Sisters

I wrote a poem, and I want to know what you think! In the comment box, leave your comment along with a number from 1-5 (5 being AWESOME and 1 being HORRID)

Sisters
Written by Sara Gorecki

Kindred Spirits, lovable misses
Someone to make me laugh and smile; yup, those be my sisses :)
a friend to have for a while, someone to help me smile.
A time for every season, a time for tears,
my sisters will soothe me from my fears.

The Lord hath provided these dear darlings,
for me to adore
If the Lord wills, I will welcome some more!
Not just in family, but in my dear friends too,
my sisters in Christ love the Lord as I do.

Contentment, gratitude and visual reminders....

I've been thinking a lot of contentment and gratitude lately. With the economy and this recession/depression, everyone wonders what the future might bring. I know, with my husbands company, his contract is up in 10 months...the general concensus around work is that these guys will probably not have a job then....but, everytime I start to think about these things, God provides for our family in a big way...almost to say " I love you, I will ALWAYS meet your needs...TRUST ME!" While buying a birthday gift for me sister, I saw this plaque in the store on clearance and had to buy it...it sits right by my rocker, and faces my husband's chair. It says " Thank God for what you have...Trust God for what you need." I'm one of those people who like visual reminders! LOL I came across the survey below and had to post it....it really made me think...again, a timely reminder that we are RICH....RICH in blessings!!!!

Do you have running water in your home? Can you drink it without boiling it for fear of disease?
Do you have a roof over your head?
Do you know where your next meal is coming from?
Do you eat more than once a day?
Do you have something to wear other than what you have on right now?
Do you have some mode of transportation? Bicycle, motorcycle, or car?
Do you have access to some form of free education for your children?
Do you have access to some form of medical care? If you had a true emergency, would you be assured that you or a family member would be given the care they needed?Do your children have at least one toy in which to play with?If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are richer than most of the world. People around the world live in poverty, without the hope of even clean water to drink. So, although things with the economy might be really bad....let's keep it in perspective, it could always be worse.To learn more, you can visit World Relief.
These are all pictures of 'visual reminders' that we have around our home. We are the typical "kinesthetic' learners....we need to see it, hear it, and do it ourselves....so for us, these visual reminders are subconcious ways to remind us of what the Bible says is important...and to count our blessings everyday, all day...to cultivate contentment and gratitude. No matter what our future holds, we know WHO holds our futures...and we trust Him. Have a very blessed Sabbath rest day! ~Sue~

Thrifted T-shirt grocery bags!

Just saw this, and had to share! (wish I had a picture)

Take an old T-shirt....cut off the collar and sleeves, turn it inside-out and sew up the bottom....Voila! A grocery bag from a t-shirt! Cool idea! (MOPS craft)

Here is another tutorial for lined t-shirt totes:(from www.downtoearthnw.blog.com)

Anyhow, here’s the full tutorial for anyone who wants to go the extra mile:

You will need two T-shirts of the same size and basic sewing supplies. Decide which T-shirt will be on the exterior of the bag and which will be the lining.

Lay the exterior T-shirt flat on a table and cut off the sleeves, removing the seam that connected the sleeves to the body of the shirt. Also cut around the neckline, making that opening bigger as well. The shirt’s original shoulders will become the tote bag’s handles when you’re done.

Place the exterior shirt on top of your other shirt, which will be the bag’s lining. Follow the same steps, cutting off the sleeves and neckline of the second shirt, but leave about an inch more of the fabric than you did with the exterior shirt.

Now, place the lining shirt inside the exterior shirt, either with the logo facing out or in – it’s up to you. Line the shirts up as best you can, and then fold the lining fabric over the exterior fabric all along the old sleeve and neck openings. Fold the fabric over twice, pinning as you go, then sew.

Finally, turn the bag inside out and sew the bottoms of the shirts together. I rounded the sides so the bag would have a bubble effect and look less like a T-shirt.

Turn the bag right side out again and you’re ready to load it with Cheerios and bananas.

Want other ideas for transforming old T-shirts? There are several books available on what many people call “T-shirt surgery,” including: “Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt,” “99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim and Tie Your T-Shirt Into Something Special,” and “Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista.”

Online, visit www.ohmystars.net/craft or community.livejournal.com/t_shirt_surgery for instructions and inspiration.

Can't wait to make some of these...who doesn't have old t-shirts around?! Even if you don't, thrift stores are full of them! Visited my mom today and she had bags of clothes that were given to her.....we went thru them, and I ended up getting a whole bag full of t-shirts to make into totes! The girls and I can't wait!

Also, saw an article (can't remember where) to take an old t-shirt, cut it from the bottom up, into circle strips....join as you would two rubber bands, then knit or crochet them together into a rag rug.

I am loving the creativity of reusing, remaking or otherwise "Thrifting"....I've always loved thrifting, but now that it is the "in thing" to do...there are tons of creative ideas everywhere! Happy Thrifting! ~Sue~

Why God made mothers...(answers by small children!)

~My Aunt sent me a very funny survey of little children about their mothers...I loved it so much that I asked Ronnie and Anna the same questions...here are their answers! LOL Hope you get a chuckle, too! ~Sue~
*************************************************************************************

Why did God make mothers?
Ronnie: To teach their children how to obey properly
Anna: So they could teach kids right and kids would have parents

How did God make mothers?
Ronnie: He spoke and 'poof' there were mothers
Anna: So everybody could have lots of parents

What ingredients are mother's made of?
Anna: sugar, cream and rice
Ronnie: blood, skin,bones

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mother?
Ronnie: because He thought I was the perfect mother for Ronnie
Anna: because she needs only one mother or she'll cry

What kind of little girl was your mother?
Ronnie: imaginative, cute
Anna: married

What did your mom need to know before she married your dad?
Ronnie: how to be married, who his parents were
Anna: his food

Why did mom marry dad?
Ronnie: because you thought he was the perfect husband and the perfect father , and he is.
Anna: to have a baby

Who is the boss in your house?
Ronnie: Dad...Mom is the co-boss
Anna: Dad and Mom

What is the difference between moms and dads?
Ronnie: boy and girl
Anna: nothing


What does your mom do in her spare time?
Ronnie: takes care of her children
Anna: read her Bible



What would it take to make your mom perfect?
Ronnie: be nice to her and obey her
Anna: no comment


If you could change one thing about your mom what would it be?
Ronnie: there is nothing to change
Anna: nothing

On Many Things Girly, Feminine, Romantic...and a Bigger Picture

There are so many truly lovely, pretty and sometimes tear-jerking things in literature, movies and music that are strictly feminine and girly. Mostly (with a few RARE exceptions) females just love. Most young ladies have a tender spot in their hearts for a little romance, "sweet" things (and I don't mean candy) or many 'awww moments' found in literature, music or movies. Many of the 'aww moments' for girls are when the girl can't see what a great guy she has and then almost loses him; hurting his feelings in the process. In many of the movies, I feel the most sympathy for the guy who is sort of shy, sweetly innocent but in love with a girl who doesn't really realize that yet. Frank Sinatra's early career roles usually with a few exceptions have him playing a slightly down on his luck with the girls, shy, sweet kind of guy. Especially in the film Young at Heart. Sheesh that's a melancholy Frank for you. I always have to sigh sentimentally in movies or books like that.

When two of my oldest friends, Sara and I were watching Pride and Prejudice in our basement a while ago, we gabbed through about a third of it but then settled down into a cotton- candy-ish-fuzzy-waaay-too-much-sugar-bliss to watch, enjoy and adore Lizzie and Darcy's story. What girl, young lady, woman does not at least enjoy a really great 'love story?' We watched THE proposal scene twice that night. Once with breathless anticipation even though we all had seen it at LEAST, three times. Second, to show dear Mum who hadn't quite grasped why we were all sighing, getting teary-eyed, and squealing. Laney remarked that that whole scene was a (and I loosely quote): "Heart in throat few moments." We all sighed, kind of chuckled/cried, "Yeeaaah." As much as I personally love Pride and Prejudice, I prefer Edward Ferras and Elinor Dashwood's story. But that's because I am more like Elinor, if you haven't seen the button on our sidebar. :)


After reading this lovely article I realized that as fun as many things "girly" or "romantic" are, we should not expect nor our proposals (and/or relationships) to be similar to those in FICTIONAL movies or books. There is nothing wrong with any of these things unless we begin to build up "castles in the air" from watching/reading/listening to many 'romantic' things. We begin to build up not false but not realistic expectations of others, ourselves and the future. In short we don't quite leave it up to the Lord. We try and take it into our own hands with our day dreams and fanciful imaginings. I personally don't want my love story to be written like Lizzie and Darcy's! If I remember correctly, they began not liking each other, then she loathing him, and then POOF! He's walking across a dewy, sun-filled field to propose because he's loved her all this time. Then again, I wouldn't want my love story to be written like Edward and Elinor's. They had to be separated because of a literal previous engagement on his part. As I told a friend in a letter awhile ago, God is the ultimate and perfect author of our life-story. He gives us the desires of our hearts-not mere imaginings or day dreams that we idealize. We should crave and seek the Lord for His will in every area of our lives. We should ask the Lord to give us a deep desire to want His will in our lives, concerning everything, including our love stories. God is the author of the ages; he wrote Ruth and Boaz' story, Mary and Josephs, Rachel and Jacob's. And He already has our's planned out down to the last girly detail that we will remember when in the future, we recall our love story.

Mother Culture....

When we started homeschooling over 10 years ago, I researched (I love to research!) all about the different methods of homeschooling....textbook approach, unit studies, classical christian, eclectic, un-schooling, and the Charlotte Mason approach. Well...with much prayer, God revealed to us then, and it still applies today that we follow the eclectic approach....a little bit of everything! A book was written recently called "The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach" that combines all of my favorite aspects of homeschooling into one book. I spoke over the telephone with the author many times, and if I had written a book about homeschooling, this would be it!

One of the first things to stand out to me that I read was from a book called "The Charlotte Mason Companion" by Karen Andreola. She coined the term "Mother Culture"....to care for yourself, while ministering to your family and homeschooling your children. She advocated having at least 3 books that you are reading at one time. (or more if you like)....I've always had more than one book going at a time since I could learn to read! (so I had to laugh).....I read good fiction at night before falling asleep to help me relax and distract my mind....I have theological books to grow me spiritually, and other books to research and learn from. Of course, my Bible comes first...and my favorite devotional 'Streams in the Desert'.

A friend recently posted about what she has been reading and asked the question, "So, what are you reading?"....so I'm going to answer her!

I'm just in the beginning of reading "The Roots of Endurance" by John Piper. It is wonderful...but a book that I need to be alone and concentrate on, underline, journal about and re-read and think about slowly.

I am slowly re-reading "Created to be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. She writes in a very interesting manner, but I admit, that WHAT she writes about marriage, really does hit home. After 20 years of marriage, (this June)...I find myself praying harder and trying harder than ever before to make the next 20 years even better than the first 20!

I'm reading (we all are) "Lasagna Gardening" and "Square Foot Gardening"....we had such a nice garden at our old house in the city, and for the past 3 years the children and I have really missed it! Of course, our yard was fenced in, we didn't have rabbits and we didn't have a single deer. The other night the girls and I came home, and there were 7 doe in our front yard! So, we are going to attempt to "out-smart" the deer this year and put in a garden.....along with my beloved lavender and a raised bed herb garden.

I've also been reading "Nourishing Traditions"....making lots of homemade broth, culturing kefir and kombucha....and collecting large jars to culture sauerkraut, beet kvass and homemade cultured pickles and salsa....trying to learn about enzymes in our diets, and eating naturally and traditionally.

After having quite a few fibromyalgia flareups this past year, I was praying and trying to remember when I felt the best...it was when I was drinking fresh juices of carrots & lemon, green juices and eating lots of raw fruits and veggies and coconut milk. So....I've been getting tons of books out of the library, and bought 2 books "Alive in 5" and "Raw in 10 Minutes"....quick, easy and healthy. I'm starting to crave grapefruit, and raw juices! And....I'm seeing a difference in how I feel. Now to combine the Nourishing Traditions lifestyle with raw foods...shouldn't be too hard.

I've been reading homeschooling catalogs. I think I've finally ordered what I need for this year, and know what I need for the following year as well...hopefully, by then (Meghan's senior year) I will have almost everything that I need.

And....my "nighttime" fiction. A series of books by Christian author Leisha Campbell, "Julia's Hope" series. It starts in the beginning of the Great Depression and follows 2 families thru the end of the 1940's. It is a wonderful series about the struggles, faith and God's provision for each family, how they handled trials....how they all worked together and the growth of their faith.

I've also been looking thru a lot of homemaking/craft books. Making lots of copies of future projects, getting inspiration...and also learning to do things the "old-fashioned" way....as natural and by hand as possible...and finding the joy in the mundane (I love hanging clothes and blankets on a clothesline!) as well as the peace and joy of creating....as my Creator inspires me.

So.....what have you all been reading? Have a blessed day! (I will not be reading anything today....switching sizes and seasons of clothing for my 2 little ones...it will be an all day job! But...I'm so grateful for the provision!) ~Sue~

Martin Luther

*Yesterday, we had to do a short essay on the differences between a secular biography on Martin Luther, and then a biblical biography. Here is my essay, and I hope you like it!*

Two Views of Martin Luther

Written by Sara C. Gorecki

Many people have written biographies about Martin Luther, and there are two basic views found in these biographies: a secular view or a Christian view. When I was reading them, I found that they both shed a different light on Martin Luther; either a critical view or an admirable view. There were many differences in the biographies about Martin Luther's life and I was surprised at how little the secular book had to say and how much the Christian one had. The differences between the two types of views were very interesting to see.

The Christian view of Martin Luther had pages and pages to say about his life and convictions. It spoke highly about his work in the reformation. Not many Christian text books give people a chance to develop their own thoughts, but a rare few do, such as American Vision's To Pledge Allegiance: Reformation to Colonization. In that book it gives out the information and their view on it, but they then ask you thought provoking questions and ask for your opinion. Christian textbooks that speak of him speak very highly of his deep convictions and all his work for the protestant reformers. He was quite the admirable man, and so many books praise him. Many Christian books also praise his influence on later generations.

The secular biographies I read about Martin Luther either speak disrespectfully about him or barely speak of him at all. They talk about his work in the reformation, but they leave out why he did what he did, and his convictions. The politically correct school books don't want to speak about the intense love of God Martin Luther had. He was a German monk before he became a reformer, but not a lot of books write about that. They focus on the high points, and sometimes miss the little points that made him who he was. Teachers and the government definitely do not tell America to filter everything through God's word, and that goes directly against what the bible teaches. Part of our problem in America is that we don't go back to the bible for everything, if anything. Apologetics are so important, but sadly very few people are learning them.

There are some views that aren't biased and many of those are online or in encyclopedia. Martin Luther was a great man, and in all text books they list what he did. It is just that some go more in depth than others, and have different points of views. But isn't that what America is all about? Freedom of speech and opinion are two very important things that America is known for. Freedom of faith, speech and opinion are three of the main reasons the English Protestants, a century after Martin Luther, immigrated to the New World.

A belated post.....

I have had this to post for a while now...and lost it....it came back from cyber land, so I wanted to post it! Above is Ron and my cousin John...Pittsburgh Penguin hockey fans!!! And...more importantly....family!

Me and my mom's oldest sister, Aunt Marilyn...she reminds me so much of my grandmother!

My dear friend, Dawn...who happens to be my cousin Kim's cousin...multiple blessings!

My cousin Kathy, me and Kim

Oh, how this girl makes me laugh!!!!!

We have a large extended family on both sides. Lots of birthdays! We enjoyed celebrating my brother-in-law, Tommy's 30th birthday over the weekend. Yesterday, was my cousin Kim's birthday....so the kids and I headed over to see her last night.

Kim is married to my cousin, John. She and I have been close and have grown so much closer over the years...she is so special to us! All the kids enjoy being together, as well. Ron and John have a close relationship, too, going to a men's bible study every week, watching hockey and enjoying the same music and concerts. We are so blessed to have close family!

Kim has had a rough couple of years, recently, with a rare auto-immune illness that has required her to be on multiple drugs, chemo which made her so sick and made her lose her hair...and has seriously caused us to think we may lose her numerous times....and has caused us to value family even more.

Kim laughs....and makes others laugh as well. And, she laughs at herself more than anyone! She has taught me so many things about trusting God thru illness and pain....thru laughing through the pain and exhaustion because...(as she says) what else can you do?! To value my husband and children more than anything outside of our home...activities, commitees, commitments....nothing and no one is more important than family...starting in my own home.

We are having a sad time right now....along with the tragedy with the police officers, we've had news over the weekend, that our much loved Great Aunt and Uncle are not doing well...his Altzeimers is so bad, that he is now in a facility, and could go at any time....his wife, my Aunt Helen, is lost without the love of her life...they have been married for over 65 years, and other than when he was in Africa during WW2, they've rarely been separated.....it's breaking our hearts. They have been such an incredible example to us of a selfless, loving marriage.

With all the illnesses, and sadness...we feel the need to celebrate family even more right now....to be together...to simply spend time together making memories...and I thank God for the opportunities to do that.

So....Happy Birthday to....Tommy, Kim, Elizabeth, Michael Patrick, Rhonda and Pammy.....all of our dear family (and special friend).....who has a birthday this week! We are priviledged to be able to celebrate your lives...and how special you are to us!!!!