Sunday

Three services. Great sermons. We're tired.

School begins tomorrow for many of us.

Josiah begins college.

Friendships in Proverbs 26

There are many verses in this proverb about fools, sluggards, and deceit. I'm going to assume that we've not knowingly chosen fools for friends so I'll not list all the verses here. I will, however, remember where to find wisdom on dealing with fools should the need arise.

26:17 - Like one who takes a dog by the ears id he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

~Do you really have a dog in the fight? If not, keep out of it.

26:18-19 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Was I not joking?"

~Watch out for deceit labeled as "joking" or "teasing" in my relationships.

26:20 - 21 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

~ I don't want to be the one who whispers and spreads contention. There are those who need to always be in the middle of constant chaos.

Friendship in Proverbs 25

*Lots of verses here about neighbors. They speak to me of relationships, so I'm including them.

25:9 -10 Argue your case with your neighbor,(instead of a public hearing - 8)do not reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it will reproach you, and the evil report about you will not pass away.

~Revealing others' secrets will reflect on YOU (whether their secrets are true or not).

25:17 Let your foot be rarely in your neighbor's house, or he will become weary of you and hate you.

~Don't overwhelm others....but I do think that this is talking about a different level of relationship than "associate" was meaning.

25:18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against a neighbor.

~None of these things are warm and fuzzy things. They are all warlike weapons, or could be used for hunting or such but not the images you conjure up for desirable friends.

25:19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

~A bad tooth hurts - sometimes just with use, sometimes constantly. An unsteady foot isn't dependable, often causes pain, and also won't support. A faithless man/friend in the time of trouble won't be a support and may bring pain when you need him; don't put your confidence in him.

25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, is he who sings songs to a troubled heart .

~Removing a garment on a cold day negates the purpose of the garment.

~Vinegar on soda makes bubbles???? Not sure what this says about friends. I'm going to do some more looking. Soda is natron in the original. I wonder if the vinegar negates the purpose of the natron in ancient days. Wasn't natron used in embalming? I've asked some friends and will dig out some book later.

25:23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

~Have you ever noticed that a backbiter will inevitably become a very angry person?

25:28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.

~Walls provide protection. A man with no control over his spirit lacks protection.

Training Hearts

I can't get the cool graphic code to load into a post - you'll have to check out the sidebar. If you click the graphic, it will take you to the post where there is more information about this pledge.

Commitment Pledge:
We are a Christian family desiring to raise our children with the primary focus of Training their Hearts!

*“I have no greater joy, than to hear my children walk in truth..” III John 1:4

*“Train up the child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

*“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” Deuteronomy 5:29

SATURDAY

Quote of the Day: Jamin: "I have all the credits I need to graduate, don't I?"

Mom: "Yes."

Jamin: "Can I take one more year and then take a year to work on writing and publishing my books?"

Mom: "Um...Dad and I will talk and pray about it. Are you thinking of moving to Crescent City to write?"

Jamin: "No."

Jared: "You should - you'd have all the characters you need for your books right there." ::snort:: OK - California and all.....and well Michael's folk live RIGHT on the river and they have ALL sorts of folks tromping down to the river - THAT is what Jared meant.

Lazy a.m. We all slept in.

I began looking around for the curriculum I need to buy. This mainly involves getting the classes that Jamin would like tracked down. I'm still looking for a filmmaking course that will fit the bill. He'll do Christians Writer's Guild. He'll do another writing class that involves writing editorials, book reviews for papers, submitting magazine articles etc. He'll have composition with TOG as well as history, lit, church history etc. I ordered the books he'll need for the first three weeks.

Michael took the younger children Jared- Zander to the pool. Jamin and Josiah are working.

I read teacher's notes and cried. I couldn't believe my 16 yo - our 4th - is talking about graduating. They are all growing up so quickly now....

We picked up chicken and such at Albertsons and met the P family at the park. Their boys and our boys were good friends and they will be moving to AK this week. It was a good time of closure for the boys. I could tell that Michael and Kwame were enjoying discussing RV's, engines, and travel routes. We women - well there is never a lack of conversation, is there? ::snort::

Michael and Jared went out for a run and I'm running the fantastic four through the bath....honest. Yes, I DO love the laptop and the wireless connection. ::snort::

FRIDAY

Yesterday was busy.

Produce Co-op - Everyone helps....

Even Stacia - though none of us are sure why she thought we NEEDED the remote car????

What is THIS?

After co-op we peeled 25 lbs of potatoes. We were having company (NO THEY DON'T EAT THAT MUCH) and I wanted to make garlic mashed potatoes. I thought I would make a bunch and freeze the rest. I had just finished THAT when it was time to run. (Note, Nolan took the photo and MOM is the only one who cooperated - guess I KNOW what it's like to have uncooperative subjects ::snort::).

We had a hail and farewell. Two of our chapel staff are deploying. Two are just moving in. Our chaplain candidate will be heading back to Maryland on Tuesday. Always changes at a military chapel.

I had just enough time back at home to get dinner ready. We had a great time with Ch. C and family. They have six children - we had six at home. They had some rousing fun on the trampoline...Cy was the "big man" and had fun with them - until he got hurt. Jamin was at work. Kimberly was also here (our chaplain candidate). Deja, Arielle totally held her own in the midst of the rowdiness.....LOL Once again baby girls, BOYS, and her. LOL

We ended the night watching Mork and Mindy from Netflix and Hogan's Heroes.

Is There a Nurse, Dr, or Experienced Mother in the House????

When we've had stitches before the wound has always been "flat" and "together" when the stitches were removed.

The thought they would take these out at four days and didn't. They took them out at 7 days...but check out the photos below. The skin is puckered, we've been putting hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic cream on. It sizzles with the peroxide. Jamin works raw chicken. He hasn't been lifting weights and would like to - but I'm nervous about it.

Does this look right? Should I take him back to the ER again and have them restitch it?