Hello friends. Just making sure that you have our new blog addresses.
For family information as well as homeschooling chit chat view:
beingafamilywhoknows.blogspot.com
OR if you want to read some essays with emphasis on womanhood please check me out at:
beingamotherwhoknows.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, June 19, 2010
A Face Lift
I have had a blog face lift. I am so excited about it!!!! My dear friend Misty asked me if she could give me one and I said, "Yes, please!" We have both worked hard for the last week or so on this new project! So here's the new link:
The gold on the blog represents virtue.
I don't plan on posting much here any more. I have already written 11 essays on the new blog. There are a couple that are old essays that I copied over.
The gold on the blog represents virtue.
I don't plan on posting much here any more. I have already written 11 essays on the new blog. There are a couple that are old essays that I copied over.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Mothers Should Know About Nature
"Mothers and Teachers should know about Nature. --The mother cannot devote herself too much to this kind of reading, not only that she may read tit-bits to her children about matters they have come across, but that she may be able to answer their queries and direct their observation. And not only the mother, but any woman, who is likely ever to spend an hour or two in the society of children should make herself mistress of this sort of information; the children will adore her for knowing what they want to know, and who knows but she may give its bent for life to some young mind destined to do great things for the world." Charlotte Mason, Book One: Home Education, page 64-65.
Here are some things the children are to know:
Field-crops
Meadow and pasture, clover, turnip, corn
Ploughing of the land to the getting of of the crops
Field Flowers
Life-History of Plants such as the milkwort, eyebright, res-harrow, lady's-bedstraw, willow-herb
Every wild flower that grows in their neighbourhood
Describe the leaf-its shape and size, growing from root or from stem
The manner of flowering-a head of flowers, a single flower, a spike, etc.
Never forget or mistake wildflowers or recognize them instantly
Pick out half of dozen trees in "their winter nakedness"
Stopping there....they are more requirements...
It looks like I am to be a quaint naturalist now.
First step done. Went to Barnes and Nobles and found the simplest books possible to begin the "Quaint Mother Naturalist course."
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Umbrella: A tool or a toy?
Every year the kids ask why we don't have umbrellas. Every year I tell them the same thing. It doesn't rain here. It's like the towns in the south buying snow plows. It's not worth the investment.
Things were different this year. It has rained. A lot. And this year we have umbrellas. Alex gets things in the mail all the time for work. He gets pens, paper, candy, stationary, bags, wallets, etc. He's even received manicure sets. This year he received two nice umbrellas, sporting an insurance company on them of course.
Caleb likes to play in the rain. He likes to walk in the rain with a big umbrella. I tell him of course he can, but he must remember that the umbrella is a tool to keep the rain off, it's not a toy. Every time he tells me he understands.
Everyday I thought he understood. Until this happened.
What is it with boys? They can be these angelic angels and then all of a sudden they get over come. For Caleb he discovered a bucket in the ground (for the ditch water) in the empty lot next to ours. There's a small hole for the someday future owners to put a pump in. Caleb saw this hole and was suddenly overcome with an urge to stick the umbrella in it and open it. It's broken. It won't come out.
We only have one umbrella now.
So are umbrellas a tool or a toy? It depends on who you are asking.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Quaint
Quaint. I've never really like that word. It's like nails on a chalkboard to me. I am concerned with all the better and best stuff that I might end up becoming quaint. I don't want to be quaint. Should I want to be quaint? I'm thinking that I should. For some reason I'm rebelling at the idea. Get thee hence oh Babylon!
When I think about quaint I think about the authors Louisa Mae Alcott and Jean Stratton Porter. They wrote quaint stories right? I've never liked their books because they were quaint. What is it about quaint with me? I've read Laddie three times in an effort to like quaint books. I've read multiple Porter books and multiple Alcott books. I've read the books were they go through the Indiana marshes (or whatever they were) and found moths. I read an entire book on moth collecting!! I read Little Men and all the boys were so perfect and never didn't anything wrong. The little ones cooked "cakes and pies" in their little oven in the toy room. Is that what it means to be quaint? I've tried to like them, but they are just so......well, quaint!
The online dictionary says:
Quaint–adjective, -er, -est.
1. having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque: a quaint old house.
2. strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way: a quaint sense of humor.
3. skillfully or cleverly made.
4. obsolete . wise; skilled.
What am I going to do?
When I think about quaint I think about the authors Louisa Mae Alcott and Jean Stratton Porter. They wrote quaint stories right? I've never liked their books because they were quaint. What is it about quaint with me? I've read Laddie three times in an effort to like quaint books. I've read multiple Porter books and multiple Alcott books. I've read the books were they go through the Indiana marshes (or whatever they were) and found moths. I read an entire book on moth collecting!! I read Little Men and all the boys were so perfect and never didn't anything wrong. The little ones cooked "cakes and pies" in their little oven in the toy room. Is that what it means to be quaint? I've tried to like them, but they are just so......well, quaint!
The online dictionary says:
Quaint–adjective, -er, -est.
1. having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque: a quaint old house.
2. strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way: a quaint sense of humor.
3. skillfully or cleverly made.
4. obsolete . wise; skilled.
I like old-fashioned things, but I'm not big on quaint old-fashioned things. Perhaps I see quaint as having things a little to perfect and everyone just a little to happy. That's not good though. We want perfect and happy. What is my problem?
My problem is that I really don't like Porter and Alcott's books and I'm worried that I'm going to have to all of a sudden like them. I like Austen, Glaskell, and Montgomery though.
Quaint.What am I going to do?
The Best
I first need to say that getting rid of our home computer and moving just to my laptop as done wonders for me getting off the computer. Not that I was on it a lot, but I found it too easy to get on before. Now I almost loath it! My laptop is slow and often crashes and it takes me a much longer time to check my emails. Making a comment on someone's blog takes up to 5 minutes. So that little experiment is working well. Maybe too well?
Back to the point. I've been reading Charlotte Mason's Original works. (Lazy can be really pushy that way sometimes). I've wanted to buy them for years, but have never gotten around to it. Remember they are on one of the recommended reading lists in the back of the TJEd book.
I have had "aha" after "aha" with these books. I wish I had read them BEFORE I had children. This was the owner's manual I was always wishing I had. I will make sure Olivia does a through study of them before she becomes a mom though. Lots of gems in those books. I could write for years on some of my thoughts from them and I've only read two of them.
Last night I was finishing up book two. I sure wish every adult would read book two. They sum up one of my husband's campaign points, "The Family is the First Sovereign Unit of Society." That's one of the "truth's that we hold self-evident" or at least we should, but everyone seems to be forgetting. All of a sudden parents aren't capable of making choices for their family.....I digress again....
A couple of months ago there was a heated topic in "The Great Debate/Conversation" about why we all wanted "the best" for our children. Wouldn't it be more realistic to be happy with good and better things and not be so fixated on the best? I maintain that having the best in our family should be our ideal. Sometimes that means letting go of some really good things. Sometimes that makes us look weird. Sometimes that even challenges our thought process. Sometimes we have to do hard things. We've all read Elder Oaks extensively in that discussion. He says our ideal should be the best.
Moving on to Charlotte though. I discovered some quotes from Charlotte Mason about the very same topic. Here are her two bits:
"Children must be Nurtured on the Best. ...They must grow up upon the best. There must never be a period in heir lives when they are allowed to read or listen to twaddle or reading-made-easy. There is never a time when they are unequal to worthy thoughts, well put; inspiring tales, well told...and we shall train a race of readers who will demand literature-that is, the fit and beautiful expression of inspiring ideas and pictures of life." Book 2, "Parents and Children" pg.263.
"Children must have the Best Books. One more thing is of vital importance; children must have books, living books; the best are not too good for them; anything less than the best is not good enough; and if it is needful to exercise economy, let go everything that belongs to soft and luxurious living before letting go the duty of supplying the books, and the frequent changes of books, which are necessary for the constant stimulation of the child's intellectual life." Book 2, "Parents and Children" pg. 279.
Thank you Charlotte. You bring up some excellent points.
Back to the point. I've been reading Charlotte Mason's Original works. (Lazy can be really pushy that way sometimes). I've wanted to buy them for years, but have never gotten around to it. Remember they are on one of the recommended reading lists in the back of the TJEd book.
I have had "aha" after "aha" with these books. I wish I had read them BEFORE I had children. This was the owner's manual I was always wishing I had. I will make sure Olivia does a through study of them before she becomes a mom though. Lots of gems in those books. I could write for years on some of my thoughts from them and I've only read two of them.
Last night I was finishing up book two. I sure wish every adult would read book two. They sum up one of my husband's campaign points, "The Family is the First Sovereign Unit of Society." That's one of the "truth's that we hold self-evident" or at least we should, but everyone seems to be forgetting. All of a sudden parents aren't capable of making choices for their family.....I digress again....
A couple of months ago there was a heated topic in "The Great Debate/Conversation" about why we all wanted "the best" for our children. Wouldn't it be more realistic to be happy with good and better things and not be so fixated on the best? I maintain that having the best in our family should be our ideal. Sometimes that means letting go of some really good things. Sometimes that makes us look weird. Sometimes that even challenges our thought process. Sometimes we have to do hard things. We've all read Elder Oaks extensively in that discussion. He says our ideal should be the best.
Moving on to Charlotte though. I discovered some quotes from Charlotte Mason about the very same topic. Here are her two bits:
"Children must be Nurtured on the Best. ...They must grow up upon the best. There must never be a period in heir lives when they are allowed to read or listen to twaddle or reading-made-easy. There is never a time when they are unequal to worthy thoughts, well put; inspiring tales, well told...and we shall train a race of readers who will demand literature-that is, the fit and beautiful expression of inspiring ideas and pictures of life." Book 2, "Parents and Children" pg.263.
"Children must have the Best Books. One more thing is of vital importance; children must have books, living books; the best are not too good for them; anything less than the best is not good enough; and if it is needful to exercise economy, let go everything that belongs to soft and luxurious living before letting go the duty of supplying the books, and the frequent changes of books, which are necessary for the constant stimulation of the child's intellectual life." Book 2, "Parents and Children" pg. 279.
Thank you Charlotte. You bring up some excellent points.
Charlotte Mason loved daises. I've always loved daises myself. Now I know why crazy4boys has daises everywhere. I want a daisy background. I'm going to buy some daisy seeds while I'm in town. Maybe I'll name my next girl Daisy.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Character Tool
A couple of years ago, when I was called to serve as our ward Young Women President, I was reintroduced to the For the Strength of Youth booklet. I quickly found out what a worth while tool it is for our youth and us as adults.
In speaking of For the Strength of Youth booklet Elder Tingey said, "In the For the Strength of Youth booklet, the following standards, among others, are like a North Star to you: choose friends with high standards, do not disfigure your body with tattoos or body piercings, avoid pornography, do not listen to music that contains offensive language, do not use profanity, date only those who have high standards, remain sexually pure, repent as necessary, be honest, keep the Sabbath day holy, pay tithing, keep the Word of Wisdom."
While serving as Young Women's President I made an effort to read applicable passages with each lesson. I would also read the dancing section each time there was a school dance to them in opening exercises and encourage them to keep their covenants and remain pure.
In many ways I find it sad that we have to be so explicit about things. I found reading it straight out of the book to be a lot easier though, followed by a discussion.
When I was called we also began to include it in Family Home Evenings. Each week we read a section together and discuss it with them. We started this when our children were young. There has never been a question about our standards. It is from my continued reading of this that I have such high personal standards in movies, books, computer viewing, dancing and music. There were several parts we did omit that were not age appropriate in the beginning, but we are now reading to them.
After reading it we will have a discussion about that standard. We make sure they understand. We also discuss ways that our family can do a better job keeping that standard. We have made changes based on some of our discussions. Sometimes we also look up the scriptures.
As each member of our family turns 8 they are given their own copy to keep with their scriptures. They do study it on their own. Alex and I also have our own copies and ours are marked up. (I'm on my second booklet). We use them for our talks and teaching lessons. Alex has also used the booklets in the children's weekly interviews from time to time. We also have the small copies stored in our purses and wallets.
I am grateful for this tool that we have that can reinfornce the standards we are trying to teach.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Headgate Update
Why am I still posting about headgates? Two reasons. 1). I get hit after hit to my site everyday about people looking for more headgate information. 2). It's been three months since I learned about it and I wanted to report.
The first time I read headgates (thank you very much Karen for posting about it right after the Forum), I was blown away with truth. Some of the specific examples I thought were a little extreme, but I loved the concepts and the principles. (I'm all for great ideas!) I felt strongly that she taught truth. Truth and principles that I could take and interpret within my own sphere.
I applied many truths she talked about, adapted to fit our home and our personalities.
STEP 1: We got rid of a lot of stuff. We removed clothes, shoes, sheets, wall hangings, decorations, dishes, spatulas, a computer, piano books, office supplies (like paper clips! - we had a lot), movies, and LOTS and LOTS of toys and books. I think we removed 50% of our stuff. Really.
STEP 2: We stoped certain activities. We classified toys and tools. Office supplies were used for legitimate projects. Building tools were used for legitimate projects. The computer became a tool and not a toy. Food became a tool not a toy. Movies were not to be watched unless they served a purpose and usually only if the entire family participated.
STEP 3: We instituted work time. We taught our children how to work. We began to expect them to do hard things. We expected them to do more than do the dishes after dinner or take out the trash. They learned to work hard for three hours straight. They learned how to clean toilets, do entire loads of laundry start to finish, make bread, vacuum, deep clean, dust, make dinner, serve people, move lots of wood on our land, and numerous other outdoor work projects. They learned to not whine. We taught them to return and report. We taught them to be responsible for their stewardships.
STEP 4: We gave them free time. Before we had randomness. Now we had work time and play time (or free time).
STEP 5: We changed to all lifeless toys. After a month or two we decided to go further down the path. We removed every last Lego, lightsaber and other "follow the instruction" toy. (We just put them in the shed until the experiment was over). We said we'd just do it for a month to just "see" what would happen. We moved the boys all into one room and made a playroom that was only filled with those toys.
STEP 6: Three months later. Let's evaluate. That's were I'm at right now. We really did all the things she said in her ebook (not her FAQ page-I think some are not right for our family. Just the same way I don't believe some of the ingredients are right for our family. But I've still taken truth out of it with out having a panic attack about the rest).
Evaluate. Yes. Let us do that. The scriptures say, "by their fruits ye shall know them." We had a really good home before. We had really good kids before, and I was was a really good mom. (Alex has always been great. I'm extremely biased). Now? We have great kids. We have great kids that work their guts out and are growing up to be real men that can take care of their families. We have a daughter that's growing up to be an amazing women. We have great kids that aren't bored. We have great kids that have amazing imaginations and can make all sorts of creations out of sticks and twine. We have great kids that don't whine when we ask them to fold the laundry. We have great kids that are respectful to us. They recognize where they are in our family structure and they embrace it. They know each of roles and they respect each one of us in our individual spheres. The 'me' culture seems to be getting driven out of our lives.
I personally, don't think that I have ever truly felt more peace and happiness in our family structure. Our home as become a heaven on earth. There are few worldly distractions and we pursue wholesome activities that we find joy in. The desire to have fun has been replaced with a desire to enjoy things.
About the books. Our children have come to cherish their free time. They spent a lot of time playing but they spend a lot of time choosing to read also. It is not uncommon to see Jared on the couch reading a 500 page book, Olivia in her room reading Cicero (or some other meaty read), Luke to be reading a Shakespeare play (abridged), or Caleb writing a story in his story book. Really. They didn't do that before. And really, they are happy.
About the Lego's. Yes, I'm going to bring the Lego's back. However, they are going to stay in the shed outside. If they want to play with them they have to go and get them. They have to act for themselves and not be acted upon (thank you Misty). They may then play with them and then they will return them to the shed. They can of course pursue this activity during free time. My older two boys have enough Lego hours saved up in their little minds to last a couple kids' lifetimes.
It seems hard to image that our life could be so drastically different for the better. We were a really good family before. We were always vigilant on our movies and entertainment. We had strict Wii 30 min time limits. We never let them read trash, no graphic novels, and a host of other books that I considered not worth reading. We went from good and better to best. And that has made all the difference in the world.
By their fruits ye shall know them. Yes, it is truth for us. We are grateful for great people that share their ideas and thoughts.
The first time I read headgates (thank you very much Karen for posting about it right after the Forum), I was blown away with truth. Some of the specific examples I thought were a little extreme, but I loved the concepts and the principles. (I'm all for great ideas!) I felt strongly that she taught truth. Truth and principles that I could take and interpret within my own sphere.
I applied many truths she talked about, adapted to fit our home and our personalities.
STEP 1: We got rid of a lot of stuff. We removed clothes, shoes, sheets, wall hangings, decorations, dishes, spatulas, a computer, piano books, office supplies (like paper clips! - we had a lot), movies, and LOTS and LOTS of toys and books. I think we removed 50% of our stuff. Really.
STEP 2: We stoped certain activities. We classified toys and tools. Office supplies were used for legitimate projects. Building tools were used for legitimate projects. The computer became a tool and not a toy. Food became a tool not a toy. Movies were not to be watched unless they served a purpose and usually only if the entire family participated.
STEP 3: We instituted work time. We taught our children how to work. We began to expect them to do hard things. We expected them to do more than do the dishes after dinner or take out the trash. They learned to work hard for three hours straight. They learned how to clean toilets, do entire loads of laundry start to finish, make bread, vacuum, deep clean, dust, make dinner, serve people, move lots of wood on our land, and numerous other outdoor work projects. They learned to not whine. We taught them to return and report. We taught them to be responsible for their stewardships.
STEP 4: We gave them free time. Before we had randomness. Now we had work time and play time (or free time).
STEP 5: We changed to all lifeless toys. After a month or two we decided to go further down the path. We removed every last Lego, lightsaber and other "follow the instruction" toy. (We just put them in the shed until the experiment was over). We said we'd just do it for a month to just "see" what would happen. We moved the boys all into one room and made a playroom that was only filled with those toys.
STEP 6: Three months later. Let's evaluate. That's were I'm at right now. We really did all the things she said in her ebook (not her FAQ page-I think some are not right for our family. Just the same way I don't believe some of the ingredients are right for our family. But I've still taken truth out of it with out having a panic attack about the rest).
Evaluate. Yes. Let us do that. The scriptures say, "by their fruits ye shall know them." We had a really good home before. We had really good kids before, and I was was a really good mom. (Alex has always been great. I'm extremely biased). Now? We have great kids. We have great kids that work their guts out and are growing up to be real men that can take care of their families. We have a daughter that's growing up to be an amazing women. We have great kids that aren't bored. We have great kids that have amazing imaginations and can make all sorts of creations out of sticks and twine. We have great kids that don't whine when we ask them to fold the laundry. We have great kids that are respectful to us. They recognize where they are in our family structure and they embrace it. They know each of roles and they respect each one of us in our individual spheres. The 'me' culture seems to be getting driven out of our lives.
I personally, don't think that I have ever truly felt more peace and happiness in our family structure. Our home as become a heaven on earth. There are few worldly distractions and we pursue wholesome activities that we find joy in. The desire to have fun has been replaced with a desire to enjoy things.
About the books. Our children have come to cherish their free time. They spent a lot of time playing but they spend a lot of time choosing to read also. It is not uncommon to see Jared on the couch reading a 500 page book, Olivia in her room reading Cicero (or some other meaty read), Luke to be reading a Shakespeare play (abridged), or Caleb writing a story in his story book. Really. They didn't do that before. And really, they are happy.
About the Lego's. Yes, I'm going to bring the Lego's back. However, they are going to stay in the shed outside. If they want to play with them they have to go and get them. They have to act for themselves and not be acted upon (thank you Misty). They may then play with them and then they will return them to the shed. They can of course pursue this activity during free time. My older two boys have enough Lego hours saved up in their little minds to last a couple kids' lifetimes.
It seems hard to image that our life could be so drastically different for the better. We were a really good family before. We were always vigilant on our movies and entertainment. We had strict Wii 30 min time limits. We never let them read trash, no graphic novels, and a host of other books that I considered not worth reading. We went from good and better to best. And that has made all the difference in the world.
By their fruits ye shall know them. Yes, it is truth for us. We are grateful for great people that share their ideas and thoughts.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Setting Goals
I thought I would share about a little ritual our family engages in every morning. Each morning before we read family scriptures and practice our weekly scripture memorization we review our weekly goals.
On Monday morning each family member sets from 1 to 3 goals. These goals are of the individuals own choosing. Goals set this week included:
We find that this creates unity. Each family member is encouraging of each others progress. If someone struggled to obtain a goal we work with them on how to set a more realistic goal for the next week. We only accomplish about 2/3 of our goals in a week. But we each continue to work on and improve. We aren't interested in perfection only progression.
I also wanted to add that I know that "goal setting" is typically considered a scholar activity. However each person pursues goals based on their phase (or grade/age). We use phases in our family, shocking I know. Caleb, who is still solidly in core (with no intention of leaving anytime soon!), sets goals like: brush my teeth at night, take a bath every night, do my jobs without whining, etc. His goals are very much "core phase" goals. Jared and Luke's are directed towards love of learning goals. Olivia makes scholar goals; read 100 pages in 1776, write and essay about Dolly Madison, answer questions from my mentor about Plutarch, etc. Mine revolve around Mentored Scholar/Depth. And finally Alex's revolve around Mission phase; read incumbents voting record on public education, create an 'issues page' for campaign website, practice speech, reread Proper Role of Government, etc.
We have been successfully engaging in goal setting as a family since January and have found that it is a worthwhile part of our family time.
On Monday morning each family member sets from 1 to 3 goals. These goals are of the individuals own choosing. Goals set this week included:
- Read one chapter in Robinson Crusoe
- Practice the piano every day for 30 minutes
- Work on 4 and 5 multiplication tables
- Schedule swimming lessons
- Order more campaign banners
We find that this creates unity. Each family member is encouraging of each others progress. If someone struggled to obtain a goal we work with them on how to set a more realistic goal for the next week. We only accomplish about 2/3 of our goals in a week. But we each continue to work on and improve. We aren't interested in perfection only progression.
I also wanted to add that I know that "goal setting" is typically considered a scholar activity. However each person pursues goals based on their phase (or grade/age). We use phases in our family, shocking I know. Caleb, who is still solidly in core (with no intention of leaving anytime soon!), sets goals like: brush my teeth at night, take a bath every night, do my jobs without whining, etc. His goals are very much "core phase" goals. Jared and Luke's are directed towards love of learning goals. Olivia makes scholar goals; read 100 pages in 1776, write and essay about Dolly Madison, answer questions from my mentor about Plutarch, etc. Mine revolve around Mentored Scholar/Depth. And finally Alex's revolve around Mission phase; read incumbents voting record on public education, create an 'issues page' for campaign website, practice speech, reread Proper Role of Government, etc.
We have been successfully engaging in goal setting as a family since January and have found that it is a worthwhile part of our family time.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Cultural Ark
I love this quote from Cousin Ribby about our "cleaned up Christian Culture" and I had to share it:
"The old Ark, the biblical Ark, constructed to save the chosen from the Great Flood, had two of every creature in existence. The new Ark, the cultural Ark, built to save the chosen from the Great Media Flood, also has two of everything, I'm learning. You say you're a Pearl Jam fan? Check out Third Day. They sound just like them--same soaring gutteral vocals, same driven musicianship, same crappy clothes, just a slightly different message: Repent! you say you like Grisham-and Clancy-style potboilers? Grab a copy of Ted Dekker's "Heaven's Wager"--same stick-figure characterizations, same preschool prose, just a slightly different moral: Repent! your kids enjoy Batman, you say? Try Bibleman. Same mask, same cape, just a slightly different...That's the convincing logic of the Ark: If a person is going to waste his life cranking the stereo, clicking the remote, reading paperback pulp and chasing diet fads, he may as well save his soul while he's at it...What makes the stuff...so thin, so weak and cumulatively so demoralizing...has nothing to do with faith. The problem is lack of faith. Ark culture is a bad Xerox of the mainstream, not a truly distinctive or separate achievment. Without the courage to lead, it numbly follows, picking up the major media's scraps and gluing them back together with a cross on top." --taken from "The Marketing of Evil," by David Kupelian, pgs. 229-230
"The old Ark, the biblical Ark, constructed to save the chosen from the Great Flood, had two of every creature in existence. The new Ark, the cultural Ark, built to save the chosen from the Great Media Flood, also has two of everything, I'm learning. You say you're a Pearl Jam fan? Check out Third Day. They sound just like them--same soaring gutteral vocals, same driven musicianship, same crappy clothes, just a slightly different message: Repent! you say you like Grisham-and Clancy-style potboilers? Grab a copy of Ted Dekker's "Heaven's Wager"--same stick-figure characterizations, same preschool prose, just a slightly different moral: Repent! your kids enjoy Batman, you say? Try Bibleman. Same mask, same cape, just a slightly different...That's the convincing logic of the Ark: If a person is going to waste his life cranking the stereo, clicking the remote, reading paperback pulp and chasing diet fads, he may as well save his soul while he's at it...What makes the stuff...so thin, so weak and cumulatively so demoralizing...has nothing to do with faith. The problem is lack of faith. Ark culture is a bad Xerox of the mainstream, not a truly distinctive or separate achievment. Without the courage to lead, it numbly follows, picking up the major media's scraps and gluing them back together with a cross on top." --taken from "The Marketing of Evil," by David Kupelian, pgs. 229-230
Friday, May 28, 2010
Lord of the Rings
I'm REALLY irritated right now. We've gotten rid of or put up 90% of our movies. We rarely even use the TV. (Next step is to get rid of it I know!) And then this happens....
The other night was election night for Idaho. My husband, the politician, was up hitting refresh on about four sites getting updates from around the state late that night. Very exciting night for him.
So I was looking up things with him as the results were coming in and we thought we'd watch a good ole' classic while we were 'refreshing.' We choose Lord of the Rings #3, one of my favorite movies. Now we haven't watched very many movies in a quite a while. So I'm sitting there watching/listening to it half interested and I'm noticing something. This is a horrible movie! It is violent and scary and why didn't I notice this before? Hello? Sure there are some magical parts. Some truly inspiring moments that make me want to fight to the last breathe against evil. However, it's kind of small in comparison to the rest of all the creepy Golum and bad guy parts. Sigh..... I really like Lord of the Rings, but it's going to have to at least be put up......
Every time I think I'm getting ahead of Babylon I find some more things that I now feel aren't the BEST.
Before I think there were a lot of really good things that inspired me to greater thoughts. Now as I've gotten rid of all the good things though I'm noticing that maybe my good and really good might need to go too. This is making me think hard! So do I get rid of those things too? And if I do what in the world is left to participate in????? I'll just end with Cousin Ribby saying the rest of what I'm thinking here.
Babylon is so entwined in my life!
The other night was election night for Idaho. My husband, the politician, was up hitting refresh on about four sites getting updates from around the state late that night. Very exciting night for him.
So I was looking up things with him as the results were coming in and we thought we'd watch a good ole' classic while we were 'refreshing.' We choose Lord of the Rings #3, one of my favorite movies. Now we haven't watched very many movies in a quite a while. So I'm sitting there watching/listening to it half interested and I'm noticing something. This is a horrible movie! It is violent and scary and why didn't I notice this before? Hello? Sure there are some magical parts. Some truly inspiring moments that make me want to fight to the last breathe against evil. However, it's kind of small in comparison to the rest of all the creepy Golum and bad guy parts. Sigh..... I really like Lord of the Rings, but it's going to have to at least be put up......
Every time I think I'm getting ahead of Babylon I find some more things that I now feel aren't the BEST.
Before I think there were a lot of really good things that inspired me to greater thoughts. Now as I've gotten rid of all the good things though I'm noticing that maybe my good and really good might need to go too. This is making me think hard! So do I get rid of those things too? And if I do what in the world is left to participate in????? I'll just end with Cousin Ribby saying the rest of what I'm thinking here.
Babylon is so entwined in my life!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Brain Dead with Only a Few Thoughts
I want to just have all of you write all my posts I've read some good ones again today. You all do such a good job explaining everything. Would you like to write all my posts? That would mean that I'm not thinking much and not growing though. Sigh....
We are done with the state program we have used for the last couple of years. No more state testing, reports or checks. The last traces of public school will now be gone forever.
That also means the computer is getting packed up today. We've used the state one for several years. Now we only have a couple of laptops. This is a headgate we are going to close and see what happens. An experiment. (Olivia isn't very excited about it). Did you know that accessing a desktop computer is really easy? But accessing a laptop is harder, at least in our family. We are hoping that Olivia and I will cut down our time on the computer now. Not that we spent a lot, but more than we should! So now it won't be as easy to be "acted upon" and just check blogs, emails or goodreads for "just a minute" a couple of times a day.
I know many of you out there already do really good at this and don't even need to get rid of your computer to over come your weapons of rebellion. So you guys out there can all be happy that you don't have to deal with this bad habit! : ) But we are needing drastic things to help us! haha We'll see how long it really lasts though. Maybe we can actually learn some self-control. That would be an even better idea though, huh? groan
Moving on from that, Alex won the primaries for state legislature on Tuesday. (hehe he wasn't running against anyone) Now the real war begins against the Democratic incumbent and their big war chest (their money). If you would like to join his facebook group click the link to the right. We have our first parade this weekend. We have a lot of parades this summer....
Anyway that's all I'm going to say right now. Not because I'm holding back though, but because I've run out of things to say today. (imagine that?)
We are done with the state program we have used for the last couple of years. No more state testing, reports or checks. The last traces of public school will now be gone forever.
That also means the computer is getting packed up today. We've used the state one for several years. Now we only have a couple of laptops. This is a headgate we are going to close and see what happens. An experiment. (Olivia isn't very excited about it). Did you know that accessing a desktop computer is really easy? But accessing a laptop is harder, at least in our family. We are hoping that Olivia and I will cut down our time on the computer now. Not that we spent a lot, but more than we should! So now it won't be as easy to be "acted upon" and just check blogs, emails or goodreads for "just a minute" a couple of times a day.
I know many of you out there already do really good at this and don't even need to get rid of your computer to over come your weapons of rebellion. So you guys out there can all be happy that you don't have to deal with this bad habit! : ) But we are needing drastic things to help us! haha We'll see how long it really lasts though. Maybe we can actually learn some self-control. That would be an even better idea though, huh? groan
Moving on from that, Alex won the primaries for state legislature on Tuesday. (hehe he wasn't running against anyone) Now the real war begins against the Democratic incumbent and their big war chest (their money). If you would like to join his facebook group click the link to the right. We have our first parade this weekend. We have a lot of parades this summer....
Anyway that's all I'm going to say right now. Not because I'm holding back though, but because I've run out of things to say today. (imagine that?)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It's Love
Yesterday Alex and I celebrated our 13th anniversary. We have had 13 wonderful years together. We mentioned to each other that it seems like we have always been together. We can't remember not being together.
I feel very blessed to have Alex in my life. I'm quite certain he's the only one that could put up with me and he likes it! We are a great match.
I appreciate Alex because he lets me fill my role as the nurturer of our family. He lets me receive revelation for my my stewardship and then supports me. He trusts me. I am grateful that he loves our children and likes to be home and be with us. I appreciate Alex because he takes very seriously his role as provider, protector and presider of our family. He has never tried to pawn off his roles on me no matter how tight things were or how stressful things became. He understands where his duties lie and he does them.
I am grateful he seeks truth. I am grateful that he gets up super early in the morning and studies the scriptures with me for 1 to 1/2 hours every day. I appreciate that he gives selfless service everyday to all people. I am grateful he never gets angry, he never yells and he his always there.
We are all so blessed to have wonderful men that support us in our God ordained roles. We couldn't go through this journey of life without great men by our side.
I feel very blessed to have Alex in my life. I'm quite certain he's the only one that could put up with me and he likes it! We are a great match.
I appreciate Alex because he lets me fill my role as the nurturer of our family. He lets me receive revelation for my my stewardship and then supports me. He trusts me. I am grateful that he loves our children and likes to be home and be with us. I appreciate Alex because he takes very seriously his role as provider, protector and presider of our family. He has never tried to pawn off his roles on me no matter how tight things were or how stressful things became. He understands where his duties lie and he does them.
I am grateful he seeks truth. I am grateful that he gets up super early in the morning and studies the scriptures with me for 1 to 1/2 hours every day. I appreciate that he gives selfless service everyday to all people. I am grateful he never gets angry, he never yells and he his always there.
We are all so blessed to have wonderful men that support us in our God ordained roles. We couldn't go through this journey of life without great men by our side.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Great Debate
I have been enjoying participating in the "Great Debate" lately that is covering homeschooling blogs now. This has been an exciting discussion and I'm grateful to be apart of it! It reminds me of the different eras in English History when all the great minds would sit, discuss and seek truth. Since we all live in different states we can't sit down with one another, but reading each others home school blogs as been an opportunity to continue on with the Great Debate in our own sphere.
What is the Great Debate? For those in my sphere it is how to raise our children in the midst of Babylon. What do we give them and what do we need to take away? How do we prepare? The Great Debate is about a lot of things though. The Great Debate is a discussion among people of similar like minds as they seek truth and then seek to apply it in their own lives. There are Great Debates going on everywhere about government, evolution, Christianity, truth, happiness, human nature. Here is a link that simply gives you an idea about some of the things out there. These aren't necessarily topics I'm pursuing though.
Here are the links of some of those moms that I've enjoyed actively participating with in the Great Debate:
Heather
Misty and Cousin Ribby
Misty and Jennifer
Lazy
Karen
Celeste
Buzy Bee
Mrs. Smith
Kayti
Googs
Lindy
Rebekah
Stephanie
What is the Great Debate? For those in my sphere it is how to raise our children in the midst of Babylon. What do we give them and what do we need to take away? How do we prepare? The Great Debate is about a lot of things though. The Great Debate is a discussion among people of similar like minds as they seek truth and then seek to apply it in their own lives. There are Great Debates going on everywhere about government, evolution, Christianity, truth, happiness, human nature. Here is a link that simply gives you an idea about some of the things out there. These aren't necessarily topics I'm pursuing though.
Here are the links of some of those moms that I've enjoyed actively participating with in the Great Debate:
Heather
Misty and Cousin Ribby
Misty and Jennifer
Lazy
Karen
Celeste
Buzy Bee
Mrs. Smith
Kayti
Googs
Lindy
Rebekah
Stephanie
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Moving On
So I've decided I've killed the toys and tools topic long enough. I've actually written, partially written or brain stormed a toy vs tool topic for: pianos, journals, scissors, puzzles, computers, proclamation, money, books, free time, schedule, temple, family, and words. You'll just have to miss them I suppose.
I've personally learned a lot about thinking about some of those things. I have realized the great many gifts (tools) that God has given us to help us on our journey through mortality. Of course every person will use the tools differently, but it was still fun for me to explore the various ways some things can be used. I've learned as I've pondered on some things that I need to ask myself if I am using the gifts given me to their fullest potential or if I've misusing them. I've realized that in some cases I'm burying my talents.
In the mean time who knows what I'll write about next.
I've personally learned a lot about thinking about some of those things. I have realized the great many gifts (tools) that God has given us to help us on our journey through mortality. Of course every person will use the tools differently, but it was still fun for me to explore the various ways some things can be used. I've learned as I've pondered on some things that I need to ask myself if I am using the gifts given me to their fullest potential or if I've misusing them. I've realized that in some cases I'm burying my talents.
In the mean time who knows what I'll write about next.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Our Arena
One of the things the kids wanted on our 80 acres was an arena to practice with their horses. Alex spent several hours scrapping one of the pastures so we could have our "arena." Maybe someday well get metal posts to go around it so it's a real arena. For now Olivia and Jared have had fun practicing barrels on it. I still laugh to think that me, the city girl, has horses, an arena and 80 acres. How did this happen? Oh, yeah, I had Olivia, the horse whisperer. You have to love Luke at the bottom. He loves playing at the land. Notice how muddy and wet he is. Of course he has a stick too.
Our Weapons of Rebellion: Tool or Toy?
I have recently been pondering about weapons of rebellion. First off what are weapons of rebellion? A scripture gives us the answer, “For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren” (Alma 23:6-7). I don't know if the term "weapons of rebellion" is a universal term or just one that I've heard in my sphere.
I, of course, have lots! Too many! Ugh! But I'm trying to bury them all! I'm so grateful we have a life time to identify them and get them buried once and for all! So I've been thinking about weapons of rebellion. Here is some brainstorming thoughts I've come up with.
Through the years I've heard numerous talks and lessons (see this Gospel Doctrine Lesson specifically 1d) on how we need to lay down the weapons of rebellion in our life. A weapon of rebellion would be something that keeps us from giving our hearts to God. It keeps us from giving up our complete submission. A weapon of rebellion has kept me saying to myself, "God asks to much, I shouldn't be expected to truly give everything!"
That's kind of the point though. God does want me to give away everything. It's not to be mean, but it so he can give me a new heart without all my wrong ideas and past yuck. He says, "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit with you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 11:19)
I think I have lots of weapons of rebellion. But slowly by slowly I need to weed them out of my life so that I really can place everything on the alter. I believe that if I go to God in prayer He will tell me what is the one thing that is stopping me the most in my progression. He will help me to overcome it and master it. Then I will receive "further light and knowledge" and I can go on to the next thing. He will teach me how to bury it. For I must bury it like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis so that it will stay FAR away from me.
In all the talks I've heard they always use several examples like facial hair, white shirts and ties, and Mountain Dew as examples. Other examples might be our sleep, tanning, radio, other music, food, online games, books, vehicles, double earrings, Sunday football, other sports, PG-13/R-rated movies, cracking our knuckles, ways we break the Sabbath Day, etc. I think our weapons of rebellion can be anything that isn't inherently wrong and doesn't keep me out of the temple, but it's a questionable activity and deep down inside I know better. It's that thing that I will defend to the bitter end in order to justify the things that I do. That thing I won't admit to anybody that I need to stop but deep inside I know. That thing I boldly say, "Yeah, if Christ were here I'd still do this." Inside I squirm though because I know that's not really true.
Like I said, I have several. And I personally have multiple ones in the list above. Ugh! I am also in no way pointing fingers. I'm not checking people out on Sunday and thinking, "I can't believe they didn't wear nylons!" (Maybe I'm jealous though of people who can get away with not wearing nylons. My legs are so white we would all die of fright). I'm simply speaking in generalities and from the things I've heard in talks and instructions given to me when I've been a leader.
My weapons (some of them, I'm not going to reveal all my bad habits just yet!): Twilight books (I like them a little too much), I add hi-lights to my hair sometimes, I like sugar way to much (do you think it's a problem that I had pumpkin pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner today, nothing else, just pumpkin pie?), I like sleep way too much and I use it ("I'm tired") when I don't want to face things so then I can go take a nap, go to bed early or sleep in, I like to hide behind being an introvert, I use my opinions and thoughts that I've garnered from years of study to justify being a snot sometimes, and well, that's enough. That exposes me raw. I'd better take a nap now so I don't have to deal with the comments.
So how in the world are our weapons a rebellion a tool or a toy? A toy perhaps because I use them to play with and avoid doing what I should. But a tool. Yes, a tool I can use to turn to God and become closer to Him. Will I humble myself and allow my heart to be turned and then in turn receive the "more" that God has to offer me? Hopefully I can use my weapons has a tool to propel me to the great victory of supplicating myself on the alter and giving all. Even those things that are dumb and don't matter, but I keep doing it because it's my "rook card" I'm hiding to prove that no one has absolute control over me. Yeah, I have lots of rook cards. Forget the nap I'd better get to work!
Okay, did I do better about being more positive this time? I tried REALLY, REALLY hard!
I, of course, have lots! Too many! Ugh! But I'm trying to bury them all! I'm so grateful we have a life time to identify them and get them buried once and for all! So I've been thinking about weapons of rebellion. Here is some brainstorming thoughts I've come up with.
Through the years I've heard numerous talks and lessons (see this Gospel Doctrine Lesson specifically 1d) on how we need to lay down the weapons of rebellion in our life. A weapon of rebellion would be something that keeps us from giving our hearts to God. It keeps us from giving up our complete submission. A weapon of rebellion has kept me saying to myself, "God asks to much, I shouldn't be expected to truly give everything!"
That's kind of the point though. God does want me to give away everything. It's not to be mean, but it so he can give me a new heart without all my wrong ideas and past yuck. He says, "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit with you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 11:19)
I think I have lots of weapons of rebellion. But slowly by slowly I need to weed them out of my life so that I really can place everything on the alter. I believe that if I go to God in prayer He will tell me what is the one thing that is stopping me the most in my progression. He will help me to overcome it and master it. Then I will receive "further light and knowledge" and I can go on to the next thing. He will teach me how to bury it. For I must bury it like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis so that it will stay FAR away from me.
In all the talks I've heard they always use several examples like facial hair, white shirts and ties, and Mountain Dew as examples. Other examples might be our sleep, tanning, radio, other music, food, online games, books, vehicles, double earrings, Sunday football, other sports, PG-13/R-rated movies, cracking our knuckles, ways we break the Sabbath Day, etc. I think our weapons of rebellion can be anything that isn't inherently wrong and doesn't keep me out of the temple, but it's a questionable activity and deep down inside I know better. It's that thing that I will defend to the bitter end in order to justify the things that I do. That thing I won't admit to anybody that I need to stop but deep inside I know. That thing I boldly say, "Yeah, if Christ were here I'd still do this." Inside I squirm though because I know that's not really true.
Like I said, I have several. And I personally have multiple ones in the list above. Ugh! I am also in no way pointing fingers. I'm not checking people out on Sunday and thinking, "I can't believe they didn't wear nylons!" (Maybe I'm jealous though of people who can get away with not wearing nylons. My legs are so white we would all die of fright). I'm simply speaking in generalities and from the things I've heard in talks and instructions given to me when I've been a leader.
My weapons (some of them, I'm not going to reveal all my bad habits just yet!): Twilight books (I like them a little too much), I add hi-lights to my hair sometimes, I like sugar way to much (do you think it's a problem that I had pumpkin pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner today, nothing else, just pumpkin pie?), I like sleep way too much and I use it ("I'm tired") when I don't want to face things so then I can go take a nap, go to bed early or sleep in, I like to hide behind being an introvert, I use my opinions and thoughts that I've garnered from years of study to justify being a snot sometimes, and well, that's enough. That exposes me raw. I'd better take a nap now so I don't have to deal with the comments.
So how in the world are our weapons a rebellion a tool or a toy? A toy perhaps because I use them to play with and avoid doing what I should. But a tool. Yes, a tool I can use to turn to God and become closer to Him. Will I humble myself and allow my heart to be turned and then in turn receive the "more" that God has to offer me? Hopefully I can use my weapons has a tool to propel me to the great victory of supplicating myself on the alter and giving all. Even those things that are dumb and don't matter, but I keep doing it because it's my "rook card" I'm hiding to prove that no one has absolute control over me. Yeah, I have lots of rook cards. Forget the nap I'd better get to work!
Okay, did I do better about being more positive this time? I tried REALLY, REALLY hard!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
How we raise our family....
"Now I, Nephi, did not work the timber after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men. And I Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things...." 1 Nephi 18:2-3
I think that this scripture reference is a great parable to how we can raise our family. At least I've found it so to be for me. Each day we strive to build our family after the manner which the Lord as revealed to us. Each day we petition for what to do that day with our children and our family unit. Each day the answers are different then how the world or the manner of men would have us build our children and our family. The Lord desires that we call upon him and find out how to build our family. He will tell us how to make the tools to make and mold our family and he will provide the knowledge for us to make our "ship" or our family. Isn't that exciting? To know God is always there with answers even in the little things!
And in the end we will have those around us exclaim, "that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine." 1 Nephi 18:4 So don't loose hope. Stay on the path that the Lord wants you to be on with your children. He will show you how to raise a family in the midst of Babylon. And those naysayers will someday recognize the "exceedingly fine" family you have raised. Remember it can't be build after the manner of man, only after the manner of God.
I think that this scripture reference is a great parable to how we can raise our family. At least I've found it so to be for me. Each day we strive to build our family after the manner which the Lord as revealed to us. Each day we petition for what to do that day with our children and our family unit. Each day the answers are different then how the world or the manner of men would have us build our children and our family. The Lord desires that we call upon him and find out how to build our family. He will tell us how to make the tools to make and mold our family and he will provide the knowledge for us to make our "ship" or our family. Isn't that exciting? To know God is always there with answers even in the little things!
And in the end we will have those around us exclaim, "that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine." 1 Nephi 18:4 So don't loose hope. Stay on the path that the Lord wants you to be on with your children. He will show you how to raise a family in the midst of Babylon. And those naysayers will someday recognize the "exceedingly fine" family you have raised. Remember it can't be build after the manner of man, only after the manner of God.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Preparing for Missions
Here's a great article that my friend Heather pointed out to me. It points out how we can prepare our youth for their missions by limiting media in their life and how to teach them balance with these things. Also it address ways to improve social behavior in order to be more successful on a mission. This is a great article for those who think that Headgates might be to strict. The article reminds us again that we definitely need to close what I now call 'the headgates' in certain things.
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