Missouri 4H County Fair .22 contest for Shooting Sports

Saturday night was our county's shooting sport contest for .22 and air rifle for 4-H.

During fair week, we had archery and BB at the Youth Building.  However, the black powder, .22, rifles and pistols can not shoot in town.  So, those events are held later on.

Rebecca took 3rd place.  Next we have the 4H State level shoot in Columbia in September.  This year it will be a little different, as they changed weeks and times.  While Rebecca is shooting, Emily will be in the state speech contest at the other end of Columbia.  Rebecca actually qualified to do the state speech as well, but as she can't be 2 places at the same time, she picked the shooting contest.

Now, since I mentioned the Missouri 4-H shooting sports and speech contest, I will have people being led here by google searching to find the paperwork to turn in.  So, here are your links.

For the 2013 Missouri 4H State Shooting contest in Columbia MO click here.

For the 2013 Missouri Speech Contest in Columbia MO click here.

And, if you are just trying to find a 4H club in Missouri, try here.  4H is for ALL kids, city, and rural.  There are 100's of projects for you to choose from, ranging from cooking, sewing, baking, chickens, cats, dogs, first aid, arts & crafts, electricity, scrapbooking, photography and more.  Also, if you can't find what you want-then pick the "self determined" project, which means you make your own!

Family Range Day

The

Missouri Corrections Officers Association

is hosting a

Family Range Day

on the

 Restricted Access Shooting Range

at the

Pigeon Hill Conservation Area
(Take I-29 south out of St. Joseph. Go east on Highway 169 0.25 mile, south on Route FF for 2.5 miles, west on Route O 1.5 miles, and south on SE 50 Road to the area.)

Labor Day – September 2^nd  Noon til 6pm

Range Officers and Instructors

will be present to maintain safety.

Gun Safety & Range Safety Rules will be practiced.

This will be a family friendly event

to enjoy or learn the shooting sports

with Safety as the Priority.

Targets will be provided.

Instruction and coaching will be available.

Guns & ammunition will be available at a nominal cost.

Pre registration is required

call 816 287 0505

Garden and Yard Woes

Last summer we had the drought.  It continues to effect us this summer as well, even though we have had rain.

These apples should be 5 times bigger, and 10 times more of them.

So far, I think we have lost 1 oak tree for sure, possibly 3.  Our weeping willow has also given it up.

In the orchard, my grapes are looking poorly, and I think I have lost 4 grape plants. They do have grapes on them, but few and small.

I lost all my blueberries, but then I found a small wild blueberry bush which I will try to transplant.

The peaches are tiny, few, and bees have stung them all. 

Half of this peach tree is dead--another reminder of last summers drought.

This peach tree is full of little holes in the leaves. I have not found any insects on it.  Any ideas??

Yes, we are still alive...

It has been awhile since I posted, and I got a note asking if we were still alive.  I am. June and early July are our busy time of the year.

Since my last post, we have had several weeks of church camp, put up hay, been gardening, put in some days working at Kansas Speedway, doing some part time child care for the summer, had company from back home and Ireland, thrown our annual July 4th bash, lots of mowing, broke the mower, then did more mowing, been to the local races, worked on the basement, had the county fair, and more.

Rebecca has been shooting the 22 in 4H.

Rebecca has also been doing archery for 4H.

The pool sure helps beat the heat for the little ones when they want to go out to play.  And much better than being cooped up inside all day.

 My "office" at Kansas Speedway.  I was stationed at turn 3 for tire testing.  The 90 car takes 31 seconds to go around the track--that's around 174 mph

Our tomatoes have started to ripen!

 Rebecca backing up the truck and trailer so we could unload the mower.

 A surprise pumpkin plant.  It came from beside the compost pile, growing out of the remains of last years jack o lanterns.  So, I just fenced it off and let it go.  I am afraid if I move it, I may kill it.

Elizabeth heading out to the pasture to help move up hay bales.

Dog was after the cat.  Cat won.

Cat also won this round of tag--she is on top a 6 ft pole pretty much laughing at the dog.

July 4

July 4. Our countries birthday. It is on this day that we celebrate the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776. (Yet it was actually approved on July 2 1776 and most didn't sign it until in August.)

In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million.

I find it odd that the majority of our US flags are made in China, as well as most of our fireworks used in our celebrations. (Yet, we make most of Mexico's flags...)

Source http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011920.html

As we shoot off our fireworks, attend parades, visit with family & friends, cookout & BBQ, go camping, we need to remember what our founding fathers fought and died for. Our country was formed for freedom. Freedom of religion, speech and from Great Britians rule. Some of our freedoms we are now loosing, such as the freedom to pray in schools. We need to pray that we will not loose sight of what our country was created to stand for.

On July 3, 1776 John Adams wrote the following letter to his wife Abigail:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

John Adams had the idea right, he just predicted the date of celebration wrong. Notice that he mentioned "God Almighty"? That is the same God who some people are wanting all notions of removed from our money.

Another interesting set of facts:

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, founding fathers and the only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence that later become president, both died on the same day July 4, 1826 just hours apart on America's 50th anniversary. President James Monroe died five years later, on July 4, 1831, but he was not a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Be careful this 4th, remember to remember the past and thank God for our freedoms. Even if you are not a supporter of the current president, we still need to pray for him and guidence.

Book Sale in Odessa MO

Lafayette County Homeschool Group is having there used book
sale this Saturday, June 15th, 2013 from 1-3 at the Crown in Odessa. It is right
off of I-70 at the Odessa exit on the North outer rd.

Look at each picture, and watch as the cat makes his way down the roof to the dog. 

 The story behind this picture is this:

Every day - at the same time - she waits for him.  Sometimes she barks to call him.

He comes; they rub and greet each other and they go for a walk. They have done this for 5 years and, no, they don't belong to the same owners. The owners didn't know until

neighbors seeing them together so frequently commented to the cat's owner, who then followed the dog home which was a distance away – not in a house close or next door. How it started no one knows.

Wouldn't it be great to have friends like this, no words needed, they just intuitively recognize the value of each other in their lives and act accordingly?                                  

Dual Credit from MO Western State University for High School Students over 16

We've recently received the following information from Stacy turner in Missouri Western State University's Western Institute Office.   I added the information in parentheses.  Otherwise, it’s a direct copy of the information they sent to students on their mailing lists. 

Missouri Western will be holding Registration for Fall Semester Dual Credit Home Schooled High School Students on Tuesday, July 23, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m in Spratt Hall Room 109, Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, Saint Joseph.  

Student Eligibility Information:

• Dual credit students must have a 3.0 GPA based on a 4.0 scale.
• The student must meet any course prerequisite.
• Student should be recommended by the home school proctor.  (The home school proctor is the parent.)
• Freshman and sophomores must have an ACT or SAT at or above the 90^th percentile.
• A copy of a birth certificate must be provided verifying the student is at least 16 years of age.
• A notarized high school transcript must be provided verifying the student has minimum 3.0 GPA.

Students will need to bring a copy of their birth certificate, a notarized (home school) high school transcript that includes a current GPA, and ACT test results (if applicable).

Tuition is $95 per credit hour with a one-time application fee of $15. 

The Fall 2013 schedule may be accessed at www.missouriwestern.edu/schedule.

For further information contact Stacy Turner at turner@missouriwestern.edu or 271-4109. 

(College students and incoming university freshmen have already registered and some classes may be full.  When you show up to register it is a good idea to have a few class choices with your list prioritized.   The Western Institute representatives will take your list of choices and see if there is room to register for the class(es) you desire.  They will notify you after registration, if there was room to enroll in the class(es) you wanted. You will pay MWSU after you've been officially registered before classes begin, not during Registration.)  

A note from IDES

The below I received from IDES.  IDES is the organization that I have worked with several times (taking groups of teen homeschoolers with me), doing volunteer recovery and rebuilding work in Joplin MO, following their tornado.

IDES is a Christian organization that has been around for years, and provides relief world wide.

"40 Minutes of Terror" was the headline on the USA Today newspaper.  The article was reporting about the EF-5 tornado that terrorized the Oklahoma City area on Monday, May 20th.  In less than an hour, two schools and entire subdivisions were flattened in Moore, Oklahoma.  It is overwhelming to think how in such a short period of time thousands of lives were forever altered. Immediately after hearing and seeing the tragic news about the damage in and around Oklahoma City, IDES' personnel began to pack their bags.  At daylight the trucks and trailers were loaded with equipment and supplies.  Disaster Relief Coordinators, Joe Luttrell and Kit Gentis, were soon on their way to offer help and hope to the churches and individuals devastated the day before. Joe and Kit arrived at Draper Park Christian Church on Wednesday evening.  They spent Thursday surveying the damage and assessing the needs.  They had a very productive meeting with ministers and church leaders from several of the Christian Church congregations located in the Oklahoma City area.  They are assisting these leaders in organizing relief efforts.  Several of these churches have already opened their buildings for volunteers to stay and work in their community.  Supplies are being delivered daily and are being distributed to the families in need, as well as providing the basic necessities for the mass of volunteer laborers.  Because of the great out pouring of supplies being donated, finding space to store them is becoming a problem.  One item NOT needed is USED CLOTHING!  Most of the supplies can be purchased in Oklahoma City; it may be better stewardship of time & resources to give financial gifts so that supplies may be purchased as needed by the people at the site.  Beginning today (Friday) Joe & Kit are going to purchase materials and begin building storage sheds for families to securely store what few belongings they may have left.  The plan is for the local volunteers to mass produce the walls, floors, and roofs of the sheds, and have the out of town volunteers to assemble them on the home sites in the disaster zone. Joe will be providing the IDES' office with the contact information of the personnel at each church that will be in charge of scheduling work teams and handling the receiving of supplies.  We will post this information as soon as it is available to us in the office.  Meanwhile, you may call the IDES' office and give us your contact information and we will pass it along to the coordinators when they are ready to receive it. IDES was thankful to have some U.S. Disaster funds on hand to begin the relief efforts.  However, we do not have enough funds to sustain any lengthy recovery endeavors.  The total recovery and rebuilding of these communities will be in the billions of dollars.  Our involvement will be determined by the gifts you and other faithful partners provide. Based on our experience in Joplin and Southern Indiana, we will need a minimum of $500,000 to sustain any significant recovery and rebuilding activities.  We need your immediate help. Would you please consider a designated gift of $50, $100, $500 or $1000? Maybe, your church would receive an offering to help with the relief efforts.  We desperately want to assist as many churches and individuals as possible.  Would you please partner with us today in offering help and hope to the thousands whose lives were forever altered by this monster tornado?  Thank you. Rick Jett Executive Director http://www.ides.org/

Prayers for Oklahoma

This morning, I took my public schooler, Emily,  into school at 5:30 a.m. to catch a bus for Nashville, TN.  She is in her schools 367 club, which is for kids who have a GPA of 3.67 or higher.  The school chartered a bus, and they are on a trip this week to celebrate the fact that their hard work studying paid off.

Hours later, we heard of the tornado in Moore, OK.  We were very worried here, as we have family in Moore OK.  After several tries, I finally received a very welcome text that they were safe.  The damage was about 15 blocks from their home.

When Emily heard about the tornadoes (she was almost to TN by this time) and called me,  I was glad to be able to tell her that I had already heard from her brother, and that he, his wife and 2 daughters were safe.

Meanwhile, in the county I grew up in, and where my parents and brother live, thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches and warnings, along with flood warnings, was going on.

Spring storms, although awsome to watch, are dangerous and often deadly.  I will be glad when they pass.

A Lesson in Electricity

When you home school, you can always stop a lesson and jump to something else, then return to your lesson.  Such was the case yesterday.

Our master bath light switch was popping, and the light would go out and we would have to wiggle the switch for it to come back on (yes, we have been putting up with this and are firefighters and safety trainers...bad, I know).

Yesterday I changed it out.  I had the girls help me.

First we turned of the electric to the entire house.  Many think that is over kill, but just in the event something from another circuit is crossed with what I am working on, I power it ALL off.  Then, I had one of the girls hold the flash light for me, as we were in darkness, even though it was a bright sunny day.

This is what we found.

See the blackened charred areas??  That should not be there.  The plastic was melted as well.

We were very close to having had a house fire.

I went through the house and changed another couple things out as well.  I think we are now good to go, safety wise.

Changing out an existing outlet or switch is very simple to do, you just need screwdrivers ALWAYS turn your power off first.  I know, some people brag they can do it with the power on, but, they are stupid (no other way to word it--sorry).  Power goes off-rule #1 always.

So, after our wiring lesson, we resumed to our regular SOS computer lessons.

Garden Club for Familes--Homeschoolers Welcome

Attention Homeschoolers,

 Beginning on Tuesday, May 14^th Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
 will be having our first garden club meeting of the year. Garden club will
 be meeting each Tuesday until late August. This will be a great summer
 activity for families who would like to learn about the basics of
 gardening or even for experienced gardeners who want to learn about newer,
 experimental gardening methods. Activities will include lessons in growing
 plants from seed as well as planting, mulching, watering, fertilizing,
 weeding, and of course harvesting led by a naturalist in our designated
 children’s garden area. In addition to standard gardening activities
 we’ll also have hands-on lessons in propagating plants from cuttings,
 local native plant identification, and prairie and forest ecology.


 So far our plans for the garden include growing tomatoes, peppers, corn,
 green beans, squash, cucumbers, okra, carrots, pumpkins and several native
 plants including ground cherries. We will be experimenting with companion
 planting along with growing lettuce on compost in woven sacks; "Bag
 Gardening". Ideas for other methods are welcome. Program content from week
 to week will be largely participant-driven.


 Garden club will be meeting from 2:30-4:00 from May 14^th thru the end of
 June and will change to 9:00-10:30 in July in order to avoid the afternoon
 heat. The charge will be $5 per family each week. Attendance at the first
 program is NOT mandatory to participate in meetings the rest of the summer.
 Each meeting will be an independent program as we would like to encourage
 families to invite friends to gain members throughout the summer.


 Also, check out our EGADS summer day camps. These week-long camps center
 around a variety of nature-related themes. Check out our brochure at:


 [LINK: http://www.naturesanctuary.com/library/EGADS2013.pdf]
http://www.naturesanctuary.com/library/EGADS2013.pdf


 If you plan to attend a meeting or have any questions call us at
816-781-8598 or send an email to info@naturesanctuary.com. We’re looking
 forward to getting garden club up and running. We hope you can join us this
 summer!


 Sincerely,

 MLTNS staff


 Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary is located 1.5 miles east of the
 city of Liberty, MO. Our address is 407 North La Frenz Road Liberty, MO
 64068. Our phone number is (816) 781-8598. Visit our website at [LINK:
http://www.naturesanctuary.com//t_blank] www.naturesanctuary.com for a map
 and directions of how to get here.


 We are a private non-profit, educational organization supported entirely by
 donations, gift shop sales, and program and membership fees. If you enjoy
 and benefit from the nature sanctuary, please consider becoming a Nature
 Sanctuary member and supporting nature education. Members receive benefits
 such as _The Sanctuary_ our quarterly newsletter, discounts on all public
 programs, 10% off of gift shop items, member-only gift shop sales, and
 special member-only events.

__._,_.___

Missouri Wester State University Children's Lifetime Sports Academy

Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology,

Certified Wildlife Biologist

Department of Biology
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Ph: 816.271.4252
Email:  cchev@missouriwestern.edu

The Health, Physical Education and Recreation department will hold its annual Children's Lifetime Sports Academy June 3-7, 2013 for children 8 to 12 years of age. The academy will be held from 1:30-5:15 pm each day here on campus. Activities will be held outdoors, in the Looney Complex and the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.

The camp offers activities such as canoeing, archery, rappelling, swimming, fishing, gun safety, disc golf, rock climbing and several other activities. Faculty and students in the HPER department will coordinate the activities.

All equipment is furnished by Western. However, participants must furnish their own tennis shoes, swimming suits and towels.

To register, access a registration form and authorization form at www.missouriwestern.edu/hper

The discounted cost for MWSU employees is $65 for the first child in the family and $55 for each additional child. Enrollment is limited to the first 150 to register.

Britton T. Johnson Ph.D.

Department of Health Physical Education and Recreation

Missouri Western State University

St. Joseph, MO 64507

(816) 271-4309

This came from my brother.......I am a cat lover, and would never do such a thing, but it is still rather funny....Now, my husband and brother???  Well, they might do such a thing.....just to see if it really works...

Open eyes

If only adults eyes would open as simply as a kittens......

The past few months have been crazy.  I had a ton of training classes to go through, and finally finished those all up.  I hold several different licenses, and for some stupid reason....I had them all coming due within 4 weeks of each other.  Ugh, so I had a ton of them.  I finished those up, then took, survived and actually enjoyed a fire training class that lasted a month.

Meanwhile, my shoulder has been hurting off and on since October.  Actually, it was hurting more on, then off.  So finally, I went to the doctor.  Since I have no memory of injuring it, we thought we would start checking the medical end.  So, I had blood work and a mammogram.  (That all came back ok).  But, while waiting for the results, I bumped my elbow and shoulder one evening, a Friday evening and it was rather painful.  Knowing I would be very uncomfortable I went into Urgent Care.  The doctor felt it, and then took an x-ray.  That proved to be interesting--it was dislocated.  I have no idea how, or when that happened.  However, I do (as embarrassing as it is to admit) have a habit of falling out of bed every few months (since I was a kid, I periodically fall-but usually when I have one of those weird dreams that I can fly).  So, all I can figure out is that I was flying and did a crash landing.

So, I have been having physical therapy on it a couple times a week now, to get the shoulder and arm muscles strengthen back up and stretched back out.  Evidently, since it was dislocated I was carrying my arm different and the muscles weakened as a result.

Normally, the girls and I would have the garden in by now, but with my shoulder the way its been, I haven't gotten to much done.  But, that ended up being ok, since on May 2 we got freezing temps and snow.

Along with the snow, came a new litter of kittens, with another litter due soon.  Momma Cat had them under my bathroom window on the deck.  Leaves had blown up on the deck and made a pile in the corner-Momma Cat made a bed there for her 4 little ones.

We also have a new calf that Daisy Mae surprised us with.

When I went out to check out the calf. Daisy Mae called it and they took off.  Then, my husband went out and they came right up to them.  Not sure what that was about, since I am the one that normally feeds them and usually she comes up begging for sweet feed.  (She likes to eat it out of the bucket, but it is rather comical as her horns get in the way)

Parent Rap

A sad email I received.......


"To all:
I'm very disappointed in having to inform you that the
Mid Continent Public Library headquartersn has decided to eliminate the " Homeschoolers at the Library " programs beginning in July  2013.

They have decided  to have all programs open to the general public so all programs need to be after school or on weekends.  Only Story Time for preschool will be during the school hours.  They feel they are only reaching a small minority with the program and would like to reach more people.

If you would like to voice your feelings on this decision you may call headquarters in Independence , MO:   816-836-5200 and ask to speak to Steven Potter or Dick Wilding.

My personal feelings are that the library does in- school visits and it is not feasable for the library to do "in home" visits for homeschoolers so the homeschoolers at the library program was a very productive program. I would prefer the program to be cut back if they have to( meeting every other month) but NOT completely eliminated.

Please voice your opinon with a phone call ( 816-836-5200) if you would like to see this program continued in some way.


Jennifer"

I will be calling the library tomorrow on this one.....

Used book sale, Independence MO

REGION 3 USED BOOK SALE / EDUCATION SEMINAR / ENRICHMENT FAIR

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Noland Road Baptist Church, 4505 S Noland Road, Independence, MO 64055

EDUCATION SEMINAR 9:00am-Noon

Used Book Sale & Enrichment Fair 1:00-3:30pm

SET UP FOR THE BOOK SALE BEGINS AT 11:00am

The official Families for Home Education Region 3 Used Book Sale / Education Seminar and Academic Enrichment Fair.

USED BOOK SALE and ENRICHENT FAIR Admittance is free to the Used Book Sale and Enrichment Fair. The cost to sell used curriculum or have a Enrichment Fair space for your group will be $10.00 per space. Used book sale participants will have a table provided. We have a limited number of 8’ table. Those that sign up first will get an 8’ table. The rest will get a 60’ round table. Enrichment Fair participants will have an 8’ spot but they will need to bring their own table. I will notify you by email and by returning your check if we are full.
Set up for the curriculum fair will begin at 11:00. We ask you not to sell anything until 12:30, when those who have set up or will clean up will get to shop early. Those volunteers will be wearing colored wristbands. Please do not sell to anyone without a wristband on.

We must receive payment for your table space to reserve it. An email address is required to send you the confirmation and instructions.

Do you want an opportunity to shop before the general public is admitted? Volunteer to help set up Friday night at 7:00 and/or clean up Saturday from 3:30-5:00!  If you are interested, please contact Jacinda at gregandjacinda@gmail.com

Moms and Daughters

You are invited to the Discover Nature Women’s Spring Fling!

Ladies! Join us for a girl’s weekend out at the beautiful Lake Doniphan Conference and Retreat Center in Excelsior Springs, MO. April 26-28 and learn a few new Outdoor Skills to boot! This event is geared toward women. Young ladies ages 14 and up may register with an adult mentor. Skills include canoeing/kayaking, archery, animal sign, outdoor cooking, fishing, camping/backpacking, orienteering with map and compass and GPS units, wild edible plants and so much more!

The program is free. Lodging and meals are provided for a low per person cost.

To get more information on this Spring Fling for Women check out the link below.

http://mdc.mo.gov/node/21411

Missouri Department of Conservation

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center

1401 NW Park Road

Blue Springs, MO 64015

816-228-3766

Fail

• 

If we make it through March.....

The last two months have been crazy around here.  The husband has been having overtime like crazy, and several of the licenses I hold come due during Feb and March.  Renewing licenses means taking classes, most of which were cancelled or rescheduled during the snow storms.  One of my classes was rescheduled 3 times.  March is also the month I re certify and train for working at Kansas Speedway.

My last 2 "big" classes are this weekend, and then I have some more through April 2.  After this weekend however, they will slow down.  I have had weeks were I was either a student or teaching every day of the week.

My husbands overtime also will be (hopefully) slowing down starting next month.

Of course, we have to have another snow storm thrown in to the mix.  It is supposed to possibly start later tonight.  My class on Sunday is in Kansas, so it may be a 4 x 4 trip depending on how much snow we get.  Hopefully we don't get as much as the weatherman says.  If it snows over a certain amount, my husbands employer keeps him at a nearby hotel since he is considered an essential employee.  (I consider him an essential husband, but since I don't pay the bills, they win on this one...

The kids are also ready for spring and warmer weather.  We are wanting to do some riding, and get going on the garden and lawn.  But until then, we have the dreary cold days of winter....spring.

St Louis Curriculum Sale

For those in the St. Louis area:
Used curriculum sale this Saturday from 9-noon @ Trinity Church, 3515 Shackelford, Florissant, MO 63031

Scholarship info for Seniors

This is scholarship info for seniors who have an account at Community America.  I have been told they do this yearly--many banks and credit unions do.  So, you may want to check with your own credit union or bank, or have your child start an account here.  To enter this scholarship contest, they must have had an account for 6 months.  So, for kids graduating after this year, you might consider having them start an account here.
https://www.cacu.com/emeritus-scholarship-2013

Other places do yearly scholarships as well, such as electric co-ops and other utilities, Kohls, 4H and scouts.  Many employees have them for the children of their employees.

I have heard the argument that homeschoolers can't get scholarships.  That is not true.  I have known many who have received them, including one of my daughters (Kohls).  Hunt around, and you will find them!

Many scholarships require some volunteer work, along with good grades, and often participation in certain organizations--such as being in 4H for a 4H scholarship, or belonging to the bank, if it is from the bank, or the child of a veteran......

Normally, you want to start researching for scholarships early, as most have a deadline--I suggest 1-2 years before their senior year.  Some you can apply for early, some you need to wait until their senior year for.  But, by locating them early, you know where to return and what the deadlines are.

Faith

• Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?
  
  Student : Yes, sir.
  
  Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?
  ...
  Student : Absolutely, sir.
  
  Professor : Is GOD good ?
  
  Student : Sure.
  
  Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?
  
  Student : Yes.
  
  Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
  
  (Student was silent.)
  
  Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?
  
  Student : Yes.
  
  Professor: Is satan good ?
  
  Student : No.
  
  Professor: Where does satan come from ?
  
  Student : From … GOD …
  
  Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
  
  Student : Yes.
  
  Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
  
  Student : Yes.
  
  Professor: So who created evil ?
  
  (Student did not answer.)
  
  Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
  
  Student : Yes, sir.
  
  Professor: So, who created them ?
  
  (Student had no answer.)
  
  Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
  
  Student : No, sir.
  
  Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
  
  Student : No , sir.
  
  Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
  
  Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
  
  Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
  
  Student : Yes.
  
  Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
  
  Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
  
  Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.
  
  Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
  
  Professor: Yes.
  
  Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
  
  Professor: Yes.
  
  Student : No, sir. There isn’t.
  
  (The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
  
  Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
  
  (There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
  
  Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
  
  Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
  
  Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
  
  Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?
  
  Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
  
  Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?
  
  Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
  
  Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
  
  Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
  
  Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
  
  (The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
  
  Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
  
  (The class was in uproar.)
  
  Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
  
  (The class broke out into laughter. )
  
  Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
  
  (The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
  
  Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
  
  Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
  
  P.S.
  
  I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. And if so, you’ll probably want your friends / colleagues to enjoy the same, won’t you?
  
  Forward this to increase their knowledge … or FAITH.
  
  By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.

Time Change--Spring Forward

She is still off the ground

My car was parked on snow packed snow......It was about 15 inches deep here.  As the snow is melting, it has melted under the wheels where the sun can reach it, but not under the car.  Now, my front wheels are about 1/2 inch off the ground.  The rear wheels are between 4 and 5 inches off the ground.  The car is being supported by the snow that is packed underneath it.  Its been off the ground a few days now.

Right now we have thunder and lightening.  I hope we get some warm rain to melt it, but its already got a moat around it.....If I do get it off the snow, its just going to be stuck in the mud.....

Passover--all are invited

My Christian church does this each year. It is a fun and interesting way to learn about the Jewish holidays that some of our Christian faith and traditions today are based on. 

Friday, March 29, 2013

6:30pm

Holt Christian Church 170 2nd St, Holt MO

This is a Christian celebration of the Passover supper Jesus would have shared with his disciples, with explanations of the traditional meal. To cover food cost, we're asking for $10 for those 10 and older and $5 for those ages 6-9. Those 5 and under are free. Please RSVP by comment to this page with the number of people in your group, your name and email and phone number. PLEASE Reserve by Wednesday, March 27.

Holt Christian Church

170 2nd St., Holt, Missouri 64048

View Map · Get Directions

 

Homeschool Event @ Lenexa KS

Homeschool Family Potluck and Contra Dance!

Come fellowship with other homeschool families as we have a meal

and learn 1850’s dances – fun for the entire family!

Friday, April 12^th, 2013

6pm-10pm

Providence Community Church

Activities Center

10113 Lenexa Drive

Lenexa, Kansas 66215

(Near I-35 and 95^th Street)

Each family is asked to bring a main dish,

plus a side dish or dessert to feed 8-10 people.

Free dance lessons included! Modest casual or Sunday clothes please.

$5 per person ($25 max per family).

SPACE LIMITED. MUST PRE-REGISTER BY FRIDAY APRIL 5^TH - PAY AT THE DOOR.

Call Abigail Grysban at (816) 878-8836 or email agrysban@gmail.com.

(Please do not call the church!)

Science Expo Coming Up

After I hosted the Creation Workshop, I started getting more and more request for other workshops, specifically in the areas of science and history.  So, this spring, I will be hosting a Science Expo.

Basically this will be open for all homeschoolers (and their parents).  Each student (or each family if they don't want to do more than one) will prepare an exhibit, collection, display or experiment to show.  We will set them up by category, and view them.  Then, we will all sit and one at a time let the contributors explain to the group their item.  Depending on how many show up, we will allow each person from 3-10 minutes to "show and tell" what they brought.

Most likely entries will not be judged--this is to be a learning workshop, not a competition.  Of course, any entries that have already been entered into previous science fairs are more than welcome.  Parents can also bring something of interest.

Like the Creation Workshop, we will all bring our own sandwiches for lunch, and a potluck item (salad, desert or dish) to share.  We will take a 45 or 60 minute lunch break.  Parents can visit and kids can run off energy.  Then, we will finish.

Most likely it will be held at my church in Holt MO, during April or May, but I need to work out the details (date) with our minister first.  Don't panic, Holt is only about 12 minutes from Liberty, just north on I35.  It is very easy to get to, and a very small town, and the church is easy to find.  If time allows, we can "possibly" also get in a fire station visit as well.  But, I need to first nail down the date before I can schedule this with my fire chief.  The fire station is just one block from the church, and we could easily walk to it.

So, stay tuned for the date, and more information.  Meanwhile, start thinking of ideas!!!

Ideas could include:  rock collection, poster on the heart, how a fire extinguisher works, microscope with slides for others to view, ant farm, how do seeds sprout, experiments......  Use your imagination!

Not much help....

Since the snow storm, we have been driving our 4 wheel drives on the few days we could get out.  Driving a 4x4 takes a lot of fuel, let alone 3 of them going 3 seperate directions.....Today its halfway warm, and the snow is melting.

First, I went to dig out the Monte Carlo.  It is free of the snow, but stuck in the mud now...But I think after the ground refreezes tonight we can get it back onto the driveway.

Then I moved over to my car.  I got tired of digging my car out....(I was silly and tried to back it out a drift that had settled down to the back window--originally it was higher than my car).  I had this dumb idea that if I punched it real real hard, she might just go right thru the drift.  She didn't.  I asked for help, and this is what I got.....

Nutty dog......He wasn't much help at all

How to Seperate out the Egg Yolk

My mom sent this to me.  Its the link to a u tube video on separating the yolk from the white.  I guarantee it is a way you have never seen before.

Did I mention the video is in Chinese?  Don't worry, you don't have to understand Chinese to understand the video, as she has good clear step by step instructions.

Click here to watch the video.

Chicken Pot Pie

A friend of mine posted on facebook a couple days ago her chicken pot pie.  Got me hungry for some, so tonight I made mine.  I think it was the first time I have made it since we were married.  I was told I need to make it again.  Only one serving was left, and Emily hasn't eaten yet, so I guess that is hers.

If you want the recipe, click here and scroll down to it.

A Vine House

I am planning on putting this in my garden area this year.  It would be simple to do, (after I cut some branches or saplings)...



Not sure where I will put it, and if I want vined veggies on it or flowers.....Still thinking this one through.

Got Drugs???

The DEA is sponsoring a national drug take back day on April 27, 2013.  This is where you can take your unused or expired medications for proper disposal.  A lot of people leave them in the medicine cabinet, and some medications actually can turn toxic over time.  Others dump them down the drain or toilet, and don't realize that it can harm septic systems, leach into nearby wells or ponds, and make its way back into the drinking water supply.

So, dispose of them the right way.

Click here for information on where to find a location near you.

Internet Explorer Issue

Since blogspot made some changes awhile back, my blog doesn't want to work well in Internet Explorer.  It seems to do fine in google chrome.

It even says above the top, best viewed in google chrome....

Yet, almost daily I get comments and emails that it won't work in explorer.....yeah, I know.

But, if anyone knows the fix, I'd be happy to hear it!