What is October 31st, really?

Is it:

a.) a fun-filled night in the US that originated from Druid superstitions and beliefs?
b.) the day before All Saint's Day, a day to celebrate the Saints who gave their lives in service to God?
c.) the day Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the Castle Church door, thus beginning the Reformation?

Well, actually it is all three. Did you know....

October 31st is the last day of the Celtic calendar and is known as Samhain, a pagan holiday celebrating the dead, and steeped in superstition. The ancient culture thought the dead souls roamed the villages at night. Gifts and treats were left out on Samhain to pacify the evil spirits. In addition, faces were carved into turnips to fool the roaming souls into thinking a spirit was already occupying that space and therefore protecting the house from any evil spirits.(Hence, the customs of trick or treating and jack-o-lanterns evolved.)

Later, the Catholic church set aside November 1 (the day after Samhain, October 31st) as All Saints Day. This is a day of remembrance of the men and women who lived their lives in service to God. November 1st was selected as a means to turn a pagan ritual into a Christian holiday in hopes of converting pagans and helping those who were newly converted.

Then in the early 1500's, after years of study, prayer, and searching the Scriptures, Martin Luther realized that some of the teachings and practices of the Catholic didn't follow Biblical teachings. He wrote his findings out (all 95 of them) and nailed them to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. In that day, if someone wanted to debate an issue, they would post their debate on the door of the church. (It was like a message board for the townspeople.) He intentionally selected October 31, because he knew most of the people would be attending church services for All Saint's Day the following day. By challenging the practices of the Church, Luther was hoping for change within the church. However, his actions instead infuriated the church leaders and he was threatened with banishment and forced to stand trial. At the trial, he was asked to retract his findings. He replied by saying, ' Unless I can be convinced by the clear teachings of the Bible that I am wrong, I cannot and will not retract what I have written." Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen."

Because of Luther's standing up for the teachings of Scripture, his standing up to the false teachings of the Church, and the Church refusing to change their wrong practices, others began questioning the Church and examining the Scriptures themselves. This was the beginning of the Protestant Reformation (named for those who protested the teachings of the Catholic church).

So whether you choose to celebrate today by going trick or treating, enjoying a parade, or attending a party--if you are Christ-follower--take some time today to reflect on the impact of Martin Luther's life. As a Christian, this day should be more than just dressing the kids up and getting candy to eat. It should be a day of thanksgiving for the stand taken for religious freedom and Truth almost 500 years ago. Take some time today to think about it!

God's glory displayed

First, has it really been almost 6 weeks since my last post? Time has been flying by. School is keeping me so busy through the week and every weekend has been filled with much activity. I had to put on my soccer mom/football mom hat for those weeks, but now it is time to hang those hats back up. And now, I am hoping for a few weeks of calm and enjoyment before we burst into the holiday season. ;-)

But the real motivation for this post (now that my excuses have been stated).....

A few weeks ago, we were asked the question in Bible study, "What is your favorite season?" I don't have one. I LOVE them all. Living in the Midwest is such a blessing. About the time you get used to a season, it's time for a change. We have four distinct seasons here in Illinois...and the next one arrives in quite a contrast to the one before it. I really do love each season. But right now, at this time, I am thoroughly enjoying AUTUMN.

Last week on Wednesday, the kids and I went out for several hours and took pictures amongst the fall colors--beautiful red bushes, yellow trees, and green evergreens. It was a gorgeous day. (I was able to get some great shots and will hopefully get them posted soon.) Then on Friday, I had the opporutnity to drive up to Elsah and enjoy the colors of fall along the Mississippi. It was breathtaking and even the kids noticed the beauty of the trees.

However as beautiful as those scenes were, one surpasses them in my mind's eye. Is there anything more glorious than a sunrise on a fall morning? This morning as I was making the bed, I peered out the bedroom window to see the sun rising over the tops of the trees in the woods behind our house. The pinks and blues of the new-morning sky accented the oranges, yellows, reds, greens and browns of the trees. It was beautiful...no, it was magnificent.

My reason for loving AUTUMN is that it is such a visible reminder that God is creative and loves beauty. We were created by a God who doesn't live in a black and white world. Instead He created all the beautiful colors that we get to enjoy. His plan for the plants included this changing of the colors. Was this necessary? No. I'm sure the plants could have "gone to sleep" for the winter without their farewell display. But God in His wisdom made them to stop their production of chlorophyl which in turn causes the leaves to lose their greenness and results in the awesome variety of colors that we get to experience. Why??

I believe there are two reasons. The first is for Himself---for His glory and His enjoyment. Colossians 1:16 says, "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible...all things were created by him and for him." To sum up that verse, He created everything and He created it for Himself...for him to enjoy and for it to glorify Him. The second reason is for US! He loves us. He gives us gifts we don't deserve because of His love for us. Nature is one of His gifts to us.

Be encouraged! As you look at the colors of nature this fall, let it be a reminder that God loves you. He wants you to enjoy His creation. It is His gift to us.

School days, School days, Good ole' golden rule days....

Has it really been 5 weeks since my last blog post? Well really, I HAVE blogged. It's just that the blogs haven't made it from my head to my fingers.

When it comes to August, I hear most parents moaning, "Oh! I can't wait for school to start!" But not most homeschool moms. Instead, we are panicking, "Oh, no! School is about to start!" So, my August was spent making all the last-minute preparations that still needed to be made in order to begin another school year. And after spending my month gathering up curriculum and finalizing lesson plans, we officially started school...and ended summer...on August 31.

So, here we are. We have made it through our first two weeks! So far we are off to a great start. The kids have been working and studying diligently. They have approached our school days with willing and cooperative attitudes. For this I am grateful! It definitely makes our schooling better!

Elisabeth and Grant are studying American History this year (this is fast becoming MY favorite subject as I inch my way through the book, America, The Last Best Hope by William Bennett.) I LOVE reading about our country's history...and God's hand in it's formation! Elisabeth is studying Calculus and Grant Algebra! (Isn't math AWESOME!?!?!) Elisabeth has enthusiastically begun her Physics class and is already thinking about her final project for the year. Grant has begun his first year of foreign language; he is studying Spanish while Elisabeth is continuing Russian. Both older kids are also studying the Life of Christ this year...although from different texts...but this, too, will be so good. I hope we all learn so much from these studies.

Gavin is continuing his Kindergarten studies. We ended May being 2/3 of the way through; so we will finish up and then begin 1st grade later this fall/winter. He is doing really well this year...and I am too as I strive for patience with this boy. God is good and is giving me insight into Gavin and how to work with him. And I am so thankful for it.

And Elaine is being so cheerful and diligent as she tackles her school work! She is continuing in the reading program we began last year (www.ourchurch.com/member/t/tailoredreading); this program took her from an unenthusiastic reader to one who LOVES to read and reads daily on her own! She is studying Zoology for science this year and is completely loving it! She remains our animal lover so this text is perfect for her!

We've already had 2 field/park days to hang out with friends. This coming week, we actually have two field trips...one to the Symphony and one to Shaw Nature Reserve--with more outings planned over the next few months. And on Tuesdays we continue our "Afternoons at the Y."

In addition, this year, I am teaching a group class. It is a Physical Science class with thirteen 7-9th graders (including Grant). We had our first class on Tuesday of this past week and it made me realize how much I really enjoy being in the classroom. The students were so polite, well-behaved, and, I think, maybe, even a little nervous. Some of them have never been in a "class" before. But it was fun...and watching them perform their lab was neat, too.

So, we're off to another busy school year! And I love it!

"Father God, guide me this school year as I guide our children. Teach me as I teach them. Use me as Your vessel to pour out Your love to Elisabeth, Grant, Elaine, and Gavin."

Vacation 2009

This is the book I created documenting our vacation in May 2009.

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My husband....

Today Mark and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married for 18 years...I mean, aren't we just barely that old ourselves? We thought, back then, that we had it all figured out. We knew what we were doing and where we were headed. But God---via life---had different plans for us.

Mark and I only knew each other 6 months and 1 day when we married. I look back now and think that was crazy---and maybe it was. But it is okay...it has all worked out. Our first date was a blind date...we had dinner with some mutual friends (the ones who set us up), then we went to a political fundraiser, and met up with other mutual friends after that. That first date lasted 12 hours; it just felt comfortable. How do you explain that? I remember when Mark took me to his parent's house for the first time; his dad was so funny. He graded me--giving me an A+ (the next day, that is, when Mark asked them what they thought of me). My sister was the first in my family to meet Mark; she said he looked like Saddam Hussein. (Huh??? Well, it was 1991...but really.) I have often accused my mom of keeping me around just so they can see Mark. (I KNOW he is Mom's favorite...)

I am truly blessed by this man! The longer we are together, the more I realize that Mark's love for me is the closest love to God's perfect, unconditional love that I have ever known. He puts up with my moodiness--even when he isn't sure just what mood I'm in. He loves me completely and passionately. He rubs my back and my aching legs--even when he is exhausted and has to get up early for work the next morning. When he sees that I'm getting overwhelmed, he steps in and to help me out. He would do just about anything for me. He listens to me and all my crazy ideas; and he supports me in every endeavor I have set out on. He always encourages me to run that last 1/2 mile or to make it to the top of the steep hill.

This weekend, we took 24 hours and got away. We camped out at Carlyle Lake and went on a 20-mile bike ride. Now, we aren't campers, usually; but we had a great time. Times like these make me look forward to the days when it is just the two of us together. I hope we'll still be able to go biking together...and maybe cross-country skiing...and definitely hiking. It will be fun to cook dinner and do the dishes together...and work in the yard and maybe even garden. Oh, but those years are such a long time away....I will focus on living today (while I dream of tomorrow).

"Father God, thank you for providing for me through this wonderful man! I love Mark so much and am so grateful that you brought him into my life. I've done nothing to deserve him or the love he so freely gives. He loves me when I am the least lovable. He is a portrait of you in my life. When I look in his eyes and see how deep his love is, I am reminded of how much more you love me. I stand amazed! And oh, that I would love him to the depths that he deserves."

Independence Day--Freedom and Patriotism

July 4--
A day of picnics, bar-b-ques, family, friends, and of course, fireworks! It is a day of festivities from small family gatherings to large community fairs. It is a day for many to celebrate while having the day off work. It is a vendor's dream as anything red, white and blue can be found for sale on corners across our nation--pins, pendants, necklaces, sunglasses, hats, boxershorts, home decor, tableware, and more.

But as we enjoyed this awesome, fun day, did we stop to think about how it came about? And what it cost those who earned it for us? And what God's role was in it all?

July 4, 1776
Our forefathers, although holding vastly differing opinions on many issues, came together and boldly signed the Declaration of Independence. They did so because the Colonists were not receiving representation in England's Parliament, and they were being unfairly taxed to pay for England's war debt. By signing their names to this document, they were risking their reputations, their property, and even their lives. This was risky business! Soon after, our War for Independence began, and the Colonists fought for and eventually won their freedom from England. It was not an easy war, if there is such a thing. The odds were against them, but I believe God was looking out for the Colonists and their Cause; I believe He had a purpose for this up-and-coming nation.

Nearly a hundred years after we achieved our independence, and as we found ourselves on the brink of civil war, Abraham Lincoln wrote to Congress in 1862, "We shall nobly save of meanly lose this last best hope of earth." America has since been the best hope of our world. The United States has become a world leader and protector of freedom for oppressed peoples worldwide.

America IS freedom--freedom of speech, freedom of enterprise, freedom of religion; this freedom is rare in our world; it is special. It needs to be protected!

As a people, we have a passion that other nations don't have---we call it Patriotism. It is more than nationalism. It is a pride, a willingness to help our fellowman, a recognition of God's protection over us. But patriotism is not enough! We need, as Ronald Reagan stated, "informed patriotism." Today, well-grounded, informed patriotism is not popular. Scholars are trying (and succeeding) to rewrite America's history. Pop culture has removed our sense of patriotism. Parents don't know our history and schools aren't teaching it. But we must remember our past and from whence we've come. If we forget our history, we won't know who we are (from Ronald Reagan's Presidential farewell address). When we forget who we are, we won't fight for our freedoms; they will be taken away from us!

May we never lose our patriotism, forget our history, nor lose our precious freedoms!

Happy Birthday Little Kazboy!

Gavin turned 6 on June 30th. It is hard to believe that just two years ago we celebrated his 4th birthday with him not understanding a thing that was going on much less very little of what we were saying. The past two years have shown so much growth on his part!


He is like a sponge, soaking up everything around him. Hardly anything gets past him. Right now, he is loving swimming. He is obsessed with policemen. And he still drives his "Mustang" everywhere.


We celebrated his birthday with family on Monday night last week, then we had 12 5- and 6-year olds over on Tuesday afternoon for a party. He was so excited he could barely sleep on Monday night and I believe he thought Tuesday morning was never going to end. He had a great time playing and swimming with his friends!

God has a plan for this little man. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm amazed at how far he has come.