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Enter Our Website
my mini blog-roll
below
Our Guestbook
guestbook entries
now moderated.
As Usual, it doesn't
take long for a
malcontent and a
mischievous person
to
play a bit of
sabotage.
Blog Comments
[moderated]
I moderate bcz not
all the comments
received would be
appropriate to
share.
email:
pamela at
achristianhome.org
or postal mail
po box 2130
snohomish,
washington 98291 usa
When you want to say,
Welcome
Home,
how do you do it?
A few things...
 This
is my blography - simply
my personal thoughts;
this blog is
just a small part or
purpose of this website.
The chief aim of this
site is to bring glory
to God and good food of
His Word to families.
May each visit fill you
with fresh bread and
lingering words to
savor.
 Someday
maybe my
children will
read "mama's
blog" and catch
a glimpse of
some
of what was
"important" each
day, "snap-shots" of the
day, what was
going on in the
world and what
really stirred
up some of my
thoughts.
Whatever is
"documented"
here will pale
in comparison to
the importance
of their lives
to me: really,
my husband, my
children —they
are my
story — they are
my legacy.
So...
I'm a believer, a follower of
Jesus Christ, my LORD and
because of Him, I'm a help-meet
for my husband, the mother of
eleven children and a
daughter-in-law and happy gramma
to three. I share slices of
life because of what God is
doing and has done --- and with
the hope
of being an encouragement to others
to press on toward the mark
(Philippians 3.14)
Some
days I find it difficult to
escape to the quiet area to
write. But, it is on those days
I am most likely perfecting
domestic skills or the craft of
being a keeper at home.
But that's one of my life goals
after all... that of being a
quintessential keeper at home
and all it connotes.
Would that it be said of me in
my home and of you in yours:
Proverbs 31.28-30 "Her children
arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he
praiseth her. Many daughters
have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all. Favour is
deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the
LORD, she shall be praised."
I've not "arrived," but in the
course of following and serving
the LORD Jesus, and being a help
meet for my husband, that's
where I'm headed.
dear-to-me
Blogs
I try to read at least every
couple of days:
in no particular order
no particular agenda;
some thoughts might
surprise the reader,
some might
astonish;
but all inform.
I'd
probably
link
to
Phil
Johnson's
stuff
but...
which
would
I
choose
to
post
here?
(as always... my
disclaimer:
As with any link on our
site: we don't
necessarily endorse
everything that's said and,
of course we don't endorse
every link that may be
posted on a site.
As Sarg (hillstreetblues)
used to say: Be careful out
there!
Political:
I've been reading:
♥ The Bible
♥ too many BLOGS!!!!
♥ The Mommy Manual
by Barbara Curtis
♥ Diary of Private Prayer
-John Baillie
(read regularly)
These are a few of the
places we regularly visit on
the Net!
A few websites...
(I have more to add when time
allows)
Verse For
Loving Hearts
Glenys
Robyn Hicks writes quality
Christian verse for all
occasions. 'Verse For Loving
Hearts' is a home-based business
in Melbourne Australia, offering
a compassionate
and confidential service for
expressions of heartfelt
emotion... personalized house
plaques, words for greeting
cards, in fact,
anything at all that you need to express..
examples of
glenys work
♥
cmomb.com
Christian Moms of Many Blessings
♥
parentingwithpurpose
Titus 2.3-5
The aged women likewise, that
they be in behaviour as becometh
holiness, not false accusers,
not given to much wine, teachers
of good things; That they may
teach the young women to be
sober, to love their husbands,
to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers
at home, good, obedient to their
own husbands, that the word of
God be not blasphemed.
oikourov
oikouros, oy-koo-ros'
from 3624 and ouros
(a guard; be "ware");
a stayer at home, i.e.
domestically inclined
(a "good housekeeper"):
--a keeper at home.
Hence this blog:
Views and slices of life; and
thoughts,
between sips of coffee,
of a quintessential keeper at
home
CURRENT MOON
moon info
|
I'll be Seeing You
I'll be
seeing you
in all the old
familiar
places
That this heart
of mine embraces
all day
through
In that small café,
the park
across the
way
The children's carousel,
the chestnut
trees,
the wishing well
I'll be seeing you in
every lovely
summer's day
In everything
that's light and gay
I'll always think of you
that way
I'll find you in
the mornin' sun
And when
the night is new
I'll be looking
at the moon
But I'll be seeing you |
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September 29, 2005
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Another
year... another birthday
Our
second son's birthday today... it'll
be a day wondering where twenty four
years has gone or how did they pass
so quickly. All I know is that
I sure wish I had dropped what I was
doing that day... that Summer day
when he was swinging on the swing in
the backyard outside the kitchen
window where I was washing dishes at
the sink. He called to me,
"Come push me, Mama!" I said, "Justa
sec... I'm busy right now." I
never went out to push him on the
swing and as I have thought about
that many, many times, I'm pretty
sure that's the last time he was on
the swing---or it was the last time
I recall him asking me to push him,
anyway. And then my mind
wanders to many other "last time's"
and I recognize a friend named
Melancholy has come to call.
Melancholy reminds me of lots of
other "last time's" ---other "Justa
sec's" in my motherhood years... and
all the times I couldn't stop to
play, couldn't stop to read another
story or build another tower or
watch another hoop shot.
Melancholy takes a sip of coffee,
sits back and puts her feet up on my
desk here... and she reminds me of a
bunch of things----and I stop
typing. And listen awhile.
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September 28, 2005
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More ironies of slices of the day
It's
a pretty sure reality that whenever I make an
attempt to move from one square to
the next, the devil is right there
swift and eager to take a swing at things...
reminding me of failings, my
shortcomings, some people's opinions
of me, things I never have completed
or don't know how to do, and on and
on.
I had to laugh---really, yesterday
when I came back to my computer to
complete the formatting of a file in
a new section here on the website I am devoting to
letters to mothers. Amusing
(or pathetic) is
the only way to describe the series
of events that followed my
preparation of that new section and
prior to the children's naughty
adventure. Now... time allows
me the perspective to see the
children
weren't intentionally naughty and
they weren't intentionally
disobeying known commands-----yeah,
I know... that's a stretch.
But again, I'm an old mom whose
pretty stretched lately and so
because of that, I'm a bit more
pliable. I didn't tell them that,
though. I understand children
and I understand that they get
caught up in the moment sometimes
and all common sense and training in
obedience goes out the window---or
down the lane, as the case may be. They woke up
this morning remembering they will "never-ever-ever-ever-ever-ever"
do that again. I smiled: "I
know, I love you" I said with a kiss... five
times over.
So,
letters to mothers. That's
funny. Funnier, now. I
was folding a "white load"
(translated: a longer time at the dryer)
and was mulling over children's
behaviour. Children, any
children. I was considering
the children from a family I used to
know. The behaviour of the
children was actually strikingly outlandish and
nothing at all like the training of
or behaviour of the parents of those
children. I considered some of
the behaviours of some of our
children and, frowning, I thought
the very same thing: where on earth
did they learn *that!?* I
considered behaviours of other
children---behaviour that is totally
contrary to many things they ever
were allowed or trained to do at
home. So I thought... perhaps
I would put some of my letters to
women up here on the site to perhaps
encourage other mothers to press on
and that no matter how things seem
today, God's Word still stands and His
ways are still right and the narrow
path is still the right path to
travel---no matter how dark the way
might appear at the moment and no
matter how rocky the path might seem
some days. It will be worth it
all when we see Jesus. I
thought about posting some of them
but then I thought not---because
today the titles of the letters
would start something like: From one
loser mother to one who feels like
one---and that didn't seem like a
very strong beginning---really. I'm not
fetching for some "hey, you're not
so bad" mail-----nor am I ready for
mail from people who're just waiting
for an opportunity to say, "told ya
so."
One
of the drawbacks to blogs is that
they're often filled with the
surfacey stuff that really doesn't
accurately portray the substance of
the blogger or the significance of
the life
under the thin slices of the day.
On the other hand, I guess that's why lots of us blog.
Many
thanks to those who've written such
gracious letters and comments that've been so
encouraging. Really---thank you.
 Your Comments
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Some comments received will be
posted below the original, related
blog entry
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September 27, 2005
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The
ironies of slices of this day
I'm
struck with life humour and how
frequently I miss finding humour in
life's situations. I'm struck
with how interesting it is when
reality collides with my perception
of reality. And they really
are two totally different things
quite often --- unfortunately.
So today I am sitting at the table
talking with a mom---a mom younger
than me but one with several
children and the similar desire to
have well trained, loving, obedient
children. There is a point to
telling that piece of information.
As I was sitting there talking over
the couple of areas I have been
waffling on lately, I was thanking
her for her great idea for
disciplining the children to get
back on track in that area---it
happened to be piles of shoes at the
back door that was the heavy,
important, issue we were talking
about while our children were
happily playing in the yard.
We could see them running back and
forth, playing---most of the time. I
was talking about how glad I was,
otherwise, that they were obeying
and following through with their
chores and responsibilities.
So,
we were sitting there for a very
brief visit---very
encouraged, sharing advice for that
"child-training" issue. We were sipping
coffee---she from a paper-cup with a sippy-cup type lid purchased
somewhere in town and me from a
mug that had probably been in the
microwave a half dozen times already
this morning. I had talked
with our children about gathering
hazelnuts earlier and, of course,
knowing that they were not going to
end up in the kitchen any other way,
I told them to go ahead and pick
them up *and* I told them they could
also gather them to bag up and sell,
too. That seemed fair
enough---I knew what *I* meant.
The children---mine and hers were
delighted!
Soon,
our visit at the table came to a
necessary end as we noted the
time---she needed to get going and I
needed to get the children back
inside for their lessons.
Suddenly, it struck me that the
children were down the lane, we
would soon learn, hollering and hailing passersby
--- urging them
to buy the rumpled bags of nuts
they'd so obediently picked up
around the hazelnut trees.
They were filled with delight that a
couple of people had even bought
some of the nuts and they even had
some coins and a dollar bill to show
for it. What pandemonium!
Though
we both didn't really show or even
feel it at the time, the mother of the
other children was as stunned as I
was that our little entrepreneurs
had blazed that trail. So,
she gathered up her remaining children
into their van, I gathered mine from
the lane and we made our way back up
the walk... I was instant in prayer
as to how to handle the little
state of affairs that was now in my lap to
deal with.
An excerpt from my favourite
devotional book by John Baillie:
Teach me. O God, to
use all the
circumstances of my
life
to-day that they may
bring forth in me
the fruits of
holiness
rather than the
fruits of sin.
Let me use
disappointment as
material for
patience:
Let me use success
as material for
thankfulness:
Let me use suspense
as material for
perseverance:
Let me use danger as
material for
courage:
Let me use reproach
as material for
longsuffering:
Let me use praise as
material for
humility:
Let me use pleasures
as material for
temperance:
Let me use pains as
material for
endurance.
... John Baillie, A
Diary of Private
Prayer [1949]
So there were five young ones
who needed to face life.
And rather than to allow my
description of their
disobedience and what might
have been a very bleak,
dangerous situation to teach
them, I knew I needed to make
sure an adventure like that
would never happen again. (I
know, I know----I've been a
mother long
enough to know that that
previous sentence really didn't
end with a period. It
really ended with "...never
happen again (until the next
time a situation comes up)." But I didn't
tell it to them that way.
Arrow prayers and carefully
applied discipline began the
rest of the afternoon.
Now, that was the last thing I
would have wanted to do today
and that was certainly the last
way I would have wanted to
spend the time. As the
children
remained in their rooms
following the thoughtfully and carefully applied
prayer and loving kindness, they had plenty
of time to recount for me in
writing why
they were there, and all that
could've happened. They
had plenty of time to reflect on
the choices they made. I
was happy they were so
responsive and understood the
gravity of the situation.
Ahhhh motherhood.
Your Comments
[moderated]
Some comments received will be
posted below the original, related
blog entry
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September 26, 2005
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"Even those of us who are inside
it will agree that, in the main,
the Church and all for which it
stands occupy a palpably smaller
place in the life of the average
member than it did in former
days. We explain it on the
ground that life has become
fuller, and that, of necessity,
our attention nowadays has to
percolate over a wide area
instead of rushing foam-flecked
down a narrower channel—which is
to say, in other words, that
Christ is getting lost to us in
the crush and throng of things,
does not loom up as arresting,
as unique, as all-important, as
He did to our forefathers. Yet
that, when you come to think of
it, is no bad definition of
unspirituality."
... A. J. Gossip (1873-1954),
From the Edge of the Crowd
[1924]
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I will sing unto the LORD,
because He
hath dealt bountifully with me
Psalm 13.6
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September 24, 2005
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Too
bizzzy to blog these days
But it's a good bizzzy.
Some days are just like that.
I've been working on the new "Someday
and Heirloom Marriage" Bible
study for women that will be
posted here on the website each
week. This Bible study
comes many years after I first
wrote a Welcome Home message
with that same title.
And... for all these years it
has been the title of a book I
have written in my mind.
It'll probably never actually be
written---for many, many
reasons, but for now some of
what would be written in that
book will be posted each week in
the form of a Bible study for
women to use personally or in
small groups. It will be
very similar to my twenty-three
week Titus2 Journey study
called:
The Making of a Titus-Two Woman,
and will hopefully encourage
women in the Word---with the
LORD transforming lives and
marriages. That may sound
rather lofty, but by that, I
simply mean: when women get into
the Word of God and yield their
lives to Him, great things
happen. The LORD is great
and greatly to be praised!
So... I've been cleaning.
Cleaning sort has a double
advantage as the time spent
yields great results both
physically and mentally.
Sorting stuff allows for some
real mental sorting---tossing
stuff out makes room for the
stuff that's already there but
is inaccessible. I say
stuff because that's what we
usually do around here when
things don't fit. But
we're trying to turn that habit
around and get rid of stuff and
not stuff stuff. But we
inevitably run into the trap in
the mind: I might need that
someday, or, what do you guess,
the moment we throw that out,
we're going to need it.
Hmmmm. Well, we did
eliminate a lot of things in the
boys' room, in Timothy's room
and in ours. It got pretty
easy as time went along.
Now, to some of my neat-as-a-pin
friends, what we have done would
hardly be considered ruthless.
We aren't there yet---ruthless,
that is.
I
know friends who keep nothing
superfluous. Nothing. If
they don't use it all the time,
wear it all the time, read it
all the time, play with it all
the time or whatever else all
the time---it's outsky!
They keep one piece of
children's artwork as a
representative sample of the
child's work during any given
season and the rest goes out.
I wish I'd done that (sort of).
As it is now, I've kept some
things so long now that I figure
why ruin a great track record.
Besides, old things provide
hours of entertainment for
whoever happens to be around
when I look through old things.
O, I know I can't take any of it
with me when I go---or even if
we move from here... but until
then, the things stay in boxes
and children delight in knowing
I kept all their stuff. As
I sorted, I came across
newspapers I have saved from
significant days in
history---historical events
captured in front page photos.
The children especially like
those old papers. Then, I came
across some things I haven't
worn in twenty-five years.
Knowing I would never in this
lifetime wear them again...
I just kept them,
anyway------sort of for shock
value. I'm telling
you---I'm fairly certain that
things that sit in that closet
too long begin to shrink
dramatically! So... I kept
the things... you know, for
posterity. One day I will
pull them out again and gasp
---marveling how small those
clothes have become! I
used to save them as incentive
to lose weight---they're no
longer incentives to me.
More later. We've had a
wonderful visit with our friend
who just got back to the states
and we're looking forward to
spending time with other friends
we haven't seen for a couple of
years. We're missing
Timothy more as he is missing
all these visits.
For now, I have *much* ironing
to do! It will not
be boring as I continue to hear
about visits from friends and
the boys "most excellent
adventure."
Your Comments
[moderated]
Some comments received will be
posted below the original, related
blog entry
By the way----I'm thankful for
all who wrote about that
excellent adventure, Wes's
birthday and the family photos.
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September 22, 2005
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My
dear husband's
Birthday's
today
Happy birthday to
you, Happy
birthday to you,
Happy
birthday dear Wes,
Happy birthday to
you!
☺
Kathryn
at Deer Lake
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September 21, 2005
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The Boy's most excellent
adventure
We made another trip to the
SeaTac airport last
night---something that's
becoming pretty routine for our
family in this season.
This time tearful goodbye's were
replaced with hugs and joyful
hello's. The entourage of
five of six of our most
favourite boys in the world
deplaned and made their way down
the corridor where we were
waiting. This time, I had
with me Stephen and Joseph, who
were absolutely beside
themselves waiting for the plane
to touch down and taxi to the
gate. Their eyes darting
back and forth as they searched
the crowds streaming off the
planes. With each plane's
passengers making their way
through the airport, the
anticipation of seeing the boys
was almost too much for the
little guys. At last they
emerged and we laughed as we saw
the boys---they somehow looked
older and taller and more
charming than ever.
It was neat to hear them recount
their days at Catalina and tell
us of the things they enjoyed
the most. I continued to
reflect on the fact that though
they were home, one was still
down there and the ache I feel
in missing Timothy grew a bit
more intense. Seeing the
pictures made that ache and the
distance between us all the more
profound. I miss Timothy
all the more and Aunt Martha
too, having just taken the
excursion through their
pictures. I'll post them
here with notes in order to
savour the moments they enjoyed
during their visit with Timothy
on Aunt Martha's boat in
Southern California at Catalina
Island. I guess it's lots
of pics to post. But I'm
their mama... a very happy mama.
Martha's First Mate... hard at
work. It's a tough job,
but someone's got to do it.
;-)
Timothy and Aunt Martha
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Lunch time on the
boat |
boys doing lunch at
Catalina |
|
James, Samuel,
Nathan heading out
of the
harbour at Long
Beach heading for
Catalina |
Micah puts the
finishing touch on
the salad |
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Nathan and Timothy
Play miniature golf
on the Island |
Watch money
evaporate in
California! |
Samuel and Nathaniel getting
ready to dive and Timothy goes
out in the kayak
Nathan dives off the bridge of
Martha's boat... Timothy
coming down from parasailing
Micah took this pic while he was
parasailing... this was his view
of Catalina Island!
the boys... micah, nathaniel,
james, timothy, samuel, nathan
the boys take their stand...
thus endeth the boys' most
excellent adventure.
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September 20, 2005
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White Socks
No, I'm not talking about
baseball. Besides, I don't
even know if Seattle has a
baseball team or not anymore.
No, I was standing at the dryer,
as I have done for decades now,
sorting socks.
Occasionally I will come across
socks that were clipped by the
wearer before they were dropped
into the laundry basket.
Occasionally I will come across
socks that I clipped before
pushing them into the washer.
Occasionally, I will easily
locate the mate to make a pair.
Occasionally, my mind will stay
on task, but more often than
not, my mind will wander.
My mind will wander through the
litany of questions: Where
do all the single socks go?
Why do they never seem to come
through the same load? If
so many are missing, why do I
not see them hanging from the
curtain rods or light fixtures
or towel racks or door knobs?
When did those boys' feet grow
to the point they need *this*
size of sock? Where are
all the baby socks I washed for
so many years? How many
mega-packs of socks have we
purchased? And, if there are
only seven days in a week, how
come we wash 716 socks?
Okay... that's when my mind is
really wandering... it really
seems like double that when it's
not even close to half.
As I sit here in my little
sunroom, pictures surround me
and Kathryn pulls into the
driveway. I can't even
remember when I last washed her
baby socks or her "Onesies" or
when I last tied her shoes.
She doesn't lose socks or
anything else. So, my mind
wanders while I write tonight.
I'm reflecting on thoughts
shared by Carla (Joys in
the
Journey
)
and understand that what we do
is not in vain... it's not "all
for nothing" --- even the
sorting of socks. Sorting
socks enables me to think... to
pray for the wearers and where
their feet take them and what
God's going to do with those
steps. There are many more
larger-sized socks than little
socks now, and so I'm mindful
that the step will be larger,
too. The larger steps seem
to be steps of runners and less
steps of toddlers---more final
steps than first steps.
Sorting socks enables me time to
talk to the LORD about things
that matter most: the hearts and
minds of the wearers of those
socks. And sorting socks
helps me sort thoughts---the
LORD and I have done a lot of
business at the washing machine
and dryer over the years.
Lots of hard problems have been
resolved in the sorting and
folding. Lots of events
and memories have been recounted
as sleeves are turned, zippers
zipped, snaps snapped and sock
donuts unrolled.
As the mountain diminished...
laundering more in the last week
than we have in a long time,
it's allowed for more time
standing there---more piles to
sort, more stains to treat, more
loads to switch, etc., and since
our girls have been busy with
other things, I've had more
opportunity to do that work than
I normally do. We
don't actually have a separate
laundry room, so that area of
the kitchen where the washer and
dryer sit doesn't afford me a
private, out of the way place to
think and pray --- and yet, in a
sense, standing there, I always
feel like I can be alone with
the LORD and with my thoughts.
I think mothers do that... even
in a noisy, busy room, there can
be a sort of quiet, aloneness.
Alone in a crowded home---now,
that's a topic for another day.
As I fold the bedding or the
linens I think of each one of
the children and the LORD brings
to mind things that need to be
taken care of. Somehow,
like the analogies with weeds
and working in the garden, dirty
laundry can be very instructive
and enlightening. Lots of
business gets done in
housekeeping and in gardening.
The LORD creatively uses many
things to teach and encourage
us. As I fold my husband's
clothing, I'm mindful of the
type of work he's just done by
the type of garment I'm washing
and folding---this makes me very
grateful for his work, his
willingness to do whatever must
be done without a word. I
note this many times over
the years and credit him for
helping me do whatever I must do
---without a word--- in order to
bring honour to him and to the
LORD.
So... white socks. I'm
still wondering where they all
go... sad to think that we're at
the point in our family or in
our parenting where it appears
we'll be buying less socks in
future days than we've bought in
days past. At least white
socks.
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September 19, 2005
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I
suppose I intended to blog
But first, I decided to read,
instead. Morning routines
had been long underway, children
were busy and so I decided to
use some of my time at the
computer. I read devotionals and
perused the mails. Then I
perused the lies
spin
demagoguery news and
commentaries. It was too
disgusting to continue any
further---not so much because
the news was grim but because
the attitude, for the most part,
of reporters and commentators is
foul. I didn't need those
loathsome attitudes to nasty up
my thoughts and litter my mind
with lies, hypocrisy and
cynicism-------my children
didn't need it and my husband
certainly wasn't going to be
helped by me grousing about and
rehearsing for him the
hypocrisies, lies and cunning of
men (generic).
I
have a bunch of things I want to
write. My trusty little
notebook is filled with notes,
beginnings of messages, endings
of stories, lists, suggestions,
Bible passages to relate, etc.,
etc. But then... I read
Barbara's entry for today and I
was done crafting my own
thoughts---I was done attempting
to write some of them down.
Her thoughts still swirl through
my mind and I'm mulling and
marveling at what God has done
in her life, in her heart and
home. God's arm is not
shortened that He cannot save,
nor His ear dull that He cannot
hear. Her entry today is
the letter she sent to her
daughter on her birthday.
It's a
treasure-----------------her
life. Many thanks to
Barbara and the life the LORD
uses to His glory.
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September 18, 2005
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How to weigh yourself and get
the most accurate result.
I can't believe I was doing it
wrong all these years.
We must get the word out!!
"
Thanks, Ma, for sending this to
me this morning. You see,
I just weighed and wasn't too
happy with the number(s!) and
how much better I would feel had
I known the proper procedure for
weighing. Now, if I have a
back ache and a black eye
tomorrow, you'll know the scale
fell on my face and that I could
hardly get up.
Missing our boys
Timothy and Samuel
with Micah, Nathan,
James and Nathaniel |
I'm posting this
pic---not so much
for posterity,
though it will be,
but to keep before
me a pic of my
favourite boys---the
same six who are
spending the week
together at
Catalina---the same
six who are among
the nicest, most
helpful and most
dependable boys I've
ever known.
I sure miss my boys.
This pic was taken a
year and a half ago
on Timothy's
birthday. They
look a bit older
now... well, we all
do. |
Considering the devastation in
the Southern USA, are you wondering how in this
nation you can help? Here
you go:
Operation Save America
-
Salvation Army is helping...
you, can too.
-
PRAY for the people who've
been affected by the
devastation of Hurricane
Katrina.
-
Pray for the relief
efforts---humanitarian aid
and financial assistance for
the region.
-
Pray for the salvation of
the lost and for the people
of this nation to turn to
the LORD.
-
Read a
great
interview with Barbara
Curtis
in the
Choosing Home's September
Newsletter.
-
Slice of
Laodicea
has more links and articles
than you'll likely have time
to read--great site.
-
You
can't help but wonder about
the timing and location of
the hurricane.
Was it an act of God?
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September 17, 2005
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Full
Moon's rising
---tonight---
A month ago we were shopping for
a few things for Wes to take
with him to Liberia... we went
by ferry to look at a pool at
Port Angeles. One of the
great treasures of Wes being
self employed in a seasonal
business is that he has the
option to take different ones
with him on different sorts of
jobs. I have the distinct
privilege to go with him on jobs
that take him to unique places
around Puget Sound. On the
return trip last month, we saw
the spectacular moon rise from
the mountains behind the ferry
landing. It was so
beautiful, large and bright.
It would be so worth it to jump
on a ferry boat tonight and time
it just perfectly to be
returning to this side to see
the moonrise. The moonrise
on Puget Sound is so beautiful!
I suppose it will be beautiful
anywhere! Tonight's moon
will be spectacular---I think
the "Fruit Moon" or the "Harvest
Moon" is my favourite.
It seems to be brightest and
closest of all the moons.
I love to walk down the lane and
see the full moon behind the
trees and then to see it rise.
Mmmmm, beautiful.
The LORD has provided such
amazing beauty in His
creation---and we have this
awesome privilege to witness His
handiwork.
"When I consider thy
heavens, the work of thy
fingers, the moon and the
stars, which thou hast
ordained; What is man, that
thou art mindful of him? and
the son of man, that thou
visitest him?"
Psalm 8.3
Then I consider:
"Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will,
according to his good
pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: That in
the dispensation of the
fullness of times he might
gather together in one all
things in Christ, both which
are in heaven, and which are
on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have
obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated
according to the purpose of
him who worketh all things
after the counsel of his own
will:"
Ephesians 1.9-11
The LORD has been so merciful to
us and it seems to me that He
sets different times and seasons
with markers to define the times
for us. That's what moons
have been to me---markers of
events and times. I guess
the reason I love full moons so
much is that so many of my
favourite memories include a
moonrise. Then, I often
think of who else is seeing the
moon---the same moon, though
space and distance is great---I
think of Timothy and the boys
tonight at Catalina... I think
of them laughing and sailing and
eating together. I think
of the high tides and swells in
that area tonight, too, by the
way (big gulp!).
Then... I smile, thinking of one
of my favourite songs:
I'll Be Seeing You.
So... last month as I thought of
Wes heading to Liberia, and as I
think of family in different
places, as I think of Timothy,
Samuel and the boys: I'll be
looking at the moon, but I'll be
seeing them.
So, this evening, about 7
o'clock, I'll be looking at the
moon...
 Kathryn
was gathering up a load of books
and CD's and DVD's to take back
to the Library in town and
immediately drew a crowd
clamoring around her. They
were pleading to go with
her---Kathryn, I wanna go, I
wanna go---me, too, I wanna go
to the liberry---please take me
to the liberry and then the
little dolly exclaimed, "I want
to go to Starbuck's!---Kaffren,
will you please take me to
Starbuck's?" So she ran to
put on her "pokadotty dress" and
got ready to go. To the
liberry.
[They don't ordinarily pass
Starbuck's on the way to the
Library]
So...
seriously rethinking Starbucks
I suppose I wouldn't have taken
note of this article had I
removed the paper cup from my
desk yesterday. But I
didn't throw the offending cup
away and I did take note of the
article. I have Starbucks
offending cup with #42 on the
side. Now there's
offending cup number 43.
"The Way I See It" #43
reads:
"My only
regret about being gay is that I
repressed it for so long. I
surrendered my youth to the
people I feared when I could
have been out there loving
someone. Don't make that mistake
yourself. Life's too [expletive
deleted] short."
Starbucks brews up my favourite
coffee. The coffee's
great, the milk's great, the
chocolate's great and the
service is fabulous. Every time.
That's what Starbuck
s does
best: make a great cup of coffee
great anywhere, anytime, every
time.
So... what
am I to do when a company
becomes a tool of social
engineering or sets new
sociological norms
(intentionally or
unintentionally)? What am
I to do when I know for a fact
that the more often something's
repeated, the more acceptable it
becomes and ultimately, the more
'normal' it becomes. What
am I to do????
[my husband just commandeered
the computer to type that wise
question.] Do I think it
would matter if I wrote to
Howard Schultz? No. Or, how
'bout if I just stopped buying
their cups
coffee. Do I think it
would produce any reasonable
response? No. And I
don't expect them to turn around
and print Bible verses on the
side of the cup, either. I
would, however, like to see a
change---everywhere.
I'd probably be accused of being
narrow-minded. No
matter---I've been accused of
worse. I figure that if people
don't write to them, then
they'll just go on the same
track, thinking that people are
just single-filing lock-step
with them. And... people
aren't. I'd probably
receive nothing more than a
return form letter thanking me
for writing and containing some
innocuous statement regarding
the wonder of diversity or
something like that. So...
in response to what I would
assume would be a request to be
open minded and embrace the
differences, I wonder if it's
time to find a new cuppa.
I don't want to celebrate the
differences, I don't want to
embrace diversity. I don't
believe in a big tent or that
all roads lead to heaven.
I never want to be so open
minded that my brains fall out
of my head. I think that's
truly what's happening in this
nation/world. People are
succumbing to the liberal
mantras and media and have such
open minds that their brains
spilled out and sludge has
filled the empty space.
Considering a new coffee
place... *IS* there another
coffee besides Starbucks?
I know I wouldn't be alone in
boycotting
avoiding Starbucks.
There's even a website called I
hate Starbucks . com [this is
not necessarily a recommendation
of that site---just an
observation of its existence]
and many who don't patronize
Starbucks for a myriad of
reasons. So... it's
something I need to address.
First, I think I'm going to toss
the paper cup in the garbage.
I'll feel better about this
first decisive step. I
wonder if this is the first step
in the multi step program to
freedom from America's drug of
choice---from the most
notorious, sophisticated, highly
developed and streamlined drug
dealers in the world.
So, one day, children, when
you're reading this... I'll
admonish levity, dears...
levity.
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comments: |
If you don't write,
you'll never know what
they'll do. Try it and
start the ball rolling.
Remember the power of
the written word!! You
have a great
platform....use it!!
I think I will!
Thanks, Ma, for your
continued encouragement.
Mom's are the best
cheerleaders. ;-)
---ily. |
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September 17, 2005
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And another
slice of this
mom's life
I just finished putting up
some new articles. I
have a couple of friends who
write such encouraging
pieces and so, sometime ago,
I set up sections on our
site for their work. I
try to keep things current,
but have a bit of difficulty
doing so because of "tyranny
of the urgent" and lapses of
consciousness. I don't
know if I can claim
pre-senior moment status or
not. Suffice it to say
that their work is worth
reading and Sandy's recipes
are worth making!
These two, along with
several others, are women I
pray to meet this side of
heaven.
One friend I didn't ever
think I'd have an
opportunity to spend time
with or even simply meet,
this side of heaven, sent me
this... the timing was
perfect, for when I opened
it, it was just exactly what
I needed to read and just
what I needed to heed.
I think I actually needed
this months ago before I
spent so much time in the
valley. Anyway---maybe
someone else needs it today.
Thank you, Heather.
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From my friend:
To my sisters in the
Lord.....
There comes a time
in every woman's
life when she has to
take a close look at
herself. Not at her
circumstance, not at
what she did, not
how unfair life is,
or at who made you
do it. She has to
just look at herself
in all her glory and
imperfection.
Have you ever
admired a woman who
has been through
changes in her life?
Or have you made up
in your mind that
she is just messed
up. Before you make
this mistake, take a
closer look. A woman
who has endured the
most unusual life is
someone of wisdom,
someone who has been
chosen by God to go
through things that
have made her
stronger.
Think of all the
great women in the
Bible: Mary
Magdalene, Ruth and
Naomi, the woman
with an issue of
blood flow, and
Esther, to name a
few. Mary was
a prostitute, a very
uneasy woman. But by
the time Jesus was
done with her, she
was His closest
follower. Esther was
unfortunate in
marrying an abusive
man, but by the time
God was done with
her, she had married
one of the
wealthiest men in
the land.
Women are so quick
to beat the next one
down instead of
trying to hold her
up. Before you
wonder, "What's up
with her?" ask
yourself, "What's up
with me?" That woman
could be my mother,
sister, aunt,
in-law, stepmother,
niece, grandmother,
great-grandmother,
neighbor, friend, or
co-worker, etc. That
woman could be ME.
Women are the
carriers of life,
not the channels of
death. Let's build
and encourage each
other, as did Ruth
and Naomi. Pass this
to all the women in
your life.
Encourage and love,
forgive and forget,
and trust that the
woman that receives
this will be touched
in some way.
May the peace and
love of Christ be
upon you!
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September 16, 2005
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Just a
slice of this
mom's life today
It's phonics time again and
time to get out 100 easy
lessons and the p-honics (as
my olders say) flash cards.
The littles like to watch
the phonics videos and well, I
think the middles like to watch
the phonics video to see the
pretty lady and the funny
guys---but I'm not
sure. ;-) They used to ask why phonics
was spelled the way it is
and so one of them would
write phonics phlash cards
on the white board under the
day's lessons. Then
they would tell one or more
of the youngers that it was
time to do teh PaHonics
Phlash cards... So...
pa-honics it is.
I like white boards for
the lesson plans and weekly
plans. We used to have
a place (in our other house) that
really was very
conducive to the posting of
daily plans, lessons and
chores, but in this house
there's really not an
adequate space to post it,
so it hangs almost too high
for youngers to reach or
read. I'm
determined to locate a
better place to hang the
white board so that it's
more accessible. I
like to mark off areas on
the board with a permanent
Sharpie pen and then
write in the daily tasks,
assignments, etc., with the
erasable
Expo marker pens.
I find that when I write
over the Sharpie®
lines too much with the
dry-erase pens that the
Sharpie®
lines get erased or smudged
a bit. This can be
advantageous, though,
because sometimes I use that
technique to get rid of
permanent words or parts of
lines. Anyway--- so, I
find that it's best to have
the day written down and
some seasons we go with
writing down each child's
name so that their personal
chores or activities can be
noted. I have lap
boards for the children to
use for their
schoolwork----and I'm
grateful for low-odor Expo
pens. Omygoodness, we
used to have some pretty
pungent and heady schoolwork
sessions when several were
working on their boards at
the same time in a closed
room or in the van!
Whew! Very strong
stuff: those pens. One
sad note about Expo wipe off
pens... they don't wipe off
clothes. Nor do
Sharpies.
I don't remember exactly
what started a phrase that
became a pretty common
expression around our home,
but there was a time when
Andrew came in to say that a
problem had occurred.
Tenth child---I think it was
our *first* problem ever ;-)
and Andrew, reassuring me
with outstretched arms and
with his deep gravelly
voice, boldly said to me,
"Mom, Mom, it was ON
purpose---it was On purpose,
Mom---it's WASHABLE!
So... of course I went to
investigate the accident the
was permanent. And
yes... it was an accident
and yes it was permanent.
Shortly after that, Andrew
came to understand the
meanings of "on purpose" and
"it's washable." And I
have come to understand
there there is really no
such thing as permanent...
things happen. Things
change. It's not that
serious. Really, it's
not that serious.
With each passing day, I'm
recognizing more and more
what it is to be an older
mother. While still in
the throws of
motherhood---still in the
trenches, so to speak, of
the day to day parenting, I'm
seeing life from a different
angle of the hill. Not
over the hill and surely not
feeling so much under the
hill as I did in some of the
earlier years, but sort of
somewhere up the mountain
that affords me a pretty
good view of the trails (or
trials sometimes) behind me.
I'm also getting a pretty
beneficial glimpse of the
trail ahead---though I am so
grateful to the LORD that He
does *not* tell us what's
ahead. I don't think
my feeble knees could handle
knowing what's ahead---I
mean if I can, each day,
have a pretty good handle on
what's for dinner, then,
that's ahead enough for me
sometimes.
I'm melancholy today/tonight
because all the olders are
away and the family is quite
a bit smaller and quieter,
comparatively speaking, than
it usually is. Now
that Samuel is down visiting
Timothy at Catalina and the
older girls have been away
all day, I am here in my
little sunroom reflecting on
the whirlwind of recent past
and am sort of amazed at
what's all transpired.
I guess that's more of what
I mean by being thankful
that the LORD doesn't lay
out for us all that will
befall us or the situations
that we'll face in our lives
on the road ahead. I
suppose that it makes me all
the more grateful for the
road behind, for all He's
done for me, for all He's
shown and provided, and for
His precious promises.
I'm thankful for the dear
family and dear friends He's
given---people who've been
sort of glimpses of who *He*
is and for the countless
ways He's demonstrated
Himself strong on my behalf.
It's a sobering thought,
really, to consider the love
of God. O, how I love
the LORD. I wish I had
written or could even begin
to write such words as my
favourite song. It so
precisely expresses what I
could not on my own and I
love to sing it... to hear
it and to recite it. I
love the LORD my strength!
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The
Love
of
God
The
love
of
God
is
greater
far
Than
tongue
or
pen
can
ever
tell;
It
goes
beyond
the
highest
star,
And
reaches
to
the
lowest
hell;
The
guilty
pair,
bowed
down
with
care,
God
gave
His
Son
to
win;
His
erring
child
He
reconciled,
And
pardoned
from
his
sin.
Refrain
O
love
of
God,
how
rich
and
pure!
How
measureless
and
strong!
It
shall
forevermore
endure
The
saints’
and
angels’
song.
When
years
of
time
shall
pass
away,
And
earthly
thrones
and
kingdoms
fall,
When
men,
who
here
refuse
to
pray,
On
rocks
and
hills
and
mountains
call,
God’s
love
so
sure,
shall
still
endure,
All
measureless
and
strong;
Redeeming
grace
to
Adam’s
race—
The
saints’
and
angels’
song.
Refrain
Could
we
with
ink
the
ocean
fill,
And
were
the
skies
of
parchment
made,
Were
every
stalk
on
earth
a
quill,
And
every
man
a
scribe
by
trade,
To
write
the
love
of
God
above,
Would
drain
the
ocean
dry.
Nor
could
the
scroll
contain
the
whole,
Though
stretched
from
sky
to
sky.
Refrain
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Hey, Hey,
Hey---------------------we
celebrate someone who's
f-i-f-t-y today! Our
love and prayers and
blessings to our sweet
sister Katherine who is
fifty today and celebrating
with a serious hike at
Yosemite Valley. I hope to
hear all about it in a
couple of days.
This Day in History
Brought to you by
AmeriSearch.net
"September 16, 1620,
using the Gregorian
Calendar, one hundred
and two Pilgrims set
sail on the Mayflower.
The two-month journey
was beset with storms.
At one point the beam
under the main mast
cracked, being propped
back in place using the
screw of a printer's
press. One youth was
rescued after being
swept overboard by a
freezing wave. A boy
died, and a mother gave
birth. Intending to land
in Virginia, they were
blown off-course. In
that first bitter winter
half died. Governor
Bradford wrote: "Last
and not least, they
cherished a great hope
and inward zeal of
laying good
foundations...for the
propagation and advance
of the gospel of the
kingdom of Christ in the
remote parts of the
world."
The Way I See It #42
and other stuff
It
was late... Wes was heading to
bed and set a
white Starbuck's paper cup
on my desk. While
commenting about the quote
printed on the side of the
cup, he asked me to hang on
to the cup. So... I
did and as I did, I read it.
This led me to do as I nearly always do
for anything I want to
explore further.. I Googled
the quote and it came right
up (a number of times). I agreed with Wes
that
the David Liss # 42 comment
printed on the side of the
Starbuck’s
cup was over
the top---but then, I
already expect that
after having read some of the
other quotes on Starbuck's
cups. So, now... this
isn't the first quote I've
disagreed with, nor will it
be the last, I'm sure---and
Wes wasn't alone in
questioning the value of the
quote. It's subtle
stuff like this (misguided
quotes) that shapes the
thinking of Americans --- or
the world. It's the
subtle nuances that are
clouding the thinking of
people who'd otherwise be
thought of as intelligent.
But, hear something long
enough, and regardless of
its authenticity, it will
become accepted as "truth"
by the masses.
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September 15, 2005
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The blogger's wardrobe...
Continued...
See, if on your next venture
to Starbuck's you see
someone there shuffling in
wearing a bathrobe and
slippers, you'll just know
that they're a hopeless
blogger... they've really
been up for hours --- they
really have been quite busy
and productive --- and
really are dressed for the
day---it just appears as if
they're "still in their
bathrobe" when, in reality,
that's just their new
wardrobe. Please don't
ask them to explain
themselves, they've used
every excuse in the book
already----they've run out
of excuses as to why they're
*still in their bathrobe* at
one o'clock in the
afternoon. Please
don't ask me how I know
this---but it's from a very
reputable and reliable
source. Trust me.
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Up, up and away!
What I would give to be with
some of the passengers on a
flight to California today.
Well... so, the story goes
something like this: Hey
mom... can Sam come down?
Well, maybe so... when?
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
Yes,
tomorrow.
Hmmm, with who?
The boys.
Wow... tomorrow.
Yep!
And so the conversation went and
the plans were underway and it
was decided that tomorrow was
one day too soon and plans were
made for Thursday. And so,
at noon today, we'll drive to
Seatac (again!) to take Samuel
and some boys to catch a
flight to California where
they'll spend several days
with Timothy and Aunt Martha
on her boat. I'm
thinking... wait, he can't go
yet... there's still sandy
pants, sandy shirts, sandy...
coming out of the washer and
dryer. Is it really a good
time to be running off to
California?
And---really---shouldn't the son
have an escort? I mean,
like someone who's been
there---knows the ropes and
loves to fly? Wouldn't it
be best to go to California with
a native Californian---someone
who knows what freeways are for?
Wouldn't it be best to go there
with someone who could *really*
appreciate the water (in the
ocean *not* coming down from the
sky?) and the sunshine?
No? O... okay.
Here we have more of the hard to
believe. The schedule1040
sure doesn't match all that's
been going on and all the
running around that's been
happening for the children in
this family. Now again,
this is way out there for us.
To have Timothy gone as much as
he has been has really been a
stretch for us. Now, to
have Samuel go is really an
interesting twist to things.
However, it's really been
delightful to make these very
short notice plans and prepare
him for the time he'll have
there. I keep thinking on
ways the LORD has provided for
our children. So many
things have come about for
them---things we'd never have
been able to do, yet, they've
been gifted with many
opportunities and have
participated in many events
they've really enjoyed. So
now, Samuel has an opportunity
to fly to Southern California.
His only experience with planes
have been creating unique
designs with paper----never been
on an airplane before.
Then, to spend time not only
with Timothy, which he's been so
longing to do, but also to have
time with friends who are like
brothers to them ---- and to spend
time with Martha who is an
incredible woman---well, this is
all beyond the pale. So,
I'm as thrilled for him as he is
to be going on this adventure.
I think the young man will never
be the same again.
He's at an interesting age... as
manhood goes, he's sort of
through the door but not fully
yet on the path. It's a
tough age... still enough little
boy in him to want to play all
day, but enough 'man' in him to
be restless with playthings and
getting more interested in
useful, meaningful work.
I had a dear friend say to me, a
number of years ago, "keep 'em
busy!" Well, we've
attempted to heed that advice
and have made strong efforts
over the years, to do just that:
Keep 'em busy! Hard
working, busy boys become
efficient, productive men... and
slack boys become inefficient
and foolish men. It's
never too early to begin
teaching them to do useful
work-------------------but it
takes discipline and cooperation
for both the parents and the
sons. We sure found that a
boy who didn't want to be in the
yoke (so to speak) really made
for tough(!) training and the
ones who didn't mind the yoke
(again, so to speak) really
found it to be easy.
O, what contrast there is
between the two---the resistant
and the eager; the go-against
and the go-along. So, the
boy takes a trip to
California... to be with another
who's already there. The
yokes' been easy. Thus,
the sending is easy, too.
I'm happy for them, too...
there're few things more
spectacular than the full moon
on the water at Catalina... and
it'll be full while they're
there! I hope they'll get
lots of pics!
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Some more site-seeing
In some site-seeing around the
net, I have a great site
recommendation. The
website:
Fruitful Vine Creations
has great
signs (and handbags) for your family. I
note this company because of
their readily apparent
desire to have a business that honours the LORD by providing
goods for families from a family
with a "stay-at-home" mom.
Then there's another site that
really looks interesting, too.
Now--- this one I don't know
much about as far as their
business and personal beliefs go
---it looks fine from what I
could see (but be wise)---the
wall lettering looks really neat
and the ideas are great.
This one's:
Wise Decor and there are so
many beautiful examples of their
product in homes and various
other settings. Ideas...
more Ideas!
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September 14, 2005
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New
Wardrobe & Accessory Ideas for
Bloggers
Please don't write and tell me
you're surprised by the new
blogger's clothing line.
Don't laugh----We
all know that bloggers are some
of the best dressed
individuals... lounging
working around (the house) these
days.
     
your can order online from
Land's End and
LL Bean
  
cups from all over... coffee
(preferably mocha's from Starbuck's)
brewed fresh daily.
See, if on your next venture to
Starbuck's you see someone there in
a bathrobe, you'll just know that
they're a hopeless blogger...
they've really been up for hours ---
they really have been quite busy and
productive --- and really are
dressed for the day---it just
appears as if they're "still in
their bathrobe" when, in reality,
that's their new wardrobe.
Please don't ask them to explain
themselves, they've used every
excuse in the book
already----they've run out of
excuses as to why they're *still in
their bathrobe* at one in the
afternoon. Please don't ask me
how I know this---but it's from a
very reputable and reliable source.
Trust me.
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Magazines in the mailbox
What a delightful surprise to open
the PO Box to find two great
magazines and letters! I
didn't even wait to go out to the
van before I started looking through
both of them! What a sight I
must've been--- delightedly tearing
open the packaging to see the
magazines! One of the magazines is
one I've recommended many times, a
magazine that never disappoints and
is always filled with wonderful
articles, ideas and resources.
Home School Digest from Wisdom's
Gate is not only an important
resource for the homeschooling
family, but is also a very
encouraging collection of articles
for the Christian home. Then
the other magazine(!)---one for
which I have been waiting with great
anticipation:
Making It Home! Thrill of
thrills...
I've
been thrilled to have been asked to
contribute to this magazine and I
must say, I was humbled to see in
print an article I'd written.
I love to write---and have felt led
of the LORD to do so, but I sure
know my frailties and inadequacies
and so I suppose that's what makes
it so humbling to have my work
included there. Anyway--- (and
not because of my articles---really)
I sure hope this magazine really
takes off and gains notoriety and
becomes a widely read publication.
I hope this because of the
proliferation of magazines and media
that promote ungodly lifestyles and
thought processes. What
a blessing it is to have many
magazines to choose from---Among my
favourites are,
Crowned With Silver,
An Encouraging Word and
Above Rubies just
to name a few. I pray the LORD
will indeed bless the work of Blaine
and Catherine Staat in the
production and distribution of
Making It Home magazine.
O, so
often, we might be duped into
believing that our aims and
practices are weird or narrow or off
the mark or are so antiquated that
they're not relevant in "today's
society." More and more, I am
seeing this malicious ploy of the
enemy tearing down homes, destroying
families and futures. For
that's the chief aim of the enemy as
he hates God and seeks to destroy or
derail believers on the path by
causing them to doubt God or
question His ways. The enemy
of our souls would have us to doubt,
fret and fear the days and times in
which we live; he would have us to
seek our own ways and lean on our
own understanding---perhaps even
enticing us to doubt the Word and
doubt His past works.
How
grateful I am for the Truth---the
Word of God and the peace of God
that passes all understanding; the
peace of God that keeps our hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
The enemy would attempt to thwart
every effort of the believer----for
the enemy knows we are weak in the
flesh---but he also knows he is a
defeated foe. Even so---even
knowing that is true, he still
harasses believers. The
Word says, "Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as
a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:"
1Peter 5.8; "Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation:
the spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak. Matthew 26.41
We're weak in the flesh---but God is
strong. When we endeavor to
serve Him and when we seem foolish
or old fashioned to others, or when
we seem like we're choosing foolish
things, we can simply trust in the
LORD and know, really know, that all
His ways are good and all His paths
are peace.
"But
God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound
the wise; and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to
confound the things which are
mighty;"
1Corinthians 1.27
Let us labour therefore to enter
into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief.
For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the
dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. Neither is
there any creature that is not
manifest in his sight: but all
things are naked and opened unto the
eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Seeing then that we have a great
high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let
us hold fast our profession. For we
have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need. Heb 4.11-16
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September 13, 2005
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My friend emailed me this---and
considering how I really do love
chocolate...
This is pretty cool how it works
out. This is cool - chocolate
math!!!
DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN
FIRST!
It takes less than a
minute.......... Work this out
as you read.
Be sure you don't read the
bottom until you've worked this
out!
This is not one of those
waste your time things, it is
fun!
1) First of all, pick the number
of times a week that you would
like to have
chocolate. (try for more than
once, but less than 10)
2) Multiply this number by 2
(Just to be bold)
3) Add 5. (For Sunday)
4) Multiply it by 50, ....
I'll wait while you go get the
calculator
5) If you have already had your
birthday this year add 1755...
If you haven't, add 1754
6) Now subtract the four-digit
year that you were born.
SCROLL DOWN
You should have a three digit
number......
The first digit of this was your
original number
(i.e., how many times you want
to have chocolate each week.)
The next two numbers
are...........YOUR AGE!! (OH
YES, IT IS!!!!!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR IT WILL
WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND!
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Chocolate Math
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comments: |
I wanted to
comment on your
previous post,
but there wasn't
a comment link
there. The
admonishment at
the end says
"THIS IS THE
ONLY YEAR IT
WILL WORK, SO
SPREAD IT
AROUND!" Next
year just add
1756 or 1757 and
the year after
that 1757 or
1758 etc etc
etc. I love
Math! Also I
might point out
that this won't
work for anyone
over 99 years
old no matter
what year you do
it, and not
because they are
too old to do
math correctly.
Have a great
day, your
neighborly
christian geek. |
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I am still
laughing!
Not only about
the 99 year old
chocolate lover,
but that you
would know that
it won't work
for someone who
is
99---------------I
wouldn't have
known that or
any other math
fact/possibility
for this
equation.
I just know that
the whole thing
is preposterous
bcz, well, to
want chocolate
less than ten
times a week is:
preposterous! |
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September 13, 2005
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More
Reflections...
Whenever we attend a
conference or spend time
away with family, it's
sort of hard to stop and
reflect on the time when
we return home because
of the busyness of
clean-up and the return
to all the dailies of
home. So, I'm
making a conscious
effort to spend a little
time running through the
event of days past to
mentally recreate the
moments we enjoyed
together.
When we got all
unpacked-washed-repacked
from the believer's
conference at Deer Lake,
we headed back over the
mountains to
Banks Lake near Grand Coulee
Dam (we even visited the dam one
night... but that's
another story).
 It
was an amazingly
beautiful drive and
though we made several
stops, we were able to
reach the campground and
set up camp before
sun-down. As I
busied myself with the
"kitchen set-up" and
getting the bedding
ready, Wes set up a
movie for all the
children to watch.
As they watched, I got
the hot-chocolate ready
for them and we sat
around looking at the
stars----------more
stars than we have ever
seen in our lives!
We set up the campsite
between the trees in
such a way that we could
practically join the two
tents, string the
twinkle lights around
the trees and around the
picnic table/sitting
area. Due to the
extreme fire danger, we
weren't able to have a
campfire (until the
third night when it was
r-a-i-n-i-n-g!) It
didn't matter so much,
bcz of the fun everyone
was having going from
campsite to campsite
visiting family and
friends. Our son
and daughter-in-law were
across the way from us
so we had a good time
sharing whatever we were
having.
          
sun and braiding, the
little dolly napping in
the tent...
hannah, tara & baby by
the lakeside.
daniel's ski boat, the
sea-doo and the jet
ski----yes, kathryn is
taking *me* out!
...dolly in the sand
and more about all this
and other things...
later on.
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More Reflections
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comments: |
Oh, how I love
to visit your
'home'. After
each trip, camp,
or conference
you attend, I
crave to see the
beautiful
pictures of your
blessings and
hear of your
wonderful
'heart'
times...:-)
Before you sweep
all the sand
away from the
floors and
washing areas,
gather some
together and
place it in a
jar. When things
get tough or
bleak during
those cold
winter months,
gaze into that
jar and remember
the smells~ the
sounds~ the
laughs and the
memories you
made this past
summer season. I
always let the
littles pour the
sand back and
forth through
strainers or
into cups during
the grey
February days.
Let them dream
of warmer
weather and
running on the
sand near the
ocean... So glad
you and your
family are doing
well and are
back home
safely...:-)
Blessings from
Pennsylvania,
Carla |
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I love your
ideas ---
they're great!
Yes... when the
gray days come,
I'll be fondly
remembering
these days and
missing the warm
sun! Even
in all the
clean-up, we're
still having a
good time
talking over the
memories of the
recent weeks.
It's really hard
to believe that
Wes just came
home from
Liberia two
weeks ago and in
the space of
time since his
return, we've
done all these
other things and
more.
Thanks for the
sweet letter. |
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September 12, 2005
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Reflections...
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Ahhh Yes... it's thirteen days
into the month and I'm blogging
for the first time. I
marvel at the timing of the
LORD---and being precluded from
writing about things like
hurricanes, floods, humanitarian
aid, blackouts, squabbles and wars and rumours of war.
So, I think I'm beginning to
make my way through the mountain
of wet, sandy laundry... wet,
sandy towels, sandy suits, sandy
pants and sandy sleeping bags
and everything that's washable
filled the sandy floor area
around the washing machine and
dryer. Did I mention
sand?
 Many
have wondered where in the world
we've been for the last week or
so... so, here you go: in
the last ten days, we've driven
to Eastern Washington and back a
couple of times---camping in a
cabin and tenting by a lake.
The two different events
required packing in several days
of hard work and more days of
play during the last two weeks.
We've had some great fellowship
and Bible teaching and
singing, getting acquainted with
and making new friends, sharing
around the table some good food
with old friends and enjoying
lots of late nights!
Lots of hours behind the wheel
or in the passenger's seat, has
afforded lots of time to talk
and reflect on the various
events. Of course, we're
missing Timothy very much.
These family events have sure
emphasized his absence---and as
always, though I am happy for
them, I still wish our oldest
sons were still home and part of
the day-to-day routines.
So, it's been quite busy coming
and going here and there. I
suppose the disadvantage to a
couple of back to back events is
the obscuring of the first event
by the second. I think
that even happens during a
meeting where several share and
each next speaker shares a great
teaching---covering up the one
prior. I'm glad I take
lots of notes, else I would
never be able to recall all I
want to remember from a given
talk or session. Even
then, I cannot always rightly
recall all the points that
blessed my heart.
These
are some of the things we've
been seeing lately...
First, the trip to Deer Lake
where we stayed in cabins at the
Salvation Army
Camp Gifford, and had a
fairly ordered schedule of
meetings, mealtimes, playtimes
and fellowship. Then we
returned home late Monday
night---washed everything to
repack the van on Tuesday and
headed back over the mountains
to
Banks Lake near Grand Coulee
Dam.
The believer's conference at
Deer Lake... 1.)we're
singing a meeting (that's daddy
holding dolly),
2.) I'm canoeing with
Stephen on the lake --- he was
great!
3.) spending some time talking
while some of the children were
climbing nearby.
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Naomi, handily
climbing up
one side
and rappelling
down
the other side. |
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Andrew starting out strong on
the wall... stepping on the
removable blocks before
reaching the mounted rocks.
But then... he wasn't having as
much fun as Naomi and
wanted to rappel back down about
the twelve foot mark. His
daddy was cheering
him on as he made his way back
down!
After a busy time out in the
boats, the little dolly, 'melia,
got pretty tired watching it
all.
This pic really illustrates one
of the oft repeated daily
activities:
waiting in line for meals or
meetings or boats or climbing...
Kathryn and 'melia.
more fun... more friends,
more meetings...
I'll post the Bank's Lake
camping pics in a bit.
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comments: |
I don't
often check
out "a
christian
home" but I
did today.
Since there
are no Sept.
blogs I
browsed
through
August.
Obviously
the huge
catastrophe
of Katrina
is front
line in
everyone's
minds but I
couldn't
help but
pause over
the comments
and
discussions
centered
around "cuppa's"
Aug. 27. I
have a
faithful
husband of
25 years
but, were he
to stray, I
don't
believe the
cuppa girl
or any other
would be to
blame. Our
hearts and
minds are
our own
responsibility.
From an
eternal
perspective-
perhaps my
husbands
kind word,
smile and
respectful
behavior is
the only
contact some
girl has
with the
possibility
that there
are decent
men to be
had---not
mine- but a
model of
what to look
for. Where
would Mary
of Magdala
have been if
Christ had
been fearful
of speaking
to her? I
counsel many
women and
girls who
have no idea
that there
are men with
integrity
and decency
because the
fathers,
brothers,
uncles,
grandfathers
and
boyfriends
they have
had have not
been. I am
grateful if
my husband's
God given
kindness
allows some
lonely soul
experience a
"bit" of
what she was
meant to
enjoy in an
earthly
relationship
and a small
taste of how
God our
Heavenly
Father views
her.
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I appreciate what you're
saying.
And---yes---I agree the
husband is responsible
for his own choices and
behaviour and yet I
would still advise
caution regarding some
of the barista's
words/actions/clothing.
Thank you for your
perspective
---especially regarding
the LORD and His
interaction with Mary.
I was attempting to
illustrate how attentive
another woman might be
to one's husband's
particular favourites
and how a wife might
take note and key in on
that fact and if someone
was going to pay sweet
attention to the
husband, let it be her
and not someone else.
blessings to you. |
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Comments: |
I
really enjoyed what
parts of your site I
saw. I didn't see all of
it, but did look at
child training. I
thought I would mention
a site I've also found
helpful. You can check
it out and add it to
yours if you'd like.
www.nogreaterjoy.org
Thanks and God Bless
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'Yes! I do link to
them from several of our
pages. I really
appreciate much of what
they share, and
encourage use of their
materials. I very much
recommend Debi Pearl's
book: Created To Be His
Helpmeet---and suggest
every woman read it and
then read it again. (
Especially if married to
Mr. Command-man )
Additionally, their book
Train Up A Child is very
helpful! Now...
the ones getting sprayed
off with the hose didn't
enjoy their advice too
much!
Thanks for writing. |
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Comments: |
I thank
the Lord for your
website!! I am a mother
of six children and my
husband is studying to
be a preacher. Your site
has been so encouraging
to me. A year ago we had
to press charges against
my dad for sexually
abusing one of my girls.
It has been extremely
hard to go through such
a heart wrenching ordeal
although knowing that we
handled it just the way
the Lord wanted us to.
Our family has really
changed since all of
this happened to us, we
have such a tight bond
with Christ being the
one doing the bonding.
Your site has provided
me with so much more
than you'll ever know.
Thank you for not
compromising His word
and for providing a
refuge on this sometimes
evil internet!!!
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Thank you for your
kindness. O---the
trauma and trials of se-ual
abuse. And, yes, the
internet is often used
as a pipeline of
immorality and
corruption---I guess
that's why we originally
planned this site---to
be a resource companion
and to help people avoid
the internet traps.
We try to carefully
monitor links but we get
some bad site addresses
from time to time.
I trust the LORD is
bringing you through the
door of hope after this
past year. I am
printing your comment in
hopes of encouraging
another sister who might
be dealing with
something similar and
might feel like she's
the only one enduring
the pain of se*ual
abuse. I pray your
child will not carry the
memory and pain of past
abuse and that she will
know the cleansing
purity of the LORD and
that He will carry her
through and heal her
life. blessings--- |
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Well, we are believers and followers
of the LORD Jesus Christ.