Creation Museum Video

After first getting to the museum, we right away went to a short movie called "Men in White". It was a lighthearted look at the debate between Creation and Evolution, and the girls enjoyed it a lot. We attempted to have them narrate back to us a few of the things they walked away with...




Look, Mimi--FROGS!




After the planetarium show:




The "Microscarium" workshop with Dr. Menton:

Favorite Things

The girls' favorite part of vacationing...

Stop #2: The Creation Museum

The Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky is an awesome place to visit. It's kind of expensive, but it is so worth it!

Another funny sign I found on this trip...this time on a stall in the ladies bathroom.

The girls were thrilled to find a blue frog to take a picture of for their Mimi.

Moo just LOVES birds these days, and as a family we have been making our way through Apologia's "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day". We had to take a couple pictures of these finches.

Belle and Daddy in a mine shaft. You know...normal stuff. ;)

Moo watching the paleontologists dig (okay, they're wax figures...but you wouldn't know that unless I told you, right?).

The museum held lots of lessons on dinosaurs and fossils.

This is a fossilized clutch of dinosaur eggs. Yes, Moo was strangely freaked out by these.

Belle enjoyed finding fossils, and making crayon rubbings of what she found.

Yes, that is the question whose explanation defines the purpose of the Creation Museum.

Depending on your starting point, one can come to very different conclusions when viewing the created order and its origin. Our starting point is the Word of God...and if that makes us look simple or foolish, well, we're pretty okay with that. Won't be the first time! :)

There are just TONS of graphics and intelligent design apologetic "stations".

Alright, some of the wax figures were pretty cool.
But some were creepy...like these students behind us.

The prophet Isaiah.

Moses and the tablets of stone.

King David.

More dinosaurs...

...see?

Belle was so pleased to finally be able to get on one of the dinosaurs.

Moo is really in a sweet transition point between being a little girl and a young lady. She SO wanted to ride the dinosaur, but also wanted to look proper and lady-like while doing so. I think she pulled it off. ;)

The Museum emphasizes the "7 C's of Creation". It starts with 'Creation'...goes through Corruption...C-something...C-etc...Christ...and something else (sorry, information overload). This is the "7 C's of Creation" quilt that my girls wanted my mom to see.

At the end of our time, we went to a "Microscarium" workshop with a Dr. Menton. Smart guy, interesting talk and way-cool critters under the microscope. I had some video, but I'm having trouble uploading. There will most likely be more to come.

We return to the museum tomorrow to finish seeing the indoor exhibits and the "Walk through History", and then we will explore the outdoor fun.

Stop #1: Indianapolis Children's Museum Pictures

I know this seems like a random picture...but Triscuits are the ultimate roadtrip snack food. However, I just had to laugh at the "natural flavor with other natural flavor" label. What exactly does that mean?

Lunch at the rest stop.

Tail-gate deli chef extraordinaire...

The giant dinosaur crashing out of the side of the museum really draws attention to the place!

Entering the dinosaur exhibit.

Some sort of pre-historic alligator.

Aww...a T-Rex named "Bucky". 'Nuf said.

Trains, trains, trains...

This was part of a HUGE blown glass exhibit. The pictures don't do it justice. It was really pretty.

Part of the Egypt exhibit.

A giant water clock.

Yes...Elvis and Etch-a-Sketch. Someone had too much time on their hands.

World's largest Etch-a-Sketch.

Albert and I both need a haircut.

The mirrored maze.

Pooped.

Stop #1: Indianapolis Children's Museum Videos

AND...we're off! Vacation 2010

Oh, the excitement of leaving on vacation. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Day 1 of the Great Grant Journey, 2010. First the Indianapolis Children's Museum, then the Creation Museum, Mammoth Cave and finally in Nashville, TN for a visit with friends.

But for now, there are many hours ahead in the van. But hey! I get better wireless internet connection on the road than I do in my house...so, if my friend Becky can blog from China, I certainly can blog from a midwestern roadtrip!

Here's to happy trails! :)

Roan's Birthday, Part 2

Roan Turns One, 2010

Fire on the Mountain

I loved this FFOZ.org article, and thought I would post it today as we observe Shavuot--the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)--in our home.


Before tongues of fire ever fell upon the believers in Jerusalem, there was fire on Mount Sinai.

The ancient Jewish Sages considered the biblical feast of Shavuot--also known as Pentecost--to be the anniversary of the day God spoke the Law at Mount Sinai.1

"Three times a year you shall celebrate," the Bible says. (Exodus 23:14-17) For as long as the Temple stood in Jerusalem, all the men of Israel were commanded to make pilgrimage there and worship God on the feasts of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks) and Sukkot (Tabernacles).

Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. (Deuteronomy 16:16)

This explains why there were so many Jews from all over the world in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts chapter two. They had come to celebrate the feast of Shavuot.

Shavuot, a harvest festival, was celebrated with the first fruits of the wheat harvest, brought to the Temple in Jerusalem and baked into two loaves of leavened bread. In addition to the wheat, the pilgrims celebrating Shavuot brought the first fruits of all their crops and offered them before the altar. They converged on Jerusalem from all nations, carrying baskets of their produce. Those who lived near Jerusalem brought fresh figs and grapes; those from a distance brought dried figs and raisins instead. A sacrificial ox with its horns bedecked with gold and its head crowned with olive leaves led the procession to the Temple. Walking in front of the ox, a flute player played the melodies of the psalms while the pilgrims sang along.

We can imagine the disciples and followers of Yeshua joining in the midst of this procession as they wound their way through Jerusalem's streets. The Shavuot festival already carried extra significance for these believers, because it was 50 days after Messiah had resurrected. He was the first fruits of the Resurrection, and they were the first fruits of His ministry.

Jewish tradition hails the Feast of Weeks as the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Surely, the disciples and most of the First Century Jerusalem Jews would have known the traditional Jewish folklore of this mo'ed (appointed time). They themselves would also have believed it to be the anniversary of God stepping down from the heavens and onto the top of Sinai. (Exodus 19-20) On that day there was wind; there was lighting; there was thunder; there was smoke; and there was fire. The voice of God was audibly heard by the entire nation when He spoke the Ten Commandments. According to the Rabbis, this event took place exactly 50 days after the day of the Exodus from Egypt. Historically, it was the original Shavuot.

Thunder and Lightning

The English translation concludes the Ten Commandments story, "And all the people saw the thunder and lightning." (Exodus 20:18) But the original Hebrew of Exodus 20:18 says something quite different. In the Hebrew, the verse literally reads, "And all the people saw the voices and the torches." Most translations smooth out the Hebrew by translating the word 'voices' as 'thunder,' which agrees with the context of the thunder and lightning at Mount Sinai. But the Hebrew really says, "They saw the voices and the torches." What does it mean, "...the people saw voices"? How does one see a sound? How does one see a voice? What are the torches and from where did they come?

In Deuteronomy, Moses retells the story of hearing God's voice at Sinai. In ten different passages, he reminds Israel that they heard God's voice speak to them "from out of the fire." Repeatedly he says, "You all heard the voice speaking from out of the fire."
One ancient Jewish legend explains that as God's voice spoke, it split into a multitude of sparks going forth.6 His voice came to them as fire. Therefore, the torches of Exodus 20:18 are explained as the fiery words of God that came to each person individually. Consider the following passage about God's fiery voice from an ancient Jewish legend:

On the occasion of [the giving of] the Torah, the [Children of Israel] not only heard the Lord's voice, but actually saw the sound waves as they emerged from the Lord's mouth. They visualized them as a fiery substance. Each commandment that left the Lord's mouth traveled around the entire camp and then came back to every Jew individually...

Careful Bible students will remember that Mount Sinai was not the first time God used heavenly torches of fire in making a covenant. When Abraham made a covenant with the Lord, God appeared to him as fiery torch. (Genesis 15:17)

Another intriguing piece of Jewish, interpretive folklore explains that Israel not only saw the voice of God, they also heard it in every language. According to that explanation, the Bible says, "All the people saw the voices..." because God's voice spoke in many different voices [languages] at Mount Sinai. It is believed that as God spoke from Mount Sinai, His voice spoke simultaneously in all the languages of the world.

The Wedding

For thousands of years the Jewish people have been celebrating the biblical feast of Shavuot as the 'Festival of the Giving of the Torah.' The remembrance of the Mount Sinai event is treated like the wedding anniversary between God and Israel. On Pentecost in the Synagogue today, a wedding contract between God and Israel is read. The actual Torah scroll is dressed in white like a bride's gown. The whole congregation recites the Ten Commandments together. The story of Exodus 19 and 20 is read aloud to the congregation. Pentecost is celebrated as a wedding anniversary for God and His bride--the anniversary of the fire on the mountain when God's voice spoke in all languages of the world and was visible as torches of fire that came to 'every Jew individually.'

The Spirit of the Law

In Acts chapter two, Peter and the other disciples were gathered to celebrate Shavuot. The Holy Spirit fell upon them in the form of flames of fire, and these torches of fire came to rest on each individual disciple. To the average Jew familiar with Jewish tradition, the miracle would clearly point to the legend of God's fiery voice at Mount Sinai! In addition, after receiving this fiery spirit, the disciples found themselves proclaiming the Gospel in every language. (In Hebrew, the same word is used for 'tongues' and for 'languages'.) The miracle of speaking in all languages is another definite allusion to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Whether or not one can prove Sinai's legendary 70 languages or the fiery words as actually happening is not important. It is important, however, to remember that Peter and the disciples and followers of Yeshua were all very aware of the Shavuot legends. They would have known the story of the giving of the Torah. They would have known the story of the words of fire resting on each individual. They would have known the story of God's voice speaking to all mankind in every language. Therefore, the miracles, signs and wonders that came upon them in Acts chapter two carried deep significance. The tongues of fire and the speaking in every tongue were both direct allusions to the Mount Sinai wedding experience and the receiving of the Torah.

Shavuot draws a line of connection between Exodus 19 and Acts chapter 2. The festival superimposes the giving of the Spirit in Jerusalem over the giving of the Torah at Sinai. The two events are forever inseparably linked. This link creates a profound theological implication for believers.

Ezekiel the prophet foresaw this when God declared through him, "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." (Ezekiel 36:27) Jeremiah the prophet foresaw this when God declared through him, "Behold, I will make a New Covenant...I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33) Thus the Spirit of God within us and the Torah of God must agree. Both are from the same, unchanging God. The Holy Spirit was given to us in order to place the Torah within our hearts. He is at work within us, transforming us into a bride worthy of her betrothed. As our hearts ache for righteousness and yearn after the commandments of God, we can be confident that His Spirit is at work within us.

Homeschooling Humor

Q: How does a homeschooler change a light bulb?

A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then
the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and
do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is
installed. And there is light.

Making it Real

The most brilliant human philosophies behave like butterflies slipping through reality’s net, like birds drawn upward in flight, ever-evading the practicalities of real life.
A thought of Torah, however, sits above your head like a reservoir of living waters. As ethereal as it may be, it needs only a small opening to burst its dam and pour down into your life.
Whatever Torah you learn, whatever you know, do something with it. Make it real.
~From "Vertical Orientations", by Tzvi Freeman

I just came across this, and it brought a couple things to mind. First, my dear Aunt Swede has said on occasion that someone "can become so heavenly minded, that they are no earthly good". I also think of the letter of James the Righteous, the brother of Yeshua, and his warning in James 1:23 that those who read the Scriptures (in context, he was speaking of the Old Testament) and walk away unchanged are like those who "look in a mirror at the face nature gave him; he glances at himself and goes his way, and promptly forgets what he looked like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law that makes us free and does not turn away, remembers what he hears; he acts on it, and by so acting he will find happiness." (ESV)

I have pondered and pondered that one...and have over the course of time decided that my thoughts will not dwell very long on heaven, but rather on the words and teachings of the One who will one day call me there, and in whose footsteps I follow here on earth until then.

"The Swing", by Ear

This is a 2010 spring choir song, "The Swing", that Moo spontaneously started playing a few minutes before I grabbed the camera. Not sure how many times I can say how thankful we are for the musical training that our kids have received from both violin and YFVS. Good stuff.

It's Greek to Me!

This is one of the girls' favorite songs from YFVS this year. It is entitled "Psaroupoula", and apparently it is a well-known Greek song.
I've found that the girls really love the songs they learn in foreign languages; whether it be Greek, Hebrew, German, Swahili...they love it! We are so thankful to our YFVS director and YNS/YFVS artistic director for giving the girls the opportunity to learn such a wide variety of beautiful music.

Square Foot Gardening, Take 1

So this is it. Our first shot at square-foot gardening. We (and by "we", I mean my hubby) converted it from an open plot to a square-foot garden this last fall, and we planted it on Mother's Day this year. We'll see how it turns out! For the record, I'm sure it will not turn out nearly as bountiful a harvest as my Dad's garden...he is the most excellent gardener, and worthy of much praise for the green-ness of his thumb. (There. Took the one-down position before so much as a single bean sprout showed its little head. Now there is no undue pressure on the performance of either my garden, or myself as a gardener!)

Question of the Day--2 for 1

I.

Setting: Bedtime in Belle's room, of course.
Characters: Belle & Daddy

Belle: "Daddy, would you say you are one-third righteousness, and two-thirds sinfulness?"

Daddy: "Well, we're more like 100% sinful; but the LORD looks at us through the righteousness of His Son, and then sees us that way."

Belle: (repeating, as if clearly not thinking the question answered): "Daddy, would you say you are one-third righteousness, and two-thirds sinfulness?"

Daddy: "Ummm, why do you ask, Belle?"

Belle: "Well, I think I'm just a tiny part righteous. Like about the size of an eyeball."

Daddy: "Well, just remember that Jesus is righteous for us."

II.

Setting: Lunchtime in the kitchen
Characters: All 4 of us

Belle: "Mom, how is sin like a boomerang or a yo-yo?"

Mom: "How?"

Belle: "They both just keep coming back...no matter how hard you try to get rid of sin, it just keeps coming back toward you."

Out of the mouths of babes, you know?

Question of the Day

Characters: Myself, Moo & Belle
Setting: In the van, driving home with news radio quietly playing on the front left speakers of the vehicle...but not quietly enough, I guess.

Moo: "So, Mom...what's with Times Square and a bomb in a car?"

Myself: "Just a man who wanted to make people pay attention to his beliefs by hurting or killing a bunch of people. Pretty messed up, huh?"

Belle: "Grrrrr...tourists!"

Moo: "No Belle, they are terrorists...not tourists."

Belle: "Whatever."

Minuet 3

I decided to make Moo practice her violin recital piece on video. It's not quite polished, but is getting there. She's doing well, and making us proud...and we only had to wear earplugs around the house for the first several months of her lessons. Glad that early beginner phase is over...squeak, squeak, squeak!

Question of the Day

This is a new series for my blog. "Question of the Day" will likely feature doozies that Belle comes up with out of the blue, although occasionally Moo will come up with a whopper. This evening's "Question of the Day":

Setting: Belle's room at bedtime, after prayer and singing.
Characters: Belle, Mom & Dad

Belle: "Mom, what exactly is birth control, and did you use birth control?"

Mom: *snicker-snort*

Belle: "What?!?"

Mom & Dad: (unison) "Nothing, it's late...time to go to bed."

Bye, Bye Beard

My hubby has not grown any facial hair for the last 15 years. In fact, when I met him 17 or so years ago, he had a mustache. I'm pretty sure that only when he shaved off is mustache, did I "see the light" and decide to marry him. :) So for the last several months, he has decided to give the beard a try. Being an older and wiser wife, I kept quiet...and let him have his fun. When he announced his plans to shave it off, I inwardly rejoiced...while my girls outwardly mourned. They LOVED it, and did not want to see it go.
This beard removal thing became a production worthy of photo-documentary over the course of a day.

Stage 1: Denial. "Oh, no! He's really gonna do it?!?"

Stage 2: Bargaining. "Keep it like that, Dad! Please!?"
*shiver*

Stage 3: Grief. It's baaaaaaaack! Belle begged for him to keep the 'stache.
No, no, no, no, no...

Stage 4: Acceptance.