God

I am attending the CAPE convention this weekend (Christian Association of Parent Educators).    It is surprisingly inspiring and uplifting to be surrounded by so many like minded families.   I take great joy in seeing well rounded, wholesome, and polite teenagers walking around helping as volunteers.   It reminds me that we aren't necessarily leading our children down a road of being socially awkward and strange.  There are so many talented, wonderful children out there.    I left the convention last night feeling exceedingly blessed to be able to school our children at home.  

A good article shared by Brendan's Aunt Alda on Facebook... this website is pretty interesting too if you have time to browse around :) I am always working to become a better and less selfish wife and mother... God help me as I remember to be more Christlike and not just to make all the beds!

http://raisinghomemakers.com/2012/a-letter-to-my-children-about-marriage/

Cute things the girls have said lately:

Aria: "Mom how do people who make light bulbs put the light in there?  The only one who is tall enough to reach the light is God because he made it."

Mommy and Avrielle: Mommy "How old are you Avrielle?"  Avrielle "Too old" ;) (She means 2 years old)

Aria and Avrielle: Aria "Avrielle, don't get into that cabinet.... Avrielle no you don't!"   Avrielle: "Ya I do!!"

Apparently there was a hot discussion going on in circles I don't tread regarding God being a "masculine God." I recently read this article by Richard Beck from Abilene Christian University which I really enjoyed and wanted to share. I like how Beck thinks - he can look through the surface of an  argument and find what is underneath. This is something I try to do when confronted with challenges. Understand that much of what I am saying is expanding on Dr.

I really liked this article because it described many of the things I feel as a new home schooling mom.  I have found that many articles on homeschooling present a pretty subjective view of the call to educating children at home.  I do NOT believe that homeschooling is right for every family and feel that God directs all of us differently  in our paths to lead to our children to Him.  I think that this assumption that many families put forth that homeschooling is the only way to go can be hurtful and divisive even in the Christian community.   That being said,

I saw this video via Fox News and it's part of a show by Discovery. It looks computer generated but is a video of this super-cold underwater icicle forming so quickly that it freezes everything in its path, including starfish and the like. God has made so many amazing organisms, structures, and phenomena in this world.

Well it's hard to believe but we are already at the end of January of the new year.   How time flies when you're having fun!    We have had a great month at the Johnson household.

Another story of a family surviving disaster, which always tugs my heartstrings. A family in a sightseeing plain crashed and were immediately rescued by various good samaritans. The father expresses his gratitude to the people who saved then, rightly so. My first thought when watching the video, however, is not a reaffirmation of humanity but of God's hand in our lives.

Sarah Melissa Johnson (Ingersoll) is my wife. I've begun to realize how important it is for a person to openly confess their love for their spouse on a regular basis. Something more than an arm around the shoulder or a kiss on the cheek. So I want to tell you about Sarah, and what a beautiful person she is. This is a little scattered, but I have to finish it before the end of the day :)

"Someone once said... I’ve learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice."

Really good advice! But not what I was thinking about :) Netherwood's preacher, David, loves to say "Someone once said...." In fact I've heard that a lot lately. It's like a preacher trick or something. I've always prickled a bit at it, thinking "Ya right, YOU just made it up" or "Was it Nietzsche or something? Someone you're unwilling to credit?"