November 29 - To the Church in Ephesus

Here we start with the first of seven letters written to specific congregations - from Jesus himself! Wow.  And while the letters are addressed to these very real congregations, there is much we can learn from them to.

One thing I noticed while reading the seven letters is how Jesus introduces himself in a different way each time that is directly related to what's going on in that church. The effect for them is that it certainly speaks directly to them and their situation and makes a strong point!  The effect for me is that I get a really insightful picture of who Jesus is and what He's done through the very words He uses to describe Himself!

He always starts His letters with the positive (assuming there are some) to build them up and encourage them. Isn't this how we too should deal with matters?

"The truth of Scripture is readily available to us. Many of us have known it all our lives. Yet for us too, there exists the danger of taking it for granted and losing it." *
Baptized as an infant and brought up by my parents in the faith, I have never known "not knowing Jesus". I was recently reminded of how precious a gift this is by a fellow sister-in-Christ who related her own story of having fallen away for 10 years of her life.  She says it didn't happen overnight - it was insidious. She tearfully recounted having been brought to her knees in repentance to the Lord after this 10 year period and found forgiveness and restoration through Jesus!

May we all find our strength in Jesus' gracious promise, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Rev 2:7b

*words written in italics are taken from our devotional book, "Behold, I am Coming Soon!" by Bruce McKenney, Jonathan Meyer and James Rath. Published by Northwestern Publishing House.

November 28 - Introduction

Let's begin with a prayer, shall we?

Lord God, we praise You that You comforted Your people with the promise of a Redeemer. We praise You that in the fullness of time You sent Your Son as the Redeemer. We praise You that You give promise that You will send Him to us again to judge the world in righteousness.
Open our hearts to receive our Redeemer now as He comes to us in Word and Sacrament. Open our eyes in awareness of His rule in our lives by His grace. 
Make Advent a blessing to us as we welcome our King in faith and love. We lift up our heads to welcome Him anew. Fill us with gladness as He comes to us. Amen.  (Lutheran Book of Prayer)

True confessions: I have tried my best to avoid Revelation for as long as possible on my Christian journey here on earth, overwhelmed by its complexity and my confusion. Please tell me I'm not the only one?!!

There is a link here that does a great job explaining in a nutshell what makes Revelation so unique from the other books and also what it has in common with all the Bible, namely - that at the centre is Jesus and His defeat of sin, death and the devil.

I was forced to get over my avoidance of Revelation when we studied it in Adult Bible Class about 5 years ago or so. Don't get me wrong - it felt like a high level university course at times, but through it I was able to see the comfort that it offered. And I was particularly struck by how necessary it was to be very familiar with the rest of Scripture in order to understand Revelation properly. "Scripture interprets Scripture" and in this book especially it is needed to understand many concepts. "Scripture does not contradict Scripture" is another key point that makes it vital to understanding this book.

I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into for this Advent/Christmas season by tackling this book! And so I go at it with a fervent prayer for wisdom given, an acute awareness of my own limitations and a desire to seek understanding through wise council found in the guidance of our devotion book, The People's Bible, Concordia Self-Study Bible and my pastor (who I happen to be married to).

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3 

What are your thoughts of Revelation going into it? Feel free to share what your experience has been.

Christ the King Sunday

Anyone else sing this song in worship today on this Christ the King Sunday? I've started my study in Revelation in preparation for the Advent study that starts this Friday! As a result, my appreciation of these last "end times" focus in our liturgy has meant more than ever before. Imagine - we future citizens of heaven will spend eternity worshipping God our King! We're the ones who "...lay their crowns before the throne and say, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Rev.4:10, 11. 

Just a few notes for those who plan on joining in on the Advent study and specifically to those who are new:

I would suggest reading the text in Revelation first, followed by the corresponding devotion in Behold, I am Coming Soon and then reading here. Stew and Chew on the reading even if it's confusing, read your self-study notes if you have them in your bible and then read the devotion. They really do a great job in explaining what you just read and you'll appreciate it all the more if you've just sat there confused for a few minutes - haha! Then after you've read the devotion and maybe made some notes in your bible to remember the next time you read through Revelation and you've stewed and chewed some more, come see what we're saying here. There. It's that's easy! 

I'm not going to lie to ya'll - this can get confusing. But I'll say this to you to give you encouragement because I'm well into the study myself now - this is a great way to get the big picture, to gain clarity in the craziness of life but particularly Christmas and to grow in faith. What God has revealed to us in this book is a gift - I hope you will see that for yourself soon through the power of the Holy Spirit! 

See you soon:)

Advent Book Club 2014

We are a month away from the beginning of Advent 2014. I can't believe it! And I am excited to announce this year's devotional book for another online study! 

Nothing says Christmas like the Baby in a manger, shepherds watching their flocks by night and visions of the last days and the end of the world as we know it. Wait. What? If you're like me, I had you up until the apocalypse. During Advent, we look at Jesus coming to earth as a baby. But we also look at His second coming - as described in the book of Revelation and other parts of Scripture. Yet this aspect sometimes gets lost in the manger/shepherds/wisemen Christmas story. Come with me as we explore this other side of Advent! 

We will be using the book "Behold, I am Coming Soon" from Northwestern Publishing House. It includes a daily reading from Revelation and a corresponding devotion. I'll be posting my thoughts or comments daily and you are invited to join the online conversation if you'd like. Read anytime during the day and log on when you're ready! You're free to quietly follow along too. 

The book is available directly from NPH or amazon.ca (or .com in the States) as a Kindle download. For those of you who live near me, I'll be getting a stack of them and you can let me worry about ordering them. Just let me know you'd like to purchase one from me and I'll be sure to set it aside for you ($10). 

The book starts it's readings on November 28th but the first Sunday of Advent starts on the 30th. I plan on reading from the beginning anyway, just to let you know. Of course, that's Black Friday and I may be out shopping but I digress ... I'll be sure to find the time:) 

I pray this will be a blessing to anyone who participates. Feel free to invite a friend if you'd like! Another reason to be in the Word during the busy season of Advent is always a good reason! May God bless your heart's preparation of His coming!

Pumpkins and Bobble Heads

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." 

Anne of Green Gables.

We've been enjoying the beautiful fall weather and colours! We've done field trips - to the pumpkin patch where we took a wagon ride out to the patch to handpick our pumpkins, story time in the barn with apples to snack on and lots of fun playing on the hay! 

Zanna also got to go on a dragon boat ride! It was a really neat experience for her.

Our Nature Corner shows the colours of fall. Zanna even went out and put together a really neat bouquet of leaves to display. 

October also brings Reformation Day and a celebration of all things German along with remembering how God used Martin Luther to rediscover the true gospel message that had been lost in the church at that time in history. 

It's also an excuse to bring out my Marty and Katie bobble heads and display them at the place of honour on the mantel. I like to ask them deep theological questions and watch their heads bob up and down. I need to get out more …

Zanna and I took a day trip on a Sunday at the end of September so I could be present for the baptism of our new god-daughter Ellie. It's such an honour to be a sponsor to this precious baby and she will hold a special place in our hearts as we pray for her and do our best to nurture her faith.  

We went along with Wayne to pastor's conference in New Hampshire which was bee-u-te-ful!!! The scenery was breathtaking. Unfortunately, other people have the same idea so hotels are really expensive this time of year. So we were stuck in a hotel that was NOT cheap and the fanciest amenity was the bottle opener in the bathroom. Classy. 

Will has put a couple months now into high school and is plugging along! He's been good about texting us and Face Timing on the weekends. It's been such a huge transition and we are so proud of him! He's learning how to manage multiple classes and organize himself accordingly. We talk laundry now. He's finished his first football season. He's had his first standard school picture taken - I passed on the "bubbles background" and the one with the fake school bus and went with the plain blue background. For posterities sake. 

We miss him like crazy and can't wait to see him in a month when we go down for American Thanksgiving.

I've been learning to let him earn his own grades and not internalize them as my own. I try not to notice that he's wearing pajama pants when I talk to him because he hasn't done laundry yet and all his jeans are dirty. And I've only called the dean of students once to freak out for no reason. Of course, we're only two months into it. But I think that's still pretty good, right? 

Coming soon … an Advent announcement! 

Open for Business!

Yippee-yi-yay! The basement is finally finished! And Rachel's hair salon is open for business. Come on over. Sit in my chair and tell me your woes as I make you over into a flashier, no split ends version of you. All while I share with you my sage advice and react in horror to the recent antics of your in-laws, neighbours or kid's teacher. I'm here for you. 

This picture show's the before, middle and after. It's amazing what some proper lighting can do, drywall and a real floor. I'm in heaven!

View from the chair

Laundry has got to be done and it might as well get done in a cute space, I say! 

I have frequented the stores of Ikea and Homesense this summer. We should buy stock. I have been known to leave my kids in the van with the windows cracked after bribing them with Tim Horton's Iced Capps in return for their patience as I "run in" to check a few things out. Which pretty much translates to 45 minutes. 

Before and after while looking down the hall from salon/laundry area.

The bathroom is tough to get a good picture but I'll just tell you it's adorable now and when you come over for some therapy  haircuts, you can see for yourself then.  

Another one of my dreams come true (other than my husband, wink* wink*, sweetie) is a pantry to house the freezers, seasonal table stuff, baskets, paper products, tablecloths, etc. Love it.

Behind big double doors? One BIG closet, my friends. Because you can never have too many places to hide your stuff. 

Dresser to the left was put together by Wayne who is a seasoned pro at putting together the Swedish furniture we all know and love.  Ikea shelves to the right have been moved from the schoolroom. If this pastor thing doesn't work out, he can rest assured he's a shoe in to the Ikea family. Just kidding, honey. Stay in the ministry and I'll keep you as my own personal furniture builder. 

He finally has a proper office and is enjoying having a space of his own that does not include exposed pink insulation and cobwebs in every corner. 

It's a miracle he's gotten this far with setting up his office when I've kept him busy putting together furniture …

Schoolroom under construction. Wall to wall shelves going in. To be continued. 

Hello, Perspective.

It's fall for sure because I've had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Instant comfort …

I'm finally getting around to this homeschool post. I usually have this one out before now, but it seems everything is different around here this time around! 

Ah, Perspective, you old friend! And the only way to have you in my life is to get older and usually involves me learning the hard way. Back when Will was in "grade 3" (whatever that means), I really started feeling the pressure and need to "up my game" (whatever that means). Six years later and having just brought him through junior high studies, grade 3 with Zanna is looking like a vacation to me now! So I guess what I'm saying is that going into this year of studies, I'm excited about enjoying this time with more of a big picture outlook than I was able to do back in 2008. 

I always prepare for my year by going back to the Word of God, rereading my favourite books on education and going back through my notes of previous years to remind me why we're home educating and what our goals of education are. I even need to be reminded of what education means. 

From there I go through what curriculum and resources I already have and consider what I want to change out or add/take out. My friend, Perspective, has helped me out quite a bit in this area. 

And now for the game plan of this year ….

Bible - Growing in Christ Sunday School Curriculum and My First Catechism (with activity book) both published by Concordia Publishing. I love, love, love this stuff! I did Growing in Christ with Will and it is extremely well done. I am a fan. It incorporates the liturgy of the church, stories are read directly from the Bible (and not dumbed done), art work is beautiful, hymn study is included on CD and their resources of posters, games and books are priceless! I also enjoy being able to listen to Issues, etc.com podcasts of the lessons previous to teaching it. 

Math - Saxon 3 and www.xtramath.org  The website is a new resource and I have her working independently on this in the mornings before we start. It builds quick math fact recall.  It's a fabulous program! And fun:) 

Language Arts - Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Handwriting Without Tears, Institute for Excellence in Writing, All About Spelling, Dance Mat Typing. Overload much? In my defence, this is not everyday. This is over the school year. And the Dance Mat Typing? Who wouldn't want to learn how to type by a singing goat with a British accent? 

History - Story of the World, Volume 3 & 4, with activity book
I had planned on following Sonlight Core B & C but she read the majority of the novels on her own - stinker! And she was already participating in Will's Core G World History so I just went with the flow.  

Science - Science in the Beginning by Jay Wile. Which I am really excited about because it takes a lot for me to get excited about Science. This is taught from the perspective of the days of creation. So for instance, day 1 we are learning about aspects of light. Easy, peasy experiments are included that don't require beakers or gasses. Sign me up. 

2nd Language - Saturday Chinese School. We have dabbled in various methods and languages over the years that include learning Mandarin and French. This year she'll be participating in a school room environment for Mandarin and Chinese culture. Some of her classmates will include some of the girls that were in our China adoption group! 

Music - violin lessons, church choir, etc. She's started with a new teacher of violin this year. She also tags along with us to choir. We have a pretty laid back and very sweet choir director that has welcomed our kids and allowed their participating. She sits next to me with the Altos but she does her own thing. I'd like to think it's still a good experience and a positive exposure. 

Art - Home Art Studio This is new for us and I'm hoping she'll enjoy it. I'm thinking this might be a fun day off thing to do. I'm artfully inept but she may have a chance. Her godmother is a talented artist that people actually pay so maybe … and Zanna's already shown signs of being able to sew so she's a step ahead of me there. 

Extracurricular activities will include year round swim lessons (we take summers off) and ballet.  She's also joined the Lutheran Girl Pioneers at our sister church downtown. I have fond memories (and a wicked charm bracelet to show) of participating as a preteen and earned my baby-sitting, photography, cooking and sewing (haha) charm back in the day. Many days ago. 

We've also joined a homeschool co-op. This is new for me and this is my 10th year of homeschooling. Did I just write that correctly? 10 years. I need a minute. 

So the basic idea is that for 3 weeks at a time, a predetermined  theme is studied and moms take turns leading, teaching, preparing and general corralling kids. For instance, this first theme is Medieval Times. I led the snack and we made non-alcoholic mead and smothered bread (French toast). 
 I think it will be fun for both of us! 

And yes, it's weird with just her and a whole lot quieter. We are missing Will like crazy and I jump when I hear the sound of a text arriving on my phone to see if it's him. We've been blessed with lots of distractions to keep us from being too down in the dumps - Zanna has a frenzy of neighbour friends in and out of our door after school hours, we have finishing touches to do to complete the basement and we're still trying to get the van's air conditioning working. (And now it's cold outside.) We just finished rewatching the final episode of Alias, the best show ever next to Wonder Woman. I honestly don't know if Syndey Bristow or Lynda Carter would win in a dual. Hmmm… And I'm still trying to figure out how to cook for the three of us when I'm used to cooking for 6 (because Will eats a lot).  And just so you know, David's Tea has rereleased their Pumpkin Chai tea and I got a little excited and ordered a lot when I realized I could have it delivered to my door. I blame Perspective - I ran out too soon last year. 

This year's going to fly by. Perspective tells me so.