OSB Meeting

 It's that time of year again...

We're ball planning again. Listening to music; choosing dances & decor. The time is upon us.

Who knows what happened to my Jane Austen action figure... but we said she was cheering us on. :P

Jude's Birthday and Other Events

Jude

Laughter is a wonderful gift from God, and the B. kids keep me well supplied. Just the other day, I remarked to the youngest two that I didn't think we should watch a lot of television because we would become vegetables. Ha! Well, I come back to the oldest two and...

Maggie

and Maggie looks like the above. She, obviously, was corn. And  Noah was curled up like a bell pepper. Tee hee hee. :) This kids constantly surprise me with their fabulous sense of humor. And their desire to learn! They constantly ask me worldview and vocabulary questions. It definitely keeps me on my toes!

Noah - learning about Salt in the Ocean

But I try to find time for play too. Either reading a book, playing a game, running around, or some other fun activity. Sometimes, we have more time for that than other days...

Evangelia (She's getting so BIG!)

 And Jude's belated-birthday present was definitely a fun moment!

Posing like a Jedi!

Peep Toe Art?

Screwtape Reflections

Did you ever think this day would come? I'm not sure I did. But, at last I'm sitting down to write (up? down?) my thoughts. I considered dubbing this post "Cogitations on Screwtape", but upon checking the definition of "cogitation", I realized my thoughts concerning the Screwtape Letters are not necessarily deep. Therefore, "reflections" seemed an apt choice.

C.S. Lewis has a knack for prose; his ability to convict and encourage is superb. And the plot structure is creepy and convincing. Does it have any merit beyond a literature scope? I must answer with a resounding, "Yes!" The Screwtape Letters has enough "meat and potatoes" for even the most critical of readers. His quiver is full of sharp, insightful arrows waiting to pierce your conscience.

Lewis captures the vices of man in a simple, but powerful way. We often excuse our own weaknesses and motives (or act as if they don't exist!), while proclaiming the absolute and terrible villainy of others. We never intend our comments to be taken "that way", but always take others comments "that way." We proclaim our own innocence, while impugning the motives of others. There is no charity. Or when we do have "charity", it is not true charity. We pretend to be "selfless" all the while resenting the other person for not bending to our wishes or understanding what we want. Wouldn't it be better to be forthright and honest about our expectations - and then we do sacrifice, do it with a willing heart?

Furthermore, we decide that Christianity is not enough. Christianity plus [fill in the blank] is what becomes important. Or, we adopt Christianity merely as a tenet or supplementary piece to a large goal; our Christianity becomes the means to human ends.

Even in regards to the church. We start to believe that church is about us. How does the church serve my needs? And rather than discuss the matters of importance (doctrine), we argue about the color of the church carpet or whether coffee should be served before worship. (And if you're wondering - No, I've never actually argued about any of these things, but hopefully you understand my point.)

Furthermore, Lewis' emphasis on living in the tension is spectacular! Don't fall either into "vainglory" or "false modesty." (I sense another blog post on this topic...) Stay away from "licentiousness" and "legalism." How often do I need to hear that message! It is so easy for us (read: me) to fall to one side of the line. And either side of the line is NOT godliness. God's purpose is to live in between these two pits. On the line.

Though I LOVED Lewis' theme of balance, perhaps, his most poignant arrow was his chapter on time. How often do we become irritated with those who "waste" our time. If you're like me, quite often. How dare that person cut me off, I need to get to work! Could that pedestrian walk any slower?! Why does Mom need my help now? Can't my brother study by himself? My time is valuable; why can't they understand that?  But in reality, whose time is it anyway? Who gave us the time for His glory? Can we every say that the time is ours? We are merely stewards of it. And it is a lesson I should well remember.

Pride. Yes, Lewis remarks on that vice too. (It seems little escapes his notice.) Thinking too highly of oneself for gifts that God has given. And looking down on others who do not have those gifts... Funny how I seem to remember a Sunday school lesson about duties to "superiors and inferiors." See G.I. Williamson's study-book on The Shorter Catechism.

My only caution in regarding to The Screwtape Letters is Lewis' Arminian position on the "perseverance of the saints." He posits that some who were part of the Father's camp are now in Satan's. (But as Christ says in John 10:29, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.") Yet for mature readers, this is not a deterrent and can be an excellent discussion starter.

Thanks for reading with me y'all! And for waiting patiently for my thoughts. :O)

Picture Credit: Myself;), Narnia Wiki, and Clip Art

Playing with Your Food

Sammi, thanks for reminding me that sometimes it's okay to be a kid - and play with your food. :O)

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

This year, Easter happened to coincide with my mother's birthday. So while we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord, we also celebrated the birth of my mom. :O) Food, fellowship, and gifts made the day more special. (Incidentally, my brother gave my mother Cranford. Whoot!)

What a glorious day to remind me of God's blessing to me. My mom.

And what is a birthday without cake?

Quote of the Day

I would be willing to bet a good deal of money that most single young people think a lot about singleness/marriage/etc. And while this is not necessarily a problem in and of itself, we need to be careful where our priorities lie. Do we despise our current state of life while idolizing another? Joyfully Home and Sacred Singleness have some gems to share in this regard... Without further introduction, Leslie Ludy.

"The bottom line is this: Singleness is a gift, an opportunity, and a blessing, and it should be treated as such. That doesn't mean we should swear off marriage. That doesn't mean the desire to be married is wrong. And that doesn't mean we should stop praying that God would bring our spouse into our life in His own time and way.
But it does mean we should stop griping and complaining about singleness and that we should allow God to reveal His amazing purpose for this season of our lives... The dreams [of marriage and family] themselves are good and God given, but keeping a death grip on them is not." (Sacred Singleness 111)

Picture Credit: Google Image Search

"Happy" Tax Day

Of the Bard

This particular quotation from Shakespeare cracks me up every time! Do you know from which play it comes?

Pretty in Plaid

Lois

Dear Readers, do you ever look through photos to find ideas for clothes? Something delightful and feminine? Or do you draw inspiration from other sources? Advertisements? Your own imagination? Etc?

Front

All the above was basically to announce: I do! Hence, isn't plaid great? And Lois looks so cute in it!

Back

I love how this shirt ties in the back. Adorable.

Side 1

After looking through the photos of Lois in her plaid shirt, I feel the need to go shopping for some pretty, plaid shirts...

Side 2

What are Friends For?

You know you have good friends, when they leave little things like this on your memory board.

Yes, I'm one of those who believes in rote memorization... Dates, formulas, vocabulary, subjects I want to keep in the forefront of my mind (even things I memorized long ago). It goes on the board. And now, it reminds me of my wonderful friends.

Games No More

So, for quite awhile now, I've been storing my games on top of my bookshelf. And to be honest, "I'm not sure how well this plan was thought through." :O(

And when you've got a problem you should try to solve it, yeah? Dah dah dah! Organization to the rescue! :P And now, I'm happy! A picture frame and a basket of DVD's complete the picture nicely.

"To be or not to be"

Yesterday, with friends, I finally discovered Shakespeare's Hamlet. While I studied (er, memorized?) some of it in highschool, Hamlet didn't stick with me. For whatever reason. Now that Hamlet has re-entered my life, I'm not sure why he left...

While I wouldn't recommend Mel Gibson's Hamlet without some qualifications, it has its merits. And Shakespeare's powerful portrayal of the poisonous nature of revenge is practically without equal in literature. Though Hamlet is a confusing character, philosophical and melancholy, his story makes for interesting discussions! And since I missed the end of the film, I rushed home to read Peter Leithart's take on Hamlet. Leithart's Hamlet chapter illuminated some confusing aspects of the play for me. I need to watch the movie again now. :D 


And since we're on a Shakespeare kick, let's watch King Lear next? Sound good?

Oh! And I had forgotten how many famous quotations come directly from Hamlet:

Neither a borrower nor a lender be:

For loan oft loses both itself and friend. ~Polonius

This above all — to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. ~Polonius

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. ~Marcellus

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. ~Hamlet

Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love. ~Hamlet

O! what a rogue and peasant slave am I! ~Hamlet

The play's the thing,
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king. ~Hamlet

To be, or not to be, — that is the question: (etc) ~Hamlet

The lady doth protest too much, methinks. ~Gertrude

Alas! poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio ~Hamlet

Picture Credit: Google Image Search

Quote of the Day

"Now the position of Calvinism is diametrically opposed to [religion for the sake of man.] It does not deny that religion has also its human and subjective side; it does not not dispute the fact that religion is promoted, encouraged and strengthened by our disposition to seek help in time of need and spiritual elevation in the face of sensual passions; but it maintains that it reverses the proper order of things to seek, in these accidental motives, the essence and the very purpose of religion. The Calvinist values all of these as fruits which are produced by religion, or as props which gave it support, but he refuses to honor them as the reason for its existence. Of course, religion, as such, produces also a blessing for man, but it does not exist for the sake of man. It is not God who exists for the sake of His creation; the creation exists for the sake of God. For, as the Scripture say, He has created all things for Himself." Abraham Kuyper in Lectures on Calvinism (45).

Picture Credit: Clip Art

All the [Living Room's] a Stage

2011 MECHE Skits

For the third time, we gathered to write, practice, and perform skits for our homeschool moms. We had a blast! And it seems our program gets more elaborate each year.

"Locomotion"

I taped signs all around my room, the hall, and my brother's room -- to direct the actors and stagehands (i.e. ALL of us) what to do and when. :O)

Happy faces at our last practice!

Hannah

Amy

Emily and Kelsie

What does backstage look like?

Costume piles. Props. Scripts. General Randomness.

Good question. See above. :P

1st Skit - MECHE: Take 3

Once the skits begin, there is no going back!

Hannah and Kelsie

But, thankfully, with some prayer and encouragement, we come out the other side smiling! And the moms kindly support us and laugh.

Josh

Me, Emily, and Hannah

So don't I look ready for my next skit?

Skit: Overzealous Mom

Clearly, I was just practicing my facial expressions.

Backstage during the performance (Can you see all the props??)

While there were a few skits with just a few of us, some skits required most, if not ALL the cast...

Skit: Homeschooling Through the Ages

The Hippies from HTTA

Isn't Dee's expression great?

Skit: Homeschooling on the Roof

Yes, the above is a spoof of "Fiddler on the Roof" homeschool style. :P

Jake, Keely, & Daniel

Keely, with her backup guys, did a great version of "Help Me, Rhonda!"

But Keely doesn't just sing...

Our "boy" band

She also plays a mean tambourine in our homeschool version of "I'm a Believer."

Isn't the above picture hilarious? I <3 it!

Josh, Daniel. Jake, & Emily

Our favorite MECHE talk-show: One and Two.

After all that work, the boys do need an outlet. :P

Thanks moms for the love you give! And thanks to all the other kids who put in time and effort to make the skits fun!