Before You Vote...Remember

"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public

 

officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to

 

choose for rulers, 'just men who will rule in the fear of God.' The

 

preservation of [our] government depends on the faithful discharge of

 

this Duty; if the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in

 

office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for

 

the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or

 

incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public

 

revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the

 

citizen will be violated or disregarded. If [our] government fails to secure

 

public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect

 

the Divine Commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the

 

Laws." ~ Noah Webster

What Do You Think of Age-Segregated Ministry?

Divided from NCFIC on Vimeo.

Before watching the clip, don't forget to go to my playlist and hit pause.  For anyone interested in purchasing this video.  It is now out and included in the new 2011 Vision Forum catalog.  You can access the website here.  This one is on my wish list. 

Around the Home

Things have busy around our home lately, but it always seems that way!  These pictures of the children were taken when they went for a walk with Daddy.  He blessed me with a wonderful surprise.  Just out of the blue, he told me to take the whole morning and just go and do something that I wanted to do.  I ended up running errands that I had on my list of things to do and then did some visiting of places that I had always wanted to see, but never found the right time.  It was a very enjoyable morning and one I was very greatful to have.  I missed the family though, even for that little bit of time away.  We have been busy with school.  We just finished our 55th day for this year.  It is hard to believe we are already that far along!  I now have four children schooling...Joel was added this year.  Next year, all five will be officially "in school." 

I have been working trying to organize various areas in the house that have been nagging at me.  You know about those don't you?  Places that call your name every time you look at them saying, "Organize me...throw me away...etc."  I had quite a bit of curriculum that I was no longer using and had decided I probably wouldn't use again.  I spent several hours going through it piece by piece, putting like materials together and then putting the materials I would keep in the order that they would be needed for future use.  Then I sorted through old work and kept only those things I felt were important to keep.  I took my armload of materials to a new store here in town that consigns homeschool curriculum.  Hopefully, enough of my items will sell that I can turn around and begin buying those items for next year's school.  I like to plan ahead as much as possible.  Just like stocking a pantry, it is nice to buy a workbook here and there when funds allow so that if money gets tight, school will not suffer because of it.

I love this picture of Dh with my youngest.  It is so sweet.  God continues to be so faithful and gracious to us.  I cannot thank Him enough for the blessings of family.  I truly do not deserve the blessings He has given to me.  Press those little ones close to your heart...they grow up so very fast.

Where Did We Get Our Philosophy of Education?

"The education of all children,

from the moment that they can get along without a mother's care,

shall be in state institutions at state expense."

 

~Karl Marx

 

Sounds a little bit like what our government keeps trying to do huh?

Easy Oilcloth

I got this idea from The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen book.  Our table is large and since I have a family that enjoys their food very much, I was always washing the tablecloths.  I like having color on my table, but wanted the ease of clean-up.  So,when I saw this idea in the book, I was thrilled!   I bought some oilcloth from a seller on etsy and put it on my dining room table.  The table is large, so the hardest part was turning it over and placing it face down on the oilcloth.

Once we placed the table face down, I began cutting around the shape of the table and then took the staple gun and stapled it to the underside of the table.  The great thing about this is the ease of care.  I just wipe it off and it looks great after every meal.  It gives me the color I want and it is always ready for company!  And, if I decide that I want a different color tablecloth, I can always put one over it for a different look.

This is the small children's table I have in the kitchen.  This table top had been so beat up with children's toys and markings.  I wasn't ready to refinish it since my children are very young and there is still lots of playing to do yet!  So, this was an inexpensive fix.  This is actually the first one I did, so you can see a few more wrinkles in it.  I didn't allow for as much oilcloth on the underside as I should have.  But, I still really like the color and it is so cheery to look at!  There are so many different patterns and colors of oilcloth to choose from too.  So, there is something for most people's tastes.  So, if you are thinking about a new look for a table, why not give oilcloth a try?

Wonderful Book to Read

I am reading through a wonderful book right now by John S. C. Abott entitled, "The Mother at Home."  It is a wonderful book, full of timely advice from a Biblical perspective.  Here is just one quote from the book.

"She (the mother) must learn to control herself; to subdue her own passions; she must set her children an example of meekness and of equanimity, or she must reasonably expect that all her efforts to control their passions will be ineffectual.  A child gets irritated and strikes his sister; and the mother gets irritated and whips the chid.  Now, both mother and child have been guilty of precisely the same crime.  They have both been angry, and both in anger have struck another.  And what is the effect of this sinful punishment?  It may make the child afraid to strike his sister again but will it teach that child that he has done wrong that it is wicked to be angry?  Can it have any salutary effect upon his heart?  He sees this his mother is irritated, and thus is he taught that it it proper for him to be angry...This self-control, at all times, and under all circumstances, is one of the most important and most difficult things to be acquired."

From a Child's Perspective

Joy, my oldest daughter says to my seven year old Joanna, "The Bible says in Psalms 23 that, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

Joanna exclaims, "Joy, why should we not want Him?"

I am constantly amazed by how literal children are! But, you know, it really is a very good question.  Why should we not want Him?  I am reminded how often I can go about my day, checking off my to-do list and all the while forgetting to stop and meditate on the One who gives me life.  Today, let's make it a point to practice living in the presence of Christ.  For truly, that is what the being a follower of Christ is all about.

History Reading

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid book collector.  I have always had a great appreciation for books, mainly given to me by a mother who read to me almost non-stop!  So, when I became a homeschooling mom myself, it was easy to start filling the shelves with quality literature.  Unfortunately, many good history books are out of print and we have authors today who choose to rewrite history to fit into their political, spiritual and social agendas. 

A great resource for history books that we found out about years ago at a homeschool conference are the Landmark books.  There are about 200 of them, and most all of them are out of print.  We have picked up a few here and there from homeschool conferences we attended.  I have gotten some great deals on them through Ebay.  And I have also been fortunate enough to find them tucked away in obscure little used bookstores we have found while vacationing.  I never seem to take a vacation from searching for books!

I never thought we would have this many just picking up one or two here and there.  But, here they are.  I had my oldest daughter get them all out and write out the titles for me since I have been known to buy a book I already have!  We'll blame that one on getting older!  I urge you to look for these books when you are out and about.  They are written on about a fifth grade level, but hold so much information on their individual subjects that they are fit for adult reading as well.  Some of the best children's authors of the 50's were asked to author these books, so they capture the reader's attention.  My oldest son, Josiah, has really enjoyed these and has read several already.  Since they are out of print, some of them can be expensive, but at the homeschool conferences we have attended, they have ranged from about 8 to 12 dollars a book.  I have found quite a few of them much cheaper by winning auctions on Ebay or by finding them in used bookstores.  Other people have been successful getting them almost free from libraries that are discarding them!  So, when you are out and about, keep a lookout for Landmark books...and Happy Hunting!

Sisterly Love

Here are some candid shots of my oldest and youngest when we were away for a weekend on one of Daddy's retreats. 

Being an only child, I never knew the feeling of sibling love.  Now, as a Mom of five beautiful blessings, I get to watch my children and experience it vicariously through them.

Children are such a blessing.  I cannot imagine the walls of my home without their laughter, their song, their wailings, their hugs and kisses, and the preciousness of their souls we pray consistently will be reserved for Christ alone.

I thank God for giving me such blessings!