"A Prayer"

Danced by Kathy Villalobos, Jolai Parris, and Kori Peterson.  Song: Small Enough by Nichole Nordeman.  The prayer of an abused child.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dVrHPwPnj4

Hiding Place by Ballet Magnificat

The beautiful story of Corrie Ten Boom, her time in a Nazi concen-

tration camp, and the incredible forgiveness she was able to extend toward the guard who killed her sister.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh7MjnAHgPw

Check out http://www.balletmagnificat.com/H_tour2009.html to see if Ballet Magnificat may be on tour in your area.  It is not to be missed!

Grape Day Park

Took the boys to Grape Day Park and the Children's Museum in Escondido.  My sister-in-law, Jen, joined us with her two little sweeties, Isaac (10 weeks) and Anika (3 1/2).  Yes, the slide is a bunch of grapes.  And Brandon is abiding in/on the "vine".

a cousin reunion

       

A trip to the San Diego Zoo was in order today.  We met my sweet cousin, Kyler, and his girlfriend, Vanessa.  It was such a neat time.  They are visiting from New York/New Jersey (a Memorial weekend jaunt).  There is a new "Elephant Odyssey" exhibit with a great play area for the kids.  And Siley and I were interviewed by the Channel 8 news about rattlesnakes.

http://www.cbs8.com/global/category.asp?c=155799&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=149659&topVideoCatNoB=155712&topVideoCatNoC=155713&topVideoCatNoD=155710&topVideoCatNoE=155711&clipId=3793009&topVideoCatNo=undefined&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

The highlight?  Skyfari (aerial tram)!  We rode it twice.  And of course a quick trip around on the Balboa Park train.  

    

Field Trip

Lately, Silas tells me that everything reminds him of Jesus.  Our house, a song, his shirt...  Isn't it nice to be reminded of Jesus?  We drove to Santee on Monday to do some shopping and to visit the Aerospace Museum hangar at Gillespie Field and the Creation Museum.  The whole way, Brandon was admiring the trees and the mountains and beauty of the various terrain between Borrego and the city.  It was as if he had never noticed the beauty of it before.  "Mommy, where is this?  It is beautiful."

My Grandpa used to volunteer at the hangar at Gillespie Field building, rebuilding and restoring old air planes.  So, we went for a little visit and met my dad and Linda there.  Frank Huttle greeted us in the parking lot and he knew my Grandpa and had so many sweet memories to share with me.  It was so wonderful meeting him and I left the hangar so filled up and joyful and a little sad over the loss of my dear Grandpa.  Here is a photo of Frank I was able to snap before we left.

As we wandered the tarmac, I came across the Waco, which was the first plane my Gramps worked on and he and Frank got to fly it many years ago.  

Then we headed over a mile or two to the Creation Museum.  Here are the boys on Noah's ark...sort of.

Day of Rest

...is truly what we had today!  Yea!  We had a "tea"-style lunch and dinner and spent lots of time in the pool, playing games, and reading.

              

Operation Outcry

http://www.onenewsnow.com/features.aspx?id=411630

Hello sweet ladies who have been through the trauma of abortion.  I know this is a very difficult thing to re-visit, but please click on this link and fill out the abortion testimony (www.operationoutcry.org) so we can "fight the GOOD fight" for the unborn angels within us.

"Vaccines and Aborted Fetuses" by Kristen Myler

Like any mother I want what is best for my children and want to keep them healthy and disease-free.  So I had my son vaccinated when he was an infant.  However, after completing more in depth research on what is really in a vaccine, I discovered that several vaccines are made from elective aborted fetal cell lines.

A cell line is defined as, "cells of a single type taken from an animal or human and grown in a laboratory."  An elective aborted fetal cell line consists of cells taken from an aborted fetus.    To qualify for a cell line the fetus has to be healthy and preserved within 5 minutes of the elective abortion so the cell tissues will stay alive for the scientific research.  In 1962, Dr. Leonard Hayflick developed to WI-38 human diploid cell line which was established by an aborted 3-month-old healthy female fetus.  The fetus was dissected and the lung cells were extracted to be used as a host for viruses when making vaccines.  These lung cells multiply and are used in several vaccines.  Before Dr. Hayflick received this particular fetus, he went through several fetuses to establish the WI-38 cell line.  This is true of all aborted fetal cell lines.  For example, at least 81 aborted fetuses were used in the making of the rubella vaccine.  Eventually the multiplication of the aborted fetal cells in these cell lines will stop because of its infinite lifeline.  Then more elective abortions will be necessary to develop another cell line.

All of these cell lines are used in different vaccines.  To make one of these vaccines, a virus of the disease is cultured with aborted fetal cells, combined with other chemical components, and then injected in the patient.  This starts the immunological response.  Anti-bodies attack this foreign antigen (the virus).  If there is contact with the virus again in the future, the body already knows how to attack the virus, and theoretically, there would be immunity to the disease.  Unlike bacteria, a virus needs live cells to replicate.  So, all vaccines used against viral disease, like chickenpox, measles, and polio, contain either human aborted fetal cells or animal cells (with the exception of 2 vaccines that use yeast).

So - every time someone is vaccinated, part of the aborted fetus and its DNA are actually being injected into the patient receiving the vaccine made from an aborted fetal cell line.  And - these vaccines have the possibility of encouraging further abortions.  According to a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal 1995, 153:545-552 that reported, "of the 122 (women) who indicated that they would consider abortion if they were pregnant, 17.2% stated that they would be more likely to have an abortion if they could donate the tissue for fetal tissue transplant and 19.7% were uncertain."  In 1988, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) advisory committee stated to the Director of the NIH its concerns, "The possibility for using fetal research transplantation might constitute motivation, reason, or incentive for a pregnant woman to have an abortion."  There is continued scientific research  on medical treatments and vaccines which will require more aborted fetal cell lines, thus the demand for aborted fetuses will need to be met."

What can you do?  Choose an alternative ethical vaccine.  Many vaccines have an ethical alternative and are made by using cells from chick embryos, monkey, hamster ovary, rabbit, and caterpillar cells.  Ask your physician for the ethical alternative type of vaccine.  Be aware that not all vaccines have this alternative (i.e. the MMR, and the chicken pox vaccine).  Be informed.  No one can be forced to receive a vaccine.  Most U.S. States allow exemption to the mandatory immunizations of every child.  These exemptions could include medical reasons and conflict with religious or philosophical beliefs.  Support current legislation.  There is a current legislation proposal called the Fair Labeling and Informed Consent Act (FLICA) that will require pharmaceutical companies to inform pharmacies, health care professionals, and patients whenever aborted fetal or embryonic material is used in a drug or vaccine.  To support this legislation, check out this link on the internet:  http:/www.cogforlife.org/flica.html.  Inform others.  Please pass this information on to anyone who would also wish to know what is in a vaccine.

Where We Live

Borrego Springs, CA

 

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This owl has given us many good laughs.

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Snow on Valentine's Day 2008

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Brandon calls this a mud puzzle

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Little Baja (a short walk from our house)

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a storm approaching Borrego as viewed from Coyote Canyon
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Sunrise over Font's Point

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Overlooking the Badlands from Font's Point

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big horn sheep on Palm Canyon Trail

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Home Sweet Home

"The Eagle Has Landed"

Jamie and I attended our 1st home schooling convention last weekend and it was incredibly inspiring.  We have settled on the Charlotte Mason and Unit Study methods and I couldn't be more excited about it!  Living books, real-life experiences, education as a lifestyle....  In one week we have learned so much (I say "we" because Jamie and I are learning right alongside of the boys).  

This summer, we will be venturing off to Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, and Prince Edward Island.  These destinations provide a wealth of teaching/learning opportunities.  So we have begun studying about many of the things we will be able to see.  I often think of the depth of history in foreign countries and am awestruck by how old so many civilizations are, especially when compared to our young country.  We (Americans) don't have buildings that are thousands of years old!  Seeing a man-made structure that old is so cool!  This week, however, I have come to appreciate our rich colonial history on the east coast, and I can't wait to experience so many of the things that I remember when I was in school...and to learn about them more in depth and the truth that so many of these people we have studied were Bible-believing Christians.  History has been re-written and taught to more than 2 generations now, totally leaving God out of the picture...when it was God that these people were following and serving.

• D.C.:  We are studying Air & Space (Wright Flyer, Charles Lindberg, Bell X-1, Apollo 11, satellites), George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, The White House.
  
• NYC:  September 11, 2001, and Ellis Island/ Statue of Liberty.
  
• Boston:  Paul Revere.
  
• P.E.I.:  The fun and inspiring story of "Anne of Green Gables".
  

I had intended only to teach Brandon to read (Si is only 3), but Si has sat in on all the reading lessons and he is keeping right up with Brandon.  

Here is a fun little bit of information about Buzz Aldrin when he was on the moon.  Do you remember the "moment of silence" he took?  Do you know what he did during that "moment"?  He took communion!  Gosh!  I sure don't remember my history teacher telling me that.  Here is a quote from Aldrin:

"In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup. Then I read the Scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.' I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth, but at the last minute Deke Slayton had requested that I not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed reluctantly...  Eagle's metal body creaked. I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements."

Please pray for my uncle

Please be praying for my Great Uncle Johnny.  He is in the midst of heart failure and he does not know Jesus.  He has told me in the past to not share my faith.  I am hoping for an opportunity to speak with him.  It would be so terrible to lose him for eternity.  He is a very special and precious man.  My Great Aunt Helen also is not a believer.  I have such a dear family and would hate this to be the last I ever see of my treasured uncle.

Thank you.

Hand in Hand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c

Enjoy...we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving creator. No hindrances.

Letter from Joe Gatelein

Hello everyone.  

Below is a letter I found tonight in a file my mom left in the closet (when she was staying with us).  I think you will be blessed to hear it.  Mom had been keeping a web page for him on caringbridge.  I believe he had written this to post on the site.  I am not sure it ever made it on, but I thought you all would like to read it since he was writing it to those who had been praying for him during his struggle with cancer.  

As you may recall, Joe was diagnosed with esophagael cancer in January, 2006.  That summer he was declared cancer free.  And on November 10, 2006, he and my mom were given the tragic news that his cancer had returned and was throughout his body.  He died January  7, 2008.

Here is what Joe wrote on December 21, 2006.  Only two and a half weeks before he entered heaven...:

Dearly Beloved in Christ, Please allow me to introduce myself; my name is Joe, Joe Gatelein, the same Joe Gatelein all this has been written about since February this year. I don't know if this has been done before but I'm going to try:  I want to say thank you to each and every one who in your faith raised me up to where Jesus could cure me; and He did just that- He cured the esophagael cancer!  Now it's up to Him to cure this & I thank you for your continuing prayers here as well.  The healing however may not take place this side of heaven.  In either case I accept Jesus words-"I will never leave you or forsake you"- that is so powerful.  I thank God and I thank you; in your lives His commandment, "Love one another as I have loved you" live well. Last evening, Tracey and I celebrated seventeen years of marriage.  No, it's not enough, but, what was the other?  As a Christian, it's my understanding that we really don't have a vote in these matters.  I think that's a good idea.  Can you imagine the chaos of all of us trying to argue for that little/large amount of time?  It's a good thing.  The Father has known even before our birth the exact amount of our time; so much easier to rejoice in going home, isn't it? If you will, please, give another someone a hand along the way as you have given me. Thank you, Joe

2008 Chetek or Bust!!

June 28 through July 29, 2008, we ventured off in my little toaster of an xB to Wisconsin.  We planned to camp along the way but I think I can count on one hand the nights we camped...and I am very sure that all but one of those nights it rained on us.

 

  

        

Along the way, we saw the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, the Focus on the Family campus, Cave of the Winds, a near-tornado in North Platte, NE, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, dear friends, berry -picked in Oregon, and we also had a quick visit with Granny (Jamie's grandmother in Tahama, CA).

  

  

  

In Chetek, WI, we reunited with family.  The purpose of this trip was to finally put my grandparents to rest.  My Grams grew up on the Lake and she and my Gramps wanted their ashes scattered there.  So, 4 years after my Grams death and 8 years after Gramps, we finally honored thier wishes.  It was a relaxing and wonderful time.