Family & Remembering

Today was spent with family. The children and I walked with sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and more for the 2010 Alzheimers Memory Walk. There were 600+ people there and it was a really nice way to spend the morning and have some fun with family that we don't get to see that often. Afterward we all went to lunch and then it was home for us.

I couldn't go home, though, without making a stop to remember my grandparents. I went out to the farm on my way to the cemetery and got a few branches from their grapevine to leave at their headstone. It's so much more personal than buying flowers.



Recently, at the funeral for my grandmother's sister, I realized that my grandfather has been gone for half of my life; and yet I miss him probably more, not less, as time goes on.

A Happy Habit Birthday for Husband

Elisha: God's Messenger of Grace, pt. 3

Reading the other night in this gem of a book and came across the following paragraph:

As it was in the days of Elisha, so it is still true today. Whatever children are not, they undoubtedly are good imitators. What my father does, that will I do -- what my mother says, that will I say -- is the rule which most children follow. If the child hears true religion lightly spoken of at home, if he is accustomed to hear God's ministers or God's Word ridiculed, he may soon grow up to do exactly the same. Let us, then, who are parents walk very carefully. Bright eyes are on us, watching our every movement, scrutinizing our every action; quick ears are listening to us, hearing and storing up in the memory each careless, thoughtless word. Those eyes are our children's eyes, those ears are our children's ears, and each of those children is a trust, put into our hands by God, and of each such trust we shall be called upon to give an account.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Especially for Mrs. Mincy!!

Combine:

• 2 cups diced chicken
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup OR 1 can each cream of chicken and cream of celery (may wish to use low sodium)
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 1 T. dehydrated minced onion
• 1 small can diced green chilies

Grease 9x13 dish. Tear 4-6 flour tortillas into bite sized pieces and line bottom of dish. Spread 1/2 of chicken mixture carefully over tortillas and top with grated Monterey Jack cheese. Repeat tortilla, chicken and cheese layers. Bake about 45 minutes at 350F or till bubbly in the middle. Remove from oven and allow to stand to 10-15 minutes (this makes cutting and serving much easier)

This dish freezes well after preparing (before baking).


Shared with me by my sister-in-law Debbie many years ago, this easy and delicious casserole is a favorite of the children and I!

Elisha: Barren or Healing?

And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.

2 Kings 2:19-22

The chapter we read tonight had to do with Elisha healing the barren spring of Jericho. The people had to travel far each day to gather water from the Jordan because the spring that was outside of their own city gate was no good. I so very much enjoyed how Mrs. Walton drew the parallel from the barren spring to our own self-loving hearts and the healed waters to those who seek to use their lives in service to bless and encourage others to grow in Christ.

May I quote directly from the book?

"And in that spring we have a picture, a double picture. We can see in it, if we will look, a very good representation of a great many people’s lives.

The lives of some are like that stream before Elisha visited it: going on through this world of sin and sorrow and misery, and yet doing no good to anyone, carrying misery and spiritual barrenness wherever they go. They are living for self, and they have no care for those around them, they bring unpleasantness and not comfort into the hearts of others. Their example is evil and not good; their influence is on the side of this present evil world, with all its sinful and God-forgetting ways.

But the lives of others are strangely and wonderfully different. They resemble Elisha’s stream, not as it was in the days of its barrenness, but as it was after the prophet visited it. They are like Elisha’s stream at the present day. They carry joy and comfort and refreshment wherever they go. They are a blessing to everyone. They cheer all within their reach. They bring ease to the weary, encourage the weak-hearted, and visit the lonely. Wherever they go, they are a quiet power for good, a source of goodness and joy, a lovely stream causing an oasis in the desert life around them.

Let us ask ourselves, Which life is mine? Am I like the stream as it was in its barren days, a useless one in God’s world, bringing no joy or gladness to those around me, the aid of spiritual life and fruitfulness to no one, or am I like the lovely beautiful stream — a helper of many, a blessing in the world? Thank God that just as the Jericho stream by the power of God was changed in its nature, so can our lives be changed.

Elisha gives us the recipe for changing a useless, harmful life into a useful and blessed one. It is the same recipe which the Master gives us in Mark 9:50, where He bids us, "Have salt in yourselves." The salt, put upon the waters of Elisha’s spring, entirely changed its character, and the purifying grace of God can change my life from being an empty, frivolous, useless, mischievous life to being one which will be a blessing to all around me, because of its utter unselfishness.

But one thing we must carefully notice, and that is the place in which Elisha put the salt upon the water. He did not cast it on the waters of the stream half a mile or a mile from the spring. He was careful to go to the source and to cast it on the water at the very spot from which it came bubbling out of the rock. So the Lord would have me learn that if my life is to be different, me heart must be different. If I am to live a changed life, it must be because the source, my innermost heart, has first been changed by the grace of God."

Elisha: God’s Messenger of Grace, by Mrs. O.F. Walton, available from BibleTruthPublishers.com

(Originally published @ homesteadblogger.com/butterandhoney)

Elisha: God's Messenger of Grace

We have started reading in the evening again, and I SO enjoy it. Everyone is comfy and snuggled in bed as we read/sing/pray. It’s just a wonderful way to finish the day and prepare for the next.

In addition to our Bible reading, I’ve started reading Elisha: God’s Messenger of Grace by Mrs. Walton. It is one of the books I ordered as a result of a post on Godly, Uplifting Reading Material. The first chapter spoke of who Elisha was before the call of Elijah. I’m sharing the last few paragraphs below. I hope you are blessed by them.

Elisha’s heart was being tested. He must not look back even as he put his hand to the plow of serving the Lord. No one who does this is fit for the kingdom of God. The old prophet realized this fact, and he answered accordingly. Gravely he said to him, "Go back again: for what have I done to thee?" Why take leave of your family and friends to come with me? The choice lies in your own hands; I will not force you into the work. Go back to your plowing; why leave it? It is evidently a great sacrifice to you. You can remain as you are.

But Elisha has already made up his mind to choose the better part. He turns back to the oxen and servants. Taking the two oxen he was using, he kills them, lights a fire with the plowshare, and cooks them. Then he feasts his servants with the meat. Why does he do all this? He would have them know that the day of God’s call is one of joy, not sorrow. He kills the oxen, the very means of his living, that he might step out in faith to follow wholeheartedly the call of God. Then, leaving father, mother, servants, cattle, land and comfortable home, he sets out to follow the homeless wanderer.

Several thousand years have gone by since that sunny day when young Elisha received his call from God. Yet our God changes not. What He was then, He is now. What He sought then, He seeks now. What He did then, He still does now.

Is He calling you today just as he called Elisha? do you not hear His loving voice saying to you, "Follow Me?" Leave all and follow Christ. But remember, God seeks now just what He sought then; He seeks an undivided heart. He wants your all. If He tests your heart and asks, "Go back again: for what have I done to thee?’" what will your answer be?

Remember, too, that God is now just what He was then, the strength-giving God. He gave Elisha the power to obey that call. He will give the same power to you. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Yes, you can even leave all and follow Him.

Chapter 2 is titled "The Heir Becomes a Servant" and gives a beautiful picture of Elisha, forsaking his riches (he was the heir of an estate), his power (he was placed over his father’s many servants), and his comfort (a good home and every food and luxury available) in order to become the servant of Elijah. This is then paralleled with the picture of our Lord Jesus leaving his heavenly home -

Elisha did not know it, but this change in his life from master to servant was a picture of the great Coming One, the Christ, the Messiah! Elijah, his master, was like John the Baptist in so many ways. He dwelt in the wilderness, feeding on wild fruits and herbs, dressing in the skins of beasts, and preaching repentance to his nation. And, just as Elijah was the picture of John, so his successor, Elisha, tells us of our Lord Jesus Christ who left His home and place in heaven to come down into the world and become a servant.

I’ll stop there – but the humble beauty of this book in turning our eyes to those worthy examples in scripture who point us to our greatest example, the Lord Jesus himself, has been a blessing and touched my heart in a beautifully deep way.

Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. 2 Kings 3:11

Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant. Philippians 2:5-7

. . . whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:26

(Originally published @ homesteadblogger.com/butterandhoney)

Rifles For Watie Book Report

Written by the Science Guy, 14.

Book: Rifles for Watie, by Harold Keith

Published 1957 by Harper Collins, Newberry Award Winner

Rifles for Watie is the story about Jeff Bussey, a young man from Kansas and his life during the Civil War.  It tells how he joins the army and struggles against the enemy, hunger, fear, cruel officers, utter exhaustion, and his deep feelings for family, friends, and the people he has come to know throughout his journey, on both sides of the war.

After an attack on his house in which his father was almost killed, Jeff becomes determined to aid the war effort.  He quickly leaves and joins up with the Union Army, but is unfortunately put under the cruel and tyrannical command of Captain Asa Clardy.  After trekking hundreds of miles by day and night his regiment finally meets the enemy and gets their first taste of battle.  Much to Jeffs dissappoinment he is sent off to find an officer somewhere back in the ranks and misses out on his share of the battle.  Later, as he rushes to meet the returning soldiers, he finds that many of his friends have been shot to death and many others are horribly injured.

Over the next couple of years his regiment marches hundreds of miles more and fights battles.  Also Jeff gets to know what it is like to be a soldier in the infantry, a gunner in a battery of artillery, a trooper in the calvalry, and eventually a scout who is sent to spy behind enemy lines.

During his first mission he becomes lost and is accidentally drafted into the Rebel Army.  He is warmly cared for by the Rebels and finds that they are not monsters but loving people who are fighting for what they believe in.  Jeff makes many close friends in the Rebel Army and in the South.  He eventually discovers a secret plot against the Union Army.  Should he return to the Union?  Jeff is from the Union, the Union told him that these, his Rebel friends, are the enemy.  But the Rebels have loved him whereas the officers in the Union starved him and treated him harsh and unkindly.  Jeff struggles as his heart is torn between the two sides.

Corn Tortilla Chicken Lasagna

I’ve made this twice now, and while it is a bit time consuming to put together, it makes two 9×13 dishes and is so delicious it’s worth it.

For your consideration and enjoyment!

Corn Tortilla Chicken Lasagna

• 36 corn tortillas
• 6 cups cooked, cubed chicken breast (about 3 lbs.)
• 4 cups pinto beans
• Three 16 oz. jars of your favorite salsa (I use La Victoria: one mild red, one mild green, and one medium red — use what you like. )
• 4 cups sour cream
• 15 oz. can ripe olives, sliced
• 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese
• 3 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

Prepare two 9×13 in. baking dishes with non-stick spray and arrange 6 tortillas in each dish; then top tortillas with 1 cup chicken, 2/3 cup pinto beans, 1 cup salsa, about 9 evenly spaced dollops of sour cream, 1/2  cup Jack and 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese.  Repeat layers two more times, adding the sliced olives to the third layer before adding the cheeses.
Cover dishes and bake at 350F for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and sides are bubbly.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.  Makes two, 12-15 serving casseroles.

Something New!

We have a few new things happening in our schooling this year –

The first is our schedule, which I was very fearful of last week (see HERE), but that fear has turned to rejoicing  in the LORD with a full heart!  We are out of the home every day of the week and so the children must have all of their schoolwork done before Noon on most days.  A week ago, I would have thought this was impossible — but nothing is impossible with Jesus Christ!

Our next new thing is that Science Guy started a Biology class this week, using the Apologia Biology text.  He finished Physical Science in the nick of time – doing tests 14, 15 and 16 near the end of last week.   (he had finished the text and experiments, just forgot to take the tests.  A minor detail, apparently.  The first class went well and he has completed all of his homework for the next one. 

While we’re on the subject of science and Apologia, I’ll mention that The Badger started General Science this week, too.   This is a small part of my praise ~~~  My younger son, who just turned 13 — I was debating whether to start him in this or not.  I even asked older son his opinion — he knows the text, he knows the work that is required — how do you think he will do if he starts this?  We were both of the same opinion, that he is capable of it, but it may be a bit much reading for him.  Well, I dropped it for the time being and thought maybe we’ll come back to it in a few months and see at that time.  Younger son, who didn’t know that any of this was going on, came to me not even 15 minutes later and asked if he could start General Science.  Can you picture the stunned look on my face?  Can you see the LORD smiling?    Yes, dear, of course you can do General Science if you’d like to.    ~~~

Also daughter, Little Tipua, is almost finished with her science, so we looked and decided that she and the Badger will be doing Apologia Exploring Creation with Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day together.  I think we’ll do this Monday/Wednesday while Science Guy is in Biology, and Friday our fun day.  And since Tipua enjoys science, and namely Sonlight science, I will be getting Sonlight Science 2 for her to do herself.

That’s it.  Nothing else is new because we love what we’re doing and there’s no reason to change!  So here’s a quick run down of our curriculum:

• Bible – we read the Bible, King James Version.  Daring, I know, but why read someone else’s thoughts on what the Bible says when you can go to the source, the author and finisher of our faith?  We also use Christian Manhood
• Reading – we use Pathway and Christian Light Readers.  Sometimes with, sometimes without the accompanying workbooks.  They are nice, wholesome stories that the children will read and inevitably say "That was a good story, Mom."  Both are available for K-8th grade.
• Math – Math-U-See has been our choice for the past three (or has it been four?) years and will continue to be.
• Spelling – Spell to Write and Read.  We don’t use all of it, but it is a thorough program and easily adaptable to our needs.  I do more with one child and less with another, as is appropriate for the individual.
•  English – Shurley English, Homeschool Edition.  We only do this three or four times a month, but it builds such a great, solid foundation that we refer to it frequently when doing other assignments.
• History – This is our variety!  Some favorites that we go back and forth between – one year this and the next year that – are Sonlight, we’re doing Eastern Hemisphere (5) this year, daughter has done Intro to World Cultures (K).  Beautiful Feet is a favorite.  We’ve done Early Am. History, Elementary and Upper Elementary, the History of Science, US and World History, History of Classical Music and Science Guy will soon be starting Medeival History.  Then, a wonderful unit study that I HAVE to recommend is Prepare and Pray.  If I had discovered this when the boys were younger — Oh!  the fun we would have had!!  Now we do it in pieces, a unit here and a unit there as a break from regular school and for some summer fun.

I’m sure there’s more, but I have to go!

Click HERE to see what others are doing!

This post was originally published @ Homeschoolblogger.com/ButterandHoney as an assignment from Homeschool Memoirs 2008-2009

Our Homeschool Routine

I almost didn’t want to post on this one since we cannot follow a schedule – at least not a specific time slot schedule.  We’ve tried it before and the children didn’t like it, couldn’t understand why they had to stop in the middle of something and move on to the next thing, and it all reminded me a bit too much like the conditioning ring of the school bell.   I visited a few other HM members, though, and saw that they didn’t have schedules either.   So, okay, maybe I can do this.

Our Homeschooling Routine is as follows:  (Very Loosely!)

• I try to get up an hour or two before the children do so that I can have my quiet time in the morning
• Between 7 and 8 a.m. I wake up the children.  They usually have 30-45 minutes to wake up, shower/dress, and have breakfast before I call them to the table to get started on their work.
• During the course of the day they work on Math, Handwriting, Science, Reading, & Bible.
• At some point during the morning, we’ll all sit on the couch together and do our Bible reading, memorization, & singing followed by our History read-alouds.
• Break for lunch and chores
• In the afternoon, continue with their schooling
• Sometimes we’ll have more reading in the afternoons, but not too often because I tend to fall asleep if I sit on the couch after lunch!!
• One day a week I’ll do spelling with each child (2s+1d), and an English lesson with my sons
• When they’ve done work in each area of their assignment sheet for the day, then they are free to do what they like, get started on afternoon pick-up (before Dad gets home), or work on something extra.

This is all how it has been.  Starting next week everything will be different and I’m not sure what we’re going to do about it. 

Can I take a moment to whine?  Just a little?  I’ll do it softly, I promise.   See, here’s how it all works out: 

1. For the summer, friends and I started gathering for a P.E. day for our older sons.  Since we were meeting anyway, we decided to go ahead and do a Bible study together.   I thought it was only going to be for the summer, but now it isn’t and so that is one afternoon of my week not at home. Tuesday.
2. Older son is taking a Biology class this year and for some reason it is meeting twice a week for an hour and half.  Can’t it meet once a week for three hours??  Two afternoons of my week not at home.  Monday/Wednesday.
3. Because of Biology, we had to chage the day of our piano lessons.  I guess I was not clear with the teacher and when she was making up her fall schedule, she scheduled us for Thursday.  Now a fourth afternoon that I am not at home.
4. I’ve been wanting to do something with daughter for some time now, even trying over a year ago to get a small needleworking group together for mothers and daughters.  Well, guess what?  Another mom is getting one together, and it looks like it is actually going to happen.   It IS only an hour, and it IS fairly close to home, but it IS on Friday – the last day of the week that I had free.

So, if this is what our year is actually going to look like, then we will be doing schoolwork only in the morning hours.   (just had a dramatic demonstration of this on the chalkboard – Monday after 12:00 – GONE.  Tuesday after 12:00 – GONE.  Wednesday after 12:00 – GONE.  Thursday after 12:00 – GONE.  Friday after 12:00 GONE.)

If anyone wants to offer some advice, hints, tips, suggestions, sanity savers, etc. please DO!!

Otherwise it looks like we’ll all be starting our day EARLY!

This post was originally published @ Homeschoolblogger.com/ButterandHoney as an assignment from Homeschool Memoirs 2008-2009