Wind in the Willows

There seems to be some vague memory hovering in my mind of watching a Wind in the Willows Movie or TV show back when I was young. I seem to remember it being not all that great...well, that's also my assessment of the book. However, it is the most beautifully written book that I've ever read. Here's a random excerpt of what I mean:

Never in his (Mole's) life had he seen a river before - this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver - glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories; when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river chattered on to him a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.

Isn't that a lovely word picture? The book did get a small bit better towards the end. I guess I should also remark that the word a** was in it a couple of times and not referring to donkeys. So, if you are looking for some lovely writing, this book may be for you. Otherwise, I'd choose something else.

My handsome boy got glasses last week

Young Life

Well, I think this is going to be the last Missions Monday unless I come up with some more...these are all the main ones we focus on.

Young Life seeks to meet kids where they are at, generally in a middle school or high school setting. Oftentimes, the adult leaders will go into schools and spend time with kids at lunch or after school. They build a relationship listening to and connecting with them through conversation. Generally there is a weekly meeting with lots of crazy kid things and a gospel message. There is also another weekly meeting that is more serious and focused on knowing more about Who God is. Each summer there is a kids camp with a more specific presentation of the gospel and their need.

It is meant to be fun and adventuresome so that kids will enjoy their time participating, but it also desires to bring kids to Christ through scripture truth. There are not a lot of organizations seeking to reach teens directly so Young Life is a good choice in that department.

Wasting Summer

Just quick tonight...I was downloading a kid specific sermon on Eph 6:1 the other day and saw a intriguing blog post called How to Waste Your Summer. It's a little tongue in cheek, but also an apt perspective on how much we make our Christian walk very secondary, especially over the summer...

Petite Pets

Hannah came across a cute idea to make ball-shaped, clay little critters in an American Girl magazine a bit ago. And, this morning, she and Josh decided to make some. They spent a couple of hours making them for various people and themselves. Pretty easy to make...just roll a ball and add defining creatures, yet so sweet. One note, since we used Sculpey and that stuff is so expensive, we roll up a little foil ball inside and coat it with clay rather than having a huge ball of clay.

And, if your kids like online games, American Girl has an huge selection of games (not particularly educational) to play.

Tests vs. Temptations

We finished up our third bible study this morning on the Holy Spirit. Today's lesson was on the Spirit in Christ and the Early Church...it was a bit more academic, but I feel as though I have a much better grasp on the relationship between Christ and the Spirit and how the Spirit was at work in the book of Acts. One thing we talked about was how the Spirit led Christ into the desert to be tempted directly following His baptism. MacArthur had a great perspective on tests vs. temptations that I wanted to share with all of you...

"Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempt­ed by the devil." Mt 4:1. Now I want to mention that this word, tempted, is basically a neutral word, peirazan, to tempt, peirazo. But it's a very important word, a peirasmos is a, is a temptation or a testing, it could be either one, it could be a testing for good; it could be a tempting for bad. And that's what we have to understand, the English word has a bad connotation, when we see the word tempt we think of a bad thing. It means to entice somebody to do evil, to entice somebody to, to do wrong, to seduce somebody to sin. The Greek word does not necessarily carry that connotation, the Greek word does not necessarily have to mean enticement to evil, it, it can mean a test of a positive nature. So, the word can be positive or negative. Now let me show you the difference.

From God's viewpoint, it is a test. From the devil's viewpoint, it is a temptation. From God's viewpoint it is a way to prove that the Son is worthy. From the devil's viewpoint it is a way to tempt the Son to be unworthy, you see? Now whatever happens in our lives, all of the things that happen in our lives, the things that come our way to entice us, from the devil they are negatives to draw us into sin, but God may allow them as ways to prove us. God allows testing, God allows things in our lives that give us opportunity to exercise spiritual muscle… God will never entice someone into sin. So that things that come into our lives from Satan's viewpoint are enticements to evil, from God's they are ways to prove our righteousness. Look at your own life. When you have tests in your life, what does it prove? When a test comes into your life what does it prove? Does it prove you're righteous or unrighteous? Do you pass or fail? Is it vindicated as a test from God because you're proven righteous? Or does it come out to be a temptation from Satan in which you're enticed into evil?

----John MacArthur from a sermon on Mt 4

ESV

Our kiddos have had their own bibles since the time they were able to read. We decided to go with more of a kid version in the New International Readers Version. It has been pretty decent for reading level although not always the best translation for accuracy. Now that the kids are both very good readers and getting older, we decided it was time to get a "real" bible for them.

So, we decided on the ESV. Dave's always had the NAS, and I've always had the NIV. Back when I was in Israel taking Hebrew, I realized how accurate the NAS is and how the NIV is not so much. Well, the ESV is supposed to have the accuracy of the NAS, but with more readability. (Dave is still keeping his NAS saying it's pretty much the same). But, I'm somewhat looking forward to a new translation. I've had mine about a week and the translation has been good...but, it's been a bit strange getting used to a new bible with no underlines and a different layout. The kids just got theirs in the mail today and were quite excited about it.

These sort of things always remind me how thankful I am to have a bazillion choices for bibles at my fingertips - that God's word is readily available to me in contrast to many other countries around the world.

Here's a helpful chart for translations...

Wycliffe

Wycliffe is a familiar name in many Christian households. John Wycliffe was the first to translate the scriptures into English and is called "The Morningstar of the Reformation." The organization, like the man, has the desire to make the gospel known to every man in their own language. Apparently over 6,600 people are involved with Wycliffe, and the translation efforts are taking place in over 90 countries. They have actually played a part in over 700 translations.

So, how can you help? Praying, Going, and Giving are the big three. There are always many translations in the works that you can pray for. You can go through their organization by working primarily in language-development and bible translation. They also have short-term mission trips available for adults as well as teenagers. And, give...you can support either a specific missionary directly, a translation project, or a general fund. Lots of opportunities to play a part in reaching the unreached in our world today.

Offended

There is a quote that has been bouncing around in my head the last couple of days because people offending other people seems to have been coming up. I have no recollection where I first heard it, nor could I find it quoted on Google, but here it is:

It is better to be the one offended, than the one who offends.

I know it's simple and short, but isn't it an awesome concept? When we start getting frustrated and bothered about what someone is saying about us or has done to us, we should just remember it is better to be the one offended. When we are the one offended, there is no sin, no wrongness, involved on our part. But, when we offend, there is often sin involved on our part.

And, another great thing to remember is that we have the all-knowing Lord on our side. Nothing happens that He isn't aware of and if the other person needs to be corrected somehow, the Lord will make sure it gets done...it isn't up to us to do it.

And, lastly, my favorite bible verse about someone speaking wrongly about you..."Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest." Prov 26:2

Silver Falls hike by Mt. Rainier

Bi-Weekly Homeschool Group

Since we aren't signed up to do VAL or any other school type of thing next year, a friend of mine and I talked about how we would like some sort of social outlet for our kids. Something like VAL where there is a bit of learning going on, but also fun times with others. Here's what I've come up with (very tentatively)...let me know if you're interested.

Bi-weekly Homeschool Group
Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. – Rotating Houses
Beginning Sept 13 – Dec 4 (7 meetings)
Returning Jan 8 – June 11 (11 meetings)

Purpose: The main reason behind doing this is to allow our kiddos to enjoy some social time with each other arranged in a semi-purposeful manner.

Expectations: The intent is to keep this pretty low-key and not a big burden for anyone. To do that, I’d like for all families to be willing to open their homes, make a snack, and participate in the classes on a rotating basis.

Anticipated subjects to be covered:

• Creative Writing with Public Speaking Element
• Science Experiments
• Book Club and Discussion
• Art/Drawing Class
• Crafts
• Physical Education
• Logic/Mind Puzzles
• Manners
• Special activities

Tentative Schedule:

Week 2 Week 4

1:00 – 1:45 Public Speaking Art/Craft
1:45 – 2:00 Logic/Puzzles Manners
2:00 – 3:00 PE/Snack/Play Time PE/Snack/Play Time
3:00 – 3:30 Science Experiment Science Experiment
3:30 – 4:00 Book Club Review Public Speaking

Writing Portion/Public Speaking – Students will write based upon specific instructions given each time. To combine this with public speaking, the following time they should be prepared to read/recite what has been written. Pointers/comments will be given on the presentation and understandability of what was read. There will be no specific evaluation on the writing apart from what the parents choose to do in their own home. Here is a list of anticipated topics to be covered.

1. Short Fictional Story
2. Short True Story
3. Book Review
4. Explanatory Writing
5. Myth
6. Fable
7. Poem
8. Haiku
9. Report on State/Country
10. Biography Report
11. Persuasive Writing
12. Describing an Object
13. Describing a Place
14. First/Third Person Point of View

Science Experiments – Since each family will be studying various science topics, we will vary the experiments to cover a variety of topics that may or may not match what you are learning at home. There may be a minimal cost to cover supplies, or we could just have whatever family is preparing the experiment to cover the cost for that week.

Book Club and Discussion – Children can either read the selection on their own or it can be a family read-aloud. I think it would be good for all families to put in some recommendations and then we can choose from among those. I’m thinking things like the St. John books, The Hundred Dresses, Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, All-of-a-Kind Family, etc. Basically, the book would be read over the month, then when we meet, there would be some questions to talk about and discuss. Books would need to be purchased or borrowed from library by individual families.

Art/Drawing Class – I’m not so sure about this one. My hope is to get someone who has ability in this area to facilitate it. The cost would be based upon what supplies were needed. Ideally, I would like the facilitator to purchase the required supplies and the families pitch in an equal amount per student.

Crafts – Similar to the art class although I think most crafts take less personal ability to facilitate. J

Physical Education – Mostly this is just to have some organized type game/activity during the play time. I figure we can either have half the kids take snack and the other half have a game. Or if more players are needed, all the kids can play at the same time. I’m thinking of things like kickball, baseball, Bocce, horseshoes, volleyball, badminton, soccer, basketball, hopscotch, archery, etc. Of course, many of these games are dependent on whose house we are at and what time of year.

Logic/Puzzles – My thoughts about this are to have a relatively short time for critical thinking/logic/mind bender type things.

Manners – Just another pretty simple, pretty short, but helpful space of time. I thought maybe there could be a smidge of role-playing in this.

Special activities – Here are a few I’ve been thinking about: canning/preserving, baking bread, making cheese (just because it’s so cool), maybe a gift in a jar for Christmas presents, etc. There will likely be supply cost for these activities. As far as field trips: maybe we could talk with some local companies and have them let us tour their facilities. We went to the post office, apple packing plant, fire station, and others through VAL which were fun. Maybe also out to things like Pioneer Village/Wenatchee Valley Museum or on nature hikes/exploration type things. I’d love to even do a Seattle day sometime. Entrance fees would be payable by the individual families.

Other notes…

• Exactly how the rotation works out will be dependent on how many families desire to participate. We can either have a specific person do a particular portion(s) each time or rotate who does what each get together.
• I expect the main target age will be for kids from grade 2-6. Although that is the target age, I am completely unopposed to younger kids participating if they can behave. J
• Timeliness is required…please be on time as much as you are humanly able.
• If money is required, please bring it when you are asked to…I don’t want to have to keep track of that sort of thing.
• We could also meet at a park on some occasions when the weather is warm enough.
• Also, just for logistic reasons, there has to be some sort of cap on the number of kids. I would think 12-16 is about the max. So, let me know if you want to participate and how many kids you would bring.
• I am totally open to ideas and suggestions…let me know what you think.

Some more pics from the Flight Museum from a while back

Mary Jones and Her Bible

We are actually on the last chapter of this book...somehow it keeps not getting read, but that's what happens in summer isn't it?!?!??! Regardless, this has been a sweet, God-honoring book. It's basically about a young girl, Mary, whose chief desire is to be able to have a Bible of her own. She has been born into a poor family and has to find both a way to learn how to read and then how to purchase a bible. Mary's help around the house is also a priority so she learns to read and makes a few pennies here and there over the years in her limited spare time. After 6 years, she finally has enough to purchase her dear bible, but is there one available? That's the burning question as she walks 13 miles by foot to where bibles have been sold in the past. It is just an amazing story of a girl who loved the Lord and desired to own His Word at whatever cost to herself. Revolutionary thought in our American church culture where we have multiple Bibles in each home, many of which are collecting dust. Good to help your children see how one girl valued God's word and the preciousness of it.

This is Hannah's servant girl dress that she put together on her own.
She wanted it to look tattery, have holes, and be poorly sewn.

Awareness

Earlier this week I enjoyed a nice visit with a lady that I have been getting to know a bit more over the past few months. She's not someone I've connected with very much, but a couple of comments over the course of months alerted me to the fact that she was struggling, particularly with finances. She is an older lady whose husband had died some years back. Upon talking with her, I saw how diligent she had worked at being a good steward - fixing things she could, making due with items, buying things at Goodwill, etc. But, even with those efforts, ends were not being met and that can get discouraging and overwhelming.

What saddened me was the fact that she had not hit anyone's radar...no one was enough a part of her life to see the need and work towards meeting it. One thing Dave and I have talked about over the past months is the concept of community. Physically being a part of other Christian's lives on a consistent and deep basis. Not just a few minutes a week, see you in passing, not have any more depth to conversation than "How are things?" "Good, going well." But, really knowing one another - one's struggles, triumphs, challenges and joys - needs, abilities, and gifts. I'm completely confident that there are plenty of people who could have/would have helped this lady out if they knew what she needed. Yet, the critical piece was missing...no one knew.

I guess I'm writing this as a challenge to open our eyes to others around us and actively participate in their lives...to notice what is maybe not being said...to spend a few moments with someone who is on the periphery and get to know a little about them...to make sure someone is not being overlooked. The body of Christ is meant to be there for one another, to pick up each other's slack, to strengthen those who are weak, to provide for those who have need. Let's work on doing more of that in the coming weeks.

Hannah's recent yard sale purchase all decked out

Voice of the Martyrs

Voice of the Martyrs is an amazing organization that desires to assist the persecuted church worldwide. The provide aid in the form of medical assistance, food, clothing, etc. to those who are/have been persecuted. Supplying literature and evangelistic tools for distribution is another way they support the persecuted church. And, lastly, they purpose to give a platform for them to be heard in the US both to strengthen the faith here and make known the needs in those countries.

VOM is a great outlet for knowing what is going on in the world regarding the Christian faith. They frequently focus on specific people/issues in the world that involve Christians. Reading their site makes you realize that persecution for Christians is not a thing of the past, but very real and prevalent today. It also gives you encouragement to see how strong Christians in other parts of the world are in their faith so that they can stand firm under terrible circumstances.

You can help VOM by prayer and support (where needed most, families of persecuted believers, and a couple other ways). I think, though, if you put this ministry on your radar, you will be the one greatly blessed.

VOM">

A couple of pics of the kids trying out "slack-lining"
photos courtesy of my mom ;)

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken

Not much tonight...working on processing way too much info for the Spirit study on Wednesday.

Here's a recipe I made the other day that turned out yummy and was simple to make:

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken

by Connie

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon steak sauce (I ended up using Worcestershire)
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (don't do real fat ones as the flavor mostly stays on the outside)

Directions

1. In a shallow bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and steak sauce. Set aside a small amount of the honey mustard sauce for basting, and dip the chicken into the remaining sauce to coat. I then marinated it for a couple of hours.
2. Preheat the grill for medium heat.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken over indirect heat for 18 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until juices run clear. Baste occasionally with the reserved sauce during the last 10 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning!

I would recommend checking out the Allrecipes site for more info or variations. I also particularly liked that it made nice cold chicken leftovers the next day.

The Fool

Came across this insightful quote the other day in preparing for Ps 14, I think. Good reminder whenever you teach something...

To answer sceptical cavillings (regarding scripture) will be labour lost until grace enters to make the mind willing to believe; fools can raise more objections in an hour than wise men can answer in seven years, indeed it is their mirth to set stools for wise men to stumble over. Let the preacher aim at the heart, and preach the all-conquering love of Jesus, and he will by God's grace win more doubters to the faith of the gospel than any hundred of the best reasoners who only direct their arguments to the head.

---Spurgeon

The Happy Hollisters

Even with the overall busyness of the first few weeks of summer around here, there has still been some time to read. Josh decided to reread a number of Happy Hollister books. My mom picked these up for my sis and I from a yard sale many years ago, and since I am my mom's favorite child, I found the set in my possession. :) Both Hannah and Josh read through the set last year and enjoyed them and now Josh has picked them up again. They are a great classic, adventure/mystery-type story with a wholesome family atmosphere. While looking them up, I found that they have reprinted the first couple, and I expect some libraries or schools have them available.

some more pics from Mount St. Helens

Spreading the Gospel Light

The past two Wednesday nights I've had the unique privilege of leading a small group at Haven of Hope. If you remember, they are a homeless women's facility in our town. They have a number of bible studies during the week that the ladies are welcome to join, and their leader was gone for this night one, so Teria asked if I could cover. I had originally said no with the Holy Spirit study consuming my time, but when I found out she hadn't been able to get anyone coupled with the fact that I've wanted to make more relationships there than we have, I figured God was nudging me to go for it.

I've taught a number of bible studies and classes over the years, but never to people who really don't know the first thing about the bible. Many of the ladies seem to believe they are saved (I don't know enough of them personally to see fruit, so I'm not sure if that's the reality). They have been an overall quiet group, but very interested in what the bible has to say and how it relates to them. Some of their theories/beliefs are pretty crazy, but in other ways, they have a simple faith that is neat to see.

We went through Ps 13 the first week on how God seems far away, but by prayer and a right view of Who He is, we really see that He is near - that seemed to be an encouragement to many of them. And, last night, we did Ps 14-15 on man's depravity and who can enter God's presence. It was a great opportunity to give a clear gospel message - some of the ladies seemed genuinely to recognize God's great gift to us. How those two studies affect these ladies in the long run, I'll never know, but it was great to come alongside them and hopefully help them in their knowledge of Who God is.

Dave and I have been talking a lot about a primary responsibility God has given us...to make disciples. That is pretty hard to do when you aren't investing in other's lives, particularly non-Christians or new Christians. In the nice, little bubble I have around me, there are very few non-Christians that I come into contact with on any regular basis. And, so, it was really great to have the opportunity to live that out a little and share with those that don't really know or at the very least don't know much about the gospel. I hope that you'll take the opportunities God gives to spread some light in this dark world...it will be as great a blessing to you as to the ones you're sharing with.

The kids made edible birthday cards for Dave -
take an egg yolk and color it with food coloring, then "paint" a message on a cookie:
sugar cookies will work best, but we needed chocolate in our house :)

The Spirit

We had a lovely fourth and fifth of July up at the Weber's cabin. Each year we are able, we try and boat down and watch the fireworks from the lake..totally a great way to watch fireworks. The fireworks seemed to be especially amazing this year. We also celebrated Dave's and a very belated birthday for Susan...just a nice, relaxing time with family.

Today we also had our first bible study on the Holy Spirit. Here's my favorite quote from this week:

If we think of the Holy Spirit as so many do as merely a power or influence, our constant thought will be, “How can I get more of the Holy Spirit,” but if we think of Him in the Biblical way as a Divine Person, our thought will rather be, “How can the Holy Spirit have more of me?” The conception of the Holy Spirit as a Divine influence or power that we are somehow to get hold of and use, leads to self-exaltation and self-sufficiency…But if we once grasp the thought that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person of infinite majesty, glory and holiness and power, who in marvelous condescension has come into our hearts to make his abode there and take possession of our lives and make use of them, it will put us in the dust and keep us in the dust. I can think of no thought more humbling or more overwhelming than the thought that a person of Divine majesty and glory dwells in my heart and is ready to use even me. ----R.A. Torrey

Tidy Rooms

One thing that I've never felt I've done well at as a parent is having my kids keep their rooms clean. No, there aren't food wrappers and scraps all over or heaps of disgusting clothes, but there is a seemingly general untidiness. Yes, it does get picked up when company is coming over, but I wanted a general assemblance of orderliness and neatness. So, after we spent hours, yes I mean hours, cleaning out/organizing their rooms on Friday, I had a plan. :)

I took pictures from each corner of their room and made a collage with them. Then, I printed out the collage and posted it on the back of their bedroom doors. The theory is that they now have a visual of what their rooms should look like. Each day (which I already know won't in reality happen), there will be a quick time of clean up from the day. That will not include projects in progress (Josh currently has millions of Lego pieces organized around his room as he is working to put back together Lego ships that have been broken), only daily things like clothes, books, finished with toys, etc. Once I explained this new plan, Hannah quickly informed me that she wasn't going to play with things in her room anymore. Dave also asked me if he is under this new system as well. :) We'll see how it goes...

Simplicity

Been hanging around the house the last couple days after the busyness and chaos of the previous week and a half. I always love seeing what the kids come up with to do on quiet days at home. When we had the cousins over the other day, besides baking tons of stuff, they spent some time writing, drawing, and creating creatures. We also obsessively cleaned out the kid's rooms (more on that later), and today Hannah made a number of horse collages with old calendars and Josh worked on repairing his Legos that had gotten broken over time. I've spent a lot of time continuing to prep for Holy Spirit (and continuing to love it!) as well as just keeping up around the house. These kind of days are my hopes for our three days on/two days off school year next year. The kids have also been doing their math problems and reading to keep up on those types of things...hope you've been able to enjoy some simple summer days as well!

Judging

My computer has had issues that Dave has kindly fixed over the past week or so. In doing so, he installed Chrome as my Internet Browser. Now, on Chrome you can freely download some games...not a good thing for the game-obsessed person I can be. So, guess what I have been doing at night lately, rather than getting things done like I should!?!??! Playing games...anyways, there is this game where you switch around tiles and create a quote. One of them was by Antoine de Saint Exupery. He wrote the most fascinating book called The Little Prince. It's not a particularly spiritual book, but has many interesting points of view. And so, tonight, here is a random, but perceptive quote from that book.

"Then you shall judge yourself," the king answered. "That is the most difficult thing of all. It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom."