Dancing Through Life

The Forerunning of Spring

2011-02-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

The violets are blooming!
Now, despite the fact that there are forty days of winter left(meaning that we are a little more than half-way through the season), I can believe that spring is, indeed, on it's way.
The violets are my favorite flowers. Modest flowers, many call them, and indeed "modest as a violet" is a well-known cliche. Their sweet smell recalls many a spring to my mind, and makes me think of spicy woodlands or fresh brooks that tumble down the sides of hills.
While they make excellent decorations for any room in delicate vases, I think I am most content to watch them exactly where they belong - in the ground. Let them bloom where they are planted, I say.

God bless you, and bring you a merry spring.

Christmas Season

2010-12-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's been a long time. Yes, I'm sorry about it.

We just went down to the tree-lot a mile from our house... simply didn't have the time to head out to a tree-farm this year, a disappointment to all, but we can deal with it. Our tree is a 5'6 (or so) Noble Fir, one which I can carry by myself (a plus!) I do love to put up the Christmas tree during Advent season... bringing out each time-worn ornament with care and finding just the right place for it. I love remembering the stories behind each of our large selection of Christmas tree decorations. We have German wood-shavings that Mom brought back from her Air Force station, German straw-stars and straw-angels from the same, cheap plastic globes that we've been given, delicate glass birth-day angels, hand-painted metal bells, snowflakes of various shapes and sizes... the list goes on. I'm not a photographer, really, so I can't include pictures of some of our things, sad to say.
When our tree is fully decorated - tinsel, lights, the works - I'll sit back on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and a plate (bowl?) of fondue and think abut the true meaning of Christmas.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever should believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That God could give up his only son, send him to a mortal life on earth, and let him die unjustly for the sins of the elect, this is the true meaning of Christmas. I pray that we will never forget that, in the hurry and shuffle of Christmas, with its presents and secular message of materialism, there is a higher meaning, a higher calling... a calling to remember the love that sent Christ to earth.

Peace on earth, good will to men.

Finally!

2010-07-27T14:22:00.001-07:00

I'm back once more!
And I have pictures from Outdoor school. A month late, to be sure, but still! I wasn't sure if I'd get them up at all, the way it's been going.!

The older students were asked to testify about God's work in their lives.

Sitting around the campfire during Mrs. S's address.

Josh Silliman and I during the Review Game

Emily O'Dell and I dissect a shark. Across the table from us, Jared O'Dell and Abby were doing the same.

Poor shark.

Foreground, Nathaniel Silliman's Hammerhead, backgound is Sarah Silliman's Octopus.

Josh Silliman and his awesome Great White Shark.

Emily and I with our "award-winning" sand sculpture, 'Leviathan'.

Emily and I and Leviathan.

The wind was so bad that it was hard to see for all the blowing sand

One of the stops along the Scavenger hunt

Another bit of the Scavenger hunt/challenge course

Ah, long abandoned blog

2010-07-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry for dropping you for the past three weeks. But hey, it's summer. Which means that every minute not spent on schoolwork or chores is spent outside in the glorious sun. Or something like that.
Anyways. I'm excited. We're going on a family camping trip over the weekend-yes, we will be at church. It'll be at the beach. I do hope we have sunny weather for our trip! We'll be baking today (bread, cinnamon rolls, and rolls) for today and tomorrow, a lovely treat since we don't bake more than once or twice a month, and less in the summertime.
We had teryaki chicken last night for dinner, and it really is delicious. The recipe is this;
One chicken breast, cubed
Fresh broccoli
As much rice as you can eat (rinse it well first)

Sauce:
Heat soysauce on the stove, add brown sugar, garlic and ginger to taste, and one tablespoon of sesame oil.

Cook the chicken well in a stir-fry pan or wok, then add the broccoli. Put a part of the teryaki sauce in, to flavor it. Then serve on a bed of rice with plenty more sauce drizzled over the top. Delicious!

Tonight is quiche night. I'm glad we've finally worked out a dinner plan for the summer months, it makes eating a lot easier.

Mother is teaching me bits of French and German, and I'm learning Welsh from Dad. Of course, I doubt I'll master any of the three languages, but it's interesting to know them and find English words that have the same roots. Latin is also on our list for next fall, as well as Greek-and I'm interested in Hebrew. I ought to be well versed in foreign languages, to be sure.
Well, I've exhausted my list of things to write about, so that's done. And so am I. Au revoir! Hwyl fawr! Auf Wiedersehen! (and yes, I did have to look up how to spell it. Just because I can say it, read it, and know what it means doesn't mean I can write it down.)

Summer!

2010-06-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of summer! Hurrah! But wait-where did all the sunshine go? Partly cloudy and 65 degrees... hmm, I wonder. Well, at least the rest of this week looks promising. And just in time, too, since the first day of swimming lessons (I'm a dolphin!...again.) is today. If I'm up to standard for the dolphin class, which is about right for my age, then I'm moving on to Swim Team, and maybe-just maybe-I'll participate in a meet or two this summer. If I need to catch up, it'll be a session of lessons instead.
But I have places to go, people to see, things to do... so I close.

Back from the Beach!

2010-06-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

We're BACK! Which I'm sure you've already figured out, from the title and the fact that I am writing. But anyways, it was a fun-filled, err, make that fun-packed three days. Fellowship in and out of God's Word-for three days straight!-is a refreshing treat from today's secular world, is it not? The only thing I won't miss is the mosquitoes. I will just about swear that every single mosquito in the state of Oregon was down there, eating us alive. I've come out with just two bites: the fruits of much mosquito repellent-disgusting smelling stuff, sadly-and slapping.
Despite it being a "beach vacation", we only spent about six hours on the beach. About two of them just walking up and down with friends, and then the other four on a sand sculpture for our annual contest. A good friend, Emily O'Dell (I spelled it right, if you read this!, and I made Leviathan the sea monster. We almost nicknamed him Leroy, but it didn't sound right. Leroy Leviathan. Nope. Well, anyways, we won the award for "Most use of Creativity and Embellishment." Did I mention that there was an award for every single sand sculpture, ranging from "Most Amusing" to "Scariest" and "Most Lifelike." One of the boys made an absolutely stunning hammerhead shark which earned "Most Lifelike," and his older brother did a great white's head/shoulders (do they have shoulders?) sticking out of the "water", with lots of great big sharp teeth. Of course, he got the "Scariest" award. And then, I guess you could count three hours of tide-pooling as beach time. Maybe. Anyways, I think EVERYBODY except for me found some kind of nudibranch-a brightly colored and often fluffy/hairyish-except for me. Even one of the boys found the much coveted Red Sponge Nudibranch-only about half as long as your pinky finger nail-with me standing right beside him holding the bucket. Of course, he got the credit. Not like I mind, or anything, but... *sigh* this being the second-to-last Outdoor School ever, it's the last one at the beach, and the last time to go tide-pooling with WISE Science.
But anyways, I'm tired, so I can't upload/post/even look at the fifty-zillion something photos that I/others collected on this trip. For that matter, I'm not sure if most of them will EVER get posted.
So. Exhaustedly yours, Genny.

Home again, gone again....

2010-06-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Ach, guess who's guilty of neglected her blog? *pets poor, lonely, neglected blog*
Yes, I admit to it. It was me.
But that's not the important news. The important news, see, is that we are leaving for the beach tomorrow afternoon. And staying until late on Saturday! It's WISE Science's Annual Outdoor School, and it's coming right up. Literally. Like, tomorrow. So, to cease to digress, this is goodbye until Sunday.

So... just what did happen to all the lovely summer weather we usually get around here? I'll admit, today was... rainless, sorta... but still.
I can tell you one thing-it's sure-fire, absolute, irrefutable evidence for global warming. :)
And with that, I will close.

Oh my!

2010-06-01T12:50:00.001-07:00

Halfway through 2010 already! Imagine that!
But oh, I'm not looking forward to June. Or, that is, I am, just not all the work that will go into it. Aside from working as hard as I can at school so that I can get time off for fun, we have EVERY weekend booked. See my schedule?

Friday 4th - NEPHS recognition night
Saturday 5th - Gileskirk Civil War Dance
Thursday-Saturday 10-12th - WISE Science Outdoor School at the beach!
Saturday 19th - Jenny Shipman's wedding; Brigade Encampment at Fort Vancouver
Sunday 20th - Brigade Encampment
Friday 25th - OCEANetwork Curriculum Fair; NEPHS used book sale preparation
Saturday 26th - OCEANetwork Curriculum Fair. NEPHS used book sale

Not to mention many weekdays of work. Oh, my achin' back. But hey, work is good for you, right?

Birthday Fun

2010-05-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Today was my birthday. I got french toast with raspberry sauce for breakfast in bed! Delicious! Then I opened my presents before we left for church. Afterwards, we had chocolate ice-cream and frozen chocolate cake. After that, Mom, Libby-excuse me, Elizabeth-and Abby went off to the fair. I didn't really want to go, so I had five hours of peace and quiet (hurrah!) for a while.
I'm tired and not in a writing mood, so I close.

Highlights of the Week!

2010-05-29T20:25:00.001-07:00

Inspired by Josiah's Random Saturday, I have decided to create a highlights of the week post every Saturday. This will usually be funny moments from church etc. so that most people recognize them, but an obscure reference or two to a hilarious conversation in our house/car/wherever may be found.
MONDAY: Trip to Sweet Tomatoes. "What do you get if you tell a politician to tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Three different answers." "Pour Mexican alcohol into a birdbath if you want Tequilla mockingbird." I nearly busted a gut that evening, and it can't have been good for my digestion.
THURSDAY: Final exams over! I recited a long list of things I didn't do, and so of course when I got to 'bullwhip', Josh goes and raises his hand and announces "That would be me!" Ah well, at least there was comic relief in my speech.
Now, if I were to recount all the laughable moments that night, I'd need a couple of pages, so i shan't bore you all with details.
SATURDAY: The RODENT OF DOOM! Otherwise known as our dear, departed squirrel.

The Rodent of DOOM

2010-05-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors cat caught a squirrel yesterday. So, of course, instead of sensibly carting it off someplace, he left it on our front sidewalk. And this is where my story begins.
Mom, having walked around the squirrel to get to the car, called Dad on her cellphone. Dad was all of twenty feet away inside of the house. She asks him to take care of the dead squirrel. He comes out of the house brandishing a broom, and the house phone. Mom yells frantically into her cellphone, "Not my broom! Don't use my broom!"
Whereupon Dad, looking puzzled, goes back into the house and replaces it. He then takes a stick and flicks the squirrel's carcass into the street. Mission accomplished, they hang up.
While this may not sound hilariously funny, us three girls were doubled over with laughter by the end of it.

Aside from that, we visited the Multnomah County Fair today! Complete with ice cream cones, a family fair tradition. Mmmm.... nothing beats a swirl cone on a rainy day! Okay, maybe I can think of a few things to beat it... but anyways...
Several of our friends entered things in the fair, and the Lego League Team Zip, our former FLL team, had a booth there with their robots and table. I was dismayed to find Caleb there, and still as, err, annoying, as possible.
It didn't rain(hallelujah!)much(nevermind).

What happened?

2010-05-29T12:56:00.001-07:00

What happened to spring? Let alone summer!

Courtesy of AP, taken in Alberta Canada.

Hurrah!

2010-05-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

Oh goody! Gileskirk for the school year is OVER! This means I have no idea what to do with all of the time that I used to spend on Gileskirk. Hmm, maybe I can do some math? *g*
Well, anyways, here's a (tentative) summer activity list.
Currently listening to:
BBC LOTR production
(soon, anyways) Gileskirk Antiquity lectures
Amusing Ourselves to Death

Currently reading:
The Holy Bible
The Four Adventures of Richard Hannay
The Lord of the Rings
The Chronicles of Narnia
Not just Dates and Dead People
The New Answers Books (1-3)
Henty Books

Current schooling:
Math! *g*
Spelling Power
Writing
The Great Latin Adventure
Cooking-I'm working on my Food Handlers License
Sewing (ugh... I don't really care for sewing much, but...)
Researching the 1840s for Fort Vancouver
And wrapping up all the other little odds and ends before summer "break". Of course, I'll keep up on running, math, latin, writing, spelling, cooking, sewing, and reading. Hey wait, isn't that my full school curriculum anyway?

Well, about Gileskirk.

Yesterday was the final exam and presentation of forty hour projects. I finished my exam in about four hours. I did everything I could-unfortunately, it might not be enough. *sigh*
The presentations of the projects was wondering! There was a colored 14th century map that took closer to 200 hours, a half-renovated car-that wasn't brought to class-a (nearly) fully assembled model of the Constitution, the oldest American ship afloat (is that right?), several Civil War ballgowns-including mine-a model of Fort Sumter, not kit-made, a tiny turbine that works on wind-power, and (if I left anybody out, please excuse me.) a fully assembled bull-whip, complete with 13yo boy who knows how to make it really work! (no, he didn't hit anybody with it)
Well, I have exhausted the list of current events, so now I will finish.

General jollility!

2010-05-24T22:50:00.000-07:00

We went to Sweet Tomatoes, an all you can eat buffet, tonight for my birthday dinner out. It was a magnificent time. We had all sorts of things to laugh out, so the general air about our table was one of laughter and love. We earned some strange looks from the employees and neighbors, however. Well, how could we help laughing when Dad consumed an entire (albeit small) ice-cream cone (with the ice cream!) at one bite? Or when he and mother were reminiscing about tequilla and beer, and I remembered this joke I'd read: "Pour Mexican alcohol into a birdbath, and you'll get Tequilla mockingbird". Of course, I told it, and Dad was enveloped in laughter-which is, by the way, contagious-until we all were in tears.
Of course, it didn't help when Abby kept putting her ice-cream cones-all six of them, in fact-on the tabletop at various points. She couldn't eat the bottoms of them once they had touched the table, of course.
As the sixth one went down, while she was having a choking fit, we just dissolved into laughter. It wasn't fair! *g*
Then, when I asked for a napkin to clean up my chocolate-ice cream-covered face, she managed to get about sixty of them out of the dispenser. There being no trash-cans, Abby brought them all back. And they did come in handy! She managed to spill Dad's water-which she had been drinking out of, mistaking it for her own-about three times, and then when it was empty and removed safely out of the way, proceeded to knock over her own glass another time.
Altogether, it was a fun-filled evening. In the car on the way home, the festive spirit continued, and we all sang "Giddy birthday to you, giddy birthday to you!"
So, now if you'll excuse me... I have to close this post before I burst out laughing again!
Laughingly yours, Genny.

The virtues of the spelling checker

2010-05-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

Not at all original, nor the only version out there... I post for your enjoyment: Eye Have a Spelling Chequer

Eye have a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot sea.

Eye ran this poem threw it.
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its very polished in its weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.

A checker is a blessing.
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.

Each frays comes posed up on my screen
Eye trussed too bee a joule.
The checker pours o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.

Bee fore a veiling checkers
Hour spelling mite decline,
And if we're lax oar have a laps,
We wood bee maid too wine.

Butt now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
There are know faults with in my cite,
Of nun eye am a wear.

Now spelling does not phase me,
It does knot fours a tier.
My pay purrs awl due gladden
With wrapped words fare as hear.

To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should be proud,
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.

Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays
Such soft wear four pea seas,
And why eye brake in two averse
Buy righting want too please.

Happy Birthday!

2010-05-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Happy 12 birthday Abby! You are a wonderful sister to me! Your, umm, tireless energy and wonderful enthusiasm is amazing. You are (nearly) always bright, cheerful and willing to help, and you can always see the funny side of things. Your growth in the spiritual and physical has been a wonderful thing to see. I couldn't ask for a better sister! <3

Reflections on the busyness of life

2010-05-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Today is a restful day. At least, aside from the minor quarrels about who gets to hold the cat.

Well, I am VERY glad that we don't have Gileskirk today. Now, this is surprising, because normally I enjoy it. But I have two very good reasons.
Firstly: it would mean that I have 2 weeks to study for final exams, and to finish my 40 hour project. (we have about 4 of the above hours filled in, by the way)
Secondly: Mom and Abby and I have an all-day fieldtrip up to a zoo and aquarium near Tacoma. And we're praying that there is no traffic, otherwise we won't be at the Evening of the Arts. Now, Gileskirk the afternoon before, when I have to get up at around 5:30-two hours earlier from my usual arising time(and yes, I know that this isn't all that early for you country people, but it's average/early in the city)-would be very bad for my sleep.

But the Evening of the Arts! I can't wait for it. Hoping this chest-cold will leave today or tomorrow morning so I can sing my best. As it is, I can sing well, but... it doesn't sound quite right. So. Please pray for a swift and uneventful journey back.

But I'm rambling, which is something I'm actually very good at and doing constantly. Sometimes it's annoying, but sometimes the most random and interesting subjects come up in the conversation/post. Speaking of random, did you know that...
I won't bore you. I'll just end this post here. And I won't be like Bugs Bunny who frequently talks for several paragraphs about shutting up after being told to.
So, I close.
Genny

Feminism and the Bible: Which view is right?

2010-05-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

This is my Gileskirk paper. Hope you enjoy!

I - Feminism is NOT God's plan!

A. God created women to be helpmeets.

B. Some women point to Biblical examples who supposedly support the theory of 'Biblical Feminism'. (Proverbs 31 woman; Deborah; Priscilla and Aquila)

C. All of the women in the Bible who are pointed out as good role-models or lessons in character are humble, quiet, gentle-spirited women of the home.

II - I can do it, but ought I? Which side is right?

A. The feminist arguments are based upon a woman's fear of unimportance.

B. Biblical arguments are based more upon the true calling and purpose of a woman.

III - Demeaned or Glorified? The calling to be a homemaker, although "old-fashioned" and "demeaning", is a noble purpose.

A. A mother is also a teacher. The State-run schools are a way of claiming another generation of loyal advocates.

B. Nearly all Christian children abandon their faith while in highschool or college, but very few of those are children who have been schooled in the home by their parents.

A woman is like a crown to her husband. She is the queen of his castle.

In today's society, it is assumed that a woman should work outside of the home. Sure, you can stay home with your baby, maybe even the toddler, but when the child turns three, you begin to get questions like, “Shouldn't he be in a daycare? I can recommend an excellent facility.” Or perhaps, “She's kind of old to still be hanging on your skirts.” The Biblical position for a wife and mother is that she be in her home, tending to her family, not out in a nine-to-five job, working for "self-fulfillment." The feminist and careerist movement is detrimental to our society, and can even be found in today's churches.

Feminism - NOT God's Plan!

Although today the feminist lifestyle is common, normal, and unassailable, it was not planned to be this way. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and he proclaimed them good. (Genesis 1:31) This could not be true if women were bickering with their husbands over who was the major breadwinner, or who should make the financial decisions.

God created woman to be man's helpmeet, not his rival. God created woman out of man, for man. She was to be his helper and the mother of his children. (Genesis 2:18) In no way does this make her inferior to the man, as the feminists try to point out. She simply has a different role in the scheme of things. Women can do things that no man can do, and in the same way men can do things that no woman can do. We are very different, and this is no accident. The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam. Not made from his head to rule over him, not from his feet to be trampled, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved. (Henry)

Some women point to Biblical examples who supposedly support the theory of 'Biblical Feminism', but with a closer look, these examples are rendered void for the feminist side, and even more, as good examples for the anti-feminists. For example, the Proverbs 31 woman is used as a standard for the feminist cause. Proverbs 31: 13-14 says that, “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.” Some women eagerly point that out. “She brings her food from afar! She could be a traveling salesman! Or she could be a factory worker!” This is most certainly far from true. It probably only means that she knits, sews, or crochets items for her family's use, and that she selects the best produce for her family's consumption.

Can -- or Ought?

Just because I can do a thing does not mean that I ought. Mary Pride sums it up nicely when she says, "Just because Russia and America could bomb each other out of existence does not mean that they should." Likewise, although many women can do jobs as or more efficiently then many men, God has given them a higher calling. No man can give birth to children, nurture them, and teach them the way that God has designed a woman to be able to do. This is God's calling to us, and we would do well to heed his words.

Feminists are not concerned with what would benefit a woman more, to be a career woman, or a wife, mother, and worker at home -- rather, they are more concerned with their own sense of "self-fulfillment," what they want rather than what they can give. (Pride) This is a part of the curse that God laid on Eve. Genesis 3:16b states that "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Since that day, women have wanted to rule. And in this modern age, aided by Karl Marx and the religion of Communism, they have succeeded.

Feminist arguments are often harsh, more based upon a woman's fear of being outclassed and unloved. They attempt to convince women that they are looked down upon, second-class citizens, and utterly useless in their capacity as housewives. They play upon the worries and doubts that a woman harbors, and encourage the beliefs that women can do things just as well, or even better than, men. They try to make the traditional role of wife and mother look like slavery for a man's selfish whims. And in this country, they have succeeded! Even in Christian circles, if a young woman is asked what she wants to be when she grows up, they expect her to give an answer that is "practical," such as a lawyer, doctor, computer technician, or something like that. If a girl were to answer that her goal in life was to be a "wife, mother, helpmeet, and supporter to a husband," even many Christians, not to mention most of the world, would look at her and wonder "What is wrong with her?"

In the Bible, we can find scriptural examples of this mindset. Proverbs 29:9 states that "If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no quiet." Although the feminists should be happy and content-they have, after all, succeeded in gaining equal footing with men, and broken out of the "traditional" mindset of the home-maker-they are not. They are bitter and always seeking for more.

Biblical arguments, on the other hand, focus on the true purpose and destiny of women. That a woman's natural instincts dictate that she is a woman, helpmeet to her husband and father. However, if a husband does not trust his wife enough to give her "guided free reign" within the household, than their marriage is not fully founded upon the trust, love, and mutual respect that spouses are designed to share.

Feminists are never truly fulfilled, happy, or whatever else it is they strive for. Indeed, they often go through divorce and separation because their husbands are not supportive and do not regard the feelings of the women enough. Far from it, the truth is more like that they have been ignored, their needs put aside, relegated to little more than a roommate. Is it any wonder that they become depressed or unsupportive, when their wife's career is more important than them? Dr. Laura supports this vehemently, often chastising young wives for wondering why their husbands are unsupportive when they are spending all of the time and energy on their careers.

Another painful fact is abortion. Career moms have no time for children, and therefore birth control is used constantly, whether or not there is need for it. If, by any chance, methods of birth control are unsuccessful, then abortion must be resorted to, because mommy is too busy being a one man -- err, woman -- show. Children are regarded as a nuisance, a hindrance, not a blessing from God, not a wonderful miracle that is absolute proof that there is a living God, and that he does care about those on Earth.

Homemaking -- Demeaned or Glorified?

The calling to be a homemaker, although so-called "old-fashioned" and "demeaning," is a noble purpose. It is the job of a helpmeet, and it is the job of (maybe mention helpmeet, as some women are childless but still of value at home) raising Christian children. This could easily be classed as one of the greatest ministries of all, and yet some women say that they cannot have many children because they must minister to others. A mother is the role- model to her children. If they see a hurried, worried, tired career woman, whose greatest interest is what is going on at her workplace, then this is often the image that they will emulate. However, a mother, who, though tired and busy, is there for her children, to help them (or teach them) with school-work and the problems of life, is a much more Christian example.

A mother is also a teacher. One of her responsibilities is to tutor her children in the ways of God and the Bible, as well as any academics that are necessary. Teaching your child to know God is the greatest task any person could ask for. Who needs to go to India or China to be a missionary when you can evangelize right in your own home? Who could want more than to discuss theology or Biblical truths with your entire family? Genesis 18:19a states that, "For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice." Deuteronomy 6:7 elaborates on this by saying, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." It is clearly written in the Bible that it is very important to teach your children Biblical truths and the ways of God.

Additionally, State-run schools are a way of claiming another generation of loyal advocates. Anything that is spouted at you for seven hours a day becomes a way of thinking. If in biology, history, life-sciences and social studies, the statement that "Global Warming is a fact, and it is very dangerous to all human life!" is heard repeated and in infinite variation, it will become a part of your belief system. A study by CBN shows that while 75% of public-schooled American youth brought up in Christian households disown their Christian faith by the first year of college, this is only true for less than 4% of homeschooled youth. This is nothing if not a recommendation for Christian home-schooling. (Haverluck)

However, despite the feminist arguments for "self-fulfillment," "freedom," and "sexual equality," God's place for women is in the home, taking care of their families. This is far from a degrading and embarrassing toil, this is a labor of love for which we are equipped by God's Word. From the beginning, women have been viewed -- and have viewed themselves -- as childbearers and mothers. In fact, the Greek word for "woman" means literally to give suck, or to nurse. I suppose that this would mean that women were looked on primarily as mothers. (Pride)

In conclusion, it is not hard to see that a woman's place is in her home. If man is the head, she is the crown, a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation. The man was dust refined, but the woman was dust refined twice, once removed further from the earth. (Henry). The Biblical stance on the place of a wife says that a woman should be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands. (Titus 2:5b) The Bible should be our standard in this, as in everything else.

Works Cited

Pride, Mary. The Way Home. Crossway Books, 1985.

"Wikipedia - Feminism". Wikipedia. 3/01/10 .

The Holy Bible. Thomas Nelson Bibles, 2001.

Haverluck, Michael F.. "Socialization: Homeschooling vs. Schools". CBNnews. 3/21/10 .

Henry, Matthew. "Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible". 3/24/10 .

The dIsmal Cows

2010-04-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

COMMUNALISM:You have 2 cows, and you give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM:You have 2 cows. The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM:You have 2 cows. The State takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM:You have 2 cows. The State takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRATISM:You have 2 cows. The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away...

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM:You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.

SURREALISM:You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

ROMANTICISM: You have two cows. You let them wander freely, and then wonder why neither came back.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION:You have two cows.You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.

ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM:You have two cows.You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more.Sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release. The public buys your bull.

A FRENCH CORPORATION:You have two cows.You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION:You have two cows.You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION:You have two cows.You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION:You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION:You have two cows.You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows because your sobering up and open another bottle of vodka.

A CHINESE CORPORATION:You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who report the real situation.

AN IRAQI CORPORATION:Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.You tell them that you have none.No-one believes you, so they bomb the heck out of you and invade your country. You still have no cows, but now you're a "democracy".

THE WELSH:You have two cows. You try not to look too disappointed.

AN IRISH ENTREPRENEUR:You have two cows. You borrow against future headage payments to develop your land. The cows can live in flat 62. In Bulgaria.

THE IRISH TIMES:You have two cows. They don't always agree with you. What sort of cattle are they?

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS:You have two cows. The others were destroyed by an ungrateful public.You're not quite sure if two is enough to maintain an actual farm.

THE GREENS:You have two cows and an extensive portfolio of equity interests in various American food and beverage corporations. You sell these and pay child actors to pretend they want adults to vote for you.

SOCIALISM:You have two cows. You keep one and pay the other to your party. This keeps you in touch with ordinary working farmers who have only one cow. The other farmers ignore or patronize you.

THE UNIONS:You have two cows. They go on strike, demanding shorter hours and higher pay.

AMERICA UNDER OBAMA:You have two cows. The government taxes them, and when they do not pay for health insurance, seizes them and charges you for their upkeep.

A Poetical Flight

2010-04-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

I had a sudden inspiration for a poem. Of course, this inspiration hit at 12am, when there were no pens or paper to be had. I still managed to write it down(with a marker, on the back of a receipt). But it's still a noteworthy (ha!) poem.
So... here goes. I leave judgment to my worthy reader(s?).

I let my heart wander,
Careless and free.
But when I looked for it,
It had gone from me.

I let my heart fly!
'Pon the wings of the dawn.
And when I searched for it,
It was already gone.

I found my heart resting,
On the brow of a friend.
And I asked of myself,
"Can this pain ever end?"

'Twill be broken in twain,
Whether I keep, or let go.
Should have guarded it better.
This truth I now know.

Rough, but what do you think?

An Update (FINALLY)

2010-04-05T14:30:00.001-07:00

I don't have any decent excuses for not posting. So.

I am listening to a Gileskirk summary.
My dad will be away until Friday. He's in Atlanta, Georgia, attending a UPS conference. Atlanta is UPS' headquarters. He left at 5:30 this morning, so we all said our goodbyes last night before bed.
Easter Sunday's sermon was preached by Mr. Vonderluft. Of course, all of my followers (which reach a grand total of... (drumroll please) ONE! *sigh*) go to the same church as me, so you know that.
There are only TWO more Swiss Choir rehearsals before the actual concert. It will be April 17th, and it starts at 4:00pm. If you buy tickets pre-sale, they are $13, and $15 at the door. Children get free admission. I believe that dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children.
The third (and final-for the year) term of WISE Science will commence tomorrow night. We will be studying sharks(a fact that the guys are much more excited about than us gals). The first term was Vulcanology, also known as the study of volcanoes. Then we studied Embryology, the development of a pre-birth child. Now it's sharks. I believe the 'sophisticated' term is Elasmobranchology, which also covers the study of skates and rays.
Well, that's all folks!

Life...

2010-03-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

What'd I tell you? Life caught up with me... again...
Friday was friday school. Basically that meant that I went upstairs for a nap first thing. Then it was time to go to NEPHS board meeting. -.- Boys...
Saturday was "spring house-cleaning". Or at least, spring living-room cleaning. The computer didn't go on at all that day.
Then yesterday was Palm Sunday. So... Potluck, choir, etc. Anyway, we don't do many computer things on Sundays.
Then today... I had to finish all of last-week's school that didn't get done. SO.
I'll try harder, honestly, I will. At least, if anybody ever reads this blog. If not... oh well...

Hello!

2010-03-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

I joined the great world of blogger-mostly because a lot of people I know are on here-today!
I'll try to be faithful to this blog-really I will! But... sometimes life catches up with me.
SO.
I will talk (type?) to you later!
Genny