07/31/10

I read this in one of my devotionals this morning and thought I'd share.

The Powerful Hand of God
Isaiah 48:13
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together:

The human hand is an anatomical marvel; nothing remotely comparable exists among the primates or any other animals. It is a marvel of design. But surely the "hand of God"-of which man's hand is only a very dim shadow-is infinitely more powerful and skillful.
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God's hand is omnipotent, and "He's got the whole world in His hands." It is wonderful to know His hand is gentle and loving as well as powerful. His hands will bear eternal scars, where they were spiked to the cross, because He loved us, and died for us. "My sheep hear my voice," He says, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28). The hand that spanned the heavens can hold on to those who trust Him.
-Henry Morris

07/30/10

Plymouth - or as they spell it "Plimoth".... This is not the actual site, but about 3 miles or so from where they were. They built this to be as close to what it would have been during that time period.

LOVED this place and would have enjoyed staying there longer if it wasn't close to the end of their day. The people who walk around as colonists actually talk to you as if it were the year 1627. I LOVED THAT.

I learned some interesting tidbits from the women.... Did you know women are "wet brained" and men are "hot brained"? We are wet brained because... as those women put it... we release each month. (Let me just say that embarrassed the mess out of me. lol) Because we do that we are not very smart... according to the time of 1627. Now, men are "hot brained" because they think so much their hair gets burned off their head. This would be how they explained balding men. Hmmmmm.....

The women also told me my clothes were ill-fitting and it was very apparent I didn't go to a tailor like they did. And here I thought I was looking "A-OK" that day! lol

I would have loved to have chatted with those women longer! It was fun hearing them chat about people I have read were on the Mayflower as if they actually knew them.

Here are a few scenes from Plymouth. You'll have to wait for more until I can get them worked on. lol

thatched roof

one of the homes

house being built

cute little ram

Wesley was trying to make friends with the chicken.

garden

This guy made me hot with all of his clothing. He was trying to figure out what to do with that wood. He kept talking to himself. lol

The following pictures are of the inside of some of the homes.

This guy was enjoying a great book near a tree!

07/29/10

Forgive me... the trip pictures will continue soon. I have had issues with my photo editing software and finally have it solved, but that means I do not have some pics ready!

Eighteen years ago today my sweet Steve proposed to me on my Mom and Dad's back deck. I am so thankful for that day and so thankful for him. Just had to share that today. :)

I have been mulling over this post for a while. I felt today was the time to do it.

This summer has helped me see my children in a new light. Since they are now 10 I am finding that the way we handled situations when they were little have to be handled differently... and differently for each child. It has been fascinating watching them go into their separate personalities more.
Wesley and Mikayla are both getting to the age where they want their voice to be heard. While Steve and I will not tolerate disrespect we also want to HEAR them.

When they were little it was easy to tell them not to do something or TO do something with no questions asked. This summer I am having more talks about attitude and why something must be done or not done than I ever have thus far. I know it is just the beginning as those teen years are fast approaching.

I am learning that the statement "Rules without relationship breed rebellion" is so true. If I only expect things from my children without the relationship backing it, or listening to what their view of it may be, I am going to breed rebellion in their hearts. I could already see some of that in Wesley as he is quiet with his attitude more than Mikayla. I could see his turn into quiet rebellion that could one day explode.

I have had to learn to go to them, tell them that I know they are angry or upset about something and have them TALK to me. I may not always like what I hear, but I must get them TALKING to me. Once I can get them talking, then I help them see what God's Word would say about a matter. I have also learned that my original view of something may have not been correct and see THEIR side would be better.

If all I do is preach to my children and bash them over the head with a Bible, it isn't going to work. There has to be the love and concern coming from me... and the understanding that I am hearing them without them feeling like they are condemned before they begin talking. Isn't that what God does for us? When we go to Him when we are hurt or angry He doesn't automatically come down, silence us, and tell us we just need to get over something.... He listens, He cares, and loves us through those hard times. I must show that same example to Wesley and Mikayla so that they can lean on their Heavenly Father with their trials in life as they mature and grow.

I am learning to laugh with them over things that I used to be more stern.

I am learning to give grace and mercy when I hear what they say to me.

I have learned to be honest with them and let them know I have felt the same things and not make it sound like I have "arrived" just because I am an adult.

I have held them as they cried over things I know are small to an adult, but big to a child.

I keep thinking of Proverbs 22:6 -

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I seem to remember only being taught that if you train your child up knowing the Lord, He will come back to it even if he/she has gone astray.

In the past year I have learned that, while that is true, it is not the whole reasoning of that verse. I am to see my children as individuals the way God made them. They are not always going to like or do things the way I do them and it is my responsibility to train them according to how GOD made them and what HE wants for their lives. I can't have control over them in the fact that I dictate how they are to be in every area of their lives. In teaching modesty, self-control, humility, love, and respect I am also to allow them the freedom to become who they are to be in Christ.

For instance:
Mikayla is much more of a girly-girl than I ever was... or am today.

She paints her nails all different colors... sometimes polka dots, sometimes stripes, sometimes every other finger or toe.

She wears perfume at age 10!

She likes "blingy" clothes and purses.

She wears SUNGLASSES all of the time. lol

That is just how the Lord made her. I should not expect her to act just like me because I don't think like she does. What I am expected by the Lord to do is to take that girly-girl and teach her those valuable principles so that she can shine in the role God has planned for her.

In saying all of what I have said in this post... parenting is harder now than it ever was when they were first born. While then I was physically exhausted because they were going in so many directions, now I am mentally and emotionally tired. It shows I must depend even more on the Lord to guide my words and actions so that I can be the mother I should be in training Wesley and Mikayla for Him.

In sitting down and listening I may just be surprised at what the Lord teaches ME through them.

07/28/10

Let's now take a tour of the Wampanoag village. These were the Native People of the area where the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts. I learned lots here to teach my students. I know there is still more to learn but am excited with these pics!!

Their houses were called "Wetu" and the size of the house depended on how many generations of your family lived in it. You may think these would not be warm in the winter, but they actually were so warm that the children used to run outside in the cold of winter to get away from such heat. lol

They made tomahawks from bone and wood. This one is made out of a tree root.

Campfire where they were actually cooking a meal! It was great!

Mikayla got to play some Native games.... that was quite fun.

Mortar and pestle

corn inside the mortar and pestle

carving/burning out a piece of wood to make a boat

One that has been completed

boats in the water!

07/27/10

Today will be our last tour of Boston because it is time to move on with our trip!! (Kim... are you feeling complete now? hee hee)

Here is the Old State House where the Declaration of Independence was read on July 4, 1776. It was the tallest building of its time.... now look at what is around it!

This is the spot where the Boston Massacre occurred. Five people were killed in the turmoil between colonists and British soldiers. No one is certain as to who shot the first shot and whether it was intentional or not. (It probably wasn't....) Samuel Adams used this as propaganda for independence for Britain.

As we were walking around that day we were able to enjoy music from this flute and drum band. (I honestly can't remember their name right now...)

Cool shot of the drums....

We went to the Granary Burying Ground to see many famous Patriot graves. This is John Hancock's grave. I overheard a tour guide telling his group that his grave was actually broken into and the thieves cut off his hands because he had rings on them. Later, it is told, someone cut off his head. Isn't THAT nice.
If you look at his tombstone you can see his head and a hand at the top. Legend has it the people did that so he could have his back. ;)

John Hancock may have signed the Declaration of Independence in a big way but he forgot to sign his own will! He left his widow penniless and she was buried with him later because they couldn't afford to bury her. He was a very rich man so this was a shock to all.

Mikayla read a biography of John Hancock last year and she has looked forward to seeing his grave. She took pictures of it and said this was a highlight of her trip. lol

Samuel Adams grave

The grave of those killed in the Boston Massacre

Paul Revere's grave

Me and the kiddos waiting for Steve to get money out of a teller machine for supper. lol

This is where we had supper our last night in Boston. We had to wait about 45 minutes to get in.... the place is small but worth the wait!

Here are Wesley and Mikayla as they are waiting. Can you tell which one of my children were having a harder time being patient???

Lobster Ravioli.
My first time having it.
OH. MY. WORD.
My best friend loves this so I thought I'd try it and now I realize why she always wants to lick the plate afterwards. I almost did that myself.

We enjoyed our meal.... and we experienced TRUE BOSTONIAN servers. lol

Menu

Afterwards we enjoyed some treats from Mike's Pastry. If you ever get to Boston you need to try them out!