This Week

Faith

Believe it or not, I've been thinking a lot this week about Asherah poles and every worship or pagaan practice that pulls us away from God, needs to be pulled down.

2 Chronicles 14:2-6

Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest.

Quite frankly, I am grieved. I am grieved for this nation that would accept the kind of reckless lawmaking that is going on right now. I am grieved for the continuing moral decline and acceptance of all things worldly, whether it be coarse talk, pornography, television shows and movies that push the envelope, immodest dress, disrespect, etc.

And, I am convicted. I am convicted of my need to pray. Pray for our world. Pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders to have strength and morality and honesty. Pray for people to turn to Jesus, not just because He will bless them, but because they know He is good and strong and real, that they are willing to take up their cross and follow Him. Pray for opportunities to speak the truth in love through the power of the Holy Spirit to others.

Our Farm

Not a lot happening here, except a funny quote from my husband. "I wish I had ten times as much manure to spread on the fields." Well, I found that funny, anyhow. We are awaiting our Ruby to have a calf soon. And, I need to sit down with my husband and plan a do-it-yourself greenhouse with him.

Our Home & Our Health:

Everything has been well this week. I really got ahead at organizing the house and practically got all the laundry caught up. I've also been continuing to attack dust everywhere I can find it. I think I'm pretty much at the end of what I can do, except for keeping it up. Also, I want my husband to move our (VERY HEAVY) bed a little, so I can dust behind it. My allergies have improved with all my hard work.

I haven't made any bread for the longest time. I hope I get to that next week. Homemade bread is so much better than store bought. We mostly ate at home this week, except when both Jon and I both worked.

In The School Room

We plodded along this week. Rachel's really been picking up on her writing and sounding out words and I'm pleased as pie about that. Natalie's been moving ahead with new math concepts. She carried a two with one problem and I hadn't even taught her about that. We've continued to read Carry On Mr. Bowditch. I just love this book. I tell Natalie that she sails by ash breeze by teaching herself things, just like Nathaniel Bowditch. In science, Natalie studied paramecium, worms, and starfish among other things. She is always so gung ho about making her own little models of all these creatures. Natalie practiced violin during the week, but didn't on Friday and Saturday. I'll have to have her practice on Sunday to get caught up. Both the girls are doing great copywork for their level. One day this week, Natalie wanted to do some copywork out of the Handbook For Nature Study all on her own. And she came up with her own lesson plan. (Sailing by ash breeze just like Nathaniel Bowditch). Oh, and (of course) the girls are always doing artwork. We also went to dance this week and and we went on a nature walk. Sometimes it doesn't feel like I'm getting a lot done, but looking back we sure did. 

Our Business

I worked Friday evening and part of Saturday, then going out on a valentine's date with my dear hubby. Things are moving along with work and we are really excited about the enthusiasm and ideas that a couple of our employees are coming up with. Of course they come up with ideas of things for me to do, but that's ok. I want to keep improving my Photoshop and Photography skills anyhow!

Me Stuff

The biggest me thing was that my tripod and shutter release came in this week. I had fun taking some new types of pictures I needed a tripod for. My next goal with all of that is to write out a list of pictures that I want to shoot with my camera so I can check them off as I do them.

Also, I've been reminiscing about how little my baby once was this week. Oh, to have a little newborn. I love my toddler and I'm in awe of all the new things she does, but I just can't believe how she's changed.

Here is a pic of her shortly after she came home