I haven't blogged much lately as the kids are on Spring break which means later mornings around here, plus we have had some illness. We continue plodding along in our house/farm search, inspired by some friends who built their own house over the course of several years. We fellowshipped with this family this past Sunday at their beautiful home, enjoying a good meal and burgeoning friendship. We hope to hear this week whether the family interested in buying our home here will put an offer down. We still continue to pray for the resolution of our house in Alabama, we know it will work out in God's perfect timing.
Finally, my Uncle Pat O'Hare passed away this past week after a long illness. I know my Aunt is glad he is in no more pain but the ache of losing one's life partner must be very difficult.
That's it for now...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Spiritual Disciplines, The 17th Amendment
I finished the book "Spiritual Disciplines" by Donald Whitney. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it for those pursuing a closer walk with God.
Also, we had a great discussion last night in my Constitution class regarding the 17th Amendment and how the Progressives upset the balance of power the Founders originally set forth. This Amendment must be repealed to bring the legislature back into accountability and after this week's passage of the Health Care Bill it is obvious that these people feel accountable to no one but themselves. Again, a high recommendation of this class to others - I will post when the mentor will be offering it again in the future.
I am working on finishing up Douglas Wilson's book, "A Case for Classical Education" and will be reading either "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns or one of Rosalie Slater's books on The Principle Approach next. I am working on a combination of the Trivium model of education with the Thomas Jefferson Education model and want to find out how The Principle Approach fits in as well.
One point that Donald Whitney made in his Spiritual Discipline of Learning is that there are so many books and such a short lifetime to read them - we must be sure that what we are reading is worthwhile and furthering our walk with God. This is especially true of what we are reading to our children. Just because it is a "classic" doesn't mean it is God honoring and should be part of the paedia of God in the teaching of our children.
Time for some coffee...
Also, we had a great discussion last night in my Constitution class regarding the 17th Amendment and how the Progressives upset the balance of power the Founders originally set forth. This Amendment must be repealed to bring the legislature back into accountability and after this week's passage of the Health Care Bill it is obvious that these people feel accountable to no one but themselves. Again, a high recommendation of this class to others - I will post when the mentor will be offering it again in the future.
I am working on finishing up Douglas Wilson's book, "A Case for Classical Education" and will be reading either "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns or one of Rosalie Slater's books on The Principle Approach next. I am working on a combination of the Trivium model of education with the Thomas Jefferson Education model and want to find out how The Principle Approach fits in as well.
One point that Donald Whitney made in his Spiritual Discipline of Learning is that there are so many books and such a short lifetime to read them - we must be sure that what we are reading is worthwhile and furthering our walk with God. This is especially true of what we are reading to our children. Just because it is a "classic" doesn't mean it is God honoring and should be part of the paedia of God in the teaching of our children.
Time for some coffee...
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
From the writings of Amy Carmichael
Amy Carmichael kept a card in the front of her Bible which read- (she was a missionary to children in India)
" These children are dear to Me. Be a mother to them, and more than a mother. Watch over them tenderly, be just and kind. If thy heart is not large enough to embrace them, I will enlarge it after a pattern of my own. If these young children are docile and obedient, bless Me for it; if they are froward, call upon Me for help; if they weary thee, I will be thy consolation; if thou sink under the burden, I will be thy Reward."
" These children are dear to Me. Be a mother to them, and more than a mother. Watch over them tenderly, be just and kind. If thy heart is not large enough to embrace them, I will enlarge it after a pattern of my own. If these young children are docile and obedient, bless Me for it; if they are froward, call upon Me for help; if they weary thee, I will be thy consolation; if thou sink under the burden, I will be thy Reward."
Flip Flop
Well, our daughter who was leaving has apologized and asked again to stay - apparently her bio mother was not very congenial. Our daughter says she realizes she would be making a big mistake and had prayed God would put a stumbling block up if she was doing the wrong thing. So its back to looking for a job which hopefully she will procure soon.
My Agriculture class was fun -teenage boys are very chatty on the classroom chat box- but it was fun to see so many of them inspired to be future farmers. I look forward to more sessions in the future.
I am almost done with my Easter sewing but not much of that today - I have bread and tortillas to make instead. Thank God for good, hot coffee!
My Agriculture class was fun -teenage boys are very chatty on the classroom chat box- but it was fun to see so many of them inspired to be future farmers. I look forward to more sessions in the future.
I am almost done with my Easter sewing but not much of that today - I have bread and tortillas to make instead. Thank God for good, hot coffee!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A sad side of older child adoption
One of our adult daughters has decided our usefulness to her is done and so she will be moving back with her biological parents next week (the same biological parents who threw her out less than three months ago when she called us tearfully asking to please send her a next day airline ticket which we did). Because she does not want to have to work for her needs and wants but rather wants a hand out she plans to now live her life in a brawling, immoral household, not caring who she harms or hurts in the process. As older child adoptive parents we must realize that we help children because it is what God has asked us to do, not because we are expecting love or gratitude in return because in most cases this will not happen. We are serving others out of our love and servitude to God...
Monday, March 22, 2010
Housing and Health Care
We had a favorable house showing this past Friday - looks like the folks (who are organic farmers) are pretty interested - they will make their decision in the next two weeks.
On another note, the passage of the Health Care Bill sickens me - more so, now that I am taking this Constitution class and I realize the gross injustice the house performed against it. Health Care is not a right of every citizen, good medical care is a benefit afforded to those who work hard enough to afford it. Personally, I believe health insurance should not exist, instead doctor care should be paid out of pocket just like any other service performed. I believe the insurance companies (and the legal systems of this country) have made the prices so high this is now impossible, similar to the cost of housing now which makes it virtually impossible to pay cash and have no mortgage.
So, my response will be to continue to feed my family in a very health manner so that doctor visits are all but obsolete (we havent taken a child to the doctor for anything other than acute injury in years) and I am glad that midwifery is legal in our state as I imagine quality OB care will become almost impossible to find in the coming years.
Finally, I begin an online class focusing on Agriculture this week - I am very excited. Eric and Linda will be taking one on the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" and Lucas is starting one entitled, "Transformational Writing" - lots of good learning going on.
On another note, the passage of the Health Care Bill sickens me - more so, now that I am taking this Constitution class and I realize the gross injustice the house performed against it. Health Care is not a right of every citizen, good medical care is a benefit afforded to those who work hard enough to afford it. Personally, I believe health insurance should not exist, instead doctor care should be paid out of pocket just like any other service performed. I believe the insurance companies (and the legal systems of this country) have made the prices so high this is now impossible, similar to the cost of housing now which makes it virtually impossible to pay cash and have no mortgage.
So, my response will be to continue to feed my family in a very health manner so that doctor visits are all but obsolete (we havent taken a child to the doctor for anything other than acute injury in years) and I am glad that midwifery is legal in our state as I imagine quality OB care will become almost impossible to find in the coming years.
Finally, I begin an online class focusing on Agriculture this week - I am very excited. Eric and Linda will be taking one on the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" and Lucas is starting one entitled, "Transformational Writing" - lots of good learning going on.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A quote from George Washington
"I know of no pursuit it which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals and other branches of a husbandmen's cares."
Monday, March 15, 2010
Turkey eggs and more baby goats
Well, the baby goats keep coming - we have had 5 born in the last week - they look great and are very sweet and finally a female in the bunch!
In addition, we have a turkey that is laying - Ricky tried a fried turkey egg yesterday. The eggs are pretty big and speckled. Hopefully one of the turkeys will go broody soon and we will have poults!
We also watched the new Sense and Sensibility movie in spurts these past few days - its very well done - no real immodesty issues like the previous ones - we enjoyed it! Its too bad there are not more men like Colonel Brandon...
Finally, looks like we will have quite a few customers from church once we get the farm up and able to sell products - have several people asking already...
Still adjusting to daylight savings time (and I am a morning person) so that's all for now...
In addition, we have a turkey that is laying - Ricky tried a fried turkey egg yesterday. The eggs are pretty big and speckled. Hopefully one of the turkeys will go broody soon and we will have poults!
We also watched the new Sense and Sensibility movie in spurts these past few days - its very well done - no real immodesty issues like the previous ones - we enjoyed it! Its too bad there are not more men like Colonel Brandon...
Finally, looks like we will have quite a few customers from church once we get the farm up and able to sell products - have several people asking already...
Still adjusting to daylight savings time (and I am a morning person) so that's all for now...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Great Books, Food and Worship
I attended my first colloquium on the Great Books of the Western World last evening. Each of us (there were 5) were asked to bring points to discuss from the readings (Plato, Aristotle and Aristophanes). The discussion was enlivening (despite the head cold we seem to be passing along in the family right now) and I look forward to more in the future. For anyone looking to think on a deeper level (something greatly missing in our culture today) I recommend these courses offered through:
Face to Face with Greatness
Second, we have on occasion watched a TV show called "Man vs. Food". We don't watch much TV but have watched this a few times. This show really bothers me. It glorfies gluttony- its a large man who goes around to different unique restaurants and eats their largest possible portion of their "famous" food - usually in a timed contest. The people in the background cheer him on as he proceeds to gorge himself over and over to the point of almost being sick. This show makes it cool to sin and to have no self restraint. Its also shows one of the problems of having men with no greater purpose than self gratification and entertainment-they are extremely childish. Now on to a more pleasant thought-
In the book, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" Donald Whitney talks about worship. Here is a quote:
"Since worship is focusing on and responding to God, regardless of what else we are doing (in my case holding squirming young ones) we are not worshiping if we are not thinking about God. You may be listening to a sermon, but without thinking of how God's truth applies to your life and affects your relationship with Him, you aren't worshiping. You may be singing, 'Holy, Holy, Holy', but if you aren't thinking about God while singing it, you are not worshiping. You may be listening to someone pray, but if you aren't thinking of God and praying with them, you aren't worshiping...Jesus said the greatest commandment involved loving God with all the heart and with all the mind (Mark12:30). Otherwise we worship in vain."
Face to Face with Greatness
Second, we have on occasion watched a TV show called "Man vs. Food". We don't watch much TV but have watched this a few times. This show really bothers me. It glorfies gluttony- its a large man who goes around to different unique restaurants and eats their largest possible portion of their "famous" food - usually in a timed contest. The people in the background cheer him on as he proceeds to gorge himself over and over to the point of almost being sick. This show makes it cool to sin and to have no self restraint. Its also shows one of the problems of having men with no greater purpose than self gratification and entertainment-they are extremely childish. Now on to a more pleasant thought-
In the book, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" Donald Whitney talks about worship. Here is a quote:
"Since worship is focusing on and responding to God, regardless of what else we are doing (in my case holding squirming young ones) we are not worshiping if we are not thinking about God. You may be listening to a sermon, but without thinking of how God's truth applies to your life and affects your relationship with Him, you aren't worshiping. You may be singing, 'Holy, Holy, Holy', but if you aren't thinking about God while singing it, you are not worshiping. You may be listening to someone pray, but if you aren't thinking of God and praying with them, you aren't worshiping...Jesus said the greatest commandment involved loving God with all the heart and with all the mind (Mark12:30). Otherwise we worship in vain."
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Great Books of the Western World
My big boxes came in the mail the other day - containing The Great Books, The Gateway to the Great Books and The Reading Plan for the Great Books - I began delving in yesterday and found out that I have already completed the first two readings so I am ahead of the game...
I am almost finished with my Alethia skirt by Lila Tueller and will start Easter dresses today. In addition, I have been reading some intriguing information about fasting and meditation-two lost spiritual disciplines in our day.
Further- I found a really neat manifestation of technology the other day - downloadable sewing patterns. My favorite Kwik Sew patterns purchased online (at a discount no less) and then able to be printed and glued together from home-how awesome is that??
Thirdly, our oldest adopted son (he is an adult) going through some rough times of his own making-I am praying that God will use these things to regenerate his heart.
Finally, Navy and Green bean soup for lunch and homemade Spaghetti and Italian bread for dinner...yum - plus the baby bucks keep coming - another goat kidded yesterday - lots of goat sausage in the future I guess!!
I am almost finished with my Alethia skirt by Lila Tueller and will start Easter dresses today. In addition, I have been reading some intriguing information about fasting and meditation-two lost spiritual disciplines in our day.
Further- I found a really neat manifestation of technology the other day - downloadable sewing patterns. My favorite Kwik Sew patterns purchased online (at a discount no less) and then able to be printed and glued together from home-how awesome is that??
Thirdly, our oldest adopted son (he is an adult) going through some rough times of his own making-I am praying that God will use these things to regenerate his heart.
Finally, Navy and Green bean soup for lunch and homemade Spaghetti and Italian bread for dinner...yum - plus the baby bucks keep coming - another goat kidded yesterday - lots of goat sausage in the future I guess!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
How do we pass on what we do not have ourselves and the first baby goats
On a recent Sunday morning our pastor was lamenting on the lack of maturity he finds in the youth of our church. Much of this is because the youth of our culture are ingrained with the notion that they must be entertained constantly, hence the tuning out on personal music devices, the large number of computer video games, TV, movies, etc... even their books must be action packed or they are deemed "boring". Gone are the days when good books were meant to teach you valuable lessons on living right and developing good character.
However, the following Sunday our Pastor taught on Exodus 34, the passage that speaks on the sins of the fathers being passed on to the third and fourth generations. Why are our youth living lives like they are? Because we taught it to them!! Our generation started the personal music craze with the walkman. We began watching long hours of TV. We despised agricultural and living off of the land for the ease of postage stamp lots in subdivisions and prepackaged/5 minute foods in the grocery store. We don't take the time to read hard books because they are, well HARD!! We don't practice the spiritual disciplines so why should be expect them from our children? We spend much of our time "working for the weekend" so we can be entertained. Our children's lack of hard work and dumbing down is the manifestation of ourselves-we must clean up our act if we want the youth to change theirs. Off my soap box for now...
On another note, the first baby goats of the season were born yesterday- 2 males. They look strong and healthy and mama doe is doing great. Pictures to come...
However, the following Sunday our Pastor taught on Exodus 34, the passage that speaks on the sins of the fathers being passed on to the third and fourth generations. Why are our youth living lives like they are? Because we taught it to them!! Our generation started the personal music craze with the walkman. We began watching long hours of TV. We despised agricultural and living off of the land for the ease of postage stamp lots in subdivisions and prepackaged/5 minute foods in the grocery store. We don't take the time to read hard books because they are, well HARD!! We don't practice the spiritual disciplines so why should be expect them from our children? We spend much of our time "working for the weekend" so we can be entertained. Our children's lack of hard work and dumbing down is the manifestation of ourselves-we must clean up our act if we want the youth to change theirs. Off my soap box for now...
On another note, the first baby goats of the season were born yesterday- 2 males. They look strong and healthy and mama doe is doing great. Pictures to come...
Spiritual Disciplines, Classical Education
So far I have read through the first Spiritual Discipline detailed by Donald Whitney in his book and have started the second. The first spiritual discipline is Intake of God's word through Bible reading, sermons, Bible memorization and meditation. I readily admit that I am not disciplined in this area. I love to listen to sermons but its easy to become very distracted at home while listening and at church while juggling little ones. I am praying that God will help me in this area as I do want to please Him.
The second discipline in Mr. Whitney's book is Prayer. I do talk to God all day long as He brings things to mind to pray about but I don't have a formal time of prayer - I am looking forward to reading the suggestions in the book on how to do better at this discipline as well.
I am also enjoying Douglas Wilson's "The Case for Classical Education." While I don't agree with all the methodology of the Classical School model (preferring the TJED model in application), his case for teaching children in a Christ based, Classical method is right on. Seeking God and His glorification must be the purpose of all education-without it, there really is no point, as glorifying God is the chief end of man. On this book's heels I have ordered, "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns which was recommended by a family at church.
Finally, a week of rest is in order here, Steve is involved in work stuff so not around much, some kids are sick, prayer and fasting regarding housing situations for me and working on compiling classical book lists, as well as sewing projects...till next time.
The second discipline in Mr. Whitney's book is Prayer. I do talk to God all day long as He brings things to mind to pray about but I don't have a formal time of prayer - I am looking forward to reading the suggestions in the book on how to do better at this discipline as well.
I am also enjoying Douglas Wilson's "The Case for Classical Education." While I don't agree with all the methodology of the Classical School model (preferring the TJED model in application), his case for teaching children in a Christ based, Classical method is right on. Seeking God and His glorification must be the purpose of all education-without it, there really is no point, as glorifying God is the chief end of man. On this book's heels I have ordered, "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns which was recommended by a family at church.
Finally, a week of rest is in order here, Steve is involved in work stuff so not around much, some kids are sick, prayer and fasting regarding housing situations for me and working on compiling classical book lists, as well as sewing projects...till next time.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Lots of sewing and reading
Time to start cranking out easter dresses. I am going to be using Jennifer Paganelli "So St. Croix" fabric for dresses for Emma, Elizabeth and Hannah and skirts for Raven and I. I am also starting an heirloom correspondence class through the Smocking Arts Guild of America. The project is a lined jumper and blouse for little girls and I will be using "Beach House" fabric by Robyn Pandolph. Robyn is one of my favorite designers - I am greatly anticipating her "Fancy Hill Farm" fabric coming out in June.
I am also excited to have received a book by Donald Whitney about spiritual disciplines - I browsed it last night and it looks excellent at first glance. More on this later as I go through it.
I am also excited to have received a book by Donald Whitney about spiritual disciplines - I browsed it last night and it looks excellent at first glance. More on this later as I go through it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Designing our home
Well, we have shifted again in our home thoughts - we are now looking at possibly designing our own home. I sat down yesterday and designed my "dream home". Steve and I both like the look of the log/timberframe home but don't want to go that much into debt. So, we are investigating two panelized building systems here in our area. One is made with cedar, the other steel I think. Anyway, I have designed a simple barn style home - a large rectangle with three levels - the top level being completely open with a kitchen, half bath under the stairs and that's it. This way, we can have our dining area and entertainment area up there - lots of open space would make hospitality much easier as we could just move couches and add tables at will, plus we could move all of that aside and set up folding chairs to hold mentoring meetings if we wanted to. I would also have my sewing machines in that area so that when the kids are reading and playing, I can be working on those projects at the same time.
The second level contains the master bedroom and bath, 3 secondary bedrooms and 1 bath, a large office for Steve, a TJED closet and a library/music room. The house would enter into the library/music room so this would be the most formal room of the house. Our goal is for a quiet place to read. A covered porch would be right outside this room for outside enjoyment. The secondary bedrooms on this floor would house the girls.
The basement level contains 3 more bedrooms, a bath, a large keeping/storage room, a large laundry/freezer, milk processing room and an open playroom. This would be where the boys sleep.
Next week, we hope to take this plan to a few builders in this area and see if they can give us an estimate. We only want to have a builder take the house to the drywall stage and then let us finish it ourselves. This way, we can hopefully save some money and pick up some carpentry skills for both us and our kiddoes.
The second level contains the master bedroom and bath, 3 secondary bedrooms and 1 bath, a large office for Steve, a TJED closet and a library/music room. The house would enter into the library/music room so this would be the most formal room of the house. Our goal is for a quiet place to read. A covered porch would be right outside this room for outside enjoyment. The secondary bedrooms on this floor would house the girls.
The basement level contains 3 more bedrooms, a bath, a large keeping/storage room, a large laundry/freezer, milk processing room and an open playroom. This would be where the boys sleep.
Next week, we hope to take this plan to a few builders in this area and see if they can give us an estimate. We only want to have a builder take the house to the drywall stage and then let us finish it ourselves. This way, we can hopefully save some money and pick up some carpentry skills for both us and our kiddoes.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Evenings with Victoria Botkin
I attended my first online session with Victoria Botkin last night. I am very excited about having her as a mentor as God uses her to exemplify the calling in Titus 2. Unfortunately I had to leave her mentoring session a bit early to switch over to my Great Books session but since I will receive an MP3 file that I can keep on my Ipod I know I can make up what I didn't hear.
My Great Books session was very informative as well. We had a side discussion about Plato's "Crito" as well as some beginning discussions on Transformational Writing. The concept of this intrigues me and since Lucas will be taking a seminar on this in a few weeks I will look forward to seeing what skills he develops and will possibly take the class in the future.
We have a gentleman coming this morning to install a new higher speed internet system which will hopefully allow our computer to keep up with all of our online classes...
My Great Books session was very informative as well. We had a side discussion about Plato's "Crito" as well as some beginning discussions on Transformational Writing. The concept of this intrigues me and since Lucas will be taking a seminar on this in a few weeks I will look forward to seeing what skills he develops and will possibly take the class in the future.
We have a gentleman coming this morning to install a new higher speed internet system which will hopefully allow our computer to keep up with all of our online classes...
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