Time to Write

Weekend activities: an ROTC review, where my son was awarded the AUSA Military History Award, a recital of cello, violin, and piano by my two daughters, a concert to perform with the Northern Lights Chorale (Look for a little Irish fluting on here soon--something I hadn't done before, but really had fun!), a Boy Scout event, and church---with my husband's parents here for all the these grand things!  Deep Breath.

The fish are back in the pond, but snow is still expected, and the temps dropped alarmingly this evening as we inaugurated the 2013 campfire season with the first fire.

It is so nice to be outside again!

I have the Boy Scout Garage Sale to prepare for over the next few days.

They have made a ruling of sorts, about homosexuality, and I am perhaps one of the few that is okay with it. Since older boys are often the worst perpetrators of bullying and harassment, it's best that they be open about things, and that all the scouts can learn how to deal with that in a courteous way. Remember the Scout Law!

I remember the Law the Lord gave us: LOVE.

Love your enemies, even. It's easy to forget that when you are frustrated with their lack of understanding, isn't it?

We must be watchful, and that includes everything about our children and their activities. Sometimes we learn that the hard way. Children suffer from our oversight, our mistakes. They are resilient, but damage can occur, and we can never be too careful regarding their lives.

And they will make their own mistakes, and learn from them, too.

I'm still recovering from all of this excitement, and I have some major spring cleaning to do. Fly Lady, I'm looking to you for some clear direction!

Just finished "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" tonight. That's one to digest. I think it will be fun to address this topic in light of Bible Prophecy soon. So many points coming together here. Food for thought.

Edith Schaeffer's Funeral

I had the joy of attending a very meaningful memorial service today in St. Paul. Edith Schaeffer was an author, artist, musician, thinker, and wife of a prominent theologian, Francis Schaeffer.

I was truly amazed that the church was not full, for she has affected so many people's lives.

I keep hearing more stories of how she blessed people by her friendly interest, her books, and her example.

The service was a concert, fitting for Mrs. Schaeffer, with beautiful works performed by talented musicians. Really, it was fantastic.

The message was the wrongness of death, and the promise of God's re-creation. Very moving, very comforting, very apropos.

I am so glad I got to be there.

I know she is enjoying heaven.

Bees- 2013

It Was Epic

Absolutely. Fabulous. Awesome. Epic. Sustainable. Special.

Don't you get sick of hearing those words all the time?

But this past weekend was really _________---positive.

My husband and I drove with Cherie to attend the Minnesota Association of Christian Homeschoolers conference in Rochester, MN on Friday.

There we met our friends, who we count as family, for a day of searching for treasures, listening to inspiration, and just great fellowship.

We were able to meet a father who homeschools, against the law, in Germany. Very inspiring and touching to see and meet someone who is currently trying to do RIGHT in a culture that squashes a high degree of personal moral conviction. (One MUST tow the line, after all.)

Brave man. He's not exactly Thor, but he seems to be sort of super-hero.

Would you go to prison for your children?

On Saturday the bees were checked. A wicked snowstorm hit us on Thursday, as predicted, but the temperature was a record low. Seeing that our bees were newly hived we feared the worst. Yet they were alive and well, and one of the queens was laying eggs!

Snow again tonight. Not so worried this time. They've had a day to orient themselves with sunshine and new pollen in their new home. We hope for a banner year!

Mistums Corgums, our resident Corgi, mostly known as Misty, except when she's ailing, continues to ail. I wonder if we need to have that surgery. She gets around, happily, but that hind leg still limps. Another vet visit is in her future. The problem is that the surgery is rarely completely successful.

Yesterday we went to an Eagle Court of Honor for a fellow scout. Our troop has had 3 of those within just a couple of months!

Then it was off to a recital by Gunnar Idenstamm, a wonderful organist from Sweden at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Ed, my husband, and I were enthralled.

His program was completely wonderful. I had too many favorites, but I was thrilled to hear "Pavane," by Ravel (which is on my blog), and "Bolero." I know you either love Bolero or hate it. I am one of the lovers. Idenstamm's transcription for organ was ingenious. Very exciting, very clever.

So that was yesterday.

Kiwi is talking loudly this morning, yowling about something. What do these animals know, anyway? I was awakened by a cat alarm. "MMEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!"

Our epic weekend is over.

What Will It Take?

Everyone has a core of beliefs that really make up someone's identity. Personal philosophies drive the world, the economy, the cultural trends.

After listening to a stirring talk given at the home-school conference I wondered at the gall shown by the speaker. He actually decried the injustices of the prevailing world-view against people who choose to live and teach their children their deeply held beliefs.

Yes. He stated his views.

His audience (a packed room) listened, nodded, and said 'amen!' frequently. I wondered how motivated they would be to take their own thoughts and beliefs, put in their own words, and take a stand on their own ground.

What would it take?

Some of us are afraid of public speaking. (Ho-hum--we've heard that millions of times). Some of us can't write an understandable sentence. Some of us are petrified of losing popularity or even friendships----even family relationships.

Some of us might be afraid of a government, or a militant opposing group. Some of us might have neighbors who are mean.

Really, it is fear that shuts us up.

We all know fear. Fear is part of the human condition, and our Lord and Savior addressed it numerous times in Scripture.

Are you afraid?  Fear NOT.

So what else is keeping you from taking a stand?

What will it take for you to lose the self-consciousness and speak out?

Don't let the pundits, the talk-show hosts, the TV entourage speak for you. Speak out.

There is a world of human beings dying in their sins, headed straight for eternal punishment, and you need to speak out.

Don't be afraid. Their souls depend on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuK4sZdR36s&feature=share&list=PL84299E25C73D08DE 

Walter Veith

You know how I like Walter Veith, a Seventh-Day Adventist who does meticulous research.

Absolutely worth your time:

http://youtu.be/vQnH4waAXGc

Coming soon: A report on things from the home school convention I was able to attend, the people I was able to meet, and the concern for mainstream evangelicals as we all fight to keep our own rights to our faith creeds.

I have wonderful friends visiting, so it will wait...

I admit I have a pressure cooker, but it's up in the cupboard almost all the time. I really rarely use it. It's nice to have though! :)