So it's a bit weird for us....this having our kids being raised in a "Christian home...." thing.
Let me explain...both Bradley and I came to faith as adults...after we were married...after having had the boys. It was one of those not saved on Monday...saved on Tuesday sort of stories that you hear about. Clear line in the sand. Pre. Post.
Our kids...all have testimonies of changed lives....of saving faith. Their stories...however..... don't really resemble ours.
The boys have heard of the Lord since our conversion when they were 6 and 4. They've been exposed to Biblical teaching since then....Awana...VBS...Sunday School...Christian camps...mission trips etc.
The older girls...from the time they came home at the ages of 4 and 3 & Zion.....since day one.
Their stories don't look anything like ours. They can all point to a time (or 2 or 3) when they accepted with a heart knowledge what they knew to be true w/a head knowledge...but it's not like what we experienced.
I have to admit...it's sorta a struggle of mine sometimes...to accept fully and rest in the fact that each and every one of them has a saving faith. Sometimes I find myself looking for the "big moments...the big evidences." Then, it's almost like I get small glimpses in whispers. Evidences which speak to a mother's heart.
Recently, I noticed the wounded look on Zion's face as the communion table elements passed her by. She was deeply wounded.
Our "not yet" hushes did not pacify her.
The next time she asked hopefully, "When can I take communion?"
"When you understand more." She was hushed again.
"I do understand. It's the bread for His body and the juice for his blood..." her voice quivered. It's to remember our sin and that He died on a cross and rose again.
That was the first time....a few months ago...that our youngest partook in The Lord's Table.
Yesterday, was that time again. I reminded her gently.....during a moment of reflection.... that it was time to consider our sin.
"I already am," she said.
"Specific sin," I nudged.
Her brown eyes looked up into my blue ones. With all her heart she nodded in agreement, "I'm dishonoring and disobedient and selfish."
I am so pleased that He is the author of our stories.
May 2, 2010
Christian Home
May 1, 2010
Illegal Issue
Is her hair not the most AWESOME thing for gals over 40?
....besides the fact....that she has a brain....and cojones.
The world is upside down and going crazy, I'm absolutely convinced.
P.E.
Sometimes home-educators get all stressed out about whether or not their kids are getting all they are "supposed to."
If you are normal...doing normal things...like lots of playing tag...throwing & catching balls...bike riding...swimming...roller skating...jump roping...hiking...ice skating....etc.....call it P.E. 
Apr 29, 2010
letter to God
Pause my Music Player first and please for the love of Christ dismiss her "GD."
This one goes out to the addicts in my life. You are loved.
Apr 28, 2010
Happy Flower Designs
Happy Flower Designs is offering and assortment of Custom Made Pretty Hair Thingies. The ponytails, piggietails, tiaras, and hair tutus are super adorable and black hair safe. Spread the word while supporting a home-educating student's shop. 
Apr 27, 2010
Griffith Park Observatory
I tried and tried to get the kids and Bradley to LACMA. With so much to do and so little time to do it....a museum visit was not at the top of their Things To Do While in LA list. Finally, after a dinner at our favorite Chinese place....we arrived at the parking lot ready to see us some Renoirs...only to realize the doors were about to close for the evening.
For future reference....after 5 p.m. you can visit LACMA for a donation. Whatever you want to pay you pay.
Plan B...we wound up at the Observatory.
Zion was so sweet. Still my baby even though she thinks she one of the big kids. The lights went down...imagine a pitch black circular domed room packed w/people. The show began. Creepy music. Within seconds she was in my lap. 
The Big Bang Theory...billions of years ago etc. etc. etc. blah...blah...blah.
Then, after a 1/2 hour long trippy visual experience of the Lord's amazing creation... and in an attempt to wrap it all up....the narrator asks something to this affect....
"So the stars tell us much about ourselves...our history...our civilizations. Man has always been searching for answers. Where did we come from? What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Is there a purpose? Where are we going"
It was very mystical. Very deep. Things to ponder deeply. Meant to cause contemplation. Deep contemplation. Twilight Zonish.
Zion is cuddled close...creepy music still playing.
She leans in and whispers in my ear....
"Jesus."
I whisper back....
"Yes, Baby. Jesus."
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The lesson we walked away learning...man oh man, is the universe HUGE. Beyond comprehension. And it didn't get here by accident. What an intentional and intelligent designer HE is.
Also....it takes an incredible amount of faith to believe the bunch of baloney they were trying to sell us.
Venice Beach
I've been going down to Venice Beach since 1978. Childhood memories do not arrive to the forefront of my thinking...w/out Venice snipets slipping in. Here we were New Yorkers in California. Roller skating on the beach held it's glittler every single week-end for years and years.
Then, Bradley and I used to live in Venice. One house on Horizon...then an apartment on the sand.
Venice has always been a haven for drop outs...but lately...when I go back...I get a sense that there's been a spiritual shift. For me...the darkness is oppressing. I'm not sure if it's always been this way?????and maybe now I've just got some sort of heightened sensitivity...or if there has actually been a shift??????
Apr 19, 2010
Apr 16, 2010
a shout out to my gay/lesbian/bi friends
Thank you for the love you show me daily. For the tolerance you display in the privacy of our personal lives...despite our obvious differences.
Dawn is a follower of the Biblical Jesus. She believes w/all of her heart that He is the Son of God...which means she is a born again/evangelical Christian. She takes the Bible very seriously.
I love each and every one of you...and you know what? I know you love me.
If you've got a blog or a facebook page...could you post something about intolerance, please? About how being a Christ following conservative....automatically equates w/despised in certain circles....and how that's just nuuuuuuuuuutso.
If anyone knows of anyone who is getting rid of one of these carnival photo booth things...I want one in my house.
So this is one of the reasons why I love our co-op. The women in it.
I've heard about her forever...Cate's dear friend, April...but never got the chance to meet her because she was a missionary living overseas. Now, she's back! Which means...I get to know her :)
Apr 15, 2010
Anatomy/Biology/Sex Education/Bible
We got a call from one of the moms in our group informing us that a baby goat was crowning in the orange building... past the green one...near the kiddie rides. Of course, we rushed right over. Excited to witness a LIVE BIRTH!
This sort of thing totally thrills home-educating moms. What an opportunity. Gotta jump on it. Life lessons. 
The momma was doing what mommas do at times like these...very gracefully, I might add. We waited. And waited. And waited some more.
The babies head passed through the birth canal. The dear woman assisting the process made sure a clean blanket was ready to catch the kid. The patient man beside her in the hay...tenderly wiped away mucus from the partially birthed kid's nose and mouth. We waited. And waited. And waited some more. People started to whisper amongst themselves. How much longer? Does it usually take this long? Is this normal in the goat world? For things to progress so slowly?
No. It wasn't.
Someone sent for the vet.
We waited.
He got right down on his knees and went to work...trying his darnedest to get that kid out....to no avail.
While he was using his shirt sleeve to remove the sweat from his forehead...a cowgirl stepped in and took over. Her hands were smaller....no time to clean them....but not small enough.
They called for a boy...probably 11 or 12. I'm not sure if this was the first time he'd done this...birthing a baby goat thing...but it appeared to be.
With his arm buried to his elbow...the adults coached this sweet boy step by step through the process. He grabbed hold of the kid's two legs with one hand and the chain link fence with his other and pulled with all his might.
He lost his grip.
Then tried again. 
Eventually...he pulled the baby free and we all watched for a breathless moment as this lifeless little body was resuscitated before our eyes. Mine were wet. 
What could make a self professed "non-animal lover" pray for and shed tears of joy over the birth of a baby goat?
I've been processing it all day and here's what I've come up with...
I love life. I think it is a gift given by the Giver.