I put it off as long as I responsibly could; the children and I went back to our "school" routine today. It went well, but even on the best of days I am still outnumbered six-to-one, each of those six often requesting my undivided attention. Just when I settle on the couch to snuggle and read with Joseph, that's when two or three other children need help or redirection RIGHT NOW.
Homeschooling is not always easy, and there are certainly days when I wonder if I can do it another year- even another minute. But then I think of the school bus that whizzes by at 7:30 in the morning and doesn't show back up until 4:30 in the afternoon. I can't imagine how stressful it would be on the kids to "work" a nine-hour day, five days a week, 36 weeks a year. So one answer to the "why do you homeschool" question is that I value those 1,620 hours a year too much. Their childhood is so precious and fleeting, and I don't want to miss out on so much of it.
This evening when it was almost time to call the children in for evening chores, our neighbor came by with the exciting news that he had got his bear. He's been baiting for a month, waiting all week, and today the hunt was successful. He wanted to know if Robert and Daniel could come out with him to see it and help bring it in. What a pity if I would have had to say "no" because of homework or an early "school night" curfew! Why do we homeschool? Because it gives us the freedom to take advantage of every possible opportunity for real life learning. Any child can see a bear in a zoo, but not many get to see a bear that close and watch it be field dressed! (This is where living in the country and homesteading is an added benefit- science gets up close and personal!)
A significant part of the older children's schedule involves service for one another in the form of chores or spending time with their younger siblings. It is thrilling to me, as a parent, to see the genuine joy and excitement on their faces as they help Mary take her first wobbling steps. I love to hear them playing with each other, saying such things as "please" and "thank you" and "you can go first" and "I'll help you". Sure, there are not-so-nice moments, too. But even these present valuable opportunities to practice repentance and forgiveness- two essential building blocks of any relationship. This is a third reason why we homeschool; there is no question as to whether or not family comes first for them.
I am so grateful to God for blessing us with the ability to homeschool. It is truly a gift! (Somebody remind me of this post in March when burn-out sets in! *grin*)
Showing posts with label essays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label essays. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Long Answer to Question Three
Now for the long answer.
The whole premise of the Roe vs. Wade case was that a poor, young woman was seeking an abortion after being the victim of a gang rape. Norma McCorvey, the (in)famous Ms. Roe has since come out with the truth; it was all a lie. She says that she was used by her lawyers and the organization who hired them. She was never raped, and she never had an abortion. In fact, by the time the Supreme Court issued its ruling, her child was two years old.
Since 1973, there have been approximately 48 million surgical abortions performed in the United States. No more than 1% of all these abortions have been performed because of rape and less than .5% were performed after cases of incest. Even setting aside the moral issues, it simply does not make sense to base this country's extremely liberal abortion policy on the very rarest of circumstances. (Any woman can get an abortion in this country at any point during pregnancy and for any reason, even against the wishes of the baby's father. By far, the majority of abortions are performed because of the opinion that a baby would be too inconvenient or too expensive. I do not necessarily believe this is always the actual opinion of the mother; I believe many women are convinced of this by coercive partners, relatives, friends, and medical providers.)
Because this situation is so rare, it is hard to find statistics on the outcomes of rape/incest victims who become pregnant to compare those who had abortions with those who did not. However, two studies have been done on small samples of women who became pregnant as a result of sexual assault. Very few of these women said they actually wanted an abortion. Of the women who had abortions 95% of them later regretted the decision. They reported that at the time they felt pressured by others, and they reported that the abortion made them feel violated even further. Of the women who did not choose abortion, not one regretted giving birth to her child.
So there is good evidence that abortion is not the best answer for the woman. And, of course, it is NEVER a good solution for the child. An unborn baby is no more or less a living human being because of the circumstances of his conception. Not even the rapist is given the death penalty! Why should an innocent baby be sentenced to death for her father's actions?
As for the issue of very young girls getting pregnant, statistics show that it is better emotionally and physically for a teenager to carry the pregnancy to term rather than abort. Girls who had an abortion were five times more likely to seek help for psychological and emotional problems than girls who carried their "unwanted" pregnancies to term. They were more likely to be depressed or suicidal and more prone to substance abuse. Teenagers also suffer the physical and medical side effects of abortion much more frequently than older women. Clearly, abortion is not the best solution to the problem of "teen mothers". I am astounded at how many people actually seem to think that abortion is a better option than adoption for these girls! They will say it is an unfair burden for the girl to give away her baby and then "never know" her child. I believe it would be a far heavier burden for her to know (or later realize) that she had killed her child!
As I stated in my short answer, by far the most important reason to oppose abortion regardless of the circumstances is because an unborn baby is a living human being, and you cannot justify taking an innocent human life, ever. Science is proving more and more the humanity of the unborn, and I think this is only appropriate at a time when politically that humanity has been under attack.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.
I used several internet sources for this little "essay" of mine, including Reasons U.S. Women Have Abortions by the Guttmacher Institute; links in the "Research" section at AfterAbortion.org ; and finally several informative links at Abortion- the UnChoice.
The whole premise of the Roe vs. Wade case was that a poor, young woman was seeking an abortion after being the victim of a gang rape. Norma McCorvey, the (in)famous Ms. Roe has since come out with the truth; it was all a lie. She says that she was used by her lawyers and the organization who hired them. She was never raped, and she never had an abortion. In fact, by the time the Supreme Court issued its ruling, her child was two years old.
Since 1973, there have been approximately 48 million surgical abortions performed in the United States. No more than 1% of all these abortions have been performed because of rape and less than .5% were performed after cases of incest. Even setting aside the moral issues, it simply does not make sense to base this country's extremely liberal abortion policy on the very rarest of circumstances. (Any woman can get an abortion in this country at any point during pregnancy and for any reason, even against the wishes of the baby's father. By far, the majority of abortions are performed because of the opinion that a baby would be too inconvenient or too expensive. I do not necessarily believe this is always the actual opinion of the mother; I believe many women are convinced of this by coercive partners, relatives, friends, and medical providers.)
Because this situation is so rare, it is hard to find statistics on the outcomes of rape/incest victims who become pregnant to compare those who had abortions with those who did not. However, two studies have been done on small samples of women who became pregnant as a result of sexual assault. Very few of these women said they actually wanted an abortion. Of the women who had abortions 95% of them later regretted the decision. They reported that at the time they felt pressured by others, and they reported that the abortion made them feel violated even further. Of the women who did not choose abortion, not one regretted giving birth to her child.
So there is good evidence that abortion is not the best answer for the woman. And, of course, it is NEVER a good solution for the child. An unborn baby is no more or less a living human being because of the circumstances of his conception. Not even the rapist is given the death penalty! Why should an innocent baby be sentenced to death for her father's actions?
As for the issue of very young girls getting pregnant, statistics show that it is better emotionally and physically for a teenager to carry the pregnancy to term rather than abort. Girls who had an abortion were five times more likely to seek help for psychological and emotional problems than girls who carried their "unwanted" pregnancies to term. They were more likely to be depressed or suicidal and more prone to substance abuse. Teenagers also suffer the physical and medical side effects of abortion much more frequently than older women. Clearly, abortion is not the best solution to the problem of "teen mothers". I am astounded at how many people actually seem to think that abortion is a better option than adoption for these girls! They will say it is an unfair burden for the girl to give away her baby and then "never know" her child. I believe it would be a far heavier burden for her to know (or later realize) that she had killed her child!
As I stated in my short answer, by far the most important reason to oppose abortion regardless of the circumstances is because an unborn baby is a living human being, and you cannot justify taking an innocent human life, ever. Science is proving more and more the humanity of the unborn, and I think this is only appropriate at a time when politically that humanity has been under attack.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.
I used several internet sources for this little "essay" of mine, including Reasons U.S. Women Have Abortions by the Guttmacher Institute; links in the "Research" section at AfterAbortion.org ; and finally several informative links at Abortion- the UnChoice.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Leftovers
I'm no "freezer queen" by any stretch of the imagination, and yet there is something extremely satisfying in creating new meals out of food that otherwise might get fed to the dog or (gasp!) thrown away.
Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 is never, never throw away the bones! If you do you are throwing away valuable nutrition. Pick all the meat you can off of them (what to do with the meat will follow), put them in a big stock pot, and cover them with water. Add a dash of something acidic- vinegar will work, but I use EM's for added benefit. The acidity helps leach the minerals out of the bones. Bring this to a boil, skim off the foam, and then turn the stove down as low as you can without turning it off. The stock should be just barely and gently bubbling. Let this stay on the stove for at least a couple hours and up to a day or two. Really, the longer the better. You will then want to strain it into another pot. Let the stock cool before putting it in the fridge. After it has been in the fridge long enough to get cold take it out to remove the fat. The fat forms on the top, and your broth will hopefully resemble jello.
You have now made three products out of those bones. First, is the stock which is much better and more healthful than Campbell's. Second is the fat which you can use to make turkey gravy. Melt the fat in a saucepan and mix in an approximately equal amount of flour. Heat this up until it starts to bubble and then pour in stock, or if you want a creamy gravy use milk. The amount of liquid you use will depend on how much stock and flour you had, but generally 3 Tbsp fat and 3 Tbsp flour will thicken 1 Cup of liquid. Whether you use stock or milk it is extremely important to stir the whole time! When it starts to bubble it is as thick as it gets. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sage. The third product is the bones themselves which will probably be extremely soft. These bones can be mashed and fed to your cats and/or dogs, or at least composted into the garden. Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 still applies!
Here is something I invented a few years that I call "Leftovers Casserole". Like many families, mine has come to love and expect the Green Bean Casserole so cleverly marketed as a traditional Thanksgiving dish (although I don't remember ever seeing it until a few years ago). If you have leftover green beans, mix in turkey and the fried onions that were on top. You could top this with more fried onion, but I top it with leftover stuffing. Heat in the oven until hot.
Another good turkey casserole is a recipe that I got from a book Eat Well for $50 a Week and improved, if I say so myself. I'll give you my version. It is a casserole in four layers, first stuffing pressed in on the bottom, then pieces of turkey, then broccoli, then a cheese sauce. I prefer to make my own cheese sauce, but you could also use melted velveeta if you must. Just be sure to grease the casserole dish well or you'll never be able to lift it out.
Other options for leftover turkey are soups, stir fry, creamy salad and sandwiches. Personally I love a turkey sandwich with honey mustard and pickles on homemade bread! Yum!
In my oven right now I have the leftovers casserole and a sweet potato something that I just invented. I whipped three eggs with some milk and honey (I love cooking without measuring- it's so adventurous!), then mixed in my leftover sweet potatoes with some pecans. I sprinkled cinnamon over the top. It's in the oven right now, so I'll have to let you know how that turns out.
Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless!
Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 is never, never throw away the bones! If you do you are throwing away valuable nutrition. Pick all the meat you can off of them (what to do with the meat will follow), put them in a big stock pot, and cover them with water. Add a dash of something acidic- vinegar will work, but I use EM's for added benefit. The acidity helps leach the minerals out of the bones. Bring this to a boil, skim off the foam, and then turn the stove down as low as you can without turning it off. The stock should be just barely and gently bubbling. Let this stay on the stove for at least a couple hours and up to a day or two. Really, the longer the better. You will then want to strain it into another pot. Let the stock cool before putting it in the fridge. After it has been in the fridge long enough to get cold take it out to remove the fat. The fat forms on the top, and your broth will hopefully resemble jello.
You have now made three products out of those bones. First, is the stock which is much better and more healthful than Campbell's. Second is the fat which you can use to make turkey gravy. Melt the fat in a saucepan and mix in an approximately equal amount of flour. Heat this up until it starts to bubble and then pour in stock, or if you want a creamy gravy use milk. The amount of liquid you use will depend on how much stock and flour you had, but generally 3 Tbsp fat and 3 Tbsp flour will thicken 1 Cup of liquid. Whether you use stock or milk it is extremely important to stir the whole time! When it starts to bubble it is as thick as it gets. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sage. The third product is the bones themselves which will probably be extremely soft. These bones can be mashed and fed to your cats and/or dogs, or at least composted into the garden. Turkey Leftovers Rule #1 still applies!
Here is something I invented a few years that I call "Leftovers Casserole". Like many families, mine has come to love and expect the Green Bean Casserole so cleverly marketed as a traditional Thanksgiving dish (although I don't remember ever seeing it until a few years ago). If you have leftover green beans, mix in turkey and the fried onions that were on top. You could top this with more fried onion, but I top it with leftover stuffing. Heat in the oven until hot.
Another good turkey casserole is a recipe that I got from a book Eat Well for $50 a Week and improved, if I say so myself. I'll give you my version. It is a casserole in four layers, first stuffing pressed in on the bottom, then pieces of turkey, then broccoli, then a cheese sauce. I prefer to make my own cheese sauce, but you could also use melted velveeta if you must. Just be sure to grease the casserole dish well or you'll never be able to lift it out.
Other options for leftover turkey are soups, stir fry, creamy salad and sandwiches. Personally I love a turkey sandwich with honey mustard and pickles on homemade bread! Yum!
In my oven right now I have the leftovers casserole and a sweet potato something that I just invented. I whipped three eggs with some milk and honey (I love cooking without measuring- it's so adventurous!), then mixed in my leftover sweet potatoes with some pecans. I sprinkled cinnamon over the top. It's in the oven right now, so I'll have to let you know how that turns out.
Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
How did we get here?
We started our journey to the UP (that is, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) about five years ago, although we didn't have a clue at the time! The improbability of us landing here is surely proof that amazing things happen when you put your trust in God!
Back in 2000, we were living with our three kids just outside the stately city of Charleston, South Carolina. We were on our way; a beautiful townhouse, good schools, and plans for furnishing and "bettering" our lives. For the first time in our lives, we were able to buy our kids all the things they "needed". We could go out to eat whenever we wanted. We had some money in savings and were tithing... well, most weeks we were giving something to church anyway. We had come through a very rough patch and were pointing ourselves on the road to a bright future. Or were we? Chuck was traveling and therefore out of town for up to 55 out of every 60 days. He was literally risking his life, health, and safety with 100+ hour weeks and swing shifts. The kids missed him terribly when he was gone, and it made him miserable to return home and see how much the kids were growing, how very much he was missing out on.
We made a decision that was a major turning point in our lives. We decided that the nice townhouse, the cute little car, the nice clothes, even the money in the bank was not worth the toll it took on our time together. A job opened up in Alabama, and we moved. It meant a huge paycut (about 33%) but it also meant dinner as a family every night and Sunday Mass all together.
The transition wasn't easy. It felt like we were just coming up out of the poorhouse, and then choosing to jump right back in. But we knew it was best for us, for our family. Our time together is so short and much too precious to squander for any amount of overtime.
Slowly but surely our priorities changed. Millbrook was small enough to give us the feel of living "in the country" but big enough that we longed to really be in the country. I started desiring to declutter, not only our home, but our hearts. I shunned shopping and driving into town started to give me a creepy feeling. It is no coincidence that at this same time we began homeschooling, opening up even more time for us as a family and giving us more control over raising our children. Neither is it a coincidence that I began meeting friends online and in real life who shared the same vision and goals that were developing within us. We wanted so badly to committ ourselves to a completely Christian life; to embrace Lady Poverty and put ourselves and our children on the path to simplicity and holiness.
God is good! We put all our trust in Him, and He is certainly carrying us on His shoulders. Six months ago we were living in a trailer park in Alabama with almost no savings and barely enough income to last until the next paycheck. Now we are living in a 4-bedroom house on our own 40 acres!
The only downside is that Chuck must travel for work. We have come full circle with that; I think his previous years on the road were a preparation for this. We knew what it was like back then, but so far it is completely different this time. I think the difference lies in the fact that our focus has changed. Our goal is not to make as much money as possible; rather our goal is to get to where we don't need as much. When Chuck is gone, we both have our work to do. When he is home, he isn't as much consumed by the job; he can focus his energies on being here with us until he must leave again. But we sincerely hope that God will lead us to a way to someday keep him home for good.
For more about the Community of the Holy Family, and the Home n'Stead mission, please visit their homepage.
God bless!
Back in 2000, we were living with our three kids just outside the stately city of Charleston, South Carolina. We were on our way; a beautiful townhouse, good schools, and plans for furnishing and "bettering" our lives. For the first time in our lives, we were able to buy our kids all the things they "needed". We could go out to eat whenever we wanted. We had some money in savings and were tithing... well, most weeks we were giving something to church anyway. We had come through a very rough patch and were pointing ourselves on the road to a bright future. Or were we? Chuck was traveling and therefore out of town for up to 55 out of every 60 days. He was literally risking his life, health, and safety with 100+ hour weeks and swing shifts. The kids missed him terribly when he was gone, and it made him miserable to return home and see how much the kids were growing, how very much he was missing out on.
We made a decision that was a major turning point in our lives. We decided that the nice townhouse, the cute little car, the nice clothes, even the money in the bank was not worth the toll it took on our time together. A job opened up in Alabama, and we moved. It meant a huge paycut (about 33%) but it also meant dinner as a family every night and Sunday Mass all together.
The transition wasn't easy. It felt like we were just coming up out of the poorhouse, and then choosing to jump right back in. But we knew it was best for us, for our family. Our time together is so short and much too precious to squander for any amount of overtime.
Slowly but surely our priorities changed. Millbrook was small enough to give us the feel of living "in the country" but big enough that we longed to really be in the country. I started desiring to declutter, not only our home, but our hearts. I shunned shopping and driving into town started to give me a creepy feeling. It is no coincidence that at this same time we began homeschooling, opening up even more time for us as a family and giving us more control over raising our children. Neither is it a coincidence that I began meeting friends online and in real life who shared the same vision and goals that were developing within us. We wanted so badly to committ ourselves to a completely Christian life; to embrace Lady Poverty and put ourselves and our children on the path to simplicity and holiness.
God is good! We put all our trust in Him, and He is certainly carrying us on His shoulders. Six months ago we were living in a trailer park in Alabama with almost no savings and barely enough income to last until the next paycheck. Now we are living in a 4-bedroom house on our own 40 acres!
The only downside is that Chuck must travel for work. We have come full circle with that; I think his previous years on the road were a preparation for this. We knew what it was like back then, but so far it is completely different this time. I think the difference lies in the fact that our focus has changed. Our goal is not to make as much money as possible; rather our goal is to get to where we don't need as much. When Chuck is gone, we both have our work to do. When he is home, he isn't as much consumed by the job; he can focus his energies on being here with us until he must leave again. But we sincerely hope that God will lead us to a way to someday keep him home for good.
For more about the Community of the Holy Family, and the Home n'Stead mission, please visit their homepage.
God bless!
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