Guess what I learned to do today?

New St. Andrew's College

Right, here's the deal. I have wanted to attend NSA for years. Yes, really. Miss No-I-won't-go-to-college-and-you-can't-make-me has kept this hidden and is now sheepishly bringing it out into the open. The desire is too great. My parents are still urging independence. And I'm not in danger of getting married any time soon (not from what I can see, anyway). What to do?

I post this is because I know you all will tell me exactly what you think. I've said over and over again, repetitively and redundantly, that I don't want to leave my family if it's possible for me to stay. They, however, are getting closer and closer to pushing me out of the nest. Can I, in good conscience, move to Idaho to go to college when they finally do the deed? Would I even have the money to go to school? Could I withstand the rigours of NSA?

My parents want me to go to college- they always have. I have consistently said no. Can I finally do what they want only because I want to do it too? That seems a silly question.

Advise me, O Counsellours. I need help to think this through.

Spring Break

I have made a huge mistake.

I've been reading Fast Food Nation in my free time this week, and it is disgusting. After learning a few things about the modern-day cattle business, I now feel completely justified in not liking ground beef and in refusing to eat at fast food restaurants. However, I'm also having trouble wanting to eat any meat now...this makes things difficult. Do I eat the nasty meat, origins unknown? Or do I go hungry? Obviously, I cannot go hungry. The alternative to the scary meat is expensive, though. So I've decided: whoever's gonna marry me had better do it quick, so we can get that farm going.

In the meantime, here's a neat website that I've been looking at: www.eatwild.com. They have state-by state lists of grass-fed, anti-antibiotic, hormone-free meat suppliers.

Also, Fast Food Nation has a story in it about a Frenchman named José Bové who ran his tractor into a McDonald's. He also came up with this great slogan : "Non à McMerde!" which (if one wishes to be less offensive) roughly translates to "No to McPoo!". There's another story about a couple of friends who were sued for libel by McDonald's and managed to drag out the trial eleven years and drag McDonald's through the mud while they were at it. You can read about that by googling Helen Steel, Dave Morris, and McLibel. It's a great story.

St. Paul is not a psycho.

I like posting things written by others, especially when I'm busy. It's just so easy. I'm only a little sorry. I'll try to think of something "original" to post soon.

"Where is faith? In a faithful person, you might say. But where is faith, in that person? My gut tells me that for most, explicitly or implicitly, faith, as a fruit of the Spirit's work in man, is thought to be found in a person's brain. This is not surprising since it is relatively easy to manipulate the thoughts of your brain, but it is a mysterious mission (at best) to attempt to control the thoughts of your hands and legs. We, however reformed we claim to be, still want to have some power over God. It seems what is meant by a lot of folks saying, 'sola fide' is really 'faith alone in my brain.' And then it's no wonder that hearty affirmations of efficacious sacraments make them choke. And yet the work of the Spirit is in the whole man: renewing the mind throughout our bodies. If faith is only needed in our brains, St. Paul is psycho, for all his insistence on the subduing of our bodily members to Christ. Lastly, if we as the Church make up Christ's body, and our bodies will one day be made like his body, then this has to inform not only our ecclesiology and eschatology but our ontology and epistemology. There is more going on than our brains can tell us. Not only do we need faithful brains, but we need faithful eyes, faithful knee caps, and faithful finger nails. And that, my friend, is why it's important to dance."

Borrowed from someone named Toby Sumpter- unfortunately, I don't remember who that is.

Another Winner from Sora Colvin

I've been catching up a bit on my blog-reading this morning, and I ran across a good post by Mrs. Colvin. On 17 February, she compared classical education and homeschooling. I have to say, I completely agree with her. She wrote several things that I've been thinking of lately, such as:

"...what is efficient for the teachers and administrators is terribly inefficient -- for the student."

and,

"Simply "managing" -- or, less charitably, "babysitting" -- a group of 20 seven year olds, keeping them attentive and on task as a group, takes a great part of the school day. "

I only have nine and it is extremely difficult to keep their attention. They all work at different paces, and they all want my attention in the same way. They also feed off of each other- one stops working and misbehaves, and the rest join right in. Of course they do! They're seven! Tell me again why we're running the school this way?

I can't wait to school my own children.

Sorry.

Scolded, I repent in dust and ashes.

For the curious, I am still teaching at what Lisa lovingly has termed "The School from Hell". I will not be returning next year. I have, however, tentatively agreed to homeschool three siblings next year. The two oldest are currently in my class. It will pay more, and by that I mean that I'll actually get to EAT the peanuts they poke through the fence.

In other news, we're having fun dancing every Friday night. A big group of us collegiate-types are learning (or relearning, in my case) the waltz and other fun ballrooms dances. For free!

Also, I got this great new book for Christmas (better late than never, eh?)! It's called Deep Comedy, and I am enjoying it quite a bit. Unfortunately, I haven't much time to read.

And for the deep-dark-corners-curious, I am being followed around by not one but two menfolk. One: maybe; the other: not so much. That's all I have to say about that.

What, again?

Yes, it's true. It's Snowing!

What has happened to our weather? Are we stealing Snow from some northern state? It's like a miracle- Snow three times in one winter! It's actually Winter! I can't stop using exclamation points! That's how weird this is! And how excited I am! Yay!

In honor of Snow, I present to you...
Five Things I love that are white:
1. SNOW. Of course!
2. Yoghurt. Best late-night (read: ten o'clock) snack ever.
3. Paper- to read of off, to write on, and to cut into clever shapes.
4. Milk. We found someone who has cows. :)
5. Clean sheets that are cold when you first lie down but are so warm in the morning that you don't want to move.

Enough silliness for one night. I'm going to bed- church tomorrow!

This is ridiculous.

School's been closed since Friday last and won't open again until Monday. It's just a little snow!

No really, the school parking lot, which is horrible to begin with, is a sheet of ice. Hopefully it's melted by now, but it's supposed to snow again tomorrow, so there's no telling.

That's a whole week that the kids have had to forget their spelling words. That is not good. Monday shall be quite interesting.

It's snowing!

They cancelled church! Isn't that odd? School was out Friday and will be out tomorrow, too. Meanwhile, I'm drinking coffee and cutting out snowflakes. A happy occupation.

I realised something today. My parents used to tell me that a man wanted a clever wife who could carry on an intelligent conversation. They haven't said that in a while. I was wondering if that means I should stop reading and keep my mouth shut now? I shouldn't want to be too clever and monopolise the conversation.

Anyway, it was a funny thought. It reminds me of their story about my beginning to talk- evidently they thought I would never start, and then when I did, they thought I would never stop!

"Why Contemporary Reformed Theological Debate Makes Me Want to Vomit"

Getting in touch with my catholic side.

Because evidently, I am a heretic and not a member of Christ's Church. Please pray for me.

I have a headache. I'm going to go apply a salve: Rev. Wilson's biography of John Knox ought to do nicely.

Epiphanies

I'm sad to have missed the rest of the days of Christmas, but I've been a little busy. So, now that I have a moment, I'll just let you all in on a few things I've learned in the past three days of teaching first and second grade.

1. I hate Abeka curriculum with a passion.
2. Evidently, I can't tell the difference between a long vowel and a short vowel.
3. I forgot. That's what happens when all you've been saying all day consists of these six phrases (or variants of the same):
-Sit down.
-Stop talking.
-Obey me the first time.
-Meg! Stop!
-Do your work.
-Turn around and sit correctly in your chair.

I now understand (actually understand) why homeschooling the Veritas/Abeka way is ridiculous in the extreme. Why would you want to try to teach that many subjects at once, with that much material in each one? Give me a break!

On the fourth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me...

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

"Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make His paths straight,'"

John appeared, baptising in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit."
Mark 1:1-8

And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is for those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
Luke 1:46-55

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-5, 14

On the third day of Christmas my True Love gave to me...

But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

On the second day of Christmas my True Love gave to me...

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'

Isaiah 40:1-2 and Luke 3:4b-6

On the first day of Christmas my True Love gave to me...

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7

On gratitude, from http://havingtwolegs.blogspot.com/ , posted on Monday, 18 December, year of our Lord 2006:
"This table is the Eucharist, the table of thanksgiving....You may not go around acting like you eat at the table of bitterness and ingratitude. Remember your allegiance to Jesus. He is King. You are his people. Therefore be loyal subjects to the King. Come eat, drink, and rejoice and again I say, rejoice!"

Merry Christmas!

No more let sins and sorrows grow;
Nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings known
Far as the curse is found!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2: 10-14

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled programme to bring you this report from Miss Puritan Chickie, coming to you live from the Saucy Chair.

Mischievousness: Book Titles Inspired by Sunday's Sermon

1. Why God Made Earthquakes: How I Came to Hate Dependence Upon Myself

2. Food For Thought: 101 Sermon Illustrations, including: "When I Was a Boy", "Mowing the Lawn", "When I Was in Seminary", "There Will Be a Test", "My Friend (insert name)", "Fishing Trip", "The Young Hippie", and so many more!

3. Church as Covenant Renewal or How I Began to Love High Liturgy and to Hate Three Songs and a Lecture

4. True Blessings: All Things Taken in Faith

5. How to Teach Your Congregation Through Football, Hockey, and Baseball Anecdotes
Examples inside!

_______
Special thanks to television, for giving me a short attention span in church and for the header from today's post.

Two Things: Coffee and Chesterton

1. I received my first Christmas present this morning (a little early, but I don't mind!). It's a French Press Pot! And it came with two flavoured coffees-- pumpkin pie and chocolate. Decaffeinated, of course. Jessie gave it me, and I'm having fun figuring out how to use it to make the best coffee.

2. A quote from Chesterton's The Ball and The Cross:
"...Now, let us put the matter very plainly, and without any romantic nonsense about honour or anything of that sort. Is not bloodshed a great sin?"
"No," said MacIan, speaking for the first time.
"Well, really, really!" said the peacemaker.
"Murder is a sin," said the immovable Highlander. "There is no sin of bloodshed."
"Well, we won't quarrel about a word, " said the other, pleasantly.
"Why on earth not?" said MacIan, with a sudden asperity. "Why shouldn't we quarrel about a word? What is the good of words if they aren't important enough to quarrel over? Why do we choose one word more than another if there isn't any difference between them? If you called a woman a chimpanzee instead of an angel, wouldn't there be a quarrel about a word? If you're not going to argue about words, what are you going to argue about? Are you going to convey your meaning to me by moving your ears? The Church and the heresies always used to fight about words, because they are the only things worth fighting about. I say that murder is a sin, and bloodshed is not, and that there is as much difference between those words as there is between the word 'yes' and the word 'no'; or rather more difference, for 'yes' and 'no', at least, belong to the same category. Murder is a spiritual incident. Bloodshed is a physical incident. A surgeon commits bloodshed."

It's snowing!

Recipe for Baked Apricot-Wild Rice Chicken

This recipe is one I discovered and then altered to make it my own. It's very tasty and homey.

This recipe makes six servings.

Place one whole chicken (or 1/2 chicken breast per person) in a roasting pan with one large onion and three cloves garlic, minced. Glaze with honey and the juice of one lemon. Sprinkle lightly with turmeric. Roast, covered, for one hour at 350*.

Remove chicken from roaster and measure out the juice. Add water or broth to make 3 to 3 1/2 cups. Pour 1 and 1/2 c. rice and liquid into pan. Add 1/2 c. apricots (dried, chopped), some rosemary, sage, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Place chicken on top of mixture. Cover and bake 35-45 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir 1/2 c. pecan halves into rice and serve.

*Rice:
I use a mixture of white and brown rice because the family isn't very keen on brown rice yet.
White rice: use 1/4 c. per person, and 1/2 c. liquid per person.
Brown rice: use 1/4 c. per person, and 1/2 c. liquid per person, but add another 1/2 to 3/4 cup liquid.

*I haven't used a whole chicken in this recipe yet, so I'm not certain of the times.