Why is America mad?
In my email recently:
Subject: MEXICO IS ANGRY
"PLEASE READ ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
Ronald Reagan
This is very interesting and if Arizona can do it, why can't the rest of America ?
MEXICO IS ANGRY!
Three cheers for Arizona
The shoe is on the other foot and the Mexicans from the State of Sonora , Mexico don't like it.
Can you believe the nerve of these people? It's almost funny.
The State of Sonora is angry at the influx of Mexicans into Mexico . Nine state legislators from the Mexican State of Sonora traveled to Tucson to complain about Arizona 's new employer crackdown on illegals from Mexico .
It seems that many Mexican illegals are returning to their hometowns and the officials in the Sonora state government are ticked off. A delegation of nine state legislators from Sonora was in Tucson on Tuesday to state that Arizona 's new Employer Sanctions Law will have a devastating effect on the Mexican state.
At a news conference, the legislators said that Sonora, - Arizona's southern neighbor, - made up of mostly small towns, - cannot handle the demand for housing, jobs and schools that it will face as Mexican workers return to their hometowns from the USA without jobs or money. The Arizona law, which took effect Jan. 1, punishes Arizona employers who knowingly hire individuals without valid legal documents to work in the United States .
Penalties include suspension of, or loss of, their business license. The Mexican legislators are angry because their own citizens are returning to their hometowns, placing a burden on THEIR state government.
“How can Arizona pass a law like this?' asked Mexican Rep Leticia Amparano-Gamez, who represents Nogales .” There is not one person living in Sonora who does not have a friend or relative working in Arizona ,' she said, speaking in Spanish.
“ Mexico is not prepared for this, for the tremendous problems it will face as more and more Mexicans working in Arizona and who were sending money to their families return to their home-towns in Sonora without jobs,” she said. "We are one family, socially and economically," she said of the people of Sonora and Arizona . Wrong!
The United States is a sovereign nation, not a subsidiary of Mexico , and its taxpayers are not responsible for the welfare of Mexico 's citizens.
It's time for the Mexican government, and its citizens, to stop feeding parasitically off the United States and to start taking care of its/their own needs.
Too bad that the other states within the USA don't pass a law just like that passed by Arizona . Maybe that's the answer, since our own Congress will do nothing!
New Immigration Laws: Read to the bottom or you will miss the message.
1. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools. * * * * * * * *
2. All ballots will be in this nation's language. * * * * * * * *
3. All government business will be conducted in our language. * * * * * * *
4. Non-residents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here. * * * * * * * *
5. Non-citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office. * * * * * * * *
6. Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. Any burden will be deported. * * * * * * * *
7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount at least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage. * * * * * * * *
8. If foreigners come here and buy land... options will be restricted. Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for citizens naturally born into this country. * * * * * * * *
9. Foreigners may have no protests, no demonstrations, no waving of a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. These will lead to deportation. * * * * * * * *
10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively hunted &, when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be arranged. All assets will be taken from you. * * * * * * * * *
Too strict? The above laws are current immigration laws of MEXICO !
These sound fine to me. NOW, how can we get these laws to be America 's Immigration Laws?
One final issue. Polls show that over 80% of our population supports Arizona 's new laws. Certain Businesses and States want to Boycott Arizona because of these new laws. I say, let them do so, but lets get that 80% who agree with Arizona to boycott those states and those businesses. Then we will see who wins this debate."
(BettySue here: I believe allowing people who break our laws to get here to stay here is a slap in the face to every person who has jumped through the hoops to come here legally! We must not tolerate law-breakers)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
It's a bad school day ...
...when you have two children in tears before lunch. One copied the wrong scripture and the other cried for no apparent reason. Sigh.
This one made me cry. For every mom out there. Now its time to go make a better school day
'Sustainable' Poverty: The Real Face of the Leftist Environmental Agenda'Sustainable' Poverty: The Real Face of the Leftist Environmental Agenda Environmentalism is the new religion fo the Left and is used as a wapon to achieve their tyrinical goals.
This one made me cry. For every mom out there. Now its time to go make a better school day
'Sustainable' Poverty: The Real Face of the Leftist Environmental Agenda'Sustainable' Poverty: The Real Face of the Leftist Environmental Agenda Environmentalism is the new religion fo the Left and is used as a wapon to achieve their tyrinical goals.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Should we judge or not?
It is normal on any given day for me to read several people saying "We shouldn't judge." And though the Bible says in many places to not judge, I think it is being misinterpreted (since many places also tell us to judge).
The issues addressed range from homeschooling vs public school, daycare vs mommy care, breastfeeding vs bottle, pre-marital sex vs abstinence, divorce vs fidelity. What most people mean when they say we shouldn't judge is that there is no right and wrong so it doesn't matter what choices we make; they are all equally right. This is simply not true.
The Bible is clear that there is a right and a wrong. It also tells us to judge:
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." 1 Corinthians 2:15
"For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed," 1 Corinthians 5:3
"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" 1 Corinthians 6:2
Moses and many others judged and were rewarded for it.
Ezekiel was called to judge (Eze 3:17-21) and was told to judge and preach in chapter 20 and 22.
When the Bible tells us to not judge, if you read the scripture in context, it means "don't condemn." That is, don't hate or disfellowship a brother because of the choices they make. If you believe they are wrong, you are to go to them and lovingly talk to them. Find out what is going on. Help them if you can.
Now if they are clearly sinning and refuse to repent, you are to judge them and disfellowship. but the door should always be open to welcome them back if they repent.
"Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:9
"Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."Matthew 6:33
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matthew 7:5 (You ARE to take the wood out of your brother's eye. You just have to take it out of your own first.)
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7: 24
"Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it." Deuteronomy 1:17
"For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17
The Bible says it is a sin to divorce except in cases of adultery or abandonment. I can see separation being allowed in cases of abuse (honestly, if you are being abused, call the police and have them arrested. We are to obey the laws of the land and our laws say it is illegal to abuse someone.) If you are divorcing because you just don't feel the love anymore, you are sinning and in danger of hell. I tell you this because I don't want you to go to hell. I want you in heaven with me.
Sex outside of marriage is a sin. See the above.
Putting the mere desires of a healthy, mature parent over the real needs of a baby or child is violating Jesus command to love others as we love ourselves. It is a sin. Yes, mom, this means you need to move to a small apartment and take the bus so you can stay home and nurse your baby and not have him in daycare. Small children NEED mommy.
And as far as homeschooling, The Bible is clear that Christian parents are required to give their children a godly education, something they CAN NOT get in public school no matter how "different" yours may be. The courts have ruled.
(Let me give a disclaimer though: single parents and couples where one is too ill to work or teach and those who have temporarily lost a job and whose church won't take up the mandate to help them educate their children are NOT WHO I AM TALKING TO! They honestly may not have a choice, though I have known as many single parents who homeschool as couples.)
And homosexuality? The Bible clearly puts it in the same category as murder, stealing, lying, child sacrifice, and adultery. In other words, it is clearly a SIN. To not tell people so, to ignore or "tolerate" it, to pretend there is no difference between homosexuality and heterosexuality is to condemn our neighbors to hell, the epitome of HATE.
The issues addressed range from homeschooling vs public school, daycare vs mommy care, breastfeeding vs bottle, pre-marital sex vs abstinence, divorce vs fidelity. What most people mean when they say we shouldn't judge is that there is no right and wrong so it doesn't matter what choices we make; they are all equally right. This is simply not true.
The Bible is clear that there is a right and a wrong. It also tells us to judge:
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." 1 Corinthians 2:15
"For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed," 1 Corinthians 5:3
"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" 1 Corinthians 6:2
Moses and many others judged and were rewarded for it.
Ezekiel was called to judge (Eze 3:17-21) and was told to judge and preach in chapter 20 and 22.
When the Bible tells us to not judge, if you read the scripture in context, it means "don't condemn." That is, don't hate or disfellowship a brother because of the choices they make. If you believe they are wrong, you are to go to them and lovingly talk to them. Find out what is going on. Help them if you can.
Now if they are clearly sinning and refuse to repent, you are to judge them and disfellowship. but the door should always be open to welcome them back if they repent.
"Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:9
"Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."Matthew 6:33
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matthew 7:5 (You ARE to take the wood out of your brother's eye. You just have to take it out of your own first.)
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7: 24
"Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it." Deuteronomy 1:17
"For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17
The Bible says it is a sin to divorce except in cases of adultery or abandonment. I can see separation being allowed in cases of abuse (honestly, if you are being abused, call the police and have them arrested. We are to obey the laws of the land and our laws say it is illegal to abuse someone.) If you are divorcing because you just don't feel the love anymore, you are sinning and in danger of hell. I tell you this because I don't want you to go to hell. I want you in heaven with me.
Sex outside of marriage is a sin. See the above.
Putting the mere desires of a healthy, mature parent over the real needs of a baby or child is violating Jesus command to love others as we love ourselves. It is a sin. Yes, mom, this means you need to move to a small apartment and take the bus so you can stay home and nurse your baby and not have him in daycare. Small children NEED mommy.
And as far as homeschooling, The Bible is clear that Christian parents are required to give their children a godly education, something they CAN NOT get in public school no matter how "different" yours may be. The courts have ruled.
(Let me give a disclaimer though: single parents and couples where one is too ill to work or teach and those who have temporarily lost a job and whose church won't take up the mandate to help them educate their children are NOT WHO I AM TALKING TO! They honestly may not have a choice, though I have known as many single parents who homeschool as couples.)
And homosexuality? The Bible clearly puts it in the same category as murder, stealing, lying, child sacrifice, and adultery. In other words, it is clearly a SIN. To not tell people so, to ignore or "tolerate" it, to pretend there is no difference between homosexuality and heterosexuality is to condemn our neighbors to hell, the epitome of HATE.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Greedy Pastors
There is a common misbelief that all ministers are in that line of work for the money. Since my grandfather, most of my uncles, my father and my hubby were/are all ministers, I have an inside track to the truth.
While those who are members of the historical churches (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, etc.) are provided with middle class incomes by their organizations (and sometimes higher if they have a large congregation), most pastors actually live just at the middle class line, and that usually because their wives work outside the home and bring in the bulk of the income. In fact many churches are like ours. Our pastor (my father) lives on his retirement from his secular job (electrical lineman. He built power poles) and only gets a small stipend from the church (my hubby, the assistant pastor gets nothing except the occasional book for study). The only reason he accepts this is so the church is used to paying its pastor when he retires (and it doesn't cover his expenses for the ministry at all). In fact, for the 35 or so years he has pastored, his tithes have been the only reson the churches he pastored could pay their mortgages and utility bills. Since the average church only has 60 members, most pastors live in poverty or off alternate sources of income (retierment, wives' jobs, second job for themselves...). So why do they decide to become preachers?
Most ministers are really in the business to bring souls to God.
When the Chair Just Doesn’t Fit
While those who are members of the historical churches (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, etc.) are provided with middle class incomes by their organizations (and sometimes higher if they have a large congregation), most pastors actually live just at the middle class line, and that usually because their wives work outside the home and bring in the bulk of the income. In fact many churches are like ours. Our pastor (my father) lives on his retirement from his secular job (electrical lineman. He built power poles) and only gets a small stipend from the church (my hubby, the assistant pastor gets nothing except the occasional book for study). The only reason he accepts this is so the church is used to paying its pastor when he retires (and it doesn't cover his expenses for the ministry at all). In fact, for the 35 or so years he has pastored, his tithes have been the only reson the churches he pastored could pay their mortgages and utility bills. Since the average church only has 60 members, most pastors live in poverty or off alternate sources of income (retierment, wives' jobs, second job for themselves...). So why do they decide to become preachers?
Most ministers are really in the business to bring souls to God.
When the Chair Just Doesn’t Fit
Friday, August 20, 2010
Pregnancy Books
My first recommendation is for when you first think you are pregnant, or better yet, before you are pregnant. "Naturally Healthy Pregnancy" by Shonda Parker tells you all about nutrition and what practices will help you have a safe enjoyable pregnancy and baby all from a godly perspective. In fact, every woman should have all of Mrs. Parkers books. They are full of information on nutrition, diseases, herbs, and so much more! With these books, you can effectivly manage your families health, One important part of being a Home Maker.
Next I would recommend every pregnant woman to read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. I just finished this book. It is full of information on the modern birth business; what is called normal and what really is. Unfortunately in America you need to know a great deal in order to insure your baby gets here as safely as possible. This book is a great resource!
Third is "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." The first half of this book is full of true, natural birth stories (there is some nudity, but it is all in the context of baby arriving). Reading this type of book helped my seventh birth to be nearly painless. I was immersed in the world of birth and all fear was gone. This lack of fear is what allowed my body to do its job without the fear-caused pain that is so normal in America (but not elsewhere in the world).
Accompany these great books with Riki Lake's video "The Business of Being Born" and Jack Newman's "Guide to Breastfeeding" (a video- google it) and you are prepared to meet your baby!
(Many EXPECT a certain book to be recommended in any review like this. I had a copy once. Shreaded it after reading the first 47 pages. It's a commercial for medicalized, fear-based, "surrender your body to the man" because we-all-know-that-doctors-know-more-than-God-about-how-a-baby-ought-to-be-born type birth. It is full of half truths, propaganda [at least the first 47 pages were] and I found some outright lies. I do NOT recommend this book. I EXPECT you can figure out which one I mean).
Next I would recommend every pregnant woman to read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. I just finished this book. It is full of information on the modern birth business; what is called normal and what really is. Unfortunately in America you need to know a great deal in order to insure your baby gets here as safely as possible. This book is a great resource!
Third is "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." The first half of this book is full of true, natural birth stories (there is some nudity, but it is all in the context of baby arriving). Reading this type of book helped my seventh birth to be nearly painless. I was immersed in the world of birth and all fear was gone. This lack of fear is what allowed my body to do its job without the fear-caused pain that is so normal in America (but not elsewhere in the world).
Accompany these great books with Riki Lake's video "The Business of Being Born" and Jack Newman's "Guide to Breastfeeding" (a video- google it) and you are prepared to meet your baby!
(Many EXPECT a certain book to be recommended in any review like this. I had a copy once. Shreaded it after reading the first 47 pages. It's a commercial for medicalized, fear-based, "surrender your body to the man" because we-all-know-that-doctors-know-more-than-God-about-how-a-baby-ought-to-be-born type birth. It is full of half truths, propaganda [at least the first 47 pages were] and I found some outright lies. I do NOT recommend this book. I EXPECT you can figure out which one I mean).
California Poppy
My Herbalist teacher recently mentioned on her facebook account that after undergoing a painful diagnostic test, she intended to use this herb to help get rid of the pain and let her sleep. I had never heard of it used medicinally, though I have heard of our local Prickly Poppy (big white flowers) being used like that (and of course everyone has heard of the Opium Poppy and its affects).
(Source for picture: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:California_poppy_(Eschscholzia_californica)_-_22.jpg)
_-_22.jpg){kind=link}
Ca Poppies contain isoquinoline alkaloids, which are known to have pain-relieving properties.Other active constituents include opiate alkaloids (completely free of toxicity), chelerthyrine alkaloids, flavone glycosides and zinc.
A little research tells me that the California Poppy is good for:
- a painkiller when applied directly to the afflicted area.
- toothache
- chronic bed wetting.
- hypnotic for children to sedate them and help them sleep.
- colic and gall bladder pain.
- sedative for headaches
- insomnia
- antidepressant
- acute nerve and muscular centered pain.
- anxiety,
- high fever,
- rapid pulse
- persistent spasmodic cough
- nervousness,
- restless,
- agitation,
- insomnia,
- sedative,
- intestinal colic,
- rheumatism,
- earaches
- analgesic
- tincture is used for antimicrobial properties applied externally to cuts and scrapes.
- head lice
- antispasmodic
- to improve intellectual capacity, memory and concentration in the elderly.
- leaves of the flower used externally in powder form for antimicrobial properties
- ADD, ADHD in children and young adults
- oxygenates the circulatory system
- normalize psychological functions by influencing the neurotransmitters without depressing the central nervous system.
- helps the body absorb vitamin A.
- Contains the B complex vitamins
- European communities use it for hyperactivity,
- sleeplessness
- coughs for children
- included in preparations for insomnia for adults.
- German Commission E lists California poppy as an antispasmodic and sedative.
- relaxing, so it works well in cases of pain with anxiety.
- tincture from the root as an external wash for suppressing lactation
- A key alkaloid (chelerthyrine) inhibits a body protein (kinase C) that contributes to persistent pain.
- used both internally and externally to alleviate inflammatory and arthritic pain.
- Root,
- leaves
- seeds.
considered a sub-opiate
Toxicity: There have been no indications of toxicity for Eschscholzia californica in experimental studies or in anecdotal reports.
Contraindications and cautions:
- fever,
- pregnancy;
- concurrently with prescription drugs and psychiatric medications.
Herbalists have observed that crude herb extracts of the various poppy species are less addictive and less potent in their activities than the purified alkaloids (opium in the red poppy), with fewer side-effects. Unlike opiates or even the stronger acting Poppy species, Rudolf Weiss states that the effect of California Poppy is towards "establishing equilibrium," and is not at all narcotic (1988, 289).
Use in:
- lotion,
- liniment,
- tincture
- plaster.
- infusion
- tinctures
- dried powder of herbs
Moore recommending that it be combined with Valerian for a stronger effect (1993, 112).
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sunday's lesson and links
In my children's sermon Sunday, I told about Jesus praying in the garden.
"Jesus didn't want to go to the cross and yet, He did want to go. He didn't want to go through the torment of Crucifixion, but because we needed Him to provide a way of salvation, His wanted to die for us.
This is a perfect example of manhood.
A real man stands up for what is right, like Jesus did when He drove the moneychangers out of the temple. This act was part of why the Pharisees wanted kill Him. He knew it would anger them, but He stood for Right anyway.
A real man takes the initiative to meet the needs of those under his care. We needed salvation and Jesus provided it. a hubby needs to provide for his wife and children and those that God puts under his care, whether employees or part of his ministry or his neighbor. It doesn't matter if he "feels" like it or not. Jesus didn't "feel" like being crucified. But He chose it for our sakes.
Women who claim to be Christians need to be like Jesus too. After all, that is what the word "Christian" means; Follower of Christ, or One Who is Like Christ."
You are NOT a Christian if you do not follow Christ, by the definition of the word.
The farmer doesn't dwell on the work of planting or weeding. He dwells on the harvest
How to short-circuit the ruling class
"Jesus didn't want to go to the cross and yet, He did want to go. He didn't want to go through the torment of Crucifixion, but because we needed Him to provide a way of salvation, His wanted to die for us.
This is a perfect example of manhood.
A real man stands up for what is right, like Jesus did when He drove the moneychangers out of the temple. This act was part of why the Pharisees wanted kill Him. He knew it would anger them, but He stood for Right anyway.
A real man takes the initiative to meet the needs of those under his care. We needed salvation and Jesus provided it. a hubby needs to provide for his wife and children and those that God puts under his care, whether employees or part of his ministry or his neighbor. It doesn't matter if he "feels" like it or not. Jesus didn't "feel" like being crucified. But He chose it for our sakes.
Women who claim to be Christians need to be like Jesus too. After all, that is what the word "Christian" means; Follower of Christ, or One Who is Like Christ."
You are NOT a Christian if you do not follow Christ, by the definition of the word.
The farmer doesn't dwell on the work of planting or weeding. He dwells on the harvest
How to short-circuit the ruling class
Monday, August 16, 2010
Camping
My family left last Wednesday for a quick camping trip. We had a great time.
We began though by leaving the tickets to the county fair we were going to attend at home:-( So we had to pay for it twice. Otherwise everything went great.
I identified Self-Heal, a wild plant related to peppermint and growing wild in the Sierras.
There is lots of Yarrow, Goldenrod, Mule's Ear, and Bind Weed, blooming right now, too. Very pretty. There were a few flowers I couldn't identify yet.
Lot's of beautiful animals at the fairs. I am especially fond of looking at the beefys.
We saw a lot of deer too.
Camping with this large of a family can be frustrating or it can be delightful. We didn't practice setting up the tent ahead of time this time and that caused some frustration (new tent. Another great big one:-) But basically, for packing, daily work at camp, and unpacking there was very little for anyone to do.
I had each child pack there own clothes. Joy (18yo) helped Jane (2.5yo) and I packed for Hubby. I just made a basic list of what everyone would need to follow while packing (undies, socks, pants, shirts, swim suits, coat). I watched as the littlest ones packed so I could make sure all pants were the non-holey kind and shirts weren't too stained.
We keep the sleeping bags and tents stored in roof bags that we just toss on the roof and strap down when it's time to go. I also keep two bags packed with bath essentials (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, hair brushes, etc), one for boys and one for girls. Add another bag with miscellaneous camping things (hammer, playing and quiz cards, air mattress pump, etc) This really reduces packing time (since these things are always packed already) and the chance of forgetting anything.
I keep a fully loaded first aid kit in the van at all times. I am prepared for nearly any emergency that could happen. This kit includes pain killers and allergy medicines for all ages (including an epi pen for my bee allergic child), Imodium, tums, band aids, needle and thread, trash bags, gallon Ziploc (for car sickness), toilet paper, Kleenex, can opener, pliers, screwdrivers, fire lighters, Rescue Remedy (for stress or shock- helped me on those twisty roads), EmergenC, arnica, peroxide, herbal salve, alcohol, pads, ace bandage, spare glasses for me, an assortment of cloth diapers (for band aids or whatever), socks with the toe cut out (for a compression bandage), a shower curtain (large piece of plastic), sheet, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember at the moment. Plus towels. I always forget the towels, whether we are going camping or to our local lake.
With so much pre-packed and the dc packing their own stuff, all I really had to do was the food. I cooked up some fried chicken Tuesday night and ran the bread machines so we could have a "home cooked meal" Wednesday night. Hot dogs Thursday and stew (4 family sized cans of Denty Moore Beef Stew plus two cans of cream of chicken to hide the "canned beef/dog food" flavor of the beef stew) and we had all our suppers. Lunch meat, cheese, peanut butter, and jelly sandwiches plus fruit for lunches (this is the only time I use Jiffy or other sugared peanut butters. They don't need mixing or refrigeration like my normal peanuts-and-salt peanut butter.) Breakfasts were cold cereal for the dc and I and canned meal replacer and fiber bars for hubby (since he hates breakfast that's what he eats most the time anyway). Paper bowls and plates and plastic spoons and clean up is a breeze.
We buy us all a bunch of munchies for the first day which we separated into personal bags (this year, ziplocs). We usually include trail mix, potato chips, cookies, raisins, jelly beans and other non-messy things. We figure vacation isn't the time to be too strict about eating a healthy diet, so we splurge a bit.
We pack one large ice chest with ice and the things that need to be kept cold, and one with just food (boxed cereal, cans, bread etc). These get strapped to the luggage rack we put on the back of the van. One small chest goes up front between hubby and I and holds our munchies and whatever else we need it to. With all the tents (Joy likes to have her own tent) and bedding on the roof, and the food on the tailgate, all we need to fit inside are the clothes bags (one per person), pillows, toys and books, and snacks (not counting the first aid stuff already in there.) We actually have more room now than we did when we had four of us camping in a sedan.
For chores, everyone cleans up after themselves for each meal with everyone helping with things like the big pot to cook the stew and putting the cereal back. In the morning, breakfast is followed by everyone making their beds and cleaning their area of the tent. Then we change, brush teeth and hair, clean the van and the rest of the site and we are ready for the day's adventure. In the evening we follow much the same pattern. I put the littlest ones (under 9) to bed earl while hubby watches the the fire and visits with the older ones (I get to read and rest:-).
In stores or fairs or whatever, we travel in "train" fashion. Hubby is the engine. Each child falls in line behind him and pretends to be a train car. a train car can only go where its engine goes. I play caboose and keep a constant count on everyone. I usually hole the hand of the littlest one (or put them in a stroller). Often, the older ones hold another little one's hand to keep them from getting distracted and wandering off (though I am watching to prevent that, too).
Hmmm, this seems to be growing quite long. I think I may have another pamphlet going:-)
We began though by leaving the tickets to the county fair we were going to attend at home:-( So we had to pay for it twice. Otherwise everything went great.
I identified Self-Heal, a wild plant related to peppermint and growing wild in the Sierras.
There is lots of Yarrow, Goldenrod, Mule's Ear, and Bind Weed, blooming right now, too. Very pretty. There were a few flowers I couldn't identify yet.
Lot's of beautiful animals at the fairs. I am especially fond of looking at the beefys.
We saw a lot of deer too.
Camping with this large of a family can be frustrating or it can be delightful. We didn't practice setting up the tent ahead of time this time and that caused some frustration (new tent. Another great big one:-) But basically, for packing, daily work at camp, and unpacking there was very little for anyone to do.
I had each child pack there own clothes. Joy (18yo) helped Jane (2.5yo) and I packed for Hubby. I just made a basic list of what everyone would need to follow while packing (undies, socks, pants, shirts, swim suits, coat). I watched as the littlest ones packed so I could make sure all pants were the non-holey kind and shirts weren't too stained.
We keep the sleeping bags and tents stored in roof bags that we just toss on the roof and strap down when it's time to go. I also keep two bags packed with bath essentials (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, hair brushes, etc), one for boys and one for girls. Add another bag with miscellaneous camping things (hammer, playing and quiz cards, air mattress pump, etc) This really reduces packing time (since these things are always packed already) and the chance of forgetting anything.
I keep a fully loaded first aid kit in the van at all times. I am prepared for nearly any emergency that could happen. This kit includes pain killers and allergy medicines for all ages (including an epi pen for my bee allergic child), Imodium, tums, band aids, needle and thread, trash bags, gallon Ziploc (for car sickness), toilet paper, Kleenex, can opener, pliers, screwdrivers, fire lighters, Rescue Remedy (for stress or shock- helped me on those twisty roads), EmergenC, arnica, peroxide, herbal salve, alcohol, pads, ace bandage, spare glasses for me, an assortment of cloth diapers (for band aids or whatever), socks with the toe cut out (for a compression bandage), a shower curtain (large piece of plastic), sheet, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember at the moment. Plus towels. I always forget the towels, whether we are going camping or to our local lake.
With so much pre-packed and the dc packing their own stuff, all I really had to do was the food. I cooked up some fried chicken Tuesday night and ran the bread machines so we could have a "home cooked meal" Wednesday night. Hot dogs Thursday and stew (4 family sized cans of Denty Moore Beef Stew plus two cans of cream of chicken to hide the "canned beef/dog food" flavor of the beef stew) and we had all our suppers. Lunch meat, cheese, peanut butter, and jelly sandwiches plus fruit for lunches (this is the only time I use Jiffy or other sugared peanut butters. They don't need mixing or refrigeration like my normal peanuts-and-salt peanut butter.) Breakfasts were cold cereal for the dc and I and canned meal replacer and fiber bars for hubby (since he hates breakfast that's what he eats most the time anyway). Paper bowls and plates and plastic spoons and clean up is a breeze.
We buy us all a bunch of munchies for the first day which we separated into personal bags (this year, ziplocs). We usually include trail mix, potato chips, cookies, raisins, jelly beans and other non-messy things. We figure vacation isn't the time to be too strict about eating a healthy diet, so we splurge a bit.
We pack one large ice chest with ice and the things that need to be kept cold, and one with just food (boxed cereal, cans, bread etc). These get strapped to the luggage rack we put on the back of the van. One small chest goes up front between hubby and I and holds our munchies and whatever else we need it to. With all the tents (Joy likes to have her own tent) and bedding on the roof, and the food on the tailgate, all we need to fit inside are the clothes bags (one per person), pillows, toys and books, and snacks (not counting the first aid stuff already in there.) We actually have more room now than we did when we had four of us camping in a sedan.
For chores, everyone cleans up after themselves for each meal with everyone helping with things like the big pot to cook the stew and putting the cereal back. In the morning, breakfast is followed by everyone making their beds and cleaning their area of the tent. Then we change, brush teeth and hair, clean the van and the rest of the site and we are ready for the day's adventure. In the evening we follow much the same pattern. I put the littlest ones (under 9) to bed earl while hubby watches the the fire and visits with the older ones (I get to read and rest:-).
In stores or fairs or whatever, we travel in "train" fashion. Hubby is the engine. Each child falls in line behind him and pretends to be a train car. a train car can only go where its engine goes. I play caboose and keep a constant count on everyone. I usually hole the hand of the littlest one (or put them in a stroller). Often, the older ones hold another little one's hand to keep them from getting distracted and wandering off (though I am watching to prevent that, too).
Hmmm, this seems to be growing quite long. I think I may have another pamphlet going:-)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Straw Women
Why is it that when you say you are not a feminist or that you believe in biblical values so many people go on tirades about how women should be allowed to use their brains and contribute to society?
It's because the feminists have created a straw woman. They present any homemaker (with or without children) as brainless twits who sit around eating candy and watching soap operas. Now to be honest, I have known a few women like this, but it wasn't because of biblical values. They were just lazy.
Here is the truth about biblical womanhood: The Bible requires a woman to use her brain and talents to their utmost capacity in order to achieve the goals given to her hubby by God. This means she is active and involved. She studies, she learns, she applies. She works long, hard, but very fulfilling hours. (And so does he.)
She does not leave the housework for hubby (unless ill or other extraordinary cases), insist on pursuing her own agenda, or in any way behave in dereliction of her duties. This may mean she runs the family store while hubby takes a coffee break, or full time until it is on its feet enough to support them. It may mean she does all the housework and childraising so hubby can rest up from his 10 hour work-days. It may mean they split the work and she spends time taking the elderly in their congregation to the doctors and grocery store. It may mean she lets the house sit while she puts THEIR ideas into blogs and books until an hour before he gets home from work. It will look different in each family.
But it's not the looks that matter. It is the focusing of the energies of two competent adults onto one set of goals instead of splitting the family's resources to pursue her agenda AND his (in every case I have seen this attempted it is HER agenda that always wins and his that is starved out. I may have been unlucky enough to have only witnessed the bad cases, but there you go.)
It really makes sense for two people to be more successful when working towards the same goal than if they each go their own way. Many woman have discovered, in fact, that hubby earns more money than they can earn with two incomes (after figuring work expenses) if he has wifey to care for the home front. This is only logical. It's called a "Division of Labor."
And what in the world could possibly be a bigger "contribution to society" than bearing and training the people that will make it up tomorrow? Isn't that the very molding of the planet?
And it's the man that God gives the goals to (though in the couples I know that function as an actual team instead of just roommates He tells them both) because the marriage relationship shows us a picture of God's relationship with the church. God tells the church what to do and then the church and God work together to accomplish that. Hubby tells the wife what the goals are and they work together to accomplish them.
Beautiful.
Day Orphanages
Women should talk about their hubbies as they want to be talked about.
It's because the feminists have created a straw woman. They present any homemaker (with or without children) as brainless twits who sit around eating candy and watching soap operas. Now to be honest, I have known a few women like this, but it wasn't because of biblical values. They were just lazy.
Here is the truth about biblical womanhood: The Bible requires a woman to use her brain and talents to their utmost capacity in order to achieve the goals given to her hubby by God. This means she is active and involved. She studies, she learns, she applies. She works long, hard, but very fulfilling hours. (And so does he.)
She does not leave the housework for hubby (unless ill or other extraordinary cases), insist on pursuing her own agenda, or in any way behave in dereliction of her duties. This may mean she runs the family store while hubby takes a coffee break, or full time until it is on its feet enough to support them. It may mean she does all the housework and childraising so hubby can rest up from his 10 hour work-days. It may mean they split the work and she spends time taking the elderly in their congregation to the doctors and grocery store. It may mean she lets the house sit while she puts THEIR ideas into blogs and books until an hour before he gets home from work. It will look different in each family.
But it's not the looks that matter. It is the focusing of the energies of two competent adults onto one set of goals instead of splitting the family's resources to pursue her agenda AND his (in every case I have seen this attempted it is HER agenda that always wins and his that is starved out. I may have been unlucky enough to have only witnessed the bad cases, but there you go.)
It really makes sense for two people to be more successful when working towards the same goal than if they each go their own way. Many woman have discovered, in fact, that hubby earns more money than they can earn with two incomes (after figuring work expenses) if he has wifey to care for the home front. This is only logical. It's called a "Division of Labor."
And what in the world could possibly be a bigger "contribution to society" than bearing and training the people that will make it up tomorrow? Isn't that the very molding of the planet?
And it's the man that God gives the goals to (though in the couples I know that function as an actual team instead of just roommates He tells them both) because the marriage relationship shows us a picture of God's relationship with the church. God tells the church what to do and then the church and God work together to accomplish that. Hubby tells the wife what the goals are and they work together to accomplish them.
Beautiful.
Day Orphanages
Women should talk about their hubbies as they want to be talked about.
Quiverful and not so much
I have heard many accusations that those who are quiverful worship children and think that the more children you have, the more you are pleasing God. Now, I admit I have not read every quiverful book or website, but in the ones I have read I have never seen such an idea. So let me ask you, is there any way I can say that children are a gift from God and I am blessed to have eight without someone thinking I am saying I am more blessed than the barren woman?
Honestly, God blesses in many different ways. Some He blesses with talents, some with money, some with wisdom, some with children. Why can't I praise Him for the blessings He has chosen for me without someone getting their nose out of joint?
Those who object to the quiverful message probably fall into two categories: the barren by choice and the barren against their choice.
I understand those who want children feeling bad at such statements. There are some living in poverty who feel bad when a rich person tells how God has blessed them. Envy? Not necessarily. But it's hard to not have any money while surrounded by such a rich culture. It's equally hard to not have children and be surrounded by those who are popping them out every other year. Does this mean the rich are more loved by God than the poor? No. He just has different callings for their lives. Same with large and small families.
Part of the problem is our birth-control culture. We now assume anyone who is not having children is on The Pill. Before birth-control, If a couple was childless or only had one or two, everyone knew to pray for them. Today, well, do we teach them about trusting God to care for them (being in the ministry it is my job to teach what the Bible says) or do we hit our knees in pleading for empty arms to be filled?
The other group that I imagine misinterpreting the quiverful message, I would suspect have a guilty conscious. They are not trusting God in this area and so have a chip on their shoulder whenever the subject comes up.
Now, I am not saying all birth-control is wrong. Not at all. I am saying we are schizo when we trust God for our jobs and homes and everything else but tell Him, "No thanks. I'll handle this myself" when it comes to the size and spacing of our families.
First and foremost I am saying PRAY ABOUT IT!!! You would be amazed how many Evangelicals never even think to do that.
Secondly, all hormonal methods of BC have the potential of causing abortion. This makes them suspect (at best) morally.
Now barrier methods and Natural Family Planning, that's between you and God. But you need to read what the Bible says about children and about trusting God. Will that result in everyone having Dugger sized families? No. God has different plans for different families. The number of children you have doesn't really have anything to do with what I am talking about.
I am talking about trust and obedience to God.
“If My People…” God Answers Hungarian’s Prayers–He Can Answer Ours Too
The Roots of Empathy And a
Honestly, God blesses in many different ways. Some He blesses with talents, some with money, some with wisdom, some with children. Why can't I praise Him for the blessings He has chosen for me without someone getting their nose out of joint?
Those who object to the quiverful message probably fall into two categories: the barren by choice and the barren against their choice.
I understand those who want children feeling bad at such statements. There are some living in poverty who feel bad when a rich person tells how God has blessed them. Envy? Not necessarily. But it's hard to not have any money while surrounded by such a rich culture. It's equally hard to not have children and be surrounded by those who are popping them out every other year. Does this mean the rich are more loved by God than the poor? No. He just has different callings for their lives. Same with large and small families.
Part of the problem is our birth-control culture. We now assume anyone who is not having children is on The Pill. Before birth-control, If a couple was childless or only had one or two, everyone knew to pray for them. Today, well, do we teach them about trusting God to care for them (being in the ministry it is my job to teach what the Bible says) or do we hit our knees in pleading for empty arms to be filled?
The other group that I imagine misinterpreting the quiverful message, I would suspect have a guilty conscious. They are not trusting God in this area and so have a chip on their shoulder whenever the subject comes up.
Now, I am not saying all birth-control is wrong. Not at all. I am saying we are schizo when we trust God for our jobs and homes and everything else but tell Him, "No thanks. I'll handle this myself" when it comes to the size and spacing of our families.
First and foremost I am saying PRAY ABOUT IT!!! You would be amazed how many Evangelicals never even think to do that.
Secondly, all hormonal methods of BC have the potential of causing abortion. This makes them suspect (at best) morally.
Now barrier methods and Natural Family Planning, that's between you and God. But you need to read what the Bible says about children and about trusting God. Will that result in everyone having Dugger sized families? No. God has different plans for different families. The number of children you have doesn't really have anything to do with what I am talking about.
I am talking about trust and obedience to God.
“If My People…” God Answers Hungarian’s Prayers–He Can Answer Ours Too
The Roots of Empathy And a
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Freezers that don't
Our spare freezer quit working. I managed to squeeze everything into the little one attached to the fridge, but we did lose some things and have had some odd meals ("Ok everyone. Pick a TV dinner for supper. Are you sure you don't need two? What about some pre-cooked sausages or some shrimp to go with that? Fish sticks for lunch tomorrow whether you like them or not! Hamburgers for breakfast.") We seldom eat frozen dinners but I like to have them on hand for that odd time when I am too sick to cook and didn't think in time to have one of the children take something out for them to cook. Seems most of the space in our "between paydays freezer" was frozen dinners.
A quick google search says, though, that the problem may very well be self correcting. I have turned it off and am letting it thourghly thaw. Then we will turn it back on and see what happens:-)
(Addendum: It didn't fix itself and the reapir man said it would cost almost as much to fix it as to buy a new one. We bought a new one with the taxes.)
The Case for Siblings -Why having a new baby is good for your other kids. So true. Mine always love their new sibs and are asking for a new one way before I am, lol. Like, the week after the bith they are ready to go again!
A quick google search says, though, that the problem may very well be self correcting. I have turned it off and am letting it thourghly thaw. Then we will turn it back on and see what happens:-)
(Addendum: It didn't fix itself and the reapir man said it would cost almost as much to fix it as to buy a new one. We bought a new one with the taxes.)
The Case for Siblings -Why having a new baby is good for your other kids. So true. Mine always love their new sibs and are asking for a new one way before I am, lol. Like, the week after the bith they are ready to go again!
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Women who get an abortion between the ages of 18 and 30 have twice the risk of breast cancer than women who never have an abortion. Wome... -
What is Quiverful? Nothing I say here is in condemnation of those that are infertile through no fault of their own. Some infertility is the...
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Chapter 53 1Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Who will choose to believe the prophets o...