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.


.........................................................................................................................

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.
.............................................................................................................................................



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