Dark, quiet morning

Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror,

but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.

All that I know now is partial and incomplete,

but then I will know everything completely,

just as God now knows me completely.
I Corinthians 13: 12

And now... All creation waits in eager expectation...

Few moments are more lovely than a dark, early morning spent sitting with God's word in front of the Christmas tree.

In light of this crazy shopping weekend, I introduce to you one of our favorite family gifts - that can be purchased from the quiet of your own home.

Seeds Family Worship Music

Seeds Family Worship music is simply Bible verses set to music. Each CD has 12 different verses that fit a category like faith, courage, praise, encouragement and purpose. Before you know it, your whole family will have memorized 12 verses. (Do I sound like a commercial yet?)

Check out the Seed's YouTube Channel. Psalm 55:22 is mine and Emma's favorite song and video. You can listen online to Seeds of Courage here. One thing that I have really loved about this group is that they are so interested in people learning scripture that they send two of each CD you order so that you have one to give away! Look around their site - you can also download memorization charts and words for each song. Through Dec. 7 you can receive 25% off with the discount code GIFT09. Go check them out!

Thank you for your kind and generous birthday words and wishes both here and on Facebook! You've blessed me... I was a bit surprised that Rick knew how to log on here and even more surprised with the pepto-pink. I enjoyed both.

My favorite gift was hand-made by my daughter. She knows me well.

Thanks my Little Love.

Happy Birthday Paula!

From Rick.

Leave a comment and tell Paula
what you appreciate about her.

A peaceful solution

The first few hours of yesterday felt a little out of control. Needing a distraction, we passed up the regular playdough for some wonderful, warm, fragrant, chocolate playdough. It smelled so delicious, I actually had to bake some brownies later in the day.

Hot Cocoa Playdough

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. cocoa powder

1/2 c. salt

1/2 T. cream of tartar

1 1/2 T. oil

1 c. water

Mix together dry ingredients in saucepan. Add liquid and stir over medium heat until dough forms a ball and pulls away from sides of the pan.

In weather-related news, I have one flower pot that still looks nice. Odd really, because we've had snowy weather on and off for two months including a nice blizzard that cancelled school for three days in a row.

Convinced

(One of my favorite places on the loooong, straight road to my Dad's house.)

The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

(Not even me!)

verses from Romans 8

The Just Shall Live by Faith: Reformation Night

Somewhere along the way I may have mentioned that a friend and I are planning our church's family nights. Our goal is to provide a place where whole families can spend time with other families without being separated into childcare, sunday school, small groups, etc. Some months we have games and outdoor activities. Last week we planned a Reformation night (Reformation day was Nov. 1 and is connected to Halloween). Booth type games were set up in our church fellowship hall and foyer and represented events of Martin Luther's life and work. Each family went from booth to booth reading through a booklet and working together. Here are just a few examples of how our night looked.

Each families would feel the shapes of the "relics" and try to guess what they were. Here's an example of what was inside the bags: a small bowl, scroll, basket, bag of coins and hammer. What made them relics? The bowl was used by Pilate when he washed his hands of Jesus blood. Jesus read the scroll in the temple when he was 12. Judas had the coins and the hammer, of course, was used at the cross.

*Relics had some sort of spiritual connection and could be viewed in order to be granted an indulgence. A practice that particularly annoyed Luther.* Do you remember relics from the Germany days? The White Cathedral in Bamberg had a pope's finger.

Our obstacle course was Luther's pilgrimage to Rome.

How about a relay where each family member kisses each stair and recites, "the just shall live by faith". The fastest time earns you an extra indulgence. *During Luther's Pilgrimage to Rome, he visited the chapel Sancta Santorum. The stairs were supposed to have been the same that Christ climbed during his trial in front of Pontius Pilate. Devoted christians of the middle ages could buy an indulgence in order to ascend the stairs. Kissing each step and praying could erase 50 years of purgatory for you or one you love for each step.*

The Wittenburg Door! The door may be the most well-known of the Reformation events. *Luther nailed his 95 theses or debating points to the door inciting the wrath of Rome. These theses were quickly translated into German (by way of the new printing press) and seeds of the Reformation were planted. The corruption of the Church could now be challenged by the common man.*

We picked our favorite theses and nailed them to the door.

Papal bulls were wadded and thrown into the bonfire. Each bull that reached the fire earned you an indulgence. *A papal bull was an official document from the pope. The one that Luther received gave him sixty days to recant his heretical statements or be excommunicated.*

When we were at Home Depot purchasing various parts for the night, Emma told the salesman that we were going to have a book burning. Yikes. I was sure not to tell him which church we attended..

*Martin and Katie Luther were given an old convent to live in during their time in Wittenburg. They fished for food in the pond in order to feed the many visitors and students that were always present in the Luther home.* Our fish had Reformation trivia on them.

Cute medieval costumes made the atmosphere just right.

The Indulgence Store was where candy could be purchased with the indulgences they had earned throughout the evening. * An indulgence was a special provision that could be purchased in exchange for the number of years a soul spent in purgatory. The buying and selling of indulgences by the church was one of Luther's main complaints of the the Church.*

During the weeks before this event, I read numerous books and articles about the Reformation. I was amazed to really understand the movement of the church throughout time and come to love the individuals involved. And... I was so sad that we had lived for five years right in the middle of the circle of events and missed out on the opportunity to experience them.

Our Halloween

(Our medieval monk and Annie the orphan)

Trick or treating around the neighborhood was really fun this year. Although the days leading up to Halloween were cold and snowy, the evening was cool, but comfortable.

Watching Ethan race excitedly from door to door made me think that Christmas morning is going to be amazing to see.

After trick or treating, our tradition is to dress in foil and stop for free burritos at Chipotle. Emma always seems to have Spike, our mouse puppet, dressed appropriately for every occasion. He has foil on his crown and the Chipotle guy gave him free cheese! (There are moments in parenthood that I could never have dreamed in my biggest and greatest imagination.)
Spike and Ethan are dressed in Reformation garb from our church's family Reformation Night Oct. 30. Maybe I'll soon get some pictures posted from the fun, fun night.

Speaking of parenting moments... as I type I can hear Emma and Ethan playing with boats and Polly Pockets. Emma is saying in her best blonde valley girl voice, "Look at the harbor, this is going to be, like, so fun." How is this part of her knowledge bank?

Pumpkiny Goodness

Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins

1 3/4 c. flour

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ginger

1/2 t. nutmeg

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

Mix above ingredients in a large bowl.

Then in a small bowl combine the following:

2 eggs

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 c. pumpkin

1 c. butterscotch chips

(chocolate chips are great too!)

Combine the dry and wet ingredients.

Bake 350 degrees for 18 minutes.

Pumpkin muffins are always a fall favorite. This year's addition of butterscotch chips have me wishing I had a can of pumpkin on hand to make my third (!) batch in as many weeks.

Sewing Projects

Our old couch has a spiffy new pillow.

And our trips to the library have taken on a new look. Gabby made our last book bag six years ago and it faithfully served us by hauling back-breaking loads of books week after week.
But best of all, my finger took on a new look.

I somehow managed to stitch through my finger(!) and out through my fingernail with the broken needle stuck, along with the thread! Frantically, I called Rick, thankfully had Emma to help me get Ethan in the car and sped to the nearest urgent care clinic. When I got there, I had such wonderful quick care. The nurse quickly filled out the paperwork, since the impaled finger was my pointer on my right hand. I think my great care had something to do with the doctor's reprieve from the looong line of flu shot patients. A few different medical personnnel came in just for a look.

Rick made it to the clinic just in time to hold my hand while the doctor numbed my finger. After the finger was good and numb, the doctor pulled the needle out (thread and all) while discovering that the needle was broken and in pieces. They even threw in an x-ray just to make sure that no leftover metal shards were still floating around. Finally, I got a tetanus shot.

The needle-skewered finger is recovering well. But do you know what has been the worst? The numbing agent, accidentally was injected INTO my nerve instead of around the nerve. So, even though the injured finger is long recovered, the shooting nerve pain could last for weeks or more. My arm also displays a nice blue bruise.

I had a great little post all ready in my head, but the card from Rick's phone got fried, so I have no gruesome picture to post. I'm really, really sad about that. The evidence might have gotten me some sympathy. Maybe you could use your imagination.

There are two ways to get enough:

One is to accumulate more and more.

The other is to desire less.

~GK Chesterton

Ooooh, I love the feel of these early fall days. Coolness wisps against my skin like a kiss from God. The kids smile and giggle and we just like being together.

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9: 1,2 NIV

(near Silverthorn, CO, just 2 short hours from our house)

Happy Long Weekend!

Today our friend Barb Evans will be having a very significant surgery to remove a plum sized tumor in her brain and the surrounding area that has been damaged. As you can assume, this surgery could change her quality of life and potentially even take her life. Surgery is around noon Alaska time. Caleb is in upper elementary and Audrey starts Kindergarten next week. The Evans direct the Mountain Chapel Hospitality House in Anchorage. Please take time to pray for Dan and Barb and their children today.

This picture is of the hospitality house group in Alaska.

Dan and Barb are in the lower left front of the picture.

Ahhhh...progress

(Toothy, the dino, playing the role of a superhero.

You're right, the eyes are a little weird.)

You may remember my role in the family a few weeks ago.

I feel much better after eavesdropping on today's conversation:

Ethan and Emma were discussing the homeless plight of several of our small plastic animals. They were disagreeing about a workable solution.

Finally Ethan says, after sharing an undisclosed conversation with a small stuffed dinosaur, named Toothy.

"Toofy, come on, let's go ask Superwoman."

(Recent sighting of Superwoman at a local park!)

(Housing solution, in part. And yes, sadly, the animals are injured.)

Ta da

2009-2010 Bookclub Selections:

The Journey

The Little House

Poetry of William Blake

Five Children and It

Silent Night: The Song and It's Story

Blue Willow

The Adventures of Treehorn

Rabbit Hill

Mrs. Frisby and the rats of NIHM

Strawberry Girl

Thank you so much for all your wonderful suggestions. I've added them to our ever growing personal reading list.

When a group of homeschool moms come together to discuss each others plans and purposes for the coming year, including ideas about seasons and such and then throw in a few of our personal favorites, well - you end up with an eclectic stack of books.

Sooo thrilled about the books I get to teach: The Journey, The Little House and Blue Willow. I'm teaching the first two picture books together with an overnight in a downtown 30th floor loft!

What do you recommend?

You, my dear blogging friends, are some of the most well read people I know. Please help.

Do you have a favorite book from elementary school? What books would you encourage a group of 2nd-4th grade girls to read? The possibilities are endless, really, but I'd love to know what you think!

Its good to know my place

Ethan runs into the kitchen while I'm making dinner.
"I need cheese, I need cheese." He yells out.
"Why do you need cheese?" I question.
"Because I a mouse." Cheese in hand he leaves.

Back in the hall, Emma says,
"Ethan, we are on a rocket ship, there are no mice."
Pause...
"Did the cook just give you that piece of cheese?"

Como se llama?

Is your mama a llama? What a llamarama!
Is that Barack Ollama?

Annual Burro Days in Fairplay, CO. My brother-in-law David and his sons Nathan and Justin participated in the llama race. Don't ask, I don't know why they race llamas during burro days.

I just attended my 20th class reunion!
Twenty years went by much faster than I ever imagined.

Lessons learned this weekend:
1. Twenty years is plenty of time to really screw up a life.
2. Jesus changes your entire countenance.

This is my nephew Nathan.

He's always fun and full of energy.

We've been hanging out with him.

paving in progress +
an over the fence view =
a happily contented boy

+ a few amused construction workers.

That gets me excited!

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom...

Happy 4th of July, dear friends!

Readily Marvel

The dwelling of Christ is a thought particularly fit for the children, because their large faith does not stumble at the mystery, their imagination leaps readily to the marvel, that the King Himself should in habit a little child's heart.
~Charlotte Mason, Home Education

Me and My Dad by Emma

My favorite thing to do with my dad is go to Elitch's (local amusement park). I'm almost big enough to ride all the rides with him. I'm learning to swim too and I like it when we go to the swimming pool together.

I really like that my Dad loves me and that he likes to help me when I get stuck with something or hurt.

I know my Dad's favorite color is blue because he like the Broncos and he loves to eat meat!

Dad is really funny when he's trying to make Ethan laugh.

I love my Dad because he's nice.

Father's Week

We missed making Father's Day special around here...

so we'll celebrate all week.