Wooden Boat

Larry and I wanted to find some kind of summer job for Joshua to keep his hands moving, build some self esteem, and learn some skills of a trade. We asked Alan Tomle of Boat Works if he would mind having Joshua come help him two days a week during the summer. Alan said he would love that, and we are thrilled. Joshua has been working hard, and learning a lot about boats, and how to work on them. Here are some pictures of a boat that Alan built from scratch. It is not quite finished in the pictures. He still had to put the metal trim on the edges and a metal handle on the front. The craftsmanship of this boat is amazing, and Joshua was so excited to take pictures of it. He helped with some sanding and varnishing on this boat.

Planning for next falls homeschool days

I sat down with the family last weekend and discussed with them what they would like to study in the fall. I had a huge list of areas that we could amerce ourselves in this year. When we study something I like to dig in real deep and find out as much as I can about that thing...so Unit Studies work very well for us.
After talking with the boys they both showed great interest in Military History. So we are planning on studying American wars, starting with the Revolutionary war and working all the way through to the present. For Science we will be learning about military machines, and ballistics. We will be making some of our own backyard ballistics like catapults, potato launchers, mini cannons...that sort of thing. Don't worry this will be all supervised by Dad. LOL! For physical education we will be doing a mini boot camp.
So I am trying to find as much material as I can about Military life,Branches of military, wars, battles, weapons, famous generals or soldiers who did extraordinary things...so if you have any books, movies, audio CD's that you would be willing to lend to us for anywhere from six months to a year, we would be so blessed. This is one thing about homeschooling that can be overwhelming...the cost of materials...If you lent us anything we would treat it with utmost care. I love that the Library has resources, but I have also noticed that their is a great amount of censoring that goes on. It seems like if their is anything about God in a book or film they do not carry it. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have a list of books that I need, and am not able to find them in our local library...but there are more than enough books about sorcery, witchcraft, and everything else...my pet peeve...
Also if you have any great, creative ideas that you would like to share...I am all ears!

What we have been up too

Larry has been busy teaching Joshua how to build his motor. This has been a wonderful time for both of them, and Joshua has been able to do almost everything himself. He really has a passion for working on engines, and has done really well! He needs a few more things before it is ready to be put in his truck, but it's getting there...


We have also started a new Unit Study on Kings, Queens, Knights, and Castles. We are attempting to build a wooden castle. It is not finished yet, but here are some pictures of the beginning stages.

A Light In The Darkness

A Light In The Darkness



We are beginning a new unit study this week on light. I came upon this blog while doing researching our upcoming theme, and I was so blessed. This is beautifully, and thoughtfully done, and I am so thankful that I came upon it. I wanted to share with others, because that is what we are called to do. I really enjoyed this blog, and I am sure I will visit it many more times. Check it out, and I hope you are blessed for doing so!

Trusting in Jesus

... Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth
his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Psalms 125:1 A Song of Ascents. They that trust in the LORD are as mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.

Trust in in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6

What do you trust in? Is it in your goodness, is it in your wealth, is it in your own wisdom, is it in another person, is it in your government? Where do you place your trust?

There have been many times that I have placed my trust where it didn't belong. There have manytimes I chose to do things my own way. Maybe out of selfishness, maybe out of fear, maybe out of pride...this never works out, it only brings pain, suffering, and loss. Not only for myself but also for others around me. How many times have I let others down because I failed to Trust God? How many messes have I made because I failed to trust God?

There is a song that goes like this: Trust and obey; cause theres no other way; to be happy in Jesus; but to trust and obey...

The Lord and I have been going round and round for many years about my trust issues, about my lack of faith, about my fear of the unknown. He wants me to take steps of faith, that seem so scary to me. I don't know if you have watched the Indiana Jones movies, but there is a scene in one of the movies. Harrison Ford is standing on a cliff,and the enemy is right behind him. He has only one choice step off the cliff, or be killed by the enemy. He chooses to step off the cliff. To his amazement something catches him, and he is able to walk across this invisable bridge to the other side. The bridge was there, even though he couldn't see it at first. I find this to be a perfect word picture, of how God wants us to trust. Faith without seeing, or knowing the outcome.
I find over and over again in the scripture that when God asks his children to trust him, he always gives a promise. Notice that in the verses above. I find that I have to claim those promises over and over again. When I pray I remind God of his word, and his promises. I remind myself of all the times he has been faithful to those who love him. They are there in the stories you read in the bible, and they are even true in my own life. I can look back at the times I really needed him, and I had no choice but to trust him, and He always has pulled me through.

It is the times in my life that I have chosen not to trust in Him, and chose to do things my own way, or chosen to listen to man's wisdom that I have gotten way over my head. I think of the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. He was doing great walking on that water, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. But as soon he let his eyes wander to the waves crashing around him, he started to sink. He got caught up in the fear of the storm for just a moment. He cried out to Jesus, and Jesus saved him. Jesus asked Peter," Why did you doubt me?"...What is your storm?

I have to believe God can get us out of storms, even when they are self imposed storms. If we have messed up, If we have taken our eyes off of Jesus, If we have tried to do things in our own power, and we have made a total mess of our lives.We can still cry out to Jesus, and ask him to save us. He always will, He always forgives, He is always calling out to us, and saying," take my hand!" Today is the day to start trusting Jesus. There really is no other way!

Lord, today I choose to take that step of faith. I choose to do it your way, because I know that your way is the only way. I have made a mess of things trying to do it on my own. Jesus, I need you to do the impossible in my life. I am tired sinking, I want to float. I need you to hold out your hand, I need you to save me, because I can't do it on my own. I know that you never intended me too. Lord please forgive me, and help me to walk in your ways. Take over my life, and make it what you want it to be. I know that this is the only way that I can truely live!

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"Give me Liberty or Give me Death."

Please watch this video, and ask yourself if you are willing to give up your freedom for temporary indulgence...This is something I have been asking myself a lot lately as our President is trying to push through this health care act.
I do not have health insurance, and have not seen a doctor or a dentist in years. Of course I would love to be able to have health care, but not at the cost of giving up my freedom. When the government wants to force all people to carry health insurance, that is against our constitutional rights...And when this is the case, We must stand on the side of Liberty, or we will loose it!
Benjamin Franklin said,"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." To me these word are so very profound, and the echo in my ear! Let us never forget our past, and what we have fought to obtain, and let us never give our freedom away!
Thomas Paine said," Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel."

Going Home

My Grandma Elsie is going home to be with her Jesus very soon. I was blessed with a good visit with her in the hospital on Friday, and in the nursing home that same night. Saturday she said lots of goodbyes to her children and grandchildren, giving them all her last words of wisdom. I am sure they were good words, her words of wisdom were sweet to my ear.
She is really looking forward to being with the Lord, and even in death she is so strong....I am really going to miss her, but I know I will see her again in time. It won't be long now Grandma, He's coming to carry you home. What a glorious time that will be, I can only imagine....