Winter Blahs

Winter weather that is too cold to be out for long, but not cold enough for snow, is just a drag. I think we are all feeling a little cabin feverish around here. It has been very rainy and damp, but not quite cold enough for snow. Noah and I are waiting for a nice clear evening so we can go out star gazing. We found a cool website that just requires your zipcode and they give you a pretty clear picture of what you should be seeing in the nighttime sky. So, roll on clouds and give us a glimpse.

Our homeschool group had it's first Laboratory Science class last Saturday. Pam Fredericksen taught it. Science is a passion of hers, and she is such an excellent teacher! They completed three whole lessons at one time. It was so good to hear her talk about how God had created what they were talking about, which was an eyeball, in a perfect way. They dissected it while us moms sat in the other room. Thankfully, the preserving method did not use formaldehyde, which makes me gag, so I was able to sneak in and take a few pictures. Parents of public schooled children miss out on so much of this kind of thing. I am so thankful we have the opportunity to school our kids at home.

The homeschool group will also be doing a literature class that I will be teaching. I ordered the books this week, so hopefully we will get that started soon as well. We will be reading The Bronze Bow, a historical novel set in the time of Christ. I haven't decided how we will record what we have discussed yet. Our last foray into literature, A Wrinkle in Time, we made lapbooks. The kids seemed to enjoy that, so maybe another one. I'll keep praying on it.

I realized I didn't post our Rule #2 last week. It was "We love, honor and pray for one another" and we memorized Romans 12:10 "Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other."

I think we probably could use another week of working on this one.

Laugh and the world laughs with you...

Sometimes my kids are so funny! A few days ago, we were watching a Ken Davis DVD. Ken was telling a story about a car accident he and his wife had gotten into, as he explained "we hit a cow doing 70 mile per hour" TJ, who is the most serious kid I know, very deadpan says "wow, fast cow". I about split a seam laughing so hard.
Our family is one that likes to laugh alot. We laugh mostly at ourselves. Laughter does good, like a medicine, Solomon wrote in the book of proverbs. We should be some of the healthiest people around, because we sure like to laugh. What a wonderful way Creator God distinguishes us from the animals. Animals do not laugh, they do not detect irony, nor do they enjoy a good pun (I know because I've tried a few on our pet rabbit, she doesn't crack a smile). Animals are concerned with only one thing...survival. Man on the other hand has been created for something much higher. To bring glory to God and to ENJOY His presence forever. What higher calling can there possibly be?

I had the awesome opportunity to practice the spiritual discipline of fasting today. I fasted and prayed for a friend who is going through a "dark night of the soul". Fasting has been one of the hardest disciplines for me to partake in on a regular basis. I am humbled at how the Lord meets me when I take the time to deny myself and focus on spending time with him.

My children get a kick out of "catching" me praying, as I usually go into the laundry room (the one place no one will follow me) and shut the door to pray. I can hear them tip-toe to the door to see if they can hear me or not. What a joy to know they will have a legacy of prayer. I have heard so many stories of men and women who can look back on their younger years and find peace in memories of mom and dad praying. I hope my children can look back and find joy in knowing we were lifting them up to the Throne of Grace.

We are finishing up Ancient Greece in our studies and moving on to Rome. I am so thankful for finding Sonlight. It really does everything I have tried to do over our homeschooling career. It gives me a solid spine of chronological (mostly) history that I can add and subtract from. Some of the readers have been more interesting than others, and some we have abandoned altogether, but overall, the literature choices have been wonderful. I wish I had known about it earlier in our homeschool experience, but Father God knew I would appreciate it more after trying it on my own, I guess.

We are also working the Apologia Science General Science book. The first unit has been quite a challenge, covering scientists and dates. We will have a unit test on Friday so we'll see how it goes. I know the kids are looking forward to something other than names and dates.

Today we began a family learning on The 21 Rules of This House. We are looking up Bible verses to back each rule and trying to memorize them. We hope to accomplish one a week. This weeks rule: We will obey God John 15:10 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love," what a wonderful promise!

Fresh Start

Well, we made in through the holidays. December was a tough month for us. We battled the respiratory flu bug, twice. The snuffly, sneezy, fever-so-you-can rest medicine helped us sleep it off the first time. The second time, we megadosed ourselves on vitamin C and tried to keep away from other people.
I am so thankful to the Lord for the work He is doing in us. We both really have sensed a different feeling since returning from vacation back in August. Prior to vacation, we knew we planned to stay here for a good long time, but we didn't think anyone else believed it. After returning, the atmosphere in church and in the community seems to be much more accepting of us. Or maybe, it's just our perception of how others see us. I don't know if we will ever be able to figure that one out. I'm just glad to feel more a part of the community here. I really feel like "home".
We have switched our Sunday evening service to the afternoon. After AM service, we have a lunch together then, what I am calling, "Second Wave". We are using DVD curriculum for bible study. We just got finished with God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg. Very good series! Next week we will start Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. I hope even the single people from the church will stay for this important series. More and more I realize how much marriage is a reflection of Yeshua's great love for His Bride, the church. So many young people don't see any value in marriage at all. The fault for that should be placed at the feet of those of us who haven't reflected the goodness and blessing found in marriage. We have done such a poor job of showing how good it is to be married that is seems a whole generation is ready to dismiss an entire institution, not to mention a commandment of God. Lord forgive us! Give us the kind of marriages that reflect You!

The Sweet By and By written by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauk

I am usually not drawn to books, especially novels, written by people who have gained their fame in other arenas. Sara Evans, a multi-platinum winning recording artist, may have changed my mind. Characters that are rich, real, and not involved in the music industry bring this story of a young woman with a bright future, but a dirty past, to life.
Jade is a young woman who seemingly has it all. A job she loves, her own business, a handsome, successful fiance. But just under the surface secrets from her past are keeping her at arms length from the One who can truly make her life complete.
I appreciated the role the pastor of the church the young couple plans to be married in conducts the pre-wedding meeting, not allowing the couple to gloss over some very important questions about their faith and the future.
I really wanted to dislike the character of Max's (the groom) mother. But even she had depth beyond the standard nosy-mother-in-law. As the truth is revealed, bit by bit, I could relate to her wanting to protect and defend her son.
This was a great first novel and should appeal to many of us who grew up on the fringes of the boomer generation.