I wanted to share some videos that my family and I have been enjoying for a while. From a home school perspective comes the hilarious and sometimes ridiculous antics of the You Tube show Blimey Cow (Aka Messy Mondays) that has become a hit across America. Funny! And then sometimes oh so true… :) Just watch and then you'll see what I mean. Here are some of my favorites:
Missions trips
"Oh No, I'm Single!"
"Like" Vs. "Love"
"Making Time" for God

"If God is for us…"

"Every word of God proves true;

      he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

-Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)

Are we weary of pain? Or tired of striving? Let us rest in Him who bore the cross of death. His sacrifice is our claim and His promise our hope. Let us lay our weary hearts in His sovereign hands and trust that we'll be kept from Satan's sinking sands. Christ will carry those who rest on Him alone. So rest now, weary traveler. Rest in Him. He is God above all gods, He is maker of the worlds, He is awesome in power and faithfulness. He is stronger than any foe and LORD on high throne. Don't doubt Him. Doubt yourself. For you sin and fail in thought word and deed and are ever digging deeper into Judgments pit apart from His atoning Sacrifice. That is why He died--to ransom His people--those that rest in His finished payment for sin, saving them from the wrath that they deserve. So I invite you weary Christian: rest. He is holding you and your future, never to let them go. 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:26-31 ESV)

Munchkin on Aunt Aurelia's tire swing

Gunner enjoyed swinging and squeeling, or should I say, screaming.

Are you saved?

Are you truly saved? Heaven and Hell hang in the balance. No human knows for certain when their casket will be shut upon their fleeting mortal bodies. Will you play Russian Roulette with your never dying soul? I beg you to click the link above and listen to this sermon. May it bless you. It has me.

And when you're done please share it with others, saved and unsaved alike ought to examine themselves in the light of God's truth. The unsaved to seek salvation, the saved to seek assurance.

Fancified Flip-Flops :)

My flip flops before

Some super glue, and elastic ruffle ribbon ... 

and voila!

Family day trip to North Cadron Creek 2012

We sere blessed to get to visit a cabin near the North Cadron Creek. We picnicked, hiked, relaxed, got wet, and soaked in the nice weather.  

We swam in really cold water, Josiah and I that is. He begged me to. It was a little adventure. Going up and down the creek in mostly shallow water. There was a scene that I wasn't able to capture because I was in the water and didn't have my phone with me. It was where the land was interrupted by rolling streams forced to go curving through the low lying bank that crossed the creek. Greenery grew over these peninsula-like banks.
Some of the scenery reminded me of Swiss Family Robinson's. :)

Notice the circle of white water? That's where Josiah dropped into the water from the over-hanging tree limb. He enjoys climbing trees.

Mom and Dad

Ok, ok, so I like a little tree climbing myself.

Mossy stream bed

Gunner enjoyed playing in the sand.

A ridge leads that over to the sloping sandy bank.

Our little arrow fetcher :)

We Got a bit of archery in :) Not that we're good, we just like to try to get that way.

Watch out for the chicken wing shot. Yes, you may laugh. I have a natural tendency to raise my elbow  rather high while shooting.

Part of the trail on the way to the cabin.

Hay bales near the entry to land.

My "Old" Graduation Speech

It was 2010, about two years ago. I think my hands were sweaty and my voice quivering about the time I delivered my high school graduation speech. The AR Harding University auditorium was filled with home schooled families and their guests from all over AR. (Yeah, what was I thinking?) But in actuality I wanted to communicate to my fellow graduates (about 93% of whom I had never even met) something important. Something I had hoped they would remember as they went on in life (have they? Who knows?). I feel that I haven't lived up well to my own advice never-the-less the future awaits.

There was the usual thanking the tutors, teachers and parents, and a bit of attempted humor, but the overall gist included the poem bellow that I wrote for the occasion and the following parts from my speech. I hope you enjoy it.      

Let me encourage you.

Above all the studies set on your docket, 

Above all the PhDs and doctorates,

Above all the plans of glitz and glamour,

Above the talk of money clamor, 

Study the Word of God. 

Let me encourage you. 

To live the wonder of a godly life,

To keep on walking with humble eyes

Upon the goal of the Almighty's glory   

Upon the hope of a well lived life story.  

Live by the Word of God. 

Let me encourage you.

Don't let this life pass you by,

Without seeking God's heart and knowing His mind. 

Live with vigor and run with might,

God give us strength to "fight the good fight!"

Thrive by the Word of God.

My fellow graduates, God blessed us when he gave our parents the resolve to do what they believed to be right instead of what they knew to be easy. ... Home education was not just another option to many of our parents and perhaps all, it was their God given conviction. Fathers that took their place as head and mothers that poured their love into us played their part in making our homes places of learning. ...

My fellow graduates out of all your planning don’t ever forget that you depend on God for everything. Don’t forget to put the study of His word on your priority list. Let us thank Him that He brought us this far and as Proverbs says, acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct our paths. 

The world says that you’ll be happy if you’re living for yourself. They teach that the goals you set should be in some way self fulfilling. Like the saying goes, “It’s all about me.” But they missed God’s big memo, we are here for His glory NOT OURS.  So regardless of what some might say, go ahead and live life to the fullest from God’s point of view. Seek comfort and courage in the fact that He is the one we are to live for and not the approval rate of the human race. 

Joshua 1:8 says, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do all that the law of Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate upon it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success,”

...The Word of God is our map for the journey of life. Don’t neglect it, unless you want all the pages of your life stained with the tears of regret. No, take firm hold on God’s promise to bless those who seek Him. Reach high, run far, and look to Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith! 

Revive our spark

Revive Our Spark
By Jessica D.
How forgetful we can be 

And toil and fret with gloom

When Christ blood was shed indeed

With freeing power true.

How often we find ourselves 

Returning to our dungeon ways

Instead of living joyously,

Living lives of praise.

We wallow in self pity, 

Looking not above,

Not basking in the Almighty 

Or drinking up His love.

We blindly grope in faithless dark.

Oh God of hope revive our spark

That coal of faith 

Which wanes from lack of air

Oh God Who saves, 

We wane from lack of prayer.

From lack of feeding our spirit’s life

Let the wind of Your Spirit blow 

Over your children’s coals 

Causing them to know

That you fulfill Your goals

Your promises You’ll keep

Of making us faithful and good

You will bless Your sheep

With lives that shine as they should

Bless me, Your child,

With Your reflection true

And let not my love be mild 

Towards others or You.


P.S. Photoshop is a great tool. :P

"Be Still, My Soul"

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.


2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.


3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.


4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Hymn #651
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 46:10
Author: Catharine Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, 1752, cento
Translated by: Jane Borthwick, 1855
Titled: "Stille, mein Wille"
Composer: Jean Sibelius, b. 1865, arr.
Tune: "Finlandia"
Taken from~http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh651.htm

She travled far to learn wisdom and so shall I

"The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here."
(Matthew 12:42 ESV)

Providentially my quarters have been generously arranged to be with the Hammond family that is attending St. Andrew's Church where I also plan to attend. This seems to be a stride towards my grasping the fact that attending RBC looks to be what the LORD has for me this coming autumn. Ah! How wonderful it is to be held in the One true God's sovereign hand! I need not fret so long as I believe that He is always working. Who better knows my needs and how to prepare me for life unto Him than He Himself? I have had so many doubts and so many concerns but in the end it is much better to rest assured in the middle of His plan. 

The Bible verse above was like a revelation (it is anyway though isn't it?) which showed me that it can be commendable to seek wisdom from wise men even at the cost of traveling to the ends of the earth. Admittedly I won't be going to China right now but Florida seems so far from home. And there are a few things which seem to allow for more connection with my family in the modern world. I don't think that the ancient queen had Facebook, cell phones, Skype or E-mail :P But God has put me in such a great situation that I have a family that loves me and will actually miss me (at least they better if they know what's good for them). With the abundance of technology though I can stay in touch with them and they can see and hear from me. 

I am not trying to tell others that they need to run off to a Bible collage to be informed or even that traveling a far distance is somehow a Christian right of passage. I likely would have chosen home myself if it were not for my family that thought this best for me and have urged me on. I am simply sharing the journey that I have come on and the path I am going on. Please continue to pray for me and my family not merely that we survive but that we grow closer to each other and God during this time.

Psalm 120:6-7

Love peace? Freedom to share the gospel? Life of the unborn? Then (please!) vote Ron Paul.

http://www.homeschoolalumni.org

Join the American R3VOlution! For life, liberty, and freedon of speech!

After tons of work,  getting paint on my fingers, and some photo shopping: I now introduce to you shots of Josiah's and my work. God reign in America! And go Ron Paul!  

This is one of my favorites :P

I have been accepted for this comming fall at Reformation Bible College ! I am still not sure if this is God's will but I'm waiting to see if He provides the funds. If He does then I plan to go through with it. It would be a new adventure to say the least. Please pray that God's pleasing plan for my life will be worked out through what ever happens. :)

Photos from http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203966302959459.48122.200038826685540&type=3  and the RBC website link at the top of my post.

Spring is in the air and garden prep time is here :P

My dad and I went up to his cousin's old farm to get some barnyard for my garden this spring. It was a pretty day with blue skies,  light gleaming through the clouds, and Cousin Patsy's grand old oak tree there just waiting for me to take some shots. :)

Dad on the Kubota

Grass out front of our house.

I plopped down in the grass exausted, seeing that it looked nice enough, and being on my back Dad couldn't even see me from the lower basketball court, haha. :P He knew I was there though because he saw me before I retired to my temporary rest. :)