tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57400847029744988352024-03-13T08:54:15.221-06:00A Tale of Two PeopleIt was the best of times...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.comBlogger427125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-48859777527365675802021-11-07T08:07:00.001-07:002021-11-07T08:07:34.415-07:00You are enough<p> Last week I had a wonderful spiritual experience. I was worried, yet again, that I was not doing well enough teaching my children. I was worried they weren't earning enough, they weren't moving fast enough, they didn't dig deep enough, their handwriting, spelling...you get the picture. I feel inadequate so often, and when it just concerns me I can usually ignore it, but what if I'm totally messing up my kids!? I was really stressing out about it so I knelt down to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father what more I should be doing to prepare them well for their role as husband and father, and to fulfill their mission on Earth. Instead of a laundry list of all the subjects I need to teach and all the areas I need to improve I immediately felt an overwhelming sense of peace! Even before I finished asking my question I felt wrapped in His loving embrace. Through a mixture of feelings, images, and something I can't quite describe I got this message.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTz3vQQWkknWvo2eSt4qD19ZXVCJTrXbt5ZjWKKN3D1Fw6olBJLzysBGGC7aWOeL6QOi7aG9Y9cRJPiDGwgzb_xzruE_4oQouH7LL7tK9RTHjUQsGbD1AU4i8ckGVwZ7hw0_lMUZHyzA/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="279" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTz3vQQWkknWvo2eSt4qD19ZXVCJTrXbt5ZjWKKN3D1Fw6olBJLzysBGGC7aWOeL6QOi7aG9Y9cRJPiDGwgzb_xzruE_4oQouH7LL7tK9RTHjUQsGbD1AU4i8ckGVwZ7hw0_lMUZHyzA/" width="240" /></a><img alt="" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="433" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWAedwoAbPtkwTAJh2r1sKrSbtCrHriTPd1dSLiHTJ6sVqdUBS_ujzr78KJMAuPUxBiyw1gW3llzs820K1Okw94aTu7VQNGhPOoVtLNLzCdjgvufWFeMsfYQmZVFa-g4ZEHdYoWq1jAM/" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joseph Smith was considered uneducated, he only had a few years of formal schooling, yet he went on to change the world. He continued his own education and even started a school, called the school of the prophets, where they learned politics, world events, science, languages, history, geography, and so many other things alongside scriptural learning and learning more about the priesthood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL7I-wmTgsphyphenhyphenX-VqcT8Xhc06qmHu9RHl2imRlMfvx9qwwmYjSmRN93_09kvYeKVOPyF5iYgwk3sC02NOgmsJl0aF0nOKHw5TgfdU_BNejMecqUsAUjK1K8rWFlwjTZsOsxT7MqunYPQ/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="582" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL7I-wmTgsphyphenhyphenX-VqcT8Xhc06qmHu9RHl2imRlMfvx9qwwmYjSmRN93_09kvYeKVOPyF5iYgwk3sC02NOgmsJl0aF0nOKHw5TgfdU_BNejMecqUsAUjK1K8rWFlwjTZsOsxT7MqunYPQ/" width="259" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSTrslBrK2X1V4GZ4gRzoz-AkaBvSB9ZYEw3zlRv1C4qLZB-cgEHmYuVYnJxG5Bhm78wT_OlyFbyq19QLkM9eUWsasyjECeI_bGSSl9xE1PQCdsiHpZQnm1dk7f1w7A2wj5w5inexo3c/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSTrslBrK2X1V4GZ4gRzoz-AkaBvSB9ZYEw3zlRv1C4qLZB-cgEHmYuVYnJxG5Bhm78wT_OlyFbyq19QLkM9eUWsasyjECeI_bGSSl9xE1PQCdsiHpZQnm1dk7f1w7A2wj5w5inexo3c/" width="286" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">The Lord told me that Joseph's most important education was given to him by his mother, who taught him to love God and to follow Him. He told me that the most important</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> education <b>I</b><i> </i>can give my kids is to know God. If they know God all else will fall into place. I am doing everything I need to to do prepare them to fulfill their mission in life and to prepare them to lead, support, and protect their future families. They will continue learning all their life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> I was so overcome with peace I was moved to tears. I have never in my life felt so powerfully the Lord's love and acceptance of me. Writing it all down does not, cannot, do justice to this powerful sacred experience. I hesitated to share it at first, but I know I am not the only one who feels inadequate and I'm not the only one who feels like I am not doing well enough homeschooling my kids. I pray that my experience can help to bring peace to someone else who needs to feel peace.</span><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWAedwoAbPtkwTAJh2r1sKrSbtCrHriTPd1dSLiHTJ6sVqdUBS_ujzr78KJMAuPUxBiyw1gW3llzs820K1Okw94aTu7VQNGhPOoVtLNLzCdjgvufWFeMsfYQmZVFa-g4ZEHdYoWq1jAM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWAedwoAbPtkwTAJh2r1sKrSbtCrHriTPd1dSLiHTJ6sVqdUBS_ujzr78KJMAuPUxBiyw1gW3llzs820K1Okw94aTu7VQNGhPOoVtLNLzCdjgvufWFeMsfYQmZVFa-g4ZEHdYoWq1jAM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-821749564284827422021-11-05T22:24:00.000-06:002021-11-05T22:24:38.423-06:00I'm choosing faith over fear<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXb6i5ocSsUR9OR087HwJk6yfIPPlLTkOMMvzauPuAwdjBFdfERoKDAvpzKiG-s3N1rICp1Hh1oE8gIWPOrtaks0SVyjdHWVoml5rvdbz77MeOOXRX2GkMljTKzBa5RxWPGBIr4dCIiI/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXb6i5ocSsUR9OR087HwJk6yfIPPlLTkOMMvzauPuAwdjBFdfERoKDAvpzKiG-s3N1rICp1Hh1oE8gIWPOrtaks0SVyjdHWVoml5rvdbz77MeOOXRX2GkMljTKzBa5RxWPGBIr4dCIiI/" width="240" /></a></div>I've had something on my mind for months. It's deep and this is the place for my deep thoughts. I'm not quite sure where to begin... I guess the beginning would be about 9 years ago.<p></p><p>I took my kids to get a flu shot, Glen was 4 and Benjamin was 3, I was pregnant at the time. By the time we got home from the clinic Benjamin was screaming, "He must be tired, it's nap time." I got him out of the car and he wouldn't walk. He wouldn't even put pressure on his legs so I carried him inside. When we got in I checked his leg and it was swollen, red, hot, and so very sore. We rushed back to the Dr. When I told them what was going on this was the response "Oh, he's allergic to eggs? Ok, that can happen." Wait, there's eggs in a flu shot? I looked up what else in in the flu shot. Cow protein, another allergy, milk protein, another HUGE allergy, the list went on, each ingredient more horrifying then the next. He was allergic to so many of them and some were just plain poison! Why was there mercury in it!? Long story short, I stopped getting the flu shot for anyone in my family. I never wanted that to happen again. The more I researched the more convinced I was that vaccines were not safe, so we stopped getting them all together. Years later I found out that I have a family history of adverse reactions, some genetic marker, that makes them more dangerous for us then for most people. Definitely not getting any more vaccines.</p><p>And then March 2020. Covid. Everything shut down. People were afraid to leave their houses. Two people in my family have respiratory issues, that makes it even scarier for us so we were careful, but I refuse to live in a bubble. When the vaccine was announced I had no intention of getting it. It's a vaccine and they are dangerous for my family. "But this one is different." It doesn't matter. I'm not doing it. I didn't even entertain the thought...until the Prophet asked us to get vaccinated and wear a mask. It's been on my mind for months. Now that everyone in my family can get one...I'm not sure I can put into words the internal struggle I have had. The inner turmoil of this decision, it's been one of the hardest choices I have ever had to make. The fear, what if...We've all heard the stories. "It will make you sterile." "Think of the people that died." "It protects you the first time you get sick, but the second time you will die." "The government is trying to figure out who they can control, this is a test to see who will obey so they know who will die when they make a more deadly virus and release it." Maybe you haven't heard all that, but I have. The truth is that even if non of that is true, this is still so new, there could be so many unintended consequences. Am I willing to risk my family for an experiment? I have spent months and months pouring my heart and my fears out to God, asking for direction. That's what the prophet asked, he said to council with your doctor and pray about it. So I did. Again and again. But when it really came down to it I had to make the choice. Faith or fear?</p><p>I know God loves me, He KNOWS ME, down to every strand of DNA. He knows me now and he knows future me. I know that the prophet speaks the word of God. I don't believe for a minute that he asked us to vaccinate and mask up because he's listening to the government. I don't believe for a fraction of a second that he is part of the new world order. I don't believe God would ask his children, through his prophet, to get vaccinated if it would hurt, sterilize, or kill us. I don't believe he would ask us to wear masks if they hurt us or didn't work. But he is. The prophet of God is asking us to get vaccinated against covid, he is asking us to wear masks. No it's not a commandment. He didn't say "Thus saith God, ye must repent and also get vaccinated and wear a mask." You can call it a suggestion, but a suggestion from God? I'll follow that.<br />I choose to have faith. I choose to ignore my fears. I choose to listen to the prophet of God over the voice of the world and the voice of facebook. I will listen to the prophet over my own thoughts and ideas because "personal revelation" doesn't always come from the right source. I've been led astray, following what I thought was personal revelation, only to find out it was the wrong voice I listened to. Sometimes it's hard to hear what God is saying because I've already decided what I want Him to say. But I know the prophet will never lead me astray. I know I can trust him. I know I can trust God and he speaks the words of God.</p><p>I have surrendered my will to God. It's not a failure, it's a victory! A glorious victory!</p>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-71679289967384534582020-12-28T20:32:00.000-07:002020-12-28T20:32:24.974-07:00I believe in Santa<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_QqepKrwn7HnYGdUbF5GAG_LIM2Eg2LwFjWtzinlrD9fboQtRdBHdvZjTelonn_Ck8g4BED7GE2Xl49067iB-PlpNaP9u840W2ipWhpdF4N5G7PwVW21fCdJBysad0MalZWfiLlep7M/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="923" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_QqepKrwn7HnYGdUbF5GAG_LIM2Eg2LwFjWtzinlrD9fboQtRdBHdvZjTelonn_Ck8g4BED7GE2Xl49067iB-PlpNaP9u840W2ipWhpdF4N5G7PwVW21fCdJBysad0MalZWfiLlep7M/w320-h291/image.png" width="320" /></a></div>I don't believe in the Easter bunny. I don't believe in the Tooth Fairy. I don't believe in witches at Halloween or Leprachauns on St. Patrick's day. But I believe in Santa. I will believe in Santa until the day I die.<p></p><p>You see, when I was little I met him. It was back when I was sarting to question whether or not Santa was real, back when we didn't have a whole lot of money and there were often rumors that there would be no Christmas that year. I didn't understand. Why did it matter how much money we had? Didn't Santa bring toys to good girls and boys?</p><p>Every year there were gifts though. Every year there was food, food we didn't usually have, food Santa brought. Then I met him. I remember exactly what he looked like. His long snowy beard. His cheerful smile. Levi's and cowboy boots. He said the red suit was just for Christmas eve. </p><p> Ten years later I was away from home at school. I had been working and saving all year to earn enough money to buy some really nice Christmas presents for my family. I was so excited! I could just see the looks on their faces as they opened nice, expensive gifts. Then one day my mom called and told me about a family who's house had burned down. They didn't have anything, they were staying with family. She wanted to buy them something. All of a sudden my Christmas plans changed. I told her I had saved all year to buy gifts for the family, I had saved hundreds of dollars and I wanted to use it for this family. We bought them all toys, clothes, and a box of food. We wrapped everything to deliver Christams Eve. That night we snuck up to the house they were staying in, put the boxes in their driveway and hurried away to a secret hiding place to watch. I watched a boy open the door and look around, spot the boxes and call his family. I watched the kids jump up and down with joy and excitement. I watched the parents hug each other with relief. I had become Santa.</p><p>Years later when we lived in Indiana we went to the temple monthly. It was a big sacrifice for us, living paycheck to paycheck as we did. That month John said we wouldn't be able to buy groceries that week if we went to the temple. We decided to go anyway. The morning we were to leave we found a box of food and wrapped Christmas gifts on the porch. Santa had paid us a visit.</p><p>We don't make a big halabaloo about Santa around here, because that isn't how Santa works. In the stories he comes in the night, when everyone is asleep. Santa works anonymously. Secerts acts of service. Gifts left on the porch. Boxes of food. A Christmas Jar with money inside. Santa is real because I am Santa. You are Santa. I will believe in Santa until the day I die. I will be Santa until the day I die.</p>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-2157043126614431362020-10-23T16:22:00.000-06:002020-10-23T16:22:22.786-06:00Faith Not to be Healed<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhDv7GC9UPRryn8P2TFv3lOAZsw_han7kDiG1zZw_Dyq1JG3t6zW8lDM_kPBpRDHlGNUwZtNZKWS1vseecJY3bH_Doa3S9FcQjnBqvwFBIfK1ZX7H7g5qwokBkpob_9Wn3CQhOG6xaCs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1703" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhDv7GC9UPRryn8P2TFv3lOAZsw_han7kDiG1zZw_Dyq1JG3t6zW8lDM_kPBpRDHlGNUwZtNZKWS1vseecJY3bH_Doa3S9FcQjnBqvwFBIfK1ZX7H7g5qwokBkpob_9Wn3CQhOG6xaCs/" width="200" /></a></div> When I first read Elder Bednar's talk "<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/08/accepting-the-lords-will-and-timing?lang=eng" target="_blank">Accepting the Lord's Will and Timing</a>" I thought about myself. I've had faith to be healed, but did I have faith not to be healed. Could I go thorugh my life with the physical and mental difficulties I have without being healed and still have faith? Fast forward quite a few years to this week and a new prayer for healing.<br /><p></p><p>I found out last week one of my best friend had Covid-19. I dropped off groceries Saturday and stood at the end of her driveway to chat for a few minutes. I wasn't worried. Until the next day. I found out she was in the hospital and then I worried. As she got worse I worried more. No, worried isn't the right word. I was scared, REALLY scared. We fasted for her and we prayed for her. As the days wore on and she got worse and worse my prayers became ever more fervent. But they were not prayes of faith, they were desprate "You <i>have </i>to heal her. You can't take my best friend. What will I do without her? <i>You have to heal her!" </i>It came to the point where I kind of felt like my faith was being tested and I had to ask myself where my faith was centered. Was my faith centered in healing or in Christ? Did I really trust God, or did I only trust Him when life was going well? Would I still trust Him if... </p><p>I really examined myself. I was so full of fear and anxiety over the future and I wasn't feeling any peace when I prayed. That scared me. So I asked myself, "Do you trust the Lord no matter the outcome?" I realized that I did. Since then I have felt more peace. My prayers have been less frantic and more meaningful. I'm happy to report that my friend is improving. I'm grateful for that, and I'm grateful for the peace I feel when I put my trust in my Heavenly Father and my Savior.</p>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-43776228531545630862019-10-01T10:41:00.002-06:002019-10-01T15:10:19.056-06:00Agency<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Agency. Agency is such a fundamental part of the Lord's plan for us that he cast Satan and his followers from heaven for trying to destroy our agency. Can you imagine the heartache that it must have caused our Father to cast 1/3 of his children from his presence, knowing that they would never reach their full potential? They wouldn't receive bodies, they wouldn't have the opportunity to come to Earth, and they would never reach eternal life or exaltation because they chose to follow Satan. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Agency is such a fundamental part of the plan and of our very being that we rebel at being forced to do anything. Children and adults alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have wanted for many years to do natural learning, we started our homeschool that way but got away from it because of fear. I was afraid that if I didn't tell them what to learn and when to learn and how to learn that they wouldn't learn. I forgot about agency. I forgot about the Lord's divine plan for just a moment. When I decided to go back to Natural learning it scared me. It scared me because I knew that some of them hated math, it scared me because I knew that some of them hated reading, it scared me because I envisioned it this way; as soon as I stopped telling them what and when to learn they would stop altogether. Learning would completely end. But this is what really happened. When I stopped telling them that they had to read, they kept reading. They found books that they loved and topics that they were passionate about and they <i>wanted</i> to read. I stopped having science on the schedule and Glen checked out 20 books about birds and threw himself into researching Raptors and how to identify them and what they eat and where they live and what their environment is. He even spent his vacation spending money on a bird book. I stopped forcing them to do math everyday and instead <i>they asked me</i> if they could do math. Benjamin decided he was going to memorize all of his math facts on his own. </span>They don't always learn the things that I want them to learn or that I think they should learn, but every day they have something they want to do, something they want to learn and research and work on. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have seen the same process at work in chores. </span>I have tried countless ways of trying to get my kids to do chores. We tried various charts, and we've tried reward systems, and we've tried consequences, we've tried no dinner until your chores are done and no friends until your chores are done and so many other things I can't even count them and nothing worked for very long. But when I sat down with them and I said "we need to find a solution to the housework problem, what can we do?" They came up with ideas, their ideas, not mine! And they are so willing to fulfill their responsibilities because it was <i>their</i> idea, it was <i>their </i>desire and not mine. When they grew frustrated with the amount of housework that they took on I asked them if they wanted to trade and they said no they prefer their way, they prefer their ideas. And I didn't step in, I've learned to get out of their way and let them make choices. And what I've seen is that when I give them assignments, when I tell them what to do, they don't want to do it, but when I say "here's what we need to do today how should we work this out?" they divide jobs amongst themselves on their own and they do it. Even my grumpiest child, the one who is the hardest to get to do anything is the most willing to do it, my most distracted child gets done the quickest and with more focus. The younger girls are learning to follow the lead of their brothers and to work together as a team. The housework is not done perfectly, but I gets done well. They don't vacuum every time, or follow my checklist, but they really do a very good job. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> During the training for the new youth program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I was struck again and again how much like natural learning it is. Instead of the youth being told what they should read and what they should study and what goals they should make they are given the choice. They are asked to pray and to seek personal revelation so that they will know what goals they can make to become more like the savior. I know that this will help them draw closer to Heavenly Father. I know that this will teach them to recognize the spirit in their life and to recognize personal revelation. I know that my children will be more willing to do it because they are doing it on their own. They will be following their passions and their talents and seeking the Lord in <i>their</i> way instead of in my way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It struck me in the training session when the prophet said "Resist the urge to take control, they will do better when they do it on their own." It struck me because I've seen that and it felt like he was talking to me, telling me again to stop taking control, to step back and let them lead. Agency is a beautiful thing. When we can step back and resist the urge to take control we will see that children take control of their own lives and they make a good show of it!</span></div>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-79633902934920131852019-07-12T07:57:00.003-06:002019-07-12T07:57:46.686-06:00Heaven not Harvard<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> As always, thoughts of school have been running through my head. I think I've grown used to being questioned. Socrates said <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">"The unexamined </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">life</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">not worth living</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">" No one could question me more then I question myself. No one could doubt me more then I doubt myself. No one could worry about the future of my children more then I worry about it. But I have learned the art of introspection. I have learned to look inside myself and tell the difference between anxiety and a prompting, I have learned to find peace. And sometimes the Lord sends a message so clear it rings in my mind ever after, it rings with truth. You see, he knows me, he knows my family and he knows what we need. </span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/08/70/3508708c1419feb10a620f0e93f06768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Related image" border="0" height="400" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/08/70/3508708c1419feb10a620f0e93f06768.jpg" width="306" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"> All I needed was a little affirmation that natural learning is good for us. More then anything, natural learning scares me. I've been taught my whole life that learning takes place sitting at a desk, listening to a teacher. We learn because we are told what and how to learn. When I had kids I saw them learning naturally. They wanted to learn, they hungered for knowledge. From unending questions to experiencing life, they WANTED to learn. When I think about my own years in school I realize I remember very little of what I learned from my textbooks or teachers. What I really remember are the things I learned on my own. When I decided to use my free period to learn about Greek Mythology. Books I read about the Holocaust. The school lessons that really stick out are the ones that were activities that connected me to the lesson, like the time the teacher announced that tomorrow we would be leaving our homes to board trains headed to concentration camps and we had to go home and pack only what we could carry in a small bag to take with us. I remember so clearly thinking about what I should take. What was most important to me as a Jew being driven from my home. What would happen when I got there? I remember taking a Star of David to represent my faith, a set of scriptures, a little food and water, a change of clothes. I remember grabbing some of my prized possessions (though I have forgotten what they are) and deciding to leave them behind. I figured they would be taken from me anyway and I hoped to return. You see, I got so into it. I don't think I will ever forget that lesson.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /> Now I see the same with my kids. Glen read a book about Greek Mythology and got so interested he spent weeks researching Hercules, the different gods and stories, and reading everything he could get his hands on or watching videos. That lead him to learn about how Greek mythology changed with the Romans, which lead to learning about Rome and Roman soldiers. Those are lessons he will remember because they were born out of passion. Learning come if we let it so I've stopped focusing so much on academics. I'm preparing my kids for Heaven not Harvard. Right now they need to learn the skills that will help them be a successful person. How to be kind, solve problems, work hard, help others, introspection, observance, communication, teamwork. Everything else will come in time as they are interested or find the need. My job right now is to prepare them to meet those challenges on their own.</span></span></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-299979896808953812019-04-10T12:57:00.001-06:002019-04-10T12:57:39.409-06:00RhythmBy the end of the day I will know how to spell rhythm, it's kind a of a weird word.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNSXihyphenhyphenIYWQdie4npga0xZ8s4X_c70Hd9lEUXlWYCP5Wy9dCTLep7DfBSbcyQrh_XCzNLb4UgweR2OBlk_tIXeq2FEbA97vKxeBmezp-OWPrJ_Rm-7M9o4DZ2xuQlSdHahUAabeYp7OI/s1600/IMG_20190407_125134632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNSXihyphenhyphenIYWQdie4npga0xZ8s4X_c70Hd9lEUXlWYCP5Wy9dCTLep7DfBSbcyQrh_XCzNLb4UgweR2OBlk_tIXeq2FEbA97vKxeBmezp-OWPrJ_Rm-7M9o4DZ2xuQlSdHahUAabeYp7OI/s320/IMG_20190407_125134632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a rough winter. We all get sick a lot, which is really abnormal for us. About a month ago I got sick again. I don't know what it was, but it made my head hurt so bad I could hardly see, I was really knocked down. It took me a week after that to recover, every time I did so much as get up to get a drink my head started hurting all over again. I was seriously starting to think I would never get better, but I did. And then depression and anxiety reared it's ugly head. I just couldn't catch a break and I was very stressed and overwhelmed. We had just taken a week break from school when I got sick and had to kind of take another break. One week turned into three and I still felt like I couldn't keep my head above water. I finally felt like I just needed to get back to our daily routine. <br />
The difference was amazing! The constant battle over everything from chores to bedtime disappeared. Even when I had a hard day it was easier because I knew what to expect and so did the kids. I never wanted a schedule, I never wanted to be tied down to a specific set of events each day. I wanted to be free and do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to. I see now that a rhythm and routine are so necessary for us. We thrive when we have a routine. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAMamW9iXV9H0O6fe5n_QdhUGWoRGAkSV98CJIhJjwjn6jYqQMbRy0fyzrPPj4qTB_FIH0Ms6igKjeyjude6PUHEntgK9sqeesvGw24xrhO73CLJzTEvkOFFq3ZT8Jd7gM3wz9eXPdtM/s1600/IMG_20190407_125340864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAMamW9iXV9H0O6fe5n_QdhUGWoRGAkSV98CJIhJjwjn6jYqQMbRy0fyzrPPj4qTB_FIH0Ms6igKjeyjude6PUHEntgK9sqeesvGw24xrhO73CLJzTEvkOFFq3ZT8Jd7gM3wz9eXPdtM/s320/IMG_20190407_125340864.jpg" width="320" /></a> It makes it very clear to me that true freedom does not come from lack of responsibilities or commitments, true freedom comes from knowing what those responsibilities and commitments are so they can be filled. Keeping the commandments of God does not take away our freedom, it shows us clearly what path we need to walk to have freedom and to thrive in this life. I'm not lost or confused, I'm also not following blindly. I WANT to walk this path, I WANT to keep the commandments because I like knowing what to expect, I like feeling safe and I like knowing what I need to do each day. I find joy in the rhythm of the gospel and the rhythm of my life.<br />
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-41112916720623479122018-12-25T21:06:00.001-07:002018-12-25T21:06:27.979-07:00Joseph<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK5EMq7BZSuR7fa06C_t29v77ypTe1VyZxKQPhQR2CWBIyNtYgdX9yiMDheZqTEMk5w5iGDaAAVQiUUb5yQ4tzhkOZXDsYR2kWck-vJ7WSnreqxfTycijKGn-AIOH93XT0WX6F3tErII/s400/3+-+516807020_n.jpg" width="400" />Yesterday I was reading an article about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was a really fantastic article in the January 2018 Ensign and perfect for Christmas Eve. It talked about how faithful she was, chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Choice above all other women. Millions revere her. Then I got to thinking about Joseph. He is an unsung hero in my eyes. I think we do him, and ourselves a disservice when he is left out of the conversation. We know Joseph was a righteous man. The scriptures say he was going to put Mary away privately, so he was compassionate. Then the angel came and he married her instead. When Herod sent soldiers to kill all of the babies Joseph knew and fled to Egypt. The angel came to him instead of Mary, that speaks of his sensitivity to the spirit and his willingness to obey. I think Joseph was choice above men to be called as the Father of the son of God. Sometimes people like to make the distinction very clear, he was not the Father, he was the step father. Maybe it's the influence of growing up without a dad in my home, but I see Joseph as the father of Jesus as much as Mary is His mother. I think Jesus saw Joseph as his father.<br />
Joseph must have taught him. He taught Jesus to work with his hands, to be compassionate, to pray. Joseph taught Jesus, by his example, how to be a good man and care for others. I wish there were more in the scriptures about Joseph. I don't wonder if he was a disciple, I believe he was, I know he was! Did he live to see the great atoning sacrifice of our Savior? Did a sword pierce his soul at the death of his son? Or did he wait on the other side to see him again?<br />
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-58966399453831978932018-10-30T23:40:00.002-06:002021-11-05T22:38:56.641-06:00To my daughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs_8fZS91JVNYYx3hbEceUjLsNXAA6-xOWCzPkJ6rAODOmWrDOzmtn8mZpdbbxuDwubGYXl3rL5LsaghyphenhyphenkL1VjRCuC-FNw4JF8hFuh-REgE4J34PrrFFRT5w7ydlmFPpYnVmmX-7dlfc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="239" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs_8fZS91JVNYYx3hbEceUjLsNXAA6-xOWCzPkJ6rAODOmWrDOzmtn8mZpdbbxuDwubGYXl3rL5LsaghyphenhyphenkL1VjRCuC-FNw4JF8hFuh-REgE4J34PrrFFRT5w7ydlmFPpYnVmmX-7dlfc/" width="272" /></a></div><br /><br />
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My dearest daughter,<br />
You are beautiful. You are strong. You can be both at the same time. I hope you never let anyone convince you that you have to stop wearing skirts and dancing to be strong. There is strength in your femininity. There is strength in your service and love. There is strength in your sweet, kind heart. You do not have to be tough to be strong. You do not have to be harsh to be strong. You can love ruffles and flowers and be strong. You can love fire trucks and climbing trees and be strong. You can be you and love all of those things and be strong. You can love God and be strong. There is more strength in knowing who you are and being that person, then there is in conforming to the ideas of another. Your greatest strength will come from knowing that you are a child of God, a divine creation with limitless potential. So go ahead and wear a dress every day. Let pink be your favorite color. Keep loving fire trucks and science and math and singing and dancing all at the same time. Keep being the amazing daughter of God that you were created to be. Be you. Be strong. And remember, when you are weak, He will carry you and make your weakness become strengths.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-23381642428790141012018-10-27T22:01:00.002-06:002018-10-27T22:01:26.377-06:00Judge not<img alt="Image result for judge clipart" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" />Simone Biles, Olympic gold medal winning gymnast. Misty Copeland, first female African American Principle Dancer at the American Ballet Theater. Ryan Gosling, actor. Bethany Hamilton, world renown surfer, you know, the one who's arm was bitten off and she kept surfing. Christopher Paolini, youngest author to write a bestselling series. Emma Watson, actress. Taylor Swift, country singer. Richard Lorenzo, founder and CEO of multi-million dollar business Fifth Avenue Brands, a public relations firm. (Which he started in 10th grade) What do they all have in common? They were all home schooled. So the next time you want to judge an entire community by that one person you knew pick one of these. Also, keep in mind that some kids are home schooled because they have special needs and their parents stepped up to take their education into their own hands. Maybe that guy you met who has no boundaries and doesn't get social cues is like that because he has special needs you don't know about and it has nothing to do with his way of being educated.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-41299261267477818832018-10-22T21:32:00.001-06:002018-10-22T21:32:09.452-06:00Unschooling Unschooling. Deep breath.Will I always have to defend it? Will I always have to explain to people that I'm not just being lazy and negligent? Do you know what it is? It seems like most people know about it because of the families who give it a bad name. The kids who only study video games and TV. No that's not unschooling, no I don;t just toss my kids a crust of bread each morning and hope they survive the day. Unschooling is away of life, a really beautiful way of life for us.<br />
Let me start off by saying that we do have a schedule, it is what works for us. Our "core subjects" come first; spiritual devotional (Scripture study, prayer, pledge of allegiance, and song), Math, foreign language, and piano. Those are our core subjects because that is what prayer inspired they be for my children. Some days Devotional is the only "formal" subject we do. After that they have a few other subjects they do, actually, if I am honest they do far more then a few. One day I sat down and counted up the "subjects" we do each week because I was comparing my kids to other kids. It turns out the list of regular subjects studied each week exceeded a dozen. Most of the them were not formal sit down lessons, there were no books, no curriculum and yet we learned still. But how? Let me give you a few examples.<br />
Benjamin loves circuits and electricity. I bought him a circuit maze set and he sat right down. I could see him analyzing it, the flow of current, closing the circuit, positive, negative, LED, and off he went. I tired to do one of the puzzles, but I couldn't figure it out so he taught me...and by taught I mean he showed me how to do it. :) <br />
Glen hates to write, but has discovered that he loves to write books. You see I could force him to sit and do writing practice for a torturous 15 minutes, or I could buy him a notebook and encourage him to write down his ideas. And now he sits, sometimes for hours, writing books.<br />
Elizabeth is learning to read and spell. We have a book she practices out of, but I don't force. It's on the schedule and if I forget she reminds me. Then she likes to practice writing the words she is learning to read, which of course reinforces the words in her mind. Today her "spelling test" involved shaving cream. <br />
Abigail is practicing writing her name so she can show it off to her friend at church. She also counts EVERYTHING.<br />
We have learned about physics at the park, nature as we walk, politics, finances, building, far away places, cooking, the list if endless. Learning really is a way of life. When people ask me if we go through the summer I think they envision sitting at a desk every day. It's easy to go to school every day when you see that we are surrounded by opportunities to learn. Sometimes sitting in church becomes an art lesson as a bored child asks for a piece of paper and draws what he sees. Sometimes a trip tot he park becomes a lesson on seeds or bugs as curious children ask questions. Every week when we go grocery shopping we learn about measuring weight, estimating price, sticking to a budget, how the food got there. November isn't just about Thanksgiving around here, it's a lesson about the government, voting, politics, laws, check and balances. April is a great times to talk about taxes, what is it, where does it go, do you think it's good or bad. Books teach so many lessons I cannot even begin to list it all.<br />
You see, unschooling is about finding opportunities to learn from every experience in life. It's about seeing the interests of the child and encouraging them, proving opportunities to learn, and often, finding someone to mentor them. They know what they love, they have an intense desire to learn! Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-48604817821747049732018-10-05T09:57:00.002-06:002018-10-05T09:57:36.389-06:00Lego creativity Do you ever feel completely clueless? I do sometimes, maybe a lot. Sometimes I even feel stupid, ssh, don't tell my kids I used that word, it's not allowed. I'm trying to have a growth mindset, but sometimes I just feel like my brain is broken. The other day we were sitting listening to Treasure Island on audio book. Benjamin doesn't enjoy reading as much as the rest of us and sometimes he puts up a fight over it. To encourage him to listen to Treasure Island with us I brought out Legos and asked him if he wanted to build a pirate ship. That got him to sit and listen to not just one chapter, but three chapters, he didn't want to stop. Legos is one of the areas that I feel like I am seriously lacking in skills. You may think it silly, but I am very ashamed that I have never felt like I was good at Legos. I remember building with my brother and he is over there making cars and ships and I'm like "I built a brick wall!" I don't let my kids quite, I don't let them say they aren't good at something and leave it there, I encourage them and I challenge them. The last year I have also been really trying to educate myself too, so I applied the same rule. I asked Benjamin the other night as we sat building pirate ships and I felt my mind go blank "Do you think I would be more skilled if I practiced?" and he said "yes." Today when the boys were building with Legos I sat down and I started building too. Almost immediately I felt that familiar sensation of my mind shutting down because I didn't know what to do, why do I do that? I held two Lego pieces and I didn't even know how to put them together. Then I remembered that little round piece that goes on the bottom and I grabbed it, but that made my boat round and I wanted it long. I grabbed a few more pieces, quickly discarding the idea of having a boat all the same color. Then I started building up the sides, I made a few changes to make it look like a railing. I added a cannon and a couple of guns. I wanted a figurehead, but that was far beyond what I could do so I just closed that end up. Benjamin made me a little pirate man and all I needed was a mast. I figured out how to make two short pieces longer for my mast and even found a flag. At one point I asked Benjamin to help me, he was my mentor. I still feel childish and stupid, but I also feel insanely proud of my little pirate ship.<br />
There are a lot of areas that I feel totally lost in, math, chemistry, electricity, music, just about anything involving computers. My brain starts to shut down, just like when someone starts giving me directions. I nob like I understand, but I'm really just trying to figure out what language they are speaking. But you know what? One of the most beautiful truths I have learned on this homeschooling journey is that our education never ends. It didn't end when I finished high school or even after college, I am always learning. I'm pushing myself, finding areas where I am lacking, like Legos, art, and math, and trying so hard to learn and do them better. I find myself learning as I teach my kids, and I find myself being taught by them. Benjamin teaches me how to build with Legos and how electricity works, Glen is teaching me the finer points of writing comics and he has a million facts about animals to share. I know that Heavenly Father wants us to learn all that<br />
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we can and I am grateful for the opportunity to teach and learn every day!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-79621789306346147822018-09-24T16:49:00.000-06:002018-09-24T16:49:20.112-06:00Exciting surprises<img alt="Image result for woodworking clipart" height="272" src="https://loinhacviet.info/images/carpenter-clipart-clip-art-11.jpg" width="320" />I don't think I have ever been so excited for my birthday! Each year I kind of dread it, I even feel anxious about it, but this year there have been surprises in the works for weeks. First John disappeared into the shed, banning me from looking. One by one the kids disappeared, even Abigail went to help. They would return day after day with twinkling eyes and barely suppressed grins. "You are going to love it, I have no idea what it is, but it's awesome!" Then the boys disappeared all on their own and spent a few days working on some secret that I'm not allowed to know about. Finally Elizabeth begins her own project, with Daddy's help. There is much hammering and painting, many whispers and giggles. My family was here over the weekend and my nephew helped finish up the super secret surprise and John proudly took my mom, dad, and sister out to show them what they had created. Somehow my mother in law is in on it also, whatever "it" is. I called to say hi yesterday and she asked to talk to John about something I wasn't allowed to hear. Were they talking in code? I even had a friend from down the street call today and ask if my kids could come down for a few hours to work on something for me. I feel so loved. All of the happiness from my kids, their excitement and barely contained secrets are making me more excited then I have ever been for my birthday. Tomorrow promises to be a wonderful day. Now, if I can just remember how old I am...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-75039507554311196882018-09-17T22:03:00.002-06:002018-09-17T22:03:27.265-06:00A name!<br />
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Today is a big day. It's momentous, monumental! After years of searching and praying I have finally found the right name for our school. It's huge! No one is going to get as excited about this as I am, that's ok, not everyone is moved to tears by the sight of purple bush beans. I'm special. I can't tell you how much this means to me, but I am going to try.</div>
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I live life joyfully, it is part of my purpose. Purpose, there it is, that wonderful word. I live my life with purpose. I do everything 100% it's who I choose to be. I didn't plan to home school, but once I felt it was right I threw everything I had into it. I wanted our school, our home, our family, to have a purpose. I wanted that purpose wrapped up into a nice little name. Something that could convey how passionate I am about learning and teaching, our values as a family, and our hopes for the future. Nothing seemed right, every name I could think of fell short. I mean how could I fit all of the passion burning inside of me into one little name? Could it even be done? I began to give up, just a little. Four years is such a long time to search and hope, but I never gave up completely. It was there, in the back of my mind, this ever present need to find a name.</div>
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This year I began to read the biography of Maria Von Trapp and the Trapp family singers. She too felt the importance of names and they named their home in Vermont. They named it "Cor Unum" It is Latin and it means something like one heart, it was the closest she could find to Zion. That name stuck with me. It wasn't quiet right, but I was getting there. I was discovering something important and my search continued. Still, for months "Cor Unum" sat heavy on my mind with no more progress. Then last night it came to me, almost like a dream. Aeternum. Forever.</div>
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<a href="https://pentamodus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/sublime-wisdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for sublime knowledge symbol" border="0" height="200" src="https://pentamodus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/sublime-wisdom.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="145" /></a> I believe that our quest for knowledge is eternal. We seek to become like God, an all-knowing being. That denotes a lot of study and knowledge. I continually work to create within the walls of my home a place of refuge, a Zion from the storm. "Cor Unum Aeternum" Zion Eternal. It encompasses all that I strive for. Unity, love, life long learning, and values that I cannot even put into words. </div>
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Once the name came to me so did the symbols. </div>
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Sublime knowledge. Sublimate means to raise to a place of honor, I honor learning and study. The sun raising above the book reminds me to use each day to learn and to grow, it reminds me that the Son approves of my school, my work, and our learning and growth.</div>
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<a href="https://alehorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Celtic-Symbol-Triskele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Related image" border="0" height="188" src="https://alehorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Celtic-Symbol-Triskele.jpg" width="200" /></a> The Celtic spiral. This one has three, but I want 6. Six spirals connected. They symbolize man's journey of growth and wisdom in this life and into the next. I believe that whatever intelligence we gain in this life will go with us into the next. <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130.18-19" target="_blank">Doctrine and Covenants 130:18</a> The spirals are connected, as a family we are connected. Our journey in this life and in the next is connected inseparably.</div>
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I am so happy to have finally found a name for our school. </div>
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Cor Unum Aeternum. </div>
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It sounds cool too!</div>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-82294292810436483012018-09-10T19:59:00.000-06:002018-09-10T19:59:06.371-06:00Too busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BcgoPE_QSrDEwzsSZxGlsMPReFFZ86oG5U-VWXK6Dn8muFu2puD6iMRXHPAQ7_3amBb_Oq12A-OawahMaXMlozTyvXAioI0-8qwrbkFE_M2oh2G5tHtdcRHQgpoxXJnv_x8IvUcTgEg/s1600/IMG_20180809_103055669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BcgoPE_QSrDEwzsSZxGlsMPReFFZ86oG5U-VWXK6Dn8muFu2puD6iMRXHPAQ7_3amBb_Oq12A-OawahMaXMlozTyvXAioI0-8qwrbkFE_M2oh2G5tHtdcRHQgpoxXJnv_x8IvUcTgEg/s320/IMG_20180809_103055669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes being busy is unavailable. Taking your sweet time getting peaches taken care of means peaches with extra fuzz, if you know what I mean. Having boys who are passionate about soccer makes for late nights. There will always be holidays, parties, special occasions and a life full of living to do. I don't mind being busy, but I also don't mind slowing down. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD-ugAjVJO0RqhedP8j7BG9CXKcJ_UANt48X3fX8wbx1mK31LeV711F1SIVCXLLVruNxj3LN-HW2M2NJoJIQT-X_jAVSzS8TtKfzDR3cw_Q5qf1DqCVrAl1aKAO4C9_BZOv_P6c6dAJQ/s1600/IMG_20180812_164154753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD-ugAjVJO0RqhedP8j7BG9CXKcJ_UANt48X3fX8wbx1mK31LeV711F1SIVCXLLVruNxj3LN-HW2M2NJoJIQT-X_jAVSzS8TtKfzDR3cw_Q5qf1DqCVrAl1aKAO4C9_BZOv_P6c6dAJQ/s320/IMG_20180812_164154753.jpg" width="240" /></a> Today I had the opportunity to make cookies for a friend who just got back from a long trip. She is Elizabeth's Sunday school teacher and Elizabeth just adores her. I came back from a Knights club meeting and grocery shopping to a house that was a mess and I immediately felt overwhelmed. I really wanted to put off making cookies for another day, but I had made promises and I keep my word. After I pout away the groceries I washed a few dishes so we could make cookies. </div>
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Unfortunately it wasn't the relaxing memory making activity I wanted it to be, not inwardly anyway. I think the girls had a good time, but I was stressed, especially when Abigail tilted the beater and splattered cookie dough all over the counter. I can laugh at it now, but it was one more thing at the time. While the cookies baked I banished the kids to the basement and tried to nap in between the 12 minute cook times. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi258S6XX3ESiPfYRVATAuJwH7Ra9rMyJnjFUnOn5m9aXuQr3avrZMo1sSZPowJ59vg9gaMY3SlJwpWbHd91_QOwVLfxWuaNE27lxWbnWiLZqAP2_Q2h-ZgoGhmGrgt1mSpgcu7w8JtQCo/s1600/IMG_20180817_093440299_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi258S6XX3ESiPfYRVATAuJwH7Ra9rMyJnjFUnOn5m9aXuQr3avrZMo1sSZPowJ59vg9gaMY3SlJwpWbHd91_QOwVLfxWuaNE27lxWbnWiLZqAP2_Q2h-ZgoGhmGrgt1mSpgcu7w8JtQCo/s320/IMG_20180817_093440299_BURST001.jpg" width="240" /></a> When the cookies were done we took three plates to friends. Sometimes I feel so selfish serving, I get so much out of it. It's more then just a good feeling knowing it made someone happy. I love to see the way that my kids faces light up as they talk about how happy this person will be. I love the indecision. Whenever I feel like I don't have any friends I need to make a batch of cookies or banana bread because I always have a hard time choosing who to take it to. </div>
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Today was an altogether wonderful experience. We stayed to talk with Elizabeth's Sunday school teacher. As we sat there talking I saw my life from a different perspective. She reminded me to be grateful for what I have. I am so blessed! I have four beautiful, wonderful, sweet children who fill my days with joy and life. I have the opportunity each day to stay home with them and to have them home with me for school. That means I get to be a part of the joy and magic they find in little moments. I wish there were glasses to help you see the world the way a child does. Simple things bring such joy! I think of tea parties, bubbles, dry ice, games, imaginative play, trampolines, leaves, flowers, new shoes, kittens. I feel like I should start singing "My favorite things"</div>
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I am grateful to take a few minutes...or an hour, with her to sit and feel grateful. I'm still stressed over the house work to be done tomorrow and exhausted from last weeks canning marathon, but I feel like I can handle it. A weight has been lifted from my mind and I can tackle another day with renewed joy in motherhood. Thank you, my friend! Thank you for blessing my life.</div>
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-56247159955397239372018-09-08T19:48:00.003-06:002018-09-08T19:48:47.512-06:00It consumes me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can you guess what has consumed my life for the last few weeks? Cucumbers, peppers, peaches, pears, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, squash, jelly, jam, freeze drying, canning. That's been my life.</div>
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I have a love-hate relationship with preserving food. I love having it in storage, I love knowing where my food comes from, I love the fresh taste of peaches all year long. I love peaches. I hate the hours and hours it takes, how my back and feet ache, how I disappear into the kitchen and feel like I'm chained to the sink. But I do it every year. It's a few stressful weeks and it is hard, but it's so nice to walk down to my storage room and see jars and jars of pickles, pears, peaches, jams and jellies. I even tried a few new things this year. I have never done pickles or relish, but I now have 10 jars of pickles and 3 jars of relish. I also learned that peaches that are not ripe do not peel easily. I can't wait to make spaghetti sauce in my crock pot, I got that tip last year after my most patient attempts still resulted in runny, slightly burned sauce.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiMn3q_8m_FdywGM_QrwAwBFBTmtw7_OKsDYvvFy2k-CdX18yv-lY5Yl17mekLaavn1-b9oBJo5UlaniEYi6oxrDLDJJUDsvWjosLVUesB24MZxo8i7hyphenhyphenvqPS9ZC-7HW21tuZ5y3NiZg/s1600/IMG_20180818_184505740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiMn3q_8m_FdywGM_QrwAwBFBTmtw7_OKsDYvvFy2k-CdX18yv-lY5Yl17mekLaavn1-b9oBJo5UlaniEYi6oxrDLDJJUDsvWjosLVUesB24MZxo8i7hyphenhyphenvqPS9ZC-7HW21tuZ5y3NiZg/s320/IMG_20180818_184505740.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcKGWyD0tkOW-uNCg5VLNtXMOaO2yjtwftxaSJCinGP2A80CdM6Zxzugq89B4ADykNrtTVBvVQVlY8EsBJfvSA36qo-EKJ0cUx__lsBpTx3MS3Yjp6YLUu-n9peK58gtDkFYyUhcaA4s/s1600/IMG_20180819_091948072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcKGWyD0tkOW-uNCg5VLNtXMOaO2yjtwftxaSJCinGP2A80CdM6Zxzugq89B4ADykNrtTVBvVQVlY8EsBJfvSA36qo-EKJ0cUx__lsBpTx3MS3Yjp6YLUu-n9peK58gtDkFYyUhcaA4s/s320/IMG_20180819_091948072.jpg" width="240" /></a>So yeah, if you've been wondering where I have been this month, just check my kitchen. My kids will tell you I never leave.</div>
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-62972954298847400482018-08-23T07:58:00.003-06:002018-08-23T07:58:45.393-06:00Gifts of the heart Before I get started I wanted to tell you about the storm last night. There was the most amazing storm last night! I was woken up about midnight, I'd been dreaming about thunder and lightening, when a knock on my door brought in Glen. Abigail was crying and he brought her up to me. After helping her I just sat on the couch and enjoyed the thunder and lightening for awhile. There was so much lightening it was like a strobe lights, some flashes were so bright they lit up the whole room. The thunder was loud and long and a few of them felt like they shook the house. We had storms like that all the time in Indiana and I have missed them so much here. It lasted a good half hour and even after laying in bed I just stayed awake enjoying it. What a gift.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm47E36MgbdJTodtVuhgRgCLnA09btq-jBQyMX_IRgnLPX195tIJnyQ-6mCGzzfZEM_o3wNxYtliFzg81KhXK4V95UH1mxyurp-vLq1-OPqLO4br5X4hIjPzCn7zCzswYNcLprzbC3Lg/s1600/IMG_20180822_102838037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm47E36MgbdJTodtVuhgRgCLnA09btq-jBQyMX_IRgnLPX195tIJnyQ-6mCGzzfZEM_o3wNxYtliFzg81KhXK4V95UH1mxyurp-vLq1-OPqLO4br5X4hIjPzCn7zCzswYNcLprzbC3Lg/s320/IMG_20180822_102838037.jpg" width="240" /></a>Gifts. Gifts have been on my thoughts a lot lately. These flowers were a gift from a sweet little girl who think they are the greatest treasure in the world. Abigail is very tender hearted and loves to show love for others by giving them gifts of dandelions, pine cones, her last candy, or a bite of her food. When she gives me a handful of dandelions I know that she is giving me the best of what she has and she gives them with so much love. They become treasures to me because of the love with which they are given.<br />
Abigail also loves to take flowers to other people. Every day she asks to take flowers to one neighbor or another. You might think I should discourage her from giving dandelions and pine cones to the lady down the street, but I never do. She will meet with enough discouragement in life and develop inhibitions soon enough, I won't have any part in it. The neighbors accept her little gifts with as much gratitude and love as I do. I love that so much. <br />
When do we start to think that what we have to give aren't good enough? When do little flowers stop being good enough. Why does the time we have to give to listen or help become too little. Why does a gift given have to be big and grand or cost a lot of money. As adults we try to teach our kids that gifts can be small and inexpensive, that it's the thought that counts, but we don;t seem to believe that ourselves. Do we still make home made gifts? Do we still think "Oh they will love it because I made it" Maybe you do, but I have this idea so strongly in my head that it has to be big and expensive and amazing or they won't appreciate it. I still cringe a little thinking of the picture I drew for a friends wedding shower. It wasn't a childish doodle, it was good, some of my best work, but still I thought it wasn't good enough. Even after she told me how much she loved it part of me didn't believe her. I should have bought something.<br />
Even though I have a hard time believing it, I hope I can teach my kids that what they have to give is good enough. After all, even the widows mites were accepted of the Lord.<br />
<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-47302536219288424652018-08-16T17:58:00.001-06:002018-08-16T18:00:57.476-06:00Enduring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS6ThPjA8Yo9gATwECYUdpbKZxx8ppbaxHWy33oh7AqaTmx78DGeLDslMB2pHt2kGS3CLVf4C8-bzYI1i6JxJ5TciI0OG4KhEQl0guodNtkRWriSsIEnwyj-LSGmcO_Sm_FYBG3FkMrQ/s1600/saddest-animals-24%255B7%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for saddest looking creature ever" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS6ThPjA8Yo9gATwECYUdpbKZxx8ppbaxHWy33oh7AqaTmx78DGeLDslMB2pHt2kGS3CLVf4C8-bzYI1i6JxJ5TciI0OG4KhEQl0guodNtkRWriSsIEnwyj-LSGmcO_Sm_FYBG3FkMrQ/s1600/saddest-animals-24%255B7%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
It's one of those days. One of the hard ones. You know the ones I'm talking about. I have worked hard to develop an optimistic outlook in life. Maybe it's because I hate being sad, or maybe it's because I feel like I can't function as well when I am feeling down. Sometimes I really struggle with depression, winter is really tough. Sometimes I have a hard time seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, but it's not winter. The sun is shining and life is exciting. Not really, I'm just trying to be optimistic. :D<br />
I had a horrible nightmare about hornets flying into my dress and stinging me on the back. Last week I was stung 5 times in one day when a hornet got into my hair and again a week later when it flew into my scarf before my husband took out the nest of yellow jackets near my garden. I've developed a bit of a phobia now. I kind of freak out when anything near me flies, especially if it is yellow. By kind of freak out I mean screaming and crying. I'm too scared to go out into my garden for hours a day like I was a few weeks ago. I'm kind of afraid to even go outside which could be leading to this little bout of blue devils.<br />
On days like this I feel so weighed down, my mind is heavy. I just want to crawl back into bed and sleep all day, or maybe cry. I don't want to get up and make meals for my kids, help the little girls get dressed, clean, or play games. School is the furthest thing from my mind. But I have to function, it's what moms do, isn't it? I get up, I get dressed. I have made two meals today, sweet Benjamin is making dinner. I've played games, read books, helped with math, science and reading. I took Glen to the library and had the presence of mind, despite a headache, to find books for the other kids. I have done my chores, helped the other kids with theirs, given a piano lesson, had a little quiet time to finish the autobiography I have been reading, and I got another batch of food from my garden freeze drying.<br />
It is so much harder to function on blue days, but I have learned to tell myself to hang on. I know this won't last forever. Emotionally I can't see an end, but I have learned to use logic to help me through. I can't say I am enduring joyfully, but I am trying. I have not given in to the urge to just sit down and cry, instead I have taken up yet another picture book to read to my insatiable book worms. I didn't give in to the urge to let them watch TV all day so I can just sleep away the clouds, instead I have sat down to help with school work. I'm not always good at functioning well, but it helps to remember that this won't last forever. Tomorrow will be a little brighter, but if not, then God will help me through the next cloudy day and I will try to dance in the rain.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-34896045199955250802018-08-09T09:39:00.001-06:002018-08-09T09:39:51.714-06:00My favorite days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ4hRPh9AKIIPAma-iWbMRoBOrUTtX5bceepCcxarIHGBZj_ezdxDgh7QWGchQUsI-pEDu3WQHVsbT4AFoFUAm97fvCPQ1kevGsHM1XyjhceAJU2Ksl5snIqZ7SIeMv3e7uwdZd0MUtY/s1600/IMG_20180712_173805678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ4hRPh9AKIIPAma-iWbMRoBOrUTtX5bceepCcxarIHGBZj_ezdxDgh7QWGchQUsI-pEDu3WQHVsbT4AFoFUAm97fvCPQ1kevGsHM1XyjhceAJU2Ksl5snIqZ7SIeMv3e7uwdZd0MUtY/s320/IMG_20180712_173805678.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEGMxY5zgsER0JX-WaWOwkPvZKBqrPIIHxCR37QB1bgkt-DyvUMlntou4i83R9T_RtC10P3p9IyKuItErt09CtQBj8qBWSSqukMfrBlYnDIMNY2JIEWsoFLtfKFiunjmtfo1_Z23mLEE/s1600/IMG_20180806_102346230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEGMxY5zgsER0JX-WaWOwkPvZKBqrPIIHxCR37QB1bgkt-DyvUMlntou4i83R9T_RtC10P3p9IyKuItErt09CtQBj8qBWSSqukMfrBlYnDIMNY2JIEWsoFLtfKFiunjmtfo1_Z23mLEE/s320/IMG_20180806_102346230.jpg" width="240" /></a> I love going out an playing. Spending the day at the lake, or swimming in the ponds. Camping is so fun and hiking or exploring the mountains is one of my favorite things to do. Trips to aquariums, museums, and historical places excited my love of learning. There are so many places I enjoy being, but nothing can compare to my favorite place. I love being home. I love days like today when there are no play dates, no games to rush off to, no trips planned and no expected visitors. As much as I enjoy going out, I also need days where I stay in and just enjoy my family. These days when we all sleep in and then wake up to play have a special place for me. They are relaxing and fun. They give us an opportunity to spend time together and play.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ctnzo7lYWvRAcXdQpcYoqD4KfqrGg-g88wCINUJwmyCKTgt1w_JwMmrwnYhW6X2qobeaytcu1lBN-mLwShUYty_VIiY3Sn3MiCF4qQBmn9IHH20F4UL0KvYmxfsYCVyHuwwjZDMNG80/s1600/IMG_20180805_181354840_LL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ctnzo7lYWvRAcXdQpcYoqD4KfqrGg-g88wCINUJwmyCKTgt1w_JwMmrwnYhW6X2qobeaytcu1lBN-mLwShUYty_VIiY3Sn3MiCF4qQBmn9IHH20F4UL0KvYmxfsYCVyHuwwjZDMNG80/s320/IMG_20180805_181354840_LL.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
What do these days look like? I'm tempted to invite a friend over or send the kids out to play. I'm tempted to put on a movie, but I won't. I want to listen to them play. I want to enjoy the game they have made up. I want to sit and read. The girls might help me preserve the food we have. We will weed and pull out board games. It might sound kind of boring, but these really are my favorite days. I feel like these days allow us to be who we really are.<br />
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-292672568390699982018-07-29T19:35:00.002-06:002018-07-29T19:39:09.259-06:00Line upon Line<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczVMlntZks5RBDtCeTRaHNEIw1vJv6hwv-LRP31pdMAqZXvQcW8V9tfQ8D1ZbEtbkYcElW2m9dtIaVkLBO-8H_f6IRVfhoSXMA1BaK6-FOt2q9d7A2SjTIcckVVsBvx2SqSpewwStVS4/s1600/IMG_20180624_170319107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczVMlntZks5RBDtCeTRaHNEIw1vJv6hwv-LRP31pdMAqZXvQcW8V9tfQ8D1ZbEtbkYcElW2m9dtIaVkLBO-8H_f6IRVfhoSXMA1BaK6-FOt2q9d7A2SjTIcckVVsBvx2SqSpewwStVS4/s320/IMG_20180624_170319107.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little miss always wants to help cook!</td></tr>
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July has been an absolutely insane month! I have been running around almost non stop, hardly home, feeling like we are doing everything and nothing at the same time. Despite the stress, I feel like I have learned so much. I feel like I have grown by leaps and bounds, it's been amazing.<br />
Here are a few of the highlights.<br />
Truth is everywhere. Our spirits can feel when we find truth, our spirits yearn for truth. Truth is found in every religion, truth is found is books, movies, music, the Earth, people around us. When we find it we sometimes connect on a deep spiritual level.<br />
Blessing are everywhere, if you look you will find them. Our car broke down Thursday. One could look at being stranded in almost 100 degree whether with four kids a disaster, or, one could look for the tender mercies from God. The 9 people who offered to help, the first one being a mechanic who fixed our car for the price of parts and next to nothing labor. My car was stocked with food and water. We broke down right next to a blocked off lane so there was plenty of room to pull over without blocking traffic. We broke down very close to John's work just as he was getting off. The list goes on. Yes, it is hard to be cheerful and see the good in life when there are trials, but there <i>are</i> blessing, find them! I promise it will help you see the sunshine on a cloudy day, or maybe you will learn to dance in the rain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskzbGCtSjfRpP6LyTVlj9WkrPcSDQ9wVzdVrOnecZNNm5QVQGXM_uctjToz7KfkBv33OwJeKU1IzvcohLiJyPenUijNR6P-VG6r80rrOrfInEN2p6J1bdQGKKn8DYGQaFmndSSpLWP6E/s1600/IMG_20180612_104841780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskzbGCtSjfRpP6LyTVlj9WkrPcSDQ9wVzdVrOnecZNNm5QVQGXM_uctjToz7KfkBv33OwJeKU1IzvcohLiJyPenUijNR6P-VG6r80rrOrfInEN2p6J1bdQGKKn8DYGQaFmndSSpLWP6E/s320/IMG_20180612_104841780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did not have a risk board, so they made their own board.</td></tr>
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God answers prayers! I was feeling so over whelmed. How could I possibly find time to clean the house, Study the gospel. help the kids with school, without leaving the girls out, find time to pursue my own goals, work out, and do all the garden work that is needed? There just wasn't time. I knew better then to think the Lord would actually give me more hours in the day, but I needed more time. I asked Him to help me prioritize, I figured I would have to give up a bunch of stuff. Instead the Lord had me make one small adjustment to school. I put learning back into the hands of my children. They pursue their own interests, I'm always available to help of course, but the boys do it mostly on their own. All of the sudden I had time for everything! Gospel study is better then ever. The boys are learning more then ever so they aren't being neglected. The girls come to me for reading, help pursuing their interests, and play time. They are learning more then ever! I have more time to clean, plenty of time to pursue my own interests, time to work out, time for gardening, time for games, and even a little time to be bored. I even get to bed at a good time each night. I know I don't really have 72 hours, but it sure feels like it.<br />
I know the Lord is mindful of me and of my little family. He guides me in every aspect of my life. He answers my prayers. He is real!<br />
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<br />Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-69829847475628332712018-07-26T08:37:00.001-06:002018-07-26T08:37:36.641-06:00Get out of the way <br />
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This week I have tried to stop pushing and just get out of their way. You might think my kids took the opportunity to just laze around the house, would you be surprised if I told you they did more "school" then ever? Glen found a term in his book that he didn't know, sonic boom, and asked about it. That sparked his curiosity and he started researching cars breaking the sound barrier, jets breaking the sound barrier, what causes a sonic boom, the effects of a sonic boom, and he started thinking about way to mitigate it. Now he wants to do his science experiment on how sound travels. He also read a book with a Comodo Dragon in it and wanted to know the effects of Comodo poison so he set out to do more reasearch. He learned that the Comodo Dragon doesn't have the muscles to squeeze out the poison so he clamps his jaw so tightly that the poison is squeezed out and he also learned that the poison stops blood from clotting. That got him thinking about how it could be used in medicine.<br />
Benjamin, my boy who says he hates to read, has spent days reading books about animals, bees, Thomas Jefferson, and bridges, and learning about his current passion, Nikola Tesla. He now has two biographies about Nikola Tesla that he is going to read. He learned that Homeschooling is illegal in many countries and that got him thinking about the freedoms we have here in America. He is learning about WW II and budgeting because he got some new games he is excited to play.<br />
Both boys went to a concert with me and learned about Rogers and Hamerstien through music and narration. While at this concert we stopped at the Salt Lake Temple North Visitors center and when they showed interest I asked if they would like to plan a feild trip to tour Temple Square. Usually when I say the words "Field Trip" I am met with groans and moans, but this time it was their idea because they are interested. They are both working on writing stories and drawing. I am also working along with them on my own art skills and drawing. Glen gave me a really excellent suggestion that took my log from looking not quite right to looking like a real log.<br />
Elizabeth is excited to learn about Bees, math, reading, fire trucks, singing and dancing. She asks me to read books about bees, tell her about firetrucks and she wants to dance and sing all the time. Yesterday we watched a little clip with a swarm of bees moving into a new hive and then we made honey candy. Then we talked a little chemistry and she learned how candy gets hard because sugar does that as it heats up. She also wanted to know about cat colors and we researched and found out taht orange and black coloring is connected to the X chromosome and that's why most calicoes are female and most solid colored cats are male. Of course that led to a discussion about genes and chromosomes on her 5 year old level. Abigail is spending hours drawing and coloring, she loves art. She wants to learn ballet and sing songs. She loves to learn about other artists and we read Pocketfull of Colors and The Noisy Paintbox again and again.<br />
They want to know what kind of flowers daddy bought me. They built a boat out of cardboard to see if it would float. They are conquering fears, gaining confidence and learning about things I never would have thought to introduce to them. They also take opportunities that I scatter along their path.<br />
I see now that when I stay out of their way and watch from the background they learn so much! I don't take over, because that spoils it for them. They want to learn, they want to grow. My job is to sit back and let it happen, be there to help when they ask, and provide environments and opportunities for them to learn what they want.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-16626844420345122002018-07-13T12:50:00.000-06:002018-07-13T12:50:14.447-06:00A Meeting with the Principle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been reading a new book this week that my friend gave me. It's life changing. Literally. It was given to me by another homeschool mom, and it has changed the way I look at schooling, but it has impacted so much more than school.<br />
I study the scriptures differently, we study scriptures together as family differently. It has effected the way I look at teaching the gospel to my kids and they way I feel about and look at myself. I cannot say enough good about this book, I highly recommend reading it. You can find it, as well as Ali's other great books, here:<a href="https://www.millennialstandardpress.com/online-store" target="_blank"> https://www.millennialstandardpress.com/online-store</a> (I cannot wait to read her Millennial Instructor!)<br />
First I want to tell you about how this book has changed the way our family studies the scriptures together. We have tried so many different way to keep our kids engaged, learning, and relatively under control. We have used those comic book like Scripture story books, regular scriptures, taking turns reading, listening to Daddy read, acting out what we read, drawing what we read, building with Legos or blocks what we read. Nothing really worked for long, nothing felt right. In her book Ali talks about principles being unchanging gospel truths. They can be summed up in one sentence, such as "I am a child of God" She talks about finding true principles everywhere in books, not just in scriptures. I decided to start searching the scriptures with the intent to find principles. It really changed the way I read and study. I was no longer re-reading something I'd read 100 times before, I was seeing a message and seeing it re-enforced again and again. I started teaching Benjamin to study scriptures the same way. Then I suggested we do it as a family. Each night someone picks a principle or topic and we all turn to the topical guide or index to find a scripture or story that we feel speaks of that principle. Some aren't in the topical guide, like "I am a child of God" so instead we looked at love, Son, Children, and searched our memories for stories that testified of this precious truth. Benjamin chose to find the scripture in Moses where he is talking to God and then after God leaves Satan comes and tries to get Moses to worship him, but he won't because he knows he is a son of God. Elizabeth told us a story about living in heaven and the great council in Heaven. Glen found a scripture that spoke to him of God's love for us. John found one about teaching children and that led to another scripture I remembered, "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." The most beautiful thing is that each night is now a discussion, everyone is engaged and no one is bored. Because we are sharing our own thoughts and ideas scriptures and stories are shared that I wouldn't have thought of or seen the way my children do, I am learning too! I love that Elizabeth can participate because she can pull out her picture book and tell us a story that she thought of when we gave the topic. I feel like we have finally found the way the Lord intended for our family to study His Gospel. It is wonderful that the Lord knows all of His children so well that He can inspire us and teach us what we need for our family, even though it is different from what another family needs.<br />
The other life changing concept I learned from this book in about being converted. I feel like I have truly become converted to the lord. I am no longer a hearer of the word, but a doer also. For me the gospel is not just a Sunday thing, it is so much a part of my life that is is woven into every fiber of my being. Every thought, word and action is based on my testimony that God knows me and that He loves me. Because I have become truly converted I can teach my children by my example. They see me studying the scriptures, not just reading for a few minutes each morning. They see me doing, as I serve others, and they see that everything reminds me of the scriptures and of my Savior, everything is a teaching moment. What really changed my life was seeing that just like I need to be truly converted to Christ, I also need to be truly converted to Homeschooling. Being truly converted to teaching my children is important because there is no longer an out, "If you keep acting up I'll just send you back to public school." Now we solve the problems. Knowing that this choice is right for us and won't change means the way we learn changed, the way we look at life changed, the way we see our family and our eternal salvation changed. Homeschooling used to be about a specific time and subject, but after being converted homeschooling became a part of who I am. Every thought and action is based off of homeschooling. Homeschooling has become a true principle in my life, an unchanging truth, but one that continues to change me as I learn each day.<br />
I am eternally grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who knows me and my family so well that he knows just what we need each day. I know that he inspires me as I teach my children. I can no longer see secular knowledge and spiritual knowledge, I see how connected they are. We learn math, science, literature, Mathew Mark, Luke and John, all with an eye single to the glory of God. I know He lives! I know He loves me! I know the Spirit testifies of the truth of all things!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-12805269552925728932018-07-11T15:46:00.000-06:002018-07-11T15:47:10.056-06:00Journey of a lifetime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four and a half years ago I started out on an unexpected journey. Something Tookish awoke within me and set me on a path I would have never considered of before. Homeschool. I remember when my boys were toddlers, sitting with a few friends and they started talking about homeschool. They both wanted to and I had no interest whatsoever. I loved school, I couldn't wait until my kids went, I just knew they would love it as much as I did.<br />
I won't re-visit my reasons for homeschooling, I have done that in previous posts, but I want to look forward. Over the last 4 1/2 years I have learned so much, I have experimented with different learning styles, schedules, and ways of teaching. I have swung from one side, unschooling or natural learning, to the other side with a hyper scheduled day with 12 different subjects, and back again. I am seeing the Hand of the Lord in teaching me to teach my children. `After last years fiasco trying to cram in everything I wanted them to learn I burned out so fast and the kids went from enjoying school to hating it all and fighting me every step of the way. After a lot of prayer, soul searching, research and a little divine intervention in the form of two new friends I learned we need unschooling. I really prefer the term natural learning, after all, learning is so natural.<br />
I began to see how my kids were learning so much just by living their lives, playing, pursuing interests and asking questions. I began to see missed opportunities because what they were asking to learn didn't fit into <i>my</i> schedule or <i>my </i>idea of what we should be learning. Glen's desire to play the recorder and learn to play the flute slowly died as he met with "no or not right now" at every turn. Elizabeth's desire to learn about volcanoes disappeared before we got around to it because I kept putting it off, she also stopped asking me to help her learn to read or work out of her math book because I was always too busy to take the time to sit down to help her.<br />
I began to see opportunities to learn that I never would have seen before. Hand writing took the form of writing a book, no tears or struggle. Elizabeth planted bean seeds to see if they would grow because I said yes instead of "It's too late in the season for a good crop" She even watered right after because she had learned from watching me that seeds need to be kept moist until they sprout and form a good root system. She brings me scriptures every morning, hungering to learn about them. Glen began to sing, he wants to join Vocal Point some day. Benjamin, who loves and is so good at math, but began to hate it when I made him do it each morning, volunteered to make a prime number game for me, but first he needs to learn what prime numbers are. He is excited about math again.<br />
I am thoroughly convinced that the surest way to make a child hate anything is to force them to do it. If you forced a child to eat chocolate cake very day they would hate it. I know this, I have believed this for years, yet here I was forcing my kids to read, do math, memorize poetry, and a number of other things. Over the summer I have watched their passion for learning rekindle because I am not forcing them to do anything. They are learning about Prime numbers, singing, surface tension and what boats need to stay afloat, how to plant, care for and harvest in the garden, the value of objects and ideas, how to make money, and a million other lessons.<br />
So now it's time to take a deep breath and take the plunge. It's time to give up control and trust my kids to learn without me forcing it. It's time to trust the Lord when he tells me this is the way to do it. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink. I cannot force my kids to learn, but I can help encourage them, introduce them to new ideas, give them opportunities to learn and watch their love for life and passion for learning take them an their own amazing adventure in life.<br />
Homeschool really is the journey of a lifetime. A journey that will last a lifetime because we are never done learning. I can't wait to see where this new journey takes us.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-1327804444368765102016-10-05T08:57:00.001-06:002016-10-05T08:57:12.481-06:00The perfect fit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lbHDBnE9qViktf6v10o7yA25R2LKkt5WFQllOJKBLSKkvV9MysMAmDdJzKyn78jbEn290uE9mpJxV_PuCLAtDApyUJovUGkp1-8D71miqYmvALMkdxapY_vZVH7LqIwe6NZxdAZJXOQ/s1600/13087395_10157448408313125_1948153456167536367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lbHDBnE9qViktf6v10o7yA25R2LKkt5WFQllOJKBLSKkvV9MysMAmDdJzKyn78jbEn290uE9mpJxV_PuCLAtDApyUJovUGkp1-8D71miqYmvALMkdxapY_vZVH7LqIwe6NZxdAZJXOQ/s320/13087395_10157448408313125_1948153456167536367_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
Over the summer the boys decided they wanted to go to public school. I was sad because I loved home schooling them. It was stressful, but I loved it and I wanted to always do it. I wanted to give them the opportunity to go to school and fully expected them to hate it. It turns out they pretty much loved it. They wished it was shorter and they didn't have homework, but still they loved it and they loved their teachers. Every morning I prayed with them and sent them off to school. Every morning it was hard. I <i>wanted</i> them home, but I didn't want to be selfish. I thought it would get easier to send them off to school, but it got harder. I started feeling like they should be home. At first I dismissed it because I thought it was just my desire to have them home, but that feeling of need grew every day until I could hardly bear to have them leave. I wanted to call the school and take them out. I was starting to feel anxiety every time I sent them to school or thought about them going and I didn't feel good again until they came back. Knowing that anxiety is not a feeling Heavenly Father gives I decided I needed to find peace. When I found out what Heavenly Father wanted for my family I knew I would find peace. The problem was that every time I prayed about taking them out I had a bad feeling, I felt like it was wrong. When I thought of keeping them in school I felt like that was wrong too. So after weeks of praying and thinking I finally just asked, "What do you want me to do? I wasn't ready before, but I am ready now. I will do what you want, whatever you want." I felt like they should be home in the mornings to be home schooled and then go to public school for a few hours in the afternoon. As soon as I thought that I fell immense peace and relief. The feelings were so strong that I was able to pinpoint the time of day they should go and when they should get out of school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L4rUNnrMGyaBsLq9O5y9ROp1UEUjegOAWT-0W3mZUOKjnsxs40fG0ozW_qT-ARwJPVoUJFvKKs9OJidcC1uix6q9tyfy-c1fIcTGe07fUzAd4AgawxyhGWjoYksLWeC45N3zSstpHGE/s1600/13239388_10157529296718125_4780112175728957678_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L4rUNnrMGyaBsLq9O5y9ROp1UEUjegOAWT-0W3mZUOKjnsxs40fG0ozW_qT-ARwJPVoUJFvKKs9OJidcC1uix6q9tyfy-c1fIcTGe07fUzAd4AgawxyhGWjoYksLWeC45N3zSstpHGE/s320/13239388_10157529296718125_4780112175728957678_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So the next day, without them knowing, I went in to talk to the principal and their teachers to get everything worked out. It took a few days and a bit of running around, but I got everything worked out before the end of the week. We were to start Monday. A new week. A new Month. A new start. Having them home has felt right. I know home school is not for everyone, but I know for sure that home school is for us. The children are all happier. They boys play together more, help more, they are more cheerful, less tired. The girls are happier to have their brothers home and I am happier as well. Not the happy of getting a new toy or my own way, but the deep seated, all is well joy. When it comes time for them to leave in the afternoon I feel no sadness or anxiety. I am happy to see them going to school to spend time with their friends, teachers, and learning some fun lessons away from home. I still have the responsibility to teach my children, but now I am ok sharing that responsibility. And now they are home before I know it. Part time gives us the freedom of home school, the lessons of public school, and the girl time we all need. It is our perfect fit.<br />
I know that Heavenly Father knows my family, he knows me, and he knows what is best for us. I know that God guides me as I teach and raise my children because they are his children too. I know that God loves me.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5740084702974498835.post-77666756275844483982016-10-01T22:42:00.000-06:002016-10-01T22:42:10.459-06:00coexist<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxmgFsspurnfzgwKU1dt6KruhYtNc6oaiMpHOvunKr-qLqJzTD964WMe6X0MYctO-kEDhE8RZhKpfsSWdRIN09viVeVhsrNvzGBZzbqsB7aIarKPbyRLc7kibgVzcIGHp6sOvo2CvcIM/s1600/images2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxmgFsspurnfzgwKU1dt6KruhYtNc6oaiMpHOvunKr-qLqJzTD964WMe6X0MYctO-kEDhE8RZhKpfsSWdRIN09viVeVhsrNvzGBZzbqsB7aIarKPbyRLc7kibgVzcIGHp6sOvo2CvcIM/s320/images2.jpg" width="320" /></a>As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety I sometimes struggle when we have those lessons in church, you know the ones about faith and fear and they can't coexist. It always bothers me because as someone who lives in fear daily they seem to be saying I just don't have enough faith. I have actually been told by people, by a bishop even, that I wouldn't have anxiety if I would just have faith, I wouldn't be afraid anymore, or depressed, I just needed to have more faith in Christ. Now, I know myself pretty well. I know where I am struggling spiritually and where I need to work, but faith, well, I say I'm doing pretty good in the faith department. I know Jesus Christ is my savior and Redeemer, more then that, I FEEL it. Yet my anxiety remains. Some days are so bad that I can hardly function.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaxNKB3UcejaR0-WjpOTgUm8TGMH0az2DXjT75ED3VPUVJPrSlW2RvmFwVh_OZ0rOyFwCSkajVh35DCG6fzQ16O14JkAZE-Y0czmjYcGn5phwmLy0sbDMgW4xJGb1XtrVKeuovPY_w2E/s1600/Scream.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaxNKB3UcejaR0-WjpOTgUm8TGMH0az2DXjT75ED3VPUVJPrSlW2RvmFwVh_OZ0rOyFwCSkajVh35DCG6fzQ16O14JkAZE-Y0czmjYcGn5phwmLy0sbDMgW4xJGb1XtrVKeuovPY_w2E/s320/Scream.jpeg" width="212" /></a>Well I'm here to tell you that you <i>can </i>have faith and fear. <u>At the same time</u>. I experienced it today, and it made me think of all the times that I have had a similar experience. I have had really rough couple of days as far as depression and anxiety go. I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I'm going down from a really high roller coaster, you know that tight feeling? My muscles tense, ready to run, I can feel it in my whole body. My mind gets a little foggy, it's hard to think of anything except the worry and the fear. I start to pull into myself. And then I pray and I feel peace. Oddly enough it don't take away the fear, it's still there. I still feel tense and my stomach hurts and my head hurts, but there <i>is</i> peace. How can I feel them both? I won't question it, I'll be grateful for it because even though faith and fear are not supposed to be able to exist at the same time, somehow, fear and peace do. They don't struggle and fight each other, they exist together and somehow I make it through the day and hopefully tomorrow is a little brighter.</div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01471994531507245799noreply@blogger.com1