She has been making a new, yummy dessert each day this week!
I worked on making Banana Bread and then making a new cake called Harvest Honey Cake. The recipe is from a Pampered Chef cookbook (and one that is "from scratch"). I used mostly organic products to make it, so it was even a little "healthy" for you!
Baking is one thing that we used to do a lot of but have gotten away from doing. I want to do more cooking with my kids in the coming months so they will know how to cook a variety of items and help with meal preparations!
Here are a few pictures of my oldest daughter helping with the cake and then the finished products.
These are the apples she cut up for the bake.
I worked on making Banana Bread and then making a new cake called Harvest Honey Cake. The recipe is from a Pampered Chef cookbook (and one that is "from scratch"). I used mostly organic products to make it, so it was even a little "healthy" for you!
Baking is one thing that we used to do a lot of but have gotten away from doing. I want to do more cooking with my kids in the coming months so they will know how to cook a variety of items and help with meal preparations!
Here are a few pictures of my oldest daughter helping with the cake and then the finished products.
These are the apples she cut up for the bake.
Monday, May 07, 2007
New Endeavors--Studying and Using Herbs
I have recently started a new quest to learn all about herbs, how to use them and how to make them into my own products to use with my family and friends.
I started my journey by visiting: The Bulk Herb Store I purchased a couple of books from them as well as well as a number of herb combination packs and the awesome water filter system they have on their site. Their prices are great and the products are also great! There is a wealth of information in the various articles on the site as well.
The books I purchased, Herbal Antibiotics and Practical Herbalism, are wonderful resources! I am trying read through and learn as much as I possibly can (of course, it is in between all my other "normal" responsibilities).
I also found a great source for containers and other supplies useful in the making of herbal concoctions: Mountain Rose Herbs They offer a large selection of organic products as well as supplies for making soap, cosmetics, herbal preparations, etc. They also have some articles and recipes you can try out.
I came across this site recently, LearningHerbs.com They offer a lot of helpful information on their site. They also have a free ecourse "Supermarket Herbalism" which shows you how to use common items you can find at your grocery store to help your family. They have a starter kit you can buy that comes with instructions to get you started with making your own products---I haven't purchased it, but it looks like a great set.
My assortment of nicely packaged herbal concoctions!
So far I have made several batches of "Miracle Rub" in various forms--a salve/rub, an oil rub and a rubbing alcohol based rub. They all actually work very well!
I have also made a batch each of the Women's and Men's "Jungle Juice". It is basically a combination of herbs to support health in men or women. They are made in a glycerin base.
I have made several other tinctures. They are "Immune Booster" and "Restful Sleep". The Immune Booster is to use when you start to have symptoms of a cold, flu, etc or even just allergies. The Restful Sleep tincture is to help with falling and staying asleep and it can also be used in a smaller dose to help children or adults calm down.
I have just finished making a batch of "The Vinegar of Four Thieves". It is to be used as a natural insect repellent on people and animals. We will see how it works this summer!
It is fun to experiment with how to use herbs. It is amazing how many "weeds" that we try to kill in our yards, are actually beneficial plants! I plan to spend part of the summer teaching my kids more about the herbs, how to use them and how to make herbal preparations to help our family and our friends.
God truly has provided all we would need to keep ourselves healthy and to help our bodies heal in the plants and trees that He created!
I started my journey by visiting: The Bulk Herb Store I purchased a couple of books from them as well as well as a number of herb combination packs and the awesome water filter system they have on their site. Their prices are great and the products are also great! There is a wealth of information in the various articles on the site as well.
The books I purchased, Herbal Antibiotics and Practical Herbalism, are wonderful resources! I am trying read through and learn as much as I possibly can (of course, it is in between all my other "normal" responsibilities).
I also found a great source for containers and other supplies useful in the making of herbal concoctions: Mountain Rose Herbs They offer a large selection of organic products as well as supplies for making soap, cosmetics, herbal preparations, etc. They also have some articles and recipes you can try out.
I came across this site recently, LearningHerbs.com They offer a lot of helpful information on their site. They also have a free ecourse "Supermarket Herbalism" which shows you how to use common items you can find at your grocery store to help your family. They have a starter kit you can buy that comes with instructions to get you started with making your own products---I haven't purchased it, but it looks like a great set.
My assortment of nicely packaged herbal concoctions!So far I have made several batches of "Miracle Rub" in various forms--a salve/rub, an oil rub and a rubbing alcohol based rub. They all actually work very well!
I have also made a batch each of the Women's and Men's "Jungle Juice". It is basically a combination of herbs to support health in men or women. They are made in a glycerin base.
I have made several other tinctures. They are "Immune Booster" and "Restful Sleep". The Immune Booster is to use when you start to have symptoms of a cold, flu, etc or even just allergies. The Restful Sleep tincture is to help with falling and staying asleep and it can also be used in a smaller dose to help children or adults calm down.
I have just finished making a batch of "The Vinegar of Four Thieves". It is to be used as a natural insect repellent on people and animals. We will see how it works this summer!
It is fun to experiment with how to use herbs. It is amazing how many "weeds" that we try to kill in our yards, are actually beneficial plants! I plan to spend part of the summer teaching my kids more about the herbs, how to use them and how to make herbal preparations to help our family and our friends.
God truly has provided all we would need to keep ourselves healthy and to help our bodies heal in the plants and trees that He created!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
On love, rudeness, smiling and hypocrisy
It is interesting how God will put multiple events/conversations, etc. before us that all relate to a similar theme. He usually does this to teach us something and to make us search His Word for His truth!
The past few days have been one such occurrence for me. I had been reading through several devotions at Above Rubies . Then, as I was "blog surfing", I came across a post on a blog that was talking about hypocrisy, smiling and referring to the author of the devotions at Above Rubies. The particular devotion was entitled, "The Warmth of A Smile" by Nancy Campbell. Then, a friend posted on our homeschool egroup list some comments on another recent devotion she had received. It is posted here.
I wanted to share what the Lord has taught me about these ideas. Nancy makes a statement towards the end of her devotional, "Try it dear mother. Start smiling at your children. Keep smiling at your children. Smile when you are happy. Smile when you are unhappy. Smile even when you don’t feel like smiling." The blog I came across as I was "surfing" was critical of this statement. She thought that it was hypocritical to "smile even when you don't feel like smiling".
Unfortunately, the whole point of the devotional thought is being missed. If we are walking in the warmth of God's smile (realizing how He is looking upon us), we should be doing the same with our children! God's Word talks repeatedly about being joyful whether we "feel" like it or not (1-feelings/"fleshly reactions" are deceitful and not what we are to pin our understanding on anyway). It doesn't mean we are always "happy" in the situation but we are filled with joy (2) because God is faithful even when we are not!
We need to remember to share that joy with our children! It is so easy to give lots of smiles to everyone but our own family, so it wouldn't hurt to try to keep it foremost in our mind to make sure we smile when the opportunity arises. Many tense moments have been broken by a smile or a laugh in the midst of it... "(3)laughter is good medicine". It doesn't have to be done hypocritically... but we may have to renew our minds to the understanding of how God wants us to be with our kids and others around us. Smiling at others would be done in obedience to what God calls us to do--"love one another". It may take some effort, but with God's help--asking HIM to help us realize when to share a smile, when to laugh/release our tension, etc.--we can share the joy He has placed within us.
If we make ourselves smile, even if it is only in the mirror at ourselves, it will change our mood and attitude. Try it sometime, you just might make yourself laugh! So Nancy is right in saying that smiling can change the atmosphere of our homes, and there is nothing wrong with that! We tend to take our own family for granted so much and spend more time fussing with or about them instead of seeing them through God's eyes.
I know I do this often, unfortunately. My prayer is that God will open my eyes and my heart to see my children and family as He does, even in the midst of tough or stressful situations!
Just a few examples:
1- John 6:63; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 26:41; Romans 8:1, 5
2- Psalm 16:11, 27:6, 51:12; Nehemiah 8:10; Habbakuk 3:18; Zephaniah 3:17; I Thessalonians 2:19
3- Proverbs 17:22; Job 8:21; Psalm 126:2
The past few days have been one such occurrence for me. I had been reading through several devotions at Above Rubies . Then, as I was "blog surfing", I came across a post on a blog that was talking about hypocrisy, smiling and referring to the author of the devotions at Above Rubies. The particular devotion was entitled, "The Warmth of A Smile" by Nancy Campbell. Then, a friend posted on our homeschool egroup list some comments on another recent devotion she had received. It is posted here.
I wanted to share what the Lord has taught me about these ideas. Nancy makes a statement towards the end of her devotional, "Try it dear mother. Start smiling at your children. Keep smiling at your children. Smile when you are happy. Smile when you are unhappy. Smile even when you don’t feel like smiling." The blog I came across as I was "surfing" was critical of this statement. She thought that it was hypocritical to "smile even when you don't feel like smiling".
Unfortunately, the whole point of the devotional thought is being missed. If we are walking in the warmth of God's smile (realizing how He is looking upon us), we should be doing the same with our children! God's Word talks repeatedly about being joyful whether we "feel" like it or not (1-feelings/"fleshly reactions" are deceitful and not what we are to pin our understanding on anyway). It doesn't mean we are always "happy" in the situation but we are filled with joy (2) because God is faithful even when we are not!
We need to remember to share that joy with our children! It is so easy to give lots of smiles to everyone but our own family, so it wouldn't hurt to try to keep it foremost in our mind to make sure we smile when the opportunity arises. Many tense moments have been broken by a smile or a laugh in the midst of it... "(3)laughter is good medicine". It doesn't have to be done hypocritically... but we may have to renew our minds to the understanding of how God wants us to be with our kids and others around us. Smiling at others would be done in obedience to what God calls us to do--"love one another". It may take some effort, but with God's help--asking HIM to help us realize when to share a smile, when to laugh/release our tension, etc.--we can share the joy He has placed within us.
If we make ourselves smile, even if it is only in the mirror at ourselves, it will change our mood and attitude. Try it sometime, you just might make yourself laugh! So Nancy is right in saying that smiling can change the atmosphere of our homes, and there is nothing wrong with that! We tend to take our own family for granted so much and spend more time fussing with or about them instead of seeing them through God's eyes.
I know I do this often, unfortunately. My prayer is that God will open my eyes and my heart to see my children and family as He does, even in the midst of tough or stressful situations!
Just a few examples:
1- John 6:63; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 26:41; Romans 8:1, 5
2- Psalm 16:11, 27:6, 51:12; Nehemiah 8:10; Habbakuk 3:18; Zephaniah 3:17; I Thessalonians 2:19
3- Proverbs 17:22; Job 8:21; Psalm 126:2
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Resurrection Day!
We enjoyed a fairly quiet day at home and then with extended family today.
To start the day off, we made Resurrection Rolls together. It is a fun way to go over the details of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Here are the instructions and below are several pictures of the kids working on the rolls and what they looked like at the end. My kids ask each year for us to do these rolls, not only because it is fun, but because they taste really good!
I hope you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday! He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
************************************************************
Here are the closed "tombs" after baking. They then got to open them below.
To start the day off, we made Resurrection Rolls together. It is a fun way to go over the details of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Here are the instructions and below are several pictures of the kids working on the rolls and what they looked like at the end. My kids ask each year for us to do these rolls, not only because it is fun, but because they taste really good!
I hope you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday! He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
************************************************************
Resurrection Rolls
Here's a new twist on the Resurrection Cookie idea for Easter, both are recipes you can do with your kids/grand kids in order for them to understand the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This fun recipe uses Crescent rolls and a disappearing marshmallow!
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar
Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.
Read Matthew 27:57-61
1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)
6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)
Now read Matthew 28:5-8
Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!
After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."
However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.
May you have a blessed and meaningful Easter!
- Author Unknown -
**********************************************************************
Preparing the "cloth" and eventual "tomb".
The wrapping of "Jesus' body" after being "embalmed/anointed" in oil and spices.
One of the rolls after baking--this one opened on it's own!
Here are the closed "tombs" after baking. They then got to open them below.
Opening the "tombs". He is Risen!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Should We Expose Our Children to Worldly Issues?
This topic was brought up on my local homeschool group's moms' discussion board. I thought I would post me recent post here also.
A friend who had been teaching an Essay Writing class this past semester, brought up the question about protecting our kids but also making sure they are aware enough of the world around them, especially as they approach the high school years, to be able to answer questions that will come up on essay tests, SAT, etc. intelligently. If they have never had the opportunity to discuss various issues openly at home in light of a Christian Worldview, how can we expect them to go out into the world and share an intelligent witness to others?
Anyway, my post below is about a book I just finished reading that should be a priority to read for every parent! I encourage you to buy it and check it out for yourself!
******************************************************************************************
I have just been reading through For the Children's Sake--Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.
This is an excellent book. She covers many aspects of the Charlotte Mason approach to learning as well as many other great ideas.
It gives you a lot to think about and ways to examine yourself to see how you are doing in the "job" of educating your children for LIFE.
The section I am reading now is related to what S.M. originally posted about making sure we discuss issues with our children.
This Chapter is-- Education: A Science of Relationships. She covers many areas in this chapter, but in the section below, she is referring to how we are teaching our children to have what we now refer to as a Christian worldview---how we look at everything in relation to the God who created this world and who is ever present--not just making things "separate" but how to truly make all of life into one complete "picture or story"--no separation between "religion" and "academics" or the "real world". God's world IS the real world!
Anyway, here is a section from this chapter, just some ideas to think about! From pages, 101 to 103.
"It is an imperative priority, as never before, to allow our children to learn to think, understand, and see the central truths quite explicitly and clearly. This is a central part of the "Christian" aspect of our education.
We were able to show the film series Whatever Happened to the Human Race to our daughter's school. Attendance was optional. The children were between thirteen and sixteen years old, from average homes. They were absolutely riveted by the ideas of who the person is and his worth, and the topics of euthanasia, abortion, old age, and so on. Discussion afterwards was lively and penetrating. Children need to consider practical issues. They want to think. They want answers. Christianity is part of that rock of reality about which youngsters long to know. They need to understand how contemporary issues fit into what the Bible says.
Have you read The Plague by Camus with a group of fifteen-year-olds? Have they wondered over the problem of evil, the human problem? In reading this novel, do they notice the fallacy of the priest's argument? 'God has willed this child to suffer.' Do they think about how different the biblical perspective is: that the suffering was unleashed by man's choice to disobey God? That all individuals, and the course of history, are caught up in this river of consequence; an abnormal world?
Do they read Brave New World and discuss the logical conclusion of the humanist view of man, his morality, humanity, and social purpose?
Can they pick up something like Time magazine, read it, and think about where it fits into the Christian framework?
Do they come home from school, or from having seen a TV program, and spontaneously discuss what is right, what is wrong?
Have they thrashed through the reasons why the Bible is true? Do they understand the fallacies of other positions? Can they remember numerous occasions when the Bible was seen to fit like a key into the keyhole of reality? Do they know about the historical and archaeological evidence? Are they amazed at how the philosophical ideas of the Bible fit into the way we find reality to be?
They should not be left with only a feeling--'I know it's true because I feel it in my heart.' That is not enough.
One morning they will wake up and you will be gone, and so will their feelings.
Do they know?
All of this is 'Christian education'.
Seeing fallacies. Understanding. Knowing the Bible. Thinking. Judging ideas. Seeking and keeping ears open. Being in touch. "
You'll have to get the book to read the rest of what she has to say!
This book will be an inspiration to all homeschooling families!
A friend who had been teaching an Essay Writing class this past semester, brought up the question about protecting our kids but also making sure they are aware enough of the world around them, especially as they approach the high school years, to be able to answer questions that will come up on essay tests, SAT, etc. intelligently. If they have never had the opportunity to discuss various issues openly at home in light of a Christian Worldview, how can we expect them to go out into the world and share an intelligent witness to others?
Anyway, my post below is about a book I just finished reading that should be a priority to read for every parent! I encourage you to buy it and check it out for yourself!
******************************************************************************************
I have just been reading through For the Children's Sake--Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.
This is an excellent book. She covers many aspects of the Charlotte Mason approach to learning as well as many other great ideas.
It gives you a lot to think about and ways to examine yourself to see how you are doing in the "job" of educating your children for LIFE.
The section I am reading now is related to what S.M. originally posted about making sure we discuss issues with our children.
This Chapter is-- Education: A Science of Relationships. She covers many areas in this chapter, but in the section below, she is referring to how we are teaching our children to have what we now refer to as a Christian worldview---how we look at everything in relation to the God who created this world and who is ever present--not just making things "separate" but how to truly make all of life into one complete "picture or story"--no separation between "religion" and "academics" or the "real world". God's world IS the real world!
Anyway, here is a section from this chapter, just some ideas to think about! From pages, 101 to 103.
"It is an imperative priority, as never before, to allow our children to learn to think, understand, and see the central truths quite explicitly and clearly. This is a central part of the "Christian" aspect of our education.
We were able to show the film series Whatever Happened to the Human Race to our daughter's school. Attendance was optional. The children were between thirteen and sixteen years old, from average homes. They were absolutely riveted by the ideas of who the person is and his worth, and the topics of euthanasia, abortion, old age, and so on. Discussion afterwards was lively and penetrating. Children need to consider practical issues. They want to think. They want answers. Christianity is part of that rock of reality about which youngsters long to know. They need to understand how contemporary issues fit into what the Bible says.
Have you read The Plague by Camus with a group of fifteen-year-olds? Have they wondered over the problem of evil, the human problem? In reading this novel, do they notice the fallacy of the priest's argument? 'God has willed this child to suffer.' Do they think about how different the biblical perspective is: that the suffering was unleashed by man's choice to disobey God? That all individuals, and the course of history, are caught up in this river of consequence; an abnormal world?
Do they read Brave New World and discuss the logical conclusion of the humanist view of man, his morality, humanity, and social purpose?
Can they pick up something like Time magazine, read it, and think about where it fits into the Christian framework?
Do they come home from school, or from having seen a TV program, and spontaneously discuss what is right, what is wrong?
Have they thrashed through the reasons why the Bible is true? Do they understand the fallacies of other positions? Can they remember numerous occasions when the Bible was seen to fit like a key into the keyhole of reality? Do they know about the historical and archaeological evidence? Are they amazed at how the philosophical ideas of the Bible fit into the way we find reality to be?
They should not be left with only a feeling--'I know it's true because I feel it in my heart.' That is not enough.
One morning they will wake up and you will be gone, and so will their feelings.
Do they know?
All of this is 'Christian education'.
Seeing fallacies. Understanding. Knowing the Bible. Thinking. Judging ideas. Seeking and keeping ears open. Being in touch. "
You'll have to get the book to read the rest of what she has to say!
This book will be an inspiration to all homeschooling families!
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