I just got the coolest Bible ever. It's an ESV journaling Bible, text in the middle with space to write down either side.

I've been reading Don Whitney's book Simplify Your Spiritual Life, a good book by the way, and I just need to streamline a bit. Know the feeling?

crunchy con attempt

I've been reading Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher, and after the chapter "Food" had decided to avoid any meat that is non-organic. It was pretty graphic. That was last night, and then today I found myself at McDonald's with Emmie. I guess it'll take a while to turn the ship. It wasn't totally a thought-out decision though. It was spontaneous - Jeff took the other two to the pool and I took her out and when she saw McD's she (still crying about dropping the others at the pool - and she can't go because she's sick) said - ever so sweetly - "how bout Meekdonall's then, momma?" and how could I resist? (And they have Polly Pockets - her fave - in the kids meals) So before I know what's happened I'm eating hormonally-grown antibiotic-and-poop-fed chicken. With extra sodium and fat. Whoops.

So far I really like the Crunchy Cons book though. Even if it grossed me out on any type of mass-produced non-organically grown meat. It's helping me clarify some of my discontent with being a conservative who isn't always happy with the GOP. And it helps me not to feel like such a freak for homeschooling! I get a little sick of the "oh-you're-one-of-those" looks I get from neighbors and other people who ask (when they see us out during school days especially.)

Don't Waste Your Cancer

Wow. I doubt anyone reads this blog anymore, it's really been a while since I've touched it. I guess I designed this originally as a place to think out loud (as opposed to bragging about my children) and I've been sort of overwhelmed since mid-February, or I guess the end of January. It pretty much went like this:
Jeff totals car
Dad in hospital
Sister totals car
Sister has a sarcoma
Sister may not have a sarcoma
Me pregnant
Sister has major surgery, but not cancer
Me not pregnant
Vacation
Jeff gone
VBS
Emmie has major infection (that's now.)

So. I just read this article by John Piper and David Powlison in the latest Journal of Biblical Counseling called "Don't Waste Your Cancer". They both have cancer, and it's basically ten ways you "waste" the trial you're in. It's a great gut-checker. For instance, "10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ." Great re-focusing point.