At the Back of the North Wind

Wow! It has been 2 years since I ventured here. Maybe I will be able to recapture some of the memories as I blog anew. I will share what prompted me to start again. We heard that Focus on the Family was coming out with a new radio drama, At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald. I found a rather tattered copy on one of my bookshelves and we decided to read it as a family this summer.

I just finished reading it today (I say "I" as the rest of the family lost interest) and I cried over the ending. It causes me to think of my dear friend, Jacque, who passed away just 7 short months ago. What a wonderful analogy about death George MacDonald gives in this book. He makes it somehow sweeter.

I have read several of MacDonald's Christian fiction but this was only the second of his "fairy tales" that I have read. I really enjoy his allegories and analogies to Christianity and living throughout his books. I dog-ear many pages and underline many lines as I find words that speak to me. Here is a passage from At the Back of the North Wind ...

The main character, Diamond, was ill and when he realized that he had been a burden to his parents who had also lost their comfortable situation in life while he was sick, sets to trying to cheer them and help them in anyway possible. Here is an excerpt from the book: "(His mother) was looking gloomy, and his father silent; and indeed except Diamond had done all he possibly could to keep out the misery that was trying to get in at doors and windows, he too would have grown miserable, and then they would have been all miserable together. But to try to make others comfortable is the only way to get right comfortable ourselves, and that comes partly of not being able to think so much about ourselves when we are helping other people. For our Selves will always do pretty well if we don't pay them too much attention."

After finishing this book, I decided to find a list of MacDonald's works and try to begin to read through them. I will be using the "Partial List of Works" that I found on Wikipedia, unless I find something better. My next literary stop will be "Within and Without" which I found on Google eBooks.

The Year of Miss Agnes

I have not had the freedom to write anything lately. Today it is 60 here in IA; I have one boy napping and I just sent my other four outside. Glorious quiet!

I want to share with you one of my favorite books, The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill. We just finished reading it as a read-aloud from Sonlight Core 1. It is my second time reading it and was reminded again why I liked it so much!

The story is told by Fred, a 10 year old Alaskan girl. She lives in a small village near the Koyukuk River. Their village has a one-room school and they have had trouble keeping a teacher. Most teachers didn't want to put up with the village "ways": smelly, dried fish for lunches, large amounts of time off for fish camp, and slow, backward pupils. Concerned that they were losing the village children, the local pilot "kidnaps" a teacher on her way back home to England. Sam, the pilot knows that Miss Agnes is an exceptional educator and is just what this school needs. It is Miss Agnes' teaching methods that endear her to me...

Taping a time line made of adding machine paper to the side of their classroom. She would add pictures as they read about different times in history.
Reading aloud to them as they practiced their printing or cursive...books like Robin Hood, Greek Myths, and Fairy Tales
Posting a large map on the wall and encouraging them to find Alaska and then learn all the other countries throughout the year
Popping questions at any time of the day like, "How may continents are there?" and "What do you call animals without backbones?"
Because "writing is reading backwards" encouraging them to write by giving them little books stapled together in which they could write stories about themselves
Teaching spelling by making personal lists of the words they needed help to write in their books
Making a game of speaking with proper English by allowing students to catch each other speaking improperly

Perhaps this lends itself so well to homeschooling because we are truly a "one-room schoolhouse". I do incorporate some of these methods already but it was a good reminder of others I could use to make our schooling richer. AND the book has a wonderful warm, fuzzy ending. If you haven't read it yet, I would encourage you to find a copy.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

P.S. There is one more book that comes to mind that also uses similar techniques of learning and that is Cheaper By the Dozen by the Gilbreths. Don't let the more recent movie turn you off. This book is also an excellent tool to help you be creative about teaching your children without making it feel like "school".

RSV & Synagis

I wasn't planning on posting for a while, but a topic came up in conversation that I thought I would address here since I was going to be doing some research on it.

RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, has become a household term this past decade. My 3rd son, Jesse, had it when he was 6 months old and we needed to take him to the emergency room to get a nebulizer and albuterol. It was scary when I laid my baby down to change his diaper and he struggled to breathe and his lips turned blue. But I specifically remember the day before watching a friend's little girl who had a nasty, sticky cough and I believe it was passed on to my son. I should have been a wiser Momma and just said "no!"

The symptoms of RSV "can range from having a simple clear runny nose and occasional cough that can be treated at home, to severe difficulty breathing that may require hospitalization. Other symptoms might include a low-grade fever, sore throat, headache, and irritability. Younger children, especially those under 2 or 3 years old, are most at risk for more severe symptoms, such as high fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, or apnea." (from http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childhoodinfections/a/05_rsv.htm). One of the problems with RSV is that it can show up as a simple cold in older children, so that you an expose a vulnerable child easily if you are not careful.

One of the best preventions is limiting exposure in very young children. Keep your newborns at home whenever possible. If this means you worship in your own home until the rounds of cold and flu are done, do so. Ask friends and family members to wash their hands before holding your baby. Limiting day care exposure is also strongly recommended. Routine cleaning of countertops, tables,toys, etc can significantly decrease live viruses.

So what about the new vaccine, Synagis (palivizumab)? This vaccine was developed in the 90's with some of the clinical trials held during 1996 to 1997. Palivizumabprophylaxis was associated with a 55% reduction of RSV hospitalization in all premature infants and an 80% reduction in hospitalization rate for 32to 35 weeks' gestational age infants without chronic lung disease (many children show signs of asthma or other lung disease after having RSV). But what are the risks?

As with all vaccines, I would encourage parents to make an informed choice. Get online and read both sides of the issues. (I have listed several websites at the end of this post.) Ask to see the package insert that comes with the vaccine.

We, as a family, have chosen to postpone vaccines for now. Here are several reasons:

**Vaccines bypass God's original plan for immunity. Your three main immune response sites are the mucus membranes (nose, throat, ears, etc.), the gut (stomach, intestines) and the skin. When one is naturally exposed to a virus or bacteria it is usually through one of these areas. Our body is a miraculously equipped machine that is trained to attack viruses and bacteria when they overload our system. A vaccine, though, enters the blood stream and neuro system directly and can cause many dangerous side effects like Type I diabetes and autism.

**Vaccines contain artificial and animal ingredients besides human components. Some of these include pesticides, formaldehyde, and animal viruses. Synagis contains 5% murine (mouse) antibodies (taken from package insert). It is even a possibility that RSV has become more common because it is carried in the Polio Vaccine used now. (http://www.thinktwice.com/Polio.pdf) The human components often come from the fetuses of aborted babies. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Why would we intentionally inject ourselves and our family members with these ingredients?

**A child's immunity does not reach maturity until about 5-6 yrs. old. It is very important that we encourage our children's immunity by feeding them whole, nourishing foods; encouraging needed sleep; providing them with abundant, clean, drinking water; and bringing them up in a positive, loving atmosphere. These factors alone will contribute to strong, healthy children. We also need to make wise choices as parents and limit their exposure during times of sickness and disease. And when our children do get sick, we need to be well-educated in the things that promote true immunity: vitamins & minerals, herbs, natural supplements, juicing, and rest.

Yes, my sons have had RSV. But I would not have chosen the the vaccine if it was accessible when they were young. I treated their RSV with several Trilight Herb formulas: Echinacea & Thyme with Elderberry, Lungs Plus, & Yummy Yarrow. I used herbal lotions (Lympha Rub & similar to Vicks on their throat and necks to provide relief from coughing. I did go to my Dr. and request a nebulizer and albuterol when I felt we needed it. I also used Trilight Herb's astragulus to help build up Jesse's lungs to decrease the risk of asthma. And I have prayed over my children many nights and into the early hours of the morning.

When it comes to our children's health, we need to make informed, educated decisions. Many of the drugs and vaccines on the market today have not been properly tested over a long period of time. We do not know what effect this will have on our children and our grandchildren someday. May God grant us wisdom!

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
James 3:17


For more information: http://www.vaccinetruth.org, http://www.nmaseminars.com/index.html,
http://www.whale.to/vaccines/moskowitz.html,
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Taxes, taxes taxes

Just wanted to post a quick note that I won't be writing much in the next few weeks. I am working on our business and personal taxes in every spare moment. I hope to have them done by the end of the month. I know that sounds like an impossible deadline but I would love to see that rebate check in our account. : ) We are also practicing for a school concert and play which will be held next Thursday and Friday. I will be accompanying the music and our boys are singing and my oldest is acting. It will be a crazy next few weeks. Your prayers are always appreciated.

On a side note, my little nephew, Matthew, will be released from the hospital tomorrow. My sister, Carla, gave birth on Dec. 6th - 9 weeks premature. God has graciously strengthened his little body and he is cleared to come home. Please pray for my sister as she adjusts to having a preemie around and also caring for her 6 other children. I wish North Carolina wasn't so far away!!

Our family prayer journal

I had a few comments on Facebook about our family prayer journal, so I thought I would share the details with you. It has filled 2 needs for us...first, how to begin praying on a daily basis for all of our family and friends. This is an area where I struggled in consistency and I really wanted to set forth a good example for my children. Also, what to do with those beautiful pictures that we receive at Christmas? We used to put them on our refrigerator but we were running out of room.

This fall I came across a Mead Primary Journal in the clearance aisle at our local Wal-Mart. It is a composition book with a 1/3 of the page blank for the child to draw a picture. I have had it sitting on my shelf for a special use and I found one!! I use the unlined area to mount the pictures or prayer cards. And in the space below I have written the name, family members and any prayer needs I know of.

I have designated 3 pages for each day (6 pages front & back). The first page is for family members. I have included parents, siblings, aunts & uncles and any cousins we have kept in touch with. This adds up to quite a few in our family: my Dad has 6 brothers and sisters alone!

Next, we have civil and governmental leaders. Some we included are U.S. President, V.President, U.S Rep, U.S. Senator, State Rep. State Senator, Sheriff, police men, firemen, IA Family Policy Center, NICHE (our State homeschool group), etc. Because of the past election we have become more involved with our local political party and have been able to meet face-to-face many of our leaders. I look forward to the day when one of the boys walk up to one of them and shake their hand and tell them they have been praying for them. If you do not know the names of some of your leaders, please begin to do so. We need to be watchful and in prayer for our nation. When I ran out of names I began adding those who we rub shoulders with each day: our mail man, our vendors and salesman for our business, the librarians, the "box lady" (We have a center we take our boxes to for recycling. I have made a point to get to know Rhonda who works there so we can witness to her. The boys even sang to her at Christmas.)

On the third page of each day are our church families. We have a smaller church so we can cover all our families in 1 month. The fourth page is for friends. This is where a lot of the Christmas pictures went. :) I always felt badly when I started receiving Christmas cards and realized I hadn't kept in touch throughout the year. Now we can keep the friends fresh in our minds each month. I may also find the time to drop them an e-mail or card near the day we pray for them.

And on the fifth page are missionaries. Their prayer cards get mounted on the top of the page and their current prayer requests are written below. We have 3 families we have chosen to begin praying for that are not a part of our church list and the rest are missionaries from our church. My goal is to write those for whom I do not have prayer cards and request them so that we can begin to put more faces to names. Perhaps I may help the boys to find pen pals from these families too.

We still may tweak our system a bit. Sometimes I wonder if I have too many on our list? But then we have 5 boys, so each of us takes one page with some getting prayed for twice. It has been encouraging to hear our little ones pray. They used to get stuck praying the same words over again and over again, now they hear a name or see a face they know and are anxious to pray for them. I would also like to bring some of the needs before God on a more daily basis. This will hopefully happen in my own prayer time, which still needs some work of its own. I would welcome your suggestions on that.

'I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers," Philemon 1:4

My daily schedule

It is snowing today here in IA. So I can stay home and get some things done. I have wanted to post my schedule so you could know why I don't get to post as often as I want to. But I am sure that everyone's schedules are just as crazy. :) This is a typical weekday at my house...

6:00AM Bible Reading
6:30AM exercise/plan my day
6:50AM shower
7:00AM start breakfast/make Jon's lunch
7:30AM eat breakfast (wake older boys if they are not up yet)
8:00AM everyone does chores (on W,TH,F I give my sons' piano lessons)
9:00AM start school w/Bible, memory verses, singing
9:30AM do reading, LA & math w/ Jesse (older boys begin their own school, Joe & Jason at computer)
10:00AM Snack/work w/Jeremy (Jesse takes break)
10:30AM work w/Jonathan (Jeremy takes break, Jesse finishes seatwork)
11:00AM World history, poetry with all the boys
11:30AM make phone calls, start lunch
12:00PM lunch
12:30PM clean up lunch/ pack for shop
12:50PM leave for shop (we don't always get there on time :(
1:00PM-5:00PM work at shop (boys help out, finish school, play outside, Jason naps for 1 1/2 hrs.)
5:30PM start supper
6:00PM supper (we like to listen to Adventures in Odyssey while we eat)
6:30PM supper clean up
7:00PM family time (we play games, Wii, or sometimes finish school work)
7:30PM family devotions and read-aloud (currently Mr. Popper's Penguins)
8:00PM 2 & 5 yr. old bedtime
8:20PM 7 yr. old bedtime
8:30PM reading (The Westing Game) to the older boys
9:00PM older boys in bed I try to catch up with Jon, correct math, finish reading, etc.
10:00PM bed (I may have fallen asleep before this!!)

This schedule helps me to get the priorities done though my days do have a lot of variations... Right now we are involved in a music concert and drama with our church school. So on M, W & F we practice at the church from 2-3PM. On T & TH the older boys go to drama at the same time. On M and TH, I teach piano lessons in the late afternoon so I leave work early. On Tuesdays, we go in to work at 8:00AM and work all day. This enables me to get Jeremy to speech therapy at 10:00AM at our local middle school. On Tuesdays, I also get to share lunch with one of my very close friends and her girls. It is a special treat for me to get some "Mom time".

We make very few commitments on week nights. There is just not enough time. We feel that the boys and the shop are our priorities right now. "The shop" is Rich's Auto Repair, which my husband bought from his Dad 3+ years ago. He is a full time mechanic there while I answer the phone, write tickets and keep the books.

My weekends involve cleaning on Saturday morning. This is a family affair with each of the boys having their own chores. Saturday afternoon I spend 1-2 hours planning school for the next week. This makes the school days go smoother as I don't need to find what the boys are to do next just send them to read their schedules. Sunday we go to church at 9:30AM and again at 6:00PM. I usually get a well-deserved nap in the afternoon.

I have a lot of hobbies that have been set aside during this season of my life (sewing, cross-stitching, scrapbooking). I still allow myself the pleasure of reading and now blogging, but my time spent on these is carefully monitored. I have also been working on some herb courses lately, which will hopefully allow us to open a natural health store in the near future. In the spring, my Mom-In-Law and I put in a large garden which takes most of my spare time throughout the summer and early fall. This is like a hobby to me as I love to watch those little plants grow and see all those colorful jars on the shelves.

My ultimate goal.....
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:30-31

Happy Birthday, my son James

I wonder…
Was your first hug from Jesus?
Was the first light that you saw from His face?
I wonder…
Did your little hands clasp His firmly?
In His arms, did your little body find a place?

I wonder…
Did you feel God’s sadness
As He saw how your parents wept for you?
I wonder…
Did He whisper of your purpose
And you knew of His love so good and true?

I wonder…
Who will see your first smile?
Or who will teach you how to walk?
I wonder…
Will an angel sing to you
And be the first to hear you talk?

I thank God…
For the precious treasure that you are.
May God hold you closely and let you know
That we love you from afar.

It was 4 years ago this weekend that I passed through the dark valley of losing a baby. I remember feeling like I would never be "normal" again, that I would always be sad.

Our baby was due May 20th, 2005. I was using a lay midwife for the first time and I was very excited about the possibility of our first homebirth. Over Christmas weekend I began to feel like something was not right. I no longer felt like I was gaining weight and the little tugging feeling of life inside me was gone. We didn't get to the midwife's until after New Year's because of sickness. On Friday, January 7th, we saw the midwife and she could not find a heart beat. After a ultrasound at the hospital on Monday, it was confirmed that the soul of our little one was with the Lord though his body was still with us. Because I had not begun to miscarry on my own and the risk of infection was great, my midwife recommended that we follow the hospital's advice of either a D&C or induced delivery.

I chose to deliver the body as naturally as possible. We went back to the hospital the next day, January 11th. It was a long day. They began the induction process with a special medication. We passed the time by watching movies, until I became too uncomfortable. We delivered James' little body around 3:00 that afternoon. I left the hospital with empty arms.

Our family, church family, and friends were so wonderful. They brought meals, watched our 4 boys and just listened when needed. We buried his little body in nearby Rochester Cemetery, a special place as it is the last natural prairie cemetery in IA.

Four years later, the pain is still there but the edge is gone. I like to pull out the ultrasound picture, the cards, and my journal from that weekend and remember each year. The tears do still come but the sadness is not as strong. I am so thankful that my little boy is with Jesus and "I shall go to him, (though) he shall not return to me." 2 Samuel 12:23

For anyone out there who has experienced miscarriage, still birth, or death of an infant. My heart goes out to you. I can understand a little of your pain. Please let others help you and don't be afraid to talk about it. Sometimes others will not know that you need to talk, even years later. Finally, cling to the One who is in control of everything. We won't understand why our little ones were taken from us on this side of heaven but someday we will.