tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42818673535933435952024-03-13T04:15:51.858-07:00Under His Construction"And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6)Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-72738235578597587352011-09-18T13:27:00.000-07:002011-09-20T08:30:48.903-07:00The Ugly Heart Test: What Facebook Has Taught Me... About Me<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uJjz8VkIR8/TnZj31CQz9I/AAAAAAAAATA/SCYHGZDLOvA/s1600/thumbnail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653816192990760914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uJjz8VkIR8/TnZj31CQz9I/AAAAAAAAATA/SCYHGZDLOvA/s320/thumbnail.jpg" /></a><br /><br />One of my favorite children's books is a story by the title 'Teddy's Button' about a little boy who comes to realize that, of all the enemies he will have to face in his life, the biggest opponent he will ever face is himself. I can relate to this story as I, too, have found my biggest enemy to be the enemy within: self. And while I am pretty good at putting on a good face for others and deceiving them into thinking I am kind and good and loving, the person I am best at deceiving, is myself. I am so good at justifying my actions or fooling myself in believing that my motives are pure. Yep, I know just what to say to myself to be convincing. But there is One who is never deceived for He sees my heart.<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>"People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>"People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines the motives." Proverbs 16:2</em></div><br /><div align="left">But God is a God of mercy and unconditional love and He desires something so much better for me than this selfish ugliness. He also knows how very helpless I am to change myself and so He gives me His grace to change me from the inside out. He ever so gently reveals my heart to me in those ugly areas of my life that He desires to change. And the funny thing is, sometimes He uses the craziest things to show me.</div><br /><div align="left">I would imagine that practically everyone in the world knows what Facebook is by now. I certainly do as anyone of my Facebook friends will tell you! Ha ha - they know of my complete addiction to the site! I really do love it, though it is not always the best thing for me and my family because of the time it consumes. Nevertheless, I love it anyhow, and really, for so many great reasons. I have built some very incredible friendships with some very special people that I really didn't know very well before Facebook. I have also been able to keep in better touch with family and friends that I have not really been around for years. I keep in better touch with dear friends as well. And last, but not least, well...probably not even last as I am sure there are other reasons I am not thinking about right now, I get a chance to share my love of Jesus with others that I would not otherwise have opportunity to do in the midst of housecleaning, laundry, making meals and educating my children. But lately, God has been showing me another valuable use for Facebook that I had not really thought of. You see, one of the ways I have deceived myself about the condition of my heart is that I thought I did not have any unforgiveness or grudges in my heart towards anyone. Well, as I said, God is so very faithful to pull me out of that muck and mire, called sin, in my life. If you are not familiar with Facebook, on the main page there is a continual display along the side bar of people you may know that you can ask to be your Facebook friend. This list is compiled based on people who are friends with other people you are friends with. Confused yet? Yeah, me too! Anyways, one day God brought a certain person to mind that I had seen on my sidebar many, many times. He said to me,</div><br /><div align="center">"Mandi, you know this person, why won't you request them as a friend?" </div><br /><div align="center">"Um, well Lord, I guess it is because I don't really like this person."</div><br /><div align="center">"Why, Mandi, do you not like this person? I like this person, in fact, I love her, she is my beautiful creation."</div><br /><div align="center">"Because she did something once that humiliated me, Lord."</div><br /><div align="left">God used this to show me that in spite of what I thought, I do, in fact, have unforgiveness in my heart. He reminded me that He sent His beloved son to die for ugly and mean and hateful things I had done, not to mention lies I had told, people I had slandered, and the endless list of others sins I had done that deserved the penalty of death. He asked me how I, having been forgiven of so much, could not forgive such a little thing done once so long ago? I had no good answer and so I asked Him to help me let go of the resentment and bitterness I held towards that person, and He did. Since then God has continued to use Facebok to reveal many, many ugly sins in my heart towards other people, people that I was not loving like He desired. People I would not ask as to be my friend because I think they are weird or somehow beneath me. People's status updates that brought out self-righteousness and/or critical condemnation. People that I begrudgingly accepted friend requests from. Compromises I was willing to make for certain people's good opinion of me. A prideful heart that thought it had lessons to teach others. Oh how the list goes on and on. I can't tell you how thankful I am for the heart conditions that God is revealing in me through Facebook. While they were at first kind of painful and not something I wanted to admit to, I now see the freedom that comes as God removes the weight of those sins from my shoulders. You see, I just didn't realize how heavy these things were to carry until they were lifted off my shoulders. I also didn't realize how awesome it was going to feel to start really loving people and seeing the incredible beauty in each and every person God has made. God is truly opening my eyes to see people through His eyes. And oh how wonderful is the view from His eyes!!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><em>"Bless the Lord, O my soul,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>and all that is within me,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>bless His holy name!</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Bless the Lord, O my soul,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>and forget not all His benefits,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Who forgives all your iniquity,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Who heals all your diseases,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Who redeems your life from the pit,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Who satifies you with good,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>The Lord works righteousness</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>and justice for all who are oppressed.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>He made known His ways to Moses,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>His acts to the people of Israel.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>The Lord is merciful and gracious,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>slow to anger and abounding is steadfast love.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>He will not always chide,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>nor will He keep His anger forever.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>He does not deal with us according to our sins,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>nor repay us according to our iniquities.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>For as high as the heavens are above the earth,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>so great is His steadfast love towards those who fear Him;</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>as far as the east is from the west,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>so far does He remove our transgressions from us.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>As a father shows compassion to his children,</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust."</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Psalm 103:1-14</em></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-70388259120577559062011-08-28T16:27:00.000-07:002011-08-28T17:09:54.962-07:00Soul Surfer<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FgKMucI8Io/TlrRk_60kCI/AAAAAAAAASw/LjnJqDorzOM/s1600/51cCy815g0L__SX500_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646055516425981986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FgKMucI8Io/TlrRk_60kCI/AAAAAAAAASw/LjnJqDorzOM/s320/51cCy815g0L__SX500_.jpg" /></a> Okay so before I recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Surfer/dp/B0055PMUSU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314574532&sr=8-1">this movie</a>, I want to send you all over to a <a href="http://yoursacredcalling.com/blog/2011/04/soul-surfer-beaches-bikinis-and%E2%80%A6bibles/">review</a> done by a fellow sister in Christ that I respect very much. I think she has some very valid concerns that you should be aware of before watching this movie with your kids. With that said, I do
<br /><div>recommend this movie as a tremendous testimony of how God uses trials and tragedies for amazing purposes. In Bethany Hamilton's case, God gave her an amazing platform to stand on and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ; a platform that would not have been near as significant had she not lost her arm and had she not perservered despite her obvious limitations after the accident. </div>
<br /><div>We often tend to forget the tremendous work God does through trials and tragedies. We think He has abandonned us or forgotten us, but just the opposite is true. Bethany Hamilton's story does a fantastic job of showing the many ways God uses trials to bless us, grow us, draw us nearer to Him, shape our character and ultimately to use us for His glory. </div>
<br /><div>On a side note, I do find it interesting that the name of Jesus was intentionally left out of the movie. The only mention Jesus gets is during the credits at the end when they show actual footage of Bethany giving Jesus the glory. What other name would be a problem for producers to use in a movie? Sadly the only way the name of Jesus is acceptable is when it is being used as a swear word. BUT I also find this to be a tremendous testimony to the power of the name of JESUS! It only serves to build my faith in HIM. ( :</div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div></div>
<br />Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-69562406188673238782011-08-27T09:11:00.000-07:002011-08-27T09:37:51.363-07:00Our Cross-Country Road Trip 2011: Amish Country Illinois<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIOTuMWQbI4/TlkWuaKkAKI/AAAAAAAAASY/TaJLwenHBno/s1600/P2160249.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645568594439045282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIOTuMWQbI4/TlkWuaKkAKI/AAAAAAAAASY/TaJLwenHBno/s320/P2160249.JPG" /></a> When we sat down to plan out our cross-country road trip, one of the things we all knew we wanted to do was to visit Amish country. And so our next stop was Arthur, Illinois. We began our morning at an Amish cafe where we had a delicious traditional Amish breakfast at <a href="http://www.yoderskitchen.net/menu/Yoder">Yoder's Kitchen.</a> Almost everyone had the GIGANTIC cinnamon rolls or the biscuits and gravy, except for mom and I, who had the Haystack. Yum! Everything was homemade (of course!) </div>
<br /><div align="center">and so delicious! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqf4_aOCbA8/TlkWt-Clv2I/AAAAAAAAASQ/-N5xCpZPsYY/s1600/P2160248.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645568586889412450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqf4_aOCbA8/TlkWt-Clv2I/AAAAAAAAASQ/-N5xCpZPsYY/s320/P2160248.JPG" /></a>The town was quaint and these buggies were found all around town.
<br /></div>
<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWI0scnUT2U/TlkSwkZq_pI/AAAAAAAAASI/N46lQjk2gN0/s1600/P2160251.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645564233499999890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWI0scnUT2U/TlkSwkZq_pI/AAAAAAAAASI/N46lQjk2gN0/s320/P2160251.JPG" /></a> They even had a stable near the visitor center for parking the buggies.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spBhEC7oLMw/Tgifx9qcG_I/AAAAAAAAARY/ybqDkWRLexA/s1600/P2160255.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622919815487036402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spBhEC7oLMw/Tgifx9qcG_I/AAAAAAAAARY/ybqDkWRLexA/s320/P2160255.JPG" /></a>We so enjoyed the little town with all of its cute little shops and Amish goods available for purchase, but my favorite part was touring the countryside. All the Amish farms had the same characteristics: beautiful, large white farm houses and outbuildings, extremely well-maintained yards, large gardens, and laundry hung out to dry somewhere around the house, usually on a rope tied across the frontporch (as pictured above).
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtV6xOYyEMk/Tgifxy-xVwI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-FnPG3AuhU8/s1600/P2160253.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622919812619523842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtV6xOYyEMk/Tgifxy-xVwI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-FnPG3AuhU8/s320/P2160253.JPG" /></a> Here we are following one of the buggies out in the country.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eU_E9uqIxqI/TgifxtqTqBI/AAAAAAAAARI/z08XmibdGZ4/s1600/P2160257.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622919811191515154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eU_E9uqIxqI/TgifxtqTqBI/AAAAAAAAARI/z08XmibdGZ4/s320/P2160257.JPG" /></a>Another typical mode of transportation: the bike. These were lined up in front of one the woodshops.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4bwR38cEYk/TfOqRX2ZFHI/AAAAAAAAAQo/hfJ6JCxdy60/s1600/P2160258.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617020375697790066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4bwR38cEYk/TfOqRX2ZFHI/AAAAAAAAAQo/hfJ6JCxdy60/s320/P2160258.JPG" /></a> Another one of the beautiful farmhouses....
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fptN65WZ1zs/TfOqQ3GOxBI/AAAAAAAAAQg/OOuqvibu5UA/s1600/P2160259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617020366905852946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fptN65WZ1zs/TfOqQ3GOxBI/AAAAAAAAAQg/OOuqvibu5UA/s320/P2160259.JPG" /></a>.....And their buggy stable.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qN4Mu_QIDQU/TfD2_hJSsTI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/Rd0Saes3ehk/s1600/P2160261.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616260306420543794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qN4Mu_QIDQU/TfD2_hJSsTI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/Rd0Saes3ehk/s320/P2160261.JPG" /></a>A close-up view. </div>
<br /><div>Notice the lightpost - powered by either gas or electricity - yep, electricity! Many had electricity and some even had cell phones!!
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88sqKHDocU8/TfD2_anf2HI/AAAAAAAAAQI/gvk3oHjV0wU/s1600/P2160263.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616260304668186738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88sqKHDocU8/TfD2_anf2HI/AAAAAAAAAQI/gvk3oHjV0wU/s320/P2160263.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GS6khtdfZnA/TfDw2MvpneI/AAAAAAAAAQA/N4Ic6qGwcrs/s1600/P2160267.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616253549255695842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GS6khtdfZnA/TfDw2MvpneI/AAAAAAAAAQA/N4Ic6qGwcrs/s320/P2160267.JPG" /></a>Here we are heading into the store-front of one of the woodworking shops.
<br />On display were beautiful kitchen cabinets, bedroom sets, mantels and various other peices of furniture.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4eIL-9O-fI/TfDw10wCEAI/AAAAAAAAAP4/fFStReujNcE/s1600/P2160268.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616253542814846978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4eIL-9O-fI/TfDw10wCEAI/AAAAAAAAAP4/fFStReujNcE/s320/P2160268.JPG" /></a>This was the gas lamp used to light the bathroom at the furniture shop.
<br />
<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br /></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-19919898222471999512011-07-31T21:13:00.000-07:002011-07-31T21:24:06.835-07:00The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxFSKrOROEA/TjYpFFs7eII/AAAAAAAAASA/pKiAqV547xw/s1600/51itHtnpGIL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635737151107463298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxFSKrOROEA/TjYpFFs7eII/AAAAAAAAASA/pKiAqV547xw/s320/51itHtnpGIL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">An absolutely fantastic movie! I just can't recommend this one enough! </div><br /><div align="center">Jonathan Sperry is an inspiration to get involved in the discipleship of young people and see what the Lord will do! </div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-71815763102412866732011-07-13T20:39:00.000-07:002011-07-13T20:54:41.569-07:00The Lost and Found Family<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPsGP2HrUNM/Th5l3lt8yJI/AAAAAAAAAR4/VKUIPWjfh0Y/s1600/51DdEpzpeaL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629048589951748242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPsGP2HrUNM/Th5l3lt8yJI/AAAAAAAAAR4/VKUIPWjfh0Y/s320/51DdEpzpeaL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> We happened upon this fantastic movie at our library one day and did not know what a special and moving story we were in for. I just love these kind of finds! What a beautiful story about the power of love in a hurting and neglected heart as well as the satisfying fulfillment involved in the giving of your life to help others in need. Time is a commodity far more precious than money, how will you spend it? Watch this movie and be inspired to spend it on others!Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-77545825650155652952011-07-04T08:18:00.000-07:002011-07-04T09:45:46.938-07:00Happy Birthday America!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UuMcjH-XWc/ThHhViW3M8I/AAAAAAAAARw/LAasOeXAu0I/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625525169678660546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UuMcjH-XWc/ThHhViW3M8I/AAAAAAAAARw/LAasOeXAu0I/s320/images.jpg" /></a> Happy Independence Day Everyone! In honor of this day, I thought I would share some of my patriotic posts from the past (mostly from my old blog). I hope you all have a beautiful celebration of our awesome nation's birthday!<br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/351072/">Our Form of Government</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/403320/">Our Form of Government Part 2: The History of our Form</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/654919/">Communism's 3-Step Plan</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/725189/">How long has the US been funding Communism?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/723978/">The Bay of Pigs: A Lesson for Every American</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/712602/">A few things you may not know about the Federal Reserve</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/775136/">The Real Solution to our Nation's Problems</a><br /><br /><a href="http://underhisconstruction-mandi.blogspot.com/2011/05/going-green-environmentally-aware-or.html">Going Green: Environmentally Aware or Economically Lucrative?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://underhisconstruction-mandi.blogspot.com/2011/04/either-by-bibleor-bayonet.html">Either by the Bible....or the Bayonet</a><br /><br /><a href="http://underhisconstruction-mandi.blogspot.com/2011/02/role-and-duty-of-patriot.html">The Role and Duty of a Patriot</a><br /><br />Here is a bit of a review I did on Glen Beck's book 'Common Sense':<br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/711651/">CommonSense</a><br /><br />And here is a series I began and never got past the first post (sigh - maybe I will get to it yet):<br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/403320/">I Choose Liberty....Do You? (Part 1)</a><br /><br />And last but not least, here are some posts on an issue that every American citizen needs to be aware of and involved in fighting against:<br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/783122/">True or False (Part 1)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/783132/">True or False (Part 2)</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-noW4CDbtNr8/ThHhVuayrAI/AAAAAAAAARo/VvOhsUTwKdw/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625525172916366338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-noW4CDbtNr8/ThHhVuayrAI/AAAAAAAAARo/VvOhsUTwKdw/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-7049251368925394252011-06-30T19:27:00.000-07:002011-06-30T19:56:11.042-07:00Contending for the Faith<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkVHgXncRBg/Tg0x02l-JuI/AAAAAAAAARg/Xj8St3laQqU/s1600/Contending-For-the-Faith-DVD-Library_sm.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624206293733353186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkVHgXncRBg/Tg0x02l-JuI/AAAAAAAAARg/Xj8St3laQqU/s320/Contending-For-the-Faith-DVD-Library_sm.jpg" /></a>Lookie, lookie what my amazing and wonderful parents got me for my birthday! It is an <a href="http://www.alwaysbeready.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=1">incredible set</a> of apologetics DVDs by Charlie Campbell of alwaysbeready.com. I just got it the other day and am already on number 7 titled 'Hell Under Fire'. Every single one I have watched so far has been excellent (my favorite has been 'Amazing Evidence for the Trustworthiness of the Bible')! Each presentation is about an hour in length and covers the basics in a very easy to follow presentation. My kids, ages 7 - 13, have had no problem understanding as they listened alongside me. These will most assuredly be watched again and again with lots of note taking; notes that will be carried in my purse with me everywhere I go so that I will ALWAYS BE READY. <br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is a list of the topics included:</div><br /><div>1. The Importance of Defending the Faith</div><br /><div>2. Evidence for the Existence of God</div><br /><div>3. All Roads Do Not Lead to God</div><br /><div>4. Amazing Evidence for the Trustworthiness of the Bible</div><br /><div>5. An Examination of Apparent Contradictions in the Bible</div><br /><div>6. If God is Loving, Why is there Evil and Suffering?</div><br /><div>7. Hell Under Fire</div><br /><div>8. My Top Five Questions (renamed “How to Respond to Critics”)</div><br /><div>9. The Case for the Resurrection </div><br /><div>10. The Lost Tomb of Jesus</div><br /><div>11. Six Cures for the Fear of Evangelism</div><br /><div>12. Islam</div><br /><div>13. Jehovah’s Witnesses</div><br /><div>14. Mormonism</div><br /><div>15. Roman Catholicism</div><br /><div>16. The New Age Movement</div><br /><div>17. Judaism</div><br /><div>18. Buddhism</div><br /><div>19. The Emerging Church and the Battle for Truth</div><br /><div>20. The Deity of Christ</div><br /><div>21. Answers to Skeptics‘ Top Five Questions</div><br /><div>22. The End Times: Ten Upcoming Events in Bible Prophecy</div><br /><div>23. The Case for a Pretribulational Rapture</div><br /><div>24. The Second Coming, Preterism, and the Book of Revelation</div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-64610953857091760782011-06-23T19:38:00.000-07:002011-06-23T19:52:54.574-07:00Tucker: The Man and His Dream<div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC_8iHrIxWo/TgP6uwSlHYI/AAAAAAAAARA/GnLFsxPnfkE/s1600/51JYWW7A9ZL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621612441032269186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC_8iHrIxWo/TgP6uwSlHYI/AAAAAAAAARA/GnLFsxPnfkE/s320/51JYWW7A9ZL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> Do you believe that we have a TRUE free enterprise economic system in the United States? Think again. This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tucker-Man-Dream-Jeff-Bridges/dp/B00004Y62V/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1308883315&sr=8-3">true story</a> will show you exactly how much our government (in patrnership with large corporations) intervenes, controlling who and what will succeed. Great teaching tool to use with your kids! Highly recommended!<br /></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-31327483156003884172011-06-14T06:05:00.000-07:002011-06-14T06:24:18.346-07:00The Island on Bird Street<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IDURVa04EE/TfddxDxme_I/AAAAAAAAAQw/tKSlCN57WTs/s1600/51EvCNWRIgL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618062157576305650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IDURVa04EE/TfddxDxme_I/AAAAAAAAAQw/tKSlCN57WTs/s320/51EvCNWRIgL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Island-Bird-Street-Patrick-Bergin/dp/B00116GEFM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1308056832&sr=8-2">The Island on Bird Street</a> <br />Based on the true story shared in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Island-Bird-Street-Uri-Orlev/dp/0395616239/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308057091&sr=8-1">children's book</a> by Uri Orlev, this kid version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pianist-Adrien-Brody/dp/B000FVQLRA/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1308057204&sr=1-1">The Pianist</a> (another amazing story of survival, but with lots of very foul language) is an amazing story of survival during the Nazi holocost. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this touching story and were inspired by this little boy with a pet mouse and his incredible ingenuity. I highly recommend this movie!<br />BUT...not without first warning that it is rated PG-13 for violence..AND there is one scene where the little boy's naked backside was exposed while taking a shower.<br /></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-39953306311926637942011-06-09T12:29:00.000-07:002011-06-09T12:44:45.286-07:00A Shine of Rainbows<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTcsnyoWnCg/TfEgHP4TxPI/AAAAAAAAAQY/_lXF_rhWZO8/s1600/51x1CnG7b4L__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616305519201600754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTcsnyoWnCg/TfEgHP4TxPI/AAAAAAAAAQY/_lXF_rhWZO8/s320/51x1CnG7b4L__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shine-Rainbows-Connie-Nielsen/dp/B004IY6A0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307647899&sr=8-1">A Shine of Rainbows</a> <br /><div align="center">Precious story about an orphan boy that is adopted by a childless couple in Ireland. The film brings to light what being loved and accepted can do to transform lonliness and timidity into joyfulness and confidence in the heart of a child. Warning though, this one had my 7 year old unexpectedly start sobbing. But, giggles came through the tears as he looked around at each of us to find that he was not alone. Have tissues handy. A great movie, but may be emotionally heavy for little ones.</div></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-5241807483031645612011-06-03T08:16:00.000-07:002011-06-06T16:04:28.282-07:00Our Cross-Country Road Trip 2011: Have You Dug Wall Drug?<div align="center">If you have ever driven through South Dakota, then you will know that you can't pass through without stopping at Wall Drug in Wall, SD. It is a must! I mean, any place that goes to such great lengths to promote themselves must be worth the stop right? And advertise they do! Here are just a few of the signs one encounters along I-90 for hundreds of miles to the east and the west of Wall. The signs were so cute, I had to snag a few pictures of them. And even though I snapped these on the fly and they didn't really turn out very well, I just had to share them with you..</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614434008215692322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVgwF0RW5nc/Tep5--KRpCI/AAAAAAAAAPI/WofBEd-Ds28/s320/P2140224.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614434017145053906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haQ6WzbrRRM/Tep5_fbM4tI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/eoNkXQx0SZA/s320/P2140222.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614429048231685410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVn_CdK9f6w/Tep1eQx77SI/AAAAAAAAAPA/VQZFyxeI7n0/s320/P2140225.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">After hours of seeing the signs, which increased in number the closer we got, we finally arrived, and were by no means disappointed. It really was a cute place and definitely worth the stop (and break from the long ride!) Here is the storefront, which really does not show how big the place is as it takes up an entire city block (or more).<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614429046762294642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YSkGOroHGM/Tep1eLTmzXI/AAAAAAAAAO4/GCzvPZj--X8/s320/P2140226.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">This picture is just inside the main entrance; there were several entrances though.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614429036489063170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjc6zvh5LEY/Tep1dlCRuwI/AAAAAAAAAOw/d0HKiVhRJtM/s320/P2140227.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>There were all kinds of cute shops and restaurants and such inside. The store fronts were really cute.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614424593641052978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p40HMQKgqAE/Tepxa-IxGzI/AAAAAAAAAOo/06ARcLvMmfA/s320/P2140228.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />In the center of all of the stores is a courtyard with all kinds of funny what-nots (for lack of a better word). Here are the kids on the jackelope...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614424587994165010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXeCzYkY9D8/TepxapGcbxI/AAAAAAAAAOg/OMCrRIvVfRs/s320/P2140230.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614424579797436450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IDMbg3dG9g/TepxaKkMSCI/AAAAAAAAAOY/EsVeIhHSRL0/s320/P2140233.JPG" /> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This next trio of pictures cracks me up! The boys all wanted to ride on this merry-go-round, they wanted to, that is, until the camera came out! Ha ha! Owen was not phased and smiled for the camera. Cole, in the next shot, is giving me a warning that I had better not be taking a picture of him! And in each of the shots you can see that Garrett is showing how he was 'forced' to get on this stupid contraption and was certainly NOT enjoying it...AT ALL.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614416774955995826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3loakc_LnI/TepqT3Q_ErI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/pnPyu1_IBDc/s320/P2140234.JPG" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614416772307377970" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLySLZ4BaIg/TepqTtZgXzI/AAAAAAAAAOI/tR7VxLlQxtg/s320/P2140235.JPG" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614416763143063426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy95WEDPaHA/TepqTLQkB4I/AAAAAAAAAOA/NPbnrxAf088/s320/P2140236.JPG" /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is Liv making friends with a buffalo..<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614022256604625938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjvzqafT4bs/TekDf34OPBI/AAAAAAAAAN4/9uT3Sd_dw-k/s320/P2140238.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This dinosaur was fun, but nothing compared to the awesome dinosaurs we were going to see at the Creation Museum.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614022249430424610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhOk4wD9BhQ/TekDfdJwnCI/AAAAAAAAANw/RQse8LZOjCc/s320/P2140240.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The piano playing, singing gorilla was really cute..</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614019027640335282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nF7auh1acTA/TekAj7DJO7I/AAAAAAAAANo/oMuPW7uC8OM/s320/P2140241.JPG" /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614019020991982018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7wtZCiFE48/TekAjiSDacI/AAAAAAAAANg/sdfJlzvU5lQ/s320/P2140242.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Dad was also enjoying making new friends...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614015381334533970" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pufuPL-wPs/Tej9PrgGJ1I/AAAAAAAAANY/IRPubt4zhaU/s320/P2140243.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614015372103485954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkW2YhvHAd4/Tej9PJHPigI/AAAAAAAAANQ/nG4Gr5EAT3A/s320/P2140244.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>So how about it?<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614434015375629906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNTaSV3MsVo/Tep5_Y1VnlI/AAAAAAAAAPY/s7DNVfc98ps/s320/2106015704_b3decf01dd.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-4852358503408911582011-05-25T07:42:00.000-07:002011-05-25T07:48:44.945-07:00If God is for us, who can be against us?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVNwLWn51uk/Td0V8zGwjmI/AAAAAAAAAM0/yb3cn-HUd5c/s1600/arabs_vs_israel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610664845028396642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVNwLWn51uk/Td0V8zGwjmI/AAAAAAAAAM0/yb3cn-HUd5c/s320/arabs_vs_israel.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZElfIKXQAW4/Td0V8u4k46I/AAAAAAAAAMs/mOoI5wrolkw/s1600/72522_1390330168558_1541232242_30867733_2993949_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610664843895169954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZElfIKXQAW4/Td0V8u4k46I/AAAAAAAAAMs/mOoI5wrolkw/s320/72522_1390330168558_1541232242_30867733_2993949_n.jpg" /></a> </div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-86024379889807484662011-05-23T10:52:00.000-07:002011-05-23T11:47:50.191-07:00Peaches and Cream Baked Oatmeal<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6N8_83FrFQ/TdqoO-S0z9I/AAAAAAAAAMk/XGME56pM6NU/s1600/P3120823.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609981261036965842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6N8_83FrFQ/TdqoO-S0z9I/AAAAAAAAAMk/XGME56pM6NU/s320/P3120823.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Have you ever made something so yummy that you would add it to your menu if you ran a restaurant? Well, 'Peaches and Cream Baked Oatmeal' would definitely be on my breakfast menu and could probably even make the dessert menu! A few years ago a friend of mine gave me a recipe for baked oatmeal, and also a taste of the batch she had made that morning. I had never had baked oatmeal before, but one bite and I was hooked! Oh my, is it good! Of course, being my typical self, I had to make some adjustments to suit my own tastes and to test how easy it was to make exchanges based on what I have on hand. I love a good recipe that can be adjusted to what is in my pantry! So, without further ado, here is my own version of the recipe complete with alternative ingredient options:</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Peaches and Cream Baked Oatmeal</div><br /><br /><div><br /><blockquote><br /><p>-3 cups oats<br />-4 t. baking powder<br />-1 t. salt<br />-2 T. flour<br />-1/2 cup oil or melted butter (coconut oil is a healthy and yummy<br />option)<br />-3 eggs<br />-1 cup sugar or 1/2 to 3/4 cup honey (the original recipe called for 1 1/2<br />cups sugar which I found to be way too sweet, you may want to adjust this to<br />your tastes as well)<br />-2 t. vanilla (or more if you like)<br />-1 qt. canned peaches, drained with the juice reserved (the original recipe<br />calls for 1 pt. but since I can my own peaches in quarts, I use the whole thing.<br />If you are deprived and have to buy your peaches at a store, then by all means<br />do use a pint instead, but know this, I am very, very sorry for you!) </p><br /><br /><p>-2 cups cream or milk (for those counting their calories use milk if you<br />must)<br /><br />-Additional cream (whipped preferably) or milk to serve with (a dollop<br />of sour cream or plain yogurt work also).<br /><br />Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Add enough water to your reserved peach juice to equal 2 1/2 cups. Add peaches and other wet ingredients to the peach juice and whisk well, until eggs turn a bit foamy. Add wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredients and again, combine well. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until browned and the custard is set. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes to let it thicken even more. Top each serving with whipped cream and serve! Enjoy!</p></blockquote></div><br /><br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-33356907210187115662011-05-21T18:40:00.000-07:002011-05-21T18:43:17.311-07:00Our Cross Country Road Trip 2011: Mt. Rushmore<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609332368722112322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5eHE8QKink/TdhaEeDIL0I/AAAAAAAAAL8/QUs2ErB28bw/s320/P2140210.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609338873263617218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7N7jK5XOoo0/Tdhf_FWq9MI/AAAAAAAAAMM/a7tZtIU91QU/s320/P2140211.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">After our visit to <a href="http://underhisconstruction-mandi.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-cross-country-road-trip-2011.html">Deadwood, South Dakota</a>, we traveled on and stayed the night in Rapid City, South Dakota. The next morning we headed down through Keystone and on up to Mt. Rushmore. It was so foggy when we got there that we weren't sure if we would get a glimpse of the presidents or not, actually I didn't even know what direction to be looking for them it was so foggy. The attendent at the entrance told us that it had been this way the day before also, and had not cleared off until after 11 that day. We decided to chance it and take some time at the gift shop and book store first. The first stop at the book store/ranger station was fun. They had some great kid's history books, as well as some wonderful books of quotes from Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt and Jefferson. AND they even had a little hardback copy of the U.S. Constitution for sale as well! Next we headed up to the lodge and bought some cocoa and coffee. While we were drinking these and watching out the window for just a slight glimpse of even just one of those famous faces, the sky all of a sudden began to open up and slowly, minute by minute the fog began to clear away! God is so good to us!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Going....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607464791302973874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cIfOAGiRqM/TdG3hKAfqbI/AAAAAAAAAKM/krRsjeZzuds/s320/P2140192.JPG" />going....</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607464796655062498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTCEWtmuWC4/TdG3hd8iDeI/AAAAAAAAAKU/L-Y-IDNIXVI/s320/P2140193.JPG" /> going.....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607469971935003266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCtRUD-9J7Y/TdG8OtXbAoI/AAAAAAAAAKc/DdP1tEl9VD8/s320/P2140198.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">GONE!</p><br /><br /><p align="center">And the sun made an appearance too! Indeed, God is so good! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607469975451491778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipE6Zf0bn_4/TdG8O6d0XcI/AAAAAAAAAKk/Uvogn_nUNKk/s320/P2140202.JPG" /> </p><br /><br /><p align="center">A closer-up view <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608122268730097458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUvLI1oKq88/TdQNfYSdfzI/AAAAAAAAALU/TebKXfAwj9M/s320/P2140201.JPG" /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center">Borglum: The mastermind behind Mt. Rushmore...</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608115914864867026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5h7y7jTOBTg/TdQHtiS8NtI/AAAAAAAAAK8/swVTkPjmAQo/s320/P2140189.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Garrett beamed Levi in the forehead with a snowball...you can't see the red circle, but you can see the drops of water still on his glasses. : D<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609187732414495074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyQNab8L-LY/TdfWhh0LeWI/AAAAAAAAALs/ZmUOlsTmerI/s320/P2140204.JPG" /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Remember this walkway from 'National Treasure 2'?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609187719861088082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGvx0aUUCc8/TdfWgzDNr1I/AAAAAAAAALk/3aMmM4GOJ8M/s320/P2140203.JPG" /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">A few other visitors that day</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609338859197917666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A-113LvNZ0/Tdhf-Q9JaeI/AAAAAAAAAME/oyoImS9f6d4/s320/P2140209.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">The beautiful lodge where we got some cocoa and coffee.. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608115923337435602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zljdxYMSVEs/TdQHuB29WdI/AAAAAAAAALE/P2FCbmqvZf8/s320/P2140190.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608122263790434818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxKmLPTyaTY/TdQNfF4wOgI/AAAAAAAAALM/OuopFZHMOjM/s320/P2140199.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608111087284103010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IenOAb8TJtQ/TdQDUiJ_p2I/AAAAAAAAAKs/kpeeepc1LcU/s320/P2140187.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608111094483308242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUaXkRslH1o/TdQDU8-aztI/AAAAAAAAAK0/oTHnXMR1P2o/s320/P2140188.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We saw these two mountain goats as we were leaving the Rushmore parking lot.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609346324301164658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoJXD2tLis4/TdhmwyodMHI/AAAAAAAAAMU/NMLLkbpIgU4/s320/P2140212.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">From Mt. Rushmore we headed down towards the Needles Highway, but since it had snowed the night before the highway was closed due to dangerous driving conditions. </div><br /><br /><div align="center">I took this picture on the road between Rushmore and Needles.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609346335477039410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_nMtyy0_q0/TdhmxcQ_gTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/rmuB6u2otDw/s320/P2140221.JPG" /></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-61810452844071202932011-05-18T13:02:00.000-07:002011-05-20T15:51:27.509-07:00Going Green: Environmentally Aware or Economically Lucrative?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xvXJBNLsQM/TdbtwL28mlI/AAAAAAAAALc/t6n5IDf1VWU/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608931798009289298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xvXJBNLsQM/TdbtwL28mlI/AAAAAAAAALc/t6n5IDf1VWU/s320/images.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I bet you thought that 'going green' was all about helping out the environment right? Not so for </div><br /><div><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370001/General-Electric-avoids-paying-tax-entirely-dodges-incentives.html">General Electric</a> who makes mega moola off being 'environmental contientous'.</div><br /><br /><div>Samuel David Meyer, in his <a href="http://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/2011/05_11.html">Last Trumpet Newsletter, May 2011</a> edition, had this to say:</div><br /><br /><div><br /><blockquote>"Green" seems to be everywhere we turn these days. Automakers are trying to sell<br />us "green" cars, stores are trying to sell us "green" appliances, and<br />politicians in Washington are pushing for "green" energy. These days it has<br />become popular to label anything considered environmentally friendly to be<br />"green." While I am no fan of pollution and I don't mind recycling my used cans,<br />I also know a gimmick when I see one. The truth is that if you can brainwash the<br />public into thinking they are helping to save the planet by purchasing your<br />"green" products, you can earn billions of dollars in profits. Corporations can<br />also earn tax credits and other special considerations from the government by<br />adopting environmentally friendly policies. That is one of the reasons why huge<br />companies such as General Electric can get away without paying income tax.<br />Instead, General Electric receives a rebate from the government worth 3.2<br />billion dollars. "</blockquote></div><br /><div>Now I hear that the <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2011/05/17/whos-up-for-50-light-bulbs/">price of light bulbs</a> is going to skyrocket to the tune of $50 a piece, thanks to good old Uncle Sam. Aren't we all so thankful that he is also doing his part to protect us from <a href="http://www.patnsteph.net/weblog/2010/08/the-truth-about-energy-saving-light-bulbs/">inefficient light bulbs</a> and other 'hazards' to the environment? I wonder if our government will benefit monetarily from these $50 lightbulbs at all? Hmmm? I don't know for sure, but I would be willing to bet my bottom dollar (or should I say $50) they do!</div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-34198751579365294252011-05-18T12:01:00.000-07:002011-05-18T12:01:57.559-07:00Is Bible Prophecy Being Fulfilled Right Now?<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cibfji37Lwo?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-67865399866846310582011-05-08T07:59:00.001-07:002011-05-16T12:39:15.443-07:00Our Cross-Country Road Trip 2011: Deadwood, South Dakota<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wesM1H2BEos/TdF35M9dCBI/AAAAAAAAAKE/fXRE2mi1-EE/s1600/P2220712.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607394835668207634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wesM1H2BEos/TdF35M9dCBI/AAAAAAAAAKE/fXRE2mi1-EE/s320/P2220712.JPG" /></a><br />Deadwood was officially our first destination on our trip, though we ended up staying here again on our way back home. What a fun little town this was! Any fans of the wild, wild west will find Deadwood to be a must-see destination. Being the home of the fatal shooting of Wild Bill Hickok, it is full of American history, some good and some not so good. In the saloon where Hickok was shot you can even see his final hand of cards he was holding when he died.<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We started out at the train depot turned museum and visitor center to get the low down on what were the best attractions to see.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607390845699754722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Utf_aaDndU/TdF0Q9K2CuI/AAAAAAAAAJs/phXuCzVUK5Y/s320/P2130183.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Here are some pictures from inside the old station.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604433930848245762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dRNsmoLcmAU/Tcby929bGAI/AAAAAAAAAHk/-XTI5srMIi4/s320/P2130173.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604432029336997106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SRa_NKUBdA/TcbxPLR0DPI/AAAAAAAAAHc/64MlHq5fnm4/s320/P2130171.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">After that, we thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the main street of town where the buildings have been restored to look exactly like you would picture them to look back in the day with a bit of modernity mixed in. </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Here are some pictures from the downtown area. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607394828490136434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSa7JwN8QDo/TdF34yOEW3I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Q3_tY52Nwnk/s320/P2220707.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607390852476889938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVhynnzJFok/TdF0RWao61I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/v0WmciMAEJQ/s320/P2220701.JPG" /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604365857629922978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-fkWtw4Z5U/Tca1Dedb5qI/AAAAAAAAAG8/8hl1TBxSI0c/s320/P2130179.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607387181831219522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZgie3N7JOw/TdFw7sMg6UI/AAAAAAAAAJk/VR8L1JPZU18/s320/P2220703.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607384157044323394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAI6b-nYCFM/TdFuLn_HtEI/AAAAAAAAAJU/DSDatjf_gYw/s320/P2220696.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607384153997128882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNJQY-0Q_Mc/TdFuLconNLI/AAAAAAAAAJM/n_qwqnR8e3A/s320/P2220702.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607364942970305378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlpSm4i-OtY/TdFctN-5O2I/AAAAAAAAAIk/mP0uaHqBZd8/s320/P2130180.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607364936189778194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoTrWX8uhyI/TdFcs0uSmRI/AAAAAAAAAIc/iaJXAyt5n_Q/s320/P2130181.JPG" /><br /><br />Our last stop of the day was at the Adam's Museum, where we learned all about the history and famous historical figures of Deadwood. Very nice museum! The basement had a wonderful section devoted to the Haas family, one of the first official pioneer homeschool families (I say official because they actually had paperwork from the state naming them as a homeschool family). The mother wrote many published articles about homeschooling and educational philosophy. She was very much in favor of learning mostly through exploration of nature, as well as reading, reading and doing some more reading. They had built an extensive home library, some of which was on display at the library. Very cool!<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607387177311829842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0zMlmSAiZo/TdFw7bXAf1I/AAAAAAAAAJc/aBMVBdJxYto/s320/P2130182.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Here is the beautiful old courthouse next to the museum.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607377486699392098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYHySutvdyo/TdFoHXA9bGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/h6mtp75tmVU/s320/P2220708.JPG" /></p><br />This was the only picture we were allowed to take inside the museum. These were life-sized pictures of some of the famous miners and gunslingers of Deadwood; look how short some of those old miners were!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607369719892555282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3f4UwlckbA/TdFhDRZ6NhI/AAAAAAAAAIs/mY56SbKUACQ/s320/P2130186.JPG" /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-10394405118304535642011-04-21T11:42:00.000-07:002011-04-21T12:16:13.340-07:00Yes, God is GoodPlease grab some tissues and head on over to read my friend Dana's latest post, <a href="http://roscommonacres.com/2011/04/is-god-good-2/">Is God Good?</a>. As I read Dana's heartbreaking, yet beautiful words, I am reminded of a song my daughter has been singing lately...<br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NJrcwzBlaXw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NJrcwzBlaXw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">May each and everyone of you find peaceand comfort and joy as you reflect upon God's goodness and amazing love, this Ressurection Sunday, that was illustrated as He, our King, willingly gave His Son to die on that cross for us.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><em><br /><blockquote><em>"</em>For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever<br />believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16</blockquote></em>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-41034271053121916582011-04-13T12:27:00.000-07:002011-04-20T21:33:15.668-07:00Either by the Bible...or the Bayonet<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHmoP40ZACU/TaY2eOTHzGI/AAAAAAAAAGk/uElDbwi7qJU/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595219479916694626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHmoP40ZACU/TaY2eOTHzGI/AAAAAAAAAGk/uElDbwi7qJU/s320/images.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>"All societies of men must be governed in some way or other. The less they may have of stringent State Government the more they have of individual self-government. The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint. Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or the bayonet." -Honorable Robert Charles Winthrop (1809-1894), Massachusetts orator and legislator</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>This world would define freedom as the ability to do whatever you want. But is this definition Biblical? God's Word teaches us that sin puts us in bondage and truth sets us free. So freedom isn't about doing whatever you want but rather, it is the result that comes from choosing to do what is right; choosing to live by God's truth. This definition also applies to civil government. When a country has citizens that govern themselves by choosing to do what's right, then very little external government is required, but the opposite is also true, when the citizens don't choose to do what is right, more and more external government is needed. Our Founder's knew this well and that is why they felt that there was no better school text than the Bible for instructing children in righteousness to maintain a free nation.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><br /><br /><p>"In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed.. No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people." -Noah Webster</p><br /><br /><br /><p>"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. " - George Washington</p><br /><br /><br /><p>"The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty....students' perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens, better fathers and better husbands." - Thomas Jefferson </p></blockquote></div><br /><br /><br /><div>How far from this we have come! First <a href="http://www.whatyouknowmightnotbeso.com/graphs.html">prayer was removed</a> (make sure to scroll down through all of the shocking statistics) in 1962 and a year later <a href="http://www.accordingtothescriptures.org/biblelessons/bibleremoval.html">public reading of the Bible</a> in school was banned, now <a href="http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=76714">teachers are not allowed to have a Bible in school</a> and <a href="http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54150">Bibles can't even be handed out on a public sidewalk</a> near a school. Is it any wonder that the 'bayonet' is being needed more and more often to control our <a href="http://chestnuthilllocal.com/blog/2011/04/13/when-public-schools-attack/">'out of control'</a> youth? How sad for all those children who are no longer hearing the Truth that will set them free! Now I am not a proponent of government run education in the first place and certainly would not want my child being taught something contrary to my faith, say like <a href="http://www.almightywind.com/fastfood/schools/islam4.htm">Islam</a>, but my main point is that the evidence clearly shows the necessity of God's Word in every child's education if we want America to once again be great. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. In the fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there. In her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits, aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." -De Tocqueville </blockquote></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-45559621845536177042011-04-11T16:58:00.000-07:002011-04-12T09:34:51.464-07:00My Mother's Secret Ingredient<div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eflW58et0Yg/TaOYdNHMQBI/AAAAAAAAAGc/XBeO2tS1ThY/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594482789627740178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eflW58et0Yg/TaOYdNHMQBI/AAAAAAAAAGc/XBeO2tS1ThY/s320/images.jpg" /></a> <br /><blockquote><br /><p><em>"In the childhood memories of every good cook, there's a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot, and a mom." -Barbara Costikyan</em></p></blockquote>Growing up I remember enjoying helping my mom in the kitchen. I loved helping run the Kitchen-Aid when making goodies like zucchini bread and cookies. I loved helping mom stuff the manicotti pasta tubes with her yummy cheese filling. I loved helping roll out egg noodle dough into big thick chunky noodles to go into her wonderful homemade chicken noodle soup. I remember the funny things that happened, like once when I thought vanilla must be the most delicious drink in the world because it smelled so good and my mom encouraged me to try a taste and then had a good laugh over my reaction. Another time I remember my mom dropping some eggs on the floor and then proceeding to slip and fall in them. The time I spent in the kitchen with her is so precious to me. Even after going to culinary school, I can honestly say that what I learned at school doesn't hold a candle to the things I learned growing up beside my mom in the kitchen. Not only because she is a skilled cook, but because she used a special ingredient in everything she made that can't be bought at a store or taught at an institution; love. The same secret ingredient that her mother used, and her mother's mother used. And anyone who has tasted it knows exactly how yummy love tastes. My kids can tell you because most days you will find them in the kitchen with me helping with meal preparations. Another generation of good cooks in training. Another generation of love being passed down. Today my Olivia made the egg noodle dough, my Garrett cut the carrots, onions and the celery, my Cole rolled out the pasta dough, and my little Owen cut it into big, chunky noodles. I stirred it all together and we all sat down together for a great big bowl of love for dinner. It was delicious, as always.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-43069108591186929702011-04-08T08:16:00.000-07:002011-04-09T12:39:55.678-07:00My Most Favorite Parenting Resources Ever!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tl6f7Pfrcv0/TZ8ymuIJfwI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Ph0kzA9oDvQ/s1600/511RqlrDEWL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593244903016070914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tl6f7Pfrcv0/TZ8ymuIJfwI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Ph0kzA9oDvQ/s320/511RqlrDEWL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> <br /><div align="center">A few years back, the Bradleys spoke at our local homeschool conference and boy did they have an impact on my heart! I did several posts (<a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/509425/" rel="bookmark">here</a>, <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/510677/" rel="bookmark">here</a>, <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/512604/" rel="bookmark">here</a>, and <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/underhisconstruction/525439/" rel="bookmark">here</a>) at my old blog sharing what lessons God had for me through the Bradleys. This book is chock full of valuable child-training wisdom, especially for parents of younger children. I have bought many copies of <a class="title" href="http://www.amazon.com/Child-Training-Tips-Reb-Bradley/dp/1579570003/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302279234&sr=1-1">Child Training Tips</a> to give away to friends.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuvEJan4OaM/TZ8ymXDsDUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/3rE28lJnni4/s1600/41ZYFT4A4TL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593244896823348546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuvEJan4OaM/TZ8ymXDsDUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/3rE28lJnni4/s320/41ZYFT4A4TL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> A fantastic <a class="title" href="http://www.amazon.com/Safely-Home-Tom-Eldredge/dp/1929241488/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302279742&sr=1-3">read</a> about the value of the Hebraic model of child discipleship. Here is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3C209LDQ9JD3F/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1929241488&nodeID=283155&tag=&linkCode">wonderful review</a> at Amazon for you to read.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RH8IBUD--j0/TZ8wE40x6gI/AAAAAAAAAF8/4p-bFHWZ7dc/s1600/20750_m.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 88px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593242122748815874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RH8IBUD--j0/TZ8wE40x6gI/AAAAAAAAAF8/4p-bFHWZ7dc/s320/20750_m.jpg" /></a> I just can't recommend <a href="http://www.solvefamilyproblems.com/">the audio teachings</a> of S.M. Davis enough! Especially <a href="http://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/?productid=20750">this set</a> (pictured above), as well as <a href="http://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/?productid=58785">this fantastic teaching</a> that had my daughter (our oldest child) in tears when she listened to it!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593242140502376866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz1LEdsfuzg/TZ8wF69jwaI/AAAAAAAAAGE/3fniyTStiCI/s320/414N8XHYQWL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Now <a class="title" href="http://www.amazon.com/Third-Alternative-Christian-Self-Government/dp/1591602327/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302283099&sr=8-1">this particular book</a> may not seem like it has much to do with parenting, but it absolutely does. Just as all sin falls under the umbrella of pride, all issues in life find themselves under the umbrella of government. Getting the Biblical principles of government down is the key to examining all other issues, like parenting, through a Biblical lense. Don't believe me? I challenge you to read this book. This is on my all-time favorite books list!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593242118548352898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8G0aJrAtnNc/TZ8wEpLT74I/AAAAAAAAAF0/WDR-jSgMxys/s320/Front%252520large2.gif" />The title alone is too cute to resist, but the meat inside proves it to be an invaluable parenting resource. The whole idea of 'tomato staking', that is working, living, playing, breathing along side them throughout each day, is something God has taught me over the years. Raising and discipling children is about building realtionships with your children; something that can't be done without spending the majority of your time with them. </div><br /><div align="center">Don't want to spend more money on another parenting book? You don't have too, the author, L. Elizabeth Krueger, has posted all of the contents on <a href="http://raisinggodlytomatoes.com/">her website</a>.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593238939508874370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fk5PjTY_PWY/TZ8tLmVPHII/AAAAAAAAAFs/MCCH4zCAHm4/s320/fiir.jpg" />I have absolutely loved <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/">this ministry</a> since the first day I was introduced to them years ago. Absolutely fantastic resources! And <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=15">this book</a> is my very favorite! I have used this to plan lessons, to plan activities and projects, to use when disciplining my kids, and so much more. I just recently purchased a second copy because my first one was so worn out. Buy it. You won't be sorry....Oh and I can't continue without also mentioning how much I love <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=15">their charts</a> too!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593238937773405778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVfw5pHCcXs/TZ8tLf3d9lI/AAAAAAAAAFk/o6CjDyDIQU4/s320/41PFN8JBVDL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I just love the cover of <a class="title" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Count-Three-Heart-Oriented/dp/0972304649/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302285390&sr=1-1">this book</a>! And I love the practical instruction inside even more. We are not seeking for our children to learn to be controlled by us so that they will do what is right, but instead we need to actively be working to gain their heart in why we do what is right. God's Word is the only tool that will successfully do this. Plowman's book is a fantastic guide that shows you how to use God's Word to reach your child's heart in practical everyday situations. Couple this with the previous book, For Instruction in Righteousness, and you are well-equipped to train up your child in the way he should go.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOkyzaIGGUI/TZ8tLbg9_WI/AAAAAAAAAFc/CJ5bJudsKQY/s1600/41C46DKGSHL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593238936605293922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOkyzaIGGUI/TZ8tLbg9_WI/AAAAAAAAAFc/CJ5bJudsKQY/s320/41C46DKGSHL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a class="title" href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Child-Unlocking-Leader/dp/1579218555/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302293374&sr=8-1">No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child</a> is one of those books you read when you need a pep talk; reading it is like going to a pep rally for parents! The author is very blunt, holding back no punches and it is refreshing! Her words ring true over and over - so many things God has been teaching me over the last several years were reaffirmed as I read this. Fellow parents - we have a great responsibility that is not to be taken lightly. Our children are extraordinary beings created by God for an incredible purpose and we get the privilege of raising them up to be the leaders that they were born to be! Parent on purpose for the glory of God! </div><br /><div></div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-draoBqpIafc/TZ8tK2RYD6I/AAAAAAAAAFM/IQ5WeaQ45ik/s1600/31zmK25ZrfL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593238926607781794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-draoBqpIafc/TZ8tK2RYD6I/AAAAAAAAAFM/IQ5WeaQ45ik/s320/31zmK25ZrfL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a>Maybe I am a sucker for book covers, I don't know, but I love one as well. The kid's face says it all. This is an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Whining-Complaining-Attitudes-Your/dp/0877883548/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">excellent book</a> about instilling an honoring and respectful attitude towards all others in your children and in yourself. The authors share lots of personal experiences from their own families, and lots of practical ideas for how to bring honor into different situations we often encounter, such as how to make a respectful request to someone in authority over you, and ways to develop a habit of honor in the home. The back even has a fun family study guide to help introduce the idea of honor to your little ones. <br /><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-79271214034389600792011-04-05T14:30:00.000-07:002011-04-06T08:15:30.114-07:00Meaningful Math Fun: Our Sweet Treats Shop!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592217477843480722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VM7rU2WOcE/TZuMKtGXcJI/AAAAAAAAAEU/K_-pHwCRuZs/s320/tiny-treats-craft-photo-260-FF0507CLAYA06.jpg" /> <br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">A few months back the kids and I made some of these adorable little clay <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-treats-709138/">sweet treats</a> that I had seen in an issue of Family Fun Magazine many years ago. My kids have always loved playing store and I knew they would especially love running a pretend sweet treats shop! The kids had so much fun and did a terrific job making....</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592219293961652082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVoArBUlK24/TZuN0aqrh3I/AAAAAAAAAEk/yvWbh4rw3C0/s320/caramel-apple-craft-photo-260-FF0507CLAYA22.jpg" /> <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-treat-caramel-apple-672671/">Caramel Apples</a> and...</div><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592220302116294770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X79s3tofxIQ/TZuOvGVekHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/39KTzWShWpI/s320/lollipop-pink-craft-photo-260-FF0507CLAYA16.jpg" /> <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-treats-lollipop-672640/">Lollipops</a> and... <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592221177509062882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhYDu-4U4EE/TZuPiDbYKOI/AAAAAAAAAE0/DVT_pjo94a0/s320/cupcake-craft-photo-260-FF0507CLAYA15.jpg" /> <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">even this adorable little <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-treats-cupcake-672632/">Cupcake</a>!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Of course the teacher in me saw an opportunity to interject some math skills practice into this fun idea and was thrilled to find that one of my favorite brand of toys had <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Play-Money-Set/dp/B0007OF234">this great play money set</a>! </div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592225385589623714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRj4kRU2fPQ/TZuTW_v9y6I/AAAAAAAAAFE/4lCMLQyqvJo/s320/51EenIEkHfL__AA300_.jpg" /> <br /><div align="left">My emphasis in teaching math to my kids has always been to build their ability to do quick mental math. There are so many different strategies and methods for manipulating numbers in your head in order to make quick mental calculations. For subtraction, one of the methods I have taught the kids is how to work your way from the smaller number back up to the larger number; in a sense, they learn to subtract by adding. Well, it just so happens that this is exactly the process done when a cashier is counting back change. It just made sense to teach the kids this quick mental subtraction method in this practical everyday way that they could relate to, become skilled at, and possibly use someday should they ever work as a cashier! Hooray for fun and meaningful ways to teach math!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Some what are some ways that you make math meaningful and fun for your students? </div><br /><div align="center"></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-36250275857365654812011-03-31T12:02:00.000-07:002011-04-09T17:41:54.739-07:00Displaying Precious Heirlooms<div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590328329343861506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfcU8mAwinw/TZTV_yhYAwI/AAAAAAAAAD0/KMPIEBEr7ak/s320/P1140047.JPG" /> </div><br /><div align="center"><br /><blockquote><em>"The most coveted heirlooms are those that took a skilled hand, untold hours, and lots of love." -Laurel Pulvers</em></blockquote></div>My Great-grandma Jane was a very talented lady, but not just in your ordinary everyday kind of skills like sewing and cooking, though she was very gifted in those as well (she could make a mean berry pie!), she knew how to do unusual crafts like pine-needle basket-weaving, shell art and tatting. After Grandma Jane passed away, my Grandma Sene (her daughter) made sure that all of the grandkids and great-grandkids were given some of her handi-work. I have one of her baskets and have had no problem making use of it and displaying it for all to see her precious work. The intricate and beautiful doilies that I was given, on the other hand, have not been diplayed, but instead tucked away in a storage container. As I was organizing my sewing stuff the other day, I came across them once again. Guilt overwhelmed me as I looked at her beautiful work. They needed to be displayed. I remembered that Grandma Sene had solved the dilemna of how to display them by laying them on black velvet and framing them. I didn't have velvet, but I did have some black felt that might work. And I just happened to have two large, black frames to use as well. I think the results turned out wonderful! <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590330667527543906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ai3E4Aj3YfA/TZTYH47znGI/AAAAAAAAAD8/8FQ2JwpF2NE/s320/P1140048.JPG" />Here is a close-up</p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590332400326669362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0JTu6JE32k/TZTZswHT9DI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Tkn8gdyADHw/s320/P1190049.JPG" />And here is the finished product up on the wall! </p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><div align="center"></div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-6800961275011753802011-03-27T18:13:00.000-07:002011-03-27T19:44:45.814-07:00From Death Comes Life<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fMBlNqRJ31s/TY_kaVn46KI/AAAAAAAAADs/5yAFQrK3sBE/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588936803722258594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fMBlNqRJ31s/TY_kaVn46KI/AAAAAAAAADs/5yAFQrK3sBE/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a> <br /><div align="left">I love when God brings some new idea for me to chew on; think on; contemplate. He gives me little bite size pieces at a time and slowly those little pieces start fitting together and I begin to see a bigger picture; an underlying principle that He is revealing to me. </div><br /><div align="left">A few months back I was thinking about one of the great paradoxes of the Bible where Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:39 and again in 16:25 that if we want to find our life we must lose it for His sake. The idea here is that if we will die to ourselves, our goals, our ambitions, living for ourselves, and instead live our lives for Him, give our whole self to Him, that is when we truly live. Simple put, from death comes life.</div><br /><div align="left">Over the next few weeks more examples of this 'from death comes life' principle began to jump out at me; examples from nature. Being from farm country we witness the life cycle of wheat year after year. The plants start shooting up out of the ground in the spring, making the countryside come alive with the beautiful green life it is producing. On through the summer this life continues to grow and grow into tall stalks that wave their life across the hillside. Slowly, though, as summer fades, so does the life within these stalks. The once green, life-filled plants turn golden and become brittle in the late summer heat. Soon they are completely dry and dead. Yet within this dead plant is a seed that will be planted again and from it life will once more come forth. Jesus tells us of this in John 12:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." </div><br /><div align="left">It is really, truly amazing. From death comes life. </div><br /><div align="left">The more I thought about it, the more I realized that nature's life cycle is full of examples of this same truth. Dead plants and animals rot and decay into beautiful, rich soil that provides life and nourishment for new growth, which in turn dies to provide sustenance to animals and people. It is woven into our very existence.</div><br /><div align="left">Another example that came to mind was that of Christian persecution throughout history and around the world today. The areas where Christians are the most persecuted and often dying for their faith is where Christianity is most likely to spread like wildfire. Not only that, but these seem to be the very places where the church body is the most alive. Christians in China pray for Christians in America to undergo persecution so that we would become on fire for Christ rather than continuing in the lukewarm existense we seem to be in.</div><br /><div align="left">I remember reading the amazing story <a class="title titleHover" href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Compromise-Story-Keith-Green/dp/1595551646/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301277715&sr=8-1" jquery1301277724515="68">No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green</a>. Such an amazing life Keith Green lived and this book has had a great impact on my life. As I have been contemplating this newfound principle, I was reminded of this book. Keith Green was involved in a very impactful ministry that he heavily endorsed to the youth that came to his concerts. I can't remember the exact details or even the name of the ministry, but what I do remember and has stuck with me is that after Green's death the amount of youth volunteering for the ministry skyrocketed! From his death came new life to this ministry and in these young hearts. I even remember that his wife Melody, who wrote the book, quoted John 12:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">This is just one of so many examples through history where life came from death. BUT of all these examples, the most <strong>profound</strong> and <strong>important </strong>example of this principle is found in the Gospel message; Jesus died that we may live. From His death comes life for those who accept it as payment for their own death-deserving sins.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center">"This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us." -Hebrews 10:20</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Have you found life in Christ's death? Read <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/knowgod.cfm">here</a> to find out more.</div>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281867353593343595.post-90243209351493135352011-03-26T15:30:00.000-07:002011-03-26T15:33:13.386-07:00Are You a Good Person?<iframe title="YouTube video player" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TCSUKIhjevo" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe>Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166791611132497968noreply@blogger.com0