Friday, July 31, 2009

Summer Reading - Captivating - Chapter 8

Welcome back to summer reading book club Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge. This week we are finishing Chapter 8
Beauty to Unveil.

The author’s say that “the essence of a man is Strength” in the image of our Warrior God. The essence of Woman is Beauty in the image of a Captivating God.

“Every woman possesses a captivating beauty.” Woman are not problems to be solved but mysteries to be enjoyed.

Beauty Flows from a Heart at Rest
True beauty is a woman at rest. He will quiet you with His love. Zeph. 3:17 Trusting in God calms her and those around her. She gives a gift of her presence releasing tension and pressure.

Keep asking Jesus to show you your beauty and what He thinks of you as a woman.

Beauty is Inviting
Proverbs talks about two women – Lady Folly and Lady Wisdom. Both are lovely and inviting. One is the door to death and the other is the way to Life and peace.

A woman striving invites other to strive. A woman hiding pushes others away. A controlling woman makes others feel unsafe in their presence.

Offer Beauty
To be vulnerable might not feel safe but it will deepen your relationships. Share yourself and be enjoyed. Offer mercy.

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. Isa. 30:15

As women we have been through some things. Our hearts have enlarged by suffering. Like David, we can go through a desolate valley and find the place of springs. Ps 84:6

Cultivating Beauty
A gardens beauty does not diminish with age, neither does a woman’s. Tend your garden. Songs 1:6 Take time to grow in relationship with Jesus. Take time to be at rest.

“Beauty is a quality of the soul that expresses itself in the visible world.”

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Grammar - LOL

What is this I hear, laughter coming from the computer room? The kids learning grammar and having a great time. Now Mad Libs is online. How fun! Even my 7 year old can play by clicking on suggested words. Give it a try!

Thanks for the tip Ten O'clock Scholar!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Family Reunion


Last week my brother and sister were visiting from out of state with their families. The kids had a great time visiting with their cousins. My youngest child is 6 years old, while my brother's children are 4 and 2. It was great for Gabriel to be one of the "older" kids. It gave him a chance to see the other side.

The adult crowd made a change this year. We were all on a health kick. Instead of sitting around and talking for hours like usual, we took the kids to the park and walked most evenings. Everyone who took turns cooking had healthy meals in mind. I got to show my sister-in-law how to make whole grain sourdough bread. We exchanged low-carb recipes. No one made any desserts. Last year I gained 5 lbs. this year I lost weight. What a nice change!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

College Professor Critiques Homeschoolers
copyright 2009 by Greg Landry, M.S.

I teach sophomore through senior level college
students - most of them are "pre-professional"
students. They are preparing to go to medical
school, dental school, physical therapy school,
etc.

As a generalization, I've noticed certain
characteristics common in my students who were
homeschooled. Some of these are desirable,
some not.

Desirable characteristics:

1. They are independent learners and do a great
job of taking initiative and being responsible
for learning. They don't have to be "spoon fed"
as many students do. This gives them an advantage
at two specific points in their education;
early in college and in graduate education.

2. They handle classroom social situations
(interactions with their piers and professors)
very well. In general, my homeschooled students
are a pleasure to have in class. They greet me
when the enter the class, initiate conversations
when appropriate, and they don't hesitate to
ask good questions. Most of my students do
none of these.

3. They are serious about their education and
that's very obvious in their attitude,
preparedness, and grades.

Areas where homeschooled students can improve:

1. They come to college less prepared in the
sciences than their schooled counterparts -
sometimes far less prepared. This can be
especially troublesome for pre-professional
students who need to maintain a high grade
point average from the very beginning.

2. They come to college without sufficient
test-taking experience, particularly with
timed tests. Many homeschooled students have a
high level of anxiety when it comes to taking
timed tests.

My advice to homeschooling parents:

1. If your child is even possibly college
bound and interested in the sciences, make
sure that they have a solid foundation of
science in the high school years.

2. Begin giving timed tests by 7th or 8th grade.
I think it is a disservice to not give students
timed tests. They tend to focus better and score
higher on timed tests, and, they are far better
prepared for college and graduate education if
they've taken timed tests throughout the high
school years.

In the earlier years the timed tests should allow
ample time to complete the test as long as the
student is working steadily. The objective is for
them to know it's timed yet not to feel a time
pressure. This helps students to be comfortable
taking timed tests and develops confidence in
their test-taking abilities.

Greg Landry is a 14 year veteran homeschool dad
and college professor. He also teaches one and
two semester online science classes, and offers
free 45 minute online seminars..
http://www.HomeschoolScienceAcademy.com

_____________________________________

Friday, July 17, 2009

Summer Reading - Captivating - Chapter 7

Romanced

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3

What kind of relationship are you looking for with God? What kind of relationship is He looking for with you?

The Bible talks about several metaphors – He is the potter, we are the clay.
He is the Shepherd, we described are sheep. Master/servant, father/child.
All these are stepping up into greater intimacy to Bridegroom.

What does the bridegroom paradigm make you think?

Romance, giving yourself completely to the one you love?

He has been wooing us all along.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

What's Now! - Kombucha

It looks like Kombucha is now the hottest, latest trend. In the June issue of InStyle magazine page 55 is the What's Now, your summer must list. #1 is the drink Kombucha. They mention several flavors - Camu Camu, Yumberry, and Goji Berry of GT's new botanical drinks. They recommend tucking a chilled one in your beach bag or work tote.

You'll have to check it out the next time you are at Whole Foods priced at $3-$4 dollars each. Kombucha is much cheaper to make.

Some of us have been drinking a delicious, healthy, probiotic drink for years. Who knew it would be so popular?

Friday, July 10, 2009

Zucchini Harvest



Finally, I could harvest some zucchini from my garden after 3 plants dying. I have been watering faithfully through this drought. Three of the plants just shriveled up and died. A friend came over and looked at the plants. He saw a worm hole in the stock. This indicates the indwelling of a Squash Vine Borer, a large white worm with a brown head.

I sprinkled my vine plants with Diatomaceous Earth. Hopefully, the other two plants can be saved.

Meanwhile, I'll be cooking up my favorite zucchini dishes. Zucchini Fritters, Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips, Zucchini Pizza Crust, and of course, Fried Zucchini.

What are your families favorite Zucchini recipes?

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Summer Reading - Captivating - Chapter 6

Healing the Wound
This chapter from the book Captivating: Unveiling the Mysteries of a Woman's Soul goes through steps to bring healing.

Jesus wants you to be totally free and healed. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, free the captives, comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve. That includes you. You matter.

Let Him be your defender. You don’t have to defend yourself.

Turn from the Ways You’ve Sought to Save Yourself.
We have put up wall and barriers to protect ourselves from further hurt. Don’t keep out the One who wants to save you.

Invite Him In
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in… Rev. 3:20 NKJV He waits for you.

Renounce the Agreements You’ve Made
We have believed lies. Those messages felt true when inflicted with pain. We must release them and unlock the door to Jesus.

Cry It Out
Women spend so much energy trying to “keep it together”. No wonder we are exhausted. Crying is a release.

Forgive – It’s a choice, not a feeling.
Forgiveness does not say that the wounding was okay. The hurt was wrong. You release that person over to God.

Ask Jesus to Heal You
He can release your heart from captivity.

Let Him Father You and Answer Your Questions
The Lord delights in you. Begin a new relationship with Him.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Why Lacto-Fermentation?

Lacto-fermenting retains the nutritional value of the food plus encourages growth of “friendly bacteria” probiotics. Heating destroys both.

So is a condiment just for taste? We choose condiments that add value to the meal, loaded with digestive enzymes and nutrients.

Probiotics
Fight bad bacteria in the body
Boost immune function
Normalize the acidity of the stomach.
Help in digestion especially of proteins
Help with nutrient absorption
…and more.

Bacterium out number the cells in your body 20 to 1. These can be good bugs or bad bugs. The war rages continually in your gut. Your lower intestine needs about 85% good bacteria and 15% unfriendly bacteria. Sadly, most people have this reversed.

Traditionally people ate large amounts of friendly bacteria – fresh foods off the vine and through their preservation process of lacto-fermentation, including the preservation of some meats, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.

This information was survival for our ancestors. Maybe they knew something we could learn from?

Nourish Your Child