October is over!

It's November already! A lot has been happening in the last two weeks. I'll have to think hard to fill in any important blanks between the last post and this one.

Life Chain was scheduled for Oct 4th but it was raining (and had been raining) really hard. Some people in our area had no power. So, as a county, 5 towns, we rescheduled to the 25th. It was a big hit!

As we came to a stop in the driveway at the end of our big, monthly shopping trip I had an epic flat tire.
Thank you smallish persons who like to play with EVERYTHING, including but not limited to bricks and cement blocks, and who were told REPEATEDLY to not have such things in the driveway because your mother thinks she can straddle such. She can't.

At least we were home.
We only had one spare.
Its time for new tires anyway.

Papa was scheduled to have knee replacement at the beginning of the month but it got rescheduled several times and was on the 19th. Everything went GREAT! But the last two weeks I've had to be devoted to Papa nearly full time (and when I do get to be at home napping is the thing that happens).
He went to stay at a local Rehab place until his get'along gets along better.

Breakfast with Papa 10/22/2015

The week of surgery I was also teaching at Community Bible Study. I'm still in wonder at how God worked all that out. He really was in my comings and goings and interactions with others and my time. He brought the whole thing together - and once again - it was not me. Ain't it grand to be a vessel used for God's glory.
And I'm sure, I learned the most that week. (and I quoted Shakespeare to make a point).

from Community Bible Study, Romans Lesson 10

Papa gave us a scare the next Sunday evening. His leg was HUGE and swollen and tender. So, just in case it was a blood clot we had him carried to the ER.
By the way, when I grow up, I now want to drive ambulances, cause they GET to go fast - I had a great time following Papa to the hospital in the middle of the night - FAST! Woohoo!

I did NOT have a great time at the hospital. I was pretty sure by the next morning that they would soon have to treat at least two people for dehydration and starvation. It was a LONG sleepless night.
Thankfully, it was a bad case of cellulitis. That's a new word for me. It's an infection of the skin and tissue just under the skin. Which was really painful, but with some antibiotics not life threatening.

Last week, the children and I were going to learn (again) lots about the Protestant Reformation leading up to Reformation Day!
What's Reformation Day? Well, on October 31, 1517 . . . you can just read more about there here & here.
But between all of the doings with Papa - and subsequent naps, and praising God for a helpful, loving husband and BIG kids, we didn't.
BUT . . . a sweet friend told us about some other like minded theologians.
So we went and partied with the folks at Heritage Presbyterian in Royston.
It was GREAT, easy on Mama's, well done games and some humorous drama with "Tetzel and Martin."

Stained Glass - because "the church" was the Roman Catholic Church (Catholic = universal)
There were a few "heretics" (like Wycliff & Huss) but they didn't live long.

Luther was studying to be a lawyer but got stuck by lightening,
prayed to St. Anne (alleged mother of the virgin Mary)
and became an Augustinian Monk.

Luther, through study and teaching the scriptures, found fault with the teachings of "the church"
- especially when a dude named Tetzel came around selling indulgences.

Illuminating Scripture with a Monk
& the humorous exchange between the indulgences hawking Tetzel and smarty-pants Luther.

Knock down the False Teachings & the 5 Solas Toss

 There was also a throw the Papel Bull in the fire - but I didn't get a picture of that.

Hunting in the shooting gallery (Black Forest?) & Translating Scripture with Martin Luther

The Cat Game (see below) & our two biggest sticks in the mud.

The little kids were in the Wartburg Castle bouncing up and down while the big kids and I were playing Bingo in hopes of winning fresh baked goods (I'm still a little miffed we didn't win the Black Forest cake).
Suddenly, there was a pretty gray and white kitty cat under our table. (Looked a lot like Henrietta Mama Cat I had when I was little). Of course this pretty kitty caught the attention of several smallish persons.
Then, it caught the attention of Josiah who ran over to me, "I want to pay da tat dame!"
"What?"
"I want to pay da tat dame!"
A wave of understanding washed over me, "Son, the cat is not a game."
But he played it anyway, until the cat got away.
That's Jorja in the purple with her back to us in the picture above (Josiah is on her left in red).
You can see the cat's head and front paw reaching over Jorja's right arm.

And then there's today.
Jacob played a rousing game of hide-and-seek with his "stuffies" this morning.
Of course, stuffies can't hide themselves. He even counted and pretended to forget where they hid (even the ones in plain sight).
Then he had Josiah "take pictures" of himself with his lined up stuffies.
So, Josiah is standing there with hands boxed in front of his face, "click, click. Click, click."
And Jacob begins to jump and wiggle and move in front of the "camera."
"You know what these are called? Motion pictures."

And the crowd went wild. (The crowd being two biggest sisters and the Mama).

We finally hit the reset button on our school lessons and began again this morning.
So, we are back at it. A new normal.

GA March for Life 2015

January 22, 2015 marked 42 years since Roe v. Wade which made abortion legal in the United States. In Georgia this year we met together, amid rumors of "pro-life" legislation on a federal level, to mourn the lose of millions of innocent lives. We rallied to encourage one another to keep fighting for those who can not speak for them selves, from conception to natural death, NO EXCEPTIONS!

This was the first year to meet in front of the capital in the new Liberty Plaza - the first event to be held in this lovely park.

some views of the crowd
(notice the red hat in the top right corner picture - that's Gene.
There is a white hat(?) to his right [your left] and then Adam's head.
They were waiting to be security guards - more on that later).

Some lovelies - clockwise: Ryan & Alex; Grandmother Joyce & Miss Judy; Brent & his Mama Melanie; Me and my Mama next to Alex and Elijah.
This was my mother's first trip to the March for Life - she is a HUGE supporter of my little "stand for life"

We got a little media coverage.

Top: Victory 91.5 was back - Joshua Edmonds from GRTL (red sweater)
Bottom: A nice looking newsman and his busy cameraman from CBS 46
(can't find a link to the TV news story)

Lots of good speakers.

Clockwise from top: GA Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols (and founder of Teen Pact) was the emcee;
Elizabeth Reed gave testimony about her little girl who was conceived in rape and is NOT an exception;
Molotov Mitchell was the Guest Speaker - dynamic fella - GREAT speaker and all around good guy (didn't agree with him on every single point - more on that later); the new band; Some of our state legislators - more showed up later.

Here's Elizabeth's testimony. I had the privledge of praying with her when she was done. 

BRAVE lady!

And here's one of that Molotov guy click here to see him.
He made a suggestion he dubed "Wave to Wave". Doctors often define the end of life when one shows no brain waves; a fetus has been found to have brain waves at 8 weeks old (gestational age or fetal age?). It's a good idea - but I'm still on the conception bandwagon.
His father raised him protesting abortion facilities. He didn't fall far from the tree. He was also shown, by his father, a video of an abortion at an early age - and he encouraged parents to show their children abortion footage as well. Of course I was questioned about this a few hours later by one of my sweet, well meaning chapter advisers. Should we be giving out an abortion video to parents?
My answer: "No."
There is a time and a place for everything. There are some people I'd like to pull aside and show this horribleness to right this minute - but my children . . .
Would I willing submit them to videos of a murder? A beheading? A rape?
In an attempt to get them to understand the evil of porn would I show it to them?
No, no, no, no.
They have vivid imaginations, when the time is right with each one we will fill in the details. When they feel called to speak out for the unborn, when they are old enough, mature enough, perhaps.
I had to watch a LOT of really ugly, heart wrenching videos when I volunteered to counsel at a pregnancy resource center - it strengthened my passion and resolve to protect the innocent.
I was an adult.
Will I ever show my children evil on video? Perhaps.
Most know it exist. Some know details.
Some are old enough to read the news. All its shocking gory details.
I will not shield them from truth. I can't. I don't.
But I treasure their innocence more than one mans opinion. And I will cleave to it as I train by example.

Delicate balance.

We were blessed to be volunteers!
Gene and Adam were security guards.
And the rest of us (along with 3 others) helped with a visual. Josh Edmonds (who may have to much time on his hands) figured out that the population of all the states who are part of the SEC (or some other sports related something) would be GONE if the abortions happened by state.
They explained it better - the population of those states = total number of abortions since 1973.
You get the idea.
We held wooden states with their populations painted on them.

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Somewhere in New England, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, ???, ???, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia (I think there were 16 states altogether - gone).
Photos courtesy of GRTL

Tim finished talking, introducing and giving directions.
Taps played. America's Song of Remembrance
We began our silent dirge.

Welcome to Atlanta; Peachtree St; Paulding County Chapter of GRTL (we need to bring our FCRTL sign next year - unless we outlaw abortion before then); A sweet mother with her three babies; marching on Atlanta (last two)

GSU is taking over Atlanta - most students were very curious, some were mildly ugly; police on horses; signs; my girls; other marchers; police on bikes

the top right is my baby boys holding hands; the other two are of our loud pro-abortion protesters. Thankfully, this year they were just loud and obnoxious and poorly informed. They wanted to stop our march and at one point we did stand still briefly as the police moved them back to the sidewalk.
They have the same freedom to voice their beliefs as we do. And they are the ones for whom we pray.
They are NOT the enemy. And when their life is on the line - we will still be praying for them as we stand by their side.
Protecting the innocent. Until natural death. No exceptions.
Pray for these.

The front of the walk (Gene and Adam on duty - orange vest to the right - they helped keep people behind the sign - they walked with the speakers - they know one lady who is very proud of them).
Photos courtesy of  GRTL.

Here's a couple more. A snapshot of part of our group during the event (courtesy of GRTL)

And part of our cute group walking back to the van.

And then we went to Chick-fil-a. 

Adam, Brent, Melanie, Judy, Elijah, Phil, Jacob, Alex. Joyce, Josiah, Ava, Lora, Autumn, Jorja, Erin, Gene, Ryan

God gave beautiful weather and wonderful friends to share the day with.
Keep fighting the good fight.

So I sought for a man among them 

who would make a wall, 

and stand in the gap before Me 

on behalf of the land, 

that I should not destroy it; 

but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:30

Miss Modesty - Being an Example

If you are an older sibling, a parent, or just anybody really you are constantly setting an example. Even though you may not know it. Have you noticed how little children immitate their parents, and are really good at mocking their big sisters..... yeah, it gets on my nerves too. If you have never been told by your parents, "You are supposed to be setting a good example", then you , more than likely, don't have little brothers or sisters.
But setting an example goes far beyond how you act in your home; who are you in the presence of the world? If you say you are a Christian, then the world should be able to see Christ in you. The majority of "Christians" - or people who say they are Christians- really don't act like it. Have you noticed? People who claim to be Christians will go around cussing, smoking, ect., ect., and doing all this stuff that isn't showing Jesus and giving our Lord a bad name.

Have you ever thought about the meaning of these letters: WWJD - What would Jesus Do? Have you ever considered applying them to your life as a guideline? I'm aware that Christ was (and is) PERFECT, and we are sooo not, and trying to live up to those high standards is impossible. But as a guideline, maybe we can accomplish something.
How do we live up to the standards that make us stand out from the world? Just take what I said earlier and restate it: Think, before you do anything, "If Jesus is watching me right now, what does He think of my actions/choice of words?" Now with that in mind, What kind of example are you setting? Are you living for Christ, or are you following the world?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that you present you bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,

which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and

acceptable and perfect will of God. 

                                                                           Romans 12:1-2

Don't you think the world would be a better place if everyone tried to what was right in the eyes of the Lord? Imagine being a light in a world of darkness. Remember that game we used to play in the pool, Whirlpool? Everyone would run in one direction until the water started to follow. And then, when you turned against the current it dragged you along with it. But, if you really tried, you were able to run against the current, it was hard, but you could still do it. And then, other people would turn and follow you until the current flowed in a different direction. Do you get my analogy? You can change the world! Well, not the whole world... but some of it.

Now you're young and you're single (possibly) and you can be an example to..... GUYS! Ew, YUCK!

Girls in their underwear

But seriously. There watching you. Muwhahahahahaha! And when you're different they see it, and they wonder at it. Most girls walk around in nothing but their underwear all day and can't live with out their boyfriends and they don't have brains and they're silly and dramatic and.... sorry, I'm sorry they're not that dumb (well, they are but that's not the point). But when you walk around in your tee-shirt and jeans and you don't care that you're single 'cause you know that you're saving yourself for the man God picked out for you, and you're smart and self-controled - it's then that people will look at you and say, "Wow! She has clothes on!" No. Well, that too... but they look at you and see a ray of pure sunshine eminating from your modest face.

When you act like a GodGirl around guys, they will find you much more attractive than the girls who have wasted themselves away.

To prove my point (that girls can be influences on boys) here is a small paragraph from a wonderful book called Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola:

   "Girls have more influence with boys than they realize. A boy who is rough and rowdy in the presence of one girl will be gentlemanly when with another girl, all because of the girl. If she is "loud" and boisterous and will laugh at his silly and offensive remarks, he will act on that level; but when he is with a girl who never smiles at that which is rude and vulgar, who is always quiet and modest in her way, he will act as he knows pleases her. He may seem to have the better time with the first girl, but he respects the other girl more." (page 167)

We are examples everywhere we go. What kind of example are you setting?

If you have any questions or comments or topics for upcoming blog post..... you know where they go.

Bookworms, you'll never guess:

Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola

God Girl by Hayley Dimarco

Music Freaks:

Let Them See You by Colton Dixon

Show Jesus by Jamie Grace

We Are by Kari Jobe

One Shot by Newsboys

Jesus Freak by Newsboys

Melon Semper,

Ava Brown

Miss Modesty - We as Young Women

This week's post is really short. I'll explain why, now.
All week I've been trying to sit down and write this post (because I do it on paper before I do it here). But, for some reason it wouldn't stick, I just couldn't think of the right words to use. But, there are two wonderful ladies who used the right words, they wrote whole books on the topic I wanted to discuss.

God Girl by Hayley Dimarco
Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola

I seriously encourage all young women to read these books. The subtitle of God Girl is "Becoming the Woman You're Meant to Be", how fitting!
I will literally challenge you to read these two books, if you do read them tell me about it in your comments.

And look, I NEED topics for blog post so, Give me some!!!!!!

A good song for this week is:
God Girl by Jamie Grace;)

Thank you!

Melon Semper,

Ava Brown

Miss Modesty - What is Love?

The dictionary has lied to us and I'll tell you how. This is the Concise Oxford English Dictionary's definition of "love":

Love- an intense feeling of deep affection; a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone

At first, you see nothing wrong with this. I mean, really, if I were to ask you what the first thing that comes into your head when I say the word "Love", you would immediately tell me, "A deep romantic affection" (or something like that). And I don't blame you because I would probably say the same. All I'm saying is that that is not the way the Book of Truth defines it.

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 it says,

Love is patient, Love is kind,

it does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud;

Love is not rude, it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs;

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth;

it always protects; always trusts; always hopes; always preserves.

Love never fails.

Wow! It would be nice to find a man like that! Real love seems PERFECT! Jesus Christ was perfect. And the Bible says that He is love.

Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is of God; and everyone who loves

is born of God and knows God.

He (she) who does not love does not know God,

for God is love.

                                                                                      1 John 4:7-8

The Bible also says to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). So, would you rather love your neighbor by the dictionary's standards.... or the Bible's? I'm just saying, 'cause, did you read the definitions?

I am positive that in order to feel the kind of love portrayed in the dictionary- the kind of love that you giggle at in books and movies- you first have to have the wonderful love described in 1 Corinthians. I would really rather not get "romantic" with someone before there is a mutual feeling, on both parts (man & woman), of biblical love. I'm only 15, so, I really don't want to pursue a romantic relationship with anyone at the present. And, since I know that those of you who read my blog are younger than I am, you don't need a relationship either. 

All of you young people in school who think you need a boyfriend to fit in, or just to make you feel good..... YOU DON'T! (I'll explain in a latter post.) Ya know, you can have friends who are boys without them being you boyfriend right?So, save your kisses and your purity by not having a "boyfriend" until you are ready for marriage. And until you are positive that it is "real love" you have fallen for.

As you begin to head into your teenage years you'll start to have strong desire for love ect.. All I can say is be strong, everyone goes through this. If you think of God as your lover ( because He is), your one and only True Love (as He should be), hopefully you will be able to persevere. 

I know I mentioned in my last blog post that He is your heavenly Father, and now I'm telling you that He is your True Love. Surprise! He's both! Weird I know. But, in Him you can find comfort and rest and throw away all your cares. As long as you give your heart fully to Him and let Him control all of your heart's dreams and desires, you should have no worries because you have placed them in the safest and most loving of
hands.

If you have any questions or comments or topics for upcoming posts, please type them in the designated space below:)

Music Freaks:

How He Loves by The David Crowder Band

Love Come to Life by Big Daddy Weave

Headphones by Britt Nicole

And a good one for last week ;P Beautiful Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli

I couldn't thinks of any good books other than the ones I posted last week. sorry.

Melon Semper,

Ava Brown

Up till now

I'll try not to overwhelm you with pictures from our recent adventures but I'm really thankful for this phone I didn't want and it's ability to take pretty decent pictures even after being run over by several cars.
I've realized I haven't blogged much this year when Ava decided that she wanted to blog. She has written a "guest post" and may have others as "Miss Modesty." We published her first post this morning. You can read it here. (or just scroll down).
We, as her parents, are VERY encouraged by her heart, her morals, her desire to help and encourage others, her willingness to be prompted by God's Word, and to fulfill those promptings in her own life (and on this blog). And that she worked on her post for several weeks and brought it to us. She might just turn out okay. (sigh of momentary relief)

Since I've started with last things first we'll just keep to it and run history backwards.
Thursday, we traveled a LONG way with the Petitt boys and their fabulous mother to Springer Mountain, where the Appalachian Trail begins and made the 0.9 mile hike up and back. It was a beautiful day for it.

Getting there and back

Ode to Springer Mountain
to the tune of "On Top of Spaghetti "

On top of Springer Mountain

All covered with trees,

Mother lost 15 pounds

when she fell on her knees.

We got to the top

There was a swell view,

Then we went back down.

And all said "phew!"

Group at the top, Trail sign from 1934, The children with Joe the hiker (got to the top with us after walking 5 days from somewhere in North Carolina), and the view from my resting place at the top (rocks make great chairs)

"Wildlife" seen along the hike: Josiah and Jacob; Jorja; Brent (resting with this old lady); Anne examining leaves with the littles (in true homeschooler fashion), the littles: Lora, Chance, Josiah, Jacob, Jorja (who was crying); and Josiah when he got to the top and did what I felt like doing.

Recently Gene had fall break from school, so we all took a break from school. We tried hard not to learn anything but that's just sorta what we do. Like on the Magic School Bus:

Miss Frizzle: Seatbelts, everyone!

Arnold: *Please* let this be a normal field trip.

All: With the Frizz? No way!

And: Miss Frizzle: Take chances, make mistakes, get messy.

So, we went camping (aka: a vacation that is really an extended field trip).

Our Camp Site 

Students finding a crawl-dad, Students at the water-wheel house,
Students with The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Statue, The Parents,
Students discovering a window in the water-wheel house.

Doing Stuff: Top: Hiking
Bottom: Square Dancing and Clogging
(the girls - most of us - joined in before we left)

Cool stuff we saw

The week before that we had school pictures taken - and then we went to Lake Hartwell and took our own.

BHA Students 2014

Those Brown girls

Those Brown boys

My "spare kid" Brent - cutie pie!

Those Brown Darlings

"What a nice little monkey," he thought.
"I would like to take him home with me."

And the week before that we stood on the side of the road for Life Chain 2014 (which we do every year).

The Daddy and some littles and Aunt Courtney

Life Chain 2014 - Lavonia, GA

We've gone on other "field trips" this year (aka: lets get out of the house and go walk around and find stuff = science/history/PE/math).

We've gone to Tugaloo

At Tugaloo 

And we've walked up a billion stairs at Tallulah Gorge.

The gang, the film, Grandfather snail, the view, the suspension bridge, the buzzard 

The gaggle, the turkeys, some plant, nearing the end (after the billion stairs)

And every Wednesday since the end of August (or since Jorja was baby) we've gone to Community Bible Study where we have and are learning LOTS!
Last Spring the Lord called this Mama to be Associate Teaching Director (ATD). The ATD (still has to look at her name tag to remember her title) supports the Teaching Director (which isn't hard since it's dear, precious Cindy), shepherd the Core Leaders (which is only hard because they are her mentors - mothers and grandmothers - but a great delight), welcome visitors (which is fun because she gets to talk about CBS and if she messes up the "first day sphill" they are new and don't know the difference), play nicely with the other leaders (Children's Director Michelle, Coordinator June, and Prayer Chairman Elinor - all sweet, smart and patient - so more delightfulness), and sometimes teach or give the weekly lecture in place of Cindy (which is overwhelming, and lots of work - time and effort and prayer - but has been a great time of being with God and having Him teach me through His Word - and the delivery has been FUN!)
I'm really enjoying this "job" God has called me to this year! I've still got a whole lot to learn but with much prayer and trust God's using "even me." He provides the words and I provide my time and stand there with my mouth open. It's amazing.

"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

I Thessalonians 5:24

If you'd like to learn what we are learning so far in Joshua and Judges or just learn more about our class you can go to the class website toccoalavonia.cbsclass.org and listen to the lectures. (I've taught Lessons 5, 8 and 9 so far).

And there's this truth:

So, I think your caught up. 

I've not posted about what we are doing in school this year or how I'm managing all nine students plus the other stuff I do. Some of it is still experimental. (And we've just finished week 11) I'll work on that post next. 

Love ya'll!