Checking In

~Photo by Robert Stock

Hello Everyone, Just dropping a line to let you know I am mostly blogging at My Forest Cathedral for anyone who may be interested.  I may still post specials from time to time here of course and possibly the same specials will be at My Forest Cathedral too as the Lord leads.

You may ask:  How did you end up with three blogs?

This blog was started from our homeschool workshop we shared at for many years.  Thats_Italian was a spring from my xanga blog...and then the Lord has wonderfully moved us back to the country, where My Forest Cathedral blog is a journal of my journey there, my life in general which really includes all three of the above because it's my life!  Three in one! : ) 

Thank you for understanding!  I'll have the coffee on!

Love to All, I appreciate all who read here. Bless you!  ~amelia

THE RIGHT CHOICE- MUST SEE VIDEO. MOMMY REJECTING ABORTION THRILLING FACEBOOK

The Right Choice....

A MUST SEE Video. SEE IT HERE. Only seven and a half minutes long...I watched this last night as we had a huge torrential rain storm, hail was hitting the windows loudly as I've never heard before, but this video stood above it all.

Please pause my site music at bottom of page.  Thank you.


See this beautiful video for yourself...

For complete article from Life News you can see here: Video of Mommy Rejecting Abortion Thrills Facebook

Must See Movie: "Gifted Hands the Ben Carson Story"

I'm watching this movie right now for the second time and it's touching some of my heartstrings for so many, many reasons.

 

Dr. Ben Carson is a modern day hero.  See this modern true inspiring story....you will not be sorry!  Our entire family was glued to this movie. 

Oh God, give us more Dr. Ben Carsons!

I have found this great movie here on Amazon and here at Christianbook.com.

There are a few scenes in the operating room that may be a bit much for anyone weak kneed or for young children so be ready for that.   

The operating room scenes were just so emotional to me. Classical music was, is played by Dr. Carson in the operating room from what the movie portrays....These scenes are epic.

Dr. Carson holds his scrubbed hands up in one scene as he prays:  "Thy will be done" as he prepares to operate on a patient for the first time as he risks discipline...but saves a life.

This young man and now middle aged man is a true inspiration for our family.  He came from humble beginnings and I guarantee, you too will be inspired! If you are facing adversity you should be encouraged by this true modern story and how God is using this man even of late.

Praying for our country, so much going on.  Just so much.  

Love to All in Christ Jesus my Lord,    ~Amelia

Kermit Gosnell: It's Time to Speak Up!

Source: Uploaded by user via Amelia on Pinterest

I was going to post a nice entry on another blog, a very sweet sunny entry.  I read the following article once again and I cannot post one more thing without posting these articles as I see them.  I've covered Gosnell's grand jury report back in '11 and it's finally reckoning time for Gosnell but most of our networks are giving it 0 time.  Yes. The culture of death is that extreme to ignore murders of little babies.

I will be putting up articles as I see them.  LifeNews.com is a very good source by the way.

As you hear the music play here, you may recognize it as themes to To Kill a Mockingbird by Elmer Bernstein. These themes, one of them called Guilty Verdict represent the trial, the unjust trial of Tom Robinson. In this country at present we have unborn babies also unjustly sentenced to death.

What is going on in the country I do not understand. People who used to be so careful with their music that they wouldn't even compose a song with a beat, families who wouldn't even have a television now going to movies with sexual imagery?  I'm sorry if these people were legalistic but this is no time to swerve from the Lord's sweet ways! Holiness is not legalism! True convictions come from knowing the Lord and spending time with Him.   Maybe that was the problem with some of these families? They didn't spend time with the Lord and were only going with the herd.

There are little animals being tortured in our country, a report of a man cutting a sweet beagle's stomach with a box cutter and gleefully watched it's intestines fall out as the dog ran screaming.

Institutionalized factory farming, live animals being hung and cut etc. And people eat this meat everyday, they wear the skins everyday of these tortured creatures!  These are GOD's creatures!  I personally refuse to give one cent to any of this or wear it. Dairy? The poor dairy cows are treated just as badly if not worse.  I've always been sensitive to this and now things have come to a clear conscience with instructions from the Lord as to have nothing to do with it but to speak out against the darkness.

And THIS is going on: screaming little babies being murdered, beheaded.  It's horrible, it's been horrible!  Little babies!

It's time we speak up and stop playing church, it's time we at least show a little grief.  I've almost gotten to the point where I resent the way most churches and their members play church.  Their seeming lack of care, it bothers me, it grieves me, people more interested in stacking b-bs for a church prize of some kind, or perhaps some people...so consumed with their checking accounts.  I'm sorry if I sound bitter, I'm not, I just don't understand the apathy and it hurts my heart because I know something is wrong.  Very wrong. ...And it hurts the Lord's Heart.

Oh Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus.

I will be prayerfully adding, posting articles here that may be very hard to read as the days go by.  I'm sorry if it is disturbing. But it must be posted.  As my daughter Mar said when people hold their ears not wanting to hear what even innocent animals go through....

Ignoring any of these horrors will not make it go away

May we keep our homes those sweet places for our families and be deep in prayers.  May we have real homes where our children will know they had that freedom of love, creativity, and love for God coupled with great mercy. And God forbid sterile house-beautiful atmospheres, children don't need a museum they need a home! Only the sweet spirit of the Lord will provide this if He is allowed to prevail.  Let's be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and guard against the spirit of the World. Guard against it!  

Many things should not be labeled liberal or conservative. Many things are either something God loves or hates no matter which side picks up on it.

Hands that shed innocent blood is one of the seven things God hates!  Proverbs 6:17 

You may be interested in my Pinterest board on the subject of the Unborn  and other causes as well as in God's Creatures on my other Pinterest boards.

I post this entry with urgency. Urgency for the Innocents, the Church; the real Church, urgency for the family and our country.

Without further ado.

Witness in Gosnell murder trial testifies she heard one baby screaming.

ARTICLE: Witness in Gosnell murder trial testifies she heard one baby "screaming" after child aborted but delivered alive.

"Infant beheadings. Severed baby feet in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure. Haven't heard about these sickening accusations?

It's not your fault. Since the murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell began March 18, there has been precious little coverage of the case that should be on every news show and front page. The revolting revelations of Gosnell's former staff, who have been testifying to what they witnessed and did during late-term abortions, should shock anyone with a heart."

ARTICLE: http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/10/philadelphia-abortion-clinic-horror-column/2072577/

Worker at Gosnell Clinic: Baby's Chest Moved After Neck Snipped.  

That’s not what two staffers for Gosnell admitted in court — with one saying she heard a baby scream and another saying the baby “jumped” when the newborn was stabbed in the neck with the scissors.

Kermit Gosnell Drugged, Tied Up Woman Before Forced Abortion

She also told AP she doesn’t know if Gosnell killed her child in the abortion or in the snipping technique he used to killed babies shortly after birth.

“Did he do that to mine? Did he stab him in the neck?” Johnson asked at her North Philadelphia home. “Because I was out of it. I don’t know what he did to my baby.”

The Story You May Not Have Heard (Warning: Graphic Reading)

 "If I told you that in a small building, in a major metropolitan city, within a state of these United States of America there were over 100 children born into this world and then summarily executed, would you expect there to be a national outcry?"

 

The Kermit Gosnell case becomes more horrifying by the minute. But we need to remember that every single abortion is just as horrifying. Killing a baby after she's born is the same as killing her before she's born.
(read our blog about the Gosnell case here: http://bit.ly/YfjNZj)

Gossip - Remember Me?

  Photo by Robert Stock

 I found an old yellowed Ann Landers newspaper clipping on my bedroom floor, it had fallen out of a keepsake box.  I hope you will be challenged or comforted by this old Ann Landers column on gossip.  Even the Bible equates gossip with murder because it ruins a reputation and plants doubts or preconceived notions in others' minds many times about an innocent person. Whether you are the person gossiped about or the bystander hearing a loved one being gossiped about the pain can be irreversible.

Dear Ann Landers:  A few years ago you printed an insightful piece about gossip and the damage it can do.  A great many people need to be reminded.  Would you please print it again?
- Watertown, Wis.

Dear Watertown:  I agree.  Here it is.  Thanks for asking.

Gossip - Remember Me?

My name is Gossip.  I have no respect for justice.

I maim without killing.  I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.

I flourish at every level of society.

My victims are helpless.  They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible.  The harder you try, the more elusive I become.

I am nobody's friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.

I topple governments and wreck marriages.

I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

My name is Gossip.


From an Ann Landers newspaper column

'Lena' - Wow, What a Book!

Every now and then we come across one of those books, one of those books we underline in...One of those books we buy for gifts for our youth and loved ones....We want the truths, the poignancies to minister to them too!  We want our friends and family to meet our new friend! 

This is one of those books:  Lena by Margaret Jensen, also the author of 'First We Have Coffee'

If you are raising children or youth, praying for adult children?  Are you a human being? ; )  Read this book!  If you are a youth or adult, this is a great suggested read for life.  You will meet a true Saint of God....Lena.  If you are a grandparent?  Great read.  It's a great read and my copy is underlined up a storm!  I know of families that have wayward youth or young adult children.  You will be encouraged and challenged to move forward in those prayers. Feeling discontent?  Read on...Lena has encouragements galore! You will be sooooo blessed friends.  Lena is a gem. You will want to just give her a big ol' bear hug!!!

I bought copies for our girls for Christmas and  both Lea & Marianna have their copies underlined already.  The quotes will be keepers I assure  you!  : )

Here is an excerpt I would like to share:

     Laughingly Lena answered,  "Oh but that tree do talk.  It say, 'Lena, just stand where God put you, like I do.  I don't fret and carry on to be a tall pine.  I just be standing here, unshakable, unmovable, a shelter in the storm, and a shade in the heat.'  Then I tell myself, 'Lena just be-just be abounding in the work of the Lord.   Do your work as unto the Lord, for God sees the heart and is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.'  That tree be talking, Nurse Jensen, and I talk back.  I say, 'God planted you outside my kitchen, and He planted me inside this kitchen.'  We just stand praising the Lord together."

I hope you enjoy the book Lena, as much as our family has.  I read excerpts at many a dinner table!  I just know you will be blessed. : )

Here are some photos I thought you might enjoy of some of our daughters and most sweet friends, I snatched these from our daughter, Marianna's blog:





Three of our daughters, Rebecca, Lea, Marianna, and sweet friends, Lars and Elisabeth Elliot Gren at a friend's wedding reception.  I love Elisabeth, she is true blue. She is getting older now... I hold on to postcards she sent me years ago when I was on bedrest with Rebecca...You see, I had requested prayer from her and she so kindly responded in prayers and sisterly comfort, not to mention that of a spiritual mother to me.  She read one of my letters on the air one morning and tears streamed down my face...  I love Elisabeth. Lars has been ever so kind as well to my daughters.  There aren't many like them anymore friends...Oh that someone would carry that torch. May just a slice be in me.  Please Lord allow me to be an encouragement to moms or anyone as I desire to be encouraged.





Our dds, Lea, Rebecca, Marianna, precious friends & sisters; Sarah & Hannah (just love these girls).. and dd Michelle.  What a neat time in the Lord they all had!

Well that's a slice of life today. I hope you enjoy the book. It's a keeper!

God bless you all,  your sister in Christ, a fellow sojourner on this earth.  As the older Italian women used to say... Hang on to that rope!   In my words? Hang on to your godly and sweet convictions. : )

~So much love to you all in Christ,    ~Amelia  

Lassie's Christmas Story (1958)

This is the sweetest little show you'll ever want to see!



Oh how things have changed in our country.  I love for our family to watch these together. They are the BEST! God is clearly honored and oh such a sweet spirit in these shows!  This of course is part I. All parts seem to be available.

I bought a dvd set of three Lassie Christmas shows and boy am I glad I did!

This will put a smile on your face and a skip in your step!

Merry Christmas!   Amelia

P.S. Did I ever tell you about the time 60 Minutes aired a clip on our family dog, Minnie Pearl?  Yes, Minnie Pearl gave our dog catcher a Christmas card when I was a little girl.  Those were the days...

'Meet John Doe' (1941) A Christmas Must-See

This is a neat-neat movie. You won't see anything like this in theatres today...This is a Frank Capra great.  I hope you enjoy the movie as much as our family has!

The movie also confronts materialism as you will see in the following Heelots clip.  Don't be a Heelot!  : )

Don't know what a Heelot is?  See the clip below and you will see!  ...just don't be one or let one get you! Trust me...they are among us! : )



The ending of the movie is amazing where Christ is unashamedly mentioned in a beautiful way. Here is the movie in entirety.  You can also purchase the movie as well, and at times Turner Classics will air this great movie. Enjoy!



One interesting fact is that Frank Capra is from the same Italian village my grandpa was from. In fact in a biography I have of Frank Capra it mentions my Grandpa's family name as a neighbor. I think it's so interesting. : )

I hope everyone is having  a peaceful Christ-filled holy season and that you enjoy these movie suggestions and clips as much as our family does, they are so wonderful and just such a sweet way to spend some nice family down time together.  

May we lift our country up in prayer,   ~amelia

Meet Billy! Billy's Story, His Cage Had Rusted Shut. MUST SEE

This story is so touching. This story happens many times, way too many.... and this one has a happy ending.

Let's remember fur angels this Christmas and always.  They are God's creatures. May we care for them too.

We have four doglets and three were rescued. I cannot tell you the joy they bring our family, it's a wonderful way of teaching our children no matter how old compassion and care.

More Christmas Sweetness, "Tenth Avenue Angel" (1948)

My daughter and I were watching this sweet, sweet movie today, this movie is so very precious and a perfect addition for our family viewing especially for the Christmas season.  

At around 3:16 you will see little Flavia (Margaret O'Brien) in the precious, most poignant kneeling cow scene as she prays for a miracle for her mother, oh and such a sweet miracle as only the Lord can do. 

My eyes were wet with tears, they just don't make them like this anymore. These are the best folks.These movies are made in a time in our country where there was a healthy fear of God.  May we never be ashamed of sweetness or innocence. : )

I hope you enjoy this and are blessed:



Our daughter is still recovering from kidney stones, is in much less pain now thanks be to God.  Please keep her in your prayers.   ~Amelia

A Good Peaceful Friday

Having trouble keeping things in perspective as the brash, materialistic ads are being forced upon us?

This is one of the most precious scenes ever of a simple nativity play with these darling little angels.  I once knew a priest very much like Father O'Malley in this movie played by Bing Crosby.  He was Jesus with skin on to me as a little girl.  We now attend a different but same kind of church. As my husband says, Church is in our hearts.  It doesn't really matter or shouldn't matter which Christian denomination we are.  Jesus is everywhere or perhaps rather sprinkled in various people's hearts no matter what the position.  And whatever our Christian denomination is...may we be those Father O'Malley's to others.

This past week we were in the ER with my dd22.  Trust me, I would have LOVED for a Father O'Malley to come pray with us as I sat with fever myself, head on my husband's shoulder horrified as my daughter lay suffering horribly from seven kidney stones, one blocking.  Where are they, those Father O'Malley's?  I hope we will be that one to others. Sometimes it hurts, because I don't see them very often. All I can say, is I know Jesus is with us and carries us.

I think this may be just what the doctor ordered:


I hope this touches your heart as it has touched mine once more.  For our family?  We are keeping things to a small, reasonable budget for each of our daughters for Christmas.  It feels good, a nice sensible Christmas. ...Like things used to be. Like they still can be if we stay in the realm of the Lord and away from the culture.

Blessings to All! I hope you enjoy this precious, precious video, a short clip from "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945).

Oh God give us homes that would fit in this sweet realm!

Love,   Amelia

A Message For Christians: Not Voting? To Do Nothing and Call it a Moral Victory is Cowardly, Maybe Evil

Source: swagbucks.com via Amelia on Pinterest

"Governor Romney approves of abortion only in the case of rape, incest and the life of the mother. And since, some evangelical Christians will not sort through this. They believe that abortion is murder, immoral and sinful. And some are saying that they will not vote for either Obama or Romney. And they believe that by sitting out this election, they will be protecting their holiness.

To do nothing and call it a moral victory is cowardly. It may actually be evil. But it is if nothing else, certainly this: Failing to do as much as possible to make improvement toward those things which you can make better. Failing to show that much compassion and effort is morally lazy.

In the world in which WE ACTUALLY LIVE where our country has about 1,200,000 abortions every year, one candidate is saying that we could eliminate 960,000 abortions… It is moral malpractice then seeking to reduce the number of abortions by 80% is the same as saying that 100% of all abortions are politically and morally ok. To do nothing to preserve the life of the unborn when you have the opportunity to do something toward that goal cannot be an alternative for a thinking Christian."
~~ Dr. David Jeremiah ~~

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part III

Hi De Ho! Here is Part III of my guest series on Little Acre. I hope you have enjoyed the series. Happy autumn everyone, the picture below is of our daughters. : )

 

Years ago, some of my fondest memories were of me with my little girls at a friends home, a friend who also had little girls. Another friend of ours, Peggy, was there with her girls too. The homeschool climate then? We were pioneer homeschool moms. It was a time when men were going to jail for their family's right to homeschool. Our girls were sitting around the table cutting out pictures of mammals from National Geographic magazines and such. That was as far into outclassing as we went, our little girls were happy as little larks.

The sweetest times ever also included taking my little girls into the little old town to Mrs.. Blount's house for piano lessons. Piano lessons was their one extra lesson. Mrs.. Blount was a sweet Christian woman who would end up being like a grandmother to my girls and confidant' of mine. Oh how we loved that saint of God! Her life stories from WWII and her accounts of black-outs in the city were amazing, her remembrance of a little girl in her class from England sent here by relatives for safety. We marveled at pictures of her as a young woman, she had been a Greer Garson look alike. We marveled at the strength and faith in the Lord she had as a young widow left with three children. What a special friend! I always stressed to our girls, we can have friends of all ages, younger and older!

We lived in the country then too, and at first as a young mother I would worry that my girls were not having enough playtime with other children. Our oldest little girls, Lea and Marianna, now twenty-nine and twenty-seven were around five and seven at the time said.."Mommy, we have each other". They will still tell me, they had a precious childhood, they never even thought anything else ever. Remember too, John the Baptist was an only child and was raised in the desert!
Back then Jonathan Lindvall was a great help in his encouragements as well. His tapes helped confirm things in my heart as I was on bed rest with our fourth baby homeschooling from the couch.

Things I regret?

When we moved into the suburbs for a season we naively and unknowingly entered into some support group twaddle busy-busy activities that provided stress that really should not have ever been. It was a slight, subtle case of The Emperor's New Clothes. Thank God I realized that the Emperor was naked and we wised up to some of the unnecessary busyness and pressure. Isn't one of the beauties of homeschooling the sweet peaceful life? This is not to pick on every extra activity, although I will ask,

"What are you doing that for?"

I ask that often..."What are we doing this for?" "Why?" ...Remember the little boy who asked why? Well you can call me, the mom who asked and keeps asking why.

 His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Take the Peace,

take the joy.

Step off the gerbil wheel. Let Christ be your everything. Let's keep our homes a place of praise to the Lord. Live, laugh, and love in Jesus our Savior. Pray, talking to the Father always. You and your children giving thanks through folding laundry, or singing hymns when washing dishes and cooking. Praise His name all ye people! Remember, His yoke is easy and His burden is light; we need only to rest comfortably under it, and keep in step with the quiet gentle pace of our Savior.

…………….

Comments are always appreciated and welcomed!  They are a gift to my heart!   ~Amelia

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part II

Hello Friends, This is Part II of my guest post previously posted at Amanda's blog, Little Acre.  Enjoy and be blessed...

Not long ago, I picked up my old freshman high school yearbook. In it were things that grieved my spirit. There were things that were winked at in that school that, as a Christian, I do not want any part of now. There was a coldness about it all...

Idolization of high academics,

rock and roll dances and Malibu tanned girls.

Even as I type this I cringe.

Unfortunately, much of our area homeschool group looks similar now. The lure of the world,

the pride of man,

wanting to fit in.

Grown women wanting to fit in. Grown women wanting to put academics on the throne and put the Lord to the side. Grown women shunning godly sweet things in favor of fitting into a very wide, sick culture. Imagine such a thing? But it can happen if we are not careful. Oh yes, you too can grow your own Tower of Babel right in your own backyard, or even in your heart!

 

How do we avoid the Tower of Babel Syndrome? Spending time with the Lord and His Word. Knowing that many times if the Herd is doing something or going a certain way, maybe we had better take a second look. Follow the Word not the Herd!

Realizing that if things are a supposed given, it may not be exactly God's plan or given for you, and most likely it shouldn't even be a given at all.

Have you ever seen the book titled "Stop the Christmas Machine"? Well, I would like to warn, "Stop the Modern Homeschool Machine". Consider everything you do. Don't be a discontent mom; be a mature, content mom, be a sweet, cheerful mom. Laughing with our kids is a beautiful thing, joking with our kids is a beautiful thing! Making a mess can be a beautiful thing! But sometimes from what I see it's not laughing, cheerful, joyful, moms, it's immature laughing moms all too eager to enter into gossip and an addictive, empty need to run the roads, all the while displaying a make believe badge of busyness.

It's sad but true. We need to stop and take heed, and *gasp* …

be willing to stand alone.

We must be secure in Jesus alone.

We need to teach our children it's okay to stand alone.

Consider and pray, pray and consider.

Plod along peacefully.

Remember, if we are too busy to have dinner as a family, to cook healthy meals, then we are probably too busy.

The most peaceful homes I know of are of women plodding along intentionally, sweetly, making their homes a place of peace and praise. How many outside classes do we need?

Do we need any?

Whatever happened to homemaking? Whatever happened to venerating the idea of sons in a good hands on job, perhaps to be a good honorable farmer with skill? When is the last time we heard anything like that?

What does the Lord want?

Whose voice will we heed?

Will we be still enough,

long enough to spend that time with the Lord to hear His still small Voice?

Will our sons and daughters know that still small Voice?

Who is speaking louder to our hearts, the Lord or society?

………

Photos taken of Amelia and her husband and the beautiful views at their home and what she calls her Forest Cathedral.  You can find her at My Forest Cathedral where she blogs about her thoughts and perceptions on day to day life as she walks with her  Savior in her journey to simplicity where He is All.

And, If you have a vision for a Godly home; are seeking a home of Peace and Joy, where the heart of Jesus is reflected, you can find her writing over at; A Vision for a Godly Home.

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part I

Following is a three-part guest post I had prayerfully written for Amanda at 'Little Acre' blog.  I thought I would share here since Amanda saw fit to close down Little Acre blog.  I do hope you enjoy the posts and that God is glorified as we as Children of the Father cling to Him for direction in our daily lives listening ever so carefully...       ~Amelia   

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part I

 

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part I

Lately as I've approached my middle aged years, at the age of 51 I realize that time really does fly as the older generation had warned me.  My "baby" who actually titled this article for me? She's eighteen now and is finishing up homeschooling this summer, as far as the traditional definition of education.

Those of us who homeschool from our hearts know that education never stops though, it's ongoing…

The quiet hours as of late have lent to much contemplation, much thinking of our sweet homeschool of over twenty-two years.
As I was making the decision over twenty-two years ago to homeschool, I remember standing in the massive library with my little girls and then newborn in her infant seat staring at the small section of homeschool books. There in that quiet most stoic place, where as my dad says, it's the kind of place that makes you want to spit your gum out, I was facing the consternation of our church for even considering homeschooling. Our good friends, who I now realize were merely acquaintances, dropped us, much as if we were building an ark in our backyard.

I knew the sweetness was pulling at my heart then though. I knew the solitude I was feeling was a sweet one, the Lord was right there holding my hand. That's not to say that there would not be doubts, but the Lord won out. One July Sunday in one of our favorite lunch spots, the pastor's wife made the comment loudly from across the room to me almost mockingly, her words were loud: "Are you still going to homeschool Amelia? We have a sweet teacher for Lea's grade this year..." The words were said in a nanny-nanny-boo-boo...sing-song way as our anti-ark acquaintances grinned like Cheshire cats at me from across our round table. After our lunch, as we were driving home, I shared with my husband my new doubts even though my new Bob Jones curriculum was shining brightly at home. I even verbalized and entertained the idea that maybe I should send the curriculum back. My husband wisely said;

"The Bible says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways"

Wow. He was right. End of story. It was as if the Lord clicked his heels and brought me back to Heavenly thinking on the subject and away from the land of doubt. I'm so ashamed now that the enemy had so easily discouraged me then! I was almost robbed of such a lifelong blessing!

Throughout life we have choices.

Every day we have choices.

Heaven or Harvard?

Busyness or Peace?

Popularity with man,

or Peace and fellowship with God?

Sweetness or worldly culture?

If we are going to have a sweet godly home then we must be intentional. Intentional about what? Intentional about keeping things sweet and peaceful in the Lord. Keeping Jesus number One. For an Audience of One. Talk to God, talk to Him a lot and keep Him on that throne.

Our will or His will?

What Character Do We Play? A Re-Post From Oct. 2009

Hello All, and a Happy Autumn to You All!

I thought I would re-post this entry from October of 2009.  Our family watched this day before yesterday eve for our sweet little fall party.  Marianna made the best baked pumpkin donuts with stevia instead of sugar.  I loved them!  You just can't beat it.  Warm hearts of family, healthy pumpkin donuts and ...To Kill a Mockingbird.

Without further ado I present...What Character do we Play? 

What Character do we Play?

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."


“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." To Kill a Mockingbird

Scout and Atticus played by Mary Badham and Gregory Peck


A movie I hold very dear to my heart....To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)...This is a good time of year to watch it, the movie begins in summer...but concludes in the autumn...from the Pullitzer prize-winning classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee..


This movie does contain real-to-life subject matter, there is a false accusation of rape so please be aware of that as to what is appropriate for your children. Our daughters have grown up with this movie, and we've always explained to them in age appropriate terms the cruel and false accusation against Mr. Tom Robinson, the precious black man in the movie.




Not only does the movie address racial prejudice but prejudice of many kinds as well as rumors, gossip, false assumptions, etc. It also shines light upon a most just and courageous attorney, Atticus Finch, the widowed father of two children, Jem and Scout, a small town attorney willing to take a public stand for what is right and good in spite of public opinion. Impeccable integrity.

Atticus with his children and their young friend, Dill; facing a literal lynch mob, as he physically protects Tom Robinson as he awaits trial.





Scenes in this movie are some of the most poignant scenes ever. Atticus, the father played by Gregory Peck is a beautiful example of humility and wisdom.

There is a household down the street, the Radley home...It's the home of mysterious Boo Radley played by Robert Duvall. Watch and see how Boo's true character is exposed in time...Reminding us of how very Just God is in our lives. If we give things time, God is faithful to expose and reveal true character.

Scout, Boo and Jem



In one particular tense scene Atticus is spat upon in the face. Humility is shown in a way that most would have miserably failed.



I always enjoy the familiarity in the way in which the narrator opens the movie up as only a fellow Southern gal could do...The movie score by Elmer Bernstein is on my playlist here, it's contemplative and almost hauntingly beautiful, very deep, and evokes many emotions as to when I was a little girl and my growing up years.


The opening of the movie is a reminder, much of the way I would play and draw pictures in solitude as a little girl in a small town. Youtube at one time had all the parts of this poignant and touching movie but I'm not seeing many genuine parts lately, but I did find this trailer.

Edit. 11.05.09. I have found this clip as well with Gregory Peck himself, who plays Atticus, giving a narration of the movie...I love the way he pronounces the word, "Pulitzer"... He is such a picture of a gentleman. In the clip there are also some very interesting reviews, one being from Good Housekeeping magazine. Most interesting! See it: here.




Gregory Peck, oh he is a gem in this movie as Atticus, the just attorney and loving widowed father. Beautiful. Oh that we might have his godly character and wisdom.


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Narrator as movie opens: Maycomb was a tired old town, even in 1932 when I first knew it. Somehow it was hotter then. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frosting from sweating and sweet talcum. The day was twenty-four hours long, but it seemed longer. There's no hurry, for there's nowhere to go and nothing to buy... and no money to buy it with. Although Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself... that summer, I was six years old.


"Atticus, he was real nice. . . . His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me."

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."


Narrator as movie closes: He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. he would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.
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Many, if not all libraries will have a copy of this movie.

To Kill a Mockingbird (Collector's Edition) (1962) Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White

My Guest Post on The Little Acre: 'Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away'

 EDIT: 10.01.12  The below guest posts will be reposted here soon. The blog that the guest posts were on is unavailable at this time. Thanks everyone!


 Hello Everyone! Long time no see? It's been such a busy summer of sorts. I just wanted to drop a line to sweet friends and those who I am privileged to have read and visit here to know I have a guest post series on my sweet friend, Amanda's blog, The Little Acre:

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away. Click here for Part I

Part II

Part III

I hope you are blessed and encouraged by the series, the Lord put it on my heart as I sat at my keyboard last week. I asked God what He would have me share? There are soooo many things on my heart these days in these perilous times we are in and the thoughts flowed.

Please be encouraged, in His Great Love, ~Amelia

Dreamy Sweetness. Shirley Temple, Come and Get Your Happiness

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - 1938



Why wouldn't anyone not like this sweetness?

These Shirley Temple movies are so darling. Darling for the entire family too. Timeless! You may enjoy collecting them. This is one of our favorites!

We attended an old, old church last weekend where my parents were married. The choir actually sounded exactly like the chorus in the video that comes in at around 1:22.

As we sat in the old church service, joy came to my heart but sadness too, knowing the culture is so very different. We say no to the culture and yes to sweetness!



If each of our families keep our homes sweet, then think of the inner revolution in the country!

Jesus is the sweetest name I know...

We should never be ashamed of holiness or sweetness. Never apologize for that!

Are our homes a refuge? Ones of sweetness and the Peace of Christ?

Say yes to Peace and the real deal, say no to the culture. As Christians we should be different. ...In that sweet way of course. : )

Love to All, ~Amelia

What is Our Attitude Towards Sorrows & Difficulty?

The link I'm including here at the end of this entry is excellent and timely as todayI feel as though my head is a balloon or toy punching ball (remember those?) filled to the max....as if someone were to take the securing knot or rubber band from the stem I would fly into the cosmos! The pressures of life, oh the pressures of life.

In our home we are readying for two of our daughters to leave for China. My husband is taking his test renewing his brokerage. Our old home selling maybe? Our adorable older daughter praying for a mate, knowing her biological timeclock is ticking. Me, wondering what is wrong with these guys not seeing her with open eyes? But...Also knowing it could be God's protection? A test being taken today for college plus before our daughter leaves for China, speeches to be made for China. Sickness being looked into. Parents who have been divorced for over 30 years, still visit and I believe care for each other but at the same time can be like matches and gasoline....and me. I'm thinking it's the same thing I grew up with and when will it stop, yes there are wonderful memories from these two most outstanding people but there are other memories I've always dealt with as an only child and on and on and on it goes in the theatre of my earthly mind. But...

All these things? They are a learning for me. Some of these things are a lesson in trust. Some of these things are a lesson in mercy. Some of these are practical lessons in natural health that I've been learning for some time now. Some of these things teach me in a very odd but unforgettable way, of how I want to be so very, very very,very careful, I reiterate careful of how we must keep our homes in an atmosphere of praise, Peace and sweetness of the Lord, not letting the world in. Some of these things are the COMPANIONSHIP OF BROKENESS.

So dear friends, readers who may catch this entry...If you too feel like minced meat...you are not alone.

Let's pray for one another and lift each other up, and please allow me to share the following by Oswald Chambers:

Receiving Yourself in the Fire of Sorrows

You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.

Have a great day in Jesus, I hope this ministered to you as I ministered to myself writing this as I sat at my keyboard and poured my heart.



I'm going to be quiet and just bask in the Lord today...Clothes washing etc. If I sit still before the Lord it will be like the photo above...

Love in Christ Jesus, ~Amelia

So They Call Us Extreme? Different? They Will be Right. : )

~Robert Stock

"The church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.

This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it. But miss it we do, for we hear constantly that the Church must try to be as much like the world as possible, excepting, of course, where the world is too, too sinful....

Let us plant ourselves on the hill of Zion and invite the world to come over to us, but never under any circumstances will we go over to them. The cross is the symbol of Christianity, and the cross speaks of death and separation, never of compromise. No one ever compromised with a cross. The cross separated between the dead and the living. The timid and the fearful will cry "Extreme!" and they will be right. The cross is the essence of all that is extreme and final. The message of Christ is a call across a gulf from death to life, from sin to righteousness and from Satan to God."

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ~Corinthians 6:17

A.W. Tozer ~The Set of the Sail

I read this, this morning and thought it was so good. It's true, the church has let darkness in instead of Light out.

How sad to see what has happened and what is accepted now. But do we shun others who are not exactly like us? Of course not. That would not be the character of Christ at all and sure enough the enemy loves to use this sectarian tool in churches and it does hurt families. Many times this is not the case though. It has been our experience that many churches today will shun the holy and sweet, they are so very concerned about their idea of success, numbers and programs. It's always interesting to me when I visit other blogs, those who are supposed to be so very tolerant when in reality they are very intolerant of those who claim the name of Jesus.

What are we to do when many times churches are either extreme? Pray saints pray. Show love to others, love God and hate sin. Stop the church politics and people pleasing in either camp, it's not about who wins the b-b stacking contest at camp, it's about inviting the new family to eat at your table for pity's sake. Live your life sweetly in a very real way, (it's the only way!).. use actions to love others, live it out with wisdom and discernment. Use words to love and appreciate when necessary. ; ) If we homeschool let's make sure we are teaching our children and youth godly character not just the academics. I'm afraid many a young person is going a very wrong direction spiritually with academic accolades. It's no good to go to hell with a straight A grade average.

If children or youth see you being selfish and cliquish? Respecters of persons? Thankless? Guess what, chances are they will be that way too for the most part. If they see you addicted to busyness? Guess what, chances are they will live lives of busyness too. Being under Satans yoke.

Please see the below sermon on yesterday's entry. It's such an encouraging, appropriate and challenging message for today! : )

Love in Christ, ~Amelia