Monday, June 30, 2008
I Tag...
I don't really know how to do this tagging thing for those who don't have blogs... I really want to tag my MOM (Martha) and MIL (Ruth). Also my SILs (Betsy and Nancy). Maybe they can respond here in a comment. So consider yourselves tagged. Nancy you can put yours on your blog if you want to play. I also tag MRS and Hannah. I like this kind of tag - I'm too slow for the real world version. I love you dear ladies and would so enjoy learning a few little known tidbits about each of you.
Fair Trade
Last Friday H, Z, and I visited the newly opened Whole Foods store near I-Drive. The kids thought it was funny that I got so excited about a 'grocery store'. That's OK. They get excited about dinner.
One thing they noticed was that some of the products were marked "Fair Trade". And that prompted a discussion of just what that means. For a couple of years - ever since I've been aware - I've tried to buy fair trade products when they're an option. I like knowing that the person on the other end, maybe the grower or harvester, is able to provide for his family's needs because I'm paying a few cents more for the product. In some economies my few cents makes a world of difference.
Today I ran across a website that hits closer to home. I'm reminded as I plan and purchase materials for our next school year that 'fair trade' applies just as much and as meaningfully to those wise and wonderful people who write and publish our favorite books. Take a moment to check out this link to copyrights and make a fair trade difference!
http://www.eclectichomeschool.org/articles/article.asp?articleid=388&deptid=23&resourceid=209
One thing they noticed was that some of the products were marked "Fair Trade". And that prompted a discussion of just what that means. For a couple of years - ever since I've been aware - I've tried to buy fair trade products when they're an option. I like knowing that the person on the other end, maybe the grower or harvester, is able to provide for his family's needs because I'm paying a few cents more for the product. In some economies my few cents makes a world of difference.
Today I ran across a website that hits closer to home. I'm reminded as I plan and purchase materials for our next school year that 'fair trade' applies just as much and as meaningfully to those wise and wonderful people who write and publish our favorite books. Take a moment to check out this link to copyrights and make a fair trade difference!
http://www.eclectichomeschool.org/articles/article.asp?articleid=388&deptid=23&resourceid=209
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I've been tagged!
My friend Shannon at Withwards tagged me. That means I'm supposed to tell you six (I think) little known facts about myself.
Here goes:
1. I do my best thinking in the shower and have actually considered putting a waterproof notepad in there so I can remember all those great insights after I'm dry.
2. My dream house is a small cabin in a big woods - big porch, with a swing. Workshop for David, stable for my horses. Not too small - gotta have room for family and friends.
3. I want to hike the Appalachian Trail. I'd start tomorrow if I could.
4. I have a serious interest in nutrition, herbs and holistic healthcare.
5. I love snow! One of my favorite childhood memories is of snowy nights when my parents would conclude that the next day was almost certainly a 'snow day' - sort of like hurricane days here when schools are closed - and we would hop on the snowmobiles and go for a ride. The woods on a snowy night have a kind of quietness that is awe-inspiring - and the stars when the sky clears -indescribable!
6. I hope this one isn't little known but I have to put it here because it is such a big part of who I am... I love, love, love, my husband, my children, my family and friends! And I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I'll tag some of you later - but first I have a list a mile long because... I'm off to Michigan tomorrow to visit my aunt, uncle, cousins, etc. and to celebrate the wedding of my godson/cousin Matt B. and his fiance Ambre. I haven't seen most of these people in years and years so we have a lot of catching up to do.
I know my very capable family can handle life without me but I just want to make it as easy for them as possible. Hence, I've started decorating the house with sticky notes - telling what meds the cat gets, who eats what kind of food with which supplements, when. 'Don't forget to find and feed the tortoise.' 'If you do any laundry, carefully check that the tortoise wasn't sleeping in the pile before you throw it in the washer.' It's funny, my family already does all this but I feel like the orchestra conductor throwing cues right and left. They'll be fine. I'll miss them.
Here goes:
1. I do my best thinking in the shower and have actually considered putting a waterproof notepad in there so I can remember all those great insights after I'm dry.
2. My dream house is a small cabin in a big woods - big porch, with a swing. Workshop for David, stable for my horses. Not too small - gotta have room for family and friends.
3. I want to hike the Appalachian Trail. I'd start tomorrow if I could.
4. I have a serious interest in nutrition, herbs and holistic healthcare.
5. I love snow! One of my favorite childhood memories is of snowy nights when my parents would conclude that the next day was almost certainly a 'snow day' - sort of like hurricane days here when schools are closed - and we would hop on the snowmobiles and go for a ride. The woods on a snowy night have a kind of quietness that is awe-inspiring - and the stars when the sky clears -indescribable!
6. I hope this one isn't little known but I have to put it here because it is such a big part of who I am... I love, love, love, my husband, my children, my family and friends! And I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I'll tag some of you later - but first I have a list a mile long because... I'm off to Michigan tomorrow to visit my aunt, uncle, cousins, etc. and to celebrate the wedding of my godson/cousin Matt B. and his fiance Ambre. I haven't seen most of these people in years and years so we have a lot of catching up to do.
I know my very capable family can handle life without me but I just want to make it as easy for them as possible. Hence, I've started decorating the house with sticky notes - telling what meds the cat gets, who eats what kind of food with which supplements, when. 'Don't forget to find and feed the tortoise.' 'If you do any laundry, carefully check that the tortoise wasn't sleeping in the pile before you throw it in the washer.' It's funny, my family already does all this but I feel like the orchestra conductor throwing cues right and left. They'll be fine. I'll miss them.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Hannah in Mexico
A couple of years ago when we went out west on vacation, one of the sights the kids wanted desperately to see was a horned toad. We never did on that trip.
Last year in Mexico Hannah got to see one - and she kissed the little critter (or at least came closer than most people would have)!
This year in an e-mail she says they're seeing them every day! Thank you, God, for your many gifts large and small!!!!! I know it's a really small thing but our God delights in that girl of mine. I know He does! And she delights in Him and the children and critters He puts in her path.
I'm missing Hannah but I want her to fully experience this trip. I can't wait to hear her stories and see her photos! I want to see her eyes twinkle and feel her arms hugging me tight. Soon! But first there are more adventures in store. Keep watching the Mexico blog.
You Gotta Check This Out!!!
My friend Mrs. sent me a link to a sermon given by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle (NOT to be confused with Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan!) The first topic is on the Emergent Church Movement. The sermon is about an hour long and it is so, so, so worth the time it takes to listen to the whole thing. It starts out a little slow where he explains why he's doing this particular sermon but hang in there - it just gets better and better. During the first part he does a great job of explaining the multiple 'lanes' of emergent churches. About 50 minutes into the message, he shares what I wish every human could hear - the Love of Christ!
If you are someone who isn't into church or religion, then this is for you. It isn't about church. It isn't about being religious. It isn't about being good, or being good enough. It's about Jesus, who He is and what that means. Get a snack. Get comfortable. Enjoy!
http://www.marshillchurch.org/sermonseries/religionsaves/week_08.aspx
If you are someone who isn't into church or religion, then this is for you. It isn't about church. It isn't about being religious. It isn't about being good, or being good enough. It's about Jesus, who He is and what that means. Get a snack. Get comfortable. Enjoy!
http://www.marshillchurch.org/sermonseries/religionsaves/week_08.aspx
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Another book...
Well, I just read some funny chick fiction. Linda Windsor has a series of romantic comedies that I discovered during a recent stroll through a different branch of my local library. Just what I needed. Really light weight reading and howl out loud funny! Paper Moon is my fave.
I'm also working on another book with a much more serious topic. Funny title: Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. Moody Publishers. If you've never heard of the emergent/emerging church/conversation/journey... you need to do some research. It is a very real movement and is engaging many of our young people. EEEK! H. picked this book up one day while we were shopping, started reading, and decided we needed to take it home. She is finding it very relevant after spending this year on a secular campus. Postmodernism is something much more tangible to her now. I'm so thankful for the good foundational teaching she's had all her life! What a joy to be walking this earth with her as a young adult where she gets to teach me about what is going on in the world!
And yes, she's still in Mexico. The glimpses I catch of her in photos they post on their blog tell me she's fully into the experience. That's my girl!
I'm also working on another book with a much more serious topic. Funny title: Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. Moody Publishers. If you've never heard of the emergent/emerging church/conversation/journey... you need to do some research. It is a very real movement and is engaging many of our young people. EEEK! H. picked this book up one day while we were shopping, started reading, and decided we needed to take it home. She is finding it very relevant after spending this year on a secular campus. Postmodernism is something much more tangible to her now. I'm so thankful for the good foundational teaching she's had all her life! What a joy to be walking this earth with her as a young adult where she gets to teach me about what is going on in the world!
And yes, she's still in Mexico. The glimpses I catch of her in photos they post on their blog tell me she's fully into the experience. That's my girl!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Off to Mexico
My friend MRS JLW has posted a wonderful send-off entry on her blog. Please check that out - you can get there from the link at the bottom left of this blog - under "our favorite links". She's MRS JLWs Soundings From The Sandbar. Also the Mexico Team blog has a note that they've arrived safely.
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