...Father, If i should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart prize thy love, know it, be constrained by it, though I be denied all blessings, It is thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants, for by these trials I see my sins, and desire severance from them. Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, tempations, if I an thereby feel sin as the greatest evil, and be delivered from it with gratitude to thee, acknowledging this is as the highest testimony of thy love....When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me by showing me that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch, but in christ I am reconciled and live; that in myself I find insufficiency and no rest, but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace; that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good, but in Christ I have ability to do all things. Though now I have graces in part, I shall shortly have them perfectly in that state where thou wilt show thyself fully reconciled, and alone sufficient, efficient, loving me completely, with sin abolished. O Lord, hasten that day.

-Valley of Vision, "Contentment" pg 163 Bennett

In the Valley

The life of Christian faith is not freed from pain—but out of the pain comes rich blessing. The crown of thorns must be worn by the Master's friends who follow him faithfully—but the thorns burst into sweet flowers as the light of heaven's morning touches them.

"God has not promised
Skies ever blue,
Flower strewn pathways,
Always for you.

God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God has promised
Strength from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
And undying love."

--J.R. Miller

www.gracegems.org

Great Worship Song---Please Visit HERE!!

Why Luther is a Cool Dude...

lThis is real strength, to trust in God when to all our senses and reason He appears angry; and to have greater confidence in Him than we feel. --Martin Luther

For that is no to have a god, if you call him God only with your lips, or worship him with the knees or bodily gestures; but if you trust Him with the heart, and look to Him for all good, grace and favor, whether in works or sufferings, in life or death, in joy or sorrow...    ---Martin Luther

Where is Your Train Headed?

If you board the wrong train it is no use running along the corridor in the opposite direction.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

...because it makes me laugh

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Tea Time

Reading List Update

I have been very busy with homeschooling lately and haven't had the time or the energy to read as much as I would like, but here's where we stand currently. I am losing the battle, but I hope to turn things around in time. I will periodically post my progress, more for me than anyone, I hope it won't be terribly annoying!

Larissa's bookshelf: read-2010-11

Charlotte's Web

by E.B. White

tagged:
read-2010-11 and read-with-kids

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

by E.B. Sledge

This book has been the most horrifying world war II account I have read. My grandfather was in the navy in the Pacific and was at okinawa and it is much easier for me to understand his personal feelings about the war after having read this....

tagged:
history and read-2010-11

Phantastes

by George MacDonald

Like many of the other reviewers, I am certain that a second reading would reveal much more of this story to me. Many times throughtout the reading I wished I could just jump into MacDonalds mind and find the key to much that I am sure is a...

tagged:
fantasy and read-2010-11

Pygmalion

by George Bernard Shaw

Truly enjoyed the dialogue between all the characters, but more because it was simply ridiculous and unbelievable, although I am certain that Shaw was most likely writing with all seriousness. I didn't however enjoy the long and boring expl...

tagged:
classics and read-2010-11

Charmed Life

by Diana Wynne Jones

tagged:
fantasy and read-2010-11

What Have We Been Doing? You'll Wish You Didn't Ask!

If only they were enjoying themselves...

on the beautiful potomac river

dedication...

shark's tooth

snack time





actual battle veteran...the gun I mean!

can't you just imagine those canisters exploding near your person?

tell me how you really feel!

are we having fun yet?

WOW***WOW***WOW

We drove to Appomattox Court House today and WAS IT COOL! We walked down this totally period street to the old (well the rebuilt in 1892) court house and then down the main street. Almost directly across from the original mercantile was the house where Grant and Lee signed the unconditional surrender of the Southern Forces on Palm Sunday in 1865! WOWIE! Now I am not normally weird about being where someone famous has been--but seeing that room looking almost identical to nearly everything I have seen in history books, was like walking into a room which Grant and Lee had just walked out of. I was so excited to be able to walk into that room! See the ORIGINAL tables and the reproduction of it all and then to see out side the slave quarters which were at one time, sadly, occupied. I was wondering, yes while being blown away by the idea of being where Grant and Lee had been, why so many Confederates had devoted so much time and engery to such a horrendous practice. I just have to say that it was one of the coolest places I have ever been in my whole life--barring my visit to England (it has to take the cake, sorry guys!)--just so iconic in the American ideology. So if you live anywhere in  America, go see some history and enjoy the excitement of being somewhere that is probably insignificant in its own right and yet has some kind of cool event thrust upon it! Man I WISH I could see the pyramids! Maybe someday!

note: Lee sat at the marble top table and Grant at the spindle legged table, tables and furniture are original, house and carpet reproductions. Super cool though, even if that was found out after we were back in the car. This picture isn't mine its off the free-wikipedia database and yes it is allowed to be shared. I forgot my camera :(

When Did Love Become Unconsuming?

Happy #32

To the Crazy Who Started it all!

We Love You!

Happy Birthday!!

Wacky Wednesday

1) We are still trying to hammer out the details in homeschooling two fellas in two different grades. We have been struggling to keep up with kace's work in preschool because, honestly, we are having to battle through a lot of baggage that was acquired while Silas attended Kindergarten. I never imagined how much pride was so deeply ingrained in each of us. I am realizing that my son, my dear child has sin struggles that the Lord is graciously showing me and which are bringing out a lot of ungodly fruit in my own heart. I have often this week remembered that I am a sad example of peace, patience, kindness, and self control. So it looks like while I am striving to teach my son humility in the midst of math, I am also learning how much I need a savior still. So Home-school has really taught me much. Yeah, stop laughing at me!

2) I have been reading George MacDonald's amazing book called Phantastes and I have never felt so obtuse. I feel as though I were reading something just achingly beautiful and still not seeing the extent of the picture. What exactly is this man trying to explain? Is it a story? Or an Allegory?I can completely imagine how C.S. Lewis calls him the master, he is head and shoulders above me in understanding and experience! I am simply amazed at this mans mind! I wish I knew so much more about language and vocabulary and imagery!

3) Visited a new small group for the first time here on Monday. was good to be learning more about the bible with fellow followers. Also am realizing that our recent experiences have made me much more vulnerable than I have ever felt in my entire life. My own life story has suddenly become a means of humility for me and I want to kick against these trappings and once again think myself something! Ha ha, looks like my sons pride doesn't seem so different from my own!

4) Went to the National Civil War Park Center here in Richmond. I cannot put into words how much the things I learn disturb and also intrigue me. I cannot imagine the decisions that led to so much loss. But then again I have heard stories of such heart rending joy that I am moved almost to tears from the beauty of it. Truly a paradox to me.

5) My second little boy is on the cusp of turning five! I can hardly believe that another of my babies is coming upon another milestone in his life. He is getting so tall and so ready for everything this life has to offer him. That trait can be good or bad for him, but so far he is the most able to admit need to God. I am thankful for that today. He asked today after seeing a billboard, "Why did God die?" We had a long conversation and I have to say that the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is simply a fabulous analogy for us to use. I can hardly believe that in two weeks it will have been five years since he first opened his eyes to meet us face to face! Believe them when they tell you it flies by!