And here is our dog, Peppy, our perpetual puppy. You can't really see him in the snow pictures though he was as busy romping as the kids... so here is a recent pic.
Christmas is on the horizon. And although my church does not formally celebrate Advent, my family does.
Well, it looks like we are going to visit our Illinois State Capital before Christmas. There, on Dec. 2 a nativity display will be unveiled. It has been paid for by private donations. And there many choirs will sing carols between noon and 1pm. 
From now and up until Thanksgiving, I shall be regularly posting proclamations by our Presidents throughout our history, declaring a day of thanks to the Almighty. 
The proposed rule would prohibit recipients of federal money from discriminating against doctors, nurses and other health care workers who refuse to perform or to assist in the performance of abortions or sterilization procedures because of their "religious beliefs or moral convictions."
It would also prevent hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices and drugstores from requiring employees with religious or moral objections to "assist in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity" financed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Of course... this is making a lot of people unhappy. Opponents call it unnecessary and even discriminatory. But to all of us who care deeply about the unborn, this is a victory... although I fear a shortlived one. I would be surprised if this was not overturned by Obama.... but I rejoice in this decision for today and pray for tomorrow.
If you have not done so, I hope you will consider going to fightfoca.com by following the link in my sidebar and signing the petition which is approaching 200,000 signatures. And spread the news. Take a stand. Make a difference today.
Our freedoms are so vital, so much a part of America, and often something we take for granted. Our freedoms are so precious. And sadly they are not shared throughout the world. I have recently learned about a homeschool family that the HSLDA is helping from Germany where homeschooling is not allowed. They consider homeschooling dangerous because parents might teach ideas different from those espoused by the state. And so, homeschooling is illegal... and the Romeike family was forced to flee Germany with their children.
For a while now, I have been discussing how vital it is that we remain engaged and vigilant. This is an example of why we MUST be active in our country. This issue is not simply about homeschooling but about freedom to think our OWN thoughts and raise our OWN children.
HSLDA Files Asylum Application for German Homeschool Family (read the full account at hslda)
Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is supporting a first-of-its kind application for political asylum by a German homeschooling family. Uwe and Hannelore Romeike left their home in Bissingen, Germany to escape government persecution directed at them because they homeschool. They arrived in the United States in August of this year and are settling in Tennessee where they have been warmly welcomed by local homeschoolers. ....
Political asylum is available to people already in the United States who fear returning to their home country due to actual persecution or who have a well-founded fear of actual persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Homeschoolers certainly have a “well-founded fear” of persecution in Germany.
According to Staff Attorney Michael P. Donnelly, HSLDA’s contact attorney for Germany, “German homeschoolers, of which there are few because of the persecution, are fined thousands of dollars, sent to prison or have the custody of their children taken away. Many of these families have fled Germany when threatened with the custody of their children. Some have told me that they are willing to go to jail for their beliefs if they have to, but they will not allow the state to take their children. This year alone nearly a dozen families have fled this in the face of this harsh persecution.”
Such persecution is becoming increasingly commonplace. In July of this year, homeschooling parents Rosemary and Juergen Dudek were each sentenced to 90 days in prison for homeschooling. They are appealing. Another family, the Gorbers, had their children viciously taken from their home in a raid in January. However, a family court judge on November 12 finally issued an order restoring custody to the family on the condition that the children attend public school and that the youngest son be enrolled in a playgroup.
According to the U.S. Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, nearly 55,000 applications for political asylum were received in 2007 with nearly 13,000 being granted. Last year, according to the report, there were 20 applications from Germany with four granted. The U.S. State Department has noted that homeschooling in Germany is an issue they are watching. In its 2007 Human Rights Watch report on Germany, the State Department writes that “[t]he legal obligation that children attend school and the related prohibition on home schooling were problems for some religious groups.”....
Uwe Romeike, a music teacher, and his wife Hannelore, are grateful for the support they have received from HSLDA and American homeschoolers. “We love living in Tennessee. It is so beautiful, and the freedom we have to homeschool our children is wonderful,” said Mrs. Romeike “We don’t have to worry about looking over our shoulder anymore, wondering when the youth welfare officials will come or how much money we have to pay in fines.” ....
“The Charter guarantees the right of parents to choose their way of education. Pluralism is the right way,” Commissioner Figel answered in response to a question about Germany’s homeschooling policies, “and we start with the parents.” The commissioner noted that, “Education is a state matter, but it is important that we respect differences. Europe is a mosaic.”
I found the following information on wikipedia:
In September 2006 the European Court of Human Rights upheld the German ban on homeschooling, stating "parents may not refuse ...[compulsory schooling] on the basis of their convictions", and adding that the right to education "calls for regulation by the State". The European Court took the position that the plaintiffs were the children, not their parents, and declared "children are unable to foresee the consequences of their parents' decision for home education because of their young age.... Schools represent society, and it is in the children’s interest to become part of that society. The parents' right to educate does not go as far as to deprive their children of that experience." The European Court endorsed a "carefully reasoned" decision of the German court concerning "the general interest of society to avoid the emergence of parallel societies based on separate philosophical convictions and the importance of integrating minorities into society."
To me, it seems as though Germany did not learn its lesson from WWII... government controlled thought and education can lead to gross abuses. Being able to have people think for themselves and have accepted diversity is GOOD. It is not desirable to make one race (as in Aryan) or one religion or one set of thoughts and values. If the government controls all education and acceptable thought then it has the ability to twist the thoughts of the people as it did in Nazi Germany. The American ideal is that freedom of speech and thought and religion is crucial. And I agree.
I am so thankful that I was born and raised in America. And because I value these liberties I must protect them.
I wonder, how I will cast my crown? Will I throw it, like in shot put, with all my newly acquired heavenly might? Or will I fling it like a Frisbee and delightfully shriek “Wheeeee!” while I watch it sail in heaven’s wind? Or… will I be in such awe and wonder of finally being in God’s very presence, that I will quietly tip-toe to His throne, and with my head bowed, very gently lay my crown at His feet?
While I love to daydream about heaven, the truth is, I -- and you, too -- can lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus today! Because of what Jesus has already done for us, we can worship Him in this moment, no matter where we are. We can give Him our very best right now.
It's been said that our worship here on earth is practice for when we get to heaven. But it’s not! Eternity has already begun for those who believe in Him. Our worship of Him today is the real deal. We can worship with abandon here, on this terrestrial ball, the One "Who was, and is and evermore shall be."
~ Dear God, even though my sin keeps me from seeing the fullness of Your glory, I still know You’re awesome! Only You are holy, and there is none like You. You are perfectly powerful, loving and pure. Since the things You created on earth, up in the sky and down in the seas even praise Your name, I am inspired to do it more! Only You could be merciful and mighty at the same time. Thank You for making these precious moments with You heaven on earth. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8). Amen
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Psalm 23The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
Oh, wow! Yum! I found this recipe for Banana Crumb Muffins on allrecipes.com. I was looking for a new recipe to use up bananas... and found a recipe with over 3000 ratings and 5 stars. I HAD to try them.
Today we have a short day for Veteran's Day. We have taken time this day to discuss the sacrifices made for their freedom. With dad home, my children have little "school" to do but they still have one requirement - to do their reading.
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