Soy

Hannah has had headaches and fainting spells for a long time. She went through every test that could be taken. After hundreds of dollars and countless doctor's appointments she was still constantly dizzy and randomly fainting. Someone suggested she look up different diets and menus for people with headaches, specifically migraines.

We cut out lots of different foods and finally found that the biggest culprit is soy and cured meats. She has been some time without fainting, feeling dizzy or debilitating migraines. She had dropped a few pounds (which is not good for her) but her weight seems to have leveled off again.

It was harder than I thought it would be to cut out soy, but once we got used to it, it isn't so bad. The first thing that I learned was that vegetable oil is actually soybean oil. And an olive oil bottle that says contains pure olive oil doesn't actually mean that it's 100 percent olive oil, it means that there is some olive oil in it but that there also may be some soybean oil.

I have appreciated her attitude about the whole thing. When she is in public she tries not to make a big deal about any food that is served. If she can't ask discreetly and politely about the soy, she doesn't eat. (Usually, there is the fresh fruit option.)

I have learned how to cook healthier and have expanded my recipes. The most useful is- I always have a bottle of this available. It's actually really good in chicken salad and on sandwiches.

Italian Salad Dressing

• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
• 2 tablespoons salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, onion powder, sugar, oregano, pepper, thyme, basil, parsley, celery salt and regular salt. Store in a tightly sealed container.
2. To prepare dressing, whisk together 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup canola oil, 2 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons of the dry mix.

Hannah, the College Graduate

She has started her life, twenty-two years ago.

I can't say how proud I am of this girl. She is diligent in her school work, loves to learn, and loves to serve God. 

Graduating from college gets lots of questions about the future. But one question that has bothered me the most has come too many times - 

"When are you going to start your life?"

That's probably a valid question for a lot of college students, graduates too, I'm sure. But not Hannah. She has worked hard to serve in our church, in a ministry near her college and our family. Besides having great grades, she participated in athletics when she was able and made life long friends.

Her graduation ceremony is Saturday, is completing her online certification course in 

Biblical counseling and has begun a "paying job" to support the ministry work she will continue. 

This theme goes along with the last post. I want to see a movement of "ordinary" Christians faithfully doing what God has called them to do. 

Legalism Versus Grace - Part Two

And then, there are the children raised in homes where grace is abused. You may not recognize these kids as easily as the ones who grew up in legalism. These kids will look much like the rest of the lost world we live, worldly. Only their worldliness has "Christian" attached to it. They still go to church and worship with others in their relevant places that are cool to be pumped up for Christ. But they also drink alcohol freely, because they can. They get tattoos, because they can. They smoke and go to hookah bars, because they can. They are "free in Christ" and they do it all. But just because they can, does that mean they should? And does it have to be so "in your face" just because they can?

Where's the balance between legalism and grace abusers? How do we live and teach our children to love the Law of God and be properly thankful for grace? One thing I know is example, we must model to our children obedience to the Law of God and civil authorities. There is no more need to drive five over the the speed limit than there is to "fib" on your taxes. Both are wrong, both break the law and both are a sin against our Holy God. That's obeying the law.

How can we keep from abusing grace and practice our liberties in Christ? Scripture addresses grace abusers. 

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? Romans 6:1

It is sin that says we can do anything we want to do and that it doesn't matter who it offends. Activities that can cause others to stumble or profane the name of Christ must be done with discretion and wisdom. Study Romans chapters thirteen and fourteen and see for yourself. I'm the last person who would tell you not to get a tattoo. I don't think it's wise and I will try not to make any judgements on who you are as a person because you did. I just think that it could be very offensive to some people and it isn't necessary as a Christian.

Years ago, a "good" Christian would never be caught playing cards, going to a theater, or dancing, yet all of those things are completely acceptable now. In fifty years, will getting a tattoo be the same? Maybe, but right now, in the culture we live, it isn't among everyone. (Yes, I know on the college campus it is, but most of the world doesn't live on a college campus.) So why push it? Why the need to be so "out there"? We don't help the weaker Christian by pushing our freedoms, and we don't prove ourselves the stronger Christian by flaunting them.

All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. I Corinthians 10:23-24

Sarah's Move to College

We moved Sarah to college this week and it was as emotional as I expected it to be. It's never easy to let go of your children. She no longer has to report every move, she makes all of her own decisions about eating healthy, she decides when she studies and when she goofs off. And I would be terrified if I wasn't confident of her character.

Mary and Abigail tried out Sarah's bed before she did to make sure it was comfy for reading and sleeping.

From the moment they are born, we are raising our children to leave, to go out into the world to make their own way. I know that looks differently with girls than boys, but for the most part, they will eventually leave our home. We have to spend the time they are with us training, molding, leading them to leave. 

At eighteen, Sarah is not on her own. A man told us yesterday that the day he left for college his dad told him that from that day forward he would always be a visitor in his parent's home. We aren't anywhere close to that, especially with girls. But at this point in her life there comes a level of independence that she hasn't ever known. Yes, she is still under our authority, but it looks differently. Her schedule and life while living at a college dorm is all about what she wants and needs. She has a lot of freedom. 

When Hannah moved to college, we noticed the independence. She, and now Sarah, have to purposefully think of how her decisions affect our family. I am confident that Sarah will be as considerate and thoughtful as Hannah has been and her pulling away to make her own life won't be too painful and sudden.

Sarah Signs

Sarah finally decided to accept a scholarship to play basketball at Truett-McConnell College this fall. We were especially excited that they gave her the number she always had. Our family is pictured above with her three most influential coaches and a great athletic director at North Georgia Christian School.

Math Anyone?

"I've given up on learning the stuff. I'm just trying to survive and get the best grade I possibly can. But I know she's just gonna give me the grade she wants me to have."
This was a statement made by Hannah near the end of the semester after struggling though a class she had to take to graduate. Hannah is a life long learner, she loves to learn. I was very sad to hear her give up on a class like this. (As a side note, Hannah ended the class with an A, but not ever learning the subject and having no respect for her teacher.)

That statement was an eye opener for me. As teachers we all need to assess why we are teaching what we're teaching.   Am I really trying to teach my girls what they need to know?

Recently, Mary was struggling with a math question and she, like all of her sisters before her, asked, "What's the purpose of this stuff anyway, I'm never gonna use it!" What would she ever need this for? I told her, like I've told her sisters before her, you probably won't ever need it in real life but you have to know to get out of high school and into college. It'll be on the SAT.

I should not have been telling them that. I should be examining why that math concept would be useful to girls who want to grow up and work with children or who want to be a nurse or who want to be a linguist or anything else for that matter. But instead I failed that part and "taught to the test". I do want my girls to love to learn and I certainly don't want me to be discouraged because if my lack of concern for their education. 

I saw a young teacher post a statement on Facebook that she had told her students that yes they may never use algebra in their day to day lives, but one purpose for them to learn was to stretch exercise their brains so that they would be smarter to worship God. Now that's the kind of thinking I need to remember while teaching math!

(And by the way, in my own life, I have never used any algebra beyond teaching my children.)

Graduation 2013

After many days of hard work, Sarah has finally graduated. The time we spent last year after her concussion made us wonder if she would be able to graduate on time.  Several weeks ago, she brought me her math book, completed. Not long after that her other  subjects were done with forever. The only thing she had to finish for the last two weeks of school was a history paper. Not only did she graduate on time, but early with honors, grades high enough to get a substantial scholarship from Truett-McConnell, where she'll be attending in the fall. The ceremony was at our church with her two sweet friends Jordan and Nicole, also homeschoolers. So many people worked really hard to make it a fun evening form them and we are grateful to God for seeing her through.

Homeschooling is Truly a Joint Effort for the Whole Family

Too Many Memories to Put in One Spot

With Grandma

Aunt Robin and Aunt Amy

Sweet Baby Sister Abigail

Senior Night

The senior activities have begun. This week, we had the planning session to get ready for graduation and got some things done on the college process.

Basketball is still happening and Sarah definitely did not touch that ball.

Coach Jenny is still trying to keep Sarah's head on straight, but it's a hard job. Sarah still struggles some with headaches, but does okay as long as she gets plenty of sleep.

Sarah's friendship with all of the girls on her team is so sweet. I am thankful that God has allowed her this season of life.

And, as usual, Abigail just couldn't be left on the sidelines.

Fellowship Around the Word

I have a young college student that sends me a Bible verse almost every day. I am so encouraged by that because she is reading the Word and the verses usually hit me where I am. Today I had several things planned but kept getting interrupted, and they are going to be put off until another day. She sent her verse a while ago, but I didn't read it until just now.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

I had been whispering prayers to God to help me get the things done that I needed to do, but His Word reminded me that those things may not need to be done at all.

I am so blessed to have friends that we can talk about things of God and be drawn together. So my sweet friend, Alyssa encourages me every day and I only see her once every week or so. God's Word is the key.

Oh to be so studious!

Hannah is taking an online hermeneutics class this semester. The professor said it should take about six to twelve hours per week of study. Hannah usually spends at least twenty-four. Her mid term was this past weekend, and was supposed to take about twelve hours of study, she studied for twenty-four. After the test when she got up from the computer, I asked her what she was planning to do since she had the afternoon free. She smiled sheepishly and said, "I'll probably start on next week's work."

Finish Well

We are wrapping up Hannah's final year. The message for her and all graduates is to finish well. We had senior night at the school where she plays basketball and the scripture verse she chose to be read at the program was Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. As we go through the often frustrating and confusing time of applying to colleges and making plans for the future this verse is so comforting. Not only does God know the plans He has for us, those plans are for our good. At moments, I have been easily irritated with the processes homeschoolers have to go through to get into college, but even those processes are for our good. What a blessing it is to see Hannah thinking through these decisions with godly thoughts, thoughts that let me know that she is on her way in the right direction.