Hunting with Bucky

At last! I figured out how to scan a photo into my pictures folder...stop laughing, I know it's elementary stuff...I'm a little slow...

Last spring, my Dad took Belle out bird hunting. Now, Belle is an animal lover. She has been known to start sobbing during Benji movies when nothing sad is even happening--just because of the touching music and the presence of a dog. So, I wasn't sure how the whole day would work out.
It turns out that Belle loves Bucky as much or MORE than she loves animals. And the thought of going out and walking in a field shooting birds was a way-cool idea if she could be with "Bucky the Wonderful" (this is the title my Dad now goes by with my girls). Okay, so that's understandable...but did she really have to get into it so much? Not only did she pose with the corpses of these two chuckers, but she assisted in cutting them all up--and wanted to keep the heads and feet...if I remember rightly, she wanted to keep them under her bed! For weeks after this picture, she wore that orange hat everywhere. To the store, to friend's houses, and to bed. She had the toastiest head in town. NEVER was it uncovered and allowed freedom from the orange hat!
Now, when visiting Mimi & Bucky's, she doesn't ask to watch cartoons...she asks to watch channel 153, which Bucky has informed her is the hunting channel. What a weird kid.
Just in case anyone has any worries about Belle being too much of a tomboy, this morning she said that the next time she goes hunting with Bucky she was going to bring a camo purse! Is that a well-balanced sense of self, or what??? :)

Get Knitting

In recent weeks I have taken up knitting. My pal says it's the 'hepster' thing for young ladies to do these days....but I admit to feeling like I am taking up the activities of a much older generation. So I ask myself, what's the big deal? Right?

Growing up, it was always a compliment when I would hear adults comment about how I was "10 going on 30". Well, now the thirties are quickly on their way out, and I'm feeling like if I stick to the same "add 20 years" formula, that makes me--gulp--40 going on 60!

But really, that's okay. I think. Lots of maturing takes place in the thirties and forties....lots of getting comfortable with who you really are and who God made you to be....not a bunch of struggling to be someone else carved from a mold given by society. You know, ladies--someone taller, skinnier, smarter, funnier, more fashionable, and with--in my case--MUCH more talent in the kitchen (sorry Honey, I'm even starting to give up on that dream!).

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I am going to throw up my hands and embrace all that I find irritating, imperfect or downright yucky about myself. This is just a call to be a bit more gentle and understanding with myself, that's all. And to proudly get knitting.

On Legalism

For those who are in close contact with my family, it will come as no surprise to you that we have been called to a faith-walk that differs a little from what is found in mainstream Christendom. Over the last few years, both our study of the Hebraic roots of Christianity, along with God's leading, have together led us to what is best described as a Torah submissive lifestyle in our home.

Now, for those who have asked, we have been quick to state that the truth, in our experience, is that the "burden" of keeping the Torah of God is truly easy...a blessing...and even "light" (Mat. 11:30). Turns out that this was a very big surprise, even to us, once we embarked on this journey. After all, we had the same words about the "Law" and "legalism" that our Christian brothers and sisters have learned, running around in our heads too! Steve had his teaching and training at Moody....I had my years at Wheaton College, along with an in-depth discipleship course that taught me the same outlook on all those "Old Testament Laws". Keeping all those Laws is "legalistic", isn't it??

I came across a short article that deals with this issue of legalism, and I thought I would post it here. It is for you, fine blog reader...but it is also for me. In it there are many thoughts that could serve to make sure that our thoughts about each other and our works before God are kept in the proper perspective. http://www.torahresource.com/EnglishArticles/Legalism.pdf

There are a few Hebrew words that he uses that may require definition. Yeshua: Jesus; HaShem: literally "The Name", a common Hebrew circumlocution for God; Ruach: Spirit of God, Halakah: good works, literally "walk", as in the walking out of our faith.

Good Fruit

Thoughts on this weeks reading:
Chayei Sarah - חיי שרה : "Life of Sarah"
Torah : Genesis 23:1-25:18
Haftarah : I Kings 1:1-31
Gospel : Matthew 11-12

Good Things of His Master's Hand
Thought for the Week
Eliezer (אליעזר) literally means "God of Help." As Eliezer goes forth to procure a bride for Isaac, he relies on the God of Help to assist him. When we set out to do the work of God, we also must rely on Him for help, especially in the matter of evangelism. After all, we are not trying to make converts to a religious creed; we are trying to change hearts. This is an impossible task for a human being. Even the greatest psychiatrists cannot change the human heart. Therefore, like Eliezer, we rely utterly on God, the God of Help.

Commentary
Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master's in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. (Genesis 24:10)

As we go forth, we must bring with us many good things from the household of God. In the midst of a lost and hurting world, we have the goods that people need. What are these good things of our Master's house? They are acts of loving-kindness, forgiveness, wholeness and peace. Many people have never experienced unconditional love. They have never known real kindness, real friendship, real compassion. But these are things we have received in abundance through Messiah, and we can pass them on to others, but only if we bring them with us. This may be the most important part of sharing the Gospel.

Eliezer brought these gifts of his master's household with him in order to establish credibility. If he had simply appeared in Mesopotamia, claiming to be looking for an attractive young girl to bring back to some faraway prince, the men of that place would have driven him away as a scoundrel and kidnapper. So too with us. If we start to speak into people's lives about God and faith without first having evidenced to them the fruit of our faith, they will drive us away as religious nuts. And rightly so. The world today has plenty of religions for sale, each one clamoring for attention like obnoxious salesmen. Consumer, beware!

But a person of genuine faith and conviction is always attractive. A person who lives out his faith and manifests his convictions in godliness and real kindness, without phoniness or pretense, naturally attracts others. What are the good things of our Master's house that we can offer to others to establish credibility? "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) The fruit of the Spirit is irresistible to the thirsty soul. St. Francis of Assisi is credited as saying, "Preach the Gospel to everyone, and if necessary, use words."

(taken from FFOZ.org edrash, Chayei Sarah)

A 4th Grade Poem of Thanksgiving

Nature

by M. G.

Nature, nature, trees and sky;

Down below on the grass I lie.

Summer, fall, winter, spring--

Thank you, God for everything.

Nature, nature, big and grand;

God made you in the sea and on land.

(I'm thankful for my daughter Moo, who wrote this lovely poem!)

Check it Out

http://www.fightfoca.com/

Proof That I Exist

Because of my morbid fear of leaving no photographs of myself for my children to remember me by, I am now posting this picture to my blog...to forever exist in cyberspace. So there. Isn't that a cheery thought? :)

At Last!

At last...a current photo of my nephew Jaiden! He, Andrew & Kris stopped by for coffee this morning. Jaiden is such an active little guy...if I could ever get a hold on him for more than a millisecond, I would eat him up. As much as he prefers other sorts of toys, Ellie's My Little Pony collection entertained him for a little bit.

My Pumpkin Pal

This is my dear friend Sara who has a pumpkin stand in the fall that has her working her tail off until November 1st. Some friends and I decided that we would celebrate the end of Pumpkin Season by surprising Sara with a party....complete with "Queen Pumpkin" sash, orange tiara, an orange bouquet and LOTS of coffee and goodies! Isn't she lovely? She even inadvertently dressed to coordinate with our pumpkin theme!

Love you, Sally!

On Hope

Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. (Genesis 12:10)

Not long after his arrival in Canaan, Abraham's newfound faith was sorely tested. Though God had promised to give the land to Abraham's children, that seemed like a remote possibility. Abraham had no children, and the land was already occupied by the Canaanite nations. To make matters worse, a drought brought on a severe famine. Abraham had no choice but to pack up his wife, his servants, his flocks and his herds and travel to Egypt, where the Nile's abundant waters irrigated the crops even in drought years. He would find food in Egypt.

Maimonides refers to the famine in Canaan as the second great test of Abraham's faith. Suppose you had sacrificed everything, leaving your job, your family and your home in order to take an offer for a high-paying executive position with a firm halfway around the world. When you arrived you discovered that the position was not yet open, and you had to take a temporary job in the mailroom. As if that was not bad enough, a financial slump forced the company to lay off several mailroom employees, including you. You would probably be feeling pretty bitter toward the company that offered you the position.

Abraham did not give in to bitterness and resentment. He did not give up on God. When a person holds on to faith and hope despite bad circumstances, it is called perseverance.

We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out." (Romans 5:3-5)

The need to persevere is a normal part of being a believer. The joy of a convert's newfound faith is routinely tempered by life's difficult realities. Faith offers no quick fixes or easy solutions to problems. Sometimes being a believer makes life a lot harder.

So, if life is just as tough for believer and unbeliever alike, what's the advantage of believing? The advantage is hope. As a believer, you have God on your team, and you never know what He has up His sleeve. (Taken from FFOZ Weekly e-drash, Lech Lecha)

Serious Election Results

Results of our CC class mock election:

McCain:18

Obama: 6

Ralph Nader: 1

Grilled Cheese: 1

As much as I was pulling for Grilled Cheese, I had to vote my conscience when I went to the actual polls today...

Our Grain Wagon

If you are someone who has known us for decades, or someone who has met us...say...5 minutes ago, you will probably have already heard about our corn stove. The purchase of it a couple winters ago was our way of saying *ppffllt* to Nicor Gas, since with it we only turn our heat on a handful of times during the winter months. The corn stove heats the whole place.

Now, it's not necessarily the easiest route for home heating...as indicated by the above picture. It is a picture of our dear grain wagon, that takes up a good part of our garage during the winter months. Though I must admit, the stories that we are already able to laugh about surrounding getting grain from the grain elevator, bringing it home, backing the monster wagon in to the garage and pushing it into place are already making it worth the extra effort! Love those shared experiences that we can all laugh about...

The Journeyladies

This is Moo and her class at Classical Conversations.

Yes, they are a class made up entirely of girls...hats off to their tutor, Lisa!

(I lifted this picture from Tutor Lisa's blog...

is there some sort of blogger etiquette that I am breaking here?? )

Veteran's Day

I am struck by a somber truth as we approach this Veteran's Day. It is the grim reality that many young children will never have their mother or father come home to them after giving their life in the military service of our country. Our veterans give an enormous sacrifice...and in some cases, the ultimate sacrifice. (See http://icasualties.org/oif/Default.aspx)

Pray for those serving in our military...that their cause would be just, that their hearts would be courageous in the darkest of circumstances, and that their hope would be placed in the One who is able to deliver them...ultimately...from their enemies.

Reading Time

Ahhhh...read-aloud time at the Grant home.

Before the adventure of parenting began for us, my husband and I would envision reading together as a family one day. We imagined the bunch of us snuggled up together on the couch-- serene and focused on the story being read.

Well, we love how it has turned out...don't get me wrong...it's just that I imagined less chair juggling during our read-aloud time and more SERENITY. Oh well. It's all good. And the dog? Well, he sits really still and just tries to avoid being kidnapped by the girls and dressed up like a character in the book....I sometimes think he is paying the closest attention to the story.

*sigh*