Please read this post that I wrote the other day. I am putting together a post, I would like to have done by August 20, of my readers buying one weeks worth of groceries and the cost. Please try and take a picture of you in front of the groceries like the link did!
Something to Chew On
Jump over and read the article here, and look at all the pictures. It is quite eye opening.
I am asking my readers to take a photo of their weekly shopping expedition goodies, and record the cost and email it to me at penofjen(at)yahoo(dot)com
If you want to participate in this, please try and have another take the photo so I can have the family, and the food, in the photo.
I really hope that all my readers take part.
Thanks so much!
Jennifer
I couldn't even see the mountains during the heavy rains!
The street always fills when it rains as we are on the top of town and the water of course has to run down hill!!!
Here is my dirt yard...now temporarily muddy. All will be dry tomorrow, and I did have all my buckets out to gather the rain!
America
The flag gently waving in the breeze
The uniform crisp and neat
BBQ's aromas so delightful
Parades on main streets from sea to shining sea
Fireworks booming in the night take me to thoughts of
the gunfire, the raging war, the death on the battlefield
Sadness, burials, honor guards, 21 gun salutes.
Freedom, honor, bravery, integrity, love of God and country
These are just a few of the things I think of on Independence Day
I have written several times about the idea of freedom. America is more than a place, it is an idea, or concept if you will.
I remember a family we knew in Germany(they were American). The husband worked in Germany but they were not military so they did not enjoy the American base privileges. We got to know them fairly well, and shared meals and child rearing tips. They had their second son on July 4, 1992 in a German hospital. I was not the best driver on the cobblestone, hilly streets of the quaint German town we all lived in, but I quickly made Angie a cake, and headed over.
I made a Patriotic cake for her, and the family. This son of theirs was born on foreign soil, but I will never forget what Dave, the husband said. Dave said no matter where Garrett was born, he is an American through and through.
See the concept? America is more than a place, it is a dream, a refuge, a place of hope, and a place of freedom. When I carried the American cake through the hallways, with its flags, and stars, and red, white and blue frosting, the staff at the hospital smiled and cheered. They too understood the idea, and they were happy for Dave and Angie too.
America is an awesome place, and one can be American before becoming an American. So I am just offering up this as a reminder for all of us to appreciate our citizenship in this great land.
We truly have so much and many of us seem to take for granted what we have. So take a moment and reflect about our great land!
Jennifer
Oh and Happy 15th Birthday Garrett!!!
We are now at a time of distress in the United States. I found this photo on Michelle Malkin's blog and felt it absolutely appropriate to post pending our 231st American birthday.
To fly the US flag upside down is a sign or a symbol of distress, or extreme danger.(source) I grew up knowing this because we raised the flag every day on our farm. Now my children hang the flag up every day.
We are now at a time in our history where we will need to make a stand. It is time to require all those that enter the US or are in the US(illegally) to uphold all the laws of the land. It is time to set the bar back up to the actual laws. We must not permit another country's citizen to set the tone for our country, ever.
Yet we are, we are allowing illegals to vote, to receive medical care(using our welfare, Medicaid), use our public schools(where we must teach in Spanish) and so many other things. This issue has been turned into a race issue, and anything one says against illegals is deemed racist. Tough, I am calling this what it is- a crime against every American, and we all need to take our responsibility seriously.
We must no longer accept the fluff. This is a clear cut case of a crime. And this crime is impacting each and everyone one of us(medical costs, educational costs, and in fraud) By not securing the borders we also have advertised to all the world that we may act tough and actually carry the big stick, but our back door has been left wide open.
So let's get tough on these criminals! Today
Why on earth does one home school? Why on earth does one take upon themselves the responsibility of training their children?
Scripturally here is one reason, Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
This alone is a wonderful promise, as it truly allows you the knowledge that your effort will be fruitful.
What about reasons in the world? What reasons in our society cause one to home school their children? Several come to mind, the homosexual agenda-educating the children that homosexuality is innate. The global agenda- educating children not in pride of their homeland, but world unity. The evolutionist agenda- promoting survival of the fittest ideology, which caters to the idea of bullying, killing, etc. to be the strongest. The anti-religious agenda- the entire premise of removing God from children. When I refer to God, I mean the God of the Judea-Christian faiths.
Although I agree with all the reasons that I posted, I have decided that after 13 years of home schooling that I home school because I want to raise children who know how to think, instead of children being taught what to think.
That is a huge difference. My kids may not be well versed in all the areas of study, but they know how to learn. They know how to research, they know how to compile the information, and they have not been taught what to think.
They have been taught about differences in the world, but not taught that all in the world are equal. I am disgusted that we have to pretend in the United States that Israel is guilty of crimes against humanity, and yet the Middle East and the degradation of women is ignored. The stoning and honor killing are embraced.(definitely ignored)
I am teaching my children to go past the nonsense of abortion and a woman's right to choose. I am teaching the children that animal rights do not take precedence to human rights. I am teaching the children that no one has the right to determine group thoughts, like the Al Gore global nonsense. The movers and shakers in the US have told the rest of us that this is our fault and the world would be better with less people. (meaning less conservatives)
These methods in our public schools are no longer education, but indoctrination. We are having a youth movement similar to the Nazi Youth. Yes, we are, no debate, it is over. The children are taught multi-cultural ism but not the language of the different cultures. And how is sexual choice a cultural difference? If the public schools stopped preaching then maybe the children could get back in the churches and hear real preaching again. The children are being indoctrinated against the Lord. This stain is on all of us. They are taught that God is wrong, his commandments don't belong, and that humans are no more no less of value then an animal. We are raising youth that are for abortion, yet against war, children for welfare and communism, but not for self reliance. We are raising children that are not punished in favor of them 'finding out' who they are.
Nazi youth was a concept that controlled the children prior to the thoughts and beliefs of an adult set in, sounds familiar? All arenas are being covered, in fact yesterday Mr. Obama(Democrat Presidential candidate) suggested that children need to be in school earlier, than kindergarten. Why? To build the foundation of the Left prior to parental beliefs set in!
I know that some of you can not home school or think that I am speaking trash against our school system, and I am sorry that you think that way. I am just giving some reasons to protect and lead and guide the most precious possession that you have, your children.
Jennifer
I am sorry blog friends, I have been some what busy this week and haven't had too much time to post. I am going to post a post that I wrote on Pen of Jen in December. It is one that reflects how I live. I didn't list any scripture references in this post, but you will understand why when you read it.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Bitterness
With so many medical illnesses being spotlighted in the media, it is hard to determine a true illness with symptoms, from a 'fad' illness(RLS...restless leg syndrome). Help has arrived! And you will not need to ask your Doctor if any certain prescription will be right for you.
Many of us struggle with this illness, and I do refer to bitterness as an illness. I do not require a medical degree to make this statement, as this is fact based on life experience!
Bitterness takes energy, and if you use energy to be bitter, it depletes energy to be much else. Consider Jonah from the Old Testament. Most of us know the story of Jonah-swallowed by a fish and survived. But can you see a bitter man?
God sent Jonah to the city of Ninevah on a mission to have the city repent. Jonah decided that no way was he going to do what God wanted, and he headed the other way, catching a ride on a boat. The crew was superstitious, and when a hurricane of sorts picked up the crew cast lots and decided it was Jonah's fault.
To quickly go through the story, Jonah was cast into the water, and a fish quickly swallowed him. As a kid I found this awesome, but now as a 'germaphobe' it gives me the creeps! Anyhow instead of Jonah calling a news conference after he is spit out, he pouts.
Woe is me. God is going to save Ninevah no matter what I do. Boo-hoo. You see even after the couple thousand years since Jonah was written we are still like Jonah. Bitter, not realizing that our very attitude writes our medical prescription for the day. If you are swallowed by a fish make sure when you share the story you describe how big the fish was. Laugh with your family and coworkers when you describe your situation and the bitterness will go away. Come to the realization that tomorrow is coming no matter what. Do you want it to be overcast and dreary, or a great day to see how many different shades of gray that there really are in the world.
Can dissolving bitterness really be that easy? It sure can when you add your own prescription. You will go on no matter, so what if everyone knows you because you were swallowed by a fish. Remember your situation gives you a forum to discuss with anyone the way you managed a situation, instead of the situation managing you
Have a great day!
Jennifer
UPDATE: Yes, I am playing around with a new template and other things, please enjoy the changes, as if you are trying on new things!
Today was a long day and very hot! We went to the boys orthodontist appointments in Las Cruces, NM. Las Cruces is 70 miles away. After the appointments we met up with my brother UJ and had a quick lunch. We were all excited to see him! We have missed him since he moved to Las Cruces.(to go to school)
After lunch, we then had to drive to El Paso(about 45 miles south). It was a neat drive as we drove over Transmountain. It is very flat, then the mountain pops up, it is very unusual.
Bill's appointment took nearly one hour, and the kids and I sat in the car and played hangman, word games, eye spy, then I took a nap. The jury says that someone snores, but I don't believe it for a minute@!
We had decided to go to the Border Patrol Museum afterwards. This was well worth the stop. We take so much for granted in this country. We are the country we are because of the laws we have. I am so thankful to the men and women that serve as Border Patrol Agents. They have a thankless job. In fact Agents are in jail for doing their jobs. I will post more on pen of jen about this subject. The return home was 80 miles. We traveled in a triangle, I wish the kids were younger, because they would have loved to map this shape! Oh well they were so much fun, I love them every age!
UJ it was great to see you, and Fourth wants me to remind you to hang her drawing on your fridge.
I mentioned to Bill a few minutes ago that I guess that I am not Christian enough for some in the blog world. I have been pondering this for a few minutes, sad and heavy hearted. Bill, who I love so much said something that just cheered me up. He told me "Jen, you are Christian enough for Christ"!
Amen.
