Brandishing My E-Sword

I'm doing a bible study with the book Loving God with All Your Mind, by Elizabeth George.


I'm really digging deep -- getting into it -- cherishing what I'm learning -- all by using my Sword!

E-Sword that is.


I've put a link down at the bottom of my blog -- clear down there at the bottom -- see it? Hit your end button... It's green. This could be... but not if you don't use it... it could be the most important think you ever down load. And -- get this -- and... it's FREE!

Here is an example of how I use my e-sword.

I have saved it to my desk top -- so I double click on it and open it up.

Mrs. George's book is going over Phillipians 4.8. So I look up that verse specifically by typing in the reference. I normally use KJV around here... so I have downloaded KJV+, and KJVR. The "+" version looks like this...

Phi 4:8 Finally,3063 brethren,80 whatsoever things3745 are2076 true,227 whatsoever things3745 are honest,4586 whatsoever things3745 are just,1342 whatsoever things3745 are pure,53 whatsoever things3745 are lovely,4375 whatsoever things3745 are of good report;2163 if there be any1536 virtue,703 and2532 if there be any1536 praise,1868 think on3049 these things.5023

...and has all the Strong's numbers besides the words. Each word that has a number, I can look up. Automatic... no searching or flipping of the pages. The numbers are links -- so they are a different color actually... it's not all run together like that. Very easy to see and use.


KJVR looks like this...

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

... and is what I use most of the time, just for reading. There are many many versions. I bet you can find the one that you use at home.

Well -- the other day I did some digging. What does this verse really mean?

I'm to think on things that are true... what is true? Not concealing. Well -- that makes sense.

Just - Equitable, innocent, holy, just, meet, right(eous). What pops out at me? Innocent. Is my thinking always innocent? Oh yeah... riiight. Hmm...

How about Pure - properly clean, innocent, modest, perfect, clean, pure. Well -- look at that. Innocent shows up again, but also modest, and clean.

Lovely - that's a nice word... what does it mean? Friendly towards, acceptable. Oh ding, ding, ding... friendly towards?? I KNOW my thinking is now ALWAYS friendly towards.

Good report - well spoken of, reputable.

Virtue - properly manliness (valor), excellence, praise.

Praise - laudation, concretely a commendable thing.

THINK ON -- I'm to think on these things. I can even look up "think on" - to take an inventory, conclude, count, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose... think on.

Then Elizabeth George reminded me of James 1.22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Oh hey -- is that nice to throw that verse up in my face. Well... it is the right thing to do actually. Now that I know what things I'm to think on, and how I'm to do it. I'd better do it -- right?

Now I know what Elizabeth George has to say about that verse, because I'm reading her book, but I also like to see what the commentaries say about that verse.

I have downloaded Clark, Henry, Robertson's Word Pictures as well as Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. I can find all kinds of goodies about that verse, but here is my favorite from MHCC.

All our privileges and salvation arise in the free mercy of God; yet the enjoyment of them depends on our sincere and holy conduct.

And Robertson reaffirms this idea with his words.

Think on these things (tauta logizesthe). Present middle imperative for habit of thought. We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.

He's quite the wordy guy... but habit of thought jumped out at me. I've got to create a new habit -- create a habit of thinking correctly, and it must be held to high and hold ideals.

IF -- for any reason you need a map -- you can download maps, and look at them through your graphics viewer. I've got NASA maps, and the SONLIGHT maps at my disposal. Very cool thing, if you ask me, especially since I'm homeschooling some rug rats and we are studying Creation to the Greeks in history this year. Very convenient.

So -- that's quite the devotions I just had there from one little verse, using my MIGHTY e-SWORD! For you know... the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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. (Heb 4.12)

Friends... they are a good thing.

We had friends visit us last week. What a comfortable thing.

Actually -- it was my friend Karen, my laughing friend. Remember her from our E.W. trip?


She came bearing gifts. Oh me... she brought me Peanut Butter M&M's. Needless to say -- they didn't last long. Gone already. I think I had decided that they are my favorite M&M's. Surprising how fleeting M&M's can be.

Mansel was so excited that he climbed the tree to be on the look out. He wanted to be the first to see them arrive! He was...



I made the Milo, Royce and Mansel stop running like crazy for just a moment, for 1 posed shot. Didn't happen... that Milo just can NOT sit still. That's OK -- they were having so much fun... I didn't make them pose for long. Off and running them went.



Look at Clara -- she is a laughing friend for Dani, just like her mother is for me!! Almost as soon as they walked in the door -- they were transformed into princesses... with uncombed hair, but who cares. It's all in the attitude.



Karen and I made bread together while the kids run amok!
Ahhh... what a blessing friends are.

I'm 2

I'm 2, originally uploaded by ~*~ Jennifer ~*~.

When you ask Wayne how hold he is -- this is his answer.

Holding up his whole hand... "I'm 2."

How sweet is that?

Photographing Milo Photographing Me

Photoing Milo Photoing Me, originally uploaded by momatpeace.

I'm going to start using the flickr web-site to host my photos instead of photobucket. Have you seen the ads on photobucket? YUCK...

SO -- how does it look?

I think he's a natural -- this photographing this is genetic... I swear -- My dad has it.. he passed it on to me... now look at poor Milo... clicking away.

OK -- he was just pretending -- as you can tell by the closed shutter... but that's o.k. he's getting a good start. Notice -- no fingers in front of the shutter, or the flash...he's got good form.

Way to go Milo!!

Strawberry Dream

I made a smoothie for breakfast this morning, for myself.

Started with a base of white grape juice. I usually put in 1 cup of liquid to start.

Then I poured in some strawberries. I add 1 cup of fruit to the liquid... but I guess here. I pour them in until they fill up the liquid. I thought there were a few too many strawberries today -- so I put some back in the bag... the ones that weren't touching the grape juice, that is.

I commenced to blending... it got stuck... hmm... needs more liquid.

I open the fridge... oops... I'd given the kiddos all the rest of the grape juice. I do NOT want to open a new bottle just for a few more drops of liquid...

Oh... what about this??

I spied the French Vanilla Creamer. Normally reserved for my coffee... but this is desperate times... calling for desperate measures. Well -- not really -- but I'll give it a shot.

Zip -- poured a little bit in there... again commenced to blending...oh creamy... look at that.

Poured it out -- oh it was thick -- filled the cup... oops... a little bit left... just poured it straight from the blender into my mouth.

GASP -- that's delicious!!!

Stoking the Fire

Yes I am. I am learning to STOKE the FIRE! Yessiree... keeping the hearth and home warm. Just a few cuts, a little splinter, and a slightish burn on the top of my hand, but so far so good.

We have been heading out into the timber, or the highways and byways, or across the road into the ditch to cut some wood this fall. Then load it into the truck. Then unload it unto our pole barn. Sometimes having to split it into small enough pieces so it will fit into our wood burning furnace. Not to be confused with a wood burning stove. No roasting marshmallows on this puppy. It actually in insulated so it is not so blistering hot to the touch, just slightly warm, and it's not purty like a stove is.

Since we have this pole barn full of wood cut, we might as well do something with it. We have 2 staging areas for the wood. One is outside the back door, and one is inside the back door. I don't know the reasoning for this -- but it works for me.

First of all I go to the chimney -- not to be confused with a pretty brick or stone chimney... this is a institutional looking sort with a -- HOT AS FIRE if you touch the stupid thing, so don't touch it -- black pipe chimney. I walk there and open the flue so it will draw. Yeah -- I haven't seen any of the pictures it draws yet.. but it keeps the basement from getting all smoky if you do that first. Ask me how I know.

BEFORE I knew to open the flue, I would open the furnace door slowly... then hurry and put in some wood... and once burn the top of my hand slightly all the while filling up the basement with smoke...slamming the door shut... running over to the smoke detector fanning a bit... then cursing the stupid thing... and running to the back door -- propping it open with a mud boot... running back to the detector and waving wildly to get it to stop it's incessant ringing... laugh at the dog whose head would cock each time the fire alarm would squeal... remember the fire I'm trying to stoke... run back to the furnace... slowly open the door to not let more smoke escape... it didn't work, but I look into the fire and it's out anyway so I've got to start all over again...STUPID!

NOW -- I open the flue on the chimney first. That makes it so much easier.

Then I open the door to the furnace to see if there are any coals left. Usually there are -- PRAISE THE LORD!

Lastly I open the bottom ash drawer to give the fire more oxygen! Yippee.. that's the fun part. Watching those coals JUMP TO LIFE!! FLAMES.

If there are no coals left, then I start from scratch. Which would be newspaper. Newspaper -- all balled up, then small sticks, bark, leaves piled on top of that. I get my 1" sticks piled up by my feet. Kneel down and light the newspaper on fire. Watch the fire walk around across the newspaper slowly and lick up all that black ink, like licking frosting off of a spoon, and catch the small debris on fire. Cool. Did I mention I don't mind stoking the fire? I really don't mind. Probably should -- one more chore added to my already over burdened list of chores... but I don't mind this one. ::tee hee::

Where was I? Oh -- once the kindling is on fire, then I add the 1" sticks. That's what we call them. 1" thick sticks. Get the fire going strong. Then once it's popping and jumping... I load 'er up.

Why do we call things HER? Why didn't I just say, "Load Him Up?" We do we call our cars her? We call the furnace her. I don't know why.

Anyway -- I pile on a few good logs. I like the kind with the bark left on best -- they catch on fire the fastest.

Then I go in reverse.

I count to three -- because I don't want to forget any step.

1. Close the ash pan door, leave the ash pan door nut open (it will draw air through there to feed to fire). Don't leave this door open, or it will melt the furnace. Literally?? I don't know -- let's not find out.

2. Close the furnace door.

3. Walk to the institutional sort of black pipe chimney, and close the flue some... not all... change it from | to /, or a tad bit more. But don't burn your fingers on the HOT AS FIRE if you touch the stupid thing, so don't touch it -- pipe.

There you have it. Pretty soon the furnace will be toasty -- then the fan will start running, and the chill that was in the air will dissipate. I love it! If you open the chimney flue, it won't even fill your house up with smoke and you can't even smell it. (Ask me how I know.)

I think I'm a closet pyromaniac. ::giggle:: I do enjoy Stoking the Fire!

I.D. CARD

Do your children ever need to flash their student identification card during the school year - and you come up empty handed?

Well -- look what I found!! Free Homeschool I.D. Cards! How cool is that?

You can either

Print your card at home, or
Order a professionally printed, sturdy plastic (PVC) ID card from this web-site for only $6.95.

Do you have a better way to do this? If so -- SHARE!! °Ü°

If you do this already -- how do you use your chillin's I.D. Card?

I LUV sharing!

I like Mike

Mike Huckabee

I encourage you to get educated before it's too late!! Ü

Tell Me Whatcha Think

Here is the trailer to the new movie Bella. Christianity Today reviewed the movie.

So -- you going to see it?

Why or Why Not?

ETA: Diane over at Like A Watered Garden has seen Bella -- this is what she has to say about it.

I was wrong...

... it's been known to happen.

I HAVE TO read a Karen Kingsbury book... I'm terrible with names... author's names included apparently.

I've read Gideon's Gift. Oh -- and it was a goodie too.

One Tuesday Morning

I just finished reading my first Karen Kingsbury book. One Tuesday Morning.

I got to hear her speak recently and really enjoyed her time with us.

Here she is signing people's books on Saturday of Extraordinary Women's Conference. She was most gracious...

After hearing her I thought -- "Oh, I should read some of her books." Lucky for me, my local library has a few of her books. So -- now I'm done with the first one, I might say, "HOW COOL!" I love reading the little ditties she puts in the books, and hearing her as I'm reading them.




I've started the 2nd book of this series... Beyond Tuesday Morning. I have found something interesting happening. In the first book... one of the main people is a lady - who is not saved... (until the then... just blew it for ya... sorry). Well -- in the 2nd book... she is saved right from the git go.. and I'm "hearing" Karen as I read Jamie. Funny huh? I didn't do that when Jamie was unsaved.

Look at what I'm doing -- talking about people in the book as if they were real. I think Karen did that too. Funny! I didn't cry during the first one though... so I'm not as bad as Karen... yet!

Well -- I really enjoyed the first book. I like how she writes. I DIDN'T guess at how it was going to end. I really thought the 2nd book was going to be about Eric and his wife getting back together. So I was surprised by the beginning of the 2nd book as well. Yippee... I don't like KNOWING how a book will be. If I KNOW then I think, "Well pffft... I could have written this." LOL (Yeah.. right!)

Recent Visitors

Iowa, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Virginia, New York, South Carolina, Kansas, Germany, Ohio, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, France, Washington, Texas,
California, France, Mississippi, Maine, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.

Wow -- take a look at all the different states that I have gotten visitors from recently. How cool is that? Well -- and countries for that matter. That's not all -- but I got tired of cutting and pasting.

For a little Iowa Girl -- this thrills me. Ü 23 different localities... lots from the mid-west... but those are probably my neighbors... checking to see what crazy thing my kid has done this time.

I think I need to take this time to thank you! Thanks for looking - thanks for reading - thanks for staying... I does a body good. °Ü°

7-1

Woo Hoo!!


What fun... at the beginning of the season, Tori, Mansel and I decided to choose professional teams to follow. I use that term loosely... Today was just the 2nd game of the season that I've been able to watch on TV. But I do know that my team is 7 and 1 as of today... and my team has defeated both of Mansel's and Tori's teams. I'm a good picker. (OK -- I got lucky). I'm officially a fair weather fan... since I've learned since I've picked them, that they used to be lousy! Go FARVE!! I wish he knew how to spell... I know -- it's really FAVRE... that's just stupid... OK... that's not very fanish of me is it? He may not be able to spell -- but he can throw...

Tori picked the Broncos... she is doing so well -- getting on NFL.com to check out the scores... (I think she likes them because of the horse theme). Mansel picked the KC Chiefs. ::shhh... they got beat today:: Ü

So -- I get to celebrate today -- I think I'll go make some wings.

Stumble!

Usually that is not a good thing -- to stumble... but today -- today is a new day.

Stumble Upon -- have you heard of it? COOL!!

I got a Firefox update today -- and one of the "add-ons" that I found was Stumble Upon.

The site says,

Channel surf the internet with the StumbleUpon toolbar to find great websites, videos, photos and more based on your interests. StumbleUpon learns what you like and makes better recommendations.

So far I've clicked that I was interested in religious, conservative politics, and oh.. something else, I don't remember. Mother of 5 wasn't an option, I don't think.

OK -- so what made me blog about this? BibleMap... ever heard of THAT?? I hadn't until I used my StumbleUpon button.

Get a glimpse of THIS... I'm thinking this is going to be WAY COOL for school. A free Bible atlas which harnesses Google maps. We are doing My Father's World, Creation to the Greeks... well -- it's forever saying, "Locate on a map." Look at our neat Bible Map... won't that be fun locating stuff on. It's even got a KJV option... click!! I'm JK Versionized! We just read Genesis 22, where Abraham takes his son Isaac to be sacrificed... how interesting... there is is... right on the map. A real place.

Well -- I hope you enjoy that... now I think I'll go stumble into bed... tomorrow, I'll try Stumble Upon again... this could be fun! Some of the reviews said it was addicting... I'm praying for self-control! Ü

Extraordinary Women ~ Saturday Part II

Alrighty then... Wayne's diapers has been changed a few times since that last post... now I'm ready to post some more. ;)

Karen Kingsbury was the next speaker... boy was she funny!!! I hadn't read any of her books -- but I wished I had, because she would tell stories on herself and then name the character that she wrote about in the book that did the same thing. Or she mentioned how she cried when so and so died. I think that's funny... her husband happened to walk in upon her crying once, after a grandmotherly type lady died, and he said, "You know -- I don't feel sorry for you -- after all... you killed her."

LOL!!

She spoke out of Romans as well.

Romans 12.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I think the Holy Spirit was trying to HAMMER me on Saturday -- what do you think?

Oh then she ended up by reading a tear jerker of a story that she wrote -- really just writing it for her kiddos... but once some publisher got wind of it -- it ended up being a book too. Let Me Hold You Longer. Help us Hannah... she had us all holding hands with our neighbors -- so it was a mess in there... 2700 women or so... holding hands, and bawling... can you imagine all the sniffing, and tears dripping... ruining shirts. I tried to do a trick I heard Oprah say once... (Oh be quite... I know you've watched Oprah before)... she said, "Look up -- when you are about to cry...look at the ceiling." I was trying -- but a few dripped out anyway... I had to wipe them off my neck by the time she was done reading this story.

I was fortunate to be holding the hands of my friends... some were not so lucky. ::giggle:: I'm not poking fingers, mind you... but you know... clammy stranger hands... while snot is running down your nose... not always the best of situations.

Then guess what we did??? I believe -- but I may be wrong... we sang some more. YUP... same 7 song, or was it 11 songs.. who knows?? I left -- I had to go to the bathroom. I wasn't drinking water that day... but I did sneak in a coffee. ::gasp:: Don't tell on me... I was tired.

Did I mention I only got about 4 hours of sleep the night before?

I lay in bed there for 1 hour. I started with my parents, and started praying down the list. I've got 4 sisters... some of which are married... and a few others have kids.. LONG list... I think it was an hour. Well -- you know... I've got A.D.D. I'd get distracted every once in a while.

Then around 3:30... I was up again... I know -- I looked at the clock... thinking if it was close to 5:00, I'd get up and exercise. Not on your life... it wasn't even close... So I started praying for my immediate family -- then must have needed a lot of prayer... because I finally caved and looked at the clock again and it was 4:30. ::sigh:: Oh me... I did go to sleep eventually -- only to wake myself up with my OWN snoring... GREAT -- I was finally asleep... only to wake myself up. OH well -- I guess that's better than my map reading friend shaking the bed so I'd quit snoring. We agreed we'd do that... if the other was snoring... we'd just shake the bed a little. She doesn't snore -- she must have just been being nice to let me think I could wake her up if she was snoring. ;)

OK -- so I needed the coffee... I snuck some in.

Did I mention that this enormously gigantic church had a cafe. Neat little place. Really awesome workers... not the best coffee though... but I'm not a snob... if I can drown the taste with French Vanilla Creamer -- it's all good to me. HA HA!

Oh let's see... where were we? Singing and Swaying and Raising Our Hands... and then we get to sit down again.

Well -- then we broke up for lunch. Our fearless leader had ordered us box lunches. I was glad. I think there was only 1 restaurant close... Applebees. It would have been really, really, really crowded that day. I tell you want... my long legged friend got us to the "pretty close" to the front of the line for lunch. No standing for us... but I was pretty close to running. I lost sight of her once... she turned around... and I could see her face, and she couldn't see me... So I rasied my hand -- and almost started singing praise songs again. Sort of like Pavlo's dogs, I was... but I caught myself. She found us and we ventured on.

I think our lunch was from the ROC cafe, delicious, I might add. W.W. bread, which impressed the bread makers of our group. HUGE cookie -- which impressed me. Ü We had another gab session... but you know how it goes... What comes out of our mouthes in Raytown, STAYS in Raytown.

Next speaker -- Jennifer Rothschild. Now -- she was impressive. Of course I'd never heard of her either. I don't get out much -- did I mention that? I'm sort of a home body... I don't go gallivanting about listening to all these speakers... so -- another new one.

She has Rhinitis's Pigmentosis. Yeah -- I know... Firefox is telling me I spelled that incorrectly. Can you believe it? Get used to it... I'm a horrible speller. It means she is totally blind. Has been since the age of ... oh... I forgot to write it down. 15 or 16.

She graduated from high school blind, then headed to college. Where she met her dear husband. What a guy!

She talked about being a Risk Taker Rather than a Hole Maker... ever time she mentioned Hole Maker -- I thought she was saying Home Maker... so I kept getting distracted. It could have been that she was speaking last, or after lunch, or during normal nap time... I'm not sure... but her telling me not to be a HOME MAKER was messing me up.

One thing that DID really stick out was that our talent was not ours to bury... and that our talent may be something hard like... suffering. Oh wow... never thought of that.

So she told us to be Strong and Courageous. The Bible doesn't say be strong and confident... just courageous.

After she was done -- we sang some more... not as long this time... becuase they were going to have a drawing... and the natives were getting restless.

Woo Hoo -- they handed out free stuff... some lady won a cruise... all the rest of the ladies won free JUNK. Our group -- nothin... Oh well -- better luck next time.

So -- then they tried to make us sing some more. Not on your LIFE!! We bolted... when we heard them say, "Grab your neighbor's hand"... we ran. The lady on the end said, "Oh here -- let me move my stuff." I said, "NO THANKS! I'LL JUST JUMP OVER IT!" And I did...

Oh... it as fun. It as great to hear all the empowering speakers. It was really refreshing to be in such a positive environment.

The ride home was almost as fast as the ride down there.

We DID stop for Starbucks... oh me... I like Starbucks -- but not as much as Amber, the long legged, map reading friend. Goodness me... she LUVS Starbucks.

Kim did the driving again -- she's a good driver. She only closed her eyes for an extended time while we were passing the Semi-truck vs. Motorcycle accident. Motorcycle lost... but not by much.

Karen and I -- well -- we discovered there is a secret trap door that you can get into the trunk through... we searched and searched for the chocolate mint cookies -- couldn't find them any where.

Finally after sitting for a really, really, long time -- one of us tried to balance on their head...but I'll not mention any names.

We saw some friends -- going in the opposite directions. They were headed to a soccer game. Soccer Match? What do you call that? Soccer Meeting of the minds? Who knows?

We ended up stopping at a little Cafe in Lamoni. College town, you know... flooded with places to go, people to meet... I'm lying -- we saw nothing... finally we were about to head back to the inter-state -- we saw this dive. But man alive... can they cook there. I'm thinking of taking my dear husband there for our 13th Anniversary... he'd LUV it! ;) Can you say buffet?

I had a hamburger --


And some onion rings... but just a few -- because we shared them. ;)



We laughed and laughed at that Cafe. I think that's why I lost 1.2 pounds that week-end, in spite of the malt.



Thanks for the good time friends! I really enjoyed myself... you'll never know until you get to heaven what a blessing that was for me. I came home refreshed, in spite of only 4 hours of sleep... able to leap a burning building in one bound... or some such nonsense!

I Love You Friends!! Let's keep in touch! ;)

(Like that'll be a problem... you should see the e-mails a flying... ::tee hee:: yeah, more Raytown secrets!) Ha Ha HAAAA!! I bet you wish you knew!

Extraordinary Women ~ Saturday

I found my notes from the Saturday part of the Extraordinary Women's Conference.

I must say one of the most notable part for me is... I bought some jewelery from Kim Dorr, who was selling Just Jewelry. I noticed as I pulled the goodies out of the bag at home, that I didn't have a receipt... I remember signing a receipt... oh wait... I only remember signing 1 receipt... I bought 2 things. I found a necklace... (bottom left hand circle necklace) she rung up it... then my tall, map reading friend, Amber found CLIP ON earrings to match (#571) COOL! Ring 'em up please! But I don't remember signing THAT receipt.. but I've got the earrings. Praise the Lord -- here is a business card with the jewelry. I think they still have my receipts and my VISA card. Eeekkk!!! So I shoot off an e-mail to Ms. I've got a Southern Accent to die for. (She was a cutie!!)

You know what??? She CALLED me!!! All the way from tim-buck-too... well... Virginia really. Wowzie Bowzie!! She DID have my stuff... and she put it in a baggie and gave it to security because she had a plane to catch. She really did try to get the E-Women to announce it over the loud speaker... well -- it wasn't as dramatic or bloody as the lady who broke her femur on the drive home Friday night... so I didn't make the list apparently. No announcement... and she had to leave feeling very funny about leaving my VISA card with security.

Make a long story short -- I think I want to sell Just Jewelry -- and my VISA card is in the mail.

Besides the cute jewelry, I got some great information too!

I think Elizabeth George is my new favorite author right now. (I just typed Elizabeth Elliot -- any one else mix those 2 up?) OK -- she is cute TOO! What she had to say really struck home with me. Faith Is Not A Feeling! Oh yeah... riiiiiight! I'm always on such an emotional roller coaster -- it's not even fun any more.

She mentioned a book she wrote that explains what she did to get a handle on her depression. (She used that "d" word, not me.) I thought... THIS godly woman had D.E.P.R.E.S.S.I.O.N. So... maybe I'm not such a kook... although I play one on TV.

She told us a story how she learned how to pray with the authority of scripture. Sounds like a great idea.

Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So what can we trust God for?

1. Our #1 problem that day.
2. The good things in life.
3. The bad things.
4. The large things.
5. The small things.
6. The people in our lives.
7. All things.

Well -- I was going to go on and on and blah, blah, blah about her speaking... but here comes Wayne with a soggy, 1/2 off diaper and he needs help. So I'd better take a break here.

Just know that I believe she is a woman of God, and he used her to speak to me on Saturday. I mentioned that in a testimony in church Sunday Night... and afterwards a friend told me, "You should check out our church library." Oh -- I found some goodies... not a pretty as my necklace, but probably worth a lot more. I found Elizabeth George's book, Loving God With All Your Mind, plus the workbook to go with it. Praise God!!

So -- I'll go change Wayne's Diaper... then read through another chapter... pray for me while I'm going through that book. I've heard more than 1 lady say, "That book changed my life." I'd take some life changing about now!

~~ Fun at the Park ~~

My friend Ruth e-mailed and said, "Let's play"!! So we did. We live in Southern Iowa -- and it's October... can you believe this weather? It was a smidgen windy -- but if you ran around like a chicken with your head cut off -- you didn't notice much. I think Ruth and I, we noticed. LOL


I didn't tell my kiddos about the outing... just piled them into the van and said, "Let's go to the park." (I love surprises). The BEST part of this was my daughter Tori, just that morning, mentioned Faith, and I said, "Would you like to see her again sometime?" YES! ::giggle:: I'm so sneaky! Faith is a friend from our church in Chariton. We've recently changed churches so our home church will be close to our home. We hadn't seen them for several weeks... was it months? It must have been months, because Ruth mentioned how Tori was now taller than Faith. Wow -- how did that happen, and I didn't even notice? YIKES!! She'll probably be taller than I am soon... her feet are the same size as mine now -- but I've had 5 kiddos... they got bigger with each kid. Her feet are bigger than mine at her age. ::sigh:: She's growing up -- right under my nose -- too fast...



On the way home Dani said, "I still like Laura - she's my friend." Pretty profound statement for a 4 year old. ;) If you click on this photo you'll be able to see Dani's red mark. She was running with the merry-go-round until it got too fast, then her feet flew out from under her and she let go, then Mansel plowed right over her... because he was still merry-go-rounding... Happened pretty fast, Mansel said, "I didn't do it on purpose!" LOL Poor guy... he felt bad. She's a trooper... didn't cry too long. Got right back on. This time letting the big kids do the pushing!



Look how warm it was -- a lot of the kiddos were bare footed.


I told Dan later that Ruth had brought her WORLD FAMOUS Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. He knew immediately what I was talking about. Mansel was listening and he is a stickler for details, he said, "Those are World Famous?" No... you are right... I exaggerated a bit... they are only famous at our house... but boy are they G.O.O.D.!! There is pudding in the mix... makes them moist, and soft, and mushy, and chocolaty, and just plain delicious!! They COULD be world famous... if everyone read my blog and spread the word. °Ü°


What fun we had!! Fastest 2 hours I had in a long time. We must stop and do things like this more often. Thank you Lord for good friends!

Jane Austin Heroine ~ Who am I?

:: A N N E ::

You are Anne Elliot of Persuasion! Let's face it, you're easily persuaded, especially when faced with choices that are or aren't 'the Elliot way.' But this doesn't mean that you don't have conviction. Actually, your sense of duty is overwhelming. And though you won't stick your neck out too often, you have learned to speak up when it counts. To boot, you know how to handle sticky situations. You love deeply and constantly.

Take the Quiz here!

If you take the quiz -- let me know who you turn out to be. Ü

I'd agree with most of what was said... now I need to go read the book and find out if I can see myself.

Extraordinary Women ~ My Friends and I

Here are some photos to help you keep us all straight...

This is my laughing friend, Karen. (Isn't her smile gorgeous??)



The driver, Kim. She is a very good driver, I might add.



The map reader, Amber. AKA the speed walker!

See how she leans down -- yeah I was on my tip toes -- she is probably 47 1/2" taller than I, and it's all in the legs. I got quite a work out trying to keep up with her. Most times I failed!

What a blessing these girls are to me!

You can click on the photo to enlarge them, but I don't recommend it man... I've got some serious bags under my eyes! SCAREY!

Extraordinary Women ~ Friday Night

Oh -- boy ladies... if you get a chance to attend an Extraordinary Women's Conference... I say, "JUMP!" Well -- jump at the chance -- that is!!

What fun... I'll break this up into clumps for you -- so your buns don't fall asleep, trying to read through the entire week-end. There is so much to cover... this might take me all week!!

We headed south, out of Iowa, around noon. I was so excited about this trip -- that on the way to our meeting point, I pitted out my blouse. That wasn't so bad until I went to freshen up before the Event. Ugghh... I only bought 1 extra shirt. What was I thinking? I think what I was thinking was that since I didn't have any kiddos along with me to wipe their nose on me, or use me as a napkin for their cookies crumbs, or to bump my arm while I was drinking coffee... I'd be OK. Who would of thought the idea of being responsibility free for 24 hours would have caused me to sweat so. I didn't -- but that's o.k. I didn't raise my arms much... well -- I did some while we are praising and worshiping... but I'll get to that in a bit. (over and over again)... Oops.. almost gave it away.

You know -- that 4 hour trip down there... 3 1/2, what ever it was... it just flew by. Riding in the back seat with a friend who loves to laugh is the way to go! Let me tell you -- even during the 45 minutes.. well maybe 50 minutes - but who was counting -- that we were lost, trying to find this gigantic church, flew by for me. I felt absolutely no stress. Now - the driver, Kim - sister to the laughing friend, and the map reader, Amber -- they may have been pitting out... but my laughing friend, Karen and I, we were really having a good time. Everyone needs a laughing friend or two... that's what I think. I'm pretty sure that's Biblical!

Amber, the map reader - she got on the phone with some at the church -- and they gave directions. We did a silly thing -- well... it's an Iowa thing actually. We stopped and asked for directions from a man who was working construction on a less then horribly busy street. (Boy those big cities have busy streets)... Well -- the driver, Kim, ever so nicely asked for directions and I know he could hear her -- because we were on a not so busy street... but he just shrugged and pointed and said, "blah, blah, blah." Which sounded a lot like, "I'm living in your country, but I'm not adopting your language." So we all jumped out of the car and pulled out our flags and started singing, "America, America, We all Speak English Here!!" OK -- we did not... we rolled our windows up and locked the doors, and that's when the map reader, Amber, called for directions. H.E.L.L.O... English as a 2nd language is the class for you!

Oh -- I got sidetracked... didn't I?

We found the church!! I was beautiful from the outside. We didn't get out yet... our smart map reader had us FIND the church first so we could discover how close the motel was to the church so we could time our trips accordingly. How smart was that?? So next -- we headed to the motel. FOUND it -- lickety split!! Praise God for good map readers and great drivers. Karen, my laughing friend, and I -- we just laughed some more.

We unpacked -- some of faster than others -- I'll tell a story -- but you have to promise and cross your heart and hope to die that you won't tease anyone about it.

I went with two sisters... Kim and Karen. Well -- one sister said, "I bet as soon as we get there my sister unpacks her bag first thing." LOL -- we all laughed... what a funny thing to say about a sister. But you know what?? SHE DID!!! She was the first one unpacked and we had another laugh when she was all done. There -- she felt better... she was all settled in. I guess she does that every time.

Me?? I found the bathroom... I was an idiot and tried to keep up my alarmingly high water consumption on the way down south. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Well -- actually maybe not because I LOST weight on this trip. It might have been the water... but I'm thinking maybe it was all the laughing. I didn't drink quite so much the next day... I'm afeerd of public bathrooms... they scare me. So I kept my water consumption down to a minimum.

We then decided we'd find a place to eat. Applebees it was. I had Cajun Tilapia. Which I couldn't pronounce. Why even mention Applebees? BECAUSE... the waitress was a very honest little girl.

I gave what I thought was enough money to pay my bill and give a 10% tip, and said... you can keep the change.

She brought it back and said, "I'm not sure you wanted me to keep all that..." She brought back my $20 that was stuck to my $10 apparently. EEKK!! She did a good job -- but not THAT good. So then I rewarded her... and tipped her a little more. ::tee hee:: Don't tell my dear husband.

We got to the church on time... the entry way was very crowded and I could hear a voice saying, "Show your tickets... keep your tickets because you'll need them for tomorrow... show your tickets... keep your tickets" Etc. I don't even think we went through her door -- but I thought her voice sounded like a COSTCO sample ladies voice. I got a chuckle out of that.

First on the agenda -- Praise and Worship. Oh -- I loved it... I'm really into music. OK -- not modern up to date music. But church music. I love to sing hymns and choruses at church... I listen to the radio -- they play Praise and Worship music on that station... so I was familiar with the songs... and they shot the words up on a huge screen so we could all sing a long. Lift our hands up in praise... sway or get bumped and start a domino affect of falling. All us conservative Iowa girls -- we swayed... peer pressure... no one wanted to fall down.

Then -- Then -- with much nervous excitement (probably more sweating!) CHONDA PIERCE!!! Oh my gracious... she was a hoot!! She talked about tough subjects like depression and hair you napped on, all while laughing! Oh what fun. I really enjoyed that!! In fact, I laughed until I didn't feel like I need to do any crunches before bed time. I was feeling those laughing muscles in my midsection... Oh me!! What a pleasure she was to be in the room with.

Then more Praise and Worship songs. Well -- not MORE songs... just more TIME singing those same songs. At least I think they were the same... Maybe it's all one long song, who knows? The leader said, "We are going to sing this song until we know it this weekend." I was thinking -- there are the words right there... we don't have to KNOW it do we? And besides... I think I already know it. I lost track of how many times we say the same 7/11 song. Oh come on you've heard it... same 7 words 11 times.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying "HYMNS RULE", but if I sang the same hymn 11 times... I'd still be nauseous. Feeling a little dizzy from lifting my hands and swaying at the same time... to this merry go round of praise and worship ditties. ::sigh:: But it ended eventually -- and I ran to the bathroom again. LOL!! You think I'm kidding... I promise you -- I quit drinking water eventually...

Last but not least was Twila Paris. Oh -- I KNEW I knew some of her songs... I just couldn't remember what they were. I like her -- because her voice is right in my range. I can SING REALLY LOUD -- right along with her. Yep -- I did... I bellered!! HEY -- that place was full of 2699 other women... no one was going to turn around in their seat and gape at me like the little kids at church do. In fact... I thought I was hearing Kim, the driver, sitting next to me singing, and I looked at her once and her mouth was closed... it was the loud girl sitting next to her bellering right along with me and Twila. Hooray!! No one cares! I bellered!!

We waited until after "Beautiful", a song that was sung in Karen, my laughing friend's, wedding. Oh -- it almost brought tears to my eyes... but it could have been dry scratchy contacts. Ugg... let's get home and get these out!!

So we did.

Then to bed by 11:00ish.

Yep -- I skipped some didn't I? But you know what?? What goes on in Raytown... Stays in Raytown. °Ü°

To be continued...

Going Through The Change

I was exhausted after just 4 hours of sleep on Friday night. I got a good solid 8 hours of sleep Saturday night... so... I probably didn't NEED a 2 hour nap today. But you know... that's what I got.

::sigh:: Now it's 10:40 p.m. -- and I'm not a bit sleepy.

Well - I guess this is a good time to blog.

So let's see -- what shall we talk about -- how about the silly people who are messing with the time change. It's bad enough that we HAVE the change -- but don't be messing with WHEN we do the Crazy TIME CHANGE... sort of like saying -- women... you must go through menopause... so like it or not... we do it... but OK... now we are going to change it up a bit... and tell you that we are moving Menopause in your life... like it or not, why don't we try to make menopause better by having you go through the change when you are teenagers -- you will handle the temperature fluxes better then, we think. Research has shown that teen age girls are more limber and they can whip on a sweater faster than the grannies can... so we are changing the change.

OK -- that doesn't really work, does it... But you know -- time change... THE change... that's were it all started, I guess.

Well - you know.. THE time change... it got messed up at our house...

We did a really SMART thing... we bought clocks that set themselves... You know -- really smart for in case of a loss of power in the middle of the night... the battery keeps your clock running for a while.. but if you should need to re-set the clock for what ever reason... AUTOMATICALLY, when the power returns... BING -- the clock does it's own setting... EVEN adjusting for daylight savings time. ::GASP:: how neat is that??

Unleeeeessss....

Someone messes with the change. So yeah... our clocks set themselves -- but no one told the clock that sets itself that they messed with the change. It's not until N.E.X.T. week... but hey -- I got a little extra sleep this morning... just burned it all off with all the stress of getting 7 people ready and out the door for Sunday School in 30 minutes. It's possible b.t.w. Well -- they didn't get fed... but you know... that's not really important is it?? We were on time... (mostly)... close enough...

So -- next week... our clocks WILL NOT change automatically -- because in their minds eye... if they have a mind, or an eye, it's already been through the change.

Somebody hand me a sweater??

I'm Home

Oh the joy of little kids rushing at you as you step in the door!

Wayne came back again and again for hugs.

Here is just a peek at the fun time we had!!




Oh man -- these girls know how to L.A.U.G.H.!!

I had a blast! I hope I remember everything so I can blog about it all.

Oh me... I'm so tired... I need to get to bed. °Ü°

Name That Blog - Another Giveaway!

I've got an on-line friend whose son is going to start a blog. He has a contest going to help him thing of a name.

Will you go help him out??

Name That Blog!!

Better hurry -- it ends today!

Line Training

I have an on-line friend who line trains her kiddos. No -- it's not similar to line dancing... that's a whole 'nother ball o'wax.

Line Training... she tells all about it; when, wherefore, why, thereofs.

I'm thinking it sounds like a great idea -- I wonder if 8 years old is too late to line train? Hmmm...

Any of you ever line train? Do tell...

I'm in LUUUUUV!

This camera has an AUTO -- but if you want to have fun, it has some creative modes. I was practicing with those this morning... in the wee hours of the day...before the sun came up.

I can take a photo of my toe and it will be B&W, but my pink toe nail polish will still be pink. It's called color accent. Oh me.. won't that be F.U.N.

I was taking photos of my light switch, my book case, my couch... I can't wait for the kiddos to wake up...

WAIT -- I'm supposed to be folding laundry and packing to leave town... SIGH!!

I guess I'll put my toy away and go get ready. Guess what I'm taking with me!! MY CAMERA BOOK... and my camera. ::tee hee:: I'm giddy with joy!

RACHEL - this camera is so much fun so far!! I really like it... I'll give it a real critique after I've used it for a month or so... I'm sure I'll be more or less enthused buy them... after the newness wears off.

So for now... go hug your kids!!

Stop Holding Your Breath Now

I got my camera in the mail today!! Woo Hoo!!

Is it OK to kiss the guy in brown, if you aren't married to him, if he brings you a new camera?

Better not be -- I didn't kiss him... but I almost kissed the dog. The Brown Man left it on the porch and the dog didn't even bite him!!

Hooray!!

Now -- if I can only figure out how to turn it on.

::GASP:: Swap A DVD

Oh My Stars and Garters!!! I can hardly wait for this... did you see this??? Swap A DVD... same people who do Paper Back Swap -- and they know how to do that... are going to start Swap A DVD soon. You can sign up and they will hollar at you when it starts... of course -- they've already jotted down my e-mail. I'm so ready for this!!

I have a trillion DVD's just waiting to be swapped!! (When I get excited I exaggerate a bit)... but boy, oh boy... I'm thrilled about this news.

Are you going to Swap A DVD?

Paper Back Swap Suggestions

I've got some credits at Paper Back Swap --

if you had credits at Paper Back Swap -- what would you be requesting?

Have I ever told you how much I like Paper Back Swap?

Extraordinary Women

I'm heading south with some special friends of mine; Karen, Amber, and Kim, to an Extraordinary Women Conference. It's been sold out!

I tell you what friends... I am so excited. Here is what we will do Friday night.
Praise & Worship with Charles Billingsley. Is that going to be good? What have you heard about him? I see from his photo he is tan. Maybe he is from the south. LOL

Speaker Chonda Pierce. Is she a speaker? I think she is a laughing machine!! She is hilarious... (to use one of her words!) I can not wait for this. I need some refueling! My laugh-o-meter better be hitting a 10!!

Then a Concert by Twila Paris. I know I've heard of her... not sure if I know any of her new songs. But who cares... I'll just sit there and soak it all in.

Then I'll head back to a hotel with my girlfriends... on my word... I bet we'll be laughing into the wee hours of the morn.

But Saturday -- that ought to be good... ever hear of Elizabeth George... ::gasp:: YES... the Elizabeth George... She'll be there... along with Karen Kingsbury and Jennifer Rothschild. I don't know much about them, but Ms. Rothschild ought to be good -- with a name like Jennifer. ;) I bet she is in her 30's... our parents were not so creative back then -- were they. I know a LOT of Jennifers.

Who cares?? I'm going to a conference with my friends!! I can't wait. I hope to come home refreshed and enthused. (Full of blogging material!) HA!

Here are their Top Ten Reasons to Attend The Conferences…

1. Strengthen your relationship with the Lord and draw closer to His heart.
2. Hear practical and spiritual messages from key Christian leaders that will feed your heart, soul and mind.
3. Learn the truth about who God is, how He wants you to live, how He made you and how great His love is for you.
4. Gather for a wonderful time to glorify our Lord, Jesus Christ, in unison with other women!
5. Enjoy an inspirational, fun and life-changing experience!
6. Allow yourself to experience a special time just for you.
7. Hear God speak to you in difficult areas that you are facing today.
8. Learn how you can be a vessel for God to spread His word and glorify His name.
9. Be part of an awesome mother-daughter, sister and group event.
10. Give yourself an opportunity to be poured into and know you are somebody to Christ and others.

I tell you what -- I'm looking forward to some of these. °Ü°

Just Like Christmas

My sweet dear husband has ordered me a camera. Boy did he get a sweet deal... the price you see is not the price he paid! Oh man alive... the anticipation. This morning early I heard a car drive by our house -- it slowed a bit... I thought "Oh -- maybe that's the camera." ::sigh:: WHEN has the FedEx man ever come to our house before breakfast... I'm worse than a kid.

How many days?? Is it time?? Can you call the company?? LOL

Just you wait -- soon... soon my friends... you will be inundated with fresh photos of my family. Oh joy!! I bet you can't wait!

Happy Birthday Milo!

Milo turns 6 today.

He is a low maintenance sort of fella... he wanted frozen cardboard pizza for supper.

OK!! I'm all over that.

Oh -- and orange jell-o. Got it done!! He LOVED it. I put it in a fancy mold... two actually -- he was THRILLED to watch me de-mold them. Or plate them, I guess you could say. Thrilled!!

We are going to eat cake with Dad tonight after church.

We are also taking cup-cakes to church tonight, but NOT for Milo's birthday. For some reason he did NOT want to have a birthday party at church for his birthday. Well -- it wasn't going to be a party... just a "let's share some of this cake batter so mom doesn't eat it all" treat. So -- we are taking treats to church tonight... but NOT for Milo's birthday. ::giggle::

Happy Birthday Milo! We love you buddy!!

October is Clergy Appreciation Month

I first heard about Clergy Appreciation Month from Focus on the Family, I'm sure.

They now have a web-site dedicated to just Clergy. The Parsonage.org has a lot of information about Clergy Appreciation.

As some of you may remember... we recently found a new church to attend. Closer and all... WELL -- last night we got the privilege of having our Pastor and his wife over for dinner. I served Tacos!! Hooray - nothing was burned in the process. Ü

I really had a great time getting to know Connie better. She is a great dish washer too, I might add. What a gracious lady she is. She has done a fantastic job raising 2 boys. One in college, one in high school still. They both seem to be godly young men. Praise God. I can't wait to use her as a resource -- help Connie... what did you do when... ;)

Dan and Curt talked, and talked, and talked... Horray! The night was a success...

I'm looking forward to next October already. I may have to have them over again - before Clergy Appreciation next year... but -- I'll definitely do it again.

This is one of my favorite things...

... Dark Mayan Chocolate, from General Foods International. Yum...

Only 50 calories per serving.

It is so new, apparently, that I can't even find it on-line yet. I got it on sale at my local FAREWAY grocery store. Lucky Me. They are all sold out even at amazon.com.

What is your favorite drink?

Cool Running

I'm about to head out the door to jog/walk this morning. It's a beautiful 70° outside this morning! Great jogging/walking weather.

I'm working toward being able to run a 5K.

I'm using the program called Couch to 5K. Never mind that they call you a couch potato... it's a great program. I've got several on-line friends that are using this program. I've started it 2 times... this is my third.

The first time I used it -- I was 20 pounds heavier. My knees would hurt after I ran. That was several years ago. Then I started it this summer... if you remember, I got COVERED in poison ivy. You're not supposed to sweat when you are covered in poison ivy. So -- since running in the summer made me sweat... I stopped... thinking it would only be for a while. Well - you know me. Once I quit... I sort of lost any momentum I'd built up -- so it was a permanent quit. Now -- I'm getting lower in weight... a bit lower... and feeling like I'm stalling. So I'm going to start the program AGAIN and really try to push through this plateau. I'm on Week 1 Day 3 this morning. It starts out easy. Walk 5 minutes for a warm up. Jog 60 seconds Walk 90 seconds. I take my kitchen timer with me. Do this for a total of 20 minutes.

Here I go... anyone going to join me?

Spoiled Bumblebee

Walking Daddy Blues

Was it Rigged??

HA!!

You all are going to think I rigged that contest winner -- after you read this.

But REALLY -- check the times... I found this AFTER I picked the winner. Really -- I did. ::giggle::


CORIN has awarded me withe neat little award you see above. Isn't is C.U.T.E.?? Apparently -- I've made her smile once or twice. How neat is that??

Well -- the author of this award has this to say...

The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading his/her blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell and I am grateful every day for each person whom I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with.

I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers:Please grab your badge and wear it(with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you.

Now I get to choose some people!

I know I'm supposed to chose 10... but I think I'll do it one at a time. I don't have time to do 10 right now. So keep on checking... this could take a while. Ü

MrsBeorn's Tending & Training in the Deep Weird will be first.

*~* And the WINNER is *~*

The other day I posted a contest. Today -- I've declared THE winner.


"Life is hard. Go nap"

Corin -- she summed it all up, didn't she?!

This was so fun for me. I had my 12yo dd help me choose too. (This was a family affair.) Then I went to take a nap.


Thank you for playing, and for telling your friends and neighbors all about it. Come back some time -- maybe I'll do it again.

Now... where did I put that Gift Card? Anyone seen a Gift Card laying around?? Hmmm...

Our Book Basket

You know what? I love this about My Father's World. The Book Basket!

I bring my teacher's manual to the computer -- open up my local Public Library's web-site. I start putting books on hold, left and right... My Father's World gives you a list of specific books to look for. But if my library doesn't have them, then I search the subject we are studying for the next 2-3 weeks, and I just check out what I can. Since I go into town the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month for our Co-op's Activity Day... I just get 2 weeks worth... sometimes 3.

The library workers pull them off of the shelves for me. That last time I did this -- the lady thanked me for giving her something to do. HA HA... during the school year -- they must get sort of bored with no public school kiddos running around the place.

I go in drop off the old and pick up the new, and check them out. Oh and -- pay any fines I may have. Who said anything in life is free... LOL. No browsing... no searching for missing kids... no pulling my hair out. It's very nice. Walk in -- walk out.

We can check out 20 at a time/per card. Between Tori, Mansel, and I... we've got 3 cards. Ü That's quite a few books. Then I bring them home and fill up my book basket and for 15 minutes each school day -- they kiddos are required to look through the book basket. You know what? My kiddos are sneaking into the book basket during non school hours. ::giggle:: I don't really mind -- would you?

I TRY to keep all the library books in that one corner. That way they don't get lost and I don't have to really search for them when we need to return them.

One other great thing about our library system... I can RENEW books on-line. So there really is NO REASON for any fines. Unless -- I'm a dope or something. I've started putting a little post it note on the calendar and moving it to the next due date so I have no excuse for forgetting to renew them. Sometimes we lose a book -- they seem to be very good at letting you renew a book 4,000 times until you find it. I'm pretty sure the little book I Love Daddy is lost. If not -- when we find it -- it's ours.

Oh my goodness... how can I forget the other great thing about the on-line system? On the day before we go to the library -- I print off our list of books that we have. You can do that by card. NEAT idea. Then we take the paper list and check off the books as we pile them up -- no surprises when we get to the library. I KNOW if I can't find one... or if we have them all. That's GREAT if you check 20 or more books at a time.

So -- you My Father's World users... what tricks have you learned about the book basket? Anything else I need to do or know? What do you like about the Book Basket? And you NON My Father's World users... this is a good thing to adopt into your school schedule. A very useful tool. Thanks MFW!!

Ummm... let's think this through!

My Father's World -- Creation to the Greeks, Week 3 Day 1!

Hooray -- we are on task. We are not a single day behind yet. Praise the Lord!

Today -- a science experiment is scheduled. Like the good mother/teacher that I am... I hand the book to my 6th grader "Scientist in Charge" and tell her 2nd grader "Assistant" to go to it. The fact that the experiment is called "Archimedes' Death Ray" doesn't phase me a bit.

They get right down to it! It thrills my soul to see them huddled over the book -- she reading, he listening very attentively!! Ahhh... home school at it's finest.

They run outside -- yelling as they go, "Archimedes used the sun with his death ray." I scratch my head... did they just say, "death ray?" Hmmm...

Oh come on -- this is CHRISTIAN -- they wouldn't kill anyone.

Milo -- the excitable one comes in yelling, "MOM!!! Come look." Well -- since the last words out of their mouth was death ray -- and since Milo is hollering... I decided... after I finish my bon bon... I'll take a peek.

Yeah Right!!

I went outside.

It worked -- the experiment worked. They were burning a hole in my wooden wheelbarrow using just the sun's rays and a mirror. How neat.

HEY!! That's my wheelbarrow!! Cut it out!

Is teaching kids to start fire with only a mirror and the sun a good idea?

Let's see...


***********************************************

Flash back to 2 Sunday's ago............

***********************************************

We are visiting a church for the 2nd time. We are pretty sure we've decided to go here full time. Really neat church -- I blogged about it yesterday... I was waiting out by the van when a very serious man -- with a very serious look about him -- very seriously handed me a lighter and told me he thinks my son was playing with it out back.


Ohh... OK... which son -- I've got 3?? :/

Turns out Mansel was bragging about being able to burn the garbage on his own -- a really big deal to city kids -- who never burn anything with out breaking some city code... so the kids asked him to bring his lighter to church.

Dumb, dumb, dumb parents --

Well -- actually -- it's laziness. Ü I'd rather train my kiddos to burn the garbage when it's -10° below zero, then ME burn it!! Of course it's not dumb... it's good training... and it build character.

::sigh::

So -- we discuss with Mansel the rights and wrongs of burning your Sunday School paper behind the church. We have him apologize. He's sorry. He gets tomato staked to my side for the rest of the day.

************************************

Zip -- fast forward back to today...

*************************************


Then -- today -- I send him outside with the sun shine and a mirror.

Can we say dumb, dumb, dumb parent.

Oh Hey MANSEL -- let's review!!! Let's review!!! Come back here... let's review!!!

What we have Found

Dan recently decided that we were driving too far to church. We live not far from a little town -- and there are several churches in the town... why not try something closer. You know -- don't you -- that gas prices are very high. So -- we started our search.

First thing we had to do was tell the people we were leaving -- that we were leaving. That's always very hard to do. So I asked people to pray... "If this is God's will -- help us to find some place closer -- or to lower the gas prices." Right? We serve a mighty God -- he can handle the gas prices if He wants to.

Well -- the gas prices haven't lowered any -- and we think we have found a place.

It is Faith Baptist Church in Knoxville -- about a 13 minute drive from our home.

The pastor and his wife are very nice. He is actually a very good preacher. I like listening to him. He hands out a note sheet every service -- and I usually can keep up. Sometimes I struggle when my 12yo or 8yo get lost and need my direction. Then while keeping the 4yo and 5yo busy -- distracted -- quiet -- sitting still.... I do OK. Praise the Lord for the note sheet.

Sunday mornings we get all the kiddos to their classes. Wayne goes to the nursery. So far so good... we only had 1 crying session -- and it didn't last long. Dani and Milo get to share a Sunday School class. This is nice because they work together on learning their memory verse. Right now -- it's about being kind. What a great subject for 4 and 5yos. Very appropriate! Mansel loves his class. He hit right off with the boys in his class. I'm not sure there are any girls. Oh he loves it! Then Tori -- there are 6 kids in her class. She is old enough that she gets home work to do during the week. That is excellent. They use Regular Baptist Press materials. Great stuff. So each morning -- she'll add that in with her devotions. Nice!! Her mind is like a sponge... she memorizes her verses so quickly. Makes me jealous! I'm struggling with their school verse. I'm trying to keep up with that.

During the morning services they have a Children's Church up the grades 3. So Tori, Dan and I sit together.

Sunday nights the 2yo and the 4yo can go to the nursery, then the rest of us sit in the service together. I like this -- the first Sunday of the month -- they celebrate the Lord's Supper. Fantastic. This makes it very special. One time the pastor toned it down a bit and educated the children on why we were doing this and what we were doing. Great educational tool. Each evening after the 1st Sunday of the month service - we have a fellowship time. Hooray -- you know my kiddos love that. This church has a lot of ground, so they run, and run, and run. I've seen soccer balls flying... footballs tumbling... bug biting! Ha ha... now that the cold has set in -- there wont' be as much of that... but they'll still be running. There is a hill there -- I wonder if they sled in the winter. We'll have to find out.

Wednesdays are set aside for a time of prayer for the adults. The pastor mentioned that the Bible says we are to be a house of prayer! GREAT -- the church is so biblical -- it's awesome. They do A.C.T.S... Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. We have been reading 1 chapter out of the Bible, then do A.C.T.S. from that chapter. This is all done corporately... not individually. For the supplication we divide up into small groups -- men with men, and women with women and pray. Cry out to God. I have gotten acquainted with several ladies while praying with them. I really like it. Dan has gone once, and he got to pray with the pastor. NICE! And the next week he was sick.

While the adults are praying the kids have a children's service down stairs with the pastor's wife. She gives HOMEWORK. Another memory verse and things to do. Usually they involve prayer, some pencil or coloring activities. More neat stuff.

Another neat thing they do -- which will happen this month -- is... Every time there is a 5th Sunday, we will have a potluck after the morning service, then have an afternoon service and not "evening" activities will be planned. We can go home as a family and do family things. It happens about 4 times a year. I hope Dan plans something extra special those nights. What a great idea... don't you think?

They support 1 of the same missionary families. I was reading a magazine that I found in the church entry way and there was the John Leonard family in that magazine. I met that family at Grace Baptist church. So -- there are a lot of similarities between the 2 churches. Faith is smaller than Grace -- but I think we can handle that. It will require us to serve more. There is nothing wrong with that. (If you ask me!)

We already knew one of the families that attended. BUT the neat thing about that was -- very time we tried the church -- they were gone. Vacation, or family camp. But we weren't dependent on them to feel welcome. The strangers we met were very friendly and godly people.

I'm so glad God has met our need of finding a church that was closer where we could worship with fellow believers.

Little Dani - who is 4 now - doesn't get it yet. She'll put on a new dress and say, "Oh, I can't wait to show Clara." Well - Clara goes to Grace... now we'll be showing Emma at Faith Baptist Church. She'll get it after a while.

What I love about this day of age is the electronics -- I'm still able to e-mail my Grace friends... lots have called, one has even come over!! So I'm not losing many friends. I'm about to gain a bunch more. And I can't wait!

Thank you God for leading us to Faith!

The Myth of a Teen Brain

On a message board I visit, an article was recommended. Boy am I ever glad I read it.

I think I'll share it with you.

The Myth of the Teen Brain: A Q&A with Dr. Epstein. Dr. Epstein wrote a book called, The Case Against Adolescence: Rediscovering the Adult in Every Teen (Quill Driver Books, 2007). The Home School Legal Defense Association publication, The Court Report, then interviewed Dr. Epstein about the book. It's a great interview. I am going to go to my library and request the book.

Have any of you read the book? What do you think about it?

What was your favorite part about the article? Do you agree or disagree with Dr. Epstein? What was your least favorite part of the article? Do you have teen agers yet? I have been trying to say "young adult" around here... but the kiddos have heard teen ager so much -- they can't wait to be one. I do think my kids have a lot more responsibility compared to the average kid... but I think they could be doing more.

I think it's a guilt factor for me... I don't want to be seen as a slave driver, or using them as free help. But really I need to get over that -- I need to let them strive towards being productive adults... forget about what every one else thinks.

Did you have a Teen Brain?

What Would You Do With These?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ? ? ? ? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you owned these -- what would you do with them? I'm speaking of the empty egg cartons that are gracing the top of my lovely fridge.. not the cool words that are stuck to the side.

I'm thinking there have got to be some crafty people who read my blog... aren't there??

I started saving them a while back... apparently we eat a lot of eggs... mostly 12 at a time, but as you can see -- I bought 18 at once. I'm not really sure why I started saving them. I bet I read in a magazine -- save your egg cartons, and you can make THESE!!! And like an aspiring super mom that I am... I did. But what in the wide world is it?

I don't know.

Do you?

SHARE YOUR EGG-STRAORDINARY IDEAS, PLEASE!! °Ü°

p.s. If you click on the photo -- it will enlarge -- then you can read the words we have on the fridge. Who can think of the most creative way to arrange them? Do you want to have a contest?

Let's do -- it'll be fun! I'll give away a $10 TARGET GC to the one who makes me laugh the most, using the words you can see in the photo. Dead line will be when there are no more new comments... or sooner... my choice. I'm the judge... becuase it will be my sides that will be splitting.

Leave a comments -- and tell your friends too as well. ;)

Shameless fishing for commentors going on here. Can you smell it??

Excitement Runneth Over

It was the 2nd day of school around here... I was doing well -- still waking up on time. I got my exercise in -- my bible reading in! Feeling fine.

I wandered into the boys room -- looked at all their precious faces... still sleeping... I had to wake them... poor boys.

Oh Wayne... stretch -- gave me a smile.

Mansel --- slit opened his eyes and rolled over -- pretending to still be asleep. Can't fool me. I've tried that one too many times.

But Milo... The first words out of Milo's mouth, "Oh -- today is the 2nd day of Kindergarten!"

Now -- that's my boy!!

My Father's World (MFW) Week 1 Day 1

Hooray!!! We did it. We finally started school.

What a neat thing this My Father's World is. I really love it.

Tori is starting 6th Grade. Mansel is starting 2nd grade. Milo is starting Kindergarten.

My favorite part about today? Tori was motivated and she got her Saxon 7/6 done in less than an hour. If she doesn't? Then she will be required to work on it after lunch, before any free time. Today -- she hustled!! Mansel worked on his Math on his own, and really did well reigning in the day dreaming. Milo -- oh... he was so excited... we did lesson 1 of 100 EZ Lessons. Oh, I'd forgotten this feeling - of fresh minds. Like cracking open a new book. MILO!!! He's going to be a reader soon... NEATO!! We practiced writing the mmmm sound. Oh -- he's going to be fun. I even corrected him a bit... and he DIDN'T EVEN POUT!! Wow!! Danielle did a great job of watching PBS today and turning it off when I said to. Wayne.. he is going to need some work. LOL Any suggestions on what to do with a 2yo? Ü

I praise God for today. What a great day. We finished up before noon... and we didn't even skip every other subject. LOL!! What a great feeling.

Let the FUN begin!!

What's So Great About A King Size Bed?

Well -- when my bed was little, and my littles came to me -- I'd say, go back to bed.

Well -- now we have super sized our bed -- and my super kids come to me... "I'm scared."

Well -- hop up here with me chil'! I'll save you.

And I can sleep the rest of the night with out anyone's toe in my ear!

Ahhh... every one should have a king size bed, if they got littles, that is.

Thank You!

My dear daughter knows I love flowers. Aren't these beautiful? (Shhh... I know they are weeds... don't tell her).

Tori and Dani picked me some beauty and put it in a vase. Gorgeous!

THANKS GIRLS!