Warning!!! I'm melancholy....

I'm lonely today. I'm not sure why, but I am. I've had a busy day, but nothing has seemed quite right. I suppose one has to expect to have days like this when your sweetheart and babies are far away.....choose joy...young woman...ok...older type woman...choose joy. ::snort::


Mondays should be skipped. I may look into this further. Josiah had to work today. He's working 36 hours this week. He did run to the library this a.m. We got some school done....all I'd planned, actually.


I made some banana muffins. I got a kick out of the fact that Adrienne had the same muffins cooling in her kitchen when I went over there this afternoon.


Stacia went down for an early nap. I took advantage to load up the next 3 and head for Sam's (milk), cute girly kids boutique (Robeez shoes for Stacia) and a kitchen store. We surprised Jamin with this:

It's a pizza paddle..though I was sorely tempted to tease the little ones about other purposes it could serve.... We're both hoping this will avert any further burned knuckles....550* ovens with bricks you know....

When we stopped at home to leave milk, we discovered Stacia was awake. I loaded her and the next 3 back into the van and we headed to the produce department at HEB. I had called Adrienne earlier to see if she was going to be home. I took the left over blondies from the pot luck to her...just enough for a taste for them. They WERE healthy. They were good too. {bg} I followed Lisa's suggestion to add an egg. When I called she wondered about getting some produce. I'm still swimming in veggies. We agreed to get some fruit. She called the order in and I was to pick it up. This worked out great as I planned to go over to her house to deliver the blondies anyway. Heather ordered some things with us this time. All went well at the store and sorting....it took me just over an hour to go pick the stuff up, pay for it, and sort it.

We spent about an hour visiting with Adrienne and family. The kids hadn't seen each other much in the last few weeks and were happy to be together. Zander has been having melt downs all day...not sure why. I really watched him at the potluck so I don't think it is food related. Maybe the time change...seems he did this in the spring too and Jodi warned me that this sometimes happens with Trevor. I wish I'd remembered THAT earlier today. :::knocking head on wall:::

Last week we'd been studying the family way, "we forgive one another covering an offense with love". This has been a good topic to consider. Forgiveness can be so tough to walk out. Today when it was time to leave Ja'nae, Zander did not do well. About a mile from their home he said, "Mom, I forgive you". ::snort:: I guess it was good he forgave even though I was quite sure *I* wasn't the one who needed forgiving.

Stir fry for dinner. Yumm and quick and easy too since I had veggies pre-cut from last week. OH - the lettuce lasted a solid week...no longer. All the other veggies were fine except the grated carrots. It has been a real time saver to have them ready to go, but I'll be sure to do only one pre-made gal of salad this week.

Heather and children stopped over to pick up some produce....

We read three more chapters in Pichnocchio.

Stacia pooped in the tub tonight...I thought that was incredibly GROSS and should be shared. She finally fell asleep....I think I'll go to bed too.

But Abby Does.....

Arielle explained to Stacia that Abby wears hair things ALL the time. Abby is two days older than Stacia but has ADORABLE brown hair and lots and lots of CURLS!!!! Stacia finally has enough to grab with a clip...barely.


Stacia graced us with a look of disdain said "Do I LOOK like Alfalfa?" and progressed quickly to this. I think this is a sister moment....

PTL - My Dad is no longer a druggie!

::snort:: For the first time seven months dad spent a day where he was NOT taking the max of pain killers. The pain level with this 3rd surgery seems to be much more manageable than the others. Dad is now back at the rehab house - out of the hospital. He's sure to be bored - Dad has always been very active. Pray for him to find meaningful ways to fill his days while he recuperates...and any other way the Lord leads you. Provision and workman's comp mess is still a good thing to pray for as well. LOL

BIG FAMILY MYTH 1 AND 2

# 1 - "Your washing machine never stops running." This is not a myth. I used to have a cute, color coded schedule. It worked well when I had 4 children under 8 (the first time). However, as the family grew, and their clothes got bigger (which makes more loads), and Mike entered the military (duty, off duty, and work out clothes every day), and there were more towels (work out towels, bath towels, beach towels) and sheets to wash....it became impossible to do the laundry in one day. I moved to TWO days. That worked for a bit of time. Currently (9 of us at home; baby in cloth nappies) I do 3 - 5 loads of laundry 6 days a week. The laundry load is decreasing (2 girls left home) and is sure to ease up even more as the boys leave home.....I guess the machine does stop running in the hours from say 2 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. ::snort:: I almost bought the fancy new washer/dryer set when we moved here. Sears, however, thwarted my plans. They put their biggest model of "normal machines" on sale...and it was cheaper to buy the set than just the washer of the other set....so I still have the old fashioned top-loading washer; but they work like a dream. {What I need is a new freezer - the $75 one I purchased when we got here is not living up to expecations.}

#2 - "There is always someone who needs a bath." This is also not a myth.

Preparing for a trip years ago I had everyone fed, clothes washed and packed, everyone bathed and I commented, "There, if no one will eat, wear clothes or make a mess for the next 8 hours we can get out of here on schedule". So there you have it - my children will tell you that I sometimes advocate that they be starved and constipated while running around clean and naked.

I need a good picture for this category....Jared is saying "ah, no, no...." The above picture is us over 2 years ago at Hatcher's Pass, AK. I'm using photos Bre had on her computer until I can access my photos on the crashed computer. They're all still there - or so I'm told.

Proverbs ~ Parenting/Rod Verses ~ DISCIPLINE

Below are the "parenting/rod" verses in Proverbs. I've previously shared notes from word studies I did on "rod" and "child". Another word that runs through these verses is "chasteneth" or "discipline".

Proverb 13:24 "He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines (4148) him diligently." NASV

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth (4148) him quickly." KJV

Proverb 22:15 "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline (4148) will remove it far from him." NASV

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of the child; but the rod of correction (4148) shall drive it far from him." KJV

Proverb 23:13 "Do not hold back discipline (4148) from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die." NASV

"Withhold not correction (4148) from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die." KJV

Proverb 29:15 "The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother."

Chasteneth/Discipline (4148) - Muwcar or Muscar

Strongs: Chastisement, warning, instruction, restraint, corrects, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke

Dr. Zodhiates: Almost exclusive to poetic and prophetic literature
~instruction, discipline - usually through the father and conveyed ORALLY
~apart from Proverbs always associated with God

BDBG - word not in here

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament: 877b - muscar - discipline
Proverbs - the emphasis of muscar is instruction
~LXX (Septuagint) translated as Paideuo - emphasis is on education

~denotes ORAL correction which results in EDUCATION

~the theological basis of discipline/correction is grounded in the covenant relationship with YAHWEH.

~Deut 11:2 - discipline of God is His mighty activity in covenant history by which He revels Himself, not negative hardship in the wilderness was balanced with miraculous provision

~Discipline must be theocentric (God centered) and theofugal (God natured)
{Cool!!!!! See Discipline Thoughts - July 26th and Where's the Grace - July 20th}

Proverbs 3:11-12 - Discipline/chastisment gives the assurance of son ship, points primarily to a God centered way of life only secondarily to ethical behavior.INSTRUCTION.

Proverbs 22:15 - "rod of correction" most often denotes oral instruction

Conclusions: We must lay aside our preconceptions of what "words" mean when we study the Bible and see how those words were used and understood by the people who wrote them and the people who originally heard them.

I'm not sure where "discipline" was changed to "rod or spanking" in Christian circles but the word in these verses means ORAL INSTRUCTION - based on a COVENANT relationship with God. Instruction that is centered on GOD and his NATURE/CHARACTER! In other words Proverbs places the emphasis of discipline on DISCIPLINING and MENTORING of our children. BTW, beware of taking THIS word study and applying it to each time you see the word "discipline" in the Bible...there may be many definitions - this definition applies to these verses and others with the same Strongs number, only.

Take these word studies back to the verses and see what you think.

He that spares the rod {authority, tribe, correction} hates his son but he who loves him disciplines {orally instructs} him quickly!!!

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child {young man} but the rod of correction {oral instruction (see above) that is God centered and based on God's nature} shall drive it far from him.

Do not hold back discipline { God centered instruction - above} from the child {young man} though you strike him with the rod he will not die. - OK this verse I need to study more. Because clearly...you COULD kill someone by beating and striking them with a big branch - they crushed skulls with this rod - so the meaning can't mean you couldn't kill him because you could....regardless....context of Proverbs leads me to believe that discipline would come way before the rod.....and way before you would reach a spot of literally beating a young man with a rod (think Thailand caning of years back).

It is much easier to swat a child for doing something wrong than it is to walk beside him and instruct, teach, point him to God BEFORE he gets to the behavior that tempts you to swat.

Our choice is not "spanking" or "leave the child to grow out of it". Any of us, left to our own devices would continue to be self-centered, mean and hurtful - because we have this thing called a sin nature. Instead, we are called to be vitally involved with our children, to discipline our children. We are called to instruct our children....this is what the very word "discipline" means. We are to constantly be looking beyond their behavior to their heart and pointing them to God and His very nature. I've seen parents who don't spank but also don't "discipline/instruct/mentor" and that is as sad as a parent who thinks that spanking is the only tool for teaching a young child. We are to be striving, contending, praying, fasting for our child to come to saving knowledge of Jesus...for them to love Him wholeheartedly (Mark 12:30/31 - my life verses)...we are not to leave our child to "grow out" of childhood but neither are we to see childhood as a condition that we must "beat out of him".

We mess it up so often. We need to throw ourselves on His GRACE!

When I began to see that the Word doesn't really teach a formula that will make perfect little Christians, I began to realize that I must be fasting and praying for my children. I need God's wisdom and strength and creativity to reach their hearts. I need to know God and His character so that I can faithfully lead my children to Him. It is all so much more than catching a bad behavior and administering a spank.

I hope you have caught my heart. These are MY CONVICTIONS. I understand that many godly people disagree. It grieves my heart, however, to hear verses taught out of context...to see people put modern churchy definitions on words that simply don't mean what we think they mean, and then walk away with faulty applications and understanding. Worse yet, so many simply believe "the Bible teaches x, y, or z" and never take the time to check for themselves to see. I promise you that studying the Word of God will transform your mind, your will and your heart.

I have attempted here to share notes of word studies, to share a bit of how this has worked out in my life and to trust the Holy Spirit to lead you to the applications that He would work out in your family.

Remember, it is never to late to begin anew. God's mercies are NEW each and every morning. I love His Grace and I love His Mercy - I'd be nowhere without them.

Proverbs - Parenting/Rod Verses - Condensed Version - "Child"

I'm going to see what I can get done as far as posting notes this weekend. I don't have Bible study this Tuesday so it is the perfect time for me to spend extra time on this and be done with it. At this point I now KNOW what I think the Bible has to say about this and I'm ready to move on to new topics. So much to study and so little time. {G}

There are four verses in Proverbs that are oft quoted as "proof" that God means for us to spank our young children.

Proverb 13:24 "He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently."

Proverb 22:15 "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child (5288); the rod of discipline will remove it far from him."

Proverb 23:13 "Do not hold back discipline from the child(5288), although you strike him with the rod, he will not die."

Proverb 29:15 "The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child(5288) who gets his own way brings shame to his mother."

I've already shared the definition of the word "rod" . You will need to determine which definition you feel fits the context of each of these verses.

Three of these verses have a word in common - "Child" (5288). As I stated earlier, there are many Hebrew words translated as "child". I also stated it is good to get at least 3 sources when doing a study. If I'd stopped with Strong's I'd have missed some amazing discoveries.

All three of these verses use the word "naar" for child. Strongs # 5288

Strongs: infancy - adolescence, damsel, young man - from 5287 - rustling of the mane, Lion's roar

Dr. Zodhiates: From 5287 - same as above, literally to shake out, over throw, cast-off

5288 - naar - Most often used of a young person old enough to serve in battle; helper in the army or to be a personal private force

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament: #1389a The word is used once as "babe"
Could be used of weaned child (5) - marriage; puberty is primarily implied

Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon: marriageable age, warrior, servant, retainer

Expositors Bible Commentary, V 5, Gaebelin - 1061 "Jewish rabbinical tradition considered "naar" to be the ages between 16 - 24.

Interesting side note: Naar comes from "naar" - (no it isn't the same word but I can't make the squiggly lines on the computer that make it a different word ::snort::) which is the picture of the lion roaring, shaking his mane and came to mean to "overthrow" and "cast off"....to me this clearly fits the ages of 16 - 24 better than early childhood.

Other uses of "Naar" 5288 - in the Scripture:
~Joseph (17) sold into slavery - Gen 37
~Joshua (naar) spied out the promise land - Ex 33
~David - could slay a giant but not wear a grown man's armour - (I Sam 17:42)
~Solomon - took the throne at 21 - naar - I chron 22:5
~Absolom killed Amnon (II Sam :21)
~Josiah (16) began to speak for God (II Chron 34:3)
~Naar must concern self with sexual purity (Ps 119:9)
~Elisha is tormented by group of "naars" (II Kings 2:23-24)

Conclusions:

There is simply no sound basis for thinking that "naar" should be translated and understood to mean "young man" everywhere in Scripture except these four verses in Proverbs. These verses are NOT talking about young children. They are talking about young men....most likely between the ages of 16 - 24 as rabbinical tradition would understand, imo. Yet, these verses are used by "experts" to prove that we should spank children when they are young, so that by the time they are 4 or 5 they won't need spankings. This is NOT what the Word teaches.

Nowhere have I found the Bible to say that a young child (under 5, as 5 is the youngest age I found for naar)should be spanked or hit or beat with anything. The Bible instead shows young children under the care and protection of adults.

Choose the definition for rod that you think fits the verse the best...but you cannot get away from the fact that "child" (5288) is NOT a young child...it's a young adult.

What do we make from this? God takes very seriously the rebellion of young adults. These verses were written when the other option for rebellious young men was stoning to death. No one would advocate that now. Why do we still advocate beating with a rod? I purpose that we are under a new covenant now and as we no longer stone young adults, we would also no longer beat them with rods.

Regardless, these verses say NOTHING about early childhood training.

Proverb 22:15 - speaks of the foolishness of a young man and not a child. Foolishness in Proverbs is NOT the same as the natural immaturity of a young child. Therefore, the verses about beating a fool with a rod don't apply to natural immaturity either.

Go back and study the verses with the definitions of "rod" and "child" in mind and see if they still seem to be saying that we are commanded to spank young children if we hope for them to grow up to be responsible adults.

I submit that no where does the Bible expressly prohibit spanking but neither does it expressly command spanking.

I had planned to go verse by verse, but really if you have the word studies, you can study it out yourself. I may still post one or two more word studies....good stuff. {G}

This & That ~ Saturday

Hmmm...it was a full day.

This is the day that I'd planned to be at Fall Focus in VA....so I thought about that and prayed for the ladies there...and prayed for those who aren't there but are faithful where God has called them to serve...and wished I was there to see old friends and make new friends...but rejoiced that I was HERE to enjoy the day with my crew.

I got the co-op order compiled. This means the software that *I* installed on the boys' computer worked. Yippee! It also involved a couple of phone calls with women that I don't get to talk with often - so that was fun as well. I always get a KICK out of seeing what everyone orders. At the start of co-op everyone ordered grains and pasta. That was IT. I ordered other things and was the junk food diva of the co-op. Then last month EVERYONE ordered things I never thought to see them order..lots of junk food and sausage and such. THIS month EVERYONE is ordering cleaning supplies. Jennifer and I speculated as to what everyone will order NEXT month. ::snort::

Mike called this a.m. Our call was cut short by sirens. I received an email tonight saying it was a smoke detector going off.

We did all the things mentioned below.

I put in a personal spice order with Monterrey Bay Spice Company.
Hmmm....can't write up there or it is underlined. LOL The prices through this company are way cheaper than the prices of spices in the store. I really had to debate on this one. Shop Natural sells a much bigger variety of organic spices from Frontier Spices. These were way cheaper...organic...cheap...organic...cheap....I finally went cheap except for a few that we use quite often - Cinnamon and such.

Early this a.m. our glass decanter of maple syrup broke...well it got broken. What a mess!!! That floor was mopped four times and we still stuck to it. Finally, this evening I attacked it with VINEGAR and a bit of water. I mopped, Jamin followed behind with an old towel...drying. No more squeaky, sticky mess. I love vinegar. ::snort::

Arielle, Nolan and I enjoyed a game of *Hands Down*, Stacia climbed around the table and generally added to the bedlam. ::snort::

Heard from Mom and Dad tonight. Dad has moved from the hospital to the rehab...back again for the 3rd time. He's still doing much better pain wise with this surgery than he did with either of the other two. He's not allowed to put any weight on the leg for six weeks.

Why do you think God made it so babies have to teeth? Couldn't He have come up with a different way of getting teeth???? Just a thought....