Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, Monday, February 17, 2014

Outside my window...  wild and windy, with fresh snow in the hills above.

Hearing...  the rush of wind through the trees outside my window.

Pondering...  we watched The Butler over the weekend.  It gave the boys an interesting view into the Civil Rights movement, which we've talked and read about,
but seeing it... seeing and hearing the events has so much more impact.  

Coincidentally our pastor, who grew up in the segregated South and witnessed that era first hand, is currently preaching through Galatians.  He was preaching yesterday about the absolutely radical change it was for the early church to allow uncircumcised, "unclean" Gentiles to become Christian,

without becoming observant Jews.

I'd never given it a lot of thought, really, because it seems so obvious to us.  But he made the comparison to the total societal upheaval that integration brought to the South.

Imagine,
everything you thought made you better than "them",

everything you thought made you "pure",

everything you thought earned you status...

doesn't count.

The Gospel is shocking.

Praying...  Kerry and work (a persistent theme, I know), a good (safe!) trip to Seattle tomorrow - the first step toward Tate's second implant!

Thankful...  for flexibility.  Last week was crazy.  Crazy good, but still crazy.
Hoping this week is more stable.
And so thankful that while the public schools may have a holiday,
we can just go ahead and school today, since tomorrow will be boogered up.
Driving to Seattle and back kind of throws a wrench in "normal".

Creating...  just ideas at this point.

Going...  to apply some "motivation" to one particular boy to get moving on his schoolwork.  Arrrrgh.  I have one who is completely self-motivated - he'll get up early and do everything he can independently in order to maximize his time with me (stuff he needs help with) and get FREE earlier.
I have another who isn't quite so much of a self-starter, but is generally cooperative.
Then I have one who is... a procrastinator.
I'm not naming names ;D

Reading...  That Hideous Strength aloud with the boys.  Wither is driving them absolutely batty, as he should.

In the kitchen...  leftover sweet and spicy pulled pork - yum!

in the learning rooms...  this week we're going to stay on track.  Yah.

Around the house...  lots of candles - partly for ambience and partly because it's been so windy I kind of expect to lose power.

The Mother Load...  must get tax stuff together SOON.

And by soon I mean immediately.

This week.

Something to remember for later...  Gunnar walking into the kitchen and announcing,

I'm feeling a bit peckish.

A favorite quote for today... 
It is very interesting to note that Jesus often prayed all night in private,
but His public prayers were very brief.
- Billy Graham

One of my favorite things...  a good book!

A Bible verse...  Zephaniah 3:17
For some reason (probably early childhood memorization?) I like this best in the old KJV,

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save,
He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love,
He will joy over thee with singing.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  school, school, school, and the usual round of rehearsal, Civil Air Patrol, babysitting, etc.  Aaaaaand throw in a trip to Seattle.

A peek into my day...  the results of my morning tea, and a mid-morning cocoa break ;D