*Crime Scene Jerusalem* by Alton Gansky

 I really enjoyed Finder's Fee, another book by this author that I have previously reviewed. I saw this book week's ago as I was out looking for Lent resources. I snatched it up.
The premise of this book intrigued me. "What if a forensic detective could investigate the evidence surrounding the death of Jesus...and His resurrection?"
A chapter into this book I was thinking "ho hum". Slowly, I began to learn little cultural things that I'd not learned before about 1st Century Israel. It ties in so well with my Bible Reading; I did check his resources. Interesting tidbits that I began to learn and a question about Maxwell Odom kept me reading. Last night I reached a description of a Roman crucifixion. I almost didn't finish the chapter....but I decided to face the ugliness and push through. The the tomb, the upper room....oh it was good.
I had planned to finish this and send it to the girls before Easter...but I think the boys may want to read it now too. LOL
From the back of the book: "Crime Scene Jerusalem is the kind of novel that lingers in your soul, long after you put it down. Alton Gansky did a masterful job of portraying this modern crime-scene investigator who fins himself thrust into a time he knows nothing about - and learns how his own tragic life intersects with those who walked with Jesus. Besides holding me captive with his surprising, page-turning story, Gansky taught me things I didn't know. I wish everyone would read this book" Terri Blackstock, bestselling author of Last Light
My friend Liz tells me that she has not enjoyed the mystery series she found by this author. I've not hunted them up yet...but I did enjoy this book. Who would guess Sunday School would collide with CSI in such an interesting manner?
This is another 2008 Winter Reading Challenge book.

A Miscellaneous Kind of Day

 We finished another week with our new pace.  1.5 weeks per week till we find some place (like China) where we want to camp out. One, maybe two, more weeks like this and we should catch Jamin and Jared. ::snort::

We spent some time checking out the Iditaod racers, times, and such. Of course, we're rooting for DeeDee and Rohn Buser (Martin's son). Most of you haven't a clue what I'm talking about; do you? ::snort::

I did some looking on the PWOC website....free Bible Studies there for PWOC groups to download....hmmm...maybe.

I ran the boys to the ministry where they volunteer. THEN Nolan, Stacia, Zander, and I headed to the gym. I had hoped for a 40 minute workout and then home to shower in time to pick up boys and head back to base for CAP. WELLLL......sure enough at 36 minutes, Stacia realized the play area in the Family Fitness Room is a cleverly disguised playpen. ::snort:: I didn't want to stop. I was reading the end of my book and wanted to finish. I made it to 45 minutes before balls were flying around the room. Just as we left the gym I got a call. The boys' club at a local school was cancelled due to weather (high 36* today). I was so glad I had that extra 5 minutes at the gym so I could simply go get them and wasn't on the highway heading home. LOL

Mike and Jared will be out late. I played around with a new template...but I'm hopeless. I'll probably go read a new book I'm starting. LOL

Wednesday - A Day at Both Ends of the Pendulum

We've had a sad event in our small town today. Two youth were hit and killed as they drove down a fairly "sane" road....by a 26 YO who swerved into their lane. The boy was the son of a MSgt on base. Please pray for these families, and the driver, as led.

We had an exciting event in our town today, as well. Jamin got news that one of his articles will be published - in our church's magazine. It's a start.

Jared had 3 or 4 hours of Honor Guard training. This had to do with Civil Air Patrol. I THINK the base honor guard was showing them the tricks of the trade.

Since I was on base dropping Jared off, I went to the gym. A gentleman there noticed my Alton Gansky book, "Crime Scene, Jerusalem", and wanted to talk about the author. I've not read his series. He likes them. Liz doesn't...hmmm...I think he was about to offer me $ for my book - and I plan to mail it to the girls.

I had the fun of hosting a friend and her new baby this afternoon.  She wanted me to show her how the United order process works; it was fun.

We made "nola" bars.  Stacia was my helper. It was a challenge but she seemed to enjoy "helping".

I went out for dinner with a couple of friends tonight. It was fun and relaxing. No, I didn't take pictures. My friends don't pose quite as easily as some of youz friends or y'alls friends. ::Snort::

I got home in time to clean up quickly, read a few blogs, and go retrieve Jamin from Chick-Fil-A.  I dod not put any new diapers in the freezer - today.

Senior Moment

ACK - it happened. This is NOT a staged photo. ::snort:: An aging, Quiver Full, Senior moment......

I could not for the life of me figure out where I'd set down Stacia's diaper. I KNEW I had one in my hand and was ready to change her...but where did it go?


I found it when I went to get Spaghetti sauce from the freezer...which I'd also started to do several times during the day. ::snort::   Yes, it was a clean one.

GRADUATION???

I consider our schooling to be very strong *average.* By that, I mean that we are not learning Latin; my children are not winning Spelling Bees nor Science Fairs - we've never even entered.  Krista took Calculus, etc, but no one else has gone beyond Alg 2, the older 3 have taken Chemistry as their top level science, but we've not required it of Jamin as his "bent" is obviously tracking to writing and business. In other words - we are an average family. Our focus has always been character development and "strong" academics, but we aren't the "super-performers" of the world.
I did actually READ the Tapestry of Grace manual last year (after 3 years of use) and discovered if you do each assignment (as our boys do) that it is considered honors and AP.....well this is NEWS to me. ::snort::
I got a call a few days ago from NARHS. They were reviewing Jamin's portfolio. She was VERY impressed. She told me again that our work always shines in the stack. She said that what we are doing is "wonderful," "amazing," "stands out in the crowd," and I'm always shocked. Honestly. We are NOT, by far, the most academic family around. We plod along. We aren't the least academic family I know - we're just a solid average. LOL
She asked about Jamin graduating this year. He's in his Jr year. She said he only needed to take 2 credits to graduate this year. He's taking 12, I think. She said it is totally our decision, but after looking over his work she began to wonder if he may be ready to be "done" with high school and ready to pursue his future.
The state of Maine, where NARHS is situated, only requires 17.5 credits. We wanted him to have at least the 22 that are typically required in states such as TX. He'll have those at the end of this year.
Hmmm.... Jamin had asked about graduating this year and spending his "Sr" year writing. He then came up with 22 credits he wanted to take THIS year, and so, we opted to say this was his Jr year and give him another year to pursue those other credits. We're re-thinking. I don't know if we could get into the whole graduation thing with our support group this late in the year.
The disadvantage of graduating this year is that he would not be able to take dual-credit courses at the local university. He's not talked about doing that - he's talked about writing next year, but I hate to close options.  The advantage is that he could concentrate on his passion - writing. I KNOW he would still do the reading and such for year 2 of TOG as he considers it research for his writing. He'd have time to pursue those tracks (filmmaking, et. al.) that he wants to pursue - he just wouldn't be getting CREDIT for it...but do you need CREDIT in order for learning to be meaningful?
Pray for Jamin and for Mike and I as we seek God's face about what Jamin should do next year. Honestly, is there any reason to graduate EARLY?????? I can't think of a reason to encourage accelerated growing up - they seem to do that all on their own at the speed of light. ::snort::

The Grand Surprise

When the older ones were younger (jr high and high school age), they saved up and bought two canoes. They were wonderful for family outings in San Antonio, in ID, in AK, on the Smith River... We had a pop up trailer and could easily cart both all over America - which we did. We have noted that as the older ones quit going on so many of our outings the canoes got heavier. AND.....then....I bought the trailer at Mike's request when he was deployed. There is no way to put two canoes on the top of the trailer......

Mike has been dreaming of a kayak. The obvious advantages are that it is lighter, we can carry it on the top of the Honda, in a storage bin of the trailer, and one person can carry it down to the lake easily. The disadvantage: only one person can ride in it at a time. I've become accustomed to sitting in the canoe while Mike paddles it furiously around the lake, up and down rivers...you get the idea. I like the canoes, they are very romantic...though currently they lay upside down in our back yard with bird droppings all over them....the kids SAVED for them. It makes me sad to get rid of such a tangible part of their childhood. I suspect we'll sell them shortly. They should get a good price. They are in great shape, and we'll most likely buy kayaks....


to match this one......

Mike used the rest of his birthday money and a bit extra and bought this while it was on sale.

I admit that it is lighter....and it will be fun to get ON the water....but we could get all of our family in those two canoes....sigh....

The kids took turns trying out the grand surprise.

The Iditarod started today and I found that photo of the last one we attended as a family - 2005. I'm missing the girls, the guys are growing up way to fast, and now we have a kayak. I'm nostalgic. (I'm also wondering what that glow above NOLAN'S head is in these photos). ::snort::

Monday? Again? Didn't We Just DO this?

7:15 a.m. boys to local church. A very wonderful homeschool Mom arranged to take a van load of homeschool youth to a nearby town (90 miles) for a Huckabee Rally. It turned into an "election workshop" - and was lots of fun for all. Jamin and Jared both went. I was to pick them up at the church at 2:30 p.m. - remember that number - it's important.

7:30 a.m - found me at base Lab getting blood drawn. It's been 4 weeks on the cholesterol meds.

8:00 - 12:00 School. The younger 3 and I are trying to keep up our pace of 1.5 weeks/week. We hope to catch up with Jamin and Jared "shortly."

1:00 - Today, I had to take the younger 4 with me to Speech as the older 3 were all out and about.

2:00 - Let's run ERRANDS....

2:20 In line at the bank when I REMEMBER - oh yeah - I need to be at the church to pick up the boys so that Jamin can get to work on time.

2:30 We're sitting at the church waiting for the van.

2:40 SNOW FLAKES - not a lot of snow - but there were FLAKES. Yes - it WAS warm yesterday - and today it is not. ::snort:: Boys arrive and we zip home to pick up Jamin's uniform which I forgot.

2:58 - Jamin runs in the door to work. Oops.

3:00 - 4:00 I am back at the bank to close out a savings account. I run to Sam's and buy um....oh yeah PAPER TOWELS and TOILET PAPER.

4:00 - 5:00 - I cook - chicken, soup, salad, fruit, bread, oven fries

I have no CLUE what I did the rest of the evening but it's 9:00 p.m. so the day is done. I know Mike and Jared ran back to base. Mike had a volleyball game. They also bought "the GRAND surprise".