Anatomomy & Physiology

Galilee & Jemima are taking a Human Anatomy & Physiology class.

How awesome is it that a Master's professor has such a heart for home-education that he offers a class geared towards high schoolers! 


Dissecting a sheep heart.

Argo

UPDATE:  Article published today. 

 

SUCH a good film!  I am completely stressed and I'm not sure I will be able to sleep tonight.

Thomas and Allan...two friends of ours...invited me to a pre screening of Argo.  It is an amazing film.  A MUST SEE!!!!!!!

Ben Affleck did an incredible job directing.  It is Oscar worthy. 

Thought # 1...Thomas very wisely....made us aware of our surroundings....locating the nearest theatre EXIT just in case some random...you know.....guy with a beef showed up on on a mission to do some damage.  He didn't say this...but I sure thought it...."He's right....there could be some Hollywood secret cell wackadoodle scenario ...........etc.  The EXIT was directly behind us to the right.

Thought #2...If a crappy obscure short film/trailer You Tube video is the cause of so much middle eastern / North American / intercontinental hoopla...this film could possibly trigger another World War. Lord...let it not be so.

Go and see this film.  Spend your $$$$$ to see it in a theater.  (Locate EXITS)

Do not wait for DVD.  It is that good.

Women in Pursuit

This is my dear friend, Kelley.  She spoke on marriage at a Women in Pursuit event recently...and something she said was life changing.

Do we realize in the moments when we are having difficulties with our husbands...that our marriages are but temporary?  

That we are called first and foremost to respond to our husbands as brothers in Christ.  With the same amount of grace we would extend to another brother.  After all, they will be our spiritual siblings for all of eternity.

 I had never heard the idea presented so clearly before.  What a concept!

It changes....a lot.

Politics

So recently....I was made aware of the fact that while over here at our home....2 children...other than my own (alongside 3 of my own) partook in a activity that was not so lovely.  Led by Jemima...the kids had printed out photos of  President Obama...and added in magic marker...not so "nice" comments about his policies.  One or two of the comments moved into personal areas. 

When I first became aware of the fact....I reminded the kids that .......even though we think this or that about his choices.......he is still our  President...our Commander in Chief and that his office...requires our respect.

2 of them were convicted.  They hesitated.

My 3 were not in that group.  

A few weeks ago...I posted something on facebook that crossed a line.  I knew that it did when I posted it...but I posted it anyway.   Darn it....cuz at it's core it HAD A POINT!

A friend of mine from college...a white house political speechwriter (liberal) ...called me out on it.  She was right.  I was wrong.  I was convicted.  I told her so and I took my post down.

Well...here we are a few weeks later...a few weeks closer to the elections....and DARN IT!!!!!!!!  I am doing it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Shulamite Woman

Even before we moved in, I was invited by a friend to a Bible Study.  One of the first things I did after unpacking was attend.  Good decision on my part.   I am surrounded by a group of gals pursuing the Lord who first pursued them.  They are wanting to glorify Jesus in their relationships.  In their choices.  And...with their time, treasure,  and talents.  Everyone who shows up is in the industry to one degree or another.  They speak my language.   It's so funny how you forget to speak your language when it is not put to daily use.  And how...you are able to pick it up again...when fully immersed.  

This week...we laughed and cried while Natalie...the beautiful lady above...led a discussion on the Shulamite Woman.  She approached the study with the idea of the Shulamite Woman being any believer...and the husband being the Lord Himself.   What a passion she has for the Word! 

When I got home...I did some more study...and found this....

 .....by John MacArthur-

The Song of Solomon: A Look at God-Designed Marriage
While authority and submission is to exist in the home, our relationships should be bathed in love so that they melt together with mutual love and respect. This is illustrated in the Song of Solomon, where we will see a beautiful picture of a right marriage relationship. It is a beautiful example of how leadership is to work.
1. The perspective
In 2:13-15, the Shulamite women acknowledges her husband as the head of the home. She saw him as her protector (v. 3), her provider (v. 4), her sustainer (v. 5), her security (v. 6), and her leader and initiator (v. 10-15). There is no oppression or dictatorial spirit in this passage. She desired his leadership, and he took the role that God had given him. Now, even though authority and submission are present, verse 10 describes a beautiful mutuality: "My beloved is mine, and I am his" (cf. 7:10).
2. The portrait
In 5:10-16, we see a marvelous portrait of the Shulamite woman's husband through her eyes of love. She saw him as handsome (v. 10) and bronzed (v. 11), with soft, tender, misty eyes (v. 12). There was color in his cheeks (v. 13), his lips were fragrant (v. 13), his hands were bronzed (v. 14), and his stomach and legs were muscular and strong (vv. 14-15). She saw him as a strong, handsome, rugged character. In verse 16, when he opens his mouth, he isn't crass or rude. Then at the end of verse 16 she says, "This is my beloved, and this is my friend." She didn't see him as a dictator; she saw him a beloved friend. The mutuality and the spirit of love fits beautifully with authority and submission when love bathes the relationship.
3. The problem
Now you may say, "If my husband or wife was like that, we'd never have a problem." But in chapter 5, we find that this couple did have a problem---the wife would not submit to her husband. In verse 1 the husband comes home late at night, after his wife is already in bed. He was full of love for her, and he knocked on the door, asking that she let him in (v. 2). Her response to him, however, was basically, "Don't bother me now; I'm asleep. I'm not interested" (v. 3). But when she heard his hand on the door, love welled up in her heart, and she felt sorry for her lack of submissiveness (v. 4). So, she got up, put her robe on, and opened the door (v. 5). Unfortunately, it was too late---he had already gone (v. 6). Note that he was submissive to her, in that he didn't force himself on her. She panicked and ran all over the city trying to find him (vv. 6-9; 6:1). Finally, she decided he was in the garden (v. 2) and found him there (v. 4). When she found him, he didn't say, "Where have you been? Why didn't you let me in?" Instead, he said some of the same things he had said to her on their wedding night (vv. 5-7; cf. 4:1-3). In confirming his love for her, he told her that even though she had rejected him, he still loved her as much as he did the night he married her. The problem was solved, and they had a wonderful time renewing their relationship (chap. 7).




What an enormous blessing this group is.
Where God guides God provides.

Zion Style

What to wear when one is chopping onions?  Ski goggles of course. 

Zion Evangeline has been cooking lots lately.  I figure since she's asking to make meals...I might as well let her.

So like Mcabe was at her age.  

Dangerous Times

UPDATE:

Because some of you might not know me well enough to know this about me...I'll make myself very clear.  I do not think all Muslims hate America...thinking we are the great satan.  I do not think all Muslims want to see us go to hell.  And I do not think that all Muslims want to see Israel obliterated.  I do... however think that many Muslims do.

More than we realize in our slumber.
 __________________________

Try to follow the train of thoughts percolating in my head for the past few days. 

We are navigating dangerous times.  I know it's not original...but I really really mean it.

Dan Cathy...the CEO of an American fast food chain is attacked for defending the traditional/orthodox Biblical definition of marriage.  3 American mayors...none of whom expressed an intent to forbid Muslim businesses from being in their cities btw....threaten Chic-fil-A with said action.  American Universities are pressured to kick restaurants off their campuses.

Note to self:  check into Islam's teachings on same sex marriage...also...the Farrakhan / Chicago connection.

Shortly thereafter...in fact on the 11th Anniversary of 911...there is a well organized attack on our US Embassy in Libya.  4 US citizens are killed.  Islamic terrorists and this administration claim the attack and ongoing protests throughout the region and beyond...come in response to an obscure film posted on YouTube.

Apologies are made to our Islamic attackers and mobs.  

Apparently their feelings are hurt.

A presidential candidate speaks his mind on the issue...

Note to self:   check the time lines.

....and is smeared by our biased mainstream media...who is obviously in bed with the current administration.

Facts emerge.  Conflicting stories.  First hand accounts from those on the ground.

The administration is looking more foolish with every passing hour.

Why do we have a problem with calling this attack on our US Embassy a TERRORIST ATTACK?

Does it have anything to do with UN resolution 1618?


Side note....ARTISTS/ FILMMAKERS/MUSICIANS/WRITERS...where is your outrage?????   Are you not going to to find fault with a government that asks google to review a film.....

RED FLAG RED FLAG RED FLAG!!!!!!!!!!!
PRESSURE TACTIC BY GVT!!!!!!!!!!!) 

...with the hopes of them taking it down so that their own problem is whitewashed into oblivion...never to be heard of again... after all the spin is said and done...not even mentioned in future History text books? 

JayZ...some administration somewhere might not take kindly to lyrics of  yours in some future world.  Just sayin'

What if the next administration has a problem with a film which resembles The Last Temptation of Christ?  Or challenges Lady Gaga's... Judas.  Or....let's say...takes issue with The Book of Mormon.

What if they don't want to hurt the feelings of Muslims and think Journey to Jemima has crossed a line?  We do pray for open doors in a Muslim culture...in the film.  We do sing Jesus Love You to  Muslim orphans...in the film.

Or Remnant.....what if we as Americans...are prohibited from making the films we are led to make because some one's feelings might get hurt?  Or, their pride might be wounded.  Or their religious ideals are challenged? 

We won't have to lose our Freedom of Speech if we hand it over, people.

Note to self:   Check into Utah's  banning of The New Normal.

And then there is the whole Israel issue. Huge issue.  Very important issue. 

We are navigating dangerous times.  I really really really meant it.

And, yes the Lord knows all about it and REIGNS on HIGH.

And...Happy Constitution Day.

Mary of Magdala

Today Zion joined our Tuesday Morning group.  She was in and out as we discussed topics such as prostitution...mental illness...demon possession...sexual temptation...repentance...healing...forgiveness...unforgiveness...idol worship...premarital sex...promiscuity...marriage bed dry spells...depression...suicidal thoughts.

She probably knows more about this stunningly beautiful, redeemed, humble, servant of the Lord...Mary of Magdala... than many kids her age.  Some might not even know what the word "prostitution" means. 

Because she hasn't grown up attending  Children's Sunday School classes or participating in  AWANA...she's a bit out of the loop as far as the more obvious /  "age appropriate"  Bible Stories are concerned.  What?  churched her entire life and she doesn't know this or that?  Yeah........no.......

.....she doesn't.

Maybe we have failed her (and our other children as well) in that area...Bradley and I.  I am sure we have to a certain degree. 

Still we've been led how we've been led in the place where we were ...during the season we were there...and feel as if it has been good and correct for our family.

Pray for Zion as she begins a new adventure.  Recently she began attending a Sunday School class and soon she will try AWANA.  To say she feels like a fish out of water is an understatement.  She is learning to navigate the Christian Church Culture amongst a group of peers her own age.  She has had much home-schooling co-op experience in this area...but almost none in regards to "church" settings.

Also...Galilee and Jemima will have their first high school group experience.  

We'll see how it goes.

Teaching Multi Grade Levels?

First of all....we don't really keep track of "grade levels" in our Home-School.   Second of all...older kids can glean what they can from younger level work and visa versa.

Always.

Obviously.

Galilee and Jemima are starting an Anatomy/Physiology Course in a few weeks.  It will be taught by a Master's College Prof.  Until then...they are joining in on the youngers Apologia Astronomy Class.

 Maybe they will stay with it....even after their olders class begins???   I think so.

Today in History.....we discussed Eric the Red and Leif the Lucky.  The older girls will need to delve a bit deeper.  For Zion...an introduction is adequate.   Same topic...varying ages/grade levels.   The same Time-Line for all will be assembled and hung on the wall.

While the older kids work on their Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 lesson in the front yard....Zion works on her Saxon Grade 3 lesson in the living room.

 

I oversee things.  It's my job to make my kids correct their work until they master the concepts presented. 

That's how it's done. 

Alliance Defending Freedom

Oh my goodness...same convo going on over here.  But wait...if I say "no" to one thing ...do I say "no" to another?  For instance....a believer marrying a non-believer....or two heterosexual non believers who are currently living together while fornicating....taking the leap into marriage....or a believer walking in open sin marrying another believer walking in open sin (fornicating or any ####### of other sins)...or a man wanting to marry his 5th wife...or ...or.....or.....or..............................BIG questions.

And the immediate answers one might respond with bring up bigger questions.

Bradley, the kids, and I...went round and round just last week regarding this very topic. 

I am so happy I am a wife and a mother and a home-educating one at that...who says "yes" and "no" to photography shoots...depending on my schedule.

And I am thankful for the hard questions as they keep me grounded in the Word...seeking out Godly counsel... and on my toes.  And I am thankful for the Alliance Defending Freedom. 

If you were a vegan Peta supporting photographer and you were asked to shoot a dream African Safari Wedding (all expenses paid  :)  ...or document a Deep Sea Tuna Fishing Expedition/Bachelor Party...would you do it?  Or the Thanksgiving cover for Food & Wine...complete with a crisp skinned perfectly browned delicious moist meat turkey as the star??????  Could you?  Would you?

If you were a photographer who had personal objections to nudity on film and a client came to you wanting a Nude Sitting w/ her newborn?  Nothing scandalous would be exposed...just a beautiful art shot. Would you feel differently about shooting nudity if you were in a different setting...let's say....in Africa where tribal nudity was the norm?  What if the model was a cancer survivor who wanted to document the loss of her breasts and her victory over the disease?

Why?  Why not?  

See what I mean!?!!!!!?????!!!!!???

Apathy Is The Enemy

Last week Zion and I were confronted by a homeless man who made us feel as if we were in danger.

We are in close proximity to many homeless individuals...and interact with them on a daily basis...usually offering what we can (hardly ever $$$$) and a kind word.

In Scottsdale...we would run to the nearest fast food place and buy the rare person asking for help a meal.  But here...the need is far too great.  Not only would we be penniless...but we would have no time to do anything else.
 
It has been an eye opening experience...living life once again (and a new experience for the kids) surrounded by such obvious poverty and despair.

I pray that the normalcy of seeing people sleeping in doorways, under freeway passes,  and on bus stop benches does not create an apathy in my heart or in the hearts of anyone in our family.   Apathy is the enemy (scroll down to view.)

This one guy was a problem.  After offering him a granola bar he began to hiss and bark at us.  Bearing his teeth...as if he were an animal.  For a good 3 minutes.  He did not back down.  A passerby walking his dogs became a target as well.  For another few tense minutes.  And then...attentions were turned towards a UPS delivery man. 

Obviously, this homeless man was mentally ill.  There was a discernable spiritual darkness that was present during the confrontation as well.

Zion and I were shaken. 

We did not take a Self Defense Course because of the incident...but the timing could not have been more perfect.

Grow Where You Are Planted

If you take your children to fundraisers which raise $$$$$$$$ and awareness to combat human trafficking and they attend a weekly Bible Study with you where one of the actresses there plays an abducted girl forced into prostitution in a film about human trafficking...and you teach them from the Bible about the story of Mary the prostitute who's life was turned around by Jesus....and you see prostitutes on local street corners.....you will most likely get questions like sweet little  Zion Evangeline's tonight...

Zion:  Is there such a thing as men prostitution for women?

If you have gay family members, or gay friends in your circle of friends or gay acquaintances....

...or visit frequently an area of town in Hollywood off of Sycamore and Santa Monica where some of the people who hang out on the street corners are obviously men dressed up as women looking for a john....something similar to this might be the follow up...

Zion:  Wait, is there such a thing as gay prostitution?

She is not yet ready for the whole transgender/transsexual conversation.  Her mind and heart are processing.  Men want to buy women and girls for sex?  Women want to buy men for sex?  Men want to buy men and boys for sex? ( I'm sure I am missing some other possible scenarios...)

She knows some of the things sex has to do with because she doesn't live under a rock...and she's been taught what she needs to know in order to be safe.  But not really.  Not yet.  

It is a lot.

Parenting in a fallen world is not for the faint of heart.

Living life as we are called to live it ...brings new life experiences...which brings new opportunities.  New discussions. 

For those of you who know me well...my life's motto has been...Grow where you are planted.

Grow deeper with the Lord and others in the spot where He has placed you...for He has placed you there in this season for a reason.  

It probably should be the name of my blog.

For now...it remains my motto.  

How do you change the name of your blog?  Jemima??????????

Laguna Tide Pools

Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

We have been twice now to the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.  This time... it was to hear a lecture on the proliferation of memorials to the Holocaust being dedicated in Germany.

 Although there's no way you can leave this place without feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness...it is a wonderful field trip. Admission is free. 

Chick-fil-A

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

11.6 round trip miles.... three times today.

To be 100% honest...Mcabe had an audition right near there so we went for lunch...but even if there were no reason to be over the hill....we would've gone out of our way.

The staff was awesome!  Super busy and super accommodating.  They genuinely appreciated the support and encouragement. 

The protesters were fine during the day...civil and orderly. 

Things in Hollywood were getting a little funky as the sun was setting though.  Patrons were being harassed by some who were obviously passionate and wanting to argue.  It was hard to hear them over their combativeness.  Security asked that diners not engage.

Much of what they were shouting were things similar to a facebook post I saw on a friend of a friend's wall...things like...

"I, too, stand with Chic-fil-A in supporting the Bible. That’s why I believe in slavery, think women are sinful by nature and that adulterers should be stoned to death."

My response on facebook....

"What many fail to understand is that slavery in biblical times was very different from the slavery that was practiced in the past few centuries in many parts of the world. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was more a matter of social status. People sold themselves as slaves when they could not pay their debts or provide for their families. In New Testament times, sometimes doctors, lawyers, and even politicians were slaves of someone else. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs provided for by their masters.

The slavery of the past few centuries was often based exclusively on skin color. In the United States, many black people were considered slaves because of their nationality; many slave owners truly believed black people to be inferior human beings. The Bible most definitely does condemn race-based slavery. Consider the slavery the Hebrews experienced when they were in Egypt. The Hebrews were slaves, not by choice, but because they were Hebrews (Exodus 13:14). The plagues God poured out on Egypt demonstrate how God feels about racial slavery (Exodus 7-11). So, yes, the Bible does condemn some forms of slavery. At the same time, the Bible does seem to allow for other forms. The key issue is that the slavery the Bible allowed for in no way resembled the racial slavery that plagued our world in the past few centuries. "

Women are sinful.  Romans 3:23

And...

.....regarding the whole stoning issue.... I linked those interested to this.

I added.....

All this...so you can understand better the mindsets of those who hold to an orthodox understanding of the Bible's teachings. I hope to God that those who have a problem with this info...realize that they have a problem with the Bible first and foremost...before they have a problem with those who believe what it says and attempt to live their lives in light of it's teachings. Failed and flawed as we obviously are.

Then, there was a reporter who asked me a few questions. 

He seemed like a nice guy and appeared to be genuinely interested.  


The bottom line is...I think people want to be understood.  I know I do.  

Listening is important.  And discussion is a good thing.

Mark 12

28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.^e 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^f 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^g There is no commandment greater than these.”

32“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. 

I think we would agree that we need the Lord's constant help to even attempt coming anywhere near to following the above instructions.

And....for all you health nuts out there who are horrified that we ate fast food three times yesterday....we made wise menu choices and YOLO :)