Fourth Sunday in Advent - The Angel's Candle

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14)

Peace on earth has been very elusive. We have either heard or read about "The War to End All Wars." This was followed by World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, the Six Day War, the Gulf War, etc. We even had a war that was and was not a war - the Cold War. Yet, all of these conflicts pale in comparison to the war waged against the God of this universe, the Creator. From the beginning of time, a war of wills has raged. Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden mankind has rebelled against God, and yet, God has constantly desired to bring mankind back into relationship with Himself. When Isiah spoke of the coming of the Christ, he said, "...his name shall be called '...The Prince of Peace.'" (Isaiah 9:6) The supreme example of God's desire to reconcile man back to Himself is in the giving of His Son.

Monday - John 3:16 ...for God so loved...

Tuesday - Romans 5:1-2...we have peace...

Wednesday - Luke 1:77 ...to give salvation..

Thursday - Matthew 11:28...come to me..

Friday - I Timothy 1:5...one God, one mediator...

Saturday Romans 8:1...no condemnation...

Christ's Candle

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him...The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome." (John 1:1-3,5)

©2008 M.E.G.

To School or to Christmas School

We are in the midst of dilemma. We used to take a break from our regular studies from Thanksgiving – New Year. During this time we would do a bit of math and phonics if any students were learning to read. This worked well for a Pastor/Chaplain family.

Christmas School is school centered around, well, CHRISTMAS. ::snort:: We have had time to read great books, do Advent studies and devotionals, make gifts to pass out to staff, service personnel, and friends, and enjoy the season. Our favorite writing assignment has been to take a photo a day of something Christmassy and write about that item. Last year we began a lap book on the symbols of Christmas (we would have finished if I’d figured out how to put the folder extension thingabobs together….so we have a lovely lap basket of Christmas booklets). We take lots of time to leisurely shop for gifts – we are a LARGE family and even though we only give one gift per person it takes a bit of juggling to get everyone out shopping when the others aren’t going to see what is being purchased.

Our older students decided five years back that they prefer staying with a “normal” schedule rather than schooling year round. I understand. The ministries, sports etc that they are involved in all revolve around the “normal” school schedule. There is also less of a tendency to get behind on academics if Mom can’t say “Ah, we’ll take this week off – we school year round”. ::blush::

BUT I really like homeschooling year round BETTER. We would school 9 weeks and take a week off. We would take a big chunk off during this season as I noted, and we would begin our new school years in January (which come to think of it was the biggest issue for the high school students). The youngers didn’t need so much review at the start of each year. We were able to explore areas of interest and still finish a “typical” course of study. I just don’t know how to do THAT with the youngers and still stay “normal” with the olders.

We use TOG and we LIKE being on the same week of study from k – 11th grade. I’m open to hear what some of you think or have done…..especially if you are a year round homeschooler, or a reformed year round homeschooler, who understands what this rambling post is about. ::snort::

The question to answer before tomorrow is “Will I throw out TOG and do Christmas school with the littles and let the two older get ahead of us by a few weeks?” I’m sure we could catch up with them fairly easily by the end of this unit. Could we do that with each unit? I find that *I* need a week off every 9 weeks to attend appointments, wrap up a unit, catch up portfolios, plan the new unit…. Maybe the youngers and I could take a week off and the older two could continue on. Surely, we could make up a week in 8 weeks…..

And what will I do for Christmas School? We could ditch math, LA, science and simply do TOG and Christmas School (which would include LA). Or we could ditch all but Christmas School and Math. We LOVE TOG and would rather do it and quit all else, but we’ve agreed that math is our focus this year. Ah….good grief. I think too much!

An Outlaw Confesses - sort of

Zander's had a rough couple of weeks. The meds, while needed, were not great for him. My friend, Debbie who works in the base pharmacy, has said that she's looking into children's antibiotics without dye, flavor, and sugar. Honestly, the kids are rarely sick enough that they needs meds. I, of course, attribute that to our crunchy lifestyle and the fact that their bodies don't have to stave off the invasion of fake elements all the time. ::snort::

All that to say that one of the first things we notice when Zander is "off" is that he can't sleep. Really, he can't. It's not a matter of "making him sleep" or "making him stay in bed". He's not naughty. He will stay in bed...but he'll stare at the bottom of the bed above (bunk beds) for hours. I checked on him last night and as I left he said, "Oh MOM - you forgot to make more frozen cookie dough!" ::snort:: I have a strong suspician that two young boys have been raiding my freezer....the mystery from below is solved.

Zander has his second root canal/crown Monday at 10:30. Thanks for prayers.

Displaying Christmas Cards

How do you display Christmas cards? I'd love to hear your ideas....be sure to post a link if you have a photo somewhere of what you do?

I'm thinking I could do something where the Thankful Tree is currently hung...but I'm not sure what!

Poll Results

The most essential appliance in my home is my:

Coffe Maker got 35% of the vote. It is apparent that I should have worded the poll as "The most essential appliance in my home for good health is". ::snort:: Obviously, many of my blog readers have not given up their daily drug. ::snort::

Grain grinder came in second with 23% saying it is the most essential appliance in their home. Vita Mix and Bosch tied for 15%. Some use their Vita Mix to grind their grain. I think I will continue to tell those who ask me which to buy first...buy something to grind grain first....then get a nice mixer when you can afford it.

Check out the new poll - let's settle this pecan thing once and for all. ::snort::

I Scream - You Scream - We all Scream for

ICE CREAM!!!

I decided the ice cream deserved it's own post. ::snort::

We began making our own ice cream over a year ago. We make it every Saturday as we have ice cream one night a week - Sunday night - instead of dinner. ::snort:: I let the habit slide during Mike's deployment. I began to simply buy Bryers....but everyone really likes homemade best. They were thrilled when Mike motivated me to begin buying the cream and he began making it again.

We've perfected vanilla. The kids add homemade frozen cookie dough, Newman O's, Magic Shell, Chocolate Chips...

Zander likes it best PLAIN!

Mike tried to make Rocky Road last week. It was ok, but sort of "weak". Tonight I made a chocolate sauce. I took a recipe for carob sauce out of Rodale's Natural Foods Cookbook and used more honey and cocoa.

We added little marshmallows, the chocolate sauce, pecans (see new poll), and chocolate chips to the "original" ice cream recipe. It made this and a bowl full. It was yummy. I still think chocolate covered almonds or pecans or peanuts would be best.

Remember that frozen cookie dough? What's this? An empty cookie tray in the freezer....I wonder just where that cookie dough went? I bet I find out at ice cream time tomorrow night.

Ah, nothing says Sunday - like home-made ice cream in the freezer. ::snort::

Deck the Halls (and Balconies too)

Today was the semi-annual chapel cleaning and decorating day. We do this for Advent and Lent. I’m not sure WHY it is always such a mess. This is perplexing to me. I didn’t realize that this was a CWOC/PWOC project. It’s a good thing I showed up. ::snort:: We had way less folks show up today but we got done QUICKER than usual. Go figure. (CWOC = Catholic Women of the Chapel/ PWOC = ::guess:: Protestant Women of the Chapel - I know I tried to come up with catchy names in our first thee assignments for Women's ministry but women in the military chapel want to use these titles. LOL)

These Girls said I could share their photo

I was given the yucky job of dusting and vacuuming the balcony. I didn’t realize that the balcony was USED. Our Protestant ushers have strict orders to keep children out of the balcony. Our services aren’t big enough to NEED that seating…but ah ha…the Catholics have only one Sunday service and they USE the balcony…in fact it seems that there are some youth that like the back corner…they are so BUSTED….because I found trash you would not believe…gross stuff…..and then I found a DEAD MOUSE. I was told to vacuum it up. I wasn’t about to touch it – so I sucked it up. ::ugh:: I may not be able to sleep tonight. I was so grossed out by this that I didn’t even take a photo. ::snort::

Our chapel is old - and has gorgeous wood work throughout...it shines tonight


I have a funny about the Christmas Tree. The Catholic lady who was heading up the decorating said that Catholics don't use Christmas trees in their church decorating and that having it is a compromise with the Protestants. I laughed and told her that every year we get complaints about having a tree in the sanctuary. We discussed not putting the tree up, but went ahead as we knew we'd be sure to hear about it if we didn't.....Really, Protestants refuse to be pigeon holed. There are those who LOVE the tree in the sanctuary and those who hate it. Mike put the tree up. The lady that usually decorates forgot to come today...so we had to use what we had to decorate the tree. Kathy, said that these streaming ribbons are the new thing in Christmas decor. We had to convince Mike. ::snort::

Oh, another decorating funny. I was about to throw away a strand of lights that "didn't work", when Kathy informed me they weren't plugged in. ::snort::

Mike and I went and tried a new to me Mexican Café for lunch. It was “pretty good”. Surprisingly, I’ve not found a Mexican restaurant here that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE….I’ll have to keep looking.

Jared had CAP compass training today. Jamin watched the younger ones until he got called into work. Mike and I were able to go home. Mike and Nolan went to help a couple who used to attend chapel move today….and then picked up Jared so he could help as well.

We’ve spent the evening making ice-cream, giving baths etc. Preparing for SUNDAY!