What Braverijah bought for himself at yesterday's GUNSHOW.

At least we can't be faulted for not having an opinion, right?

So we drove around Old Town for about 1/2 an hour...looking for the assisted living home where we were supposed to be. We had just gotten to the point where in defeat....I said, "Maybe we should just go home?"

Directly after that....we stumbled upon the address.

We didn't see anyone we knew in the parking lot. The doors were locked.

This is when Bradley said, "Are we the only ones?"

I looked around.

"Possibly."

Something is wrong with us...I swear. We are creatures of comfort. At the first opportunity....we tend to want to be comfortable....get out of the cold. Get out of the rain. Hide in a crowd.

To make a long story...short....we were the only ones. Besides the music director who was leading the worship time....it was Galilee, and Jemima. They were joined by Zion's voice (as she crept up to the piano to minister & be ministered to besides her sisters)...and ours from the back of the room. A handful of residents showed up. Each with the weight of the world on his/her shoulders. What a humbling moment...to be with burdened brothers and sisters whom we had never met praising our Lord together.

Lest anyone be under the impression that I have my act together....


I'm sitting in church today....and look down at my feet.... only to discover that I am in fact.... wearing two different ballet flats.

PAUSE my Music Player first.

Birth Control and Christianity

WOW! If you are interested in the "birth control" conversation....read this.
Thanks, Jeni.

One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

Love this video. Found it @ Lori's blog via Jeni. Thanks, Girls.

Crazy for Crazy Heart

I cannot get Crazy Heart out of my mind. Jeff Bridges did such a good job.

This film made me think of Tender Mercies...

...which made me think of Falling From Grace.

The boys have been spending time in Mexico.

Both sons have been feeling spiritually isolated & stagnant recently and have each experienced their share of growing pains.

After hearing their hearts...we prayed for opportunities for such trips and the Lord provided immediately. I am not kidding when I say...an invite to join an ongoing short term missions group came that very evening.

Bestill this mother's heart.



Photos by Christopher Maddox

Louis Malle's childhood story. Simple. Bittersweet.

It's a bit slow going...which does well to add to the utter craziness and tension of the Nazi presence. The restaurant scene had me squirming in a very understated manner. Accelerated heartbeat. Discomfort.

My favorite moment was when the piano was being played w/out concern for the air raid while classmates were held up in the bomb shelter. And also, the closing shot...farewells to the brave Father....and that last eye contact...made me cry.

A simple character driven tale of desperation.

I am in love with Charlie McDermott and predict a break-out role in the near future.

luke-warm:

1. Mildly warm; tepid
2. Lacking conviction or enthusiasm; indifferent

In other words......blah. Puke worthy.

Happy Birthday, Damon. We love you and are so proud of you.

Voddie Baucham

So...Voddie Baucham's preaching rocked my world when I saw him speak at last year's Az. Homeschool Convention.

When a pastor rocks my world like that (far and few between) I get nervous. He has to be crazy, right. There MUST be a downside. Eventually the shoe will drop, won't it?

Waaa....Waaa. That's my SNL Debbie Downer impersonation.

So...there I was at the Convention...and there he was sitting at his booth...patiently and politely greeting people etc.

Over the years I've come up with (out of necessity and self preservation?) a concise list of crazy detecting questions. A litmus test of sorts to cut through the fluff and rigmarole...to hone in on the issues quickly and efficiently...so as not to waste time w/ sentimentality and bunny trails.

I'm so sick of bunny trials.

I'm so sick of shoes dropping.

Well, guess what??????????????????????

Voddie passed my test with flying colors!!!!!!!!!!! He got 100%. An At.

I sure as heck hope he doesn't turn out to be a wacko. If so...I like this guy so much...I just might follow him to the Looney Bin.

Tutus

Jemima is taking Special Orders for her FABULOUS Tutus & Hair Tutus.

It's more than lovely when you live with your muses. Every single time I turn around...they are inspiring me. (When they are not being disciplined for disobeying or dishonoring or acting like the complete and utter stinkin' lil' sinners that they are...that is :)

muse:
inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like.

Thank YOU, Lord...for these beautiful daughters of ours.

Maafa21

So...my posting of this and other info seems to have caused a stir over in my little facebook world.

It's so strange...because those who you would think would be in an uproar over the travesty...were so wrapped up in their liberal mindsets/pro-choice ideologies...that they ignored (seemingly) the evidence placed before them.

Info from Maafa and other sources....info about Margaret Sanger(the woman met w/the Clan for heaven's sake!!!!!!!) and The Negro Project....it mustn't just be info for info's sake.

Do a google search. Do a youtube search.

Spread the word....

and....

Spread the Word.

I am having lots of fun w/images.

The Jesus You Can't Ignore

"Philosophers have always been obsessed with God. Whether they have assumed His existence, questioned it, denied it, or looked for rational arguments to disprove or prove it , they have universally understood that what a person believes about God is basic to everything else."
xix


"To whatever degree some atheists seek a public veneer of virtue and respectability - as well as when they themselves make moral judgements about others - they are walking contradictions. What possible "virtue" could there be in an accidental universe with no Lawgiver and no Judge?"
xviii

Van Goghish Bedroom

by Jemima

I love our co-op. Every Monday 3 of our kids get Art Lessons taught by a fantastic artist & teacher, Tamara Lynn Swindler.

Super thankful I am, for the commitment, dedication, patience (and looooooong suffering) of the women in my home-educating circle.

It's so interesting to me how certain "things" exist in our lives because they exist in our "cultures."

Like side hugs.

I get the point of them completely. I understand the reason for their existence. I have grown to appreciate them even...and use them all the time.

Side hugs between me and men other than my husband, dad, or sons are the norm.

I can no longer say side hugs are the norm all the time...though.

You see...we have these friends for whom side hugs MUST translate Cold Hearted Ice Queen. It hit me one day.... that through my very appropriate and proper side hugs.... I was speaking a language these dear loved ones did not understand at all. It had to have been offensive and off putting. At the very least....confusing.

So, now I side hug people who side hug and...

full on hug the full on huggers.

So....Braverijah Sage and Dad have matching tattoos.

Alphonse Mucha's La Passion.

If there is anything a mother wants tattooed on her son foreverandeverandever...it's the Lord.

Photography & Film

Predestination

If you are mulling over the teachings of Calvin (and others)...especially the topic of predestination...you might want to check out this link.

You can find John MacArthur's 6 Part teaching on the subject by clicking below.


And, then there's Spurgeon.

Damon has a facebook page.

Would you please drop him a note and request his friendship. Let him know that you are praying for him.

Tutus

Jemima is making tutus. She requested that I shoot her model, Zion Evangeline...in her designs.

Homegirl

UPDATE:

Where are these peoples arms!?!?!????????!!!!!!!!!! How strange is my child?????!??????!!
Girl by Zion

Boy by Zion





Also..........
Zion is reading Dick and Jane to me. We are at page 60ish.

We are cuddled on the couch...book open... when she looks at me in all seriousness and says.....

Zion: I like reading.
Me: I like reading too.

(then)

Zion: We're similar.
Me: We are SO similar.


then...sudden realization....

Zion: "Yeah.................it's like television for the brain."


Also.......


Tonight, Zion is decorating her Valentine's Collection Box (co-op early celebration)....when her thoughts turn to a little boy with whom she is "in love."

I remind her that the Lord already has a husband planned for her.

She wants to know if this boy might be His choice????????

"Maybe.... I say. We'll have to wait and see."

(then silently ........)

Please oh please, Lord.....we really like his parents.

After a moment of...gluing and decorating....

Zion: No....I'm a "home girl."



Jemima and I CRACK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She never EVER wants to leave home. Not even for the love of her life.

As we are getting into the bathtub this evening.

Me: Zion, I have the squishiest butt on the planet.

Zion: No

(then)

Zion: Dinosaurs have really squishy butts.

'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what... is given to her. So, if you give ...her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of sh-t.'

This post from a friend ....whatever it's failures...made me LOL today...and boy oh boy did I need a good laugh. I am either hanging out with the wrong crowd or amongst family.

Images of Mcabe by his friend, Alex.

I have not handled my pain well this week. I am grieved by my sin. The Lord has used Ozzie to soften me.

Today I finished again....A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.... and tomorrow I re-read The Problem of Pain.