Saturday, September 6, 2008 - Homeschool Memoirs: Homeschool Routine I’ve decided to join the Homeschool Memoirs.  OK, so it’s three weeks late, but better late than never, right?  Instead of writing to catch up, I’ll just jump in from this week!   You Americans, starting your school in September, it’s making me feel like getting into school too!   My routine starts at 6:00am and ends at 8:00pm… 6:00: Wake up, make bed, get dressed 6:15: Personal devotions outside 6:45: Exercise 7:05: Breaky 7:30: Jobs 8:00: Devotions with the family   From then on, it depends with whatever I have written down and what places are available.  For example, if Mum is doing reading with Daniel or Five in a Row with Nomi and Daniel, I normally can’t have a piano practice.  I tend to go by blocks than timeframes.  A fantastic day would mean I’ve covered these topics by 2:30-ish: Piano Math History Science Bible/Character First Australian history Reading/Journal or Notebook pages Public speaking if needed   10:00-ish: Stop for some morning tea, and then its right back into it. 12:30: Lunch 1:00: Jobs 1:30: back to school if needed    I tend to work on my reading during this time.  Afterwards, I have free time; if it is a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, I work on one of my two blogs.  Also on Tuesdays I do work for Mum.  I am starting to get into Christmas presents and finishing other projects, which I work on the afternoon.   5:00: Jobs and shower 6:00: dinner   From then on, we like to have dinner and desert eaten, kitchen clean and a read aloud by seven thirty.   I love my school, and think that homeschooling gives me so many more opportunities; I don't have to be held back by the goverment, I can study whatever I want, with the passions God has put into my heart!

Notes! (1)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - Homeschool Camp 2008 Written on Friday, posted on Tuesday Go over to Mum's blog for more photos and details! Today marks a week since we left to go on the annual Homeschool Camp!  This would make our third one; it was our first one at a campsite too, instead of someone’s house, which was a little different, but still pretty cool!  This year’s theme was PIONEER, although we had several nature activities to boost.   The camp run for two nights and finished on the third day: Pioneer Friday Nature Saturday Glorious Sunday   On Pioneer Friday Afternoon – we spent the morning setting up camp -, we went up to a picnic area that overlooked the dam – the reason this campsite is so popular is because of the dam – and from there on were split up into three groups: 3-5, 6-11, 12+.  Rotating activities, we covered fishing, making a tent/bed, and filming, to show our idea of what happened in a periodic way.   Alas, I didn’t catch anything fishing wise, and I probably had a rod for the longest too.  Making the bed was pretty cool though; it wouldn’t have held me I don’t think, but it was holding 30-odd kilo kids!  Josh and I were in the 12+ group, and Nomi and Daniel were in the 6-11yo group; meaning Josh and I were making a bed and Nomi and Daniel were creating a tent.  Our group found that girls can be better at rope-tying than boys!  Sadly, I didn’t catch any photos of the bed I can share.   Come Saturday, I wasn’t planning to wake up at five to go bird watching, but as my noisy sister woke me up while ‘whispering’ to her friend, I decided to tag along, as we were only moving around the campsite.  Our guide, a homeschool Dad, birdwatcher, bushwalker and fishermen, was just great – and so knowledgeable.  As a bonus, he kept us chuckling – or groaning, whatever you want to call it – with his dry sense of humour.  He will sprout off these corny jokes no matter what you are doing!  Unfortunately, Josh has caught on to it too.   Anyway, although we didn’t see any rare birds, we saw several colourful ones and after breaky, set off on a long bushwalk, with the same Dad.  Not all of the families went; mostly just the older kids and some adults.  The view was just awesome!  It was nearly as good as looking over the dam from the air.  (Look Amanda - Clouds!) This is only part way through.  The end finale was: See that tiny little wall?  That holds all this water - and more! Saturday noon we went for a peek to the Durack Homestead; as we had studied this family previous to going to camp, it made the experience so much more interesting.  This building was originally built down where the dam now flows; when the area was going to be dammed, the men actually pulled the house down, rock by rock, moved it up to higher ground, and rebuilt it!  How cool is that?   Most of Saturday afternoon was spent making a stew – pioneer style.  To get everything done, we split into four groups: little boys prepared the fish and campfire, big boys chopped up the meat and onion.  The younger girls prepared our damper, and us big girls chopped up heaps of veggies! Joshua taking one of the four pots out of the ashes to check on how its cooking  Myself chopping up the veggies I found that this was a highlight for both me and Mum; seeing us all working – I mean, all working – together preparing a meal, was just awesome!  As a side factor, it tasted good too.  Real good. This camp was just awesome; I love this time frame and the people who organized it so diligently did an awesome job!  Thank you one and all!   Before I go, I have a photo to share, just for the fun of it.  Prepare yourselves; this is a all-Jessica photo - everyone knows when I have the camera!  I'm weird and proud of it! Have you ever been on a homeschool camp?  What were your experiences from that?  Have you ever had a theme?  Please tell!   Never alone.

Notes! (3)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - A Blog Worth Reading Technology is pretty cool.  Without it, blogging wouldn’t be around, because computers, electricity, satellite and even wires wouldn’t be around to make it happen.  In olden days, girls like me might’ve played dolls in their free time, provided they had finished chores, school and had kept out of mischief on the way home!  Perhaps they spent time writing thrilling novels, like Jo March in Little Women.  Or maybe they occupied their time sewing, baking or reading.  These days however, at least for some of us, it’s computers and more computers for a lot of our time. My Mum thinks it’s important that we kids have good computer skills, because they are part of our future.  I agree.  Recently though, I’ve realized that I spend way too much time on the computer, which is bad.  Surely if girls for the last 5,000 years – just like you and I – could occupy just as much time playing without technology, so can we.   This entry isn’t about what to do instead of being on the computer, but rather, what I blog about.  If I am going to spend time on the computer, I want to use it wisely.  I don’t want to have green-tinted skin because of the amount of time I spend surfing the internet.  Maybe that’s part of the reason I don’t have a large lot of friends; my friend list is a list I can wisely use my time checking up on.  As Alex and Brett Harris write in the Rebelution, “If I spend more and more time surfing the internet, what will I long to do when I’m bored?  Surf the internet.”  If I’m going to blog, I want it to be worthwhile.   Of late, I’ve been reading a lot of articles that are helping me see I need to start pulling my socks up with my blog.  It’s made me think of what I want my blog to actually be about.  When it comes down to it, I really want to: 1. Share schoolwork and character articles.  Why spend a heap of time writing something new every week for my blog when I can just post schoolwork!  Our Character building resource is Character First!, and for every trait we study Josh and I have to write five articles or notebook pages; I plan to post at least one of them here to share and encourage.  When I write a worthwhile notebook page, I’ll probably post it here too.  Because I also want to… 2. Avoid writing ‘twaddle’.   What thought-provoking, enjoyable, popular blog writes, ‘hey sorry i haven’t been in a while.  I broke my arm yesterday on my skatebaord well got to go now bye’?  This is extremely pathetic twaddle; I don’t want my blog to be about nothing in particular.  My blog is for Jesus to use me, change me, mold me, and, I pray, change and mold others.  I’m not banning myself from writing about my life – no, on the contrary; I plan to write about my life.  I don’t actually think I will be able to stay away from writing about my life for very long anyway.  I don’t want to be a dead serious blogger either; I can’t keep a straight face to save my life. 3. Perhaps share a favourite song Gods’ been speaking to me about.  I love music.  I love singing and playing the piano.  Keith Green is an amazing person who wrote amazing songs and had amazing talents.  Those songs are ones that are changing me.  On my banner above, notice the words, ‘when there’s love, mountains move!’ They come from one of my most favourite songs of all times, ‘When There’s Love’, written by Keith Green.   My number one desire for this blog is to share my faith and character movements in my life.  As I wrote before, my blog is for Jesus to use me, change me, mold, me, and I pray will change you too.   Articles that have helped me want to change: The Rebelution site Agent Tim’s article in the HSB library, titled ‘Teens and Blogging’ A Cindy Rushton internet cinema with guest speaker Eric Novak 24 tips on how to write good (like me) from The Rebelution Bored?  Read This! From the Rebelution Amanda Dixon from The Daily Planet   This entry was written just as much for my benefit as yours.  If I’ve given you something to think about, read and talk to God about, then I’ve written a good post.

Notes! (0)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - Simple, Complex, Degenerated? A man crouched low to the ground, mud smeared all over his brown face and arms.  Tightly he clutched a crudely made spear, with a triangle-shaped stone tied on to it with brown, sturdy vines.  The bushes shook from in front of him, and a large, ugly yak stepped out and bent down to munch on some tasty green grass.  Immediately, the man saw his chance, and took it.  Without delay, he charged out, bent over nearly double, an odd war outcry coming from his mouth, which sounded more like a wild dog.   We humans today see Adam, the first man, as a poor, primitive individual, searching and hunting like dogs for meat to survive.  But was he?  Clearly the Bible states that we are made in the very image of God, and later findings do seem to point towards early mans brains.  When Adam was created, he was formed from straight from the fingertips of God, wasn’t he?  Since he was directly from Jehovah’s mighty and loving hand, wouldn’t he have bubbled over with some creativity and scientific ideas?  Although we can never be 100% sure how Adam and his kin lived and their brains functioned, they’re intelligence is underestimated and deserve a closer examination.   Initially, Adam named all, every single one, of the animals and plants on this world, with the assistance of his wife, Eve.  In the Bible, it expresses the command God gave Adam: to name and care for all of Gods’ beautifully new creation.  God entrusted Adam with a lot; if someone was to name all of the cities and towns of the world, a simpleton would not be chosen, let alone name all of the animals and breeds.  But Adam was able.  When Adam sinned, however, the world, our bodies, started to degenerate, although their minds still invented better than we thought possible; Stonehenge has left the modern world baffled for years on how it was created, or even why!  Adam’s grandson built a city, which required people, metal, wood, skill – but they had all that; they understood the secrets to bronze, iron, gold, copper, tin and aluminum!  Amazingly, they knew the secrets of farming and music, well enough to teach – they didn’t just sit around in their hut fiddling; they were creative and bold.   Imagine for a moment that the once-thought-true fact that man uses only 10% of their brainpower was true, and if it was true, then early man used 100% brainpower!  Inside the brain of Einstein, or Newton, would be a complete wonder!  Continuing from that thought, what would man in Moses’ day been like?  Notably the pyramid that made it to the seven wonders was something – no one has been able to rebuild anything like it; evidently the Egyptians, who built it, couldn’t produce a replica either.   Although, as I mentioned earlier, their bodies were degenerating, there still mightn’t have been those genetic problems in Moses’ time that we face today.  Take the Babylonians for example.   As we all know from the Bible, after the flood the people, ignoring God’s command to spread out, joined forces to build a city, a tower.  Later God destroyed their tower and confused the languages, and the place was renamed “Babel”.  Unfortunately, this is where the start of races comes from – after spreading out, tribes of people started to always have the same nose, or hair.  Adam and Eve themselves could have had a darker complexion, with brown eyes and skin, which founded the DNA for all future looks.  The Babylonians originated from Babel.   These Babylonians have given us quite a few pieces of ancient information, although they themselves weren’t that ancient.  Incredibly, a Babylonian king called Nabeniza, who reined c. 500 BC, collected antiques of all things, and stored them in museums!  Under his instruction, the Babylonians found ancient inscriptions; he’s really a large contributor to our knowledge of early man, unheard of though he be.   Evolutionists believe early man were dumb, slow and witless, primitive to how far man could go as far as knowledge was concerned.  However, records show that man could suddenly go POOF! – There was a city!  Undoubtedly, ancient people were ones of high intelligence, even to an extent that we don’t understand and can only marvel at various methods!  Evolution has it that this world went from simple to complex – but pond scum doesn’t talk!  According to this presented information, our world clearly has gone from complex to degenerated.  Imagine what could you do if your brain was as clever as Adam’s?

Notes! (2)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Yearning for Peace, Leading into War I know this is the third time I've written today, but I've been wanting to share with you this story I wrote recently.  Please tell me what you think. “Governor, the army is returning.  Victoriously they bring many captives, and – sir, we have the victory!  Stripped from their glory, the Wampanoag nation will hang their heads im shame dismally, and we will be draped in splendour!  Weetamoo is dead!” “She’s - dead?!?”  Josiah Winslow, governor of the Englishmen in New England, looked startled for a moment, and then exploded with excitement for his country.  “Well don’t just stand there, Captain!” Winslow bellowed, “For this is a glorious day for New England!”   Triumphantly the returning army crowed at the site of Weetamoo’s head carried on a stick, weathered and badly beaten, although a slight aroma of dignity still hung around her.  For that face, told a story, a story portraying a woman continually persevering for her people, the Wampanoag nation.     When Weetamoo (my older sister) was born, the English had well and truly started to invade the Native Indians, hopeful that they might tame the tribes of their ‘peculiar’ ways and conquer more land.  Originally, all tribes held against the invasion, but as the years went on, several tribes softened towards the coat men and even signed alliances with them.  But not the Pocassets.  Corbitant, the Pocasset chief, or Sachem, regarded the Englishmen as unworthy to share a part of their culture and change history.  Throughout the years, Englishmen have continually pushed their boundaries, trying to win us over in fear, although in vain.  Being the daughter of the mighty Sachem Corbitant, I saw things others mightn’t have dreamt could happen.  Although I’m only Wootonuneske, his second child, and its Weetamoo who succeeded the throne, she and I spied many times on father’s courtroom and the Whiteman, who stationed themselves a little away from our village.  By the time I was born, Englishmen were crawling everywhere throughout the forests.  Probably they still do, freely now though, but as a slave in east Africa, I will never know.   “Quickly – eat your dinner.” A grubby-looking boy shoved a small tray onto my lap.  Glaring at him, I quickly gobbled the small serving of food into my mouth.  “When do we leave?” I asked between mouthfuls – I was only told to eat quickly when we were on the move.  Although I was a woman and he appeared no more than nine or ten, I had learnt the hard way not to address any Native – man, woman or child – without respect.  For nearly three months I had been held captive – me, an Englishwoman, Mary Rowlandson, and had been forced to travel with them wherever they went to escape the English – my people!  Although they are generally good to me, being kept prisoner is not pleasant.  Despite that, I am constantly amazed at Weetamoo’s skill to deftly escape our army’s ‘sieges’ – I must admit, they seem no match for her.  Before a capable Englishmen could take one step into her territory, she arranges for every single human to reach safety - which makes me wonder how capable my countrymen really are.  Weetamoo’s skill is remarkable.  Too remarkable.   “Amie!” Weetamoo cried out to me as she saw me walk up the slope, and without hesitation, she ran towards me.  Giggling, I waved, and started running also, for I was glad beyond words to once again see my friend, future Sachem to the Pocasset tribe.  When we finally reached each other, we embraced and turned to walk slowly back to her village. “Quickly” Weetammoo urged me, “tell me how long you’ll be staying for, because I have so many wonderful things to do with you.” “Despite pleading my father to change his plans, we will only be staying for one night, and leaving early in the morning.”  I sighed heavily.  Weetamoo was not deterred. “We’ll just make up for it the best we possibly can,” she grinned, “Let’s go hunting!  My father has given me a new bow and arrow, and with any luck, we might actually catch something!  When it is dark, we can listen to the stories around the campfire.  No doubt your family will have stories to tell.” “Can we?” I asked, my eyes shining. “I’m sure we can.  We’d better go soon though, so we can be away for longer.” We exchanged glances and together started to run towards the bamboo and grass huts where we’d no doubt sleep tonight, if we didn’t sneak out to star gaze in the long grass.  Our bare feet soaked in the rich moist soil and our hands brushed past the green corn fields.  Weetamoo led a beautiful life, raised to be a leader throughout the darkest circumstances.     (Cover from the book 'Heart of the Pocassets'") “Goodbye father.” Silently people watched from the shadows as the heir to the Pocasset’s throne wept quietly at Corbitant’s bedside, now a still form.  Another young figure ran inside and also crouched beside her father. “We’re too late, Wootonensuke,” Weetamoo didn’t even turn to look at her sister, “For father is now sleeping with our forefathers.  Today – I shall finally be sachem.”   “Arise, Queen Weetamoo, Sachem of the Pocasset tribe, leader in the future of the Wampanoag nation.”     “Weetamoo, they’re coming!” a voice yelled out to me in complete anguish.  His cry alarmed the other roaming villagers, panic suddenly aroused, and I was cut off from hearing the rest of the messenger’s words. “War… run west… hide oth…”was all I could make out above the din.  Instantly I realized what I needed to do: take leadership. Running towards the village centre, my heart pounded.  As the English called the years, it was 1675, and we had been on the brink of war for too long – they wanted action.  At the centre, I tried desperately to grab my people’s attention, but to no avail.  My mind raced.  From the platform, I could just make out the dust from the treacherous band of coat-men, riding towards us, for which my not-so-dearly-loved husband was probably cheering.     “You’re getting married again?!?  M’lady Weetamoo, how many times do you intend to get married?”  The scribe exploded at her news.  Weetamoo had decided to marry for the forth time in her lifespan. “What about Quequequanachet?” he protested. “My husband has disappeared, with no record of where or why he left, nor how long he’d be gone.” The Sachem spoke clearly and raised her determined chin just the tiniest bit. “Although Petononowit doesn’t seem to quite grasp our demand for freedom and space from the English, he has a peaceful spirit, one which I hope will help stop any nonsense about war with the English.” The scribe sighed, “Winnepurket didn’t last long after your marriage, and although you had a lovely marriage with Wamsutta when you became Sachem, he died mysteriously –“ ”The English’s fault.” Weetamoo confirmed. “Most likely.  He only went to see the English when his life was put in jeopardy, and then it seemed they took it anyway.” “Since Quequequanachet is missing, I feel I must have another helper at my side to help me guide my people the Pocasset tribe in Mettapoiset.” “I will settle the wedding details for you hastily then, your majesty.” The two important figures exchanged smiles, and bowing, he rose to leave the persuasive Sachem…     “Attention – listen people!” I called as loud as I could, but it made no difference.  Again my mind searched for some loud way to… the gong!  Although I knew it was very heavy and had never personally touched it, there was no time for second thoughts.  A leader must not think about herself, but raise the followers to safety.  Swiftly I grabbed hold of the baton, and swung the heavy stick to the plate, causing a large vibration, startling everyone’s attention. “Run NOW!” I screamed to the dazed crowd, “Run to the west – don’t stop!  For the English are upon us in WAR!” Once more, panic and rush surged through the Pocasset’s. As they all left, myself coming up the rear, I stole one more glance at my home village.  “Good bye, home.  Farewell, comfort.  No more, Petononowit.”       Many moons later… Slowly, yet with a sense of urgency, we travel across the land, hiding in swamps and trenches whenever the army came near.  Several times we have had to split up to dilute suspicion on the enemy’s behalf.  Metacom, Wootonensuke’s husband, is the leader of our army, which combined with my people, makes a near-invincible armed force.  Quinnapin, my fifth husband, lovingly helps Metacom and myself lead the people all he can, and my two children are my pride and joy.  Although we can only stay in one place as long as the English army permit, in eighteen months, we have managed to stay alive and keep up defences, dodging the scouts and soldiers in whatever hiding places we can find that will accommodate one and all.  Bravely my men fight the enemy’s army time and time again, even capturing one woman during a raid, although after three months decided to let her return home.  Living as fugitives is no easy task.  I yearn for my home, for peace, but deep inside, I know my life will never be the same.

Notes! (1)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Anne of Green Gables Three times.  How can have we watched a 232 minute long movie three times in the last 30 days?!   Every week it seems to happen again.  I don’t know why, but we do it.  It’s beautiful, it’s funny, it’s entertaining, it’s girly, I love it, but – we’ve watched it a lot.   “Anne of Green Gables: the Sequel” is the culprit.  We've just finished watching it for the third time since the forth Saturday of July.   First time:  We hadn’t seen it for ages, so we slipped it in.   Second time:  We had watched the first one one Sunday and Dad couldn’t be ripped away from it.  The next night: ‘Can we watch the second one please’ requests – Dad.  So, at 6:00pm, we start the 3-odd hour-long movie and go to sleep at 10:20pm.   Third time:  Because Nomi wanted to.   Weird, huh?  As soon as our neighbour brings back the third one, we’ll be watching it with Dad.    With Dad.     Weird, but cool.

Notes! (0)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Awards!! Excitingly I have been awarded two awards recently:   The E is for Excellence Award from Erica and the Sharing the Love award from Naomi.   First up, I’m going to award three people with the E is for Excellence award: Spitfires (aka Josh): He’s just a speck in cyberspace, but he’s a great writer and friend; keep going big bro (hehe: this means I have to comment you!  Evil laugh explodes!)   Miss Rachel:  She’s a great friend and loving blogger; thankyou for being such a fantastic friend; your blog is an example and enjoyable place! Mum:  My mum is an excellent blogger; although she blogs about our family life, I’m always interested to see what she’s been saying!  She’s very encouraging to me in what I write – an excellent blogger!   SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All she asks, is that you include a link to her post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same.**   And now, for a special ‘Sharing the Love’ award!   I’m going to give this award to Erica: she’s always ready to give a comment and a nice word whenever she drops by!  Thanks Erica! Thankyou everyone!

Notes! (3)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - Braces bring a sliver of joy... Morning!   Today, for the sake of a friend, I took some photos of Josh’s and my teeth.  As you might know, we have braces, and come Friday, we had to have elastic bands put on our teeth to boost.  Although they make for slightly more uncomfortable teeth, they actually aren’t excruciatingly painful, as I was led to believe.   Here’s Joshua showing off a lovely yawn.  You can’t see it very well, but he has purple bands on today:     And the hilarious I (note the orange bands on either side of my mouth):   It goes around a ‘hoop’ at the back and around another one at the front.  Apparently it brings the jaw forward.  Also we have to have them on all the time – except for brushing my teeth.  30 minutes off can undo 24 hours worth of work!   And to end on a lighter note, here’s a slightly blurry photo of Noms! Never alone.

Notes! (4)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - Serving and Blessing Monday (being last week) and today have been really good days – although I didn’t get all I wanted done, it made me feel good knowing I was blessing four people’s lives.   Directly, I was blessing Mummy – on Monday, I offered to keep Daniel at home so Mum could take Nomi into town (to see a visiting author DM didn’t feel interested in) and take Josh with them so he could do some downloading.  There was room to take him into town, but he didn’t want to go (um, neither did I!) so I kept him at home.  Knowing that Mum could have a break felt good!   Next, I was helping Daniel – after we had done our own thing for the first hour, mostly on the computer, Daniel started to get a bit bored, as he easily does if he can’t be on the computer or watching TV.  So, I decided to spend some one-on-one time with Daniel.  Innitially, we looked through ‘200 Boredom Busters’ for some ideas, and after deciding on an experiment that ended up not working, we decided to bake some banana and choc-chip muffins – his favourite!   Although Daniel had most of the fun (not) keeping an eye on the mix master, I was telling him all about keeping the kitchen tidy as we cooked (and how putting the ingredients away as I go drives Mum completely batty as I normally put it away before she’s used it!) and using metric measurements and the mix master.  Believe me I felt very teacher-ish!!!   It took a lot longer than it would have taken me to bake, but finally, it was done.  Then the greatest challenge arouse infront of us:  the oven.  Unfortunatly, our oven’s automatic switch doesn’t work, and as it’s a gas oven, the only way to turn it on is to actually light it with a match/lighter.  Unfortuantly again, I couldn’t start it.  So, leaving the muffins in the pan, we set ourselves to – licking the bowel!!  Yum – sometimes I wonder if it would be nice to eat the WHOLE batter raw!!  Although I reckon I would feel sick afterwards!   Again today, Daniel and I brainstormed for his Christmas presents (we are trying to make them instead of buy them) and wrote up a list of all the things he could do without using the computer, tv or Mum!  It’s a fairly long list with plenty of space for new ideas.   Brothers and sisters are special.  I love being around each and every one of mine.  I have a different relationship with each of my siblings, but they are all extremely special to me.  Spending time with them is a privledge and blessing to me!  I could nearly call it an indulgence, but that’s not quite the right word.   Mum’s are special.  They work so hard to do so much for us!  We don’t always realize how frustrated Mum can get when we keep interrupting her – she needs her space and thinking level, just like we do.   Put together a desire to build a relationship with siblings and an opportunity to bless Mum and volia!  You get a day full of service… to others – I mean, who would we rather serve and bless but our own family!    I mentioned that I blessed four people – yes, there’s another person I feel I blessed.  I blessed Jesus.  I made him happy and honoured him by doing what he asked – serve others and live in harmony.  I let him inside myself, to shine through – and Jesus feels blessed when we do that.   Jess

Notes! (6)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Saturday, August 2, 2008 - Et, Tu, Brute? I never knew senators were so yummy to eat.  We ate one this week: Caesar.  Brutus came and assassinated him, but neither with sword nor axe, but with his own bare hand.  Yes, with his own arms and fingers, he cracked Caesar’s neck apart, before boiling and dissecting his body – not to mention the plucking of the rooster.  We did that too.  It was all a part of having chicken for dinner.   Oh yeah – I forgot to mention that Caesar was our rooster.  Oops. Dad played the part of Brutus, and Josh, Naomi and Daniel were our brutal (but grinning just the same) guards.  Bravely I cooperated as photographer – so my name wouldn’t go down in history in the sidelines.   “Why Caesar?” you may ask.  When we first obtained our chickens, we decided, as history geeks, to name all our chickens (and rooster) after historical figures.  We came up with:   Caesar (the rooster) Mary (Queen of Scots) Elizabeth I Weetamoo Pocahontas Beatrix (after Beatrix Potter) Theodora (of the Byzantines) Cleopatra   At first, we also had a Mona Lisa, Octavia, and someone else, but we gave them away.  *Note: we were not mocking anybody when we named our chickens after famous historical characters!*   Caesar, however, was becoming a Nero – we gave him the wrong title.  Oops again.  Part of the reason in deciding to kill him was because he was a little mean and cocky.  Mostly though we Dad found out that the chickens we brought were bred to lay eggs, and not chicks.  Unless we bought new chicks (this was our first round) there wasn’t any point keeping the rooster.  Besides, I think we did the Chickens a favour. “What chicken would want to be sat on?” declares Nomi, “That’s not very romantic!”  Not a bad yoke Nomi!  (Hey we’re talking about Chickens aren’t we?)   Dad caught the rooster and brought him out, hanging by the legs.  Instead of using the axe, he cracked his neck.  Of course, there was the ‘classical reaction’, where he flapped around for thirty seconds, but then, he was dead.  Gross, right?  We haven’t even started yet!   Dad boiled him, then we plucked him.  Mum chickened out (haha!) but I didn’t!  Nobly I plucked out many a feather from his body.  Ok, so it was a handful of his inner feathers.   Again we boiled them and burnt the last few feathers off.   Boy did he look weird!  Afterwards Dad – gulp – dissected him.  Before throwing the guts to the dog, we had to learn all about the stomach, intestines, the sac that holds the food before it goes to the stomach, the spleen – since I’ve recently finished a book about the Greek doctor Galen, who dissected animals to understand the human body, I understood this biology lesson better.  Honestly it wasn’t so bad!  Oh the joys of having a vet for a dad!  Did you know that a rooster’s intestines are as long as my Dad (who’s not quite 6’)?  And that like dinosaurs, Chickens have rocks and sand in their stomach to help with the digestion?  They have a very tough inside.     A few nights later, we roasted him and ate him with salad.  Yes, a senator is very yummy.   Jess

Notes! (5)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Friday, August 1, 2008 - Real in the Faith   How real is your faith?  As Keith Green puts it, are you ‘Alive in the Light’?  How strong is your faith?  I know I fall sometimes in my faith.  What I mean when I ask, Asleep in the Light, is this what you're like:   Oh Bless me Lord, bless me Lord, you know it's all I ever hear, No one aches, no one hurts, no one even sheds one tear, But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs, And you just lay back and keep soaking it in, oh, can't you see it's such sin? We all fall away from Jesus.  It's how we are as sinners.  But Jesus always wants us back.  He wants us to live for him, no matter how hard it is - most importantly, he wants us to live for him, with him, no matter how many times we fall away from his love. My colors grow so dim, When I start to fall away from Him, Then up comes the strongest wind That begins to blow me back into his arms again, And the colours fall around my feet, over those I meet, Changing all the gray that I see, Rainbow colors of the Risen Son, reflect the one, The one who came to set us all free. We are His daughters and sons, We are the colorful ones, We are the kids of the King, Rejoice in everything. We are like windows, stained with colours of the rainbow, No longer set in a darkened room, Cause the bridegroom wants to shine through you    Yesterday I read something I thought incredible that Keith Green commented: You need to take spiritual truth into your heart and embrace it.  Go out and live it out, then you’ll understand it.   Just the other day it suddenly struck me: live out those traits in the Bible – take them literally.  Strive to be humble, patient, gentle, and joyful.  Make it your goal to show self-control, goodness, faithfulness and peace-making.  Test everything. Again yesterday all suddenly made sense: when was the last time I actually went out of my way to help others?!  I suppose every person has to figure this out for themselves, but it's really challenging me now.  I know I don’t push myself to be kind, especially to my family.   Another thing that has challenged me: Prayer in Idleness, by Miss Rachel from City on a Hill.  I love reading Rachel’s articles; she nails it every time!  Read her Emotion Commotion articles from Growing in Grace: Pride Anger Inner Beauty Temptation   Some more I've read about Keith: Keith didn’t want to get stuck in spiritual immaturity, thinking, ‘I’m saved.  I’m happy.  That’s all I ever need.’  He realized that God’s heart aches for the hurting of this world… You Put This Love in My Heart expresses his awe of the deep heart changes he saw.  He knew the changes came because Jesus was alive in him.  He was amazed that selfishness was giving away to generosity.  Sin was giving way to holy living and service.  The sense that he was a seeker, on his own, was overshadowed with the knowledge that he was loved by God.”   Yes - Jesus love you!  Yes - he cares for you!  Yes - he wants to be a part of you!  Yes - he doesn't care about the past!  Yes - He can change you!  The question is, do you believe in miracles? I found it hard to believe someone like you cared for me, You put this love in my heart. I tried but could not refuse; you gave me no time to lose, You put this love in my heart. I want to know where the bad feelings go, When I'm depressed and I get down so low, And then I see you coming to me and it's alright. Cause when I see all that you've done for me, It's hard to doubt, I just have to believe, Cause you followed and proved it all of your life. Well I know the loneliness I had before, Is gone now, I'll never feel it anymore, Cause your love has released me from all that's in my past, And I know I can believe you, When you say I'll never be forsaken, Your love is gonna last. There's so much more I should say, if I could just find a way, You put this love in my heart, Is this real or a dream, I feel so good I could scream, You put this love in my heart. So, are you ALIVE in Jesus?  Or is it done out of duty?  Jesus wants us to be ALIVE - bright, extravagant, amazing, living!  It’s a challenge.  It’s an ongoing process.  It’s hard. ‘Do you confess allegiance and absolute loyalty to the one true King, the provider of all that is just and good?  Even were the hordes of darkness to assail you in hopeless demand of your life – even then do you swear devotion to the King?  Only reply aye if it is spoken with the deepest voice of your heart.’ - The Rise of the Wyrm Lord   Never alone and striving to be alive and faithful to Jesus, forever thankful.   Jess songs - bold and italic mine Copywrite songs Keith and Melody Green

Notes! (0)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Whoops! Being the duffer that I am, I naturally forgot to include the photos to my entry!!  Cleverly Mum suggested that I put all of my photos into a slideshow! Check it out on my sidebar! Never alone, Jess

Notes! (4)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Monday, July 14, 2008 - Life is full of so many opportunities, but we can't do it all (but (I'm ignoring that!) Ahhh – the first chunk of our busy schedule is over – only part of it, mind you!  On Friday and Saturday, we had our annual Agricultural Show; which is what you Americans would call ‘the Fair’, I suppose! The main pavilion has lots of local-made crafts/perishables placed in different categories – including a whole area for kid’s entries!  Undoubtedly, us Letchford kids were involved in that!  Altogether, the Letchford mob entered 45 items into the kid’s main pavilion!!   Daniel entered 15 projects, and won 7 firsts, seconds, thirds or highly commended!   Naomi won 11 out of thirteen items!   Joshua put in two projects, and received a third for one of the items!   I entered 14 projects and won two Firsts, one Second, two Thirds and two Highly Commended!   So we didn’t do too badly – ;), although a few things didn’t obtain a prize as I expected them to.  L  For example; I entered four beautiful pictures:     But placed them in the wrong category!  Apparently I had placed them in the ‘Wildlife’ category where as they should have been put in the ‘sky, sea or landscape’ category!  However, the steward for the kids’ section came up to me and made a deliberate point of telling me how upset the judge was about that, and that she thought they were beautiful.  That was so nice of her!   Anyway, I did put in a sunset photo (in the right category…) and was given a Highly Commended for that.  As well as… First for my ‘Take Thyme’ embroidery Third for coasters I made Mummy for Christmas First, Second and Third for the scrapbooking pages I did (that has a funny story to it: not only was I the only contributor to the scrapbooking section, but because only Nomi entered a scrapbook page and received a HC for it, I get the ‘overall scrapbooking for kids’ award Mum donated (her being a Creative Memories Scrapbooking consultant and all)!  At least, they were supposed to give me the award, but in the end they gave it to someone else. L But my loving Mum has promised to give me an award anyway. J) Another special thing happened… I had worked extremely hard to finish my Take Thyme and a ‘Love One Another’ quilt, but didn’t receive anything for the latter.  Anyway, the Saturday afternoon, I was looking at all of the results, and one of the organizers/steward was getting the awards or something organized, and asked me about it.  I told her it was mine, but didn’t receive anything for it.  She told me (and I know her, she helps out at Mainly Music and is a Christian) ‘I think it needs at least a HC, and I can do that for you, I have the power!’ and went and gave me one!  Thank you!!  Some people had mentioned to me, ‘I think second was given to something else by mistake’ or ‘maybe it was left out by accident’ – but it was nice for them to tell me how wonderful it was, even though I hadn’t won anything for it (until the steward gave me the HC!).   Anyway, they all did very well!  Imagine – without our 45 items, the kid’s section wouldn’t have done so well!!   Friday: Morning: Set Up the Under 18’s Youth Pavilion Handed over our entries for the Main Pavilion   Afternoon (the show didn’t start till 3:00pm, but we give our stuff and set it all up that morning): Opened up Youth Pavilion Saw results from the Main Pavilion Ate burgers for dinner Started freezing Continued freezing Waited for the 8:00pm fireworks whilst freezing. Found a stall with HOT CHOCOLATE and gingerbread man. Kept freezing. Watched fireworks! Went home Defrosted ourselves. Slept.   Saturday: Well, basically, we watched the dog show with friends, went through the pavilion I don’t know how many times, walked around looking for freebies with my friends (and learning, for those dismayed mothers and teachers reading this!!), ate lunch and came home.  Oh yes, we went on the dodge em cars too!  That was loads of fun!   So now you know why I haven’t been blogging or doing much around recently! BUT…   We still have… To be involved with a week-long kid’s outreach program this coming week. An afternoon with the homeschoolers with two people from Creation Ministries, who’ve come to town. Camping next week. Playing at Church next Sunday After four days of camping, we have to work on the Library’s Make Your Own Storybook Competition   Well, that’s about it!

Notes! (3)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - Here she comes, people! What would be a appropriate title for this goofy masterpiece? Naomi M. Letchford, 2008 Photo taken by Belinda Letchford 'Improved' Jessica Letchford Copyright Letchfords 2008

Notes! (7)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - Wayne Thomas Banton - The Door Within Ok, unfortunately I didn’t get to post yesterday or on Friday, but maybe it was a good thing I didn’t.  I wonder if the search engine would have picked up my latest post which certainly brightened up my day!  ‘Jess, what in the world are you talking about?’ Well, today, I received a comment from Wayne Thomas Banton (the author of 'The Door Within' Trilogy!) – the only words I could really get out of my mouth was, ‘this is so cool!’ and ‘I can’t believe this!’   Thankyou so much Mr Banton – I get excited about these kinds of things, and this extremely brightened up my day – radically!   He wrote: Thanks for the kind words  Hi, Jess (or would that be G'day) Thanks for the amazing thoughts on my book series. I'm so glad you liked it. Feel free to come visit my Door Within blog. www.enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com Never alone. -WtB   Now that, was cool!   I reckon God has a pretty cool sense of humour!     Moving on; I have finished the entire series!   I finished ‘The Rise of the Wrym Lord’ (book two) on Thursday, started book three, ‘The Final Storm’ on Saturday, and by Monday had finished it!  I found I liked book one and three better, and I liked certain people/glimpses better than their twin human/glimpse.  After I saw the allegory, then I saw the Bible in a lot of things.  From what I saw, it covered:   - The Fall - Jesus’ death - Jesus’ resurrection - The Church/gifts/unity - Witnessing - Persecution - Brotherly love! - End of the world - Heaven   Although it wasn’t quite in that order, it does cover a lot.  I highly, absolutely recommend them; they’re a great read and a true inspiration to our personal walk with Jesus Christ!  Knowing he’s called you (by name) and is with you, training you, preparing you, giving his life for you, is shown in such a powerful way in these books.  Thankyou Mr Banton! (and by the way, I’m all for a movie!)   “May our God, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Be assured the one who calls you is faithful and will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24   Never alone, Jess

Notes! (5)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - The Door Within - brace yourself! I have been reading the best fantasy trilogy of late – The Door Within Trilogy.   1. The Door Within 2. The Rise of the Wrym Lord 3. The Final Storm Written by Wayne Thomas Batson   Josh has been given them in the past few years and loved them; last Monday he convinced me to read them.  I gave in and started ‘The Door Within’ that morning.  I was enchanted, drawn to The Realm and its Glimpses (which is something we don’t see in this world, like fawns, but are ghostly white, and every Glimpse has its human twin; what we do affects them and what they do affects us).  I’ts set in a ‘medieval’ time, with castles and knights and archers and dragons and the like.  I absolutely loved the whole story, the danger, and the excitement!  Also, it’s an allegory to the Christian life.  Note that I do not use the word Christ, but the Christian life.  There is the story of a blameless death because of a traitor and resurrection and power; as well of the story of the Fall (in its own The Realm way, of course).  However, it wasn’t very ‘strong’, so to speak, although Josh had told me it was a very good allegory.  But for me, after I finished number one, I was left wondering, ‘this is supposed to be a very strong allegory to Jesus’ life on earth?  I don’t see it in the whole thing.’ After a while though, it clicked. This was not a story that focused on the betraying/death/resurrection of Jesus on earth; it was a story of our walk with God, our service to him, being a solider for His army.  When I saw that, my mouth was near dropping.  ‘Wow oh wow oh wow – is this such a powerful and amazing story!’   I highly recommend it - although beware, my friend, for this book is not for reading during a week of busyness!  I was fortunate enough to have read ‘The Door Within’ before a big commitment!   We are never alone.  In Christ.  Who dwells in us. And helps us.   Never Alone, Jess

Notes! (4)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - This is what that is OK, the answer to the mysterious photo -- actually I was extremely mean to you all! The Photo: The Guesses: Jeremiah2913 Wow... I have no idea what that would be... Narniagirl Hmm... let me guess. Is it an alien with blue body armor that glows in the dark? Just kidding. I have no idea... :-S Ham'G My guess is Domino aglow in the dark!! Good guesses (although I was expecting a comment from MM...). Thankyou for commenting! The Answer: Oh maybe I won't.  Maybe I should... no, I should.  Should I really?  MM... OK!  The answer.  Focus Jess.  It's kind of hard to explain.  Well... It's the goo/cyrstals found in glo sticks or bracelets!  After Daniel's space party, one was over-bent in the kitchen, and it looked extremely weird - some of you might of been able to see the tiles behind it!  I thought it would make a good post! Well, you have your answer!  What do you think?  Was I mean or was I mean? Love, Jess

Notes! (2)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - What IS that? I was looking at some photos today and I came across this photo I took after Daniel's party this year. Can you guess what this is?  Comment and find out! Jess

Notes! (4)~ Post Me a Note! ~ Permanent Link

Friday, June 13, 2008 - Patience... a deeper meani