Matt and I were able to sneak out of town for a planned little getaway this weekend. The trip would not have been possible without Matt's mom and dad, who offered to take all six of our kids for two whole days. I was pretty concerned about leaving Jude, especially. I thought he might be fussy without his Mommy and Daddy, but all reports indicate he did quite well without us. Joel, on the other hand, was another story. He insisted on his two year old rights and ran into Grandma and Grandpa's well-marked boundaries repeatedly over the weekend. Grandma says that someday Joel's determination will come in handy.
Matt and I had a relaxing weekend exploring the countryside and some antique and thrift stores. I got a never worn pair of Hush Puppy Mary Jane shoes, which I wore to church this morning. We also enjoyed a couple of nice meals, listened to The Vienna Boys Choir and Placido Domingo sing Christmas hymns on Pandora radio and attended two very different worship services at two different churches this morning. We picked up the kids from Grandma and Grandpa's this afternoon, came home and took good naps, then awoke to get out the Christmas decorations. We'll end the evening by lighting the first Advent candle and then read our first devotion of the Advent season. We're anticipating Jesus' Advent once again and working on keeping Jesus at the forefront of our celebrations this month as we approach Christmas.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Pilgrms #2
More excerpts from "Of Plymouth Plantation". We used Psalm 107 as the sermon text at church today. It is the same as is quoted below. -matt
Lastly, (and which was not least), a great hope and inward zeall they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way therunto, for the propagating and advancing the gospell of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.
. . . .
So they lefte that goodly and pleasante citie, which had been ther resting place near 12. years; but they knew they were pilgrimes,2 and looked not much on these things, but lift up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits.
. . . .
But the tide (which stays for no man) caling them away that were thus loath to departe, their Rev[erjead pastor falling downe on his knees, (and they all with hirn,) with watrie cheeks commended them with most fervente praiers to the Lord and his blessing. And then with mutuall imbrases and many thars, they tooke their leaves one of an other; which proved to be the last leave to many of them.
. . . .
Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the periles and miseries therof, againe to set their feete on the firme and stable earth, their proper elemente
. . . .
May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly soy: Our faithers were Englishmen which come over this great otean, and were ready to perish in this willdernes; but they eried unto the Lord, and he heard their voyce, and looked on their adversitie, etc. Let them ther f ore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure for ever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, shew how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressour. When they wandered in the deserte willdernes out of the way, and found no citie to dwell in, both hungrie, and thirstie, their sowle vas overwhelmed in them. Let them confesa before the Lord his loving kindnes, and his wonderfull works be f ore the sons o f men.
Lastly, (and which was not least), a great hope and inward zeall they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way therunto, for the propagating and advancing the gospell of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.
. . . .
So they lefte that goodly and pleasante citie, which had been ther resting place near 12. years; but they knew they were pilgrimes,2 and looked not much on these things, but lift up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits.
. . . .
But the tide (which stays for no man) caling them away that were thus loath to departe, their Rev[erjead pastor falling downe on his knees, (and they all with hirn,) with watrie cheeks commended them with most fervente praiers to the Lord and his blessing. And then with mutuall imbrases and many thars, they tooke their leaves one of an other; which proved to be the last leave to many of them.
. . . .
Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the periles and miseries therof, againe to set their feete on the firme and stable earth, their proper elemente
. . . .
May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly soy: Our faithers were Englishmen which come over this great otean, and were ready to perish in this willdernes; but they eried unto the Lord, and he heard their voyce, and looked on their adversitie, etc. Let them ther f ore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure for ever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, shew how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressour. When they wandered in the deserte willdernes out of the way, and found no citie to dwell in, both hungrie, and thirstie, their sowle vas overwhelmed in them. Let them confesa before the Lord his loving kindnes, and his wonderfull works be f ore the sons o f men.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Stampede
If you want a stampede to ensue, simply say "yes" to this question: "Mom, can we get out the Christmas books?" And then, for good measure, throw in, "You can even get out the Christmas CDs."
Monday, November 23, 2009
Pilgrims #1
-by matt
In the book "Of Plymouth Plantation", William Bradford documents the history of the people we call "the Pilgrims". William Bradford was the governor of Plymouth for many years. He had been with the group from the beginning. In his introduction to the book, he provides the background as to why he and his group left England. Depending upon when you went to public school, your education about the Pilgrims may have varied. As I recall, there were some "religious persecutions" and the Pilgrims came to America to be free. This is sort of right. Below is an excerpt from the book with the original spellings.
This portion lays out the beginning of things. I doubt that many of us are as serious about the Word of God as they were. If you can parse the language you should be shocked or offended or both.
"But that I may come more near my intendmente; whell as by the travell and diligente of some godly and zealous preachers, and Gods blessing on their labours, as in other places of the land, so in the North parts, many became inlightened by the word of God, and had their ignorante and sins discovered unto them, and begane by his grace to reforme their lives, and make consciente of their wayes, the worke of God was no sooner manifest in them, but presently they were both scoffed and scorned by the prophane multitude, and the ministers urged with the yoak of subscription, or ele must be silenced; and the poore people were so vexed with apparators, and pursuants,and the comissarie courts, as truly their affIiction was not smale; which, notwithstanding, they bore sundrie years with much patience, till they were occasioned (by the continuance and enerease of these troubls, and other means which the Lord raised up in those days) to see further into things by the light of the word of God. How not only these base and beggerly ceremonies were unlawfull, but aleo that the lordly and tiranous power of the prelats ought not to be submitted unto; which thus, contrary to the freedome of the gospell, would load and burden mens consciences, and by their compulsive power make a prophane mixture of persone and things in the worship of God. And that their offlces and calings, courts and cannons, etc. were unlawfull and antichristian; being such as have no warrante in the word of God; but the same that were used in poperie, and still retained."
Full text here.
In the book "Of Plymouth Plantation", William Bradford documents the history of the people we call "the Pilgrims". William Bradford was the governor of Plymouth for many years. He had been with the group from the beginning. In his introduction to the book, he provides the background as to why he and his group left England. Depending upon when you went to public school, your education about the Pilgrims may have varied. As I recall, there were some "religious persecutions" and the Pilgrims came to America to be free. This is sort of right. Below is an excerpt from the book with the original spellings.
This portion lays out the beginning of things. I doubt that many of us are as serious about the Word of God as they were. If you can parse the language you should be shocked or offended or both.
"But that I may come more near my intendmente; whell as by the travell and diligente of some godly and zealous preachers, and Gods blessing on their labours, as in other places of the land, so in the North parts, many became inlightened by the word of God, and had their ignorante and sins discovered unto them, and begane by his grace to reforme their lives, and make consciente of their wayes, the worke of God was no sooner manifest in them, but presently they were both scoffed and scorned by the prophane multitude, and the ministers urged with the yoak of subscription, or ele must be silenced; and the poore people were so vexed with apparators, and pursuants,and the comissarie courts, as truly their affIiction was not smale; which, notwithstanding, they bore sundrie years with much patience, till they were occasioned (by the continuance and enerease of these troubls, and other means which the Lord raised up in those days) to see further into things by the light of the word of God. How not only these base and beggerly ceremonies were unlawfull, but aleo that the lordly and tiranous power of the prelats ought not to be submitted unto; which thus, contrary to the freedome of the gospell, would load and burden mens consciences, and by their compulsive power make a prophane mixture of persone and things in the worship of God. And that their offlces and calings, courts and cannons, etc. were unlawfull and antichristian; being such as have no warrante in the word of God; but the same that were used in poperie, and still retained."
Full text here.
God's Power Unplugged?
I had a conversation with a couple of Christian women the other day. One of them gave me the classic line, "I could never homeschool. I just don't have the patience for it." The other woman chimed in, "Me neither." Not being the time or place to get into such matters, I changed the subject.
But, what I wanted to say was, "Do you think I have the patience to homeschool? I'm the least patient person I know!" I wanted to say to the woman, "What you're really saying is NOT 'I don't have the patience for it,' but 'I don't believe God can work through me.' "
This year our family is studying the book of John. Last week we studied about how Jesus fed the five thousand. A little boy brought his meager little lunch to Jesus and Jesus transformed it into enough to fully satisfy five to ten thousand (including woman and children) people. And there were twelve baskets full of leftovers.
Jesus can take my little bit of faith in what He has called Matt and me to do in homeschooling and transform it, stretch it and multiply it beyond my wildest imaginings. I'm already getting glimpses of this in my older girls. Without any direction from me whatsoever, they have taught themselves to knit and crochet this year. They've read books, looked at videos and asked friends for instruction. They've also dragged out the sewing machine I got from a yard sale and have read the manual and figured out how to use it. When a problem arises, they troubleshoot it themselves. I've been asked to buy necessary items for repair of the machine at the sewing shop, but that's been my only involvement. The girls are now busy knitting and sewing Christmas gifts.
My oldest, of her own volition, has recently taken on a very large memorization project. The fruit being produced in this house is the Lord's doing. Matt and I have just been obedient to His Word, knowing that someday we will give an account before the Lord of how we (not the Sunday school teacher or Cub Scout leader or anyone else) discipled our children. Jesus has taken our mustard seed of faith and multiplied it. God's power is not unplugged. He is able to work through two sinful, weak parents and bring glory to His Name through the working.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
But, what I wanted to say was, "Do you think I have the patience to homeschool? I'm the least patient person I know!" I wanted to say to the woman, "What you're really saying is NOT 'I don't have the patience for it,' but 'I don't believe God can work through me.' "
This year our family is studying the book of John. Last week we studied about how Jesus fed the five thousand. A little boy brought his meager little lunch to Jesus and Jesus transformed it into enough to fully satisfy five to ten thousand (including woman and children) people. And there were twelve baskets full of leftovers.
Jesus can take my little bit of faith in what He has called Matt and me to do in homeschooling and transform it, stretch it and multiply it beyond my wildest imaginings. I'm already getting glimpses of this in my older girls. Without any direction from me whatsoever, they have taught themselves to knit and crochet this year. They've read books, looked at videos and asked friends for instruction. They've also dragged out the sewing machine I got from a yard sale and have read the manual and figured out how to use it. When a problem arises, they troubleshoot it themselves. I've been asked to buy necessary items for repair of the machine at the sewing shop, but that's been my only involvement. The girls are now busy knitting and sewing Christmas gifts.
My oldest, of her own volition, has recently taken on a very large memorization project. The fruit being produced in this house is the Lord's doing. Matt and I have just been obedient to His Word, knowing that someday we will give an account before the Lord of how we (not the Sunday school teacher or Cub Scout leader or anyone else) discipled our children. Jesus has taken our mustard seed of faith and multiplied it. God's power is not unplugged. He is able to work through two sinful, weak parents and bring glory to His Name through the working.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A Day of Remembrance
Today we celebrated Grandma Ethel's life. A gathering of family and friends, a time to share memories of an amazing woman. Grandma Ethel was a huge fan of this blog. Whenever we got together at family dinners, she'd always say, "I sure love your blogs." Then she'd go on to relate specific details of what she'd seen or read here. I hope that I'm that sharp at the age of 96. Now every time I write an entry or have Matt post a picture that I'm sure Grandma would have enjoyed, I'll remember her and the zest she had for life.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Easy Applesauce
I still haven't processed all the apples we picked on our apple expedition last month. Yesterday morning before church, Elizabeth and I embarked on an applesauce experiment. We decided to make applesauce in the crockpot--two crockpots actually.
We washed the apples and then ran them through the apple peeler, corer, slicer. We filled both six quart crockpots in a matter of a half an hour. Then we sprinkled a little brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples and turned the crockpots on low at 8:30 a.m. When we got home from church, the house smelled fabulous.
I took the lids off the crockpots and pureed the apples into sauce with my immersion blender at 4:30 p.m. My parents were down for dinner, but most of us ended up sampling the applesauce before dinner. The sauce had gotten pretty dark after cooking all day, so I wasn't so sure how it would taste. We were all pleasantly surprised--it tasted like caramel apples. A cooking experiment that actually worked. We may have to do a repeat with the apples I still have downstairs.
We washed the apples and then ran them through the apple peeler, corer, slicer. We filled both six quart crockpots in a matter of a half an hour. Then we sprinkled a little brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples and turned the crockpots on low at 8:30 a.m. When we got home from church, the house smelled fabulous.
I took the lids off the crockpots and pureed the apples into sauce with my immersion blender at 4:30 p.m. My parents were down for dinner, but most of us ended up sampling the applesauce before dinner. The sauce had gotten pretty dark after cooking all day, so I wasn't so sure how it would taste. We were all pleasantly surprised--it tasted like caramel apples. A cooking experiment that actually worked. We may have to do a repeat with the apples I still have downstairs.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Cranberry Relish
In honor of Grandma Macduff and because it's so close to Thanksgiving, I'm posting Grandma's famous cranberry relish recipe. It is deeelish! It's waaay better than anything out of a can. I can't imagine Thanksgiving dinner without it.
Cranberry Relish
1 bag fresh cranberries (rinsed)
1 medium orange
3/4 to 1 c. sugar
Slice unpeeled orange into eighths. Remove seeds.
Put cranberries and orange into a food processor and
pulse until evenly and finely chopped (or use a grinder).
Place fruit in bowl and add desired amount of sugar.
Stir to combine. Store in the refrigerator for a couple
of days or in the freezer for longer. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.
Cranberry Relish
1 bag fresh cranberries (rinsed)
1 medium orange
3/4 to 1 c. sugar
Slice unpeeled orange into eighths. Remove seeds.
Put cranberries and orange into a food processor and
pulse until evenly and finely chopped (or use a grinder).
Place fruit in bowl and add desired amount of sugar.
Stir to combine. Store in the refrigerator for a couple
of days or in the freezer for longer. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Ethel Macduff 1913-2009
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring:
Jesus is coming again!
Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing:
Jesus is coming again!
(click above to sing along or here, to hear someone else)
--Matt
I was honored to be Ethel's granddaughter-in-law for sixteen years. She was an amazing woman. She worked on an electron microscope during WWII to support the war effort. She never wanted to talk about herself, she always wanted to talk about you. She loved Jesus very much and was an incredible prayer warrior. It was only three years ago (at age 93) that Grandma quit getting down on the floor to play with her great grandchildren. She remembered the names and birthdays of all fifteen of her great grandchildren and delighted in making them each personalized cards for special occasions. In fact, she made many personalized cards on her computer which she distributed far and wide to all who were on her heart for some reason or another. Over the years, Grandma and I spent many hours together in the kitchen after family dinners. I washed the silver and she dried it and put it away, we bonded as we worked together. Ethel will be so greatly missed. She was a lovely woman who ran well the race set before her and is now in the arms of her beloved Jesus.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Family Altar
We've been more consistent with our family Bible time this year and the kids are loving it. If we miss a night, Matt and I definitely hear about it.
We've used this time in the evenings to worship, to train and to settle down from the day's activities. I bought a couple of candles at the thrift store that sit on our fireplace mantle. Daddy lights the candles at the beginning of our family devotion time and then the kids take turns snuffing out the candles when we're finished.
Matt has been working diligently to get the littles to sit still during this time (although we're still in process). This has translated to better behavior during church on Sundays.
We have acquired a number of hymnals from yard sales and our church (when the congregation replaced the old hymnals with new ones). One of the kids passes every member of the family a hymnal at the beginning of our family worship time. Daddy takes requests and we sing a few hymns to get started. Then Daddy reads from the Bible and asks the kids a few questions about what he's just read. We then end with a hymn and a prayer. It's all pretty simple and takes between ten and thirty minutes depending on the night and how crabby people are.
We've had a tough time forming a habit of family Bible time over the years. We've been pretty inconsistent, mostly due to being too tired and not making the proper effort. This year we're trying to make devotion time a non-negotiable. Invariably this means that Matt and I have to put off something we feel we should do (i.e.--laundry, etc.) to make sure that we're doing what is needful by nourishing our family with God's Word.
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple."
Psalm 119:130
We've used this time in the evenings to worship, to train and to settle down from the day's activities. I bought a couple of candles at the thrift store that sit on our fireplace mantle. Daddy lights the candles at the beginning of our family devotion time and then the kids take turns snuffing out the candles when we're finished.
Matt has been working diligently to get the littles to sit still during this time (although we're still in process). This has translated to better behavior during church on Sundays.We have acquired a number of hymnals from yard sales and our church (when the congregation replaced the old hymnals with new ones). One of the kids passes every member of the family a hymnal at the beginning of our family worship time. Daddy takes requests and we sing a few hymns to get started. Then Daddy reads from the Bible and asks the kids a few questions about what he's just read. We then end with a hymn and a prayer. It's all pretty simple and takes between ten and thirty minutes depending on the night and how crabby people are.
We've had a tough time forming a habit of family Bible time over the years. We've been pretty inconsistent, mostly due to being too tired and not making the proper effort. This year we're trying to make devotion time a non-negotiable. Invariably this means that Matt and I have to put off something we feel we should do (i.e.--laundry, etc.) to make sure that we're doing what is needful by nourishing our family with God's Word.
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple."
Psalm 119:130
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Birthday Girl
We celebrated our niece Raphaella's thirteenth birthday on Sunday. We had a full crowd of aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins to honor Raphaella. Our little rope swinging, curly haired girl is all grown up! She's taller than her mother, but I'm not entirely certain if she's taller than me yet :)
Through the Wardrobe . . .
. . . and into Narnia. At least that's what it felt like last week when we picked Asian pears on our pumpkin/hayride expedition. The farmer stopped the tractor long enough for us to disembark from the trailer and pick a Korean variety of pear from what the kids dubbed "The Pear Forest." The trees had already lost all their leaves, so the "Pear Forest" took on a rather Narnian atmosphere. The pears, however, are delicious!
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