Hobbies

Jessica and Jacob play a game of chess while Alex makes yarn flowers.

Alex's eyes have slowly moved from being farsighted to near sighted. She originally had glasses for her far sightedness, then got to where she didn't need glasses. Then, last spring, she had me take her to get her eyes checked as she was having trouble seeing far away. At that point, her vision so slightly off that the doctor said that the amount of correction she needed would be cancelled out by the thickness of the lenses. Basically, it was there, but not enough to warrent glasses. He suggested coming back in the fall. Well, our insurance pays for one visit a year, so I took her back last week. This time there was a definite need for glasses, so walaa. Unfortunately, as her eyes have changed, she has grown and the cute blue glasses that she had last time no longer fit. But, these are nice too.

Oh, and we definitely went to Lenscrafters. Yeah, they are pricey, but as the gal there said, you get what you pay for. I learned THAT the hard way. Luckily our insurance pays for Lenscrafters as I am not inclined to go anywhere else.

Library Adult Reading Program

Every winter, our library hosts a reading program for the adults. Usually, we have two months to read 10 books. This year, we only had to read 7. Obviously, I had no trouble with that! They have given away things like canvas bags, umbrellas and mugs. This year was this nice mug. We also get entered into a drawing for bigger prizes. I am hoping I win the Ipod Touch! :-)

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury

This is our February book club. February is "Christian Romance" month. The last time we read a Kingsbury book in Feb, people commented that it wasn't really a romance. And I can see that being said this time. But, then you know, even though it isn't necessarily what comes to mind when you think of a romance book, I think that is ok. We recently had a discussion on my homeschool list about the unrealistic expectations sometimes portrayed by even Christian romances. That it makes it easy to covet not only a physical attractiveness but a sometimes unrealistic spiritual or emotional characteristic often portrayed in the somewhat perfect heros of the stories. Well, you don't necessarily get that it a Kingsbury novel. Her characters certainly have some flaws.

I really didn't know a whole lot about this book so I wasn't really expecting the topic that it centered on. Abortion. Definitely not what you expect for "romance month". :-) But it was handled very well and I think it is a subject that is good for us to think about, especially as she presented it. Reminding us that God is merciful and forgiving with repentance.

As often happens with my reading, this book tied in well with other books I have been reading lately. Obviously it went well with "Every Young Woman's Battle." But, not as obviously, it tied in with "Tea With Hezbollah" because it focused a lot on the lesson in Luke 6 about loving our enemies. It also was very timely for a recent discussion on this sort of topic. Loving the sinner, not the sin.

It should be an interesting discussion!

Tea with Hezbollah review/giveaway at Choosing Joy

Congratulations to Chris for winning the drawing for this book.

DeEtta over at Choosing Joy has also reviewed this book and is giving one away this week if you would like a second chance. Priority is being given to Asian and APO addresses, but feel free to enter. I appreciated DeEtta's perspective on this book, the thoughts of someone who's husband has served in this part of the world.

Click HERE to read her review.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I have had this book sitting on my shelf since last summer. I saved it from the return pile when I was working for Anderson. I had heard it was good, but I really didn't have any idea what it was about. A friend of mine just read it for her Lit class and gave it a positive review. Being in between blog tour books, I decided to pull it off the ol' TBR pile and finally read it.

What a delightful book! Written in epistolary style, it is basically a story of the German Occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII. A writer happens upon the story when one of her secondhand books (with her name and address written inside) falls into the hands of one of the Islanders. After the war, and communications are open again to the outside world, the man writes her to ask about more books by the author as all the bookshops on the Island are gone. This begins a series of communications with the members of his literary society, which sprung up in an unexpected fashion because of the Occupation. As a result, she falls in love with the Island and the people and the Occupation gets names and faces and personal stories.

A wonderful book about WWII, how books can pull people together and make a horrible time more pleasant, and friendship. And yes a bit of romance thrown in too.

All Night Party

Friday night, our church youth group had an all night party. Our church doesn't do "lock ins" because they don't believe in putting youth together all night with nothing to do. Instead they do various activities around town all night! Having been to many a lock in in my youth and seeing things that should never happen in a church, I appreciate the non lock in thing. But then, the idea of them driving all over the county(s) in the middle of the night doesn't thrill me either. So, I went a long. People call me brave. Nope, just the opposite, too chicken to let my 13 year old daughter go own her own. Someone on my homeschool list once told the story of their child being left behind on a youth trip and that has stuck with me! So, I went along.

I had other motives though. For one, I wanted to do the things they were doing and two, it was an excellent chance to get to know my daughter's friends and youth leaders better. What better way than to stay up all night with them. LOL

The first thing we did was go to Winter Jam. This is where the brave aspect did enter in. I went with a cold. And it was COLD. We stood in line outside for about an hour to get in. That was crazy. Yes, now I am quite sick, but it was worth it. For $10 we saw bands like Third Day, Newsboys, Newsong, 10th Avenue North, etc. Good concert. Alex and I did buy some ear plugs though. I hadn't been to a Winter Jam in YEARS because the last time I went, it was way too loud and I couldn't understand the words and these were bands I knew! I felt old! Ear plugs made it more enjoyable.

From the concert, we went to see To Save A Life. Our youth pastor worked hard to get this movie in theaters here and then rented the theater so the youth could all see it together. This was a very well done Christian movie. It is PG 13 because it deals with difficult subjects. Sex, drugs, suicide, etc. But it is done well. Nothing is graphic. You know what is happening, but you aren't seeing it happen. I think everyone enjoyed the movie. It challenges us to walk the walk, not just talk the talk and to actually make a difference in people's lives.

After the movie, we all went back to the church to discuss it and to discuss how we can improve our youth group/church. OUr new pastor went to the movie with us and he got up and talked about how he wants to remove the "church culture" from their lives. Reminding them that just because they may have been "born in the church", go to youth group, etc, that does not mean you are a Christian. That he wants them to have a real relationship with Christ and that he wants us to make an impact on the lives of those around us.

From there, we went bowling and then ended the night with breakfast at McDonalds. Alex and I did not eat because who can eat at 6:30 in the morning after being up all night?

We did all this for $20 a piece! It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed spending time with the kids and the leaders. I spend so much time in the nursery that I have lost touch with my kids' friends. I knew them all as preschoolers, but haven't spent a lot of time with them since. So this was a good thing.

Of course we were very tired after the party and took a good nap when we got home. And I am still recovering from being cold most of the night.

Every Young Woman's Battle by Ethridge and Arterburn

The subtitle of this book is "Guarding your mind, heart, and body in a sex-saturated world." This is the kind of book we probably rather not have to read or share with our daughters. But, I think we would be doing them a disservice if we don't. I pre-read this book as I had heard good things about it and wanted to consider having my daughters read it, but wanted to know what it said first. There are parts that I am not sure they are ready for, but there is so much good stuff in here. At this point, I may pick and choose what they read and then when they are older let them read more. But, it's a hard call.

I loved that this book focused not just on physical purity, but emotional purity as well. Girls seek affection and love and it is just as easy for their hearts and minds to be hurt as their bodies. Easier in fact. This book did a really good job of addressing guarding our emotions and thoughts.

One theme that ran through out that I wasn't quite sure about at first was the "love affair" with Jesus. But, when she came to that chapter and explained how to have that kind of intimate relationship with God, it was a beautiful illustration and made perfect sense.

I wish I had had this book when I was younger.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Tea with Hezbollah

Publisher's Summary:
Is it really possible to love one’s enemies?

That’s the question that sparked a fascinating and, at times, terrifying journey into the heart of the Middle East during the summer of 2008. It was a trip that began in Egypt, passed beneath the steel and glass high rises of Saudi Arabia, then wound through the bullet- pocked alleyways of Beirut and dusty streets of Damascus, before ending at the cradle of the world’s three major religions: Jerusalem.

Tea with Hezbollah combines nail-biting narrative with the texture of rich historical background, as readers join novelist Ted Dekker and his co-author and Middle East expert, Carl Medearis, on a hair-raising journey. They are with them in every rocky cab ride, late-night border crossing, and back-room conversation as they sit down one-on-one with some of the most notorious leaders of the Arab world. These candid discussions with leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, with muftis, sheikhs, and ayatollahs, with Osama bin Laden’s brothers, reveal these men to be real people with emotions, fears, and hopes of their own. Along the way, Dekker and Medearis discover surprising answers and even more surprising questions that they could not have anticipated—questions that lead straight to the heart of Middle Eastern conflict.

Through powerful narrative Tea With Hezbollah will draw the West into a completely fresh understanding of those we call our enemies and the teaching that dares us to love them. A must read for all who see the looming threat rising in the Middle East.

Author Bio:

Ted Dekker is the author of many nationally bestselling novels, including Bone Man’s Daughters, The Circle Trilogy, Thr3e, and House, which was coauthored by Frank Peretti. His unique style of storytelling has captured the attention of millions worldwide. Visit him at TedDekker.com.

Carl Medearis is the founder and president of International Initiatives, LLC, an organization that promotes cultural, educational, and commercial exchange between the East and the West. He is an advisor on Arab affairs to the members of the U.S. Congress and leaders in international business.

My Thoughts:

To be honest, though the concept of this book was intriguing enough to entice me to sign up for this blog tour, I wasn't sure how I would do with this book. Ted Dekker is not an author that I read. His genre is not my cup of tea (no pun intended). And the Middle East? Terrorists? I just wasn't sure. But, in the end, it was not a problem. I had no trouble with it. It was a very interesting book and easy to get into. I really enjoyed reading it. I think Ted was more scared than me! In fact my only c omplaint in the beginning was that I thought he over did the "are we crazy to be doing this" just a little. I mean, I know it was dangerous, but how many times did he have to say it.

This book reminded me a bit of Three Cups of Tea. In searching out what we consider out biggest enemies to discuss Jesus's command to love our neighbors/enemies, they allowed us to get to know our enemies in order to love them more. It was eye opening to read their interviews and hear their thoughts. It helped personify these groups and give more understanding.

I took this book as a challenge for myself. Do we love our enemies? Do we even love our neighbors? What does it mean to be a Christian, a follower of Christ? Do we represent Christ properly? Do we love and obey him? This was especially thought provoking to me because I have a literal neighbor that I am challenged to love because he has behaved as the enemy at times. I am constantly challenged in how to love him without endangering my family.

This book is part travelouge of a very interesting part of our world. Rich in history and complex backgrounds. Part parable, part religious education, part humanitarian effort to help us get to know our enemies our neighbors in the Middle East. Shoot, our neighbors all around us. There are Muslims, Jews, Christians all around us. Do we love them as we should? As Christ does?

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Interested in reading this book? Click HERE for info on where it can be purchased.

GIVEAWAY

I have a copy of this book to giveaway. If you would like to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment in the comment box by January 29. You must leave a way to contact you if you win. If I don't have an address for the winner within a week of the drawing, I will choose a new winner.

Blog Tour: Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

Publisher's Summary:

What will you build your life on?

With startling transparency, Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover the relevance and power of Christian truth. This is book shows a young man who rose quickly to success in the Christian evangelical world before he realized his spirituality lacked a foundation—it rested more on tradition and morality than on an informed knowledge of God.

For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris's humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars—it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong."

Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such as:

What is God like and how does he speak to me?What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine?How does Jesus's death on the cross pay for my sins?Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?
With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again.

Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this book. While Mr. Harris refers to it as a "boring book" (jokingly I assume) in his acknowledgements, I found it to be engaging and easy to read. He teaches on theology, orthodoxy, doctrine in down to earth terms and insightfully. He quotes authors like J.I. Packer, who's book I never quite made it through, in a way that makes me want to take up the book again. He brings truths from sometimes hard to read books to a level that is easier to read, but no less true or powerful. He also shares insights and knowledge gained from his personal walk and shares his father's testimony in an example of how God saves.

Personally, I really appreciated his chapter on the Holy Spirit. Coming from a liturgical/charismatic/evangelical background, I could relate so much to a lot he had to say. He summed up my feelings on the matter well and reassured me on some things that I still struggle with based on my mixed experiences with Spirit teaching.

I also appreciated the chapter on Humble Orthodoxy. He reminds us of something that Rich Mullins once said. "God is right, the rest of us are just guessing." We are all saved by grace. We have all been wrong. We need to share the truth and the love of Christ, but not in a prideful, spiteful way. As Paul taught Timothy, "The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness."

I plan to hand this book to my children to help encourage them and strengthen them in their walks with Christ as well.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

My new dulcimer

I saved up my birthday and Christmas money from my ILs this year and bought something I have been dreaming of owning for some time now. A Mountain Dulcimer. I ordered it shortly before Christmas, but then discovered it was backordered. An email to the supplier informed me that it wouldn't be in stock till the middle of February, so I thought it would end up being a Valentine's present. Imagine my pleasant suprise when the next day I received notice that it had shipped!

Jacob got a similar surprise when he found out his out of stock (until Feb) legos had also shipped! You can see one of those sets on the couch with me. It has been like Christmas in January!
I am slowly teaching myself to play using a "teach yourself" book.

Science Center Field Trip

Our homeschool Co-op organized a field trip to the Science Center today. We finished our lessons in the morning and then headed out. We watched the IMAX movie Under the Sea, which was a great tie in to our Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures study. The end had a bit of environmental propoganda, but other than that it was mostly just sea life narrative.

After the movie, we headed to the Lego Mindstorm corner to program and compete with lego robots.

Highway 40, which was just a bunch of dirt last time we went to the Science Center, is now finished. Nice not to have to find round about ways to places off the highway now. Here are some pictures of the finished road. Compare to the pictures from our last trip.


The bridge over the highway has some construction activities. Here we build a little arch.


We also played with a laser harp.
As always, we enjoyed our visit to the museum.