Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Weekend


We had a wonderful long weekend with company and had our BOLD celebration! That was a lot of fun and will not soon be forgotten!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Our 2nd Letter to Compassion International

The first letter was ignored. This is my second attempt. To read about this story in our blog, click Flor de Maria.

This is the second letter I have written Compassion International in an effort to make sure the child I sponsor (XX-XXX-XXXX) is being cared for properly. She wrote me a letter dated 4/22/2010 stating that she had been in the hospital for a week with herpes. She is 13. I think we can safely draw the conclusion that someone has caused this child harm. I am asking someone to please look into it. If you can't for some reason, then write me back and let me know. But at least take the time to let me know if something can and is being done for her. If we truly have compassion for our neighbors, then we can't just ignore something like this. I have to try and asking Compassion to look into it is the only way I can help her. 757-xxx-xxxx contentmentacres@xxxx.xxx

UPDATE: I received a reply today:

"Thank you for your e-mail and allowing me the pleasure of assisting you today.

I do see that we did receive an e-mail from you on June 8. A compassion representative responded on June 8 by asking you to send us a copy of the child's letter and we will be glad to research your concern further with our El Salvador country staff. I apologize if you did not receive the response. ....(contact info)...."

Condom distribution policy starting in elementary school at Provincetown, Mass.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/06/22/2010-06-22_condom_distribution_policy_starting_in_elementary_school_at_provincetown_mass_.html

Condom distribution policy starting in elementary school at Provincetown, Mass.


Sex education starts early, especially if you go to elementary school in Provincetown, Mass.

That’s because the school committee has unanimously adopted a condom distribution policy beginning as early as first grade.

According to the Provincetown Banner, the program requires that students speak to a school nurse or trained counselor before receiving condoms.

The committee also directed school leaders not to honor demands from parents who object to their kids receiving protection.

Some members on the committee were wary because the program requires that students speak to school officials first.

But Beth Singer, the school’s superintendent, said she wanted to guarantee younger students get information on how to use condoms because there is no age limit.

“We’re talking about younger kids,” said Singer. “They have questions they need answered on how to use them, when to use them.”


Be very careful of the rights you are giving away parents. Fight for your parental rights or lose your children to the system. Even if you are, for some twisted reason, OK with them giving your 6 year old a condom, think of the other things you might not be OK with them teaching your child.

A condom won't even FIT on a first grader.



He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Around Here

Today, we've been doing as much of the weekend house work and yard work as we can in preparation for company and our Bull's Eye Bold weekend.

On the 2nd, Emily will turn 3. I am planning her cake and party. I am thinking PRINCESS! I am going to make another attempt at potty training her. I had her almost trained and then she regressed because of Hannah. She does like going to the potty in the travel trailer though. I might take a weekend and spend it out there with her. I have to say the toilet in the travel trailer is the perfect size for her!

I spent some of yesterday and this morning capping herbs for Clint and I. I love working with the herbs. I know their potency and freshness because I have seen, smelled and touched the bulk herb. While I've been taking them, I've not been as consistent in taking supplements so I am going to make a better effort at it. Hannah is still nursing and my body needs that support.

About buying your herbs in bulk: If I see light touching herbs, I know they have not been stored properly. The herb companies I use ship their herbs in dark plastic bags to keep the light out. They should be stored that way on the shelf too. I store mine in quart sized canning jars in dark cabinets. Heat, moisture and light are enemies of medicinal herbs.

The shuttle bus is in the shop with a bad bank of solenoids in the transmission. Now, I have no idea what that means and I had to Google solenoid to make sure I was spelling it correctly. It is still under warranty. The mechanic said a defective bank comes out of the parts manufacturer ever so often and this should fix it. We have to wait a week for the part to arrive.

We are still working out arrangements to take the cow back to the farm to be bred. Clint has made a lot of inroads in getting the cow to trust him. She walk right up to him to eat out of his hand now. The calf is still skittish from it's escape, but I will keep working with her.

I know the days get long and hard sometimes, fellow mothers. Keep looking to the Lord for strength and help. When you are discouraged, put on praise and worship music. Renew your mind! It's not housework, it's making your home a clean and comfortable place for those entrusted to your care. Motherhood done properly can be the farthest reaching ministry you will ever do. I don't want you to just exist as a mother and wife. I want to see you thrive and shine!!



Psalms 5:11-12 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Our Gang




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History Texas Roadhouse Way



Texas Roadhouse in Yorktown, VA features their version of John Trumball's Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.
It seems Andy the Armadillo was an important part of our country's history :-)!

Our family enjoys this restaurant. All nine of us can eat for $80. It's noisy so if our family becomes boisterous, I don't have to worry about disturbing other guests. The music isn't something I'd choose for my children to listen to, but again, the noise in the place covers it. The floors are covered with peanut shells, so if the babies make a mess, it doesn't matter.

The children and I took Clint here for Father's Day.
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Monday, June 14, 2010

Bible Study




This is one of my favorite family times. The dialogue back and forth between our family members enriches all of our understanding. Even the younger children ponder deep issues and come with questions and remarks.
Clint comes alive when he is sharing God's Word, especially when he sees people "getting it."
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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Wild Animal Burrows



I looked in my copy of Tracking and The Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign written by professional wildlife consultant and animal tracker, Paul Rezendes, who is considered a leading expert in the field, and learned this is probably a skunk burrow that was made close to the children's play area. I have not found any tracks or scat around the sites. I've managed to find a few more of these...the hard way. This particular site was dug out more where we had removed a post. My Junior Trapper, Amanda, is very excited! A skunk is one of the few things she has not been able to catch and release in her Havahart Traps. In this case, I am OK with her being disappointed. If she does catch one though, I will rise to the occasion and help her all I can.

The book has color photos of each animal, pictures of its feet, drawings and pictures of tracks and trail patterns they leave, pictures of burrows, scat and other useful information like where to look for lays. All of my children LOVE this book! I've had it for about two years and have not had a chance to really look at it until today. The children have kept it constantly moving around the house!
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