Bible Reading

Daily quiet time -- how do you do yours?

Do you ever go the electronic route? I just stumbled across this site this week. There are Bible reading plans there to fit every person's need, I think.

Would you rather hold the Bible in your hands and read it? I think I prefer it that way -- because then I do underlining that way. I'm an underliner, note jotter, and scribbler occasionally.

I do like to use my e-sword for studying. Usually when I'm doing my Sunday School lesson, I do it by the computer. I like seeing what the commentators have to say about things, sometimes.

So -- what do you prefer? The sword with the electronic edge, or paper?

More 2008 Attica Tornado

More of the 2008 Attica Tornado

2008 Attica Tornado

This is the scene in Attica today.

Disaster.

Disrepair.

Distress.

Only 5.7 miles from our home.
Praise God for keeping His hand of protection upon us.

Narnia

You can listen to The Narnia Story here. I'm going to save it for a rainy day. The kiddos will love it.

MAJORS

Oh... just so ya know... the Majors are waaaay more exciting then the rookie league. No offense rookies. :giggle:

(Although - the rookie league is waaaay more exciting than t-ball -- which is over as of night -- whew!)

I'm having fun with this little league stuff. Who knew?

Have I told you our story yet? Tori is 12. She has never played softball before. I wanted her to learn the sport. I love playing softball. She was resisting.. I said "Who cares -- you are learning to play." I signed her up. I signed the 3 olders up, yeah -- I'm mean that'a way. I put on the top of Tori's form. "Beginner". I heard that they had a draft at her age group -- so I wanted to coaches to know what her skill level was. Well -- she ended up playing at the rookie level... which is one step up from t-ball. She didn't even make the draft. A TAD bit below her age level. LOL She was learning to hit and throw and catch with 7, 8, and 9 year olds. That was OK in the beginning.

Then after 4 weeks of practice, and a few weeks of playing "games", she began to catch on.

HA!

Last week an opposing team's coach casually asked, "Hey -- how old are you?" :giggle: She innocently replied. "Twelve." Hey -- she's no liar.

He just so happens to be the Little League President. He's a rule follower. Um... she got moved. Right up the ladder to the Majors. Skipping right over the Minor league.

Dan asked him, "Why did you say anything during the first game you played against her?" He replied, "Hey -- I thought she was just a big girl." LOL I'm only 5'2" and my husband isn't much taller.... we are not "big girl" material. She's normal... but since her skill level was beginner... it didn't click apparently.

Well -- last night was her first night. She did GREAT! They stuck her out in left field... ya know... cause that's where you put all your lousy players. She got hit to several times. I didn't get to keep track because I was putting in a 3 game night... I was trying to watch a t-ball game and her game at the same time. I know... not hard to do... but you know me... I'm not real coordinated.

Anyway... she didn't let ANY get past her. Good girl. Threw them all to first -- whether she needed to or not. That's what they teach them in the rookie league. "Throw to first!" What for? I don't know... but that's what she did. She did throw a few out at first, I'm pretty sure. So she did the right thing most times. We'll work on getting her to think about where to throw it before it's hit. Learn a little each game.

She got up to bat twice. First time... she got on base because she got HIT BY THE BALL!! Yikes... she's got quite the bruise on her arm already. But she's not faint of heart. She got up a 2nd time and she went down a swinging. At least she's not afraid. She missed learning some of the rules playing in that rookie league. They let all players bat every inning, and they let you swing, and swing, and swing, and swing, until you hit it. So after 3 swings last night... she was out... but she kept standing there, waiting for the next pitch. Finally the ump (who knew she was new) quietly said, "You are out, so you need to go back and sit down." °Ü° That's my girl -- never give up. ROFL!!

I'll tell you what. I can't wait until her next game. These games are exciting... people cheer... they give advice... ha ha... it's fun!!

I'm gonna have her practice pitching -- I bet she... well -- I'm sure it's harder than it looks... but my word... she got hit -- she couldn't do any worse than that!! I'm just kidding about that... she won't pitch, but she probably could!

One of the BEST things about this new team? 2 of the girls are going to be going to our church's Junior Girls Camp with her in a few weeks. They are granddaughters of folks who attend our church. Hooray!! What fun. I'm thrilled about that.

So... another night at the ball field... but it was worth it. Fun was had by all. Back again tonight for Mansel's game, then another on Friday night.

Dr. Laura about home schooling.

My kids are probably not the best example of well socialized home schooled children -- they sort of take after their parents... whom some of which... are not the most socially acceptable people on the face of the planet. BUT... that opinion aside... I like what Dr. Laura had to say in this article about Home Schoolers and socialization.

Yeah -- interesting reading. Now -- I'm going to go fish my kiddos out from the basement for a little socialization training. They MUST look me in the eye or else they don't get any free time... and it's back to the grind stone. Oh my word!!! I'm just kidding!!

I will admit that I've had this conversation with 1 non home educating parent. I said, "I don't even WANT my kiddos socialized to today's standards. I prefer the Laura Ingalls Wilder manners and social skills, if you must know." Several other government school moms were sitting by and they agreed with me -- laughing a little. But one mom -- she said, "You don't live in that day in age any more. That's not possible."

Who says?? I'm gonna try!

AND -- one more point I wanted to make to that mom... but didn't think of it until too late (that comes from my lack of social skills, I think -- I'm always thinking of something to say AFTER the fact)... she said, "My kids learned how to read when they were 3, by not challenging them in a public school setting you are holding them back." HA! I say (now)... you are REALLY a home schooler and you are probably holding YOUR kids back by putting them in a public school system. If her kids learned to read by the age of 3... who taught them to read... SHE did... and now -- they are all getting straight A's... they have MAXED the public school system out. How thrilling would it be if she would keep them at home... they would SOAR! It would be so exciting to see how MUCH they could learn at home... but she wouldn't believe me if I HAD said that. She was a staunch public schooler... poor kids. They are missing out.

Anyway... how did I get on that topic? I'm a little scatter brained today. Must be that public schooling I'm putting to use.

Movie Meme

I saw this on

Tending and Training in the Deep Weird

and decided to play.

1. One movie that made you laugh:
Napoleon Dynamite

2. One movie that made you cry:
Facing the Giants

3. One movie you loved when you were a child:
The Wizard of Oz (OK -- that's the only one I remember as a child)

4. One movie you’ve seen more than once:
Pride & Prejudice

5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it:
Evan Almighty

6. One movie you hated:
Larry the Cable Guy: Git-R-Done

7. One movie that scared you:
Children of the Corn

8. One movie that bored you:
Lord of the Rings

9. One movie that made you happy:
Wives & Daughters

10. One movie that made you miserable:
Saving Private Ryan

11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see:
Cloverfield

12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with:
Mr. Darcy

13. The last movie you saw:
One Night with the King

14. The next movie you hope to see:
Prince Caspian

15. Now tag five people:
Anyone that wants to chime in…feel free.

Pizza Hut Book It

Home schoolers -- do you book it?

The 2008-2009 school year the home schoolers have to go it alone. We used to do this with our home school co-op, but no longer.

Here is the link to sign up. If you are anything like me -- if you wait, you'll forget. LOL Whew... I'm done. Can hardly wait until September.

Who is eligible for the BOOK IT! Program for homeschools?
Any student in grades K-6 (5 years old by September of current school year) that is homeschooled and does not attend any other educational facility.

What are the program dates for 2008-09?
October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.

When will the 2008-09 materials be shipped to enrolled homeschools?
Materials will arrive by early to mid-September.

F.Y.I. °Ü° Happy Reading and Eating!

FIREPROOF - Never Leave Your Partner Behind Has a DATE!

Fireproof is being released September 26. Woo Hoo -- mark your calendars!!

Hey Honey!! Let's make it a date night! ;)

Ya YOU... you know who I'm talking to. Big hunk with blondish hair.

(I just discovered my dh reads my blog sometimes!)

:giggle:

True Lemon

I found a free sample... True Lemon. If you blog about it -- you get 15 additional samples.

Woo Hoo....

I'm still waiting for my samples... but if you've tried this... what do you think about it? Let me know. I'll let you know after I try it. °Ü°

I'm sorry for your loss...

Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, Maria Sue, died yesterday.

You are in our prayers Chapman family. Tragedy is hard. Tragedy under a microscope doesn't help the matter at all. We will be praying for protection from the world, and wisdom from above.

Preserved

Preserved -- for all posterity.

What does that mean?



The kiddos have their hand prints preserved in fresh cement.
I am going to cherish this.
They say time flies... this is my attempt to hold back time.

NOT Free Entertainment

It was ELECTRONIC FREE... but not FREE!

What a fun time the kiddos had watching the sidewalk and drive way get paved.
Mr. Waddle and his cohort came and poured cement for us. It was April, but it was COLD. My kids bundled up in winter coats and sat outside on the porch. Front row seats for this entertainment.

They needed to swap out some boots - these are a sign of a hard working man.
I'm so glad my kiddos to go to see that in action... hard work. These men used muscles - but they were having a good time while doing it. Never once did were they foul or course in front of the kiddos. What a blessing. I don't know if these men know Jesus or not, but they got to see an example of a people working hard and having a good time doing so.

I love it when field trips come right to my front door.
The kiddos love that they get to ride their scooters and roller blade on the new cement.

We were glad the cement truck driver decided against committing suicide at the last minute. OK -- not really -- he was checking the cement level. Mr. Wadle decided at the last minute to extend our drive way by a few feet, instead of dumping it somewhere. I thought surely there must be a better way to check the cement level... but apparnetly not. I'm sure glad this guy wasn't top heavy.

Alls well that ends well!

More Electronic Enetrainment Free Month

I have a rubber band... now what can I do?

Let's see...

I'll stick it on my face.
Weee!!
My Mom is laughing... it must be fun...






OK -- maybe not.







How can I get this thing off?

Why is my mom still laughing?
When can we turn the TV back on?

Electronic Free Entertainment Month

Man Alive.

When you shut the TV off -- those creative juices start a flowing. We shut the TV off starting in March,after wrestling season was over, for the summer. We'll turn it on again, in September, just in time for college football. ;-)

They were even willing to stop and pose for me.
Wasn't that nice?

Little do they know... these are very useful blackmail photos... say... in 10 years.
:giggle:
Oh come one -- you were thinking it.

:sigh:
I love these boys.
(You knew that already... didn't ya?)

No Greater Love

Oh... this looks like a good movie.

Jeff and Heather were the “Lucky ones.” Best friends from childhood, high school sweethearts, and married by twenty-two. They were inseparable soul mates. Over time, however, Jeff became a workaholic, and Heather felt the neglect. After the birth of their son, Ethan, and with Jeff never around, Heather fell into a deep depression. In a moment of despair, Heather made the life-altering decision to leave Jeff for the night…and never returned. After police searches, missing person’s reports, and endless efforts to find her…she was gone.

Ten years later…life has moved on for Jeff and Ethan. Jeff is on the verge of proposing to Katie, his girlfriend of eight months, and Ethan has grown into a well-adjusted eleven year old. While not forgotten, Heather is a vivid, but distant memory of the past for Jeff, and no memory at all for Ethan.

Jeff is befriended by Dave, a fellow regular at a local coffee house. After striking up a friendship, they learn that their sons are baseball little league teammates. With summer break approaching, Dave encourages Jeff to allow Ethan to come to “Kids Fest,” a fun, week-long kid’s summer event at Dave’s church. Ambivalent toward God and church, but feeling that Kids Fest would be - if nothing else - good babysitting for his son, Jeff accepts.

Ethan has a blast, and on the final day, Jeff and Katie are persuaded to attend a brief show, which the kids are performing. It is on this day that Jeff receives the monumental shock of his life. Heather is one of the Kids Fest helpers!

Three years prior to their Kids Fest encounter, Heather had been saved from her sin, and was now a committed Christian. With all her heart, she had diligently attempted to find the whereabouts of Jeff and Ethan, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Turning it over to God, she had fervently been praying to see them again, and by God’s grace, here they were!

Jeff is forced to wrestle with forgiveness, reconciliation, and the irresistible grace of God.

I found this news release about the movie.

‘Faith Based’ movie filmed at AV church

By Lavender Vroman
Showcase Assistant Editor - AV Press

A Lancaster-based production company is staying close to home for the filming of its first feature.

Coram Deo Studios shot scenes for the “faith based” romantic drama “No Greater Love” this week at Grace Chapel and several other Lancaster Locations, including restaurants Fresco II and Jimmy’s Eatery.

“Economically, it made sense,” producer Matt Green said of the decision to shoot the film in Lancaster. “Things are cheaper out here. We had a lot of local connections out here.”

A significant portion of “No Greater Love” takes place on a church campus, Green said. One of the sales representatives for Coram Deo’s parent company, Signature Fundraising, happened to be a member of Grace Chapel. He approached the church, which has been supportive of the project ever since. Grace Chapel pastor Chris Johnson even plays the role of a pastor in the film, Green said.

“No Greater Love” is written and directed by Brad Silverman. Signature Fundraising president Russ Rice is the executive producer. A crew of about 24 is working on the three-week shoot, filming with high-definition digital cameras. They’ve also filmed at locations in Canyon Country and Valencia.

Once the film is completed, Coram Deo plans to screen it at churches across the country, possibly as early as mid-summer, Green said. The studios ultimate goal is to secure a distribution deal for the movie.

Coram Deo Studios began as Signature Productions, which primarily made industrial videos for the fundraising company that relocated from Valencia to Lancaster in 2002.

After landing a cross-promotional deal with Warner Bros. and producing a pilot for an educational children’s television series, the company became a “full-fledge studio,” Green said.

So... what is an AV church? Audio-Visual?

Three Things To Ponder

THREE THINGS TO PONDER

1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C O W S

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow
epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost
three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of
Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are
unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country.
Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just
give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked
for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T H E 1 0 C O M M A N D M E N T S

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a
courthouse is this:

You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,'
and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and
politicians...It creates a hostile work environment.

*************the end*************
HA! Funny post my dear cousin Lavonne sent me. Well -- not funny ha ha... but funny in a sad sort of way. I guess if we didn't laugh... we'd probably be crying.
=/

World Mission Video

"Jeremy" is my BIL!! Can you see why my kids love him to visit?

AND -- I wonder where my cute niece inherited her hilarious facial expressions from.

The Widows Might

A new movie is coming out -- ever hear of it? The Widows Might.

I have never heard of it -- or of the brother's who produced it.

Tell me about it --

The List

Synopsis:

Deception, greed and a deadly lust for power lie at the heart of a sinister organization in this intriguing thriller based on the novel by best-selling author Robert Whitlow. Starring Malcolm McDowell (TV’s War and Peace), Chuck Carrington (TV’s JAG), Hilarie Burton (TV’s One Tree Hill) and Will Patton (A Mighty Heart), The List is a heart-racing tale of suspense and betrayal, in a dark world of blood oaths that bind generations.

Returning home for his father’s funeral, Renny Jacobson (Carrington) discovers he’s the inheritor of his family’s chair in a secret society founded during the Civil War. But Renny suspects there’s more to the society’s activities than meets the eye, and when his inquiries into the group’s true nature are discovered by its corrupt leader (McDowell), Renny becomes the target of a dark and mysterious force with the power to destroy everything — and everyone — he loves.

Hey -- look it there... I think I just found a new PBS author to search for.

My family got me One Night With The King for mother's day. DH noticed it was a Fox Faith movie. I'm looking around that site today for more Netflix ideas. °Ü° I've got some queue going on there. So -- are you a netflixer? I've love to be your buddy... hear what you think about the movies you watched.

Wordless Wednesday

Home School Lounge

Come join me! If you are a home schooling MOM (sorry dads), come be my lounge sister.

°Ü°

I belong to a Iowa Home School Yahoo Group. Not a very active group -- but informative at times.

Anyway..

J-- a homeschooling mom had asked about area Orthodontist.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an area, child-
friendly, home school friendly, orthodontist? My son is ready for
braces and the orthodontist he's seen a couple of times isn't as warm
and friendly as I'd like. He knows we home school and he quizzes my
son on random facts, like he's going catch him not knowing the
answers. I suppose it's an attempt at humor or maybe his way of
trying to connect, but it drives me crazy. I just sense an
undercurrent of disapproval for homeschooling and a different
orthodontist would probably be a better fit. Thanks for any
recommendations.

J


Then R-- another Iowa homeschooling mom replied with this.


Hi,

I am late in responding to this as well, but the office referred to
above with Drs R and C also has a third orthodontist named
Dr. K. He is very pro homeschooling because he is my husband,
and thus, a homeschooling dad! I don't mean to be advertising for my
husband but just wanted to let you know about that. He has told me
that their office sees quite a few homeschooling families and he
thinks it's great.

R

Guess what? Dr. K is the Orthodontist that TORI saw last week. YEAH!! Isn't God good??

So I replied with this...

HEY!!!! We just went to see Dr. K LAST WEEK!! (Tuesday) I had my 5 kiddos in there with me. Dr. K was sooo funny. He lifted up this great big huge tooth brush (a decoration) and asked my son if he wanted his teeth brushed. My son wasn't even the patient... he was just sitting and waiting for his sister. So Dr. K went out of his way to make us feel welcome and comfortable.

Small World.

OHHH... just remembered this. This was our initial appointment and he offered to squeeze in my daughter for the 2nd visit THAT SAME DAY... really saving us a lot of money on gas, since we live over an hour away. My dh really appreciated that!! He will be so pleased to find out he is home school friendly.

He was very nice and answered all my questions with out a bit of irritation. He has great... bedside? Chair side manner!

Thank you for mentioned this R.

I love the internet. °Ü°

That's Not On the Test

::giggle:: Awww... to be homeschooled!!

Detergent

That is such a catchy title... some days I amaze myself.

Well -- my friend Bekah, over at The Beginning Farmer's Wife wrote a great post about clothing detergent -- and how much one uses.

She took photos -- so it really made an impact on this visual learner.

Check it out!

Tithe... or a Thank Offering

Do any of you think of your tithe as a Thank Offering?

I'm studying my Sunday School Lesson on Giving. The writer of the book mentioned that our tithe is a form of worship. He was using Psalm 96 as a guide to worship. Mr. H. Joseph Miller pointed out that there is singing, preaching, offering, prayer and service mentioned in this Psalm.

Psa 96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Psa 96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Psa 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Psa 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Psa 96:5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Psa 96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Psa 96:7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psa 96:8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Psa 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Psa 96:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Psa 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Psa 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
Psa 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

vs. 7 and 8 say GIVE unto the Lord. Worship by giving. That was new to me. I think of tithe as what I OWE God. He deserves at least a 10th doesn't He. But NO... look at that... I WORSHIP Him by giving. So I looked up tithe on my e-sword today and read what the commentators have to say about it.

Jamieson, Faucet and Brown says this about tithe in Leviticus 27.30...

The whole produce of the land was subjected to the tithe tribute - it was a yearly rent which the Israelites, as tenants, paid to God, the owner of the land, and a thank offering they rendered to Him for the bounties of His providence. (See Pro_3:9; 1Co_9:11; Gal_6:6).

So of course... I looked up Gal 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.


Thank you... Thank you God. And of course... a good way to say thank you is by WORSHIPING as you tithe.

This is a GREAT Sunday School class we are having. I really enjoy the discussion. The teacher keeps reminding us how he doesn't like to teach, but he seems to be doing fine. If a 1 period class turns into 2, because we are learning so much... isn't that a good class? I'd say so. Thanks for the challenge to keep on digging. I look forward to all I'm going to learn about giving this week.

High Flyer

We had a field trip the other day.
We toured the local small town airport.
We got to participate in the EAA Young Eagles Program. They will come in and give a child from ages 8-17 a free flight. How exciting. I took all the kids, and we got to watch Mansel fly.

The pilot did GREAT with the kiddos. He let Mansel hop up into the plan and get a great photo op. "Look Ma, I'm flying!" Ü

Then they all climbed in and took a 20 minute flight... for free. Amazing. Mansel said he didn't realize it was so hilly where we lived. LOL

We stuck around while everyone was flying, because at the end we took a tour and got to see where they stored planes, and worked on planes and fueled them up. It was a neat field trip. We drive by the airport many times going to and from town. Sunday -- on the way home from church -- Danielle said, "Look... there is the airport."

Learn something new every day.

Thanks to my friend Tricia for organizing these field trips for our group. She really does a great job! She makes our homeschooling experience so much richer!