Not All Librarians Are Created Equal

Libraries have long been a large part of my life.  We had a great and active relationship with the library when I was a child.  That was back in the days before automation when our library card had a number we recited to check our books out.

Our family card was 3240-B.  'B' because we lived outside of city limits, as I recall.

It was a great day when I had the privilege of obtaining my own personal library card and number.  6467-B

Yes, more than twenty years after leaving my hometown, I still remember those numbers--perhaps by reason of use.

When Alan and I moved to a small town in Missouri seventeen years ago, I quickly located the library on the square.  The librarian at that time was a delightful lady who always greeted me with a smile, answered my questions, and helped me find books.  When she retired, the new librarian quickly stepped into her friendly and accommodating role.

Over the years, our relationship evolved until I no longer considered her just my local librarian, but my friend.  She was always ready for a chat and a few laughs when I came in, and shared my joy (and even fear) as children were added to our family.  When I started selling Pampered Chef and was rather freaked out at starting the business and finding hosts, she cheerfully opened her home.  She knew my favorite authors, notified me when the next book in a series arrived, and recommended authors she thought I might like.  She encouraged me on my homeschooling journey--not just in word, but also in deed--as she frequently asked what our next unit would be and gathered books on that subject for me for the next time I came in.  If the library didn't have a particular book I was looking for, she ordered it for me more times than I can count.

And she didn't tease me (at least not TOO much) when I checked out the same book for the third or fourth time just because it was such a great book and I wanted to read it again.

Now, admittedly, not all my experiences with librarians have been sunshine and roses.  I also frequented a library in a neighboring town because it was larger and had some resources that benefited our family and we were frequently in that town for other activities.  Many of the librarians there were also a delight, greeting patrons with a smile, gladly reserving books upon request, and renewing books we needed for just a few more days past the due date.  There was a children's librarian, however, who didn't like children.  I've never seen anything like it, and can't understand why she stayed in that position.

But that crabby librarian had nothing on the librarians in my current town of residence.  This is the most unfriendly library I've ever had the misfortune to frequent.  The librarians seem to consider the patrons an inconvenience and are quite put out that we should disturb their day by needing their service to check out our books.  I have yet to see any of them smile.

And may I insert here that I am (generally, anyway) a smiling sort of person.  I've had people tell me my smile is contagious.  I am friendly and outgoing.  I talk to people and I smile at people and I expect them to at least smile back.  They almost always do.  Even tired, grumpy cashiers at the end of their shift respond to my friendly commiseration and assurance that I'm not in a hurry with a smile and small talk.

So, I'm starting to take this personally.  No one there will respond to me.  No one will smile.  cue Twilight Zone music

I should have suspected something at my first visit when I asked if they could give my contact information to a local homeschooler so I could get plugged in.  They responded that they didn't know any homeschoolers.

The local librarian doesn't know any homeschoolers?

She knew there were people who homeschooled, but they tended to stay underground.

They tend to stay underground? Yikes! That sounds ominous. . .not to mention dark.  "Many sink down to the Underworld, and few return to the sunlit lands."  I prefer being an Overworlder, thanks.

I shared this experience with a local homeschooler (who turned out to quite definitely be an Overworlder and not an Earthman at all) this week.  She laughed.  It turns out that members of the quite extensive network of local home educators travel to libraries in surrounding towns because this library is so unfriendly.  At nearby libraries they are not only welcomed with open arms, they are also given extended checkout periods and are allowed to check out large quantities of books.

And most shocking of all, they are greeted with smiles.

So now I'm left with a decision to make.  Do I follow suit and abandon ship with nary a protest?  Or do I write a friendly letter sharing my experience and the explanation for the absence of homeschoolers in their library?  (Shocking  Truly shocking of untold proportions.  No homeschoolers in the library.  I can't get over this).

Or do I take on the challenge to go to the library at least once a week and keep smiling, keep chatting, until these ladies smile back just to get rid of me?

Meeting Sir Wodehouse

I've been wanting to call him "Sir Wodehouse", because his writing is so delightfully British, so imagine how happy I was that Wikipedia referred to him as such.

For our April selection of Carrie's book club, one of Carrie's friends suggested we read a book by P.G. Wodehouse and I chose to read Uncle Dynamite.   This was my first exposure to Wodehouse (which I had always heard pronounced just as it looks but recently learned its correct pronunciation is WOODhouse) although I had frequently been asked if I had read any of his books when talking about books with fellow readers.  He had been described to me as an author of "British wit" and that description certainly fits. 

I found this book ridiculous to the extreme and impossible to take seriously.  In a nutshell, the plot involves the character (I use that word in more ways than one) Lord Ickenham who creates all sorts of bedlam in his endeavors to steer everyone in his acquaintance to life decisions of the happily-ever-after variety.

'Uncle Fred,' he said, speaking in a low, metallic voice.  'I don't know if you know it, but you're Public Scourge Number One.  You scatter ruin and desolation on every side like a ruddy sower going forth sowing.  Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness aren't possible when you're around.  You're like the Black Death or one of those pestilences of the Middle Ages, taking their toll of thousands.'

His vehemence seemed to occasion Lord Ickenham a mild surprise.  

'But, my dear boy, what have I done?' (185)

Wodehouse is a gifted writer and it took me much longer than I expected to read this pointless (yet fun) story because I couldn't help but savor his phrasings.  His wit jolted more than one giggle out of me which led to my family's request to "read it to us, Mom".

There are extraordinarily few good answers to the ejaculation 'You!' especially when preceded by the monosyllable 'Ugh!'  Pongo could not think of any of them.  The other's entry had caused him to repeat that sitting high jump of his, and on descending from the neighborhood of the ceiling he had found his mind a blank.  The best he could achieve was a nervous giggle (189).

Lest you think this book was 'fluff' or 'twaddle', I will point out some of the words Wodehouse introduced me to.  I could deduce most of their meanings by context,  and some of them I had heard before, but didn't know the exact definition.  These words are certainly not a part of my daily vocabulary!

• somnolent (7)--Sleepy; drowsy.
• impecunious (24)--Having little or no money.
• comported (40)--Behavior; bearing
• abstemiousness (40)--sparing or moderate in eating and drinking
• deleterious (43)--Causing harm or damage
• fatuous (49) --Silly and pointless
• nadir (82)--the lowest point
• somnambulist (103) --a person who engages in sleepwalking  

(In Bill Oakshott's demeanour, as he approached, there was the suggestion of a somnambulist who, in addition to having blisters on both feet, is wrestling with an unpleasant nightmare.)  I couldn't figure this one out by context, but once I looked up the definition the imagery was quite effective.

• contradistinction (139)--Distinction made by contrasting the different qualities of two things
• escutcheon (179)--A shield or shield-shaped emblem bearing a coat of arms (used in this context, I assume, as the family name or reputation)
• stertorously (184)--Noisy and labored breathing
• distrait (208)--Inattentive or preoccupied, especially because of anxiety
• captious (208)--Tending to find fault or raise petty objections 

I have Very Good, Jeeves, also by Wodehouse, sitting here on my desk waiting for me to read it.  I thought I would be able to read two Wodehouse books this month, but April was too busy and Uncle Dynamite took more time than I expected, so I can look forward to reading another Wodehouse this summer.  I'm glad I finally met Sir Wodehouse and thankful to Tim for spurring me on!

Countering the Lies

Last weekend our family got to participate in the walk for life to raise awareness and funds for the local crisis pregnancy center.  It's a cause we believe in, especially as our culture is intent on repeating lies about when life begins and the relative value of life.  As I've said before, I think we need to speak the truth in order to counter belief in these oft-spoken lies.

After the walk, we listened to a short presentation and I have been mulling over some of the speaker's points all week.  He thinks it is good to raise awareness about life and organizations that promote life, but He contends the battle against abortion is "not a matter of using more convincing graphics or better reasoning.  It is a spiritual battle.  People choose to believe a lie sometimes, even knowing it's a lie."

His sister had two abortions in years past, and she now tells him she knew it really was a baby, that life really had begun, she just chose to believe the lies the abortionist told her because it "fixed" her current problem.

Sometimes we know something is a lie, we just choose to believe it anyway.  Because it's more convenient in the moment.  Because it satisfies self.  Because the truth is hard or uncomfortable or unpopular.

The only answer to lies is Truth.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Serious Business: Dissections

The kids have been dissecting several specimens in their biology studies this year, and it's been even more fun to do our labs with some of the other teens we've been meeting here.

Jarret sneaks up on Destry to introduce him to his frog

It's been fun to see the individual personalities emerge.  Jarret, of course, takes everything way too seriously.  Or maybe that's Destry who is intent on being the first one to complete the lab sheet (every single lab).

Then you have the girls like Adalee and Briana who take their dear sweet time playing in the guts of the specimens and carefully identifying and preserving each body part.

Briana was even courteous enough to help Jarret decipher the mess he made of his specimen.  I didn't get any pictures of Alexandra, but she and Bri were mostly grossed out by the specimens until Bri decided to see if kissing her frog would garner her a prince.

We have been dissecting fun creatures like earthworms, crayfish, grasshoppers, starfish, perches, and frogs.  Our last and most exciting lab for the year will involve a fetal pig.  Yes, the kids are rather excited about it.

Fortunately, we've had snacks like Monster Cookie Bars, cookies, and Cinnamon Roll cake available after each lab so Jarret didn't really have to eat his fish or frog.  (Growing boys are always hungry, you know.)

  


The day we dissected the frogs, our lab ran over and Alan got home in time to join in on the fun.  Who else but Alan would have come up with the idea to blow into the frog's lungs with a straw to watch them inflate and deflate?  Don't worry, I didn't let him stick the straw back into my Pepsi.

Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler

I've procrastinated in reviewing Growing Up Amish because I am still not sure what I think of this memoir.  For starters, I am not enamored with the Amish as many people seem to be.  I don't have a romantic view of their life--I think it's a lot of hard work--and I don't understand how they can view it as wrong to have modern conveniences, but then take advantage of their "English" neighbors by asking to use the phone or for rides hither, thither and yon.  Call me cynical, I guess, but I lived about 30 miles south of this book's setting for the last 17 years and that was my impression before ever reading Wagler's experience.

Secondly, I'm beginning to think I'm just not a fan of memoirs in general.  I like for a book to have a "finished" feeling to it.  The nature of a memoir simply does not lend itself to being wrapped up with a nice tidy bow and a sense of closure.  But I guess that's just my problem, isn't it?  I did find Wagler's blog and stayed up reading it until after midnight one night to see what the rest of his life looked like, but guess what?  He's still living, his life still isn't wrapped up with a nice tidy bow, and I still don't have a nice big "The End" for the story.  I did learn about his relationships, where he goes to church, how his family is doing, and so forth, so that was interesting.  But I'm still left with questions regarding the outcomes of his choices.

This all leads to a rather hearty recommendation for this book as you can see I am certainly intrigued.  He writes the story of his life in such a way that I care--that I want to know the answers to my questions.  It's a quick and easy read and I find it rather ironic that I read the book as we drove south of Ottumwa, near Bloomfield, through Drakesville, and south on highway 63 into Missouri--the very setting of a good part of the book.  I appreciated that he didn't use his platform to bash the Amish in general, but rather was respectful and stuck to sharing his personal story.

I read this book three weeks ago now, and I have thought about it several times since, which also recommends it to other readers.  Like other books I've read, it makes me examine our relationships with our children as I ponder his reflections and his relationship with his parents, in particular his father.

• "My brothers and I hung together, in silent revolt against his rather strident admonitions.  That's pretty much how he communicated with us.  Not by discussion but by dictates.  And so he lost us, one by one, as we entered our teenage years" (55).

• "Don't do as I did is what we heard.  Do as I say.  There was no tolerance for anything less than that, no attempt to consider our perspectives.  No respect, no communication, no honesty.  And that simply could not work in the age-old conflict between fathers and sons" (80).

This book was also enlightening regarding the spiritual views of the Amish.  I have a hard time wrapping my brain around their worldview--their view of God, their view of mankind, and their response to these views.  I can't help but wonder at the progression (or should I say regression) of their denomination's belief system.  Without digressing too much into their theology, it appears to me that current generations are trying to ride on the faith of previous generations and mimic their practices without understanding or internalizing the purpose of those practices.  This thought fills me with both sorrow and awareness as I realize how easily the same process could happen to any of us.  Any time we substitute laws and rules based on what someone of faith has said or done for a personal faith and searching of scripture to see whether those things are true we make the gospel of no effect.  God's way is always so much better, and reading this book reminded me that Christ in me draws people to Him.  When people see His fruit in our lives--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control--that's what prompts people to ask the reason for the hope that is within us.  Grudging adherence to dead rules just turns people away.

• "But it wasn't only that the outside world drew us.  We were also repelled by what we saw and heard around us every day.  Most of the adults--those securely anchored in the faith--didn't seem any too happy in their daily lives.  In fact, they were mostly downright grumpy.  There was little in our own world that attracted us, made us stop and think, That's what I want.  To live like that" (80).

• "walk the road that equated eternal life with earthly misery" (141).

• "The box of Amish life and culture might provide some protection, but it could never bring salvation" (265).

Having said that, there are some aspects to Amish life that appeal to me (see why I can't decide what I think?  I go back and forth, pros and cons, positives and negatives).  I like the idea of a "simple life" in the respect of not running around like a chicken with my head cut off, slave to my calendar, technology, and materialism.  I also appreciate their tendency to simply accept life.  Wagler paints this as a negative, but I see it as a positive.  Life is tough.  Sometimes bad things happen.  There's no point in getting all dramatic about it or wailing and whining.  That doesn't change anything.  A friend of ours who practices medicine in an area heavily populated by Mennonites has also discussed his appreciation for this attitude of simple acceptance.  He doesn't have to worry that Mennonite families will sue if a loved one dies.  They have a realistic acceptance of life and death that perhaps more of us should adopt.

When Wagler's brother was paralyzed in a tragic accident, he says  "We stoically accepted the tragedy.  I don't remember even once seeing any of us breaking down or weeping aloud.  We kept everything, the shock and horror of it, firmly locked inside.  Dealt with it--except we never really did.  In time, a dull sense of resignation seeped through us, followed by acceptance, and we proceeded forward from that point to the present day" (165).  I wonder, what does he think they SHOULD have done?  Granted, I imagine I would "break down and weep aloud", but ultimately, what choice would I have but to "stoically accept it" and "proceed forward from that point"?  Losing it altogether (nutso freako), going catatonic, making it all about me so the injured person has to comfort me, being mad at God, suing the landowner. . .I guess I don't see how any of those options are better than "accepting it and proceeding forward".

These are just a few of the thoughts Wagler's book have prompted and this post is quite long enough, so I'll stop there.  If your interest is piqued, I would love for you to read it as well, bring me a Pepsi, and we could sit in my red chairs and chat it out.

To Everything There is a Season

A time to learn, a time to teach.  A time to mentor, a time to be mentored.  A time to grow, a time to grow others.

Frequently the times overlap.

Last weekend I was blessed to attend a Beth Moore conference in Kansas City with my sister and sister-in-law (and 9800 other women).  But that's another post.  This post is about the WE, YOU, and THEY she taught about from I Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2.

• WE:  She extended the WE of Paul, Silvanus/Silas, and Timothy to the people of the church who are leaders, teachers, motivators of the other believers.  She calls them "fruit bearers" because they carry and support others in addition to bearing their own fruit.

• YOU:  She identified the YOU as christians in general.  People who are faithful to the Lord, learning and growing closer to Him in their walk.  They are "fruit bearing" because there is fruit in their lives of service to God--they are producing a yield for Him.

• THEY:  This last group is composed of those who have tasted the fruit exhibited by the WEs and the YOUs and they're attracted to the Truth as a result.  Members of this group might be either nonbelievers who are seeking or babes in the faith who are beginning to grow.

Beth shared an excellent study of this topic and I just keep thinking and applying its principles to my life and what I see around me.  It seems to me we tend to have extremes on either side of this mentoring practice.  On the one hand, there are those who were reprimanded for their need for milk at a time when they should have been teaching (Hebrews 5:12-14).  I wonder if the shortage of 50-70-year-old christian men and women who have grown to be giants in faith and wisdom through years of walking faithfully with the Lord is a phenomenon unique to our generation and culture.  I have many times considered the history of our culture as I sought Titus 2 women in my life and wondered what events in our country's past have contributed to their absence.

On the other hand, I have observed some who are immature (not of full age, as the KJV words it) and lacking constant practice and powers of discernment who (dare I suggest pridefully?) take it upon themselves to step into a mentor role.  "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly," says James in the first verse of chapter three.  This isn't to say that we should avoid teaching, I don't think, but that we should be discerning and humble, waiting for the appropriate season after we have experienced struggles and exercised appropriate discernment between good and evil before presuming to take on this role.

As I learn and grow in my own walk, I would even suggest that mentoring others is not a role we step into ourselves, but rather one into which we are invited--or even simply find ourselves.  In the interests of full disclosure, I must admit this is something I have learned the "hard way" as in the past I have prematurely assumed the role of mentor and I can see my failures in that endeavor.  How much better it is when a relationship naturally begins and evolves to a point that one person confides to the other how much she has learned and grown through their relationship even as that was not the express purpose of their interactions!  This honest relationship exhibits a purer motivation and manifestation of Christ's love and humble servant's heart.

I would still contend that we can each play different roles simultaneously in different areas of our lives.  There may be some areas of our lives in which we have great experience and growth in which we are able to minister to others, while at the same time facing a trial or experience in a different area for the very first time and need to seek wisdom from someone much younger or generally less experienced who has gone through a similar experience.  This study has reminded me to be both clay in the Potter's hands, willing to grow and be molded, and to be a tool, submitting to be used in the Master's knowing hand whatever the role He prescribes.

Bantu Knot Headband and Cornrows

Kiana is sporting a new hairstyle again.

 The top front is made up of fun parts braided into cornrows with the ends twisted into bantu knots (also known as zulu knots).  I should have posed her against a solid background so you could see them better, but they are really cute.

 The back is just divided into curved rows which I cornrowed, then decorated with her new "shades of pink" bead set.  I was actually quite excited to purchase these beads locally rather than having to order them online.  Moving off the farm does have its advantages! (Things like hair products and Chinese takeout a mere five blocks away.)

This style took a total of four hours including detangling, parting, braiding, beading and knotting.  It took two hours to detangle and braid the back in one sitting while she watched The Fox and the Hound.  The second sitting took another two hours and passed while watching a Sesame Street singing video.  That's more TV than she watched all of last week put together!

I expect this style to last several weeks, at least three and maybe four.  I may have to redo the top/front, but the back should last at least four weeks if we're good at remembering to put her satin sleep cap on for both bedtime and naptime.  For those who are interested, I moisturized her hair with Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner, used Blended Cutie's Curly Cake Shake for detangling, and braided with Blended Cutie's Jelly Cream, a soft hold moisturizing gel lotion.

Metaphorically Speaking

Deuteronomy chapter 8 has been standing out to me the last several days. 

remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. (from verse 2)

 <sup>Moses was talking to the children of Israel at this time about their literal sojourn in the wilderness, but I think there are still principles from their experience that apply to my life.  It hasn't been a literal wilderness, but it's been a time of both wondering and wandering.  It hasn't been forty years, but it's been long enough to get the lesson across.


God has used these last several months to humble us, to remind us (yet again) that we are not in control.  He has tested us to know what was in our hearts.  Do we choose to serve him, or ourselves?  Do we choose to serve him or mammon (money, materialism, earthly pursuits and possessions)?</sup> 

³ And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ⁴  Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. ⁵ Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.  

<sup>He has provided.  Over and over and over again.  He let us hunger, let us get to a place where we knew our need for him, and then he provided in ways we never would have even known to expect.  He has provided our needs both physically and spiritually.  Manna indeed.  All his provisions ultimately underline the fact that we do not live by material needs alone, but by the Word of God.

I am so thankful for God's testing and for His discipline/teaching/correction/instruction.  It is evidence of His love for me--that He has adopted me--that I am His child and thus a recipient of His discipline toward holiness.  I look forward to the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" this teaching will work in my life (Hebrews 12).</sup>

⁶ So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.⁷ For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, ⁸ a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, ⁹ a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. ¹⁰ And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

We are starting to get a glimpse of this new land and the Lord's purpose for us here.  In just two short months He has provided us with multiple opportunities to share what He has done in our lives.  We have been blessed to minister to and pray for a couple beginning the adoption journey.  We have fielded questions from three different christian families who are looking into homeschooling their children as they seek to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Five books on these topics are loaned off of my bookshelves where they can benefit others and our story and experiences are being used to God's glory to encourage others that God will provide as we step out in faith and obedience.  We are learning more about the pregnancy crisis center in our new town and of its great need for support as the Planned Parenthood also in this town continually increases business and "services" and considering what our role might be.

For you see, a "good land", a land with great fruitfulness and fullness and without lack, doesn't necessarily mean of land of great physical richness in my mind.  A good land is a place where WE will be fruitful.  A place where we can be used and God can be glorified.  A place where God fills us with purpose, with the good works he has prepared in advance for us to do.

¹¹ “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, ¹²  lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, ¹³ and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, ¹⁴  then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, ¹⁵ who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, ¹⁶ who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. ¹⁷ Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ ¹⁸ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ¹⁹ And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. ²⁰ Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

 May we ever remember who we are, that we are dust, and never be overtaken by pride thinking *we* are the source of our fruitfulness or our blessings.  Unlike the Israelites, may we never forget the Lord and what He has done but rather, choose to obey Him.  May we never be distracted from pursuing His glory wherever we are.

Two Strand Twists on My Little Boy

 I love Tyrell's fro.  I think it's gorgeous, and *he* is absolutely gorgeous.  But it's hot. . .and it gets so tangled.  Today we tried two-strand twists for the first time and I'm pronouncing them a success!

It took about an hour and a half to detangle his hair and then form the twists.  He actually did very well with my styling and kept putting his hand to his hair saying "hair?  ma-ma?"  Yes, baby, mama is fixing your hair--oooh, pretty hair.

 He was pretty proud and posed happily for mama to take a picture of his hair.  Isn't it amazing how much a different hairstyle and a big cheesy grin can change his look?  I think he looks older without the fro.

You may be noticing the huge bump on his forehead.  Sigh.  He's 20 months old--does that explain it well enough?  It's the culmination of two injuries.  One involved a meeting with my headboard, the other happened when he pulled a high chair over on top of himself.  That bump swelled out like a Tom and Jerry cartoon, but ice significantly reduced it.

 You can actually see the hair a little better when he is looking down.  I thoroughly conditioned his hair with Mixed Chicks all-natural leave-in conditioner, then used Lock and Twist Gel to help hold the twists together.  I hope this will stay nice for about a week--we'll see!

Taste Testing

I've been on a roll with trying new recipes from Pintrest.  Some of them have been "keepers" and I'll be making them again.  Others are just "okay" which either means they are similar to something I already make or they taste fine but didn't give us that "party-in-the-mouth" excitement so I doubt we'll try it again.

Just in case you are bored with your same old recipes, as I have been, here are some recipes our family has tested for you.  Hopefully the links to the recipes will work--they've been uncooperative today!

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

The chicken taquitos were a hit and we'll definitely be making them again.  They are quick and easy.  You can make the filling ahead and refrigerate it, or you can even make the taquitos and freeze them.  They are significantly cheaper than buying the box, and my kids really liked them--so did Alan!

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

The Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are also being added to our "keeper" list.  They were easy and super yummy--Alan and I gave them two thumbs up and I thought it was great to have another recipe to use hamburger without it tasting like "just hamburger".

Chicken Tortilla Soup (crockpot)
This soup was good, and I will likely make it again.  I'm not going to rave about it, but it was definitely good.

Ranch House Crockpot Pork Chops

I was disappointed in these pork chops.  They were "good" but not a "party in my mouth" like the picture made me anticipate.  I was expecting more flavor.  They reminded me of another recipe I make.  So, final verdict:  fine, but nothing to write home about.

Apple Fritters
Mmmmmm, these were yummy.  Easy and greasy and yummy.  I think it might be about time to make them again.

15-minute Donut Holes

Quick donut holes?!  Gotta try it.  And let me promise you, they are scrumptious.  We double the batch and eat them just as quickly as we get them out of the grease.  My kids love, LOVE donuts.  This recipe is true to its promise--15 minutes, no kidding. What could possibly be wrong here???  Other than how many times I've made them and eaten them, that is. . .

Buttered Rosemary Rolls

This idea is absolutely a keeper and has been officially added to my "List of ideas of food to make."  We love homemade bread anyway, but have I ever mentioned how much I savor rosemary?  As in close my eyes, and moan "mmmmmmm".  Rosemary and pork, rosemary and chicken, rosemary and potatoes--you just can't go wrong with rosemary in my world.  Add the sea salt and this just might be my favorite use for rosemary.  In fact, I think now we're going to have to have these rolls tonight since you have me drooling.

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Shrug.  Perfect chocolate chip cookie?  Well, my sister agrees, but I'm not sure I do.  I mean, they were good, don't get me wrong.  And it made a nice, big batch.  And that nice big batch was gone by the end of the day (greatly helped along by the teens who came over for biology lab dissection--apparently earthworms whet their appetites).  But I've had better.   The Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookie comes to mind.   (Mmmmmm, maybe I'll have Briana make a batch of those for tonight too!!)

Crockpot Bacon and Cheese Chicken

 It was good.  The sauce, a mixture of Ranch and teriyaki was surprisingly good.  I think I might have cooked it too long, however, as the chicken was a little dry and the sauce wasn't as flavorful after its time in the crockpot as it was when I stuck my finger in it after mixing.  I think I'll try it again and experiment a little.

So there you have it--my impressions of the new recipes we have been trying.  What shall I make this week?  If you've tried anything yummy, share the recipe (or link) in the comments or my poor family may eat tacos all week.  I am completely out of ideas!

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

I'm getting behind in reviewing the books I've read, so today we have a guest post from my daughter.  She, Destry, and I each read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde recently and they wrote essays reflecting their observations.  This post will serve two functions:  1) it saves me the time of writing my own review and 2) I can brag on her a little bit because I think she produced a great essay and I can link up with My Kid Rocks Monday.

 

The Nature of Man as Presented by Robert Louis Stevenson

By Briana

            The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a well-known book of beloved literature written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson portrays a very interesting view of the nature of man in his book. In order to discover what Stevenson was trying to communicate to us, we need to analyze the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and compare the book’s view of man with the teachings of the Bible. Even though Stevenson was an atheist, he presented a biblical view of man by portraying him as inwardly composed of good and evil, both of which are fighting to gain control.

            Dr. Jekyll represents the conflicting good and evil in man. We are told that Jekyll grew up in an honorable home and spent his time in valuable things such as scientific study, building friendships and learning about God. He was well-known for his kindness and gifts to the poor. Dr. Jekyll also applied himself to the pursuit of education, and he was at the top of social and academic circles. Although Dr. Jekyll was successful and upright, he had the human desire to do wrong. Instead of submitting this desire to God, he encouraged it by daydreaming and trying to find a way to indulge in sin without negative consequences. When he discovered the potion that turned him into the evil Mr. Hyde, Jekyll rejoiced in the freedom from morality he thought it brought him. The more Jekyll indulged in evil, however, the tighter grasp sin was given over his life. Dr. Jekyll chose to let evil win the battle of morality in his heart.

            Mr. Hyde represents the evil Dr. Jekyll released from his heart. He was described as deformed, detestable and “hardly human” because his heart lacked any desire to do good. Mr. Hyde delighted in destroying life and inflicting pain. He had no compassion in his heart; he even enjoyed trampling a child and striking a woman’s face. Mr. Hyde relished being free from restraint and doing whatever he wanted. He never thought about others and was purely selfish. Mr. Hyde’s life was full of evil and he had “Satan’s mark” upon his face.

            Stevenson describes man as the scene of the battle between good and evil. Dr. Jekyll, Stevenson’s representation of man, struggled with his conflicting impulses to do right or wrong. He spent his entire life trying to win the morality battle himself, but all of his ideas and efforts proved fruitless. After he began using the potion to separate his personality, he spent his time as Jekyll in doing good things like showing hospitality and giving to the poor while using his time as Hyde in the evils of murder and carousing. Dr. Jekyll tried to keep control over his opposing desires, but sin had a strong pull on his life. When Mr. Hyde gained complete control over Dr. Jekyll’s appearance and heart, Jekyll realized that evil results in destruction. Stevenson displays Dr. Jekyll’s life as a war between the forces of light and darkness that he could not win himself.

            The Bible says that man has a war inside him between the flesh and the Spirit. Galatians 5:17 tells us “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” God and the devil are vying for the soul of every man, but man has to decide which one he will submit to. Romans 6:16 informs us “know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?” Dr. Jekyll chose to succumb to sin, but the bible exhorts us to obey the gospel and submit to Jesus Christ, the only One who can rescue our souls. There is a battle raging between good and evil in the hearts of mankind, and each person must decide who he will let win.

            Robert Lewis Stevenson communicates a biblical view of man by using Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to reveal the war taking place in our hearts. Dr. Jekyll allowed sin to reign in his life, and by the time he realized the detrimental effects, it was too late and he had become a slave to evil passions. There was nothing he could do, and he died by his own hands. The Bible reminds us that we can also be overcome by sin and warns us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The devil is a roaring lion who is trying to destroy us, and we cannot defeat him ourselves. Our two choices are to give in to him and perish like Dr. Jekyll, or cry out to Christ and be saved from the destruction we deserve.