Jesus Came to Bring Reconciliation

I’m a blogger. As a blogger I should be writing on my blog, sharing my astute observations and bright ideas, but this week…well, I don’t seem to have the words I need to put anything before you that is worth reading.

There’s a lot happening here in Vaughanville, but it’s all still so fragile and ambivalent that to say much might just cause it to shatter into a zillion little bits. I can give you a peek as a peace offering until such a time in the near future I can bring you something more substantial.

If this week of my life could have a theme I think it would be “Reconciliation”.

I have been led to re-establish communication with a woman from church. We had a falling out a couple of years ago and, while we agreed to disagree, things have not been the same since. Each time we see one another there is a great deal of discomfort and averting of eyes. I’ve attempted to extend the olive branch on more than one occasion and have been rebuffed each time. This time however, I think the Holy Spirit is leading me and my prayer is that I’m hearing clearly. I’ve established contact via email and have a date to meet with her at church this Sunday. I’m not sure what to say or how to approach the subject of reconciliation. I still feel that I was wronged in the initial exchange and yet…I don’t want to hang on to that anymore. Jesus was wronged and yet he prayed that is offenders would be forgiven, holding no malice for them. That’s what I want and my prayer is that my over active sense of fleshly justice will not hinder me and that she will be as ready to move on as I am.

Also, this week, we’ve had a visitor here. My step-daughter whom we’ve not had much contact with in about ten years has come to see us. I’ve had a stress ball of contradictions in the pit of my stomach for weeks…a conflict of emotions between fear and elation. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong and why there was a severing…is that the right word? No. Maybe better to say a dwindling of connections between us. Looking back it seems that it was a little of this and some of that added up to nearly a decade of estrangement. It’s heartbreaking really. But now…here she is… grown woman with no one standing between herself and her Dad and siblings. She’s ready to come and go as she pleases visiting us and us visiting her and rebuilding and reconciling. She’s very different now (her religion, her manner of dress, her political views, etc) but in many ways the same (same red hair, same big eyes, same witty personality, same kind heart, etc). My hope is that we can connect on our commonalities, accept with respect our differences and that the Lord will work to restore her to Himself.

So you see? It’s all very uncertain. I feel like if there is one misstep or careless word that all might be ruined and so explains my silence.

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

My Picks: 18 of the Funniest Family Friendly Films

After reading this about putting a little laughter in your marriage, Diana asked for some suggestions for funny children's movies. Honestly, I had a tough time coming up with any we liked that were both funny AND just for children. So here is a quick list of those movies that we found to be family friendly, but necessarily just for youngsters.

I'm sure it goes without saying that what one family deems acceptable for their children may not be the same as that of another family. Also, consider the age of your children, etc. There. That's my disclaimer.

I hope you find a few you enjoy.

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*Absent Minded Professor(G)
*Daddy Day Care (PG)
*Flubber(PG)
*Freaky Friday (the old one) (G)
*Herbie movies (we prefer the older ones) (G)
*Incredible Mr. Limpet (G)
*Mrs. Doubtfire (PG)
*Muppet Movies (G)
*Parent Trap (I prefer the older version, dd likes the newer) (G)
*Princess Bride (PG)
*Shaggy D.A.(G)
*Shaggy Dog (PG)
*That Darn Cat(G)
*The Elf (PG)
*The Santa Clause (PG)
*Three Amigos (PG)
*What about Bob (PG)
*Yours, Mine and Ours (not rated)

And hey...while I'm at it. Are there any NOT on my list that YOUR family finds funny? Leave me a comment.

Vintage Laundry Lessons

"Since time immemorial it seems that wash-day has meant Monday and more often than not, "Blue Monday"; but of late years Tuesday has been growing in popularity as wash-day. This plan leaves Monday as a day in which the housewife can replenish her larder and put her house in order after the Sunday's rest or entertaining. Also, it gives her time to look over her wash, mend the holes or tears that might become larger in the laundering, remove the stains that should have attention, prepare food with a view to having something for the next day, and in the evening place the washing apparatus and piles of clothes in readiness without infringing on the pleasures or quiet of Sunday. Then when Tuesday morning comes, no time need be lost because of the disorganization that so often reigns in the house on Monday mornings. Such a program, regularly followed, will be found helpful in carrying out the laundering processes."

I found this little excerpt in a vintage book Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences, by Mary Brooks Picken.

Upon reading it I thought of what engineers of domesticity our grandmothers needed to be. I StumbledUpon (more on this later) this Vintage Sewing site and thought you might have some fun playing around inside of it, looking through some of the old patterns and books used to train a young lady in the domestic arts and thinking of the women who were before us and what their lives and homes were like.

Also, to consider some of the unusual methods employed in simply getting our clothes clean.

For instance, can you imagine using a tampon and gasoline to clean a stain? Or using sugar of lead to set in colors? Or how about beeswax rubbed on an iron to keep it from sticking? (Can we just stop here and have a moment of silence out of respect for the person who decided to put Teflon on our irons!? Hallelujah!)

I've yet to get back to my spring cleaning as I'm still on the mend from The Crud, but I'm improving and see myself back on task very soon. One of my projects in the next few weeks will be my laundry room. I'm still considering what I might do to improve that dungeon-like area. I'll update you if I come up with anything brilliant.

Stay tuned....

Michele

Happy New Year!!!

This is Jolie and she is wishing you a very Blessed and Happy New Year! Jolie was a gift to my niece for Christmas and she looks forward to many days of snuggling and book reading with her new friend.

Grant me the strength from day to day

To bear what burdens come my way.

Grant me throughout this bright New Year

More to endure and less to fear.

Help me live that I may be

From spite and petty malice free.

Let me not bitterly complain

When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,

Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage

Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.

Lord, as the days shall come and go

In courage let me stronger grow....

Lord, as the New Year dawns today

Help me to put my faults away.

Let me be big in little things;

Grant me the joy which friendship brings.

Keep me from selfishness and spite;

Let me be wise in what is right.

A happy New Year! Grant that I

May bring no tear to any eye.

When this New Year in time shall end

Let it be said I've played the friend,

Have lived and loved and labored here,

And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar A. Guest

Cathedral Window and T-shirt Quilt

It's a good thing my sis doesn't read my blog. She'd KILL me for posting this picture of her, but I had to PROVE she was actually crying over her gift! LOL

Do you see that dark blue square toward the middle there? The one that says "World Champions"? Well, there's a little story behind that. I searched all over to get enough Royals tess for this quilt and one place I looked was my local Freecycle group (check it out if you're interested at http://www.freecycle.com/). I posted what I wanted and why and had only ONE reply, but what a reply it was. The gal has had this sweatshirt since she went to the "I-70 series" back in 1985. She's not a big Royals fan, but she just couldn't bring herself to just toss it out considering this was the year that the Royals actually WON the World Series. I was thrilled to get this from her and include it in the quilt. As a matter of fact it was the first block that J pointed out specifically and "wowed" over. :-) Aaaaah, Glory Days.

I couldn't decide which of these to post so I thought...I'd post them both.

I'll post up the sock monkey after I edit a certain little someone out of it. :-)

By the way...see those letters that say "Go Royals"? I learned how to make them here from Lazy Gal Tonya.

Christopher Columbus!!

My daughter has just been given the part of Jo March in a small local production of Little Women! She's nearly busting and so am I! I can't think of a character that she would have been better suited for as she herself is a creative, determined free-thinking sort.

I can't wait!

Here We Go Again

Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves. ~Abbé Dimnet, Art of Thinking, 1928


Thus ends our first official week of the new school year. I have to say that it's been a good week and both of the children are very pleased with all that they accomplished this week.

As the years have gone by I've become pretty relaxed in our homeschooling. Too relaxed according to my son who this year actually WANTS me to "turn up the heat" on his requirements, assignments, etc. This hasn't been easy for me because it required alot more planning and research than I'm use to, but after only this week, I can see that my efforts are and will pay off.

There's alot to be said for a relaxed homeschool environment and I can't say that ANY of our time has been wasted in "laying back" on formal studying of certain areas, etc. But I also think that there's something to be said for a well planned, tough(er) schedule and requirements. For instance...

In years past I've been frustrated with my children sleeping in too late and then whining and complaining their way through their school day. Now, they have a plan book with my requirements in it and they don't have TIME to whine if they intend to stick to the plan.

Also, in former years we've struggled and fought over too much time spent in mindless pursuits like television watching and computer/video games. Thus far, we've had none of that and I think it's because their minds are engaged all day long and they are old enough now to see that tv and computer games are a waste of time and a waste of precious mental energy. What I'm saying is that now they have to be a bit more judicious in their pursuits, prioritizing them because they only have so many hours of free time in their day.

I don't want to squelch their inquisitiveness or desire for exploration, I just want to raise the bar so that they know what they're capable of.

So...one week down and thirty something to go!

John sooooo ROCKS!

I feel as giddy as a high school groupie when my honey plays his guitar. Love that guy!