Europe's Marriage Crisis

As one who has been answering questions about my contribution to the "World Over-population crisis" for over 20 years, I found the statistics in this article by Maggie Gallagher to be fascinating. She obviously writes from a conservative stand point, but I think eventually all will have to deal with the data.


Some findings: "It takes 2.1 children per woman to replace the population." Europe's population growth is now on a chart to have their population cut by HALF every 32 - 65 years. "By contrast, between 1980 and 2000, the United States' fertility climbed from 1.85 back up to 2.06." I think the effect of the "crunchy home-school families" is being seen in America. We may save the nation! {G} Yes, yes....I'm being silly.



The author reaches conclusions of her own - feel free to read the whole article here.

Dear Mr. President

Occasionally, the kids and I find a library find for school that we enjoy so much we want to share it. Arielle, Nolan and I just finished reading *Dear Mr. President: Abraham Lincoln Letters from a Slave Girl (Dear Mr. President Series)* by Andrea Davis Pinkney, yesterday.

As the title suggests this book is centered around fictional letters between Lettie, a slave-girl in SC, and President Lincoln. The book clearly brings out the struggle that A. Lincoln faced with defining what actions he would take on slavery. I did find the book to be implausible (a young girl corresponding with the President during a time of war) but it was an effective way to give our young ones an overview ofthe Civil War period.

The Children's Blizzard

I found parts of this book to be “slow” reading; but I’m glad I persevered through until the storm hit.

This book traces the big blizzard on January 13, 1888, that came to be known as “The Children’s Blizzard” because so many children were sent home from school and died in the storm.

I loved the way the author went back to the original home places of the characters in the story and showed WHY these families had left Norway, Germany, Sweden, Russia etc to settle on the American Plains. I was able to identify with this book and its story as we’ve ministered in a farming/ranching community in MT where the old-timers had stories of blizzards and such like this one. It was also fun to pause and think of the Russian/German families we met while living on the plains and the stories they told from this time-period.

This book tied in incredibly well with our study on the western-expansion of America. I even found mention of Laura Ingalls Wilder in the book. I think that anyone who is interested in this time period of history, weather, or even medical differences between the 19th and 21st century, will enjoy reading this book.

Thanks to members of Support4HomeSchool for adding this book to my reading list….now if I can get to the other 50 or so books on the list. {G}

Monday – 27 Feb

Mike was given Monday and Tuesday off. These are sort of “reward” days for all the 14-18 hour days he’s put in over the last two months. {G}

It is nice to have him around home. He slept in. We got started on school. He went for a run, got dressed and went to base for a retirement ceremony. The problem with being military is that you, or those you form relationships with, are constantly moving. Tim H. has been the boy’s (youth) Sunday School teacher since we got here. They formed a strong relationship and respect for each other during the Christmas Play Preparations. The high school youth were in charge of the play and Josiah (being the oldest) was named the leader of the pack. {G} Josiah, Jamin and Jared drove up to base to attend the retirement ceremony as well.

I held down the fort with the little ones. I had quite a bit of extra time to be in the Word and in prayer today. That was great.

The day ended with Mike, Stacia and I attending Tim’s retirement dinner at Zentners. It was fun to have some adult socializing time. Retirements are always bitter-sweet. This is a good one, in that Tim already has a job lined up and is moving “seamlessly” into the civilian workforce. Most military members earn two retirements (military and civilian) before their “true retirement”.

It sure doesn’t look like we did much today but I’m exhausted! {g}I guess some days are like this. Oh, received notice that two more of my books have been requested on Paperback Swap….that means I can order two more free books. {G} I also wrote the March edition of our women’s ministry (PWOC) newsletter in the early a.m.

Josiah arrived home safely....closes again tomorrow night.

Speaking of Josiah

....he was supposed to work 6 - 10 p.m. tonight...it's 10:45....where is that young man? Poor kid is going to be one tired puppy in the a.m.

Weekend Summary

Mike had a day off. I mean he REALLY had a day off. We weren’t sure what to do with it.

It RAINED – thundered even – Friday night and Saturday morning so the Paint Ball Birthday Bash was called. We’ve re-scheduled for next Saturday. Josiah has confirmed that he will have Saturday morning off.

As the day wore on it became gorgeous! We ended up driving to a new park while Josiah went to work. We finally FOUND water. After days of looking for the way to get to the causeway some of us were dismayed by the “boundary” and some of us found a way over the “boundary”. This city park had a discus golf course, archery field, numerous play grounds, paths, camping areas and all along the side of WATER. It was great.

We saw numerous armadillos. Once we saw a road runner with an armadillo but we weren’t quick enough to get a picture. I, of course, am wondering if the reemergence of all these animals means that the SNAKES are waking up as well.

The guys threw around a football. The younger kids played with Nolan’s radio control jeep. But the high-point or low-point of our afternoon came on the playground! A 4 yo shot the van. I can't believe it. His father knew he had a b-b gun on the playground but said, "he don't never shoot people or things". He told his dad he was aiming at the tree in front of the van...but he told Nolan - "look - this is cool I can shoot that van" and before Nolan could say a word....I was IN the van...thank God he missed the window.....hit my door. Shot in a CITY PARK!!!! Of course this became THE news at chapel on Sunday. One fellow suggested Mike could collect “hazardous duty pay” in Tom Green County. We’ll have to get estimates this week and hopefully will be able to reach this family to pay for the repairs.

Sunday, Mike and I began team teaching a study on the book of Philippians. Last Sunday, Mike had asked me to do an overview of the Inductive Study Method. I did. We are using the New Inductive Study Series from Precept Ministries. They take just 15 – 30 minutes a day. They are definitely a survey but great fun to use in a Sunday School class. No one who attended this week, had done an inductive study before so it was fun to hear their reactions. One lady said she was surprised at how things begin to pop out at you…obviously a comment I LOVED to hear. {g}

We are so glad that Josiah is working for a company that is closed on Sunday. He is really enjoying his work. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the house. I had the flu thing going on and went to bed. Mike and the boys installed the weather station; we’re all prepared for some “weather” now. {G}

FASTING - Isaiah 58

Today many women begin a 2 day fast for marriage; some are beginning a one day fast today or tomorrow. I believe that God is delighting in our hearts as we do battle not only for our personal benefits but for “marriage” in general.

I can not do this text on fasting justice in this space….but here are a FEW thoughts. {G} This is an example of Israel’s fasting – the good and the ugly. There is much we can learn from their example. Take joy Ladies, in the fact that we serve a God who carries our burdens and is in the business of restoration. May you see this time as the start of repairing breaches in the institution of marriage and in our culture’s value of marriage.

Is. 58:1-5 – Israel had fasted and God had not heard. Why? They were fasting for “their desire” (v3), they fasted with “contention and strife” (v4) they were fasting to be noticed and congratulated by men (vs. 5). God is about HEART.

Is 58:6 – 7 – God’s Chosen Fast
Fast to:
Loose the bonds of wickedness (vs. 6)
Undo heavy burdens (bonds of the yoke, stop exploiting employees)(6)
Let the oppressed go free (vs. 6)
Break every yoke (cancel debts) (vs. 6)
OUR HEARTS ARE CHANGED (vs. 7)
Bless the poor and homeless rather than exploit them

Is 58:8-12 - Results from God’s Chosen Fast:
Revelation (vs. 8)
Healing and personal restoration, Recovery (vs. 8.11)
Righteousness (vs. 8)
Protection (vs. 8) the glory of the Lord be your rear guard
Guidance (vs. 9,11)
Spiritual strength (vs. 9-11)
Satisfy our new desires, even in scorched places (vs 11)
Rebuild the ancient ruins (vs 12)
Raise Up old foundations (vs. 12)
Be called “Repairer of the Breach” (vs. 12)
“Restorer of the Streets” (vs. 12)