God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

BY Ron Hamilton (Patch the Pirate)

I realize that today is Groundhog Day and Valentines day is around the corner, I have lessons to think about, laundry to fold and a kitchen to clean up…. but my thoughts are on Egypt tonight. I was surprised when I turned on the news  that the fighting is continuing…and seems to be worse today.  The President of Egypt,  Hasni Mubarak said that he would not run for office again and would soon step down.  I thought that his words would calm folks down but the uproar and chaos continues.  Now there are two groups fighting and hurting each other—those who are pro-Mubarak and those who are anti-Mubarak.  I don’t really understand what is going on and am not sure if the people want a democracy or not.  I know they are angry and living on very little money.   I’m afraid that  I do not know enough about this subject to be even discussing it intelligently. So now I will pray and ask the homechool community to join me.  The Lord cares about the kingdoms of this earth and he allows kings to rise and fall.  Let’s join hands together and pray for this very volatile region of the world. May God’s  will be done.  Read more...

Although my husband and I  appreciated  watching a foreign film occasionally years ago, since we had children we have not watched hardly any movies,  let alone a foreign film!  Our boys are finally getting to the age where we can enjoy some movies together that are not “kid’s shows.”

Tonight our family decided to watch Babettes Feast.  My oldest who loves to cook, especially enjoyed watching the French cooking, and my youngest liked reading the sub-titles.  The film was rated G, and it was fine for our family.  There was wine and champagne drinking during the dinner scene…because of the fancy French dinner…. but the devout puritans partaking of the meal had no idea what they were drinking.                                                                      

I suppose that some folks might find this film to be too slow or boring but I found it to be quite charming.  Babett’s Feast is set in a very remote coastal Danish village where only devout puritans live. The members of this sect are very plain and live simply.  They eat  simple  food and do not seem to enjoy many comforts in life.  It takes place during the mid 1800’s.  There is lovely music, hymns, some opera, and peaceful scenery throughout the movie.  Read more...