Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 2011 Rolls in with a White Coat!
We have enjoyed the Holidays. Even though two children where sick on Christmas Eve and the other in the ER on Christmas Night, as the snow fell. We have really enjoyed the snow! I love snow!! I have always loved snow!! Ice not so much. Then we had all these wonderful news reports of the inches of snow we where to get on Jan 9 and 10th. It was beautiful to wake up to on Monday morning!! Everything covered in white. I enjoy taken pictures of all the beauty that God creates. Then Tim and I had this decision to make. DO we stay home all day Monday and Monday night and hope the power does not go out, or do we go to my parents where we would have heat even if the power went out. Tim and I have worked for days to get our gas logs to start and work, but we made no progress and did not want to be in a home with three children and freezing. So we choose to go. Thankfully no power lose as of yet. But then today we had to try to make it back home in the snow, oh and might I add ICE on the roads. After much debate about even driving, we headed home with an escort to our door.:) We did great all the way at 20 mph. The roads where awful but God was guiding us. Then we reached our wonderful concrete drive way, and let me add up hill!!! Where after 5 attempts and smelling burning rubber, we where not making it up the hill. Then my dad and Tim racked and broke up paths of ice off the driveway. As they where sliding down hill while trying to scrub up the ice. It was a site to see!!! :) Then a very peace drive up the hill and into the garage safe and sound. We made it home. Still plenty of snow to build a snow castle tomorrow!!! Welcome to a Winter to Remember in South Carolina!!
Classical Literature Engages, Enlightens, and Instructs Students Repost
Classical Literature Engages, Enlightens, and Instructs Students
Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.
First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.
Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.
Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.
So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!
“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.
We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” C.S. Lewis
Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.
First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.
Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.
Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.
So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!
“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.
We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” C.S. Lewis
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 Rewind
The Owens Family has had a wonderful and adventurous year. We have gone from Woodruff, to Charleston, from Enoree, to Wyoming crossing 9 states, and from Pauline to Roebuck. From a two year job search to a wonderful and amazing mission trip across the country. We have seen the valleys we never saw coming and started climbing a mountain we are blessed to be on. Wynleah Grace Owens was born in Nov 2009 and has grown sooo much this past year. As each day our prayer as parents has been Lord keep them and protect them and surround them with all your grace and love. But also teach them and guide them and use us to do your work as parents. As we learned so much on the drive across country and watching a building go from foundation to walls in a number of days. We have been given the gift of parenting. In Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. and in I Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
We have see the awesome wonder of it. With finding not only one job but three or four and being able to allow God to lead to the right one. To see our three amazing children grow. To becoming 4 year old sunday school teachers and never doubting why we do it, but wondering why we didn't do it before now. To becoming a Classical Conversations tutor of 6 amazing students who have turned my life around and made me think and relearn in a better and more effective light. To knowing that God has my family in his hands. He has not abandon us and he has kept his promise. I have seen where I did not see the light at the end of what we where trudging through, but I can look back and not only say we made it but we where carried through it by his grace. I have learned that parenting is not a job, yes I said it is not a job it is a calling, a mission field, and act of Gods grace. It is teaching me my failures so that I can correct them, it is showing me my selfish, so that I may find humbleness. Yes some days it is giving patience beyond my believe. And just when I feel like I am going to run away and pull my hair out, one of my children will make me laugh, cry, or hug or kiss me and my eyes are open again.
We finally after 8 years of marriage and searching for where God wanted us, have found a balance, a safe place to fall, and a home. I mean an actual home, as well as having the same mission, vision and heart for our family, that is home. We are not looking back at all that went wrong and all the mistakes we made, no matter how selfish, childish, or immature they may have been. But we are looking straight up the mountain we are climbing. Realizing that it will be a daily climb until the Lord takes us home to the top. But we are excited about the journey, that adventure, and the doors and places God has in store for us. I use to sit back quite(yes me quite) and say I will be a christian and be good and ask for forgiveness and live my life without any major issues. Just float along until the Lord returns.
But after what God has taught me the last year I am no longer sitting as a spectator in my life but i am getting my hands dirty, because the Lord has washed them clean for me to sit with him one day. I am excited about what God is doing in our home, and where our home is headed with God leading it.
But if that is not exciting enough, I had the best news in the world this year. That topped it all! Arianna asked Jesus in to her heart when she was 5. But being so young we have taken our time with her and allowed her to grow and make sure she understood what it meant. After a lot of Bible studies, amazing home schooling, and a church encouraging her. We know with out a doubt that she knows that she ask Jesus into her heart at 5 and has grown into a stronger believer every year. She has gone through new believers class at church and is now ready to be Baptized. Which she will do on Jan 9th at our church.
So as to my new prayers and resolutions for the new year.
Resolutions to of course become a healthier and better mom and wife. To seek Gods path for our family and my children's paths, and to be debt free!!
Prayers
Lord, I come to you In Jesus' name and give Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa to you. I know that you and you alone know what is best for them. You know what they need. I release them to you to care for and protect, I commit to pray for everything concerning each of them that I can think of or that you put upon my heart. Teach me, show me how to pray and guide me in what to pray about. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for them, but instead enable me to pray that Your will be done in their life. Thank you Lord that we can partner with you in raising them, and that I don't have to do it alone. Thank you for the precious gift of Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa. Because your word says that every good gift comes from you, i know that you have given them to me to care for and raise. Help me to do that. I rely on you for everything and this day I trust my children to you and release them into your hands. Amen
We have see the awesome wonder of it. With finding not only one job but three or four and being able to allow God to lead to the right one. To see our three amazing children grow. To becoming 4 year old sunday school teachers and never doubting why we do it, but wondering why we didn't do it before now. To becoming a Classical Conversations tutor of 6 amazing students who have turned my life around and made me think and relearn in a better and more effective light. To knowing that God has my family in his hands. He has not abandon us and he has kept his promise. I have seen where I did not see the light at the end of what we where trudging through, but I can look back and not only say we made it but we where carried through it by his grace. I have learned that parenting is not a job, yes I said it is not a job it is a calling, a mission field, and act of Gods grace. It is teaching me my failures so that I can correct them, it is showing me my selfish, so that I may find humbleness. Yes some days it is giving patience beyond my believe. And just when I feel like I am going to run away and pull my hair out, one of my children will make me laugh, cry, or hug or kiss me and my eyes are open again.
We finally after 8 years of marriage and searching for where God wanted us, have found a balance, a safe place to fall, and a home. I mean an actual home, as well as having the same mission, vision and heart for our family, that is home. We are not looking back at all that went wrong and all the mistakes we made, no matter how selfish, childish, or immature they may have been. But we are looking straight up the mountain we are climbing. Realizing that it will be a daily climb until the Lord takes us home to the top. But we are excited about the journey, that adventure, and the doors and places God has in store for us. I use to sit back quite(yes me quite) and say I will be a christian and be good and ask for forgiveness and live my life without any major issues. Just float along until the Lord returns.
But after what God has taught me the last year I am no longer sitting as a spectator in my life but i am getting my hands dirty, because the Lord has washed them clean for me to sit with him one day. I am excited about what God is doing in our home, and where our home is headed with God leading it.
But if that is not exciting enough, I had the best news in the world this year. That topped it all! Arianna asked Jesus in to her heart when she was 5. But being so young we have taken our time with her and allowed her to grow and make sure she understood what it meant. After a lot of Bible studies, amazing home schooling, and a church encouraging her. We know with out a doubt that she knows that she ask Jesus into her heart at 5 and has grown into a stronger believer every year. She has gone through new believers class at church and is now ready to be Baptized. Which she will do on Jan 9th at our church.
So as to my new prayers and resolutions for the new year.
Resolutions to of course become a healthier and better mom and wife. To seek Gods path for our family and my children's paths, and to be debt free!!
Prayers
Lord, I come to you In Jesus' name and give Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa to you. I know that you and you alone know what is best for them. You know what they need. I release them to you to care for and protect, I commit to pray for everything concerning each of them that I can think of or that you put upon my heart. Teach me, show me how to pray and guide me in what to pray about. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for them, but instead enable me to pray that Your will be done in their life. Thank you Lord that we can partner with you in raising them, and that I don't have to do it alone. Thank you for the precious gift of Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa. Because your word says that every good gift comes from you, i know that you have given them to me to care for and raise. Help me to do that. I rely on you for everything and this day I trust my children to you and release them into your hands. Amen
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