Update on the Russian Baby

I've posted a picture of my dear friend, Ann, and her new baby, Chance, hunting eggs with us at Easter. And I volunteered to update her blog for her - but I never got the time (until now - I've been updating my own for a little while this morning).

We have had the privilege of knowing this family and praying with and for them for over a year. We count them as precious. I Love this family!

So here, the link to her blog, which FINALLY got updated (thanks other dear friend of Ann's). The last 3 post there are new (since I last sent you there).

And here is one more of sweet Chance!

 

PS - Love you bunches Ann. Can't wait to see you again!

GRTL State Pro-Life Oratory Contest 2013

Franklin County Right to Life and Lake Hartwell Right to Life sent local oratory* contest winners to the state contest held April 20th. You can read about our winners here.

*Oratory = that's speech giving - big important talking in front of others - like an "oral report"


There were six wonderful contestants.

Georgia Right To Life State Oratory Contestants 2013

Miss Jin Sol Kim's speech "Why I am Pro-Life" won the contest. She is a lovely young lady from Korea who currently resides in Atlanta. And WOW! Great job! Great Story! Great gal!
Our own Mr. Will Smith IV's speech on Euthanasia won SECOND PLACE.
Miss Kim will go on to the National Competition in Dallas, TX in June.

Will and "Jenny"

I was very proud of all the speakers. What a great, smart, well spoken group of young people.

Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.

Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

~Proverbs 31:8-9 ~

A field full of yellow flowers that has nothing to do with this post
but I took it yesterday and think it's pretty.
What are these plants?

The Kentucky Trip

Five years ago we learned about a place called the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky, and we wanted to go. Really REALLY wanted to go.
Well, after all these years, we went. WOOHOO! (You grandpersons, hold tight. Total cute overload ahead).


We have arrived.

First we caught a lecture called "Microscarium" and got to look at dirty pond water under a microscope - MOST of us thought this was neat-o. At the end the the boys got to "drive" the big expensive microscope and the Daddy got to speak to the wonderful (78 years young) scientist. And we discovered that people really do have skeletons in their closets - this scientist takes his out and shows it off. So we got a gander.


Skeletons in the closet.

Since it was a beautiful afternoon (and it was thinking about raining the next two days) we decided to tour the gardens and petting zoo. (Nana, your gonna love this!)


Sweetness!

In the bog.

Some old people.

Sneezy, looking pretty.

"Take my picture!"

Vogue



Children on a rock.



Pretty tree.

Pretty flower.

The baby, walking tall.

The tall one sitting.

At the back of the garden is a small petting zoo. I made a new friend (and now want a camel of my own - perhaps to live beside my Hobbit Hole).

MY favorite part! I LOVE this camel.

Leaving the petting zoo with my gaggle.

And some more garden.



Everyone looking in the same direction.

This DUCK was DUCKing behind the grass.




Tranquil.

Then we went to the Cottage in the lovely, peaceful, little town of Petersburg, KY. If I have to ever live in a "city" I'd like this one, please.

The Cottage and Bob

 We were right across the street from a church built in 1840 and the Ohio River was a short walk away. So Tuesday morning . . . we went down to the river to play.


Skipping stones and other items

Just throwing rocks (we all brought rocks home with us).

 And we took a little walk around town. The perimeter of the town is only 1 mile.

Daddy and the baby boys

Then we went back to the Creation Museum.

Working in a coal mine.

Looking for fossils



AHHHHH! A Dinosaur!

There were shows to watch, lots of history, a walk through Genesis 1-11, and a beautiful presentation of the gospel. Of course we have other pictures in the museum - but you'll just have to go check it out yourself (or come see us, one of our lovely tour guides would be glad to present the slide show to you). OR . . . pay for gas and lodging and we'd be more than happy to take you with us when we go again. When do you want to go? We can be ready in just a few minutes.

We really could have stayed in Petersburg MUCH longer and just enjoyed being there. But we left Wednesday and meandered our way home.
We made pit-stops in Rabbit Hash, Big Bone Lick State Park, and the Kentucky Horse Park.

Papa at the Kentucky Horse Park

These stops would have been WAY more fun if it wasn't so wet, windy and COLD!
If we had a do-over on the trip home we would have stayed the night at the Hashienda in Rabbit Hash, just because you can. We'd bring ponchos and do the walks at Big Bone Lick so we could see the bison, alive and in person/animal. And we'd take a whole, much warmer day to do the the Horse Park (even though they promote evolution. Before we got out the Daddy warned the kids that the park didn't teach creation the way we believe - they interpret the evidence differently. Elijah was impressed that Daddy knows everything - we didn't tell him that Mama told Daddy).
Basically, we'd do it all over but take at least a week and catch some Daniel Boone stuff on the way home too. We were very glad we brought comfortable shoes. We did LOTS of walking.

Wanna learn more about this fun stuff (and see more pictures - besides ours) click on these links:
Creation Museum SUPER COOL!!!! We did the Family Membership and saved. You should totally go meet my regal looking, camel friend.
Deborah's Guest House We LOVED the cottage - and had plenty of sleeping room. She has other properties near by- just as sweet!
Rabbit Hash The mayor is a dog. A pretty collie named Lucy Lou. But we didn't get to meet her. We did meet the homeschool family that was working the General Store and bought some candy.
Big Bone Lick State Park Nice little museum with lots of bones (you don't get to lick any of them but you can TOUCH a mammoth's tooth). Also, non-creationist. Not great in the rain. (pictures from here are on Gene's phone and when I try to download them the computer freezes up - another reason to just come see us).
Kentucky Horse Park We enjoyed the INDOOR museum(s) and the Kid's barn was VERY hands on. We even got to pet Ace, a fat miniature pony, and take a chilly, horse drawn trolley ride. Bad weather is not Horse Park friendly. You could spend a full day here seeing all the horsey things they had to see. It's a horse lover's paradise.

And we ate at Cracker Barrel. That was a WONDERFUL end to our doings.
We're glad to be home and look forward to all that's ahead.
Feeling mighty blessed by God!

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened

with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you,

being rooted and grounded in love, 

may have strength to comprehend with all the saints

what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

~ Ephesians 3:14-19 ~

Snagglepuss

Sunday evening Jorja lost ANOTHER tooth.

She likes to brush the teeth she has left.

Omni Fair

Monday we participated in our homeschool group's Omni Fair. Each child got to pick something that they wanted to share a presentation about. When I signed up the six school kids last Thursday I asked them to list some things that they have done, that we all have enjoyed, or some hobby that they'd like to share.

They listed off several things and we narrowed it down to three and I let them work in teams.

Ava and Autumn shared about Community Bible Study.

Ava is weird and played with her hair the whole time she was talking.
She also had to go first.

We will take their presentation board to CBS with us on Wednesday. I can't begin to explain the difference that being involved in CBS has made on me, the kids, and even Gene. Our whole family benefits.

We have three more weeks left in the Gospel of John before summer break. Aug. 28th we start back studying the book of Acts. If you can get here come join us. If not, move.

(Or you could go to here and find a CBS group near you).

 

Elijah and Alex shared about our annual Easter Play.

We all really enjoy doing this and entertaining people in our home. Plus, Easter is my favorite holiday. So you know when the kids suggested this as a presentation they got bonus points with the teacher.

 

Apparently my kids love History. Who knew?

It is really fun. Sometimes.

Lora and Jorja shared about one such fun time. They called it "History In Blue" and talked about the Roman and the Celts.

I (of course) did a post about this which you can see here. Lora wrote out her short verbal report and I'm very impressed.

"We studied about the Romans and Celts. We call it The History in Blue.
The Celts painted themselves blue. The Celts are going to scare the people away."

It was great to see what all the children chose to share. We had a nativity collector, a trip to New York City, a book report, Teen Pact, all about forestry, snares, how to make a fly for fishing, Davy Crockett, Amy Carmichael, and chickens. They were all interesting.

 

Oh, the little boys shared about coloring and driving toy cars on all the lines on the floor of the gym.

 

Here's the group.

Then we drove up Hwy 29 for a while to go shopping at the Bargain Food Store and spent a lot of money on food (but we saved a bundle!) I still have to go to a regular store for a few things.

 

When we got home Angel Cake took Zoie for a walk.

 

And other then eating Pot Pies that I got for 75 cents each  that's about all the news for Monday.

Closet Treasure

Saturday I pulled all the clothes out of the attic that MIGHT fit some small body this spring and summer. And began stacking and bagging all the things that MIGHT fit some small body next time it gets chilly.
While I was in the attic I found the box of little precious things that I just can't part with. The things that aren't in the top of the linen closet but made it all the way in the attic. Which made me think, "Hey, I could get all those dresses out of my closet." They are not my dresses. They don't currently fit anyone and even if they did . . . well, we'd just have to see about that. A couple of dresses from my childhood and pretty dresses the girls have worn as flower girls.
And of course, we have to "Oooohhh" and "Awwweee" over them before climbing in the attic with them.

And we found a treasure.
This beautiful, white, stained up, size 7 dress. I don't know where it came from. It's not from any wedding I remember.
So, little girls have a new dress-up dress. And we (yes, me too) LOVE dress-up.

So, between trips to closets and dressers and the attic we had to take a few pictures.

Lora got to wear it first.

 And Little sister had to join in.

Don't you love that they had a "flower girl" in the middle?

And some other girls

 

And a boy.

I don't have pictures of the little girls playing Legos on the floor with the little boys in their fluffy frocks while I cleaned out winter clothes in the boys room. TOO CUTE!
You'll just have to come play with us to see such cuteness. (Dress-up optional, but preferred).

Jorja got a turn to wear THE dress Sunday. But it was raining so we took pictures in her room.

 Still have no idea where this dress came from. But I do know that some little girls are going to get a LOT of use out of it.

Let's all go to the movies . . .

Looking for something to do this weekend?
You could help me pull summer clothes out of the attic and put up SOME of the winter clothes.
Or (after we do that) you could go see this movie:

Not Today: The Movie

Or if you feel like sitting at home (and you have Netflix) you could watch this movie:

Meant to Be

 

And then, after you blow your nose, you can watch some old Jimmy Stewart movies. Thats always fun.
Or you could pray.

The Body of the Wounded Healer

I've been reading.
I'm thinking that this particular post is one that might linger awhile un-published.
But I'm thinking that IF I have been given this Good Grace, that if I'm "normal" - if I've not experienced anything that hasn't plagued someone else - or everyone secretly - I should pass this Good Grace on.
Because . . . We cannot BUT SPEAK the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20)

You've got to have a TEST before you have a TESTimony.

That's what I learned this morning.

I've ranted today about "Frilly Pantie Faith" - the cushy, froo-froo, mountain top faith we are afforded in a "free" America where the worst of persecution is someone saying something - throwing some verbal stone - that ruffles our pretty all important emotions/feelings and makes us UNHAPPY.

So your unhappy? Big deal.

There is no fire.

But then I was reading.
This frilly pantie faith causes fires. Unseen. Destroying fires in the soul. Searching fires that leave you with out breath and alone.
And no one smells the smoke. Except the one who's soul hurt. Whose mind reels. Who may need a crutch.

I met with ladies for lunch today to fan the flames of the fire set in my soul to HELP. To reach others with the Good News Of Grace for ALL. To reach out to those hurting. Alone.

But I've experienced the destroying fire. Because Satan whispers lies like striking matches in a gas tank. And that great deceiver wants to pull us down.
And we ask "WHY?"

And we forget the one who made us and knows  . . . everything . . . hasn't forgotten us. Has a perfect plan. (Jer. 29:11) That we who believe can have joy - just keep believing. (James 1:2-8) That life happens and will strengthen our faith and make it Genuine. (1 Peter 1:2-9) Just hang on!

And then reach out. And keep hanging on.

And ignore the lies.

I've never planned my death.
Not in detail.
I've thought about it.
And I'm chicken.

But I understand when the matches keep striking. And your the only one who can smell the smoke.
And it seems better to jump from the 34th floor of the burning building than to be eaten alive by the flames.

And I read What Christians Need to Know About Mental Health.
And she's honest. Real. And she shares her pain. And she reached up and found that Good Grace that can quench consuming flames. And she's reaching out.
And she didn't do it alone. She had a help. And God used perfectly fine medication to clear the smoke so HE could speak to her soul. And she found rest. Joy. Peace.

And Satan keeps knocking. He's sneaky.
And he knows our past. Those few regrets. Skeletons in the closet. Imperfections. - they lite the quickest and never burn.

BUT MY GOD has removed them. As far as the East is from the West.
I fall at His feet and ask forgiveness. AGAIN.
And He says, "My child. I don't know what you are speaking of. I have no memory of that. Its buried. Done. Forgotten. FORGIVEN. Arise my love. My princess. My beloved. Joint heir with my only begotten. I LOVE YOU! Never forget. Go. Love show my love."

He loves me.
Just some crazy lady. Some nobody to most of the world. Someone worthy to the ONE who loves. Just LOVEs. Just because HE loves us. (John 3:16) Unworthy.Yet. . .

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love, 

may have power,

together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure

of all the fullness of God.

~  Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV ~

 

Here's my hand. We'll hang on together.

Pro-Life Oratory Contest 2013



 

 This is the stuff that I had piled (neatly) on the school table Saturday night so that I would not forget to take anything with me.

Water, certificates, judging sheets, tally sheets, rules, more rules, ideas, entry forms, winner forms, timers . . .
Still had to get the table clothe and some brownies.

We held our contest at Bible Baptist Church in Royston. What a wonderful place to hold stuff.

I was a little stressed about our judges because my 2 judges became 1 judge the beginning of last week. I made frantic phone calls and e-mails. Had word sent to all retired teachers in 2 counties and the whole Franklin County Rotary Club.
NO takers.

Saturday morning I pulled out the big guns and called our precious friends, Mr. and Mrs. Bridges. So, Mrs. Bridges called her son, Mr. John "Chip" Bridges, State Director of Agricultural Education, and told him to do it. And he DID!

I figured that I could be that 3rd judge and quit stressing.

But then, a dear lady from Community Bible Study, and also a retired teacher in Stephens county called me, "Do you still need a judge?" "YES! You wanna help?" "Maybe." But that "maybe" was a yes and I had my last judge, Mrs. Sandra Clark.

So they sat with my sweet, little pastor, Rev. Jason Defoor and judged our contestants.

All TWO of them.

I was hoping for six, expecting four, and got two. But at least that made it a little competitive.

First up was Miss Abby Harrison. A homeschooler and daughter of the Hart County, Lake Hartwell Right to Life Chapter.

 Her speech debunked certain attitudes about the horrors of abortion.

Then, Mr. Will Smith, IV. Also, a homeschooler.

He spoke about euthanasia and the elderly.

I was so proud of them both. (We'd have more pictures but again, my camera battery died - poop).
The scores were tallied and . . . drum roll  . . . Abby won first place by 3 points.
They both got some money and a certificate and we are sending them both to the state contest in two weeks. Because we can. Abby from Franklin Co. and Will from Hart Co.

UPDATE here's a picture of the judges judging

Couldn't have picked a better panel of judges. Just goes to show that God works
all things for GOOD - only I think these several people are pretty GREAT!

In other news  . . .
Saturday the children and I got to go spend the afternoon with our dear friends the Petitts. The boys tried to beat each other to death with swords, Anne played with my new hair cut - and made it look really good. The littles played in the sand - and everywhere else. The big girls wondered around, sometimes following us, sometimes keeping up with littles, and sometimes running through the woods with the boys like wild Indians (or angry Romans or Medieval worriers . . .)
And we all got to love on little Chance. I can't believe how much he's growing and learning. And what a good hugger!
I reminded Anne that she's not updated her blog - so she told me to do it. So, its in the works and when I'm done I'll share the link with you all.

Gene is doing GREAT in his schooling. He is still taking Math (the class before the class you have to take before you can take an actual collage level math class - but he is now doing math for fun and understands his dorky wife a little better). And an Evangelism class - which he loves.
Two classes at a time keeps him a part-time student, keeps the money flowing, and is all he (we) can handle.
He is still preaching every Friday evening at the Nursing Home - and we all go. At the end of our time he goes around and speaks and prays with each one in the room. Week before last a man prayed for him. It was lovely. This week, a lady got saved!!!! And it's the only time we'll see her. She was just between other places. So, ya'll pray for Mrs. Donna and her New life.

We took Spring break last week and this week we are back to the old routine. Mostly. Today went well. Mostly.
And now its time to find something to eat for supper.
Ya'll be good.