Tuesday Times

Tuesday's seem to get busy in the Pen of Jen house. So after all our running around, we came home and completed school after 4:30! I really liked how the kids did and have decided to maybe have night school on Tuesday's!!

The kids had their home school park day today, and I went to the grocery and found a great deal on meat. So I am cooking ground beef tonight. This is usually what I do...buy the meat and brown it then freeze it. It saves on planning a meal in a pinch. Ground beef can go in anything.

I am also working on a Christmas tree for First's apartment. I will post it on Lots for Less and so far it is looking very amazing.

I must say that the temperature's have really dropped. I love my sweet charming house, but it keeps the cold in. Funny how that is, cold in-in the winter and hot in-in the summer. But I love that we have wonderful homemade blankets to snuggle under. Oh and more tea and hot chocolate in times like these. All that this weather needs is around 4 inches of snow!

More of Him Monday

Diana hosts a wonderful activity every Monday at her blog. This is the first time I am participating although I have loved the idea since she began it.

I have been reading 1 Samuel for a few days and I ended up reading and re-reading chapter 1. In verse 19 I found like I was being encircled by the Lord. The verse reads: And they rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

Now I understand what is going on in this verse. This is the second wife of a man. Hannah has prayed and made many offerings unto the Lord and God answers her prayer. She prays for a child, and God gives her Samuel. But what spoke to me is this: and the Lord remembered her.

This is such a comfort to me. Hannah was remembered. Wow! Without taking too much time, I will just say that this is the verse that I have needed. I have needed to read about someone like Hannah. Not known by any, and even shared her husband. Many times I feel like my life is so small. That my actions, my life, is unknown to all. But God remembers even the meek. I know this, I have known this, but sometimes I allow the day to day grind to be more important than it is.

So I will close with thanking Diana for hosting such a blessed introspective post. This really is something that makes one reflect on the Lord and His word. Thank you.

Update

Update: First is doing fine. He is more uncomfortable with the contraption he has to wear than the break. The doctors want to have a consultation on Monday. I am sure that they will think that he needs surgery and extensive treatment.(At least until we establish that we do not have insurance) then I am guessing that he will be advised to wait 5-6 weeks, and monitor his hand.

I am a little skeptical of the medical profession today, as when Bill took him to the ER and filled out the medical bills that the person taking the information asked if First was a US citizen. Bill joked and said "does it matter?" and the man said it might be much more beneficial if he was not.

I am sickened by this. For most of our married lives we have had medical insurance and co-pays...no we don't. So far we have just made 2- 3 payments. But what the heck is the matter with our country, when we set the bar so low?

Where is the honor? I am really beyond speech at this point.

Travels X-Rays and Mini Van...

First came home for Thanksgiving, but had to return to his apartment today as he needs to work early tomorrow. He lives in Las Cruces which is 70 miles away. I always ask him to call when gets there, as I am a mother!!

Well he called and let us know he arrived, then about 5 minutes later he called back and told Bill that he hurt his hand pretty bad, in fact he thought he broke it. Well Bill loaded up the van(first aid kit...and a few other things) and headed over. After a few hours at the E.R. First has a broken hand(or something in it).

So after thankfully stating that we were glad not to have to travel this year over the holidays, Bill ended up traveling. Bill is not back yet, so the details are sketchy. But I do know that Bill will be driving First's car back as it is a standard, and First hurt his right hand. First will get the enjoyment of driving the family mini van for a wee bit. So prayer request from my fellow bloggers. Pray for speedy recovery and low cost ER bills.

Updates as needed;)

Pen Of Jen Thanksgiving

Pretty simple, pretty humble, but something that we have done together for 20 Thanksgivings! Fourth and I made the Turkey name cards last year...aren't they cute? We saw a picture and created a pattern for each piece. I know that you can see some names...ignore please!

The place mats I crocheted four years ago. The dishes are my mother and father's wedding set(47 years old)the silverware came from my mother too. The goblets have been with us since the early 90's.

2007 Menu
Turkey
mashed potatoes
turkey gravy
stuffing
veggie tray
zucchini from the garden
olives
rolls
pickles

pumpkin pie
cheesecake


This was the BEST Thanksgiving ever...isn't that always the case?

I pray that your holiday was wonderful too.
Jennifer

Great History Book

For history we use several history books, but I use this as the introduction to American history. It is a book by Cousins and Hill and it was a public school textbook in 1913. We re-read parts of it every year.

During this Thanksgiving week I would like you to know that we Americans have not always hated ourselves and blamed us for everything.

Here is a sample of the text from the first page.

"Yet the distinctively modern man, the man in whom European ancestry and a New World environment have combined to develop the sense of freedom and of power, is the American. In America more than elsewhere, men take hold of new undertakings with self-confidence, drive to the goal of relentless energy, enjoy victory, scorn defeat, and fill their days with accomplishment."

What more can I say? I am saddened that our public school students are missing out on such an image of our countrymen.

Happy Thanksgiving from one very proud American. Wife of a first generation immigrant, mother of 4 beautifully children, daughter of soldier killed in Vietnam and of one strong mother.
I love this country. I love that my husband and his family are linked to Europe(Spain) and to the Indians of our great land(Mexican Indians), because now my children are truly the American poster child. They are the melding that we claim makes a nation great, although now we do not challenge newcomers to bond, but be separate but equal. What a sad loss. By combining backgrounds and ancestry the children have the best of all the combined cultures.
Jennifer

School is Great!

I know that some take this week off due to the holiday, but I have modified school. The kids have been reading The Landing of the Pilgrims.

They also have to find and read and tell me a scripture in the Bible using the word Thanksgiving. And the game for today is a word creation. Creating as many words as they can with the word Thanksgiving.

In addition they still have to write in their journal, have a spelling quiz, and work on a special assignment to be announced later!

So back to school...

Fourth's Apron Swap

Here is Fourth's finished apron for the apron swap. Her swap partner is in Australia. We mailed it off today, with a few items to share our state and hometown!

Fourth picked chili pepper fabric because New Mexico is home of the chili festival in Hatch. She also picked out a cookbook of Southwestern recipes to send. Then we picked out several postcards that show New Mexico...White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and a Riastra. I really think that her swap partner will enjoy all that Fourth sent.

I had an apron pattern, but Fourth modified it all on her own, adding the ruffle. She then enjoyed experimenting with a variety of stitches. I think she did a fantastic job, and I can't wait to see the apron that she receives from Australia.

Guess What??

How cool is that?

I Don't Bake Cookies

Do you remember who started a controversy over saying this???

And why should being a housewife be viewed as derogatory? Should Hillary be lauded just because she is a woman?

Because make no mistake about it, she could care a less that you are.
Just my thoughts.
Jennifer

Contenders Fun

Here are some of the Contenders of the Faith group. Bill organized(quickly) a paintball excursion in the area outside of town. Alex(the tallest one in the group works on the office next to Bill) came with his girlfriend to help and have fun.


If you look at the center of the photo you will see Second! He is quite stealth!



Here is Third...notice the importance of safety gear! No it is not a bird dropping but a hit!


Some of the ravines that the kids played in.


Plotting strategy.

Bill began the afternoon with a prayer and then a quick object lesson. The opening object lesson did not go over all that well as the boys were very excited to play. Afterwards when everyone had finished the games, Bill organized his second object lesson. This was exciting because Alex and Adreana(sp) were perfect. Bill put the tailgate down on the truck and had Alex(6'4") stand on it. Then he had Adreana pull him down from the ground. Object it is easier to be pulled down to sin then uplift one not too. Then Bill had 2 of the teens stand on the tailgate with Alex...between the three they were able to pull Adreana up. Object, we are strengthened with fellow Christians.

Overall the activity was wonderful and the boys enjoyed the getaway. Cost of equipment...everyone owned their paintball guns...CO2 everyone brought their own...cost to fill up 5 gallons water ...nothing...so total cost of day...PRICELESS...

Fellowshipping and enjoying and exercising are important and we must not forget them.

Thank You

Here is why we have Veterans Day. Please remember all those who have worn a military uniform in our great land. In the Pen of Jen family: Bill served in the Army as a Military Policeman, my brother Pete who served 20 years in the US Army, my brother Dave who was in the Army National Guard and Bill's cousin William, who was in the Marines. Mighty Mom's~ Subvet, 22 years US Navy, Submarines. His brother US Marines. My Grandad US Army Air Corp, His brother. Deby~MY husband 23 years Air Force...My son... a Major in the Air Force reserves C-17 Pilot..over to Iraq more than you can count...My youngest son...4 years Navy...Navy reserves. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

As I had never read the proclamation I decided to post it so we would appreciate the reasoning's behind the holiday. Feel free to list any family members including yourself that were veterans so I can recognize you!

Thank you

Jennifer

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

3071

Whereas it has long been our customs to commemorate November 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace; and Whereas in the intervening years, the United States has been involved in two other great military conflicts, which have added millions of veterans living and dead to the honor rolls of this Nation; and

Whereas the Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 (44 Stat. 1982), calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies, and later provided in an act approved May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351) , that the eleventh of November should be a legal holiday and should be known as Armistice Day; and

Whereas, in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America , do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 , as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.

I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.

In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.

Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-ninth.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

School Is Cool

Busy at the McBenning School. Students P.E. class was at the local roller rink! Boy the kids had a great time. Plus they met a boy(16) from Liberia. Elijah was very interested in the Contenders of the Faith program.

Bill had an opportunity to meet with Elijah's parents and explain that this is a program for Christians. It is a fellowship of boys and quite a learning experience too. Oh and fun also!! Bill is planning a get together of the group for a paintball activity. Just to get together and play and have fun. Bill has not started the program for the school year yet...things have been slightly busy.

Being the mom that I am, I used the opportunity about meeting Elijah with learning a bit about Liberia!!

I am almost finished with the rough draft of my home school packet. I have felt for a long time that those who home school are overwhelmed with the curricula out there. At the beginning I felt the same, but have created my own program. Home schooling should not be costly, nor filled with so much that one has no time. Home school offers a unique way to educate the child. So for probably the first time, I am officially stating that enough is enough, and as home school parents there is a limit to what you should buy.

More still to come,
Jennifer

Great Witnessing Video

Wishing Well?

So by ignoring the couch, and noticing the hairy critter relaxing, you will understand that Pepsi, the newest Pen of Jen family member, believes her status is higher than I thought. I have the cover on this worn, battered couch to make me not wish for new. But to Pepsi( McBenning School's mascot) the cover translates to welcome in dog lingo!

So I have learned to adapt to a young dog again who has 2 levels~ high energy or totally drained! But the reason I began to write a post about her was because of something Bill said. Every Sunday we play games as a family. We cherish the time that we have and really have made some terrific traditions with the kids. Well one of the games we play is Ninety-Nine. It is a fast paced counting game to Nighty-Nine, but you can't go over(using cards) Each person has 3 pennies and you loss a penny every time you loss a hand. The winner is the person with the remaining pennies. Oh and there are 4 cards that are helpers...9-pass, 4-reverse, queen-subtract ten, king-99. Well the boys get a little rambunctious, and after the game, Bill saw a penny in Pepsi's water dish. He asked me, "Jen, do we now have a wishing well?" Too funny!

So Second won the competition tonight and has regained the title of sitting alone on one bench. But the night for Bill and I was a total win, as the laughter and the conversation was priceless. We missed First though. First's roommate JJ came back to town this weekend so FoUrTh made brownies for her big brother and we sent salsa...one of First's favorite foods!!

So thanks to Pepsi, I am going to close by asking my friends to slow down a bit, and cherish the moment. Please do not let the holiday season pull you in and make you get anxious over consumerism. Remember Mary and Martha.

Apron Swap

Fourth and I have signed up to be part of an apron swap by a blogger in Australia! I signed up because I like the idea of continuing my sewing and to receive one from another. When I shared with Fourth that this is what I was participating in, she voiced interest and I signed her up too.

In the comments where women signed up, many asked to be matched with women in their country, worrying of overseas costs. But I feel that by doing so, one gives up an opportunity to meet another, and learn of another country. So when I signed Fourth up, I mentioned that she was looking forward to a pen-pal from another part of the world.

The swap coordinators are so neat!! They matched Fourth up with a woman in Australia!! How cool will this be for Fourth?

My swap partner is from Louisiana. After a few emails we both learned that we both home school!! The movement is getting larger!

So Fourth and I will be busy making aprons and also a little care pack of our town and state. Just a bit of fun for our new friends to learn a bit about us! It is very exciting!

BTW in the world of home school, this is a major lesson! She will be using a pattern, picking fabric, sewing, writing a note, preparing a mini packet of the US and New Mexico, and then learning about Melbourne Australia! Again the flexibility of home schooling has afforded an opportunity without the pressure from external sources!

Tract Packs

So I am asking my humble readership to this blog to pray for those that I gave the tract packs to tonight. Pray that they read the tract and begin a new life.

I prayed as I sat out front handing the packs out. Most people were very friendly and I saw myself in their eyes. I saw myself before I was saved. No I have never dressed up for Halloween, but I was lost, and was of the world. I was all about being the perfect me.

Halloween is a great opportunity to see those that are lost. Dressing up as prostitutes, devils, goddesses, and pimps were the theme tonight, although I did see some cute little bugs, lions and sharks!

As a Christian I strongly believe that the tracts I handed out will serve the Lord's purpose. Even if one is tossed on the ground the Lord will use it for Him.

So please consider on Halloween giving out tracts and praying for all in America that received a tract to read it. Step one!!!


Then pray that all the while the children munch on their candy that they peruse the tract again. Step Two.!!

Then I pray that the children receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour!! Step three!!!

Why do I believe that tracts are awesome??? Please read this post...it is lengthy but please read...so awesome!!!!

Teaching Your Child to Become An Entrepreneur

Big title, and filled with information that a home school parent should do. I must say that home schooling has been a path to knowledge that has constantly amazed me. I think I learn as much as the kids or more.

Now that the kids are older, I have expanded their lessons to include a small business venture. Every Tuesday we sell homemade burritos and soda to some offices in town. Before we broke the ground, so to speak, on this venture, we planned. We discussed the idea, the need, and the amount of effort needed. We then planned to the exact measurement, each burrito. Then we calculated the cost. This cost includes the foil wrap(a baked potato wrap).

After we calculated everything, the kids then made fliers and we distributed them. At first we hit only Bill's office, but now we have expanded. And by taking special orders(no cheese, or sour cream) or soda requests, have made all the difference. The phrase Burrito Tuesday now makes sense to those in the area! And the customers seem to love the product!

In all of my teaching, I explained to the kids that it is important that we do not over price the product. We do not need to make a zillion dollars, but we do need to stick to the steady pace mantra. People like to think that they are getting a bargain. That is why we measured everything. So the consumer feels good. By doing this we have built up a regular base to sell to. Will we ever expand? Yes, I am considering making a take and bake enchilada tray for Friday nights. Receive the orders by Thursday and deliver Friday. Just in the works though, steady pace.

The income from burrito Tuesday has been helping fund the school and drivers ed. The money from the enchiladas will totally be income to alleviate any burdens in the Pen of Jen home! Praise God for becoming entrepreneurs!

Being A Good Christian

Judging and being a good Christian have come up in the blogosphere a lot lately. I have tried to write a post about this topic as it concerns me a good deal. First off, the biggest stumbling block for a Christian is usually another Christian. That said, I am going to use me as an example for this post.

When you think of me being a Christian, you get what you see. I am a great Christian! Or am I? The Bible is the handbook for my life. I try and live the way the Lord has set up for me.

So as I run to my local grocery I instantly can pick out people living the worldly life. In church I can really see by ones life style that they are out of fellowship with the Lord. I mean, for goodness sake, he is drinking alcohol. So and so saw him just last weekend. Or he does not put any money in the tithing plate, or he swears.

Maybe I see them on Saturdays visiting with an ungodly friend. Whatever I see, I am totally just trying to live so I am living the way the Lord wants me to. Remember He wants me to be separate.(2 Cor. 6:17)

But how can I be separate and live the life the Lord wants. Remember the Great Commission?(Matthew 28:19-20) That is right, we need to read the Word and discern what He wants us to do. Now how can one go and witness and be separate? Well very easy. First not by thinking that we are super-de-duper special because we have been saved. No, we should be rushing out to witness so other people(who we were before the blood of Jesus). We should be racing to and fro, shouting the Good News.

Now back to me. What about these scriptures? Ecclesiastes 7:18, Galatians 5:23, Titus 2:12, Proverbs 23:20-21, 28:7, 23:7, Proverbs 6:16-19. These scriptures all teach me that gluttony is wrong, against God's Word, and leads me out of Fellowship...doesn't it???

I mean if I allow myself to get haughty, and cast another Christian out purely so they can learn from their sins, repent, and turn from it, then don't I deserve the same????

When we cast another out, we best first see how we are in our walk. Now I am being fairly general, but this is more of a broad statement. I know a blogger who's dear son has been long out of the fellowship of the Lord, but she never cast him out. No she prayed and prayed and then she prayed some more. Guess what? That sinner son of hers, felt the Lord on his heart and the Lord answered my blogger friend's prayer.

Now do I willingly socialize with evil people? Of course, I live in a fallen world. Each and every one of us is so filthy, so vile in our thoughts, that the Lord could only offer to cover us. We are so evil. Praise God for that. Now, do I hang out at bars? Nope..I am a housewife...not in my schedule. But I have stood and talked to a woman outside a store and she was loaded with tattoos, and she swore in her speech, but how can she ever see the Light, if one of us does not shine it on her?

What about in church? Do we all step on the scale prior to service? Are we assessed of our gluttony for the week? Do we have to give a tally of the amount of coffee, tea, and sweets that we have eaten for the week? Nope, so before one of you decides to join in *lovingly* to teach another Christian a hard lesson to turn away from their sin, you need to turn from the cupboards.

Just my thoughts...I pray that we all research what church we fit into(by our own actions) in the book of Revelation, because the works we are performing here mean nothing. Not a plug nickel. So if we are being all rigid and adhering to the Word, you have forgotten one thing, the Lord placed himself amongst the sinners. Peter repeated looked away. Pharisees are the current perfect clique in the church...and make no mistake about it, as Christ's tells us in Matthew 7:21-23...I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Christ performed all the work because we are such miserable wretches. Please do not become a legalist, pharisee, as you may cause another to turn away from the glimmer of Light. No one ever wants to be the root of another not hearing the truth.

To Max and Wendy

This is a post for you! I am so happy for you both and Christopher and Samantha. May Jesus be the focus of the home, and that love is rampant.



If I could paint, this would be for the newly blended family!


If I was a master chef...I would have baked you this

But I am neither so, thanks goodness for the Internet!
May your love forever blossom!
Love ya
Bill and Jen and the students of McBenning School!