Monday, November 19, 2007

468banner
We don't do TV. We don't have cable. We do watch movies. :) We are rather selective, and our favorite rental place is our local library! One new movie we just viewed was FLYWHEEL. It was put out by a church, Sherwood Bible Church (I think).
It is wonderful!
The same church that put this out, also put out FACING THE GIANTS. They both have made it to our top family fun movies. I highly recommend this movie! (both actually) It was a wonderful tribute to God, a wonderful story of redemption, and restitution. My kids loved it! When I was asked by the children who my favorite character was, I could only reply .... GOD was! :) He was the Hero, He was ever glorified, ever present, all powerful and sovereign. You will enjoy this film!
we laughed we cried, what a wonderful story!
check out this movie, and FACING THE GIANTS.Some time next year keep your eyes peeled for the next movie from Sherwood, called FIREPROOF!
Please keep this ministry in your prayers, what a mighty work God is doing in and through them.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

drowning out....


Some moments are like water washing over you. Fresh and clear, cold and nearly overwhelming.
Yet He is my Rock. His Word washes over me and makes me new. It is the Holy Spirit that holds me up in the midst of the fall.
We dwell in the midst of the Fall...
Our Lords Word is sure, it is pure, it will wash us. And Upon this Rock, we can stand. Jesus is our Rock. Our eternal hope, what we cling to, what holds us up higher, than we could ever be with out Him. I remember when I took this picture. We were on a business trip in North Carolina, not far from Asheville.. It was so loud, so many drops of water rushing down a mountain side, crashing on the rocks, melting together once again. It was so loud, it was difficult to hear anything but the sound of the water. Oh how I wish I could live out my days hearing Gods word rushing over me like that. O, how wonderful to drown out all the distractions, trials and troubles, with His Word, His Spirit, His presence. I know the day will come... But there are moments. Have you had moments with Jesus, where all else slipped away and it was just HIM?
There is a sweet security in knowing He is my Salvation, My Rock, My Redeemer, a security in knowing that my sins are washed away, that His Word will sanctify me, that I have a Counselor, Teacher, Comforter. There is such a joy, I don't mean "happy happy joy", I mean JOY.. In knowing He is the Way, the Truth, the Life... that I am His; That He picked me; That there was NOTHING I did; That I have His promises, His Word, to hold fast to in times of difficulty, and jubilation.
I am not my own, I was bought with a price. Jesus is my KING. I only hope to serve Him better tomorrow than I did today.
you are loved... May His word wash over you, and drown out the temporal, so you can dwell on the eternal... even if it is only for a moment.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007


I have been


Tagged.


What does that mean? Well it would seem that it means that we still can be just silly girls, and play silly games. But those games sure were fun. So here goes.. I was tagged to share 8 things about lit'l ol' me... things you may not already know... I suppose. So here it goes.


1. One of my children weighed 10 lbs 6 oz at birth...


2. I briefly attended Culinary Arts School...


3. I took every public speaking course offered at my College at the time, but was going for an early ed degree. Had I switched majors I would have graduated earlier... NO one bothered to tell me till after they had all my $$

4. I was once a nanny...

5. I loved Ronald Regan passionately ! I campaigned for him in my elementary school, and would defend him to anyone, anywhere, regardless of age... I wrote him personal letters about all my concerns about this country. I am still on some kind of Regan Memorial Mailing list.

6. I know virtually all of the Abba songs by heart, along with Neil Diamond,from years of brainwashing in my childhood.

7. I love to wear dresses or skirts. I home school all my kids, bake bread, cook from scratch, and never breastfed my babies who were all born by C-Section. *(this always surprises people)


8. I met my husband when I was fourteen. When he first looked at me, he thought I was the girl he'd like to marry. When I first looked at him, I thought he was terrible. I now adore my husband ! He is a man who loves God, loves me, and loves our children. He is an excellent provider, friend, and leader. There is none I would rather walk with nor follow. I have known him for more than half of my life.



So If I find 8 ladies to tag, and you read mine, just find 8 ladies & tag them to tell 8 things about themselves. This was fun... Thanks Saralyn



Buttons Buttons, more and more Buttons...
There are two new buttons on my side panel.
One is a moms for modesty website. I find modesty to be quite an issue in today's girls apparel. I find immodest hussy wear offensive, and I actively seek clothing that is both beautiful as well as modest. Modest doesn't have to mean frumpy. But some of the girls clothing at stores today are utterly unacceptable. This website is neat, and they even have a petition you can sign, to influence retailers into a more modest way.
The other new button is about TRUE foods. By true it is meant, NO Genetic engineering, or not Genetically modified. When you click on this link, you can also get a list of company's and products that are, and a list that are not genetically modified.
So THAT is what the new buttons are about! Be blessed!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

doe ray me fa SEW la tee doe

Sew ....
a needle pulling thread.....

"did she say "sew"...?"
yes. I did.

Yesterday we had our first little gathering of new "sewing" gals... Alicia, Kiah and I all got lessons @ Oma's house today!
Hurray!
We got off to a slightly late start, but that was fine. It was fun!
We watched the introductory video that came with my machine, and Oma made us pause it, and go to our machines and do whatever it told us to do. With each of us having a different Brother Sewing Machine it made it a bit tricky; but NOTHING that Oma couldn't handle. :)

Oma even made snazzy sandwiches for us for lunch! It was terrific.

I was working on a straight stitch, (I am a novice, so we picked something simple) and with the straight stitch, I made 1 valence for my boys' room! :) yippee

Alicia, (I am a tad jealous) started on a beautiful apron. How gorgeous and feminine... Watching her labor away, I really thought it was a great project.. One I will have to try my hand at as well.. but not yet... I have pillows to do next. Pillows that will match the curtains in the boys' room.
Kiah, started on a Christmas stocking for her bunny rabbit. Yes, it is even lined. No one else in our whole family has a lined stocking. but for this fine creation of the Lord.... Only a lined Christmas stocking will do.

Well, I will try to buy some batteries to put in my camera, to take pictures, to download, and upload and all that jazz, to put on the blog for you to see. really.... I will. honest....

We have decided to try again for another "sewing day" next week. We are all, quite excited to learn from Oma. I think Oma enjoyed herself too...

What a blessing family and friends can be. Sometimes it feels easier to ask a stranger to teach you, or to sign up for a class somewhere. But if there is someone who loves you, someone who knows you, why not be willing to open up, and let them, beg them, to teach you. It really is a beautiful thing! It rather makes me want to sing....
Laaa -- a note to follow sew.... (this is that "note")
tea ----a drink with jam and bread..
that just makes me hungry...
it is too late to eat.....

Tuesday, November 6, 2007


Rejoicing in those moments... They come so often that we take them for granted. They are so fleeting that we often don't notice that we have them, till they are long gone. Gratitude to God for the simple smell of a clean baby, snuggling in your arms rather than wrestling. Thankfulness for songs to sing to a blessing about God, and life, and salvation.

Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine... Oh what a foretaste of glory divine,
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.... I once was....
To God be the glory great things He hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us
Jesus, lover of my soul, I will follow you all of my days....
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below.....
Pass me not O gentle savior, hear my humble cry...
Imortal Invisible God only Wise, In light inassessable hid from our eyes, most blessed most glorious .....
God of Wonders beyond our galaxy... YOU are holy... holy
Holy holy holy, Lord God Almighty, early in the morning our song shall rise to thee....
Blessed be the name of the Lord.... blessed be Your glorious name...

Contentment isn't just being ok that stuff is the way it is... It is being joyful doing, or being right where the Lord would have you right now, knowing that is wonderful, even if right here and right now is so hard.... If it is what He has for you, and He is good, it is good where you are, and better where you are headed... There is such hope in contentment. Contentment is NOT apathy.... Not at all...
This Flag symbolizes FREEDOM. I know it does not carry the same weight of glory it perhaps once did. That the freedom is fleeting, but I stand firm that she is still a beautiful country, once glorious in her grace and freedom. I pray she is robed in such again. I am still proud to be an American.

I am a proud member of HSLDA. While I suppose there will be times, I may not agree with their every position... No one ever agrees all the time. I just really am thankful for this organization.

I am so grieved in listening to parents speak of their own children as if they weren't their own, but the states. It seems wrong for teachers or anyone to think that you don't know what is best for your children, and frankly that you won't do what is best. It is offensive, and arrogant.

I have been blessed since 2002 to educate my children in our home. We have traveled this country, we have brought our school books with us where ever we have been. We have been to countless historical sites, from Plymouth Plantation to the Redwoods of California; from Charleston South Carolina, to Hessel Michigan. From Raleigh North Carolina to the deep North Woods of Wisconsin. We have walked the Freedom trail, and grieved at how little freedom we still have today. We have been to Concord and Lexington to see where brave men fought and died for our right to Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We could NEVER have seen any of it, had we not chosen to home educate. And with out those soldiers who died for us we would never have had the right to be free. With out the tireless work of the staff at HSLDA, and the many parents and grandparents who have fought for my right to educate my children, We wouldn't be able to do what we do. We wouldn't know nearly as much as we do about freedom. Wouldn't know what it took to give it to us. Wouldn't realize it's great worth.

Freedom is NOT free...
It was bought with a price.

Thank you to those fighting the good fight!

I am posting below a copy of a letter Attorney Christopher Klicka wrote, defending us yet again. Thank you Mr. Klicka! May God bless you....

If you would like to learn more about home schooling for the work of HSLDA (Home school Legal Defence) Please check them out on the web at http://www.hslda.org/

Recently an article appeared in the Lansing State Journal in which columnist John Schneider criticizes homeschooling. Attorney Chris Klicka responded as follows:

Dear Mr. Schneider,
Your article “Lack of oversight for home-schooled alarms educator” indicated that because homeschooling is not supervised by government bureaucrats, homeschooled children are not being well educated. The statement from public school teacher Nancy Head that “nobody ever checks up on these kids” makes it appear that homeschool parents need to be held accountable to the state.
However, this is not what evidence has shown. A national study performed by Dr. Brian Ray, “Is Government Regulation Necessary for High Achievement?” compared and contrasted the performance of homeschooled children throughout the country according to the amount of government regulations. The study shows that the academic performance of homeschooled children in states such as New York, with much regulation, is the same as homeschooled children in states like Missouri, which have little regulation. In other words, more government rules and accountability does not make better students.
There is nothing “broke” with the academic performance of Michigan homeschoolers, and there is, therefore, no need to fix it. National studies have shown that Michigan homeschool students, on the average, score above average on standardized achievement tests. The bottom line is that homeschooling works. [To view a summary of national homeschool achievement click here.]
Furthermore, the United States Supreme Court has recognized that the average parent acts in the best interest of their children. After working for the Home School Legal Defense Association for 23 years, I have found that homeschool parents want their children to not only succeed academically, but in every way. Michigan’s compulsory attendance statute regarding homeschooling both protects the fundamental rights of parents to direct the education of their children as guaranteed through the Fourteenth Amendment, and also upholds the understanding that we need to trust parents more than the government oversight.
Homeschooling has not always been free in Michigan. Thousands of families in the 1980’s and 1990’s felt the oppression from the state when they were hounded as criminals by local school districts and the State Department of Education simply because they chose to homeschool. Many families were taken to court. During those years, HSLDA represented thousands of homeschool families, whose right to home school was being challenged by the state. Fortunately for the innocent homeschool families in Michigan, the state supreme court, in our case People v. DeJonge, 501 N.W.2d 127, (Mich. 1993), ruled in favor of the homeschool families and found the teacher certification requirement an unconstitutional violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
A few years later, the legislature saw the importance of protecting parents’ rights in the area of education and enacted MCLA § 380.01. “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children.” This reaffirmed the basic fundamental right of all parents, including homeschool parents, to have the right to choose the form of education that they deem best for their children.
There is no need to question the need for accountability for homeschool parents to state bureaucracy. Homeschooling has a proven track record of working best when it is left alone by the government.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Klicka, Esq.HSLDA Senior Counsel
CJK:kts