CHRISTMAS FILLING
Ephesians 5:18, "Be filled with the Spirit."
What do you think of at Christmas? Too many people Christmas is coming home from shopping with a car filled with gifts, homes filled with decorations, tables filled with food and stockings filled with things we will never use. We are filled to over the top.
Does this picture relate to the story we read of Jesus' birth in the New Testament? As I read the account again recently I noticed something I hadn't understood before. Yes, the birth of Jesus is a time of filling, but a different kind of filling. It is the filling of the Holy Spirit. Nearly everyone associated with the birth of Jesus was filled and empowered with the Holy Ghost. Let's have a look...
The birth of John the Baptist
The angel came to Zacharias and told him that he would have a son who would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. He said in Luke 1:15-17, "He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God."
God was true to His word and Elisabeth, Zacharias' wife conceived. Mary came to visit her during her pregnancy and the moment Mary greeted Elisabeth, "the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." (Luke 1:41)
John was born with great joy. At his circumcision celebration where they named him John, "Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied." (Luke 1:67)
The birth of Jesus
Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35 says, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God." Read also Matthew 1:18, 20. After Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary took him to the temple to be dedicated. At the temple was a man named Simeon who was filled with the Holy Ghost. Luke 2:25-28 tells us more about him. He was "just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus... then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God..."Simeon walked and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. He listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Because he was in tune with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit was able to reveal to him about Jesus and He led him, by the Spirit, into the temple at the very right moment that Joseph and Mary brought Jesus. As Simeon held Jesus in his arms, he also prophesied by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 2:34-35)
Anna, a widow of 84 years, who "served God with fastings and prayers night and day" also prophesied by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 2:37-38)
The challenge is: what are we going to be filled with this Christmas? It should be a time to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Imagine if we spent as much, or more time, seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit as rushing around buying gifts and preparing for Christmas. What would happen? Imagine if we took time to listen to the Holy Spirit. What would we learn? What would He say to us? What difference would it make in our lives and in our homes? Imagine if we asked the Holy Spirit to lead us instead of doing our own agenda. How would He direct us? Who would He lead us to speak to? What kind of Christmas would we organize?
Don't you think it would be exciting? The birth of Jesus was not ordinary. It was supernatural. Everything that happened was miraculous. People were filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. Why don't we put aside our own agenda for a moment and ask the Holy Spirit what He wants us to do. Let Him direct us and lead us at this Christmas time. Let's be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES
PRAYER:"Lord, I ask that you will lead me by your Holy Spirit. I want to hear your voice speaking to me. Please direct me the way you want me to go. Fill my life with our Holy Spirit. Fill our home with your Spirit. May the anointing of the Holy Spirit be the preeminent thing in all our lives this Christmas."
AFFIRMATION:I am listening to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit.
______________________________________________________________________We are an unaverage American family living on 2.5 acres in Texas with our 5+ homeschooled children and a handful of farm animals. We are taking one day at a time and living under the Lord's grace. May you be blessed as you read and learn more about "our road."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Pizza Night
We like to have pizza on Friday nights. For a long time, i made everything from scratch, including the dough. After a while, i got tired of making everything so we started buying pizza. Of course, that gets expensive, especially since we are having to buy more to feed our family. Recently, i discovered a way to simplify the homemade pizza process for not a lot of "dough."
Sam's Wholesale Club sells premade/baked pizza crusts. All you have to do is add your stuff: sauce, cheese, toppings, etc. and bake for 12-15 minutes. They are very inexpensive too. I got 14 frozen already rolled crusts for $17. That's around $1.20 each crust and priceless when it comes to my time. I didn't see any ingredients that i objected to either. You have to buy these at the Deli/Snack counter in the front of the store. If 14 is too many, just find a friend or 2 who will split them with you.
Sam's also sells all of the toppings you might need: sauce, pepperoni, cheese, pineapple, etc. These come in large amounts but are a much better deal when you buy in bulk. I just freeze them in smaller amounts. This way i can pull out of the freezer what i need for that nights pizza and have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.
Happy Pizza Night!
Sam's Wholesale Club sells premade/baked pizza crusts. All you have to do is add your stuff: sauce, cheese, toppings, etc. and bake for 12-15 minutes. They are very inexpensive too. I got 14 frozen already rolled crusts for $17. That's around $1.20 each crust and priceless when it comes to my time. I didn't see any ingredients that i objected to either. You have to buy these at the Deli/Snack counter in the front of the store. If 14 is too many, just find a friend or 2 who will split them with you.
Sam's also sells all of the toppings you might need: sauce, pepperoni, cheese, pineapple, etc. These come in large amounts but are a much better deal when you buy in bulk. I just freeze them in smaller amounts. This way i can pull out of the freezer what i need for that nights pizza and have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.
Happy Pizza Night!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Natural Cures and Remedies
These remedies were forwarded to me from my godmother, Nena Wiley. I am not sure if she compiled them, but i think she did. Just to give credit where it is due. I have added my own additional comments at the end of the sections marked with (*...). Of course, this is all my opinion and experiences and does not replace medical advice. You should always try to research stuff if you are not sure how to use it efficiently and correctly.
Happy Health!
Home Remedies
Indigestion and Heartburn
The belching, bloat, and heartburn caused by indigestion comes about because you don't have enough stomach acid to do the job right. A spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar will help break down the excess food that is causing you trouble and bring your stomach back to balance.
(*I've been trying to tell everyone this for years. Acid Reflux is actually just an official disease term that pharmaceutical companies came up with so they could create and sell a prescription for indigestion and heartburn. Once you begin taking prescriptions for such "diseases" as this, you will very likely then develop other "conditions" or "side effects" that need to be treated by yet another prescription, etc, etc. It all equals up to big $ for the pharmaceutical industries, and you pay the bill. All that said, there are many natural remedies available for most of the modern day "diseases" we have if you are willing to do a little research and save yourself a trip to the doctor : ) Google these books: Prescription For Natural Cures; Prescription For Nutritional Healing; Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About & More Natural "Cures" Revealed, both by Kevin Trudeau; Essential Oil Desk Reference Book. I have all of these books and would love to help you by looking things up for you or possibly lending them out (i refer to them regularly so it would have to be short ; )
Sore Throat
Sore, scratchy throats are usually a sign of a cold or flu coming on, so you don't want to ignore this symptom, but you can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water a few times a day and then drinking a soothing honey-lemon tea.
(*Young Living sells a product called Thieves Spray which the intended us is for sanitizing surfaces. However, if you spray the back of your throat it will stop the soreness, i have used it. Also, if you get a diagnosis of Strep Throat from the doc or think you might have it, spray this 2 or 3 times a day until relieved. I have heard this works great, almost instantly.)
Sore Muscles and Bruises
Save the day with a tube of arnica cream. The humble arnica flower makes an incredible cream that no medicine cabinet should be without. Use it immediately to speed up the healing of bruises, sprains, sore muscles, and other general aches.
Stop Bleeding
You'd think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.
(*Cypress essential oil also will stop bleeding)
Ear Infections
Put a few drops of garlic oil or white vinegar into your ear canal and lay down on the opposite side to let those drops do their work. Garlic and vinegar create an environment that won't support the bacteria causing the infection. Repeat a few times a day until the symptoms disappear.
(*I have a recipe for this purpose to make up ahead of time and use at the 1st symptom but will post it later.)
Burns
Rinse first with cold water, then immediately apply aloe vera gel to the burn. If you don't have aloe in the house, slice a potato and rub its cool, soothing juices all over the burn. And honey, with its antibacterial properties, is also good topical ointment. If you can catch the burn immediately, mustard is also reportedly a great salve.
Athlete's Foot
Air your feet, soak them in salty water, wash them with garlic juice, or soak them with diluted white or apple cider vinegar. Be persistent, consistent and diligent: do it a few times a day and stick with it until at least a week after you think the symptoms are gone! Fungus excels at hiding out and coming back when you least expect it.
Rashes and Allergies
Try green tea, which contains compounds with antihistamine properties. You'll need to drink 2-3 cups a day to get the full effect.
Acne and Sensitive Skin
Wash your face with oatmeal. It's a gentle exfoliant and draws out oil and impurities.
Flatulence
Try taking a digestive enzyme with your meals. You can find these at any health food store. In the meantime, make use of digestive spices such as ginger, anise, peppermint, coriander and dill. You can make tea with these ingredients or incorporate them into your food.
Headache and Migraine
For instant relief, rub the meat of a pickled plum (Aka Ume in Japanese, Chamoy in Spanish) on your forehead. For milder headaches rub a fresh cut lemon or lime on your forehead. Try rubbing peppermint or lavender oil on your temples and the base of your neck; sniffing these oils may also help. Feverfew is a good herbal remedy for headaches. Have a little caffeine by way of green tea, and don't forget to use an ice pack for 20 minutes to dull the throbbing.
(*Peppermint essential oil placed on your thumb and pushed into the roof of your mouth for a few seconds, is sometimes effective too. I have also heard that headaches can be relieved by just drinking lots of water. A head ache can signal dehydration.)
Dandruff
Many people swear by rubbing aloe vera gel onto the scalp (leave it on for twenty minutes than rinse it out). This will certainly help with dry, itchy scalp. Another remedy is a rinse with apple cider vinegar.
(*I have used apple cider vinegar many times as a conditioner. I am amazed at how well it detangles and softens your hair. Of course it does leave a smell, which is why i don't always use it, because my hubby hates the smell of vinegar ;)
Nausea
The classic cure for nausea or carsickness is ginger tea or candied ginger. You can chew on the stuff raw, but it's so spicy and strong it might just make you feel worse. Sniffing real peppermint or lavender oil can also help.
(*Car sickness or upset tummy can easily be relieved by putting one drop of peppermint oil in a small amount of water and drinking it. This is safe for children as long as you are sure they do not have a reaction to peppermint (ie can use peppermint toothpaste or has eaten a peppermint and not had a reaction))
Constipation
Drink more water and eat more fruit and salads. Drinking a few teaspoons of olive oil mixed with a bit of orange or (diluted) lemon juice can help things get moving. Another surefire remedy is 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salts drunk in 1/2 a glass of water.
Toothache
To reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties).
Happy Health!
Home Remedies
Indigestion and Heartburn
The belching, bloat, and heartburn caused by indigestion comes about because you don't have enough stomach acid to do the job right. A spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar will help break down the excess food that is causing you trouble and bring your stomach back to balance.
(*I've been trying to tell everyone this for years. Acid Reflux is actually just an official disease term that pharmaceutical companies came up with so they could create and sell a prescription for indigestion and heartburn. Once you begin taking prescriptions for such "diseases" as this, you will very likely then develop other "conditions" or "side effects" that need to be treated by yet another prescription, etc, etc. It all equals up to big $ for the pharmaceutical industries, and you pay the bill. All that said, there are many natural remedies available for most of the modern day "diseases" we have if you are willing to do a little research and save yourself a trip to the doctor : ) Google these books: Prescription For Natural Cures; Prescription For Nutritional Healing; Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About & More Natural "Cures" Revealed, both by Kevin Trudeau; Essential Oil Desk Reference Book. I have all of these books and would love to help you by looking things up for you or possibly lending them out (i refer to them regularly so it would have to be short ; )
Sore Throat
Sore, scratchy throats are usually a sign of a cold or flu coming on, so you don't want to ignore this symptom, but you can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water a few times a day and then drinking a soothing honey-lemon tea.
(*Young Living sells a product called Thieves Spray which the intended us is for sanitizing surfaces. However, if you spray the back of your throat it will stop the soreness, i have used it. Also, if you get a diagnosis of Strep Throat from the doc or think you might have it, spray this 2 or 3 times a day until relieved. I have heard this works great, almost instantly.)
Sore Muscles and Bruises
Save the day with a tube of arnica cream. The humble arnica flower makes an incredible cream that no medicine cabinet should be without. Use it immediately to speed up the healing of bruises, sprains, sore muscles, and other general aches.
Stop Bleeding
You'd think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.
(*Cypress essential oil also will stop bleeding)
Ear Infections
Put a few drops of garlic oil or white vinegar into your ear canal and lay down on the opposite side to let those drops do their work. Garlic and vinegar create an environment that won't support the bacteria causing the infection. Repeat a few times a day until the symptoms disappear.
(*I have a recipe for this purpose to make up ahead of time and use at the 1st symptom but will post it later.)
Burns
Rinse first with cold water, then immediately apply aloe vera gel to the burn. If you don't have aloe in the house, slice a potato and rub its cool, soothing juices all over the burn. And honey, with its antibacterial properties, is also good topical ointment. If you can catch the burn immediately, mustard is also reportedly a great salve.
Athlete's Foot
Air your feet, soak them in salty water, wash them with garlic juice, or soak them with diluted white or apple cider vinegar. Be persistent, consistent and diligent: do it a few times a day and stick with it until at least a week after you think the symptoms are gone! Fungus excels at hiding out and coming back when you least expect it.
Rashes and Allergies
Try green tea, which contains compounds with antihistamine properties. You'll need to drink 2-3 cups a day to get the full effect.
Acne and Sensitive Skin
Wash your face with oatmeal. It's a gentle exfoliant and draws out oil and impurities.
Flatulence
Try taking a digestive enzyme with your meals. You can find these at any health food store. In the meantime, make use of digestive spices such as ginger, anise, peppermint, coriander and dill. You can make tea with these ingredients or incorporate them into your food.
Headache and Migraine
For instant relief, rub the meat of a pickled plum (Aka Ume in Japanese, Chamoy in Spanish) on your forehead. For milder headaches rub a fresh cut lemon or lime on your forehead. Try rubbing peppermint or lavender oil on your temples and the base of your neck; sniffing these oils may also help. Feverfew is a good herbal remedy for headaches. Have a little caffeine by way of green tea, and don't forget to use an ice pack for 20 minutes to dull the throbbing.
(*Peppermint essential oil placed on your thumb and pushed into the roof of your mouth for a few seconds, is sometimes effective too. I have also heard that headaches can be relieved by just drinking lots of water. A head ache can signal dehydration.)
Dandruff
Many people swear by rubbing aloe vera gel onto the scalp (leave it on for twenty minutes than rinse it out). This will certainly help with dry, itchy scalp. Another remedy is a rinse with apple cider vinegar.
(*I have used apple cider vinegar many times as a conditioner. I am amazed at how well it detangles and softens your hair. Of course it does leave a smell, which is why i don't always use it, because my hubby hates the smell of vinegar ;)
Nausea
The classic cure for nausea or carsickness is ginger tea or candied ginger. You can chew on the stuff raw, but it's so spicy and strong it might just make you feel worse. Sniffing real peppermint or lavender oil can also help.
(*Car sickness or upset tummy can easily be relieved by putting one drop of peppermint oil in a small amount of water and drinking it. This is safe for children as long as you are sure they do not have a reaction to peppermint (ie can use peppermint toothpaste or has eaten a peppermint and not had a reaction))
Constipation
Drink more water and eat more fruit and salads. Drinking a few teaspoons of olive oil mixed with a bit of orange or (diluted) lemon juice can help things get moving. Another surefire remedy is 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salts drunk in 1/2 a glass of water.
Toothache
To reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties).
Monday, December 7, 2009
Random Tips & Ideas
I always have lots of tips and ideas i'd like to share with everyone but rarely do my thoughts get from my head to the keyboard. So....I have been jotting things down as they come up and hope to share them here and there under the title above "Random Tips and Ideas." Hope you find something interesting!
*If you accidently get essential oils in your eyes or anywhere that feels like its burning, never use water to wipe it out. You must use a form of vegetable oil such as olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil, etc. Why?? Water drives the oil further into your skin, vegetable oil is a fat and draws the oil back out. On the other hand, if you are needing the oils to penetrate further, as in Myrtle placed on the chest for a cough or Lavendar on the stomach for cramping, then place a wet (warm or cold) wash cloth on top of the oil for faster relief.
*Bulk, unofficially organic, Wisconsin cheese from Amish farmers at amazing prices. The last order i made, the cheese was running $2.59/lb for 40 pounds, including shipping. Yes, 40 lbs is a lot of cheese, but if you find 1 or more others to split it with you, it's worth it and it freezes well. I have only bought colby jack so far and it's wonderful. The cheese comes unrefridgerated in a rectangular box which means the cheese is room temp. This makes it very easy to cut. I cut most of my 20 lbs into cheese sticks and cut the rest into long blocks for shredding in my food processor. I pack the cheese sticks into freezer bags and we pull a new bag out as the other one is getting low, same with the shredded cheese. The website is www.oldcountrycheese.com
*If you are looking for a replacement for canned cream of mushroom/chicken, Frontier makes both in a powdered form. I buy 1 lb bags and just follow the directions to reconstitute it. Currently, i buy it through their website www.frontiercoop.com/wholesale (remove wholesale at the end if ordering individually). If you get a few other ladies together and set up an ordering co-op, you can get free shipping if your order is over $250. Frontier offers many, many organic, natural items through their wholesale website at prices that can't be beat.
*For all of you nursing mamas out there, I have found a great remedy for soreness, cracking, bleeding etc that sometimes comes along with nursing, from infant to toddler. Just rub raw coconut oil all over the problem area after each feeding and you should get some relief. It is safe for the baby, even good for them, and will taste better than lanolin, i'm guessing ; ) Also, coconut oil, when eaten or taken by capsule, will help to combat candida yeast overgrowth. It helps to break apart the yeast nucleus and destroy it.
That's all for tonight. Hope to keep posting more soon!
*If you accidently get essential oils in your eyes or anywhere that feels like its burning, never use water to wipe it out. You must use a form of vegetable oil such as olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil, etc. Why?? Water drives the oil further into your skin, vegetable oil is a fat and draws the oil back out. On the other hand, if you are needing the oils to penetrate further, as in Myrtle placed on the chest for a cough or Lavendar on the stomach for cramping, then place a wet (warm or cold) wash cloth on top of the oil for faster relief.
*Bulk, unofficially organic, Wisconsin cheese from Amish farmers at amazing prices. The last order i made, the cheese was running $2.59/lb for 40 pounds, including shipping. Yes, 40 lbs is a lot of cheese, but if you find 1 or more others to split it with you, it's worth it and it freezes well. I have only bought colby jack so far and it's wonderful. The cheese comes unrefridgerated in a rectangular box which means the cheese is room temp. This makes it very easy to cut. I cut most of my 20 lbs into cheese sticks and cut the rest into long blocks for shredding in my food processor. I pack the cheese sticks into freezer bags and we pull a new bag out as the other one is getting low, same with the shredded cheese. The website is www.oldcountrycheese.com
*If you are looking for a replacement for canned cream of mushroom/chicken, Frontier makes both in a powdered form. I buy 1 lb bags and just follow the directions to reconstitute it. Currently, i buy it through their website www.frontiercoop.com/wholesale (remove wholesale at the end if ordering individually). If you get a few other ladies together and set up an ordering co-op, you can get free shipping if your order is over $250. Frontier offers many, many organic, natural items through their wholesale website at prices that can't be beat.
*For all of you nursing mamas out there, I have found a great remedy for soreness, cracking, bleeding etc that sometimes comes along with nursing, from infant to toddler. Just rub raw coconut oil all over the problem area after each feeding and you should get some relief. It is safe for the baby, even good for them, and will taste better than lanolin, i'm guessing ; ) Also, coconut oil, when eaten or taken by capsule, will help to combat candida yeast overgrowth. It helps to break apart the yeast nucleus and destroy it.
That's all for tonight. Hope to keep posting more soon!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Christmas Card Deal!
Just wanted to pass on that Sam's Club Photo has a great Christmas photo card selection and prices that are even better. Go to http://samsclubus.pnimedia.com/album/card_selection.aspx to see all of the cards available in many sizes and number of photo options. Their prices are $10.50 for 30, $14.50 for 50, & $25 for 100 cards including gold foil envelopes and they can be ready in 1 hour. Can't beat that, anywhere else!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Above Rubies Article
THE ORIGINAL FEMALE
by Nancy Campbell-www.aboverubies.org
Matthew 19:4 "And he (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female."
Interesting! God didn't make two Adams. He didn't make two Eves. He created an Adam and an Eve. He created a male and a female.
The most common Greek word for 'woman' in the New Testament is gune which means 'woman, wife.' However, Jesus used a more specific word when he answered the Pharisees who asked him about divorce. He used the word thelus which comes from the root word thele. It literally means 'a woman's breast from which a baby sucks to find sustenance and to thrive.' Jesus described the female as a suckling mother. "This is how God made them in the beginning," he reminded them. And God has not yet made a new model!
There are many women who do not like to hear this description. To be a suckling mother seems degrading to a career woman. And yet this is who God created us to be. When we embrace children and suckle them at the breast we fulfill our highest destiny. We live in the glory of our femaleness. We find our greatest beauty. And we wield a mighty power.
The mother who embraces life and suckles a babe at her breast is not wasting her time. She is nourishing a child who potentially bears the image of God--a child who will come forth from her home one day to bring God's love and salvation to many. Maybe this child will be a mighty voice to turn a nation to God. And she nurtures a child for everlasting eternity. It is still true that "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."
When a mother nurses her baby she produces prolactin, which is known as the "mothering hormone." The more the mother suckles the baby, the more prolactin she produces and therefore the more motherly she becomes. God has divinely endowed the female with a maternal instinct, but when she suckles at the breast this maternalness is enhanced even more. She lives more in the anointing of who God created her to be--to reveal the maternal character of God--His love, compassion, pity and nurturing.
Some mothers say, "I'm only interested in quality, not quantity" and so they limit their children so they can supposedly give more to the one or two they choose to have. This is a false conception. As her two children grow and go off to school, she is mothering less and less and looks to find fulfillment elsewhere, often going out to work and establishing herself in a career. And so her children receive less of her time. Whereas, when a mother has another baby and suckles the babe at her breast, prolactin kicks in and the motherly hormones pour in again. Not only does her baby benefit from this loving hormone, but her whole family. The love and nurturing spreads out to all her children. This is how God keeps the mother protecting and delighting in her children in the home.
God also uses this description of the female as a suckling mother in Romans 1:26, "For this cause God gave them up until vile affections: for even their women (thelus) did change the natural use into that which is against nature." This is a very challenging Scripture to all females because it states that when a woman turns away from the natural function of how God created the female body to function--with a womb to conceive and nurture life and breasts to suckle this life, that God gives them up to vile affections. Isn't it amazing that we have become such a deceived generation that women do not want to be who they were created to be?
Please understand, I am not talking about mothers who are not able to conceive children or even those who are not physically able to breastfeed. We don't live in a perfect world and not everyone's bodies are functioning as God originally intended. God looks at the heart and our intentions, whether we embrace His ways or turn from His ways in our hearts.
He wants us to turn towards Him, not turn away from the way He created us.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, Above Rubies
PRAYER:
"Lord, please help me to be truly female as you designed me to be."
AFFIRMATION:
"As I hold this baby in my arms
I'm like a picture of you,
To nurture with your love is what
You made me to do."
by Nancy Campbell-www.aboverubies.org
Matthew 19:4 "And he (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female."
Interesting! God didn't make two Adams. He didn't make two Eves. He created an Adam and an Eve. He created a male and a female.
The most common Greek word for 'woman' in the New Testament is gune which means 'woman, wife.' However, Jesus used a more specific word when he answered the Pharisees who asked him about divorce. He used the word thelus which comes from the root word thele. It literally means 'a woman's breast from which a baby sucks to find sustenance and to thrive.' Jesus described the female as a suckling mother. "This is how God made them in the beginning," he reminded them. And God has not yet made a new model!
There are many women who do not like to hear this description. To be a suckling mother seems degrading to a career woman. And yet this is who God created us to be. When we embrace children and suckle them at the breast we fulfill our highest destiny. We live in the glory of our femaleness. We find our greatest beauty. And we wield a mighty power.
The mother who embraces life and suckles a babe at her breast is not wasting her time. She is nourishing a child who potentially bears the image of God--a child who will come forth from her home one day to bring God's love and salvation to many. Maybe this child will be a mighty voice to turn a nation to God. And she nurtures a child for everlasting eternity. It is still true that "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."
When a mother nurses her baby she produces prolactin, which is known as the "mothering hormone." The more the mother suckles the baby, the more prolactin she produces and therefore the more motherly she becomes. God has divinely endowed the female with a maternal instinct, but when she suckles at the breast this maternalness is enhanced even more. She lives more in the anointing of who God created her to be--to reveal the maternal character of God--His love, compassion, pity and nurturing.
Some mothers say, "I'm only interested in quality, not quantity" and so they limit their children so they can supposedly give more to the one or two they choose to have. This is a false conception. As her two children grow and go off to school, she is mothering less and less and looks to find fulfillment elsewhere, often going out to work and establishing herself in a career. And so her children receive less of her time. Whereas, when a mother has another baby and suckles the babe at her breast, prolactin kicks in and the motherly hormones pour in again. Not only does her baby benefit from this loving hormone, but her whole family. The love and nurturing spreads out to all her children. This is how God keeps the mother protecting and delighting in her children in the home.
God also uses this description of the female as a suckling mother in Romans 1:26, "For this cause God gave them up until vile affections: for even their women (thelus) did change the natural use into that which is against nature." This is a very challenging Scripture to all females because it states that when a woman turns away from the natural function of how God created the female body to function--with a womb to conceive and nurture life and breasts to suckle this life, that God gives them up to vile affections. Isn't it amazing that we have become such a deceived generation that women do not want to be who they were created to be?
Please understand, I am not talking about mothers who are not able to conceive children or even those who are not physically able to breastfeed. We don't live in a perfect world and not everyone's bodies are functioning as God originally intended. God looks at the heart and our intentions, whether we embrace His ways or turn from His ways in our hearts.
He wants us to turn towards Him, not turn away from the way He created us.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, Above Rubies
PRAYER:
"Lord, please help me to be truly female as you designed me to be."
AFFIRMATION:
"As I hold this baby in my arms
I'm like a picture of you,
To nurture with your love is what
You made me to do."
Saturday, November 28, 2009
I have not disappeared just been busy with life! I usually use my nights after the kiddos go to bed to work on computer stuff, but lately, i just want to sleep ; ) and i'm having internet issues. The pregnancy is going well, so well that many days i have to remind myself that i am pregnant. The Lord had blessed me this time with a very pleasant 1st trimester, not perfect, but so much easier than my other pregnancies! We are busy around here preparing for the Christmas season by baking, sewing, crafting, etc. and we are finishing up school for the semester. I have many post i'd like to write and will as soon as i can.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
I Am Dangerous!
Thank you Lord for sending the right words at just the right time. May you other mothers be encouraged today too!
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I AM DANGEROUS!
By Nancy Campbell-www.aboverubies.org
Exodus 1:12, "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel." The first chapter of Exodus tells us about the children of Israel living down in Egypt. Verse 7 says, "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them." They were fulfilling the first commandment that God gave to man. Something powerful always happens when we obey God's commandments. They are not ordinary words to be discarded; they are life-giving decrees.
What happened in Egypt? The children of Israel became "more and mightier" than the Egyptians. (v. 9). They became a threat to them. And the Egyptians were grieved. The word grieved is the Hebrew word qutsand it means "disgusted, abhorred, horrified, afraid--actually vomiting is the primary understanding of the word."
This same Hebrew word is used in another passage where the children of Israel became a threat. In Numbers 22:3 it tells us, "Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many and Moab was distressed (quts) because of the children of Israel." Why was Moab so very afraid? Because the Israelites were multiplying! When a people multiply, they become scary. When they multiply, they take dominion.
Now here's the question. Are we, the people of God, a threat to the enemy in our nation today? Sadly, we have to answer no. For the last seven or eight decades, instead of multiplying, God's people have been diminishing. They have turned away from the infallible, immutable Word of God and followed their own desires. They have limited their number of children to the worldly 1.6 average. They have sacrificed bringing God's children into the world on the altar of careerism and modern culture-ism. And now the humanists and socialists are taking over.
There are thousands and millions of precious godly offspring who are not here! God has been deprived of His intentions. The world has been deprived of the godly offspring who fill the nation with His love, righteousness. truth, salvation, wisdom and justice. And of course, although many do not realize it, the parents themselves have been deprived.
But all is not lost. There are a growing number of families who are listening to the heartbeat of God. They are hearing His desire for family and for children. They are turning from their deceptions and opening their hearts to the children that He has destined for them to have, whether it is one or ten! As they obey God's first commandment something amazing is happening. The liberalists are starting to get scared! They are so horrified, they want to vomit!
Very recently a book was published by a radical feminist and published by Beacon Press, which promotes homosexuality and anti-Christian dogma. She wrote this book to expose Biblical patriarchy and fruitfulmotherhood. In this book she states that the parents who embrace children are "a movement we ignore at our peril." In a message to Barack Obama, she writes, "Fearless Leader--forget the fundamentalists in Iraq; these prolific Christians are the real bad guys!" In other words, fruitful mothers, embracing the children God wants them to have are dangerous! They are scaring the feminists!
The enemy, who hates life, who comes "to rob, kill and destroy" is scared of the godly seed! Mothers who are not deceived by the delusions of Satan, the robber of life, and who still believe in God's very first mandate to mankind are dangerous people! Isn't that exciting? You may think you are insignificant as you care for your children in your home each day, but mother, lift up your eyes! You are doing a powerful work. You are doing God's work. You are dangerous to the enemy. He is scared of you, because he is scared of the godly seed coming into this world who will hate evil and love righteousness, who will destroy the works of the devil and lift up the name of Jesus. And those who walk in deception and follow the devil's ways are scared of you too!
Don't you love being dangerous? Look out! Here we come--holding on to the Word of Life, walking in God's commandments, embracing the Godly seed and training them to be mighty warriors for God who will impact this world and fill it with His glory. Never forget--the more children a godly mother brings into this world...
The more scared the liberalists will become!
The more evil will be defeated in the land!
The more the kingdom of God will be advanced!
The more the gospel will be spread across the earth!
The more the image of God will be revealed in the earth!
The more the economy will boom in the land!
The more righteousness and morality will pervade the land!
The more righteous leaders will arise in the nation!
The more justice, honesty and truth will flood the land!
The more God will be glorified in the earth!
The more the nation will prosper and be blessed!
The more dangerous she will be!
And the more the statists will fear and tremble!
Keep being dangerous!
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES
PRAYER:
"Oh God, please help me to see clearly. Help me to realize the power of motherhood and the power of every child you give me to fulfill your plans in this world. Save me from holding back children whom you have destined to accomplish your mighty works. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
I am a dangerous woman!
Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.
If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.orgTo unsubscribe from the Above Rubies Devotional, please use the link provided below:PO Box 681687, Franklin, TN 37068-1687, U.S.A.
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I AM DANGEROUS!
By Nancy Campbell-www.aboverubies.org
Exodus 1:12, "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel." The first chapter of Exodus tells us about the children of Israel living down in Egypt. Verse 7 says, "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them." They were fulfilling the first commandment that God gave to man. Something powerful always happens when we obey God's commandments. They are not ordinary words to be discarded; they are life-giving decrees.
What happened in Egypt? The children of Israel became "more and mightier" than the Egyptians. (v. 9). They became a threat to them. And the Egyptians were grieved. The word grieved is the Hebrew word qutsand it means "disgusted, abhorred, horrified, afraid--actually vomiting is the primary understanding of the word."
This same Hebrew word is used in another passage where the children of Israel became a threat. In Numbers 22:3 it tells us, "Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many and Moab was distressed (quts) because of the children of Israel." Why was Moab so very afraid? Because the Israelites were multiplying! When a people multiply, they become scary. When they multiply, they take dominion.
Now here's the question. Are we, the people of God, a threat to the enemy in our nation today? Sadly, we have to answer no. For the last seven or eight decades, instead of multiplying, God's people have been diminishing. They have turned away from the infallible, immutable Word of God and followed their own desires. They have limited their number of children to the worldly 1.6 average. They have sacrificed bringing God's children into the world on the altar of careerism and modern culture-ism. And now the humanists and socialists are taking over.
There are thousands and millions of precious godly offspring who are not here! God has been deprived of His intentions. The world has been deprived of the godly offspring who fill the nation with His love, righteousness. truth, salvation, wisdom and justice. And of course, although many do not realize it, the parents themselves have been deprived.
But all is not lost. There are a growing number of families who are listening to the heartbeat of God. They are hearing His desire for family and for children. They are turning from their deceptions and opening their hearts to the children that He has destined for them to have, whether it is one or ten! As they obey God's first commandment something amazing is happening. The liberalists are starting to get scared! They are so horrified, they want to vomit!
Very recently a book was published by a radical feminist and published by Beacon Press, which promotes homosexuality and anti-Christian dogma. She wrote this book to expose Biblical patriarchy and fruitfulmotherhood. In this book she states that the parents who embrace children are "a movement we ignore at our peril." In a message to Barack Obama, she writes, "Fearless Leader--forget the fundamentalists in Iraq; these prolific Christians are the real bad guys!" In other words, fruitful mothers, embracing the children God wants them to have are dangerous! They are scaring the feminists!
The enemy, who hates life, who comes "to rob, kill and destroy" is scared of the godly seed! Mothers who are not deceived by the delusions of Satan, the robber of life, and who still believe in God's very first mandate to mankind are dangerous people! Isn't that exciting? You may think you are insignificant as you care for your children in your home each day, but mother, lift up your eyes! You are doing a powerful work. You are doing God's work. You are dangerous to the enemy. He is scared of you, because he is scared of the godly seed coming into this world who will hate evil and love righteousness, who will destroy the works of the devil and lift up the name of Jesus. And those who walk in deception and follow the devil's ways are scared of you too!
Don't you love being dangerous? Look out! Here we come--holding on to the Word of Life, walking in God's commandments, embracing the Godly seed and training them to be mighty warriors for God who will impact this world and fill it with His glory. Never forget--the more children a godly mother brings into this world...
The more scared the liberalists will become!
The more evil will be defeated in the land!
The more the kingdom of God will be advanced!
The more the gospel will be spread across the earth!
The more the image of God will be revealed in the earth!
The more the economy will boom in the land!
The more righteousness and morality will pervade the land!
The more righteous leaders will arise in the nation!
The more justice, honesty and truth will flood the land!
The more God will be glorified in the earth!
The more the nation will prosper and be blessed!
The more dangerous she will be!
And the more the statists will fear and tremble!
Keep being dangerous!
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES
PRAYER:
"Oh God, please help me to see clearly. Help me to realize the power of motherhood and the power of every child you give me to fulfill your plans in this world. Save me from holding back children whom you have destined to accomplish your mighty works. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
I am a dangerous woman!
Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.
If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.orgTo unsubscribe from the Above Rubies Devotional, please use the link provided below:PO Box 681687, Franklin, TN 37068-1687, U.S.A.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Family Fort Fun!
A couple of weeks ago, we had 2 days of beautiful Fall weather. The kids decided they wanted to build a fort. So "we" set out to wrangle up some wood from around our property and this is what we came up with-not to shabby for a mama and 4 kiddos! They even have a secret password to enter, but i can't tell! Cody insisted on paying me for all of my help-a whole $3. For the child who hates to spend money, i took it as a compliment. I bought a big Coke with my earning for us all to share after our hard work! Oh, happy days!
Ballet Classes
Friday, October 2, 2009
Definitely Davis-Chapter 5
All will soon be ours to hold.The Lord has again blessed us,
with a new gift from above,
A brand new baby for us to love!
A brand new baby for us to love!We are so excited to announce that we are expecting a new little Davis in mid to late May of 2010. I am still amazed at the idea of 5 (FIVE!) children! If you didn't already know, we were serious about having a big family! We are again planning to have a homebirth with our midwife Toni.
Our children (especially Cody) still say every day, "i can't believe we're gonna have a new baby", "i can't wait until May." This seems new to them again because they don't remember much about Kate's pregnancy and birth. So it's like being pregnant for the 1st time all over again. Everything that changes and happens is so neat to them. I have 4 ooohhers and ahhhers over every little thing that goes on-I love it! My boys won't let me do anything or carry anything that might hurt the baby; my little men in the making. Claire can't stop kissing my belly and talking about "the newborn baby" as she refers to him/her. And Kate just says, "baaaby", then points and says "tummy"-so cute.
It is such a blessing to again have life growing inside me. I don't think that feeling will ever grow old. To know there is a whole other being inside me that God has given a soul, a purpose, and a destiny to bring glory to Him, is amazing! To know that this baby is moving his or her little arms and legs around and i can't even feel it yet and there is another heart beating besides mine, is just incredible. I am so thankful for the opportunity to create, carry, and give birth to a new life, again!
Children are a gift from the Lord. They are His reward. Psalm 127:3
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Nature Walks
We have always used a Charlotte Mason based curriculum but not until recently have i studied and learned what it really means to use the Charlotte Mason Method. We are a very outdoorsy family but i am now incorporating our love of being outside with our schooling. Weekly we go outside to stretch and do calistenthics together. Then we go on our nature walk to draw and write in nature journals about whatever each person is interested in that day. These journals are so neat to save and look back at.
Whatever method you use or whether or not you homeschool, get outside more. Let your children run, explore, dig, study, play and just enjoy the wonderful world God has blessed us with!
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The Love and the Lure of Nature Walking
by Jane Claire Lambert
1.Nature walks will teach your child to watch everything around him. These outings will greatly increase his observational skills and his outdoor life skills. Take your children walking often, and watch your science lessons become more relevant year after year as your students are able to apply experientially, through this time outside, the concepts you have presented. You see, it is one thing to teach the life cycle of a frog and quite another to find egg masses and tadpoles in a nearby pond! Children are filled with wonder as they use a net to collect specimens or turn over rocks on a lakeshore and find crawdads escaping every which way! This is life! This is the making of memories! This is real learning, not book learning!
Whatever method you use or whether or not you homeschool, get outside more. Let your children run, explore, dig, study, play and just enjoy the wonderful world God has blessed us with!
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The Love and the Lure of Nature Walking
by Jane Claire Lambert
Did you know that in the days of your great-grandparents the inclusion of nature instruction in school was a serious concern? Many of you have read a bit of Charlotte Mason's books or A Girl of the Limberlost or Freckles. Some of you even own Anna Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study, though for many of us it is collecting dust daily. Did you know that in days gone by, students routinely went on nature walks at all times of the year? They learned about the animals, trees, insects, stars, rocks, and weather, and they learned about them in great detail through daily observation, daily lessons, and daily application. What has happened in the years since? Has nature grown less amazing? Is it less magnificent and less important these days to notice colors, sounds, smells, designs, and all the beauty that is free just for the taking? Is it less important to one's well-being to have times of quiet solitude in beautiful surroundings? Is it less interesting now to be swept away with the beauty of the night sky or go owl watching together? What has happened?
In the classroom it could be that the topic itself is slowly escaping from many school curricula. In our present culture, the Creator has been removed from the traditional classroom. With His departure, much of the wonder and amazement with which teachers eagerly tied Him to what has been made left as well. Take, for example, the simple adventure of walking outdoors and collecting a few specimens of tree leaves. Careful observation could disclose that there are those with beautiful red stems and others with the palest of greenish-brown ones. For many young students, finding that each of these different, beautiful leaves belong to a particular kind of tree might be an awesome discovery. Yet, in many traditional classrooms, the entire process has been reduced to "memorize twenty leaf formations and the test is Friday." The students are left wondering, "Why? Why should we study this?" Because appreciation of the beauty and carefulness with which the Creator has made each and every natural thing is left out of the teaching, there no longer seems to be a good reason to learn about such things. Wonder and amazement have just evaporated from most nature lessons. And all this while everything out there--from the stars in the sky to the minute worlds inside a single drop of pond water to the cells in a blade of grass--shouts the praises of the One who spoke it all into being.
Yes, perhaps we should break away a while from our televisions, video games, soccer games, and central heating and air-conditioning to once again acquaint ourselves with the great outdoors! We have become more and more an indoor-dwelling people, and we've not noticed that so much of what speaks of the greatness of our God has therefore been closed out of our lives and out of the lives of our children. The very topics that used to be taught enthusiastically to both the tiniest child and the student of higher education are no longer on the agenda or are taught only from textbooks, rarely through personal adventures.
Even in our homeschooling we are hesitant these days to get outside and find safe places to examine what has been made. We just don't take the time, because we've forgotten how vitally important this activity really is! Many of us don't live on acreage with ponds and meadows to scout out, and it is more difficult for some to find safe parks and places to explore. Yet, if we truly believed that taking time to get out into nature was critically important, wouldn't we have a new desire to pray for and seek out special spots to view the natural wonders that are close at hand? Even in the heart of city life, one can find so many great examples of natural phenomenon, and nature is always as close as our own backyard. We even know one family who strolled through cemeteries, enjoying lovely trees of all kinds, ponds, flowers, birds, insects, and more with their children.
If you believe in the need, you will find a way, so here are seven extra special reasons to get up and get out!
Seven Special Reasons to Get Up and Get Out!
1.Nature walks will teach your child to watch everything around him. These outings will greatly increase his observational skills and his outdoor life skills. Take your children walking often, and watch your science lessons become more relevant year after year as your students are able to apply experientially, through this time outside, the concepts you have presented. You see, it is one thing to teach the life cycle of a frog and quite another to find egg masses and tadpoles in a nearby pond! Children are filled with wonder as they use a net to collect specimens or turn over rocks on a lakeshore and find crawdads escaping every which way! This is life! This is the making of memories! This is real learning, not book learning!
2.Take your children out often, and they will find that one thing in nature always leads to another. If they are interested in a frog they see one day, the next day they will wonder and want to find out about the crickets and worms that the frogs eat. Then they may get interested in the condition of the pond water, and so it goes. This is experience-directed learning that is so exciting to your children. By walking outdoors with them on a regular basis, you will set off a chain reaction of learning experiences for your children that will continue for a lifetime, as they find that each discovery is connected to many other parts of nature.
3.Camaraderie--that special intimacy that comes from adventuring and making discoveries together--is another benefit of a good nature walk. Whether a mother or father walks with all their children or they take their journeys with just one child at a time or they use different combinations over the months, the time spent will reap intimacy as well as nature knowledge. Yes, you all will see and learn together, and that is wonderful. The times of quiet togetherness and the times of deep conversations along the way are special features of nature outings. It is as if the Lord has provided a miraculous setting for you to "be" with your children. Planned nature walks will provide years of the type of environment that enhances rich family ties.
4.At certain times when viewing nature, some quietness, solitude, and patience are necessary. Of course a small child doesn't understand this at first, and the lessons that a parent uses to teach a little one to walk more quietly, sit for a bit, and watch what is around him must be gentle and full of patience. If you model (especially fun when acted out over-dramatically) walking softly and being as quiet as possible for part of your walks, your child will begin to see that it is often in times of quietness that the greatest marvels are seen. Then you will have done your job well. The desire to be quiet in order to see something special will be catching, and in time your child will begin to value quietness and solitude. Nature walks, begun simply and continued over the years--time spent watching and thinking--will develop a "deepness of heart" in a student who learns to quiet himself in these journeys together. Couldn't our world use a few more inhabitants with "deepness of heart"?
5.As your child grows in his awareness of the magnificence of creation, he will grow to love it. What he grows to love, he will want to take care of. Nature walks, begun early and continued throughout your teaching days, will lead your child to an awareness of the necessity of stewardship of our natural resources. We are all called to be the "gentle tenders" of our world. But if we don't even know anything about it, it is difficult to want to preserve it and use our resources wisely.
6.Taking time to walk outdoors will create a lifetime appreciation for what the Lord has made, and that deep love of nature will become a rich field for worship. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and those who spend time in the out of doors discovering the wonders and learning that it comes from Him will have a vast and limitless resource for worshiping the One who created it all! Modeling a grateful heart for the beauty of nature all around us will flow out onto our children. Every leaf, each bug, every cell under a microscope is a marvel worthy of all our praise. If we display a heart of praise and worship for such a magnificent Creator, then wonder and worship will come to our children as well.
7.Something else will grow from enjoyable nature walks and seeing the magnificence of nature on a regular basis. A new understanding in the heart of your student will develop: nothing in nature is "common." In the book Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, we read that the people in Bentley's day thought snowflakes were "as common as dirt." But Mr. Bentley knew, because he had seen them under a microscope, that each snowflake was utterly and beautifully unique. All of nature is like that! Each stone has its own loveliness; each drop of water has an entire world of creatures swimming in it; each bit of moss or lichen-extraordinary! Everything that the Lord has made is amazing--nothing is common! How wonderful to begin at a young age to teach our children about the amazing natural world around them and the One who made it all.
So, if we took a quick quiz, what are the seven important reasons to get up and get out?
Gaining observational and life skills, as well as actually experiencing school lessons so that they become relevant.
Understanding the connectedness of life.
Experiencing camaraderie, intimacy, and the joy of making rich family ties.
Developing a quiet heart . . . one that can actually be still now and then, and one that can find benefits from moments of solitude.
Becoming aware of stewardship and conservation.
Creating a rich avenue for worship.
Learning that nothing in nature is "common." Perhaps nature walks truly are more important than we first imagined!
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Understanding the connectedness of life.
Experiencing camaraderie, intimacy, and the joy of making rich family ties.
Developing a quiet heart . . . one that can actually be still now and then, and one that can find benefits from moments of solitude.
Becoming aware of stewardship and conservation.
Creating a rich avenue for worship.
Learning that nothing in nature is "common." Perhaps nature walks truly are more important than we first imagined!
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Jane Claire Lambert and her husband Steve operate Five in a Row Publishing and are busy speaking at homeschool conferences and creating new products in the Five in a Row tradition. Visit their website at www.fiveinarow.com for more information, including details about their new four-part nature series: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Flu Prevention & Treatment
This is the best article i have read as far as giving you real treatment and prevention ideas for the flu posted on beeyoutiful.com We have most of the items they suggest and are going to begin taking them all now. The flu is spreading rapidly in our area and many others so don't wait to start taking supplements to hopefully prevent the flu or treat it if you already have it.
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Swine Flu: Prevention and Treatment
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
By Jessica Carter and Stephanie Walker Tallent
Armed and Ready:
In the past few years we have been bombarded with news of some dangerous viral outbreak or another. Seeing images from around the world, images of civilians wearing masks to protect themselves and holding masks over the faces of the young, have become more common place. Perhaps you remember SARS and Avian Flu. Now the most recent strain of influenza A is H1N1, otherwise known as Swine Flu. There is some alarm among experts that H1N1 could be “the one” that causes a pandemic in our generation. Regardless of whether it is Swine Flu or some media proclaimed super-scary flu of the future, the best defense is a good offense. We at Beeyoutiful firmly believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to educate themselves on how to best protect the health of their families. With that belief and goal in mind, we have researched extensively what tools are the very best to use to protect and defend against viral invaders.
How can a virus kill someone anyways?
Autopsies of victims of Avian Flu, SARS and the deadly Spanish Flu of 1918, which killed an estimated fifty million people, revealed evidence of destroyed respiratory tracts. This suggested that the flu victims had been killed by their own immune systems, not from the flu itself.
The immune system response suspected of being responsible for killing the victims is something called a cytokine storm. Cytokines are a type of white blood cell, and are a normal and essential part of a healthy immune system. T1 cytokines are a particularly aggressive part of this segment of immune system super-heroes and typically are very crucial. Some viruses, such as Swine Flu, can cause these cells to over respond and the T1 cells actually become deadly to the body. Just as insulin is normally released in proportion to the amount of sugar intake, so cytokines normally respond in proportion to the assault on our bodies. However, just as the release of too much insulin in the body can result in death, so an overwhelming assault by T1 cytokines can cause the lungs to fill with fluid causing a person to drown.
What does this mean for me?
For those of us who are accustomed to reaching for the nearest available immune boosting super power when we come down with an illness, I have bad news. A lot of our traditional favorite supplements and herbs can potentially cause more harm than good when dealing with the risk of a cytokine storm. Little attention is given to the balance necessary between the T1 and other cytokine cells in order for our immune systems to operate safely. Since the T1 cells are more aggressive front runners than other T cells, supplements that directly support their production are among the most popular for quick recoveries.
Champion among these treasured products is elderberry syrup, otherwise known as BerryWell for the Beeyoutiful fans. Several studies show a clearly documented connection between elderberry extract and rapid T1 cytokine production. This is part of what makes it so very effective as an immune boosting preventative measure against viruses – it can stop the virus in its tracks before it takes hold. However, because of the concern of a cytokine storm, if one becomes ill with one of these dangerous viruses I do not personally recommend treating with BerryWell. My personal guideline for usage right now is two-fold. 1. Take BerryWell liberally as a preventative every time myself or family members go out in public. 2. Discontinue giving to any individual that exhibits symptoms and switch to other broader and safer immune boosting treatments.
Is anything safe to take or do we just take our chances?
The good news is that there are several powerful and effective products out there that are known for their support of balanced immune system production. This makes them not only safe to take, but also ideal aids for the body to prevent and even treat Swine Flu as well as other variants of flu. Below is a list of products I will personally be using as both a preventative and treatment should it be necessary.
The often overlooked anti-viral powerhouse: Vitamin D
Although most of us realize that our bodies need this essential vitamin, it is one of the most under acknowledged resources for combating viruses. There is an amazing body of documentation to prove its effectiveness not only in boosting the body’s ability to resist the flu, but also in powerfully treating it. It might just be the single most important supplement you can take to equip your body to face off with Swine Flu and walk away the victor.
If exposure to sunlight is limited, like during wintertime for example, 4,000-5,000 IU’s per day would be appropriate for most adults. If you weigh significantly more than the typical person, you may need to double that dose. For children the dose can be halved. For supplemental purposes, I would highly recommend using the D3 vs. the D2 form. D2 is the more common and readily available version but is not as easily activated within the body as D3 is. Vitamin D can be used therapeutically to treat the flu but it is also important to understand that, if you are taking the above doses of vitamin D, the chances of you getting the flu to being with are very remote. The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be more accurate regarding this treasure of a vitamin. The daily dose of vitamin D you would use to treat the flu would be 1,000 IU per pound of body weight (round down, not up). The dose would be taken once a day for no longer than three days. (Note: This could be a very large dose if you are a large person.) This is the dose that Dr. John Cannell, the founder of the vitamin D Council, has been using very successfully for a number of years.
Dr. John Cannell documented his remarkable experiences with vitamin D and the Flu. He shares the story of how his patients — who were in the hospital ward of a maximum security prison for the criminally insane — were being supplemented with vitamin D, and how they were able to avoid influenza when an epidemic broke out in the prison. Fascinated and intrigued, he subsequently put the vitamin to even more rigorous trials in the years to follow. His very lengthy but highly worthwhile article can be found here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/51913.php
Vitamin D is especially valuable as a preventative and treatment for potentially deadly viruses because it supports a balanced immune system reaction and actually works to keep the cytokine T cells in balance with each other. This makes it particularly helpful when there is a risk of the T1 cytokine cells triggering a “storm.”
The indispensable foundation to a balanced immune system: Probiotics
Rapidly gaining recognition for their multi-faceted and universally beneficial properties, probiotics are considered absolutely essential in any immune system alliance. Most of us are familiar with these beneficial bacteria because they are found in yogurt. Cultures around the world have used these amazing “good” bacteria to culture, safely preserve and leaven a variety of foods and beverages like kefir, kimchee, kombucha, sourdough bread and sauerkraut. Probiotics are the cornerstone of a healthy gut and, subsequently, of a healthy immune system.
Although one can find a limited amount of this bacteria in commercially manufactured yogurt, it does not contain enough strains or enough live bacteria to patrol the yards and yards of digestive tract and war with any offensive bacteria found there. Since most of us have not grown up with a lifetime of eating live cultured foods, we need a more powerful and immediate source. Probiotics are readily available these days in wider varieties than ever before. They come in tabs, chews, loose powder, regular capsules and enteric-coated capsules (a special protective coating on the capsule to get it through the damaging stomach acids and into the gut, safe and sound). They can be found in single strains, like Acidophilus, and multiple strains from a variety of sources. When taking a pro-biotic supplement, always determine the minimum guaranteed bacteria count, as well as the recommended storage instructions.
Tummy Tuneup is an enteric coated 8 strain probiotic available through Beeyoutiful. It has proven itself again and again to our staff and customers. Tummy Tuneup is an ideal choice for delivering the maximum benefit to the gut. Another Beeyoutiful product, Ultimate Defense, has a larger variety of bacteria and is very beneficial to take on a daily basis, or specifically as a preventative gut-based immune booster.
Here is a quote from a study illustrating how probiotics aid in inflammation control and a balanced, healthy immune response. .
From the Study:
Probiotics are dietary supplements known to reduce or alter inflammation and inflammatory cytokines. Histological analyses revealed that edema, inflammation, and vacuolization as well as polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in the lung tissue was significantly reduced in the probiotic treated group. Bacterial translocation was significantly reduced in the probiotic treated group compared with the other groups. As a result of this, reduced proinflammatory cytokines and systemic inflammatory response was observed.
The full report available at the following link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19375719?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Vital life force: Colostrum
Colostrum is the super nutrient-dense, pre-milk substance that mammals produce for their young before a normal milk supply sets in. Few things in nature are known to have such amazing life sustaining properties and seemingly magical immune building properties as colostrum.
When dealing with these potentially deadly flus, it is important to insure that the balance of T2 cells will be produced in proportion to, if not in excess of, the T1 cells while the immune system is attacking the offending virus. Studies show that nothing does this better than colostrum. Researchers in Australia set out to learn if dried bovine colostrum protein (a popular supplement with athletes) had the same ability to stimulate cytokine white blood cells in humans that the fresh colostrum does in cows. In the study, researchers saw that the T2 “retreat” cytokines were activated and the T1 “attack” cytokines were suppressed when measured 6 hours after administration.
Multiple studies show colostrum to be an incredibly vital product to have on hand if there is any danger of a cytokine storm related illness. It has no known side effects and is very safe for even small children (capsules of the dried powder can be opened into food or drinks).
Healer from the inside out: Aloe vera
Many of us know of aloe’s healing properties having used it by slapping a fresh cut of aloe leaf on sunburns and feeling the instant relief. Aloe is also an amazing miracle worker and support for the body from the inside out. Aloe vera is chock full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and micronutrients that can help the immune system to be strong and resilient against infection.
Consuming Aloe vera on a regular basis provides your immune system with the extra boost of nutrients it needs in order to perform at a superior level. It also provides you with antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial protection. Aloe vera is known for its synergistic properties, meaning all of the nutrients it contains work together to bring about the desired result of a strong and balanced immune system response. What makes aloe particularly good to take in an antiviral regimen is that it, like colostrum, directly supports a balanced and therefore safer immune system response.
Beeyoutiful carries Aloe in concentrated form in gel capsules. Aloe is safe for children to take and the capsules can be cut open and squeezed into yogurt or a smoothie. Excess Aloe vera can cause diarrhea, so if this occurs simply reduce the quantity or frequency.
The all powerful: Garlic
Perhaps no plant has been more treasured throughout history for its incredible flavor and culinary contributions than garlic. As anybody who has eaten a clove of raw garlic will tell you, there are few things that come close to the incredibly powerful and pungent flavor of garlic. This little powerhouse has also been documented to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties and has been used medicinally for thousands of years in many countries around the world.
Several studies have shown that high doses of garlic help to regulate cytokine response. What constitutes a high dose is difficult to define because garlic potency varies from one variety to another, from one region of the country to another, and from one harvest to another.
If your stomach and taste buds can tolerate it, the most beneficial way to utilize garlic is to eat it raw, ideally from an organic or all-natural, pesticide-free source. For those of us that prefer a supplement to a burning tongue and watering eyes, there is good news. Allicin is a component of crushed/raw garlic that is considered incredibly beneficial but is also highly unstable. For years the only way to get it was by eating fresh, crushed garlic. However, a couple of years ago they figured out a way to stabilize allicin so that it could finally be offered in a supplemental form. Although garlic in just about any form will be beneficial in some way to your body, if you can find a stabilized allicin source I highly recommend it. Beeyoutiful carries an aged 100:1 potency odorless garlic product that has been used with great success by our customers and staff. An added bonus to odorless garlic is that you don’t have people crinkling their noses as you walk by or spouses refusing to share bed space with you due to the aromatic fumes wafting from your pores.
Fresh garlic can be a challenge to get into small children orally and the gel capsules are not much better. For babies or small children I highly recommend a garlic poultice as an effective way to get the benefits of garlic into small peoples bodies. (See sidebars for instructions.)
A note of caution before consuming gigantic quantities of garlic: There is risk that, if you have a bleeding or clotting disorder, very, VERY large amounts of garlic could exacerbate the problem or cause some drug interactions. Individuals on blood thinners should be especially aware of this concern.
My Personal Dosage Guide
Click above to see a great chart for exactly what to take, how much, and when depending on age and weight. I tried to post it here but the format does not come out right. It is a great resource to print and start doing now, we are!~G
One Stop Resource
In response to the concerned questions the staff at Beeyoutiful have received, we have put together a convenient and significantly discounted Anti-Flu package. Included in this package are what we believe to be our most effective and beneficial products to arm and protect you and your family from any potentially dangerous flu. It contains BerryWell, Vitamin D3, Odorless Garlic, Tummy Tuneup, Ultimate Defense and Colostrum Transfer Factor.
Please remember that the information shared in this article is our personal opinion based upon hours of personal research. We do not in any way intend for this to take the place of your personal research or the advice and counsel of your doctor. We hope instead that it is an encouragement and a starting point for you to educate yourself on the best ways to protect your family.
For deeper research on the subject of viruses, cytokine immune system response and more practical information on how to protect the health of your family we highly recommend the book “Your Immune System and the Flu” by Jessica Carter. To learn more information and to purchase the book, please visit purchase the book, go to www.protect-against-swine-flu.com/beeyoutiful.html
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Swine Flu: Prevention and Treatment
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
By Jessica Carter and Stephanie Walker Tallent
Armed and Ready:
In the past few years we have been bombarded with news of some dangerous viral outbreak or another. Seeing images from around the world, images of civilians wearing masks to protect themselves and holding masks over the faces of the young, have become more common place. Perhaps you remember SARS and Avian Flu. Now the most recent strain of influenza A is H1N1, otherwise known as Swine Flu. There is some alarm among experts that H1N1 could be “the one” that causes a pandemic in our generation. Regardless of whether it is Swine Flu or some media proclaimed super-scary flu of the future, the best defense is a good offense. We at Beeyoutiful firmly believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to educate themselves on how to best protect the health of their families. With that belief and goal in mind, we have researched extensively what tools are the very best to use to protect and defend against viral invaders.
How can a virus kill someone anyways?
Autopsies of victims of Avian Flu, SARS and the deadly Spanish Flu of 1918, which killed an estimated fifty million people, revealed evidence of destroyed respiratory tracts. This suggested that the flu victims had been killed by their own immune systems, not from the flu itself.
The immune system response suspected of being responsible for killing the victims is something called a cytokine storm. Cytokines are a type of white blood cell, and are a normal and essential part of a healthy immune system. T1 cytokines are a particularly aggressive part of this segment of immune system super-heroes and typically are very crucial. Some viruses, such as Swine Flu, can cause these cells to over respond and the T1 cells actually become deadly to the body. Just as insulin is normally released in proportion to the amount of sugar intake, so cytokines normally respond in proportion to the assault on our bodies. However, just as the release of too much insulin in the body can result in death, so an overwhelming assault by T1 cytokines can cause the lungs to fill with fluid causing a person to drown.
What does this mean for me?
For those of us who are accustomed to reaching for the nearest available immune boosting super power when we come down with an illness, I have bad news. A lot of our traditional favorite supplements and herbs can potentially cause more harm than good when dealing with the risk of a cytokine storm. Little attention is given to the balance necessary between the T1 and other cytokine cells in order for our immune systems to operate safely. Since the T1 cells are more aggressive front runners than other T cells, supplements that directly support their production are among the most popular for quick recoveries.
Champion among these treasured products is elderberry syrup, otherwise known as BerryWell for the Beeyoutiful fans. Several studies show a clearly documented connection between elderberry extract and rapid T1 cytokine production. This is part of what makes it so very effective as an immune boosting preventative measure against viruses – it can stop the virus in its tracks before it takes hold. However, because of the concern of a cytokine storm, if one becomes ill with one of these dangerous viruses I do not personally recommend treating with BerryWell. My personal guideline for usage right now is two-fold. 1. Take BerryWell liberally as a preventative every time myself or family members go out in public. 2. Discontinue giving to any individual that exhibits symptoms and switch to other broader and safer immune boosting treatments.
Is anything safe to take or do we just take our chances?
The good news is that there are several powerful and effective products out there that are known for their support of balanced immune system production. This makes them not only safe to take, but also ideal aids for the body to prevent and even treat Swine Flu as well as other variants of flu. Below is a list of products I will personally be using as both a preventative and treatment should it be necessary.
The often overlooked anti-viral powerhouse: Vitamin D
Although most of us realize that our bodies need this essential vitamin, it is one of the most under acknowledged resources for combating viruses. There is an amazing body of documentation to prove its effectiveness not only in boosting the body’s ability to resist the flu, but also in powerfully treating it. It might just be the single most important supplement you can take to equip your body to face off with Swine Flu and walk away the victor.
If exposure to sunlight is limited, like during wintertime for example, 4,000-5,000 IU’s per day would be appropriate for most adults. If you weigh significantly more than the typical person, you may need to double that dose. For children the dose can be halved. For supplemental purposes, I would highly recommend using the D3 vs. the D2 form. D2 is the more common and readily available version but is not as easily activated within the body as D3 is. Vitamin D can be used therapeutically to treat the flu but it is also important to understand that, if you are taking the above doses of vitamin D, the chances of you getting the flu to being with are very remote. The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be more accurate regarding this treasure of a vitamin. The daily dose of vitamin D you would use to treat the flu would be 1,000 IU per pound of body weight (round down, not up). The dose would be taken once a day for no longer than three days. (Note: This could be a very large dose if you are a large person.) This is the dose that Dr. John Cannell, the founder of the vitamin D Council, has been using very successfully for a number of years.
Dr. John Cannell documented his remarkable experiences with vitamin D and the Flu. He shares the story of how his patients — who were in the hospital ward of a maximum security prison for the criminally insane — were being supplemented with vitamin D, and how they were able to avoid influenza when an epidemic broke out in the prison. Fascinated and intrigued, he subsequently put the vitamin to even more rigorous trials in the years to follow. His very lengthy but highly worthwhile article can be found here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/51913.php
Vitamin D is especially valuable as a preventative and treatment for potentially deadly viruses because it supports a balanced immune system reaction and actually works to keep the cytokine T cells in balance with each other. This makes it particularly helpful when there is a risk of the T1 cytokine cells triggering a “storm.”
The indispensable foundation to a balanced immune system: Probiotics
Rapidly gaining recognition for their multi-faceted and universally beneficial properties, probiotics are considered absolutely essential in any immune system alliance. Most of us are familiar with these beneficial bacteria because they are found in yogurt. Cultures around the world have used these amazing “good” bacteria to culture, safely preserve and leaven a variety of foods and beverages like kefir, kimchee, kombucha, sourdough bread and sauerkraut. Probiotics are the cornerstone of a healthy gut and, subsequently, of a healthy immune system.
Although one can find a limited amount of this bacteria in commercially manufactured yogurt, it does not contain enough strains or enough live bacteria to patrol the yards and yards of digestive tract and war with any offensive bacteria found there. Since most of us have not grown up with a lifetime of eating live cultured foods, we need a more powerful and immediate source. Probiotics are readily available these days in wider varieties than ever before. They come in tabs, chews, loose powder, regular capsules and enteric-coated capsules (a special protective coating on the capsule to get it through the damaging stomach acids and into the gut, safe and sound). They can be found in single strains, like Acidophilus, and multiple strains from a variety of sources. When taking a pro-biotic supplement, always determine the minimum guaranteed bacteria count, as well as the recommended storage instructions.
Tummy Tuneup is an enteric coated 8 strain probiotic available through Beeyoutiful. It has proven itself again and again to our staff and customers. Tummy Tuneup is an ideal choice for delivering the maximum benefit to the gut. Another Beeyoutiful product, Ultimate Defense, has a larger variety of bacteria and is very beneficial to take on a daily basis, or specifically as a preventative gut-based immune booster.
Here is a quote from a study illustrating how probiotics aid in inflammation control and a balanced, healthy immune response. .
From the Study:
Probiotics are dietary supplements known to reduce or alter inflammation and inflammatory cytokines. Histological analyses revealed that edema, inflammation, and vacuolization as well as polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in the lung tissue was significantly reduced in the probiotic treated group. Bacterial translocation was significantly reduced in the probiotic treated group compared with the other groups. As a result of this, reduced proinflammatory cytokines and systemic inflammatory response was observed.
The full report available at the following link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19375719?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Vital life force: Colostrum
Colostrum is the super nutrient-dense, pre-milk substance that mammals produce for their young before a normal milk supply sets in. Few things in nature are known to have such amazing life sustaining properties and seemingly magical immune building properties as colostrum.
When dealing with these potentially deadly flus, it is important to insure that the balance of T2 cells will be produced in proportion to, if not in excess of, the T1 cells while the immune system is attacking the offending virus. Studies show that nothing does this better than colostrum. Researchers in Australia set out to learn if dried bovine colostrum protein (a popular supplement with athletes) had the same ability to stimulate cytokine white blood cells in humans that the fresh colostrum does in cows. In the study, researchers saw that the T2 “retreat” cytokines were activated and the T1 “attack” cytokines were suppressed when measured 6 hours after administration.
Multiple studies show colostrum to be an incredibly vital product to have on hand if there is any danger of a cytokine storm related illness. It has no known side effects and is very safe for even small children (capsules of the dried powder can be opened into food or drinks).
Healer from the inside out: Aloe vera
Many of us know of aloe’s healing properties having used it by slapping a fresh cut of aloe leaf on sunburns and feeling the instant relief. Aloe is also an amazing miracle worker and support for the body from the inside out. Aloe vera is chock full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and micronutrients that can help the immune system to be strong and resilient against infection.
Consuming Aloe vera on a regular basis provides your immune system with the extra boost of nutrients it needs in order to perform at a superior level. It also provides you with antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial protection. Aloe vera is known for its synergistic properties, meaning all of the nutrients it contains work together to bring about the desired result of a strong and balanced immune system response. What makes aloe particularly good to take in an antiviral regimen is that it, like colostrum, directly supports a balanced and therefore safer immune system response.
Beeyoutiful carries Aloe in concentrated form in gel capsules. Aloe is safe for children to take and the capsules can be cut open and squeezed into yogurt or a smoothie. Excess Aloe vera can cause diarrhea, so if this occurs simply reduce the quantity or frequency.
The all powerful: Garlic
Perhaps no plant has been more treasured throughout history for its incredible flavor and culinary contributions than garlic. As anybody who has eaten a clove of raw garlic will tell you, there are few things that come close to the incredibly powerful and pungent flavor of garlic. This little powerhouse has also been documented to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties and has been used medicinally for thousands of years in many countries around the world.
Several studies have shown that high doses of garlic help to regulate cytokine response. What constitutes a high dose is difficult to define because garlic potency varies from one variety to another, from one region of the country to another, and from one harvest to another.
If your stomach and taste buds can tolerate it, the most beneficial way to utilize garlic is to eat it raw, ideally from an organic or all-natural, pesticide-free source. For those of us that prefer a supplement to a burning tongue and watering eyes, there is good news. Allicin is a component of crushed/raw garlic that is considered incredibly beneficial but is also highly unstable. For years the only way to get it was by eating fresh, crushed garlic. However, a couple of years ago they figured out a way to stabilize allicin so that it could finally be offered in a supplemental form. Although garlic in just about any form will be beneficial in some way to your body, if you can find a stabilized allicin source I highly recommend it. Beeyoutiful carries an aged 100:1 potency odorless garlic product that has been used with great success by our customers and staff. An added bonus to odorless garlic is that you don’t have people crinkling their noses as you walk by or spouses refusing to share bed space with you due to the aromatic fumes wafting from your pores.
Fresh garlic can be a challenge to get into small children orally and the gel capsules are not much better. For babies or small children I highly recommend a garlic poultice as an effective way to get the benefits of garlic into small peoples bodies. (See sidebars for instructions.)
A note of caution before consuming gigantic quantities of garlic: There is risk that, if you have a bleeding or clotting disorder, very, VERY large amounts of garlic could exacerbate the problem or cause some drug interactions. Individuals on blood thinners should be especially aware of this concern.
My Personal Dosage Guide
Click above to see a great chart for exactly what to take, how much, and when depending on age and weight. I tried to post it here but the format does not come out right. It is a great resource to print and start doing now, we are!~G
One Stop Resource
In response to the concerned questions the staff at Beeyoutiful have received, we have put together a convenient and significantly discounted Anti-Flu package. Included in this package are what we believe to be our most effective and beneficial products to arm and protect you and your family from any potentially dangerous flu. It contains BerryWell, Vitamin D3, Odorless Garlic, Tummy Tuneup, Ultimate Defense and Colostrum Transfer Factor.
Please remember that the information shared in this article is our personal opinion based upon hours of personal research. We do not in any way intend for this to take the place of your personal research or the advice and counsel of your doctor. We hope instead that it is an encouragement and a starting point for you to educate yourself on the best ways to protect your family.
For deeper research on the subject of viruses, cytokine immune system response and more practical information on how to protect the health of your family we highly recommend the book “Your Immune System and the Flu” by Jessica Carter. To learn more information and to purchase the book, please visit purchase the book, go to www.protect-against-swine-flu.com/beeyoutiful.html
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Filled With Joy
I will thank you, Lord, with all of my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2
I read these words last night and they spoke to my heart.
I am so thankful for all the marvelous things the Lord has done in our family lately and felt i needed to "tell" everyone as the verse says. I can't even express the joy that i feel in my heart. I
will spare you the specifics because we all have many blessings to be thankful for. We just tend to overlook them and forget how good God is to those who love Him until He reminds us of them. Thank you Lord for reminding me!Sometimes it's hard to act joyful when you don't feel joyful but these words say "I will be filled with joy because of you." Not because of our great circumstances or lack of them but because of God; that's it! That's all we need to know to have joy. Nothing can fill that place in our hearts but Him. It's amazing how even when things aren't always working out quite right we can still find joy if we will just look for it.
It also says that we will "sing praises to your name" but most of the time we don't do that when we don't feel joyful. If we would remember to sing His praises even when we don't want to we will be filled joy in the midst of our problems. I've said before that the Lord really uses music to speak and teach me many things. So sometimes when i'm not feeling so joyful or a little overwhelmed, i turn on a christian cd and it always calms and soothes me.
While I am at that place (above) often, right now i am enjoying being joyful. Today was a great day and I hope to keep my focus on that joy for as long as i remember.
So tell others of the Lord's goodness. We are told in 1 Corinthians 1:31, "...to boast only of what the Lord has done." He is good to us and takes care of us, don't be shy to share with others whatever God is doing in your life . God is Good!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Easy Now, You've Got A Whole Childhood
(Posted by Diane Hopkins of http://www.lovetolearn.com/. A great read for new homeschoolers and not so new homeschoolers!)
I talk to homeschoolers a lot. New homeschoolers seem to get into a flurry. They are so excited at the prospect of being able to teach their children, and perhaps so overwhelmed at all the wonderful things they want their children to know, that they can slip into hyper-speed mode which makes them tense. And homeschooling becomes rushed and stressful rather than the fun, easy, loving-learning, being together, happy experience it should be.
Over the years, homeschooling has ceased to mean schooling to me. It is a lifestyle, a way of living that draws your children into your world to share all things, not just academics. You have their whole childhood in which to transfer your values, teach your beliefs, explore God's beautiful world together, do the art projects and the science experiments, listen to great music, and read the classic children's literature. You don't have to do it all this week!
If I could give new homeschoolers some advice it would be this: relax and live with your kids. Most of what we teach our kids is caught, not taught. Our attitude, our religion, our worldview . . . these things are transferred by our expressions, the gestures we make, the look on our faces. Children are so perceptive!
When thunder roars and lightening strikes, I love to turn off all the lights, open the windows to let the noise and wind in, and enjoy the majesty of the storm, feeling awestruck at God's power. My children, of course, "caught" this attitude. My daughter was babysitting during a thunderstorm and the children all ran to her crying and hid their heads under pillows. She was so amazed that they didn't enjoy it! Later, while visiting their mother, I learned she was terrified of thunderstorms. Caught, not taught.
So, spending time with your children, drawing them into your life— your chores, your acts of service, the thoughts you think, the books you read, your music, your friends . . . your world—will teach them how to live and what to value and seek after. And there is a place for academics and study too. Just not first place!
While I had my 7 in homeschool, I rotated from child to child to help them, and I could get overwhelmed with the things they each needed work on. I could get boggled easily. So I started carrying a spiral notebook with me. I divided the notebook approximately into the number of children I was schooling and made a makeshift tab with a colored paperclip for each. As I helped them correct their writing, or do their math, or other schoolwork, I would privately jot down the glaring problems: Emily is making her "j's" backwards, Nathan doesn't have his 7x mastered, Julianna is repeating misspelling "because". . . and so forth for each child. Recording the teaching needs helped me remember, and feel assured that I could focus on it in days to come, without interrupting the flow of learning at that moment. This is especially important with teaching a child to write. Mechanics can bog them down and take the joy out of writing if too much correction is done at one time.
There is a lot of good food to eat in this life, but piling it all in a huge heap to force feed in one meal is overload and not enjoyable or even nourishing. There are wonderful things to learn, much more than one lifetime, or one childhood, can hold. But trying to cram it all in results in little really being absorbed. Choose carefully what you feel is important to teach, write out a reasonably-paced plan, and then teach your child according to your plan year-by-year in a relaxed, playful manner. Don't panic. Don't move into hyper-speed mode and try to stuff it all in. Kids don't need grammar in first grade. They don't need academic pressure. There is next year and next year and next year. You can make course corrections along the way. You'll get better at teaching your children as you go, as you learn. Get close to your children and get to know them and, you will know their talents and aptitudes and be able to fine tune your plan and offer just what they need. Enjoy. Don't get stressed.
Easy now. You've got a whole childhood.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine-$7.95!!
Just wanted to pass this on to my fellow homeschoolers or those thinking about it. The Old Schoolhouse is a terrific magazine that offers lots of encouragement, support and ideas for homeschooling. This is one magazine that is worth paying for and right now it is extremely cheap-$7.95 for 1 year. I paid $35 for a 2 year subscription. You can't beat this price and they only do it once a year. So repond quickly if you are interested (website at end).
******************************************************************
In these difficult economic times, a deal like this is truly a blessing to many of you. It was an overwhelming response to our offer, and we appreciate your confidence in TOS to bring the best 
in homeschooling information and encouragement to you and your family.
in homeschooling information and encouragement to you and your family.$7.95 subscription offer extended to 1000 more subscriptions! Our Fall Issue is being printed now, but we have arranged for an additional 1000 copies, just so 1000 more of you can be blessed with this great price. This brings the total up to 3,000. This time, once we sell these additional 1000 subscriptions at $7.95, the price will go back to $25.
Already a subscriber? Add onto your existing subscription NOW. Lock into this unbelievable price. We'll add onto the end of your current subscription. Just put the word "renewal" in the comments at checkout.If you missed the details . . . You can receive a one-year print subscription (US only) or a one-year digital subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for only $7.95.
We sold out of our original 2000 available subscriptions. But we're offering 1000 more!
Makes the perfect gift that lasts all year!NOW is the time to purchase a gift subscription for a friend or family member. For just $7.95 you can send a birthday, early Christmas, or an "I'm thinking of you!" gift to someone special. A year of TOS would be especially encouraging to someone new to homeschooling or a family who might be struggling with their homeschooling efforts. None of us likes to feel we are alone in our homeschooling--with TOS you'll be encouraged, inspired, and reminded that you are not alone! It's easy to purchase a gift subscription by following these easy steps:
Go to the one-year print subscription (US only) page in the Schoolhouse Store.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Complete the name, address, email, and phone information for each gift recipient.
Click the Add to Cart link.
Each of the recipients will then appear in your cart as a subscription.
Continue shopping or simply move on to the checkout process.
Go to the one-year print subscription (US only) page in the Schoolhouse Store.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Complete the name, address, email, and phone information for each gift recipient.
Click the Add to Cart link.
Each of the recipients will then appear in your cart as a subscription.
Continue shopping or simply move on to the checkout process.
Don't wait too long, though. The first 2000 went quickly!
Order online here or by phone at 1-888-718-HOME (4663)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Summer 2009 Highlights
We have had a very fun and relaxing summer this year. The kids have grown and so have the chickens, puppies, and lambs. We celebrated 3 birthdays, went to McAllen twice, spent 4th of July on the Guadalupe River at my parents, went to South Padre Island, went to a wedding, moved furniture in the kids room twice, got the loft/storage cleaned up and moved all of the boys toys up there, among everyday things. Our biggest accomplishment of the summer, though, was that Kate is now sleeping in a big bed with Claire (since she figured out how to climb out of the crib), doesn't use a pacifier anymore, is semi potty training, gave up her high chair and sleeps all night, yahoo! The girls literally sleep with body parts strung out all over the top of each other (pic above) which eventually would wake one of them. We finally figured out that a big pillow down the middle of their full size bed eliminates all of the night wakings. Now we hear a soft pitter patter of little foot steps at 7:30am instead of "she woke me up" at all hours of the night. Kate also injured her elbow 2 weeks ago rolling off of a friend's child's bed while she was playing on it. Two sets of x-rays have shown no visible fractures but we go to see an orthopedist tomorrow because there is still something wrong with it. The ortho said he could tell what it was on the x-ray and we'll find out tomorrow what has to be done. She has handled the whole thing very well! That's it in nutshell. Now it's time for Fall,homeschooling, apples, leaves, pumpkins, and hs co-ops. I love that God created the change of seasons. Keeps life interesting!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
It's (Home)School Time!
The long lazy days of summer are finally at an end. We just started noticing a nip in the air at night and in the morning, no more triple digits days! So around here that means it's time to move on to the next phase, the Fall School Semester. I absolutely love Fall so I can't wait for it to really feel like Fall, but until then, we pretend and get going on our schooling.
Since this curriculum runs in a 5 year cycle, i will use it again in 5 years as we cycle through the program. This way all of my children will get the same information at some point throughout the cycle. Then they will go on to MFW's high school program.
(All of the margins are messed up in the schedules. I don't know why I tried to line it all up because Blogger just throws it all over to the left side-sorry. The times are all to the left and the other stuff should be tabbed in a bit.)
Davis Daily Chores (Fall 2009)
Outside Chores:
am- Feed Puppies____________________
Let Out Chickens_________________
Feed Cat________________________
Water: Chickens (2)_______________
Puppies (2)______________
Lambs Tub_______________
Extra Tub (garden)__________
Trees__________________
pm- Feed Puppies____________________
Take Scraps to Chickens ___________
Put Up Chickens _________________
Kitchen Chores: B L D
Meal Helper_____________________
Clear/Wipe Table_________________
Sweep Under Table_______________
Empty Dishwasher (when needed):
Bottom Rack/Silver ware_______
Top Rack____________________
Laundry:
Monday - Cody Owen
Tuesday- Claire Kate
Wednesday- Mama Daddy
Thursday- Daddy Misc
Friday- Misc Misc
Room Clean Up:
Living Room_____________________
Kid’s Bedroom___________________
Mama’s Bedroom________________
We just completed our 1st day of school this morning. I now have a 3rd grader (yikes!), a 1st grader, a pre-schooler, and a "do whatever I wanter" (20 months). Everything went great! Cody even said he was so glad to be back doing school again because the mornings go by so fast and he doesn't have to think about what to do each day (he loves the schedules like me!).
We are using My Father's World again this year (http://www.mfwbooks.com/). We are doing Exploring Countries and Cultures which uses a Charlotte Mason
Unit Study approach. It is the first year of their 5 year cycle where all children in your family (grades 2nd-8th) are taught the same stuff but at their own level. Younger siblings can jump in too wherever their interest falls. I will also be doing MFW's 1st grade with Owen. I was very pleased with how well Cody learned to read so I plan to use it again. Claire is just doing basic pre-school activities in a workbook and participating wherever she likes with MFW's ECC.
Unit Study approach. It is the first year of their 5 year cycle where all children in your family (grades 2nd-8th) are taught the same stuff but at their own level. Younger siblings can jump in too wherever their interest falls. I will also be doing MFW's 1st grade with Owen. I was very pleased with how well Cody learned to read so I plan to use it again. Claire is just doing basic pre-school activities in a workbook and participating wherever she likes with MFW's ECC.I love the way My Father's World curriculum is set up. Everything you need to teach is laid out for you in the teacher's manual, but it's not so much information that you get overwhelmed. You just pick and choose what works for your family at their ages and abilities. It includes all subjects except math and language arts (we use Math-U-See and Queen Homeschool's Language Lessons for the Very Young).
Since this curriculum runs in a 5 year cycle, i will use it again in 5 years as we cycle through the program. This way all of my children will get the same information at some point throughout the cycle. Then they will go on to MFW's high school program.MFW also has pre-school, Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade (an overview of U.S. History if your oldest child is 2nd grade, but not ready to start the cycle yet). We have used the Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade curriculums so far and absolutely love them, some more than others. All of their curriculum is Bible based and I am always amazed at how well they explain and incorporate bible topics that I would have never thought to explain.
In addition to getting all of our school stuff ready I have finished our daily schedule, school schedule, and chore chart which are below, for those who like that stuff!
(All of the margins are messed up in the schedules. I don't know why I tried to line it all up because Blogger just throws it all over to the left side-sorry. The times are all to the left and the other stuff should be tabbed in a bit.)
Davis Daily Schedule (Fall 2009)
7:30am-Wake-Up/Breakfast Prep
Outside Chores
8:00am-Breakfast
Take Vitamins-Claire pass out
Clear Spot at Table
Breakfast Chores
Get Dressed
Make Bed
Brush Hair
Brush Teeth
Start 1st Laundry Load
Play Outside (if time)
9:00am Morning School (see chart)
11:30am-Lunch Prep/Put Clothes in Dryer
12:00pm Lunch
Clear Spot at Table
Lunch Chores
Start 2nd Laundry Load
1:00pm-Rest Time/Kate Nap
2:00pm-Phonics-Owen w/Mama
Monday- Claire Dance
Tuesday- Cody Computer
Wednesday- Claire Computer
Thursday- Owen Computer
Friday- Wii (pizza/movie night)
3:30pm-Free Time
5:00pm-Dinner Prep
5:30 pm-Room Clean Up
6:00pm-Dinner
Clear Spot at Table
Dinner Chores
6:30pm-Animal Chores/Outside Time
7:30pm-Bedtime Routine
Showers/Baths
Put on Pajama’s
Brush Teeth
Brush Hair
Read Books-if time
8:30pm-Bed-Claire,Kate,Cody,Owen
************************************
School Schedule Fall 2009
Morning:
9:00am-Pledge
Songs
Catechism
Prayer
9:15am-Bible Stories to Read/Coloring Page
9:30am-My Father’s World
10:30am-Snack/Break
10:45am-Finish MFW
7:30am-Wake-Up/Breakfast Prep
Outside Chores
8:00am-Breakfast
Take Vitamins-Claire pass out
Clear Spot at Table
Breakfast Chores
Get Dressed
Make Bed
Brush Hair
Brush Teeth
Start 1st Laundry Load
Play Outside (if time)
9:00am Morning School (see chart)
11:30am-Lunch Prep/Put Clothes in Dryer
12:00pm Lunch
Clear Spot at Table
Lunch Chores
Start 2nd Laundry Load
1:00pm-Rest Time/Kate Nap
2:00pm-Phonics-Owen w/Mama
Monday- Claire Dance
Tuesday- Cody Computer
Wednesday- Claire Computer
Thursday- Owen Computer
Friday- Wii (pizza/movie night)
3:30pm-Free Time
5:00pm-Dinner Prep
5:30 pm-Room Clean Up
6:00pm-Dinner
Clear Spot at Table
Dinner Chores
6:30pm-Animal Chores/Outside Time
7:30pm-Bedtime Routine
Showers/Baths
Put on Pajama’s
Brush Teeth
Brush Hair
Read Books-if time
8:30pm-Bed-Claire,Kate,Cody,Owen
************************************
School Schedule Fall 2009
Morning:
9:00am-Pledge
Songs
Catechism
Prayer
9:15am-Bible Stories to Read/Coloring Page
9:30am-My Father’s World
10:30am-Snack/Break
10:45am-Finish MFW
Monday: Math
Tuesday: Art/Theme Crafts
Wednesday: Nature Walk/Notebook
Thursday: Read Aloud from scheduled reading/Spanish
Friday: Children’s Sake Co-op/PE Co-op
2:00pm-Owen MFW Phonics w/Mama
***********************************************
The boxes that were at the end of the chore lines below did not show up. I laminated this and put it up on the fridge for the kids to color in the box as they complete the chore each day.
Tuesday: Art/Theme Crafts
Wednesday: Nature Walk/Notebook
Thursday: Read Aloud from scheduled reading/Spanish
Friday: Children’s Sake Co-op/PE Co-op
2:00pm-Owen MFW Phonics w/Mama
***********************************************
The boxes that were at the end of the chore lines below did not show up. I laminated this and put it up on the fridge for the kids to color in the box as they complete the chore each day.
Davis Daily Chores (Fall 2009)
Outside Chores:
am- Feed Puppies____________________
Let Out Chickens_________________
Feed Cat________________________
Water: Chickens (2)_______________
Puppies (2)______________
Lambs Tub_______________
Extra Tub (garden)__________
Trees__________________
pm- Feed Puppies____________________
Take Scraps to Chickens ___________
Put Up Chickens _________________
Kitchen Chores: B L D
Meal Helper_____________________
Clear/Wipe Table_________________
Sweep Under Table_______________
Empty Dishwasher (when needed):
Bottom Rack/Silver ware_______
Top Rack____________________
Laundry:
Monday - Cody Owen
Tuesday- Claire Kate
Wednesday- Mama Daddy
Thursday- Daddy Misc
Friday- Misc Misc
Room Clean Up:
Living Room_____________________
Kid’s Bedroom___________________
Mama’s Bedroom________________
Well there you have it. Now you know how we do things around here.
Happy Homeschooling!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Little Ones vs. Homeschooling
This is an article by Diane Hopkins from Love to Learn (http://www.lovetolearn.com/). As lots of us are starting or preparing to start our homeschools, here are some great ideas for occupying your little ones!
********************************************************************
How's it going teaching homeschool with a little one to distract and occupy you? Can be pretty crazy!
I used to struggle with trying to teach the big ones while the little one seemed to carry on a constant disruption. It took a change of attitude, plus some planning to change that in my homeschool.
The change of attitude came unexpectedly as I was searching and praying for a way to keep my toddler or preschooler from messing up my homeschool. Sometimes a change of perspective is all that is needed. Have you read my article, "The Baby is the Lesson"? It has been the most popular thing I've ever written, and I hope it will help you see your little one from a different perspective! (article can be found at http://www.lovetolearn.com/)
Now, to the planning: if you plan ahead, your little one will be lots happier and busier while you are trying to get in some teaching time. Of course, you will involve your preschooler as much as possible in your homeschool: singing, pledge of allegiance, story time, checking the weather, etc. I began school with all my children together, and with an activity waiting nearby on the floor of our schoolroom, such as big legos, a sorting toy, coloring and crayons, or something else to pique my little one's interest when the teaching went over his head. Little ones want to be in the middle of everything, and having something to do close to us would give us time to get going in the morning.
As the morning wore on, my preschooler would get restless and need attention. Time for "Baby Duty"—my term for a 20 minute shift of interacting with the little one in your family. I would assign one child to take the little one outside or into another room and get out a special pre-packed box of delights reserved just for this time, and filled with educational games, puzzles, books to read, an educational toy, perhaps even a healthy snack for two.
"Baby Duty" blessed us in two ways. First, it gave our little one some much needed attention and focused time. But it was also very good for the child assigned to "Baby Duty". It gave him a playful break from study, enabled him to be the teacher for a little while, helped him practice his reading skills while enjoying a story, and created a wonderful bond of friendship and love between siblings. That was the bountiful and unexpected bonus! Both child and little one would come back from "Baby Duty" happy and refreshed!
I used to struggle with trying to teach the big ones while the little one seemed to carry on a constant disruption. It took a change of attitude, plus some planning to change that in my homeschool.
The change of attitude came unexpectedly as I was searching and praying for a way to keep my toddler or preschooler from messing up my homeschool. Sometimes a change of perspective is all that is needed. Have you read my article, "The Baby is the Lesson"? It has been the most popular thing I've ever written, and I hope it will help you see your little one from a different perspective! (article can be found at http://www.lovetolearn.com/)
Now, to the planning: if you plan ahead, your little one will be lots happier and busier while you are trying to get in some teaching time. Of course, you will involve your preschooler as much as possible in your homeschool: singing, pledge of allegiance, story time, checking the weather, etc. I began school with all my children together, and with an activity waiting nearby on the floor of our schoolroom, such as big legos, a sorting toy, coloring and crayons, or something else to pique my little one's interest when the teaching went over his head. Little ones want to be in the middle of everything, and having something to do close to us would give us time to get going in the morning.
As the morning wore on, my preschooler would get restless and need attention. Time for "Baby Duty"—my term for a 20 minute shift of interacting with the little one in your family. I would assign one child to take the little one outside or into another room and get out a special pre-packed box of delights reserved just for this time, and filled with educational games, puzzles, books to read, an educational toy, perhaps even a healthy snack for two.
"Baby Duty" blessed us in two ways. First, it gave our little one some much needed attention and focused time. But it was also very good for the child assigned to "Baby Duty". It gave him a playful break from study, enabled him to be the teacher for a little while, helped him practice his reading skills while enjoying a story, and created a wonderful bond of friendship and love between siblings. That was the bountiful and unexpected bonus! Both child and little one would come back from "Baby Duty" happy and refreshed!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Claire's 4th Birthday
South Padre Island 2009
These are pictures from our beach trip back in June. Kenneth had to stay home and work but the kids and I enjoyed several days with my brother and his family and my Mom. Kate loved those sunglasses and actually kept them on for a long time. I have decided that the beach is the best place for kids. They can get so dirty with sand, sticky soda drinks, gooey snacks, etc., then you send them to the water and bam...an instant clean kiddo-love it!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Why Homeschool?
8 Reasons We Homeschool
By Camille Kendall, Troy, Tennessee
Reason 1: If you stop homeschooling and enroll your children at the school down the road, you will have to have them all up, dressed, fed, and outside waiting for the bus by 6:45 every weekday morning with their books and school supplies in tow. Personally, with seven school-aged children living under one roof, I don't think that is humanly possible.
Reason 2: If you stop homeschooling, you will have to graciously endure comments such as, "I knew that homeschooling thing was a totally hare-brained idea. It's good to see you finally came to your senses and decided to do the rational thing." Of course, such comments will come repeatedly and enthusiastically from those unsympathetic relatives who have offered so little help and encouragement all along
Reason 3: Those same dear relatives will also offer the following words of comfort: "Now your kids can finally be normal." Gack! Now there's one compelling reason to not give up! Visit your local shopping mall on a Saturday night, take a long look around, and ask yourself if you really want your kids to become "normal."
Reason 4: At our house, homeschooling means our children have a diverse people group influencing and shaping their lives--70-year-old grandparents, 90-year-old WWII veterans, middle-aged farmers, college professors, trapping buddies, young cousins, and children of family friends. Giving up and going the more "normal" route would mean limiting their peer group primarily to a knot of same-aged friends with little life experience, diversity, or wisdom.
Reason 5: Babies are beautiful; toddlers are terrific; preschoolers are precious; elementaries are exciting; pre-teens are precocious; high schoolers are absolutely fantastically amazing. Do you really want to miss even one single stage of this incredible journey?
Reason 6: I can't think of anything more intensely sanctifying than living together in the crucible of shared family experiences. In this context, none of us can escape the reality of our own sinfulness, and none of us has the opportunity to go too long without the correction, compassion, and/or encouragement of a brother or sister or parent or child. Each of us is challenged by those around us-those who observe us constantly and who see us without a facade-to align our practice with our faith, to love our Lord and our neighbor "not in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth." Call it Extreme Sanctification: Homeschool Edition. Where else will you find so many daily opportunities to run to the Cross, to repent, and to rest in the sufficiency of the work of Christ, if you give up homeschooling?
Reason 7: Homeschooling is an investment not only in your children, but also in their children, and in their grandchildren after them. It is an investment in your church and your community and in the churches and communities and countries where your descendants will live and have influence as adults. Imagine the long-term "returns" of continued investment over a lifetime-and don't give up!
Reason 8: What would you give this homeschool labor up for-what would you have instead? A clean, quiet, orderly house? A career and a sense of relevance in the broader culture? Another income for your financially strapped family? Time to develop under-used talents and pursue suppressed dreams? I would have given up homeschooling for all of these and more, at different points in the journey, but God in His good providence thwarted me.
Now, with two adult children and more on the very brink of manhood and womanhood, what encouragement can I offer to not give up? Persevere, for the rewards truly will far, far outweigh the costs. Words cannot express the joy and the humble amazement that are mine when I look at the children God has given me and consider the men and women they are becoming-nor can words convey the depth of gratitude I feel for God's allowing me, even constraining me, to participate in His purposes for them.
By Camille Kendall, Troy, Tennessee
Reason 1: If you stop homeschooling and enroll your children at the school down the road, you will have to have them all up, dressed, fed, and outside waiting for the bus by 6:45 every weekday morning with their books and school supplies in tow. Personally, with seven school-aged children living under one roof, I don't think that is humanly possible.
Reason 2: If you stop homeschooling, you will have to graciously endure comments such as, "I knew that homeschooling thing was a totally hare-brained idea. It's good to see you finally came to your senses and decided to do the rational thing." Of course, such comments will come repeatedly and enthusiastically from those unsympathetic relatives who have offered so little help and encouragement all along
Reason 3: Those same dear relatives will also offer the following words of comfort: "Now your kids can finally be normal." Gack! Now there's one compelling reason to not give up! Visit your local shopping mall on a Saturday night, take a long look around, and ask yourself if you really want your kids to become "normal."
Reason 4: At our house, homeschooling means our children have a diverse people group influencing and shaping their lives--70-year-old grandparents, 90-year-old WWII veterans, middle-aged farmers, college professors, trapping buddies, young cousins, and children of family friends. Giving up and going the more "normal" route would mean limiting their peer group primarily to a knot of same-aged friends with little life experience, diversity, or wisdom.
Reason 5: Babies are beautiful; toddlers are terrific; preschoolers are precious; elementaries are exciting; pre-teens are precocious; high schoolers are absolutely fantastically amazing. Do you really want to miss even one single stage of this incredible journey?
Reason 6: I can't think of anything more intensely sanctifying than living together in the crucible of shared family experiences. In this context, none of us can escape the reality of our own sinfulness, and none of us has the opportunity to go too long without the correction, compassion, and/or encouragement of a brother or sister or parent or child. Each of us is challenged by those around us-those who observe us constantly and who see us without a facade-to align our practice with our faith, to love our Lord and our neighbor "not in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth." Call it Extreme Sanctification: Homeschool Edition. Where else will you find so many daily opportunities to run to the Cross, to repent, and to rest in the sufficiency of the work of Christ, if you give up homeschooling?
Reason 7: Homeschooling is an investment not only in your children, but also in their children, and in their grandchildren after them. It is an investment in your church and your community and in the churches and communities and countries where your descendants will live and have influence as adults. Imagine the long-term "returns" of continued investment over a lifetime-and don't give up!
Reason 8: What would you give this homeschool labor up for-what would you have instead? A clean, quiet, orderly house? A career and a sense of relevance in the broader culture? Another income for your financially strapped family? Time to develop under-used talents and pursue suppressed dreams? I would have given up homeschooling for all of these and more, at different points in the journey, but God in His good providence thwarted me.
Now, with two adult children and more on the very brink of manhood and womanhood, what encouragement can I offer to not give up? Persevere, for the rewards truly will far, far outweigh the costs. Words cannot express the joy and the humble amazement that are mine when I look at the children God has given me and consider the men and women they are becoming-nor can words convey the depth of gratitude I feel for God's allowing me, even constraining me, to participate in His purposes for them.
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