I have been reading the 1828 Elementary Catechism of the Constitution… to my boys for the last several months.  We finished it today.  

So, as the public school system, this administration, our judges, Congress try to rewrite the Constitution, cause it to be irrelevant, omit it completely, or just ignore it; we were reading this heart grabbing nugget today:

"…remember that this precious Constitution, thus wise, thus just, is your birthright.  It has been earned for you by your fathers, who counseled much, labored long, and shed their dearest blood, to win it for their children.  To them, it was the fruit of toil and danger -- to you, it is a gift.  Do not slight it on that account, but prize it as you ought.  It is yours, no human power can deprive you of it, but your own folly and wickedness.  To undervalue, is one of the surest ways to lose it.  Take pains to know what the Constitution is -- the more you study, the higher you will esteem it.  The better you understand your own rights, the more likely you will be to preserve and guard them."

I wept as I read these words…almost 200 years old.  True.  Prophetic.  Hope-filled…if we will break free of our national ignorance and cling to the freedoms entrusted to us; and fight with everything that is within us to secure our liberty.

my weaknesses today

Today, I vacuumed like a fiend!  No, I am not Suzy Homemaker.  I got a new Dyson!  My old vacuum is still sitting in the hallway.  I'm sure my husband would like that to be gone from the hallway when he gets home.

Today, I moved 20 gallons of paint from the garage to the shed in an effort to continue organizing my garage.  No, it is still not organized.  I mean, look at this!

Today, I assembled a new wardrobe for dance costumes.  When I disassembled the old one, I whacked myself in the head with a pole.  Yeah, that felt good.

Today, I admitted to the world (via Facebook) that I am not in the least bit domestic.  It went like this:  "I think I'll start blogging for moms who can't cook, are allergic to the kitchen, couldn't care less about being crafty, but still want to raise world changers. I'm feeling incredibly inadequate when I see all these domestic genius moms around me. You all are amazing! How can a non-domestic type compare!? :-) Maybe you all can look into mass producing your domesticity and shipping it to us kitchen/craft phobes."  Yes, I am passionate.  Yes, I love my husband and my children.  Yes, I love my country.  Yes, I love Jesus, the Lord and Savior and forever Healer of my life!  Yes, I speak boldly about the things the move my heart.   But, I hate crafts, baking, cooking and doing creative things that would otherwise please my family.  I don't even like to babysit.  How's that for some honesty?  When I put something on the stove, I walk away and forget about it because I just don't want to stand there idly waiting for food to do what it does.  I burn things because of this.  I often have pots that boil over.  My husband shakes his head.  Contrary to popular belief, I cannot multitask.  Yes, I have many things going on at one time and they all sit unfinished as I start a new task.  I will eventually finish each one, but not before annoying myself and my husband by the mess I leave in my wake.  My son, Brandon, is the same way.

Today, I read this blog post:  Competitive Mothering and I loved it and it has inspired me to boast in my weaknesses.  I try to follow many wonderful mom blogs, but what I really want to know that they have Mount Washmore in their laundry hampers, too.  I mean, how do these gorgeous women homeschool numerous children, bake the best cinnamon rolls in the world, keep a spotless house, raise goats and chickens, and have time to write about it?!!  I often have the most hideous time management.  I would rather play a logic puzzle on my phone than do some task that would actually allow me more leisure to read a book, play a game, etc.  I spend too much time on my computer and I need to do something about that.  Right now, as I write, my dining room table houses an old purse and a tote bag full of papers...both of which I really need to put away.  The manual to my new Dyson is poking out from under my computer and there are about 157 lego pieces strewn over the table.  Oh! and 2 Hershey's Kisses (which I should not have eaten) wrappers stare at me reminding me that Christmas has been one poor excuse for too much egg nog, candy, cookies, and calories.  I refuse to step on the scale.  Ha!

I hope that in the next week, I will finish the garage and the shed.
I hope that I will get back on my bike and be motivated to do so.
I hope that I have not gained the 5 pounds I'm pretty sure have glued themselves to my waist and tush.
I hope it's only 5, and not more.
I hope that we will melt into a decent "school" schedule.
I hope I will read instead of wasting time on Facebook and logic puzzles.  And maybe clean the house a bit, too.
I hope I will write more.  I like to do that and so many ideas fly through my mind, but I don't take the time to do it....because Mt. Washmore is calling my name.

Anyway, this is a little bit of venting, but mostly I just want to keep it real and boast in my weaknesses.  I have two AWESOME boys who, today, when my hub showed them a pic of a "politically connected family" who recently visited our desert, they recognized the political figure in the bunch.  They read Red Wall books and I am shocked over that.  They just counted out nearly $60 in change all on their own.  And when I asked them to clean the guinea pig cage, they did it.  I have clean floors today (ok, so they do need a good mopping).  I have paint stored properly.  I have costumes (almost) put away --- ok, so there's still a pile on my bed!  I have a husband that probably would like a wholesome home-cooked meal but loves me even when most of the time that just doesn't happen.  My home is full and beautiful, but my yard has junk all over it.  My dog door is really dirty...it's almost gross...no, it IS gross.  And I have no idea how to clean it effectively.  Many people think I am amazing.  I'm not...obviously.  I'm just me.  But in those things where I excel, I want to be a blessing.  And I want a cozy home for my family.  I think I accomplish these things (for the most part).

I am a work in progress and may never be Rachel Ray in the kitchen, but I will get better at the things I'm not so hot at.  "He who began a good work in [me] will be faithful to complete it..."  There's always something to work on.  (And I didn't even talk about my unpleasant responses to the people that annoy me.) Be strong in my weaknesses, Lord!

It's getting dark and I have to go to the shed.
And I will reheat the Christmas chili (which I cheated and made from a kit) for dinner... which neither of my boys are thrilled about, but my hub loves.

And it's ok that I'm not a domestic diva.  I am a patriotic, Christ-loving, passionate wife and mom; and I don't know too many like me.  That may make me a really radical odd ball, but today I'll be glad that I am filling a unique role that a handful of others appreciate, and I feel called to.

Constitution catechism nugget

from page 18-19 of The Catechism on the Constitution of the United States:

Q:  May ever the President of the United States be thus impeached and punished?

A:  Yes.  In this free and happy country no man is so great as to be above the law.  The laws are supreme; to them all persons, from the President of the United States to the poorest and the meanest beggar, must alike submit.  This is our glory.  Let every youthful American exult that he has no master but the law; let him mark the man who would change this happy state of things as the enemy of his country; and above all let him remember that as soon as he himself breaks the law, he becomes himself that enemy.  Whoever violates the law helps to weaken its force, and, as far as he disobeys, does what in him lies to destroy it: but he who honors and obeys the law strengthens the law, and thereby helps to preserve the freedom and happiness of his country.  In some governments it is held that "the king can do no wrong;" here we know no king but the law, no monarch but the constitution: we hold that every man may do wrong; that the higher he is in office, the more reason there is that he be obliged to answer for his conduct; and that as a great officer, if treacherous, is a great criminal, so he  ought to be made to suffer a great and exemplary punishment."

Remember a few months back when Obama was subpoenaed to a GA court and didn't appear?  If that were you or me, we would have a warrant out for our arrest and the next time the police interacted with us, we would be hauled off to jail.  Since we have no king, then technically no one is above the law.  But the reality seems to be that Obama thinks himself above the law and we must also think so since we have not called him to accountability. Even a subpoena for a baseless case must be obeyed.
In January, we took a family vacation to the northwest.  Jamie received a subpoena that required him, in the middle of our vacation, to appear at a DUI hearing he had to testify in.  We tried everything possible to continue the case so it wouldn't interrupt our vacation...to no avail.  We had to rearrange our plans so that Jamie could fly to San Diego in order to appear in court.  I won't elaborate on the incredible headache it was to accomplish this, but Jamie was threatened that if he did not appear in court, he would have a warrant.  Enough said.  "No man is above the law."  If law enforcement isn't, then should the President be?  No one ought to be.  We do not have a king who is above the law.  We are all subject to it.

"We are a nation of laws and not of men." ~John Adams

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."  (Federalist 51)

"If every man were perfectly virtuous, and knew what would be best for himself and others, they might [govern themselves].  But this is far from being the case; and therefore the people of every country are and must be governed." (Elementary Catechism...)

Constitutional betrayal = treason

"...whoever goes contrary to [the Constitution] betrays his country, injures you, injures me, betrays us all, and is deserving of the heaviest punishment.  Whoever, on the contrary, loves and keeps it sacred, is his country's friend, secures his own safety, and farthers the happiness of all around him.  Let every American learn, from his earliest years, to love, cherish and obey the Constitution.  Without it he can neither be a great or a good citizen; without this his name will never be engraved with honor in the pages of our history, nor transmitted, like that of Washington, with praises and blessings to a late posterity."

~Elementary Catechism on the Constitution of the United States for the use of schools by Arthur J. Stansbury, p.10

This is a great book.  I read about a page and a half to my boys every morning at breakfast for five days in a row.  We discuss it and understand it.  It's an easy way to teach the Constitution and our unique form of government to your children and to learn about it yourself.


When I first read this section, I had to read it again and again.  It sort of knocked me upside the head and brought to mind one person in particular who has very nearly wiped his rear end with our glorious Constitution.  These words are so relevant for our president today and so many politicians who swear an oath that they will uphold and defend the Constitution and yet defy it in every way they can in order to have their own will done.  To know that this offense was not taken lightly in the past and should not be taken lightly now is vital.  Yet, we are so overwhelmed by the multiple attempts and successes to blatantly disregard and defy of the Constitution that we can hardly keep up.  But really one offense is enough to call out the President and any other leader who will betray us and the Constitution.  To not defend it is nothing short of treason --- "whoever goes contrary to [the Constitution] betrays his country, injures you, injures me, betrays us all, and is deserving of the heaviest punishment."  Our checks and balances have become ever so corrupt that they no longer hold one another accountable.  The legislature buddies up with the president who matches their party and agenda and the president appoints agenda activated judges that will do his bidding.  It is becoming difficult to differentiate our government from an oligarchy.  Once the picturesque ideal of a Republic, the image is becoming blurry and faded and our "public servants" are becoming the elite that assert their will upon us.


"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."  (Presidential oath of office)   ....well then do it!  And we the people ought to raise our voices and use our vote to recall any who will not do the job they were hired to do.

My kids are making me smarter

I was at a restaurant last week and there was a stack of Trivial Pursuit cards on the table.  I told Jamie to read some to me.  I normally stink at Trivial Pursuit.  I ended up answering about 80% of the questions correctly and all except one were things I have learned since home schooling my kids.  As I like to say, "I'm learning so much!"  I looked at Brandon and said, "Dude, you guys are making me smarter!"  He responded, "Thanks, Mom!"  Like he's teaching me...which he is...sorta.  ;)

the truth about history

History is not a limited territory with defined borders that can be contained, conquered, and controlled.  It is instead a vast and limitless ocean that can only be explored and charted.  The farther you sail into the ocean of world history, the more you realize it is a journey with no end.  However, you can drop anchor at any point and probe the depths of world history where you are, and those anchors can become permanent places in your children's minds.  People, events and ideas are the anchors that will hold history in place for your children.  Your goal is not to try to cover the entire ocean surface of world history, which would require a very fast and shallow trip, but rather to pick some specific routes, stop at the most interesting places, and out down as many historical anchors as you can.  The more anchors you can create, the easier it will be for your children to begin to sort out and make sense of world history.  The best way to create those anchors is through reading whole, living books that make history come alive.

~Clay & Sally Clarkson

Liberty Treehouse

Liberty Treehouse!

Our new favorite show!   Check out www.gbtv.com and try the 14-day free trial to see if you want to commit.  But, we are loving this show.  (GBTV also has a reality show, Independence U.S.A., about a family attempting to live off the grid, a news show, and other stuff.)   In the last 3 days, we've learned about Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, the brain, bullying/forgiveness, Leap Year, the walk-along glider and ScienceToymaker.com...and the list goes on.

This is a great home school friendly (but really all-types-of-kids friendly) show.  I'm totally incorporating this into my daily home school schedule.  It airs every day at 4:30 pm, and you can archive all the shows from the beginning.  I accessed it a couple of months ago to teach my kids about the economy.  And they love it!  So do I!

Enjoy!

the power of language

"With the gift of language, you can move people in other places and in other times, many miles and years from the sound of your voice, just as God's Word does.  With the gift of language you will influence and shape your child's life for God."

"The power of God's gift of language is in the ability to use words to move people --- to cause another person to learn, to change, to act, to resist, to believe, to follow. ...those who understand its power use it to change lives and influence history."

~Clay Clarkson, Educating the Wholehearted Child. 

The depth of this I didn't understand until now, but my heart has moved in this direction for a while for I absolutely seek to change lives and influence history through passionate words and truth.

Sound bites from the Mom Heart Conference

Marian, Robin, Melanie, Nikki, Kay, Sally, baby Russell, Kori, Barbara, Anne

(All quotes are by Sally Clarkson, unless otherwise noted.)

We have to be willing to build our portion of the wall.  Roll up your sleeves.  Get dirty.  Don't be lazy.  Work.  (inspired by Angela Perritt. www.GoodMorningGirls.org)

To our children, we must say,

"God wants you to be a Daniel in Babylon."

"God used 12 uneducated men to turn the world upside-down."

He can certainly use me and my family too!

"I always felt like I was too much for everyone.  Too loud, too passionate..."
I feel like this every day of my life.  And for some, I am too much; but I will not apologize for who I am (even though sometimes I want to).
It is HE who created me.  
It is HE who knows all my days.  
It is HE who searches the attitudes and intents of my heart.  
It is HE who I must please.  
"For am I know seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." ~Galatians 1:10 
"You can not live by faith and by the fear of men."  "There is great freedom in being yourself."

"The fear of man brings a snare." ~Pr. 29:25  

"Curriculum doesn't create genius or excellence."

"We are called to prepare warriors for what is ahead."

"Motherhood isn't a choice or a philosophy; it's a calling."

Adversarial vs Advocate Parenting

Adversarial:  How many ways can I correct you?

Advocate:  How many ways can I inspire you?

"Train your children not to know things about God, but to know God." ~Nathan Clarkson


"Chase God!" ~Nathan Clarkson

Prayer is "a wonderful power placed by Almighty God in the hands of His saints...to achieve unusual results." (E.M. Bounds)

Keep praying and don't stop.

Have shameless audacity!
~Deb Weakly

Something so cool that Deb Weakly shared was the idea and act of praying for your heritage.  I loved that!  For my grandchildren, great grandchildren and the descendants to come...should the Lord tarry.  That I will leave a godly heritage.  What more could a momma want?!
"A legacy doesn't happen unless you plan it and do it."

"Life is a balance between reality and ideals."

"Just because you're busy doesn't mean you're being productive."

And my favorite quote of the weekend: 

"For Kori, everyday is the fourth of July." 

~Anne Collins (my friend. teehee.)

What was a big overall theme for me personally this weekend?
LEGALISM.
How good intentions can easily become things of bondage and cause division.

"Don't shoot at people; love them." (Yeah, so I may be a little convicted by this one.)

I worry that with my passion for righteousness in this nation, I might make it too much about morality and behavior and not the heart of the American people.  I worry that I might be more passionate about doing and less about praying.  I worry that I might be too rigid and not gracious.  I worry that if I am relaxed in one area, then I'll relax in all...when there are real things that need to be fought for.   I worry that I will blur the lines between the important and that which is not.  I worry that I will be unloving and will want to be unloving because I want more for things to be right (how desperately I want this!)...when all that really matters is love.  And then I will not please God in all my efforts, when the driving force behind my efforts is to please God.  I worry that I will exit the will of the God whom I adore because my passions outweigh my love.

I don't want to be so confident in my calling that I become snobbish in it.  I think it's good to be courageous in home schooling, faith, and patriotism.  But it is not good to be prideful and exclusive in it.  I don't want to marginalize those who don't understand; I want to be able to gently and effectively teach them in spirit, love, and truth.

"Law is about fitting in the box, pleasing people, performing."  Who am I going to please?  Who am I trying to impress?  God, check me every moment of every day that my driving force is your Holy Spirit and not my will.  God, don't accomplish my will.  Thy will be done, Lord Jesus...on earth as it is in heaven!!  I want to please and impress YOU only!

don't read this book.

Skip the book: Presidents Who Dared by Edmund Lindop.  

Stated on page 32 about Thomas Jefferson:

"His often-quoted demand for 'a wall of separation between Church and State' later found its way into the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights."

Which made me wonder: what else will the author and publisher lie about?

Yes, these are the types of books with  blatant lies  that your children will learn from.

Pay attention.

There is no "separation of church and state" found anywhere in The Constitution of the United States.  Nor is it found in nay other governing documents.

More on this subject:  http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=123

Dolphin Tale

This movie tells Hollywood to rally behind films that "get it right" and tell great stories without all the junk, twaddle, and moral compromise!  It has all the good stuff we want more of and is truly entertaining and inspiring from ages 5-95!!!

It's a story that affirms who we are as homeschoolers and what we stand for.  It's time Hollywood hears us.

This movie even has two homeschool kids who play the main roles!  (The casting agents went to a local support group in California and found them.)

It is a family movie that will inspire, instruct, and bring you to tears because of the great story line. 

The bottom line is that the Homeschool Movie Club wants to show Hollywood that those of us with Christian and strong family values are a big enough market to support other great movies with traditional, conservative family values.  

Click here for Homeschool Movie Club's website.
Click here for Homeschool Movie Club's blog.
Here's what Sally Clarkson has to say.
Please share this with your friends.

My new "business"

Hello all.

I've decided to sell Usborne books from my home.  Borrego doesn't have a whole lot to offer for children's (K-12) books, so it just made sense to be able to provide them not only to myself but to others in town as well.  But, no matter where you live, you can order them from me via my website mentioned below.

(FYI - These are not Christian-based books, but have a generalized cultural worldview.  Though, they are fact-based books, there is an injection of evolutionary theory particularly in some of the science books. -- We really enjoy these books in our family and I am pretty particular over book content.)

If you are interested in ordering, you can either order them directly through me (just give me a call or come by the house) or through my website: www.myubam.com/N3380. Please bookmark this link so you can return to it when you want to do some book shopping. :)
I'm hopeful that this will be a good "business" for the boys and I to participate in together.

If you were unable to attend the book party I hosted on Tuesday, and would like to see a sampling of these books, I'd love to show them to you.  They are beautiful and fun...and incredibly informational and educational.  

Love you,

SB48 (continued)... home school advice and opinion

In light of this ongoing issue of SB48, I want to copy some statements and insights that have been mentioned in my recent conversations regarding the subject.  I hope it will encourage you.
Again, I urge you to take your kids out of the public school and charter system.


The home schooling option:

I think it would be wise if the Christian/moral community would come together and create an education system who may not have the funds to private school or the ability to be home enough to home educate.  Of course, I am a firm believer that if we live within our means and tighten the belt a bit, anyone can home school.  Even if both parents have to work, it can be done.  I'm not saying it's easy, but possible...and worth it.  And for people who think it's too hard to home school, let's talk.  If I can do it, ANYBODY can.  Resources and support are abundant.  ---  Keep praying! There is a way.  God is sovereign.  Perhaps this is the wake up call we need to radically change how we educate our precious little (and big) ones.

and...

Regarding the concern over the expense of home schooling:  Curricula can be expensive, but there are several very inexpensive routes.  I'd be happy to help direct anyone in this area if finances are an issue.  I am an out-of-the-box type and don't purchase a curriculum...I create my own.  I do have a math curriculum, but otherwise I do my own and it's working out excellently.  I utilize the public library A LOT.  Also, you would be amazed at what you can get from used curriculum sales, and just by becoming a part of the home schooling community.  Curriculum is often traded or given away or sold at very reasonable prices amongst home school groups. --- Anyway, all that is to simply say: Don't let finances be a hindrance.  God will provide to fit your need.

Also from a recent email to a friend:

REGARDING SB48 - ALL should be recognized for their historic contributions regardless of their sexuality, ethnicity, whatever...the problem is the agenda: the lgbt lifestyle is required to be portrayed only positively...it's indoctrination.  Let's face it, there are some negative aspects of the lifestyle (as there is in ANY sexual promiscuity).  Omitting the truth and teaching only that it is "nurturing," "positive," and "desirable" is propaganda.  And the schools have no business indoctrinating our children.  Educate them.  Why does a 5-year-old have to be introduced to the terms "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender?"

There are a plethora of problems with this bill, chief is the fact that parents can not waive their children from objectionable curriculum.  It is squelching parents' rights.

If bullying (the reason Leno claims to have pushed this bill) is truly a problem (and it is...and not just for gays, but for kids who don't wear the "right" clothes, are different, are Christian, and any other reason a kid can dream up to target other kids), then this will not fix it.  Kids bully kids out of their own insecurity and pride.  Bullying has to be dealt with at the root.  This is not going to solve bullying.  It's only an avenue to push through the lgbt agenda.  Use whatever emotional lingo you can to push your agenda.  No agenda should be in the schools other than to educate them on the 3 R's, true science, and true history.  That's it.  Let families deal with moral issues.

Here's an example: George Bernard Shaw had several beautiful quotes and was a literary genius, but he also was an advocate of eugenics and gas chambers to get rid of those who are "unfit to live"...which were ultimately used by the Nazis in the holocaust.  Teach the whole truth.  Hitler may have many admirable quotes, but it doesn't change the truth that he was a tyrannical murderer of millions.
Omitting the unpleasant for the sake of exalting a certain group of people is wrong and dishonest.

I am opposed to any type of "affirmative action" that gives special rights and privileges to any people group over another.  If you want it fair, then make it fair.  Don't omit truth for the sake of making a certain people group seem only wonderful and great, and ignore the ugliness.  If you're gonna bring out the good, bad, and the ugly, then do it across the board.

Don't get me wrong.  I am not saying we need to shut out lgbt people from basic human rights.  I worked in entertainment for many years and I LOVE my gay friends deeply.  But, I do not want the agenda of a few activists (gay or otherwise) to reign in my nation. "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next."  We already have an evolutionary agenda reigning which is taught as fact and not as theory.  We need to teach facts, not try to brainwash a generation.

If it were really about bullying, then why didn't they specifically include the poor, the weak, and a multitude of other groups that are bullied?  Let's face it, EVERYONE is subject to bullying...not just ethnic groups and gays.

I want schools to be honest.  Give the kids the information, and let them choose for themselves what direction they will take in life.  I raise my kids in the Lord, but am obligated to not hide from them the "world."  They will ultimately have to choose for themselves morality and what they believe...and be able to critically reason their stance.  If I show them only one side of the many-faceted gem, then I'm doing them a disservice and only breeding closed-mindedness and I fail to teach compassion.  They must love all...especially those different from themselves and with whom they disagree.  We can't pick and choose who we extend love to.

I am concerned with the seemingly "little" compromises and how they affect the big picture of the future of this nation and of our future generations.  A ship only 1 degree off-course ultimately ends up totally lost.

It sure is a fine balance.  We must separate a person's actions from who he /she really is deep in their soul.  Love the sinner, hate the sin.  And don't condemn.  Show love despite offenses.  Jesus calls us to no less.

I hope I am honoring the Lord.  And if I'm not, I hope He will correct me.  I really and truly want to please Him above all.   I really want to protect the minds of children.  Don't you think eternity rests on how we raise these little ones?  Give them their options, and let them decide.


I finally found the actual wording for the bill SB48.  You can click on the link here.

My previous 2 posts are also regarding SB48.

More on SB48 - Don't give up your precious kids to the system!

This is a continuation of my previous post regarding the passage of SB48.  I can not stress enough the importance of standing up against this unwanted legislation.  I urge you, if at all possible, to withdraw your child from the public school system.

"The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." ~Abraham Lincoln

Do you have a child in the government school system?  What are you to do?  School administrators believe that you hand your children over to the government and that you relinquish your rights as a parent the second your children darken the school door.  People have been imprisoned for defying this.  There is nothing you can do about what is fed into the mind of your precious child once they are on school grounds.  Your child is being brainwashed to think that there is no truth, no good or evil, no morality.  A generation hypnotized into this kind of thinking will destroy themselves.  We reap what we sow.  Forget the threat of terrorist attacks and economic devastation - we'll implode morally by becoming apathetic and totally lacking in ideals and standards.

We are losing our freedoms: chief is the ability to raise our children according to what we (not the government) believe is best.  When we have no say in the curricular content of our children's education, yet are mandated to send our kids to such an institution; freedom is squelched.  We are in bondage to the system...unless we will take great efforts to fight against it.  Thankfully, we are still free to home or privately educate our children.  This is what must be done so we don't end up with a generation hurtling toward bondage.  

I recently wrote about willful ignorance: the idea that just because something is unpleasant, we intentionally refuse to acknowledge or do anything about it, falsely thinking it will just go away.  Well, this (SB48) is a prime example.  We may ignore SB48 while in the house, then the senate, then on the governor's desk.  Now, it is too late...and it affects you.  This destructive, immoral, worthless curriculum will be forced upon your child...and other than pulling them out of the public school system, there is nothing that can be done about it.  Are you willing to hand your child (whom God has made you a steward of) to an atheistic, anti-God, anti-moral, socialist, government-indoctrinated education system?  We are accountable to God for the things He has made us responsible for.  What will you say to Him when asked what you did with the impressionable mind and heart placed solely in your hands?  He chose you.  He didn't choose the school teacher you barely know who spends more time per week with your child than you do.

I know this sounds harsh and perhaps it is.  I'm not sure how to communicate the urgency of the situation without being unapologetically honest.  We can't throw up our hands and give our children up!!!  We can not quit!

I understand that not everyone can home school...but perhaps it isn't as difficult as you may think.  The great thing about home schooling is that it is an incredibly flexible option.  Even if you work, you can educate your child.  

What's the cost?  

-Time.  

-Commitment.  

What's the cost if you give your child up to the government system?  

-Peer influence (=foolishness).  

-Twisted & untrue history.  

-A child that follows culture rather than righteousness.  

-Immoral brainwashing.  

-The possible loss of their eternal soul (as a result of worldly immersion and failing to counter it at home).  

In addition, your child will be better educated at home than in the school system.  I know home schooling is difficult for some.  Isn't your child's future worth tightening the financial belt of your household (by having one parent stay home or work only part-time; and living within your means)?  I know it is hard to find your niche in the education of your own child, but the resources are limitless and the approach that fits your family is totally attainable.  A few stumbles along the way shouldn't hinder us.  Try something different.  There is a way.  And there is a community of homeschool-minded people who are anxious to help, counsel, and guide.  (Visit http://RescueYourChild.com/)

So, what's my problem?  Why do I care?  Why should this bother me as a homeschooling mom whose children will never (God-willing) be under the influence of the government indoctrination system?

Here is my concern:  Even though I am making painstaking efforts to raise godly men.  The overwhelming amount of peers surrounding them do not share their upbringing and are, in reality, being educated in opposition to their own worldview (even if their parents are moral or Christian).  [I do want to recognize that many public-schooled children turn out absolutely fantastic - thanks to the committed involvement of loving, godly parents and this fact: "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."]  Yes, we are in the world and not of it; but I want freedom for my kids.  What kind of a future are we ensuring for the next generation if we are making the special treatment of homosexuals a priority over actual academics (among other worthwhile things)?  We are teaching our children that pleasure matters more than self-control.  We are telling our children that God is not the author of life which in effect devalues life - resulting in abortion, suicide, euthanasia, ridiculously low personal expectations, and an animalistic perception of ourselves.  And don't we see this?  ---since so much of culture literally acts according to their ever changing desires instead of engaging their incredibly capable decision-making mind to practice wisdom and self-control.  We are not monkeys.  We are not animals.  We were created to reason.  We were created to do good works.  We were created in the very image of GOD HIMSELF.  But we choose to debase ourselves for the sake of doing "what we want." 

I know this can be utterly infuriating, but please remember that LGBT people are so dearly beloved by the same God who loves you and me.  Love the sinner, hate the sin.  Offer a heart of love to these people in your life.  Not all of them are agenda-driven activists, and those that are are "in the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." (2 Tim 2:23-26)  It is a battle "not against flesh and blood but against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places."  Our greatest hope is prayer.  

Father, thank You for this great nation.

We are concerned about so much and discouraged over the

victories in favor of wickedness and to the harm of our children.

But You are absolutely sovereign.  You are not surprised.

You will have Your perfect will done.  Please deliver these

who are so deceived by the enemy of our souls.

Deliver them into eternal salvation in Your presence.

Freedom from their lifestyle of bondage and darkness.

Give us such tender hearts of love for these.

Help us to love not just in word only but in deed and in truth

...not letting politics or morality or self-righteousness reign,

but only genuine concern and passion for their hearts.

Bless these, our brothers and sisters in the human race,

who even though they do not know You

are created in Your beautiful image.

May we always perceive them through Jesus-colored glasses.

Amen.

Withdraw your kids from CA public schools - response to SB48

I write this because it is vitally important that parents be informed of what their children are being taught in school.  So take this as a very serious FYI:

"The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." ~Abraham Lincoln

CA SB 48 was signed into law on Friday.  Look again at the above quote.

This is destructive legislation.

If you live in California and your child is enrolled in the public school, the LGBT contributions to history/society simply based on these people's sexual choice is REQUIRED to be taught in school...and nothing negative can be said about such people (even if they are not the upstanding citizens schools will claim them to be) or their unhealthy lifestyle. Likewise, if you are a teacher in California, you are MANDATED to teach this offensive material.  This is not unlike forcing a pro-life doctor to perform abortions.  In an effort to be "tolerant" and create "safe schools", legislators and the governor of California have marginalized (and not "tolerated") the majority of Californians who have twice voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman.  They have ignored the plea of the people they claim to represent...instead pushing forth their own will and opinion...and at no small cost.  Children will pay dearly,  families will pay dearly, and ultimately our country will be held accountable for its God-less and abominable agenda.  Truly men love darkness more than the light.  Why?  Because they don't want their own evil deeds exposed for the wickedness they truly are.  Let's face it, that's what this is really about.

A few facts about SB48:

• requires that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality be talked about only positively; and the unhealthiness of these lifestyles or anything that "reflects adversely" would be prohibited.
• the terms "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" will be added to all textbooks and instructional material.
• replaces the term "sex" with "gender" in the education code including "a person's gender identity and gender related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth" including a third sex that can only be defined as "other."
• for every heterosexual person covered in the curriculum there must be an equal number of LGBT people covered as well including homosexual parents.  Stating "both sexes should be portrayed in nurturing roles in their families" and as "desirable." (Have I ever told you about the gay men in my cruise ship cast that were stalking an 11-year-old young boy passenger? ...yeah, that's "desirable.") 
• This new curriculum applies to all school aged children K-12.
• It is mentioned that charter and "alternative schools" "take notice."  (Yeah, we noticed.  Thanks.)

"It's unfortunate and sad that - at a time when many students are struggling just to graduate and read at grade level - California has allowed history classes to be politicized by adult identity politics like this.  We should be teaching our children that people are deserving of celebration in history books because of their outstanding, worthy accomplishments, regardless of how they identify sexually or otherwise.  After all Benjamin Franklin is in history because he demonstrated that lightning was electricity---not because of his sexual choices." ~Candi Cushman

This website is addressing this issue specifically:  http://RescueYourChild.com/
Read this excellent article here: Social/Sexual Indoctrination?

I've already been contacted by a mom who has withdrawn her children from the public school system.  She wanted home schooling advice.  I pray there are thousands more who make a similar move.

"As California goes, so goes the nation."

(More on this issue in the following post.)

"Nick of Time" by Ted Bell

We just finished reading The Nick of Time by Ted Bell.  Awesome!

Nazi submarine.
Spies.
Evil pirates.
Secret treasure.
Time travel.
Sea battles.

Meet Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill.

Inspire heroism in your kids.  Like Snow Treasure (true story of Norwegian children during Nazi occupation), it encourages us all to courage and sacrifice for the greater good.

It was a teeny bit above Si's head (he's almost 6).  But Brandon (age 7) LOVED it!  It's aim is for kids around age 10+.

Enjoy!

The Five Thousand Year Leap, Principle 23

(To read previous posts on this book, click here.)

Principle 23: Importance of an Educated Electorate

I guess it goes without saying that this is my favorite chapter.  It is one of the main reasons why I do what I do day in and day out for myself, my husband, my children, my blog, and pretty much anyone within earshot.   I want the truth known.  I want enlightenment of the truth of our nation's history.  I want the true purpose of current events, legislation and agenda known.

Don't you think it so cool that it was America that first took on the noble venture of educating the whole society?  For what purpose?  So, they would vote well and be involved in their own government.  

"Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness."

~G. Washington

Now, there surely is a whole lot of emphasis in our current culture on the importance of voting.  Here's the difference between now and then:  the Founders desired for us to be educated voters and to vote well; today much of the push for voting is for the prevailing agenda of immoral culture and government-run schools.  It's a popularity vote for the one who looks best and sounds the best.  We vote for rock stars and not real leaders.  This must change.

"In the American colonies the intention was to have all children taught the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic so that they could go on to become well informed citizens through their own diligent self-study. (Emphasis mine.)  No doubt this explains why all of the American Founders were so well read, and usually from the same books, even though a number of them had received a very limited formal education.  The fundamentals were sufficient to get them started, and thereafter they became remarkably well informed in a variety of areas through self-learning.  This was the pattern followed by both Franklin and Washington." (p. 179)    

Of course, I LOVE THIS!  We just finished studying Thomas Edison. He had a whopping 3 months of school attendance and then was home schooled by his mother and a self-motivated learner.  (No joke!)  The man patented 1,093 inventions in his lifetime and had practically zero formal schooling (he was in attendance but learned nothing).  Teach our kids the basics: reading, writing, math, true history, Biblical standards of righteousness and morality, current events, and the Constitution.  And the world is their oyster!!  Give them a passion and love for learning by modeling it ourselves!

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."

~Socrates

I just want to throw in a couple of important pieces of advice here regarding what we fill our minds with and the minds of our children:

• Psalm 1:1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord..."   We must not accept the counsel of the ungodly.  Choose wisely what you fill your mind with and if it is not God-honoring, then refuse it.  This includes media.
• Ecclesiastes 12:12 "And further, my son, be admonished by these.  Of making of books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh."   As my pastor put it so well in his message a few weeks ago...  Books are in abundance.  So much so that you can never read them all in your lifetime.  You only get to read so many books, choose well and don't waste your time.
• 2 Corinthians 10:5  "...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."  If it exalts itself above God or compares itself with God, or thinks it is God---get rid of it!  Tear it down!  Throw it out!  Have NOTHING to do with it.  

A book is recommended in this chapter which I will soon purchase as we already own The New England Primer and the Blue Back Speller.  I love old school (no pun intended) school books.  (Don't forget the Bible---it is, after all, the original textbook.)  So, we will be getting the Catechism on the Constitution by Arthur J. Stansbury.   I can't wait to teach my children about the Constitution and to learn more for myself too!

"Sermons and orations by men of limited formal education reflected a flourish and style of expression which few Americans could duplicate today.  Many of these attributed their abilities to extensive reading of the Bible.  Such was the case with Abraham Lincoln.  Certainly the classical beauty of the Gettysburg Address and his many other famous speeches cannot be attributed to college training, for he had none." (p.181-182)   

Not only did Lincoln not have any college education, he had less than 1 year of schooling.  He was entirely self-educated by reading.  And he was a lawyer, politician, and arguably one of the very few best Presidents of the United States.  The boys and I attended a President's Day event at the Nixon Library this year where we heard a man give a speech about the Gettysburg Address and how it was written in the language of the Bible since that is what Lincoln was most familiar with.  Beautiful.

Daniel Webster:

"It is not to be doubted, that to the free and universal reading of the Bible, in that age, men were much indebted for right views of civil liberty.  The Bible is a book of faith, and a book of doctrine, and a book of morals, and a book of religion, of special revelations from God; but it is also a book which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow-man."

Click here for the next post in this series.

Ben Franklin's Junto

...a meeting of the minds.

We are studying the life, inventions, and mind of the genius, Benjamin Franklin.  I discovered the coolest book: Benjamin Franklin: American Genius.  It has great experiments and activities.  It is 2 weeks overdue at the library and so it must go back and I am only just beginning to go through it with my boys.  So, I bought it.  It's just too cool to not own!

We read about Franklin's Junto meetings and Brandon just about came out of his seat.  He wanted to start a Junto immediately and gathered the family together for our first meeting.  He's the leader.  I am the secretary...or so he told me.  And everyone else has a job, too.  I keep telling him that he needs to start a meeting of the minds with his peers, but he is insistent.  He has big plans for a robot he wants to build that can help the soldiers.  He has drawn the blue print and distributed a copy to each of us.  My little inventor.

So, what is a Junto you ask?  It is a meeting where things are discussed.

Anything might be discussed at a Junto meeting, from "What is wisdom?" to whether or not indentured servants made the colonies more prosperous.  Franklin wrote a list of 24 questions for members to keep in mind.  (p. 30.  Benjamin Franklin: American Genius)

Other ideas for topics:

• Should a certain event or legislation come to fruition?
• The happenings around town.
• What can your group do that would be of service to others?
• In what manner can the Junto assist you in any of your ideas? 

I really love this idea.  It reminds me of the group that Sally Clarkson's daughter, Joy, is part of: The Inklings (modeled after a group of adored authors).  Opportunities to exchange thoughts and to brainstorm possibly life-changing ideas.   (Click here for another one of Sally's posts about The Inklings.)

Maybe your kids want to start a Junto, too?!

A happy and beautiful day to you!

Home schooling coincidences...I love those!

We are spending the week in Las Vegas.  As a homeschooling mom, of course I hunted all over the web for educational opportunities here in such a unique place.  (No, there's no vacation for home schoolers!)  We have narrowed it down to the Hoover Dam, Titanic (an exhibit at the Luxor hotel), and the state of Nevada.

Yesterday morning, we all sat down to breakfast and Jamie read from The Child's Story Bible about the Tower of Babel.   As he read, I was reminded that Jonathan Park has an episode where they discuss the Tower of Babel and the origins of languages.  I transferred the mp3 from my computer to my Blackberry so the boys could listen to it on our way to Death Valley yesterday.  We also spent a big chunk of our morning learning about the Titanic and I have told the boys numerous times that it was the pride of man that preceded the great tragedy that the Titanic's maiden voyage resulted in.   My two little sweeties always respond with "Pride goes before a fall." (Pr. 16:18)

Did you know that the 4th smoke stack on the Titanic is fake?
It was added to improve the appearance of the ship.

Anyway, we listened to Jonathan Park in the car and wouldn't you know that as they discussed the pride of man in the building of the Tower of Babel, they start addressing the pride of men in light of Titanic.  LOL!  God is soooo cool!  I totally had no idea that was in there!

Home schooling is the absolute best.   Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added to you! (Mt. 6:33 - click here for my recent post on this subject.)

walnuts & rice...no, it's not a recipe

We've been reading through Catherine Vos's The Child's Story Bible which we finished at the end of November.  Typically I or Jamie would read a chapter during breakfast and expound if necessary on the story before we got into our schoolwork.  We, then, spent the month of December on the Christmas story and I had planned to start on Sally & Clay Clarkson's Our 24 Family Ways in January.  Well, for whatever reason we haven't started on the new devotion/Bible lessons and so other than the verses we are attempting to memorize for our home school co-op, we have spent zero time in scripture since the beginning of the year.  Though our school work is going fine, something has just seemed off.  So, a few days ago I picked up The Child's Story Bible once again and began reading it through to my children.  Then, the rest of our schoolwork just started clicking.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; Then all these things will be added unto you." ~Matthew 6:33

Truly if we set our priorities...God being number one....everything will just fit.

Years ago and on numerous occasions, be it Bible study, ministry training, whatever, I have been able to witness a certain experiment that depicts this verse.

Step 1: Fill a jar with walnuts
Step 2: Pour rice into the jar so it fits between the nooks and empty spaces between the walnuts.

Explain to your observers (or yourself if that's the case) that the walnuts represent God, Bible reading, prayer, etc.  The rice represents the other stuff: housework, errands, to do lists, leisure, recreation, t.v., Facebook (did I hit a nerve there?), etc.  If you place God first, then all the other stuff fits into place.

Step 3: Now empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl.

Step 4: Pour the rice into the jar first.
Step 5: Now squeeze the walnuts in.

So, if you put the other stuff in first and leave God out or try to squeeze Him in as an after thought, what happens?

I won't tell you.  

I'll let you figure it out on your own.  

Better put walnuts and rice on your shopping list.

Much love.
And schedule time with the Lord at the top of your priority list.