July 15, 2008 by pamela.

and I suppose if I could choose any photo… it would be this:

or this.

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
–John 8.31b,32,36

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose.”
–Jim Elliot

Posted in Timothy - Ghana, devotionals, Family | Print | 4 Comments »

July 14, 2008 by pamela.

I was thinking this morning that God’s grace is sufficient for the day… and then considered: how much grace does God have? How much mercy? The Word says He is plenteous in mercy and that He gives liberally. Can I exhaust the grace of God? Can I ask Him too often for mercy - for grace - for wisdom? Is His ear far from my cry? No… to all of these things, no… His arm is not shortened that it cannot save, His mercy knows no end and there is no accounting of His grace and wisdom - for if the grace of God is sufficient, then whatever He does, is, gives or says will be or is sufficient for me. Always.

I’ve been missing my boy… we passed the half year point since he left for Africa. I’m glad he’s there. Truly, I am glad. But I miss him - I miss his exuberance and enthusiasm for work and play. I miss his quirky characteristics - never giving a straight face or simple smile for a photo - quick wit - ready to help - zealous for the Truth - reading and reading and reading and then sharing what he gleaned. I miss his projects and inventions… seeing him in his reading chair or looking at articles, clips or notes on the computer.

I miss seeing him standing at the kitchen sink eating potato rolls with raspberry jam dripping down his arms.

I miss that he loved, loved, loved Poor Bear and everything Pooh Bear… and volleyball and running. I miss that I cannot see him ministering and preaching the gospel. I miss his eyes… his laugh… his Timothyism’s. I miss his observations of things I missed in places, people and photos.

I know many, many mothers have been or are where I am today. I used to think of that while I was labouring before birth… but that knowledge didn’t really help me then and somehow doesn’t really lift me now, either. But one thing it does is give me more compassion - more compassion for those who have gone before me and more compassion for mothers who are facing loss, disappointment, regret or hurting hearts today.

But I still miss my boy. a. lot.

God gives more grace. Praise His name. And I sing:

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Annie Johnson Flint

God has given me everything I hoped for………………..

Timothy’s pages

 

Posted in Timothy - Ghana, devotionals, Family | Print | 3 Comments »

June 25, 2008 by pamela.

I read with some interest a news piece about a man who is auctioning off his life or, rather, his lifestyle and material goods, on eBay. Seems Ian Usher wants a fresh new start.  I cannot help but feel sorry for the man… not for what he wants to leave behind, but for what seems to be an empty life.

During the last several days I’ve been helping my parents pack, move, unpack and settle a bit in their new home.  At some point after some conversation seemed to spark the thought, I wondered, for a split-second, what it would be like to pack up our whole house — everything and move to an entirely different place — to have a fresh new start somewhere else  (I don’t mean without my husband and children). Then I got a sick feeling inside… sick over what I’d necessarily have to leave behind, sick over the “life” we’d leave behind, sick over who I wouldn’t spend time with any longer and, actually, more sickening to me was the thought that in doing that, unless prompted and guided by the LORD, I’d know I was running from whatever it was He had for me to do here. So, as suddenly as the thought popped into my mind, I dismissed it entirely.  Thoughts like that are dangerous.  Thoughts like that are deadly.  Those thoughts are kin to thoughts of despair or thoughts of regret.  Dangerous.

Well, so, there’s a guy who’s auctioning off his worldly goods - not his life.  And… what’s interesting is that there are a number of people looking to take on a life or a lifestyle that someone else is done with, tired of — a life someone else seems to regret — and are willing to step in and pick up where Ian Usher wants to leave off. So, I then have begun to wonder… do people search eBay for new life?  Because… I’m thinking… whatever they’ve left behind to pick up what someone else wants to leave behind will likely have the same end result for them. Maybe?

Everybody’s looking for something.  Everyone wants something. I was looking at the plaques on my step-father’s walls as I was packing them up and thought… everyone’s done things for which they received some renumeration or some notoriety or some accolade and most of the time no one else knows, or few others know, about them.  And so stuff get packed away, put away in boxes or drawers and all those things begin to accumulate dust or memories fade and the once remarkable achievement floats out into the sea of forgetfulness.

My mother and I were sitting on her coffee table (what?!?! we were never allowed to sit on the coffee table!!) looking through slides… we’d slip one out of the bright yellow Kodak box and hold it up to the light - me, barely able to see the images; she, instantly described each one as if to see and remember them with perfect clarity.  But then, I realized, those were her babies… some things you never forget - no matter how many years have passed.

I know a lot of people would like new stuff or, at least, would like to get rid of old stuff and replace it with new stuff.  I know a lot of people would like to be done with trials and hardships, disappointment and failure. I know that sometimes life seems a bit arduous and along comes the “anywhere but here” temptation.

It is for freedom that Jesus came, that He died, was buried, rose again and ascended to heaven.  It is for freedom that He lives - and ever lives to make intercession for us.  It is in Jesus that we find our All in all.  It is through faith in Jesus that we have this calm and blessed assurance.  He alone tells us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life… no man comes to the Father but by Him.  I pray that Ian Usher will know the love and salvation of Jesus and put his trust in Him.  I pray that all who are seeking new life will turn to Jesus and that this day will be a day of new beginnings.

So… new life?  It’s in Him.  A whole new life.

Wherever you go… He’s already there.

Posted in More Slices of Life, Family, News DuJour | Print | 1 Comment »

May 29, 2008 by pamela.

The longer I live, the more I am amazed at the Hand of Providence in my life and in the lives of our children and. in. my. husband’s. life. I’m sobered, humbled and stand in awe of the marvelous grace of God and His immeasurable kindness.

You know, I’m so thankful for the difficult times - for it’s not in the seemingly ‘easy’ times we see (or seek) God so readily or clearly as in the darker, more uncertain, times. The sweet thing about learning this is that when suddenly faced with calamity or trials it’s easier to see a testing of faith. I guess testings of faith are things we tend to want to avoid, but they’re the very things we will later see as sweet blessings — times we’ll later recall as ‘the best thing that ever happened to me’ sort of experiences. Blessings in disguise — that’s what most trials are.

Last Friday morning we had planned to head to the Oregon Coast for the annual Shield of Faith family conference at Twin Rocks. Thanks to our Hannah, plans were well underway; the van washed and vacuumed, filled with fuel and other necessary items for the eagerly anticipated long drive early the next morning. Our house was ship shape, top to bottom — everything neatly in place, the van completely packed and ready to go. Some sleeping in their ‘trip clothes,’ the children tucked all snug in their beds while visions of good friends, good food, singing, Bible teaching and beach play danced in their heads. We all snuggled into bed…

As we sat in the emergency room last Thursday night, I was consciously aware that the LORD had allowed the current ‘trail of my faith.’ It was one of those: ‘I’ve been this way before’ sort of moments and in those, ‘I’ve been this way before’ moments, because I saw the Hand of the LORD in the past, it’s easier to see His Hand in the present. I think if we miss seeing the Hand of the LORD in trials — or don’t acknowledge His presence, then it’s likely we’ll miss seeing or acknowledging Him in whatever trials we face — past or present.

Wes had been experiencing pain in his shoulder and chest and so we went to the ER and once there, we learned that ER visits by patients with cardiac history are treated very seriously (Only now do I fully understand that phrase: “serious as a heart attack.” My daddy used to say that when someone would ask him: …are you serious? and he’d reply: “serious as a heart attack.” ). Once in ER, Wes was quickly set up in a room, hooked up to monitors and the first of many tests were performed. It was apparent to both of us that he hadn’t had another heart attack — but still, the source of the pain was not known. Probably not quite as concerned as those administering the prompt and thorough medical attention, we were still concerned enough to have gone there. The tests that would be performed through the night and the next afternoon were tests that would give answers to questions we have had for several months: how do we know if the stents are functioning properly? how do we know if the meds are ‘working’ and how do we know the actual condition of his heart?

In addition to an ECG, blood tests and constant monitoring, the Cardiologist ordered a myocardial perfusion scan that gave very clear pictures of the condition of his heart — both at rest and maximum stress. This test, because of the lengthy imaging process, took a couple of hours — but it was in that time period that the LORD demonstrated His lovingkindess so sweetly to me. I was sitting in a waiting area and Wes’s ♥ Cardiologist walked by and exclaimed to me, “Well, yours is an unexpected face for me to see here today! How is Wes?” I told her he was down in nuclear medicine getting having that test done and she told me she’d be right back. Interestingly, providentially, coincidentally ( the Lord meeting us where we’re at = the vertical meeting the horizontal +_ ) she was there making rounds for her current patients and said she wouldn’t ordinarily have been there at that time. When she returned, she assured me that everything looked good — there were some final tests to do and then he’d be free to go home.

How gracious of the LORD to have her there that day, to have her recognize me as she was passing by. The Cardiologist that was treating him all day was happy to defer to Dr. Chung. What an amazing Doctor she is… I have such great respect and love for her and thank the LORD for her professional skill - for her care and concern. The reports continued to come back and the results brought more delight to me us! No heart damage. Low BP. Low cholesterol… make that: Low, low cholesterol. His heart looks great, blood flow is great and stamina is great. The doc said to Wes, “Keep doing whatever you’re doing… this is good news.” I knew it was only bcz of The Good News.

It was getting late in the day and I knew all the children were anxious as anything to get going to the coast, but their concern and patience was so endearing as they repeatedly told me not to worry about a thing. It was now 12 hours past the time we had planned to leave. Wes was moved to another room where he continued to receive excellent care and monitoring. The time was ticking away. I thanked the LORD for the ‘inconvenience’ and for His great provision. When does anyone have time to go to the hospital, anyway? ;o)

Finally home again that evening, the faces that greeted us at the car never looked sweeter, and to Wes, I’m sure the shower never felt better… I know I never loved him more. Soon we were on our way. Skipping a few beats, the song was playing on. Everyone glad for papa’s health, glad to be going no matter what the hour, glad for the day…

One thing about driving through Seattle and then on through Tacoma and Olympia to Kelso and then over to the coast at night: traffic? what traffic? I could count on one hand the cars I saw in an hour. I thanked the LORD for His provision His protection and blessings… driving on very little sleep, I was singing all the way as everyone was sleeping… I had too much to sing about and it was, after all, the long anticipated trip! Every little while I would glance over to my precious husband… resting and looking so great. ♥ It had been a great day.

Blessings… many blessings in disguise.

Posted in My life, Heart stuff, Family | Print | 2 Comments »

May 12, 2008 by pamela.

I think we forget that sometimes. I think we get all caught up in the dailies that we miss a whole bunch of the deeper importance and imperatives of motherhood. I think in the busyness of life we forget the deeper calling, the noble endeavor and the consequences of how we spend our time and our days and the evidence of what we become devoted to or distracted by — a sobering reality is the evidence of the work of our hands. O, may the Lord be our guiding Light.

O— I know I need the messages of Mother’s Day… the praises, the cards, the gifts and the favours — even though and even when I feel so unworthy of all the cards and their lofty sentiments. But in an attempt to avoid the attention of selfcenteredly denying being a worthy recipient, I have continually thought: O Lord, please help me to get and keep my eyes off myself and my perceived failings and help me to keep my eyes upon You — for all that I have has come from You — my gifts, my possessions and my calling. O Lord, all of this, all of these things I see I have and have failed so many times — well, Lord, I can do nothing to change — but I ask Your mercy and Your favour, Lord, for all I’m doing and all that I’m called to do… O Lord, may I be wise and may I be noble as I live out the rest of my days and may my motherhood be an honour to me and to You and may it be said of me that I trusted in You. May it be said of me… I waited on You.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to come to the place where I feel that the hand that rocked my baby’s cradle ruled the world — nor can I fathom feeling adequate for the task I’ve been given… but I do pray that in the end I will have been found faithful and I pray that my children will see that it was such an honour for me to be their mother. I pray they’ll know how grateful I was for the indescribable awe and privilege to carry them.

O, what a privilege — a blessing and honour — to be a mother and a family.

Some precious poems that inspire… encouragement for Mother’s Happy Day….

This one, by William Allingham was given to me several years ago in a Mother’s Day card… Timothy said he had been searching for a suitable quote or poem for my card… It’s very… Timothy.

“Before a day was over,
Home comes the rover,
For mother’s kiss—sweeter this
Than any other thing!”

That was the last stanza of the poem Wishing, by William Allingham — think you’ve never heard of him?
The opening lines from Allingham’s poem The Fairies was quoted by the character of The Tinker near the beginning of the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

“Up the airy mountain
down the rushing glen
we daren’t go a-hunting
for fear of little men…”

One of my favourite poems of all… by Edgar Guest — my friend, Carolyn, read this poem as part of her devotional at a baby shower given in honour of our sixth baby. It was a beautiful time… this poem always reminds me of that and all the many ways God has used the words of this poem to comfort and encourage me through the years as a “mother of many.”

Tied Down

“They tie you down,” a woman said,
Whose cheeks should have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.
“When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For babies make a slave of you.”

I looked at her and said, “’Tis true
That children make a slave of you,’
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?
Do you not miss the greater joys
That come with little girls and boys?

They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
To nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make your trouble all worth while.
They tie you fast to chubby feet
And cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.

They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso’er you roam,
Unto the little place called home;
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you to bring you back.
The happiest people in the town
Are those the babies have tied down.

Oh, go your selfish way and free
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown
I would be, what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth’s finest joy.

~ Edgar A. Guest

And another “Mother’s Day” Poem…

I treasure poems by James Whitcomb Riley so much more after seeing the Indiana home in which he lived and wrote stories and poetry. I’ll never forget its simplicity or its grandeur. It’s kind of a bittersweet thought to consider he never had children, never married and so never personally experienced many of the things he wrote about. I recall, as we toured his home, being keenly aware of the solitariness of his life and the seeming stark simplicity of his existence.

A BOY’S MOTHER

MY mother she’s so good to me,
Ef I was good as I could be,
I couldn’t be as good—no, sir!—
Can’t any boy be good as her!

She loves me when I’m glad er sad;
She loves me when I’m good er bad;
An’, what’s a funniest thing, she says
She loves me when she punishes.

I don’t like her to punish me.—
That don’t hurt,—but it hurts to see
Her cryin’.—Nen I cry; an’ nen
We both cry an’ be good again.

She loves me when she cuts an’ sews
My little cloak an’ Sund’y clothes;
An’ when my Pa comes home to tea,
She loves him most as much as me.

She laughs an’ tells him all I said,
An’ grabs me up an’ pats my head;
An’ I hug her, an’ hug my Pa
An’ love him purt’ nigh as much as as Ma.

James Whitcomb Riley 1849-1916

________________________________

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Is The Hand That Rules The World

BLESSINGS on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mothers first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission,
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep—oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

William Ross Wallace (1819-1891)

God bless you, dear mother… today and every day you live and serve your family, tenderly guide your home and give glory and honour to the Lord.

Posted in My life, devotionals, Motherhood, Family | Print | No Comments »

April 29, 2008 by pamela.

Today

When she gets off the plane she’ll likely look much like all the passengers — probably weary, probably shifting the backpack and carry-on and probably looking around to see familiar faces. But to us she won’t be just any ordinary passenger and this won’t be just any ordinary trip to the airport.

She’s left behind hundreds and hundreds of orphaned children, muddy red clay, deeply rutted unpaved roads and a world of poverty, famine and loss.  Now she’s become very familiar with a whole different way of life and a culture that’s no longer foreign to her.  She’s left part of her heart with friends and loved ones there. She’s left behind the daily arduous tasks of mere survival.  But she’s also left behind armfuls of love… children for whom her love no words describe.  She’s walked hundreds of miles, dished hundreds of bowls of rice and beans, clipped hundreds of little nails and held hundreds of hands.

But today she returns home…  and our hearts are probably as full of love for her as the love she’s left behind.  It’s sort of a bittersweet thing to wish her here with us and yet to know she’s so loved and needed where she was just yesterday.

But today… our hero comes home.

Posted in Kathryn, My life, Family | Print | 3 Comments »

April 24, 2008 by pamela.

Whenever we attend a HomeSchool conference or listen to a message espousing the benefits of home education, we tend to talk about it for days — weeks, even. But our enthusiasm or dedication to home education is not limited to or sparked by those times. Our dedication to homeschooling is strengthened, though, by such times as we just experienced this past weekend. Our enthusiasm is occasionally dampened by some failure or some personal discouragement, but truly, for twenty years, our enthusiasm to press on has not waned.

I suppose I could just say that occasionally we run into those 2 Corinthians 4.8 times: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” It is in those times that we have learned to step back, evaluate the day, evaluate the curriculum, evaluate the level of understanding and stand still for a bit. It’s in those ’standing still’ times that we can best determine our next step (for that child, or for all the children, as the case may be) and not hastily toss in the towel. All is not lost, all is not for naught as the enemy might entice us to believe.

Sometimes we take on too many things for a season and need to shelve things for a bit. Other times (and this is more often the case) we need to *add* some more things to the daily study load. Now, that might seem like a contradiction - but no; sometimes the weariness or the naughtiness stems not from too much to do, but too little. That’s why the ’standing still’ times or the evaluation times are so necessary.

I was recently asked if I believe every Christian parent should homeschool their children. You know, I used to give a politically correct answer to this question - fearing reproach for emphatically stating what I erroneously thought was just a personal conviction. So, as I am now accustomed to doing, I answered with resolute conviction and said, yes. Yes, I do believe all Christian parents should home educate their children.

I believe it to be a scriptural mandate and now, more than ever, a culturally necessary decision. I don’t say this to stir controversy or to cast aspersions at all, but rather, because of the nature and scope of government eduction. I/we could never endorse a great deal of what’s commonly taught in government schools - and believe me, I/we do recognize the great wealth of information available to government school students - that’s not questioned at all. However, those benefits are far and away overshadowed by the immoral teachings and presuppositions, philosophies, theories taught as fact and behaviours that are antithetical to Scripture and our Creator — not to mention the fact that the Word clearly delineates who children’s teachers ought to be and what they’re to teach.

So, these are my heart thoughts: Home is where the heart is. Home is where the learning begins. Home is where each child’s story is written and history is recorded and where the glory of the Lord is walked, talked and the Word is read and lived out. Home may not have all that the world has to offer, this is true… but, I have to ask: is that what we want to give our children anyway?

Home. Don’t miss it for the world.

Posted in My life, Parenting, Homeschooling, Family | Print | 6 Comments »

April 17, 2008 by pamela.

Another birthday away from home… we’re missing you so far away in Jinja, Uganda…  but we praise the LORD for His work in and through you and trust Him to continue blessing and blessing you as He has all of your days.  We know that the best place and the safest place to be is in the Hand of the LORD - wherever that is in all the world.    Thank you Lord — thank you,  Kathryn, for the precious gift of you.  Happy Birthday, darling!  I. love. you.  I. miss. you. today.  See you soon.

Posted in Kathryn, My life, Family | Print | 2 Comments »

March 31, 2008 by pamela.

Over the years of blogging, I’ve become more reticent to share how-to-do-it-right parenting advice. I mean, who wants to be critiqued to death for suggesting an idea or giving advice that, in someone else’s home, might end up being the straw that breaks the mama’s back. So, I guess I try to give advice or encouragement from time to time that will not add to the load of cares or be another burden to bear, but rather to lighten the load and brighten the day. Even if, in the beginning, what I suggest or share seems to add to the already heavy load.  Now, I know blog entries on lots of things, including the emergent church or the dialectic, just might be seen as too heavy-handed or critical and that articles on political or economy or food or whatever seem to be too much. If that’s the case for you, then just click on that little red X in the upper right corner… maybe another day the serving will be a better dish for you.  I’m not a light thinker - I’m not just here for entertainment or, rather, to be entertained.  Life’s too long and too short for all that - but even still, I pray that the joy comes through.

But today I’d like to share a couple of things I will never regret doing as a mother or that we, my husband and I, will never regret implementing in our home. The first is daily Bible study and prayer. We have never had a day that we thought was a waste of time or worthless or whatever other negative. In all candidness, though, we have had days that were a struggle to finish. Now, that’s not a negative, but a reality. And the reality is this: from time to time we will be studying through a passage and what can only be understood as ’spiritual warfare’ seemed to descend upon our dining room like a dark cloud. It is on those days that Wes has had to stop and pray and ask the Lord to redirect or rededicate the thoughts and attention to His Word. It’s rare, but it happens. But, I digress. What happens most of the time is a meeting with the Lord and the illumination of His Word. And bcz we’ve done this through so many years, we’ve seen His hand, we’ve seen His way over and over again.

Whether we spend months reading 5 Psalms and a Proverb each day or whether we take a book and go through it or whether we just read through from beginning to end, each day we meet at the table and open the Word and take turns reading around. We do this even if we have ‘guests’ at the table or if we’re away from home. Truly, this is when we see that ‘home’ really is where the heart is.

The reading of the 5 Psalms and a Proverb goes like this: on the first day of the month (or whatever day it happens to be that you start), you read Psalm 1, then 31, thne 61, then 91, and finally, 121 and then Proverbs 1. On the second day: 2, 32, 62, 92, 122 and Proverbs 2 and so on, in this manner every day, through the month. On the 29th of the month you would skip Psalm 119 and save that reading for the months with 31 days - you would then, on the 31st of the month: read Psalm 119 and Proverbs 31. Doing this, you will read all the Psalms and all the Proverbs every month - five and one a day. The reading through will likely take quite a while… years, maybe… because of the springboard for discussions, family values, ways of doing things, traditions, etc., etc.

So I said I had a couple of things or pieces of advice or encouragement I think everyone should do. Lots of things that people are convicted to do are things that make some other people cringe or react negatively or defensively. See, that’s why I refrain sometimes. So… in those cases — when I’m just pretty sure that might happen, I just write or locate a pertinent article and put it somewhere on the website in the particular category it fits and then I just trust the Lord to lead a sister or brother to read and heed whatever He leads.

But for today, this is the kind of advice that can be given to all people in all places for all time - it’s not just a personal conviction - the daily reading of the Word - but is commanded by the Lord throughout His Word.

Okay, so here the other of the ‘couple of things.’ And these go hand in hand. We’ve had some of our greatest teaching times or springboards or greatest times of clarity and understanding come from having our children take notes or draw pictures of whatever is being read that day. The clarity comes from correcting a misunderstood word or phrase - such as Amelia’s, “Moses standing in the ‘Presents’ of God” pictures. She had that so clear in her mind and her drawing was so sincere - but it wasn’t accurate. Same as her “ark of the Covenant” pictures that needed to be corrected to show her that the “Ark of the Covenant” wasn’t filled with animals and stone tables… the animals were in *Noah’s* ark. However - the pictures stay in our minds as a very clear picture of standing in God’s presenCe - or the animals in the ark and the tables in an entirely different ark.

And that is a very clear demonstration to us all that we all need correction when we read something and come to an inaccurate conclusion. This might be done through using the concordance or the Bible Dictionary or the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary or Strong’s or whatever. But whatever the case, we have found that great teaching and learning happens in little bits, snippets of time, around the table. The youngers have pictures to remember and the olders have notes in their own hand at different ages… both are wonderful mementos of days gone by. I think they also serve as reminders that we have been this way before… even if we forget what we’ve read or let slip what we’ve learned - I think that’s one of the most damaging tools of the enemy - the nudging that maybe we’ve never read something or never heard something before. The notes and pics serve as reminders of what God has said.

The only reservation or word of caution I must give you in suggesting these two (what I consider to be) parenting ‘imperatives’ is this: be prepared to bite your cheeks when pics are drawn by imaginative children and you have to sit quietly listening to the interpretation you’re hearing (and then formulate an thoughtful reply and/or subtle correction to the understanding). Just so’s ya know.

Yep…  it’s one of those days.  Bcz…  last week was…  long.

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March 24, 2008 by pamela.

I’m mulling over lots of things today as I clean bookshelves and re-order the movies, dvd’s and cd’s. The dust on some of them gave me a bit more necessary information when I questioned: Do we watch this anymore? Did we ever watch this? And, as always, I walk down memory lane when I go through belongings I haven’t looked through in awhile. Today’s purging of outdated or unused materials is absolutely nothing at all compared to the great purge of sixteen years or more ago. At that time we made, for all intents and purposes, a virtual clean sweep of practically all the movies and music we owned. Really… and that day has been etched in our family’s history as: The Day Daddy Went to the Dump.

So I came downstairs to get a cuppa tea and write some notes when I happened upon an email from Vision Forum.   And after reading it I was left pondering several things - one, our departure from most all things Disney happened a couple of years before The Day Daddy Went to the Dump time period of our lives.

We had been to Disneyland the year before and came home with the overwhelming thought: hey, that place is not right… the whole premise is deceptive - but it was so fun - or was it?  Anyway, then it was around that time that The Little Mermaid had come out and in the stores were all things Mermaid.  And we got to thinking… is this what we want to say and do? Is this the right message?  Is this the right anything?  I will never forget Wes walking by the television set where The Little Mermaid was playing and he heard, at that moment, the intro to the movie:  “Ariel, the rebellious teenager…”   And at that moment, he said. “No.”  He did not want our daughters dressing like that, talking like that, looking like that, acting like that or —thinking— like that.

Those were hard days.  Hard days that were worth every heartache, misunderstanding, expense, etc., etc.  Because those days were the shaping of our family.  It was as if, in those days, a stake was driven into our family’s foundation and history and it was the ‘day of decision’ — one of those days where we said, from here on out, we are going to follow the LORD in what we say and do and what we see and hear - and it’s got to line up right.  We had been walking with the Lord and were believers, but I think we had allowed too much of societal norms to shape our home and teaching of our children.

Looking back now, I wish we had said more, done more, thought more, acted earlier on many things — one of which was the catastrophic influence of:  most all things Disney — even though I agree wholeheartedly with the “Examples of Good” in the following list I’ve quoted below.

But I think the whole “Disney issue” that people deal with now is much like other issues Christians face… we often wake up and smell the coffee quite awhile after it’s been brewed and quite awhile after it’s been cooking on the hotplate of the coffeemaker.  It’s often not until the smell of scorched coffee starts to assault out senses that we say - wow,  we can’t drink that!  I know, coffee’s a pretty bad analogy. But the point can be seen.

Think of all the things that you, now as a conservative Christian, may have, at one time or another, not been too offended about.  Okay… take music or movies or dress or dating, or public school or birth-control or careers vs. ’staying home’ or college away from home or whatever… what was passable or acceptable or even just accepted is now questioned in light of Scripture. I guess that’s really why I take such a hard stand and will continue to take such a hard stand against the merry-go-round of the meet-your-felt-needs- and the entertain-you-to-death church  trends  of the last 10-15+ years. It’s why I write about the things I do - because things are so subtly slipping into our homes and lives and they are really off — they are really contrary to the Word of God.

It’s not until that reality strikes believers in the face that decisions are reevaluated or wake-up calls are heard.   Just watch, it will not be too long before more in the church say:  Hey, this mysticism, this relativism, this conversation, this revisionist writing of the Bible, this carnal teaching, this denial of the omniscient, inerrant, omnipotent, Triune God…. wait, this… this… this just isn’t right.   When did this happen?   How did this happen?   And by then the church will have been carried away with all of that and more for  years.

Just consider the abortion industry. It was well into the practice that the wake-up call was heard - and believers began to gasp at the horrific atrocity of the death of innocent unborn babies and the highly profitable abortion industry. Things go on and people are told to mind their own business, don’t offend other people, don’t say things that will rock the boat. We’re told or conditioned to just be quiet and let people do what they want even though… well, you know… you and I don’t do those things… it’s not really for us to judge. and on and on.

I think that’s what’s gone on with the Disney lie all these years. And now, people are waking up to the fact that Disney, generally speaking, has been a promoter of all sorts of things that have become foundational teaching diametrically opposed to the Word and Way of the Living God and, subsequently:  society, traditions and cultural behaviours have been not only accepted, but endorsed as right or good.  And fun - because it’s… just Disney.

So, this from The Vision Forum… read more here. This is an excerpt from the letter I just received:

“Evaluating the Disney Legacy

These messages examine the Disney philosophy of filmmaking, the history of the Disney empire, and the impact of Disney’s many innovations on film and culture. Also included is an analysis of the philosophical and theological perspectives often presented in Disney’s children classics, both for good and for evil.

Examples of Good

· Walt Disney’s personal emphasis on the family as a basic unit of society.

· Appreciation for science, investigation, exploration, and innovation.

· Cultivation of virtues of heroic boyhood.

· Gratitude for the American legacy of freedom.

Examples of Bad

· Moralism without sound theological foundation.

· The “cutification” of witchcraft and evil.

· Reliance on pagan myth and fantasy, rather than biblical icons and worldview.

· Promotion of Darwinian evolutionism. “

Just think of situations where Disney has infiltrated or formed your thinking… you may not even realize it, but you might say, noticing the lateness of the hour: O, I need to leave… or O, the clock’s about to strike twelve, I’d better leave before I turn into a pumpkin.

But more, and probably worse, is that many of us have said, O, it’s okay, it’s a Disney movie… it’ll be okay. Disney used to be synonymous with family friendly. But was it really?

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March 21, 2008 by pamela.

After seeing our family’s singing debut (with the happy birthday video we made for Timothy so could see & hear us singing to him from the other side of the world) our friend called me, Mama Lolli Pop.   I already have a mousy voice — but increase the speed of a video a few notches, and I really have a mousy-lolli-pop voice.

Well, then, I just had to share a pic that makes me smile - the lolli pop is totally and completely coincidental!! Samuel and Hannah had walked to First street… looked through some of the antique shops and ended up at Sammie Jo’s candy store where Samuel bought a lolli pop. It proved to be too much for him, so he passed it on to ‘melia. I didn’t realize she was hanging on to it when she went to take a rest… so, couldn’t pass up the photo op when I went in to check on her. so, I guess this makes her — baby lolli-pop?

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March 14, 2008 by pamela.

We’re sure missing our boy today… on his birthday, and every day. Hannah made a birthday cake for Timothy, put it on the Red Plate… we lit the candles and sang the ‘happy birthday song’ while the camera was recording. So, here we are, early this morning, singing to our boy… 7500 miles away.

Happy Birthday, Timothy. We’re missing you! From all of us, with love.

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March 13, 2008 by pamela.

Give me Jesus.

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March 12, 2008 by pamela.

Wes’s dad died eight years ago and at his memorial service his own mother spoke of the son she loved, was so proud of and would greatly miss. She shared some poignant stories and a few humourous anecdotes that really engaged the crowd gathered there to celebrate his life that day in the church he had pastored for many years. She closed her remarks about her son saying, “Goodnight, son, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Well, today was that morning.  I’m sure: a glad and happy reunion.  The dear and precious woman we all call grandma passed from this life into the arms of the Lord; her hope, her strength and her Redeemer.    She longed for home — longed for heaven — longed to see Jesus face to Face.

Born in 1908, she was nearly 100 years old and lived a marvelous life of faith and joyful obedience to the Lord — much of her life in full time ministry.  The Lord was good to her… in and through her.  What a testimony to His merciful kindness, His faithfulness, protection and provision.  She was a remarkable woman, ever eager to share the hope of the Gospel, to visit and to help others — ever ready to host a prayer meeting or a Bible study and just as eagerly to listen to one in need, despair or rejoicing.

Her smile was a comfort and a consolation; her laughter was infectious and her zest for life contagious.  I loved her as my own grandmother all these years and she treated me as such… for I’m pretty sure she never distinguished the “in-law’s” any differently that her own grandchildren.  My mother-in-law is just the same toward me, too.  How grateful I am for my husband’s Christian heritage on both paternal and maternal sides of his family… how grateful I am for the loving kindness they’ve shown all these years… what a blessing and testimony they are to me - to our family.  Grandma loved us and prayed for us… for these two things I am eternally grateful and it is these two things that makes it bittersweet to say good-bye for now.

So… instead, I will say, O, what a day that will be when I see you again.  Until then, thank you, Grandma — for a life well lived, for an example to follow, for a promise to keep, for memories to treasure, for joys to remember, for the honour of being your family, for your loving kindness and tender concern for us, for our children and for our grandchildren.   I’ve loved you - and I will always.

Goodnight, Grandma, I’ll see you in the morning.

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March 11, 2008 by pamela.

I thought I’d just start this post off with a bang: vasectomies. Writing the rest of it will be easier now, comparatively speaking.  Well, with the exception of replies to comments - but that’s probaby the good thing about not receiving lots of daily comments here.

I don’t know of an elective surgery that is more emotionally charged than vasectomies - with the exception of tubal ligations. Every week I receive letters from women — men and women — couples — who ask for prayer for conception and pregnancy - most requests are posted on our site. In addition to those, we receive letters inquiring about birth control and vasectomy or tubal ligation reversal. So many aches. So many questions.  So much regret and disappointment. So many broken hearts and marriages. Week after week, couples plead for prayer on their behalf that God would be merciful and grant them conception… that God would provide a way for a vasectomy reversal… that God would forgive a bad or foolish decision.

If you’ve visited our site or have known me any length of time you will readily know my strong opposition to the big fix. It’s a lie… the big fix is no fix at all - for breaking things that work just fine isn’t a solution or a fix-all. Very, very rarely do I ever talk with a person for whom pregnancy is or would be fatal or detrimental health wise. Very rarely do I ever read of situations where a woman should not — must not — get pregnant.  And most of the time, my estimation of birth-control is this: it is for people who should not get pregnant. And who should not? People who are not married. to. each. other.  Sincere or Medical cases of necessary abstinence are rare - much rarer than are cited.

Responsibility is a marvelous gift to men and to women.  Responsibility requires necessary restraint and composure, resolve and commitment.  Vasectomies remove a substantial restraining factor in men’s lives and behaviour.  That’s something that’s probably not mentioned when men seek a vasectomy.  It’s not like the doc sits there and says, now, brother, you do realize that you now have total secsual freedom, don’t you?  Are you sure you can handle this?

Of course not.

Instead, docs ignorantly praise a man for the decision he’s making (the great financial bene, notwithstanding) and how now he’ll be free to enjoy secs completely and his wife will never have to be burdened again, blah, blah, blah.   Based on the number of women who’ve written to us, and we’re nobody!, and I will tell you, women cry over the foolish decision and men ache with shame and regret for making a decision based on convenience. and doubt. and fear.

Page two, Local Section of this morning’s Seattle Times has an article about a doc in Oregon who is offering “premium vasectomy appointments” to men who want to time their vasectomy just right to enable them to watch March Madness college basketball… “It’s snip city.” the ad in the article proclaims.

Another sad consequence: older men acting on impulse; younger men instructed.  Older men paving the way for younger men to neglect God.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  — Psalm 19

Problems?  Headaches?  Tired of being tied down?  Kids interrupting your game or game-plan? Make an appointment to cut them off today.  You’re in charge of your life - why be bogged down with children and family, why bother?

So light and so cavalier is the view of the great gift of life.   Pragmatism makes many foolish decisions.  For which man could know what God has in store for him?  Who can know the great mind of God on matters of life, offspring and posterity - except that He says children are a blessing and a great heritage to the man who has them.  Decisions with eternal implications made in a moment of frustration or despair… based on a most convenient scenario.

I wonder how many will be grieved five minutes or six months later when the gravity of the decision is realized.  It is a grievous thing to cut off the possibility of children - the heritage of the Lord.  The big fix is a lie.
We know many who have sought forgiveness for the hasty or illadvised action and have joined in prayer and have sought reversal: “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me…”

God help us.

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March 10, 2008 by pamela.

Or, missionaries make great homeschoolers. Or is it, homeschoolers make great missionaries.

Timothy… in Ghana

Timothy’s Letters & Photos

Kathryn in Uganda

Kathryn’s Letters

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March 7, 2008 by pamela.

As California goes, so goes the nation.

ASAP: Go to the HSLDA site http://hslda.org where you can sign the ‘depublishing’ petition against a lower court ruling that could essentially outlaw homeschooling and/or have incredible implications against parents, homeschoolers and, ultimately, homeschooling in California.

HSLDA 540-338-5600

Focus on the Family - listen to the Friday, March 7, broadcast. Dr. Dobson is joined by several well informed guests discussing the latest ruling and implications; go to: Family.org

Listen: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/ 

Posted in Homeschooling, Family, News DuJour | Print | 6 Comments »

January 21, 2008 by pamela.

I’ve added a letter and some pictures to Timothy’s pages on our site.

Our son Timothy is a missionary in Ghana, West Africa, and I’ve made a couple of pages for his letters and updates, pictures and contact information. I hope you enjoy them…

I’ve loved talking with him on the phone… just hearing his voice is a delight to me and such an encouragement as he shares the wonderful ways the LORD is blessing and providing for everything that’s needed there. It’s been a tremendous blessing, too, to hear of God’s provision and how He’s working in the lives of some young men Timothy’s talked to in the last week.

Of course, as Timothy loves soccer, it was sure a treat to see Ghana’s team win the first match of the African Nations cup. Timothy said that the streets were jam-packed with people cheering and hollering - so happy for that victory!

Anyway… here’s his page and here are his letters and photos.

No time to blog…………………………………. I’m so living.

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January 9, 2008 by pamela.

We just returned from Portland. The trashcan full of empty Starbucks cups, orange peels, granola bar wrappers and baggies of bits of remaining mashed sandwiches tells part of the story. It seems as though a week has passed since 5:00 am. The long drive home is just one of many distractions for which I’ve been thankful so far this year. It’s as if each distraction has been a special gift from the Lord - each has been a necessary thing, a necessary interruption or a necessary trial or testing of faith. I’ve wondered if I hadn’t had, or if we hadn’t had, all these distractions or interruptions, would I/we have been able to handle the emotions of these days? I know (without doubt, really) that God would have carried us without the distractions, He would have comforted and directed regardless the interruptions, but I also see how He allowed these things to lessen the impact or to actually obscure some of what might have been seen, heard or felt in the days leading to our son’s departure.

I’ve often said that anywhere in the world is safer, better, healthier in the Hand of the LORD than out of it. This isn’t an attempt at positive thinking or persuasion, I do truly trust that there is no place I’d rather be and no place I’d rather have our children be than in the hand or in the will of the LORD and surely, there is not a more fearful, dreaded place than outside the will of the LORD. Faith and trust doesn’t mean the absence of heartache or sorrow.

So, this morning when I hugged Timothy ‘goodbye-for-now’ I was keenly, albeit painfully, aware that God’s blessing was on him, that he was in the Hand and will of the LORD and that God would, at once, protect, guide and provide for him. It never fails that the hustle and bustle and schedules of airports are a subtle distraction to the impact of the moment and the overwhelming, raw emotions. So today, even in the midst of all of that, I kept determining that I’d be aware of each of the children and Wes’s heart for his boy — you know, remembering: “it’s not all about me” and I’m not the only one left behind.

Somehow, other trips were easier (and thankfully, there have been many through the years) and it was somehow easier knowing Timothy would be home again. But this time, unlike former trips and adventures, the separation is more permanent. Other times were short-term mission’s trips, school and work related. This isn’t just another trip, but the beginning of the rest of his life. Now, that may sound dramatic — especially since I/we sincerely believe that everyone, or every believer, rather, is called by the LORD in some manner, to preach the gospel whether in word or in deed. Timothy, like other ‘career missionaries,’ will not have an additional vocation but will be working full time in service to the Lord.

Now, it’s even later in the day and reality is beginning to set in. I’m missing Timothy so much this evening I feel like I cannot breath. His absence, as is true in his presence, is strongly felt. His clothes in the dryer was just one example of strong reminders that he was just here and equally so that he is not. He told all the boys they could have all his clothes and shoes and other things he left out. His bedding was in the washer - I suppose in an attempt to make things easier for me. I smile that no chore for him would be hard to do tonight… somehow doing the laundry is giving me the feeling that I’m still doing something for him. Even though no one will be sleeping there tonight when the freshly washed sheets are put back on his bed.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll have enough done on the webpage where I will begin a journal chronicling his life as a missionary in Tarkwa, Ghana, West Africa. I did this sort of journal for Kathryn when she went to Uganda last year and will add to it when she returns next month.

When Timothy lands in Accra tomorrow, he will travel north, about 120 miles, to Tarkwa where he will live. Initially, it will be both culturally and geographically challenging to him - but he is eager to be there, eager to learn and eager to expereince all that God has for him. His goal and plans are to assist the missionaries he’s traveling with, and to preach the gospel and make disciples — that’s the Lord’s command in Matthew 28 and, in addition, that’s where the missionary’s experience will be so valuable and encouraging. They’ve registered and are establishing a missionary school with the goal of cross cultural training and more importantly that the school will support itself and be operated completely by Africans. This is not a temporary ‘humanitarian aid’ program, but a life changing, training and equipping for ministry and self-sufficient or self sustaining school learning how best to use natural African resources. The resources are rich and abundant, the people are open to the gospel.

After a time of settling in, establishing the school, etc., with local believers working in the mission school, from there he will go with the experienced missionary further north seeking to reach unevangelized tribes and people groups. This is where the cross cultural training will prove to be invaluable: local believers reaching other tribes.

We pray for his work there… we pray for God’s blessing, provision and protection and we pray for good health and strength for them all. Most of all, we pray the Lord will receive great glory and that many will come to know and serve Him through whatever way the Lord uses Timothy.

To God alone be the glory.

Great things He has done.

more later…. —-pamela

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January 8, 2008 by pamela.