Author Archives: By Quiet Waters

Black Forest Fire

14 Friday Jun 2013

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Black Forest is a close neighbor community to our city, Colorado Springs.  A fire started on Tuesday June 11 in the densely wooded area where many dear friends have made wonderful beautiful homes.Wednesday while my daughters were at music lessons, I took a drive to see the fire from a safe distance, and to pray.

What we could see from our neighborhood
The Northern Plume

We found out today that the first home Builder and I had together is destroyed.  I am thankful for the abundance of memories we, our older kids and our extended family have of good times there.

Please think of those displaced by this fire, at this time about 41,000 people, those who already know they’ve lost their home  (at least 360 homes have been destroyed, including the homes of several in our homeschool community).  Pray for those caring for the animals that have been displaced, this is also an area full of horse owners and ranches.  Pray for Rain, for the wind to stop and for the safety of the Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement.  Pray for the family and friends of the two who died trying to evacuate.

We will continue to see the goodness in the land of the living.

This Week, June 2-7

08 Saturday Jun 2013

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  • In my life this week…

    • We had fun times of fellowship with friend this week.  Our daughters who are in the youth group are finding many opportunities for fun.  During one of these times I was able to slip out for pie & tea with a friend.  Delightful!

  • In our homeschool this week…Mae finished PreAlgebra!! and is in the process of taking the Saxon Placement Test.  She has done very well, and I might even say that Mae is enjoying mathematics, with Life of Fred math.  I feel confident that it is a solid math course, but want to see how what Mae has learned measures up with Saxon math.

    • Each child has a short list of things to complete, and I am pretty sure that tomorrow will be a stopping point for most things.

  • Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… This week volunteer works at the Ranch and all three daughters will be working this summer.  There has been a flurry of mending and ironing to get all ready.  We are heading to Denver early Saturday morning.  Builder is coming home for a week!  Actually 9 days.

  • My favorite thing this week was…hearing my daughter open up to me and share a deep hurt.  While it hurts to see her hurt, the fact that she is willing to trust and share with me brings me joy.

  • My kiddos favorite thing this week is probably “seeing the end near.”

  • Things I’m working on…Quilts.  My grand nieces cousin quilt is FINISHED as of earlier today.  Next up is sewing the binding on a quilt for my grand daughter, then piecing together her cousin quilt.

  • I’m cooking…  No, I’m not cooking much!  The cooking part of our Meaningful Work summer is going beautifully!
    Taco Potatoes

    Corn Dog Muffins with Fruit Salad and Carrots

  • I’m grateful for…the whispers of my Father in the early morning.  Just this morning His words of peace and encouragement lingered with me all day.

  • I’m praying for…friends who are fighting illness, auto immune type things, safe travel for my Beloved.

    • A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

    First Food

    Read more: http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/homeschool-mothers-journal/#ixzz2VUs8pvMU

    Book & Curriculum Materials for Sale!

    06 Thursday Jun 2013

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    See the FOR SALE page over the next couple of weeks as we purge the bookshelves of all the outgrown and no longer needed items.!

    Learning to Live Well

    05 Wednesday Jun 2013

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    Many voices have spoken over the ten years since God did open heart surgery upon me.  A common theme has centered around home and family.  Another, interlocking with home and family is living this one life well.

    About 8 years ago Edith Schaeffer’s voice spoke through her books “What is a Family” and “L’Abri”, but hearing of the deep philosophy thinking of her husband, Francis, I shied away from his writing.  Awhile back an article, The Unwasted Life, came across my view.

    In this article, which I printed to read and ponder upon, Mr. Schaeffer’s words are few and within the grasp of a mind that is too often full of flittering thoughts.  Here are the ingredients, according to The Unwasted Life, for a life well lived.

    • Correct theological position, true Biblical orthodoxy and the purity of the visible church
    • Good intellectual training and comprehension of our own generation.
    • A humble heart, the love of God, a devotional attitude toward God, a daily practice of the reality of God.

    The simplicity of these words make them easy to ponder, allowing them to work upon a heart. 

      Community ~ 1000 Graces in 2013

      03 Monday Jun 2013

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      In different seasons of life anger is an unwelcome presence in life.  It seems to be passed from generation to generation just like flat feet and curled toes.

      At times conversing over the phone with the miles stretched between us the isolated distance carries a panic as we talk over yard work, budget and youthful struggles.

      Seeing the fingerprint of generations upon our kids without the lens of amazing grace can suck the hope right out of a conversation.

      We tumble down a spiral and grasp for answers, help wanted requests shooting upwards.  Are we wise enough or do we need someone with more education, letters behind a name?

      Sometimes professional help is what is needed.  But what if more often, it is the wise words from a listening friend?

      Experiencing life within a fellowship of believers in our community is another grace discovered.

      Great counsel can come from the friend with a listening ear.  Life lived in community can make molehills out of mountains.

      Giving thanks for community such as this.

      graces from 151-165

      Hope that the angry person will come to know and believe the love of GodGratitude for the tears that spilled today from my eyes, softening my heartHope springing from the conversation with Peggy.  She has so much common wisdom to share.

      Time to read the Scriptures with precious one and to pray with her

      A letter written and sent to encourage several years ago, pulled out for me to read 

      Girls up all night talking

      Inspiration and wisdom shared with me, just before it is needed.

      Chubby baby girl blowing raspberries All. The. Time.

      My dad answering my question with a story that allows me into his time in Vietnam in 1968

      Tell me, are you part of a thriving lifegiving community?  What are the ingredients that you find there?

      This Week ~ May 26-June 1

      01 Saturday Jun 2013

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    • In my life this week…A lot of thinking and research has been done.  This afternoon I meet with a friend who has been using for years the materials I am considering for next year. 

      • My children have worked on their “meaningful work” projects pretty well.  The vegetable garden is planted, but still needs quite a bit weeding.  Pretty flowers were planted in hanging baskets for the front porch and I have been enjoying their sweet scent.

        Strawberry plants are on the way and we will need to finish prepping that garden bed this weekend.

    • In our homeschool this week…We are enjoying the excitement of finishing this year’s schooling, one subject at a time.  One child has work until June 7th, the other two until June 14.  Physical Science was completed on Wednesday, with 1 high school credit granted from this 8th grade year! 

    • Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…If your 10 year old wants to revisit and discover some picture books, savor that sweet time on the sofa!  This week we read Warm as Wool and Duchess Bakes a Cake and had a great time.

    • Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…June 1 is the Walk for Life in our area.  We will be meeting up with many people from our congregation as well as other friends.  Our 12 year old daughter is running in the 5K while the rest of us do the 2 mile walk.  If you are interested in supporting LIFE, you can help us reach our goal here.  Earlier in the month I shared why Life Network is supported by our family.

    • My favorite thing this week was…Reading with Chica, how I miss those “rowing” days.  She and I talked about how in just 3 years JoyNess will be “3” and Chica will be 13.  Maybe Chica will “row” with JoyNess then!

    • Things I’m working on…My grand niece’s cousin quilt will, hopefully, be tied tonight during a movie.  JoyNess’s crib quilt just needs the binding tacked.  And Chica needs some sleep shorts so I dug out a couple of patterns and pulled out a couple stashed fabrics.

    • I’m cooking…actually I’m not!  As part of our meaningful work summer, tonight is Petal Rose’s turn to cook.  She has taco potatoes on the menu.  The recipe is from this book.

    • I’m grateful for…how Builder continues to seek to be connected to us each day, despite the many miles between us.  He sent us these pictures during the week. 

      This is a Great Horned Owl nest in this tree.
    • I’m praying for…wisdom and trust today.  Yesterday there was another attempted abduction of a girl in our ciy.  It prompted another talk with my daughters today about the reality of evil even in our neighborhood and how each time I say “yes” or “no” it is after prayerful consideration of safety parameters.  The balance of granting freedom to my growing children and allowing them the opportunity to practice safety and discernment has me on my knees.

    • I enjoyed a fun time with my kids this week by…watching a new movie with a big bowl of popcorn.

    • Something I am ogling or have my eye on…Beyond the Book Report
    • A  quote to share (silly, serious or both!)… 

      • “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Frederick Douglass

      Read more here.

      Reading in May

      31 Friday May 2013

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      Listed below are the titles of books and stories that made richer the spring days of May.  A wonderful realization has come to me that an idea that was presented to me a couple of years ago is true.  Good books are mentors.  This has been a tremendous discovery!

      The Books;

      Jessica’s First Prayer by Hesba Stretton  ~ My 12 year old daughter told me that this is one of her favorite books, that she has read it more times than she can remember.  Then she invited me to read it, so I did.  Truly a wonderful story.

      The Cat that God Sent by Jim Kraus

      Cleaning House, A Mom’s 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma, my response here

      The BARE NAKED TRUTH, Dating, Waiting, and God’s Purity Plan by Bekah Hamrick Martin, review coming in June

      Audio ~ Books, Sermons, Letters, etc

      Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

      For the Children’s Sake ~ I am part way through this one.  This is a book that may end up in my basket of gifts to give to new mothers.

      What are you reading?  Who are your literary mentors?