Sharing Rambling, Resources and Recipes for Learning in Life

Sharing Rambling, Resources and Recipes for Learning in Life

Category: Ramblings

EducationParentingRamblings

Education: What’s the Point?

By Audrea1 Comment

There have been some questions swirling around in our school district this year that have elicited some very strong feelings and opinions on my part. As I have been trying to get and then maintain a quiet heart and mind and seek a balanced perspective, I have been contemplating what the actual purpose of education is.

At first glance or thought it seems rather easy to identify this purpose, it’s to educate right? But, then ALL of the questions come into play about what educating means? Educating is just adding knowledge, right? But, if we’re to educate the WHOLE child then doesn’t it include feelings, self-esteem and mental well being? Once all of these layers and myriad of focuses come to mind then everything can get very murky, very quickly! So, I had to try to clear all of this out and I gained traction when I considered one of the my few solid take aways from my Educational Education!!

Education as a profession is known to jump from theory or bandwagon or school of thought to the opposite and back again, the whole pendulum analogy! In the midst of all of this it can be hard to gain any real bearings as an educator, and that is compounded when you also become a parent. However, especially once you become a parent, bearing must be sought, found, and clung to based on faith and the responsibility to God and the children He’s entrusted you with. So, my bearings and compass currently come from the idea of “begin with the end in mind”. This idea, that I first learned about in conjunction with lesson planning and assessment creation, is one that seems to stand through every tide and theory and cultural shift. I think the reason it stands up so well is because it lines up with Biblical thinking and teaching. We are commanded as Christians to test everything against God’s word, which will stand unchanged throughout all time. We are to measure everything we do and think and say against the example of Christ, our eternal high priest. We are to lay up treasures in heaven, our everlasting home. We are always to look to the end to decide what we need to do, think, learn or focus on now.

So, what does it mean that the reason for education is defined by “begin with the end in mind”? To me it means that we should always look at the end of what and where the children we are educating need and are going. They need to be able to be solid, contributing members of society and they are going out into the “real” world. So, the purpose of education is to equip them with whatever knowledge, information and life skills they need to be an exceptional employee as well as a thoughtful and active citizen locally and nationally.

So, anytime we are evaluating a new curriculum, initiative, school of thought, whole child view or discipline change, we must ask ourselves whether or not this will better equip our children for success in life. And if there is even a chance that it might weaken instead of strengthen them, simplify rather than educate them, we MUST step back and reevaluate. Our children are already strong and powerful! They are resilient and forgiving! We do them a disservice if we water down any information or shield from any situation that would actually teach them more, raise the bar or strengthen their ability to do hard things. We are not called to coddle our children, but to help them grow. Growth is hard, but it is also necessary and rewarding!

HealthParentingRamblings

To Fluoride or Not to Fluoride; “That is the question.”

By Audrea1 Comment

I was recently asked by one of my sisters whether or not we choose to “get” fluoride for our daughters at the dentist. I told her that we do because up until we moved into our recently built house we had well water (I miss it SO MUCH!!!!!) and so that was the only fluoride the girls got. Also, our oldest has had major issues with cavities. Our youngest, although, much better than her sister has still had way more than her mother (I’ve never had any and feel so inadequate to support the girls on their journey through all this dental work). So, since our girls never had fluoride in their drinking water and up until recently, due to age, never had it in their toothpaste, I figured the little bit painted on their teeth at the dentist’s wouldn’t hurt and might help.

My sister then followed up with questioning me about why fluoride is bad. I had to reply that I didn’t know. I just remember, as does she, hearing from various natural food and other natural/herbally minded folks we were raised around saying it was bad and should be avoided, filtered out of water and refused at the dentist.

So, of course, I had to look it up! I have NOT done excessive or even a lot of research on this yet! What I have read, though, says that topical application is best at helping with dental health. This is what happens at the dentist and mostly what happens with your toothpaste since you spit it out. Given this fact, along with our girls current struggles with cavities or dental carries, we will likely continue to “get” fluoride at the dentist. I do hope to help and possibly remedy some of our daughters issues with homemade toothpaste and diet. I am working to add more vitamin K rich foods in their daily eating and hope to soon try making our own toothpaste. I’ll let you know how the toothpaste thing goes! I’m cautiously optimistic!!

Effects from ingesting fluoride, however, are not so happy or helpful! Ingestion is what you get from fluoridating water and minimally from toothpaste. The toothpaste part is my own thought on the subject. I just think that once you put something inside your mouth, it is unlikely that you will actually avoid all ingestion. Too much fluoride, the definition of that amount can be debated, does all sorts of fun things like messing with your thyroid function, weakening your bones and ligaments, and actually discoloring your teeth by causing those interesting, super white spots that some people have.

So, my personal conclusion for our family, is that I want the fluoride filtered out of our water. If in fact is in there. That will be one more thing I will have to investigate. And I want to continue to give the girls toothpaste without it. I plan to continue to let the dentist paint their teeth with it, at least for the time being. That may change either as I research fluoride more or they “grow out” of their dental weaknesses through food and homemade remineralizing toothpaste AND God’s loving intervention! After all, if it is the right minerals and the right foods that “fixes” their teeth, it is definitely HIS intervention! I really want to continue working through, researching and understanding this with balance in mind. However, I also don’t want to help the girls’ or my teeth by harming the rest of our bodies.

HealthParentingRamblings

Essential Oils: Aromatic Luxury or Life Saving Elixir?

By Audrea1 Comment

As I dabble in the world and research of the use of Essential Oils, I encounter this question and more from others (my husband included) and myself. I think the answer is basically, Yes!! However, they may prove to be a luxury you truly can’t afford to miss!

I do think that essential oils are gifts from God. They come from His plants. They are His creation and I do believe He provides real and complete healing on this Earth. I do think that I need to do a LOT more research and learning to figure out how to effectively use them to maintain and improve my family’s health. I have experienced them helping my daughters sleep better, longer and apparently more deeply. I have used them and experienced miraculous relief from a sore throat. They have relieved congestion and I think they have even alleviated some of my PMS related symptoms. I really believe that they are similar to the Balm of Gilead and the oils mentioned for healing in the Bible. Even the idea of them being an aromatic lubricant isn’t wrong. Some of them smell beautiful, some not so much. Also, the quality and purity of the oil can be the answer to the question. The more I read, the more I am certain that purity and quality are crucial to take them from a sweet smelling perfume to a healing ointment.

I am grateful to my Momma for raising me with an awareness of homeopathic medicine and health remedies. I wish it were easier to find medical doctors who also had herbal and holistic medicinal training. Because, I do NOT disdain Western Medicine. We as a family, use ibuprofen and even take antibiotics. However, if there is a way to use the plants God created to make it so we need less of these Western remedies, I am all for it. Like so many other things in this life, I think balance is the key. The idea that there is something to be learned from everything IS true and I am learning that the more seasoned I become!

So, my take away about Essential Oils is that they are powerful and HIGHLY beneficial. They will require more patience and may produce slower results than traditional western medicine, but often with fewer or no side effects. AND, rather to my chagrin, they are also something to be used sparingly and slowly until I can research and learn more. But, as I give them the time and effort, I truly believe they will pay off with great dividends. Also, with the time I have found to research, I am finding more and more affordable, high quality options. One of my newest finds is Northridge Oak Oils, right here in Northwest Arkansas. Now, to find that time……Hmmmmm!

FaithRamblings

Its All About Perspective…Part 2

By Audrea1 Comment

So the other main questions or issue that I’ve been confronted with and contemplating is the idea and command of joy in trials.

I feel that this idea and plan of God’s has been coming up a lot lately. It comes up in the trials I face in life (so small compared to most people’s, but still hard for me), in Sunday School lessons, in blog posts I read, in Bible Study lessons, in sermons, etc. Since it keeps coming up, I feel that God must be trying to get my attention and help me see things from His perspective when it comes to suffering.

For a long time, I have viewed the command to “count it all joy when you face trials” as a means that God has for supernaturally inspiring us and helping us to avoid the pitfall of bitterness and feeling abandoned by an all powerful, but at times seemingly distant God. I do think that He wants us to “count it all joy” to avoid a perspective colored black with bitterness or hatred, with the lies of abandonment. However, I think that it is less of some nebulous, supernatural interference on His part and more of some natural perspective on suffering; more of an offer to see trials and suffering for what they really are: (perspective shift again) gifts of love.

I fear to write this because I know my sufferings are SO small compared to what others are facing. I write this trembling with the hope that readers would know that this is not something “I have attained, but I press forward” toward, even in my small sufferings. I would hate to add to someone’s suffering by trivializing how difficult and painful their hurt and this shift can be. Pain and suffering are real and hard and often excruciating. But whether it leads us to a breakthrough, a miracle or simply a deeper, more transparent and dependent relationship with our Father and our Savior, it remains that every ounce of pain is a gift. It is a chance for a deepening of faith, a strengthening of relationship that equips us for whatever our work will look like in heaven. And for those who have the honor of not just suffering, but suffering for their faith, a chance to experience the same things Jesus did.

Now let me be completely candid with you. I do not wish for more pain and suffering, regardless of this idea/truth that continues to seep into my soul. The truth that they are truly and completely, lovingly dispensed gifts. I pray not to be counted worthy to suffer as Christ did. I also tentatively and fearfully pray for a change in my heart for that. I don’t share this perspective shift as something we should crave or want. Who wants to suffer and I don’t believe God wants us to suffer. I share it because I simply believe He is willing to allow it in order to give us what is best for us. I just feel that although this doesn’t really alleviate the pain of suffering, it does sweeten the experience and it makes it easier to ask what (do you want me to see or learn or gain) instead of why (me, this, not me). It helps me make some sort of sense of the hurt I see and the love of God I know. It helps this equation match up and deepens the reality and strength of the verse that says, “He works all things together for good for those who love Him.”

So, for faith, growth and wishing I could be more and was further than I am, this is the truth I am considering, meditating on and SLOWLY absorbing into my soul.

FaithRamblings

It’s All About Perspective

By Audrea1 Comment

I have been mulling over a couple of things for awhile now in regards to this life and heaven as well as this life and my relationship with Jesus.

One is this idea that, although, this life, with its cares and concerns, seems the more real of the two, heaven and the spiritual world are the actual real part of our existence. It is so easy to get caught up in what is happening here and to feel like it is what matters and what needs to be done. That it should be the focus of my time, energy and emotion. BUT, nothing in the Bible backs that perspective up. Instead the Bible warns to be vigilant, not for people around you with differing view points or bosses and jobs with deadlines or even children with schedule and personal demands, but in watching for, and standing against, and fleeing from, Satan, a spiritual being.

Then the Bible tells us, not to create the perfect to do list and the perfectly balanced work and home life, but to use every experience to move closer to God and to live every moment to bring Him alone Glory and Honor. So, when the cares and concerns of this world are pressing in, and EVEN when they are pressing in because they are in opposition to Biblical and Godly choices and living, I can stand free to look at it from a different perspective. Those cares and the mounting opposition to Godliness and heavenly simplicity MUST pale in strength and importance when I look at them from a Spiritual World Perspective. This is because in the Spiritual World, although there are real and fierce battles still being waged and fought, the war is over and victory has been determined and set! AND Jesus WON, and I am humbled and comforted that He said, I can win too, if I want to, by choosing to follow Him.

All the difficulties of this world will still be here. I do still have to face people with differing opinions, I do still have work loads and deadlines, my children are still human angels and do have needs and demands that I must put before my own. BUT those things aren’t the most important. If one world is a hologram and one a reality, I can find rest in peace that this world is the hologram. It just looks like life, real life is happening in the spiritual realm. And, I will get to “see it in full” one day when Christ returns or I die and so get to escape this hologram and walk in the fullness of life. Until then, God does not leave me with only the longing for that time. But with glorious and generous glimpses of that reality, in the hugs and faces of the ones I love, in joyous reunions, in deep moments of fellowship with Him, in cards from family and friends and even sometimes in “likes” for a post, I get to “see as in a glass darkly” the glorious real life. The best is yet to come, but praise God for glimpses and tastes in the meantime!

ParentingRamblings

Raising Innocence In a Darkening World

By Audrea1 Comment

Some days are so hard for me as a momma!! My daughters may drive me crazy and even seem to look for ways to cause frustration! However, even in those hardest moments, I could never say that my daughters are truly mean spirited or hard hearted. Both of my girls are innocent, as 6 and 4 year olds go. I know that they have a sinful nature and they are egocentric and they want their way. But if given a choice (carefully explained and removed from the emotion of the moment), both would always choose something helpful, loving or caring.

So then on days when I hear about or see the evil pressing in on every side, in every place, even “sacred” ones like churches or kids shows, I despair that I brought these innocent babies into a world that wants to crush them, steal their innocence and expose them to every dark, mean and nasty thing. BUT, then I remember that, although, I deeply and desperately craved to be a mother, I did not bring these angels into this depraved world. They were sent by a Heavenly Father whose love for them makes mine seem like hatred.

So, I am left to remember that my “one more thing” this time may not be something that will bring them joy, but it must be something that equips them to become what they were sent here to be; a light set up on a hill, not covered, although I shield their innocence at every opportunity, but exposed. And I MUST remember that just as stars shine brightest in absolute darkness, I must too. Because poor as I am, I am their Momma and as such on of their main examples to follow.

So instead of despair I must at least find determination. Instead of hiding my head in the sand from the hardship and depravity around me I must face it head on with prayer, light and the offer that there is another, higher, narrower way! And, also and perhaps hardest of all, I must allow them the opportunity to shine. Like when my 6 year old writes a letter to a friend and gives it to them in front of other children and makes them open it and read it in front of everyone. I want to make her stop, I want to tell her its okay, he can read it later. Because what if he doesn’t respond how she expects? What if the other students make fun of her? What if her heart is hurt, or worse yet, broken? I have to let her be herself. I have to let her stand there and take what comes. I’m grateful that this time she got a crooked smile and only a little misinterpretation of her use of the word love from the onlookers. Because she is innocent and she loves her friend like she loves her sister. (I know because I asked, I have to make sure that innocence remains after all!!)

So, I have to let go and let them shine because it will brighten others’ days and it will most importantly Glorify God. And when there are heartbreaks, I will get to be His hands and feet and hugs and kisses and He will mend my heart when it breaks with theirs. And, I must shine, too! Because it isn’t just “someone” who is watching, it’s my two angels who I love with all that I am and so far beyond myself. Even so, my love is nothing compared to their Father’s, and I am SO grateful that He also happens to be the one holding this WHOLE, messy, dark AND LIGHT world!!

ParentingRamblings

Color Free Living Doesn’t Have to be Black and White!

By AudreaLeave a comment

We have been working on eliminating “colors” from our daughters’ worlds for the last year and half or so. It has been a journey that we are still working on and through. At first, we just focused on food and tried not to have it in the main soaps and shampoos that they used. Then we added a color free laundry detergent and only allowed eating “colors” a.k.a artificial food dyes on special occasions or times when we weren’t going to have to be in school. As the girls got less colors though a strange thing happened. The less they ingested, through food, lotions, soaps, etc. the more sensitive they became to them when they did have them. Yellow heightened emotions and anger, red was like a bowl full of sugar and caffeine mixed together for hyperactivity. So, we have been slowly working to completely eliminate colors from their diet and our household products. Dish soap seems to be a last frontier that we haven’t conquered yet as well as hand soaps at school and church. The girls are pretty good about checking with the grown up they’re with for colors int heir food, but we haven’t trained them to ask about colors in their soaps.

Some people I’ve talked to wonder how we manage this when we’re not with the girls. I have to honestly answer that we just do what we can. We talk to the girls about the consequences of colors, how they feel and act. We try to point out the struggles they face in controlling themselves once they’ve had colors to help them make those connections. And so, they help govern themselves when we’re away. We also try to build a network of people around us and them so that multiple people check in on and monitor them for us when we’re apart. Fellow teachers at all of our schools have stepped in to check for colors, homeroom moms who are friends with my sisters have stopped the girls from eating things they shouldn’t have. And sometimes they get colors anyway. Then, we discuss it, try to practice grace, wait the craziness out until we return to “normal”.

Another thing that makes this journey stay colorful without colors are the growing number of companies and stores that are working to eliminate artificial dyes from their products. We started shopping at Aldi to save money. Before we embarked on this dye free journey, they embarked on it themselves, taking all artificial food dyes out of their store products. The bliss of buying “Fruit Loops”, Fruit Snacks, Neapolitan Ice Cream and many other colored things without having to even think about colors is PHENOMENAL!! Now I will warn you; this bliss can build complacency and one must remember when you are not shopping in your safe haven to CHECK THE LABELS! Because yes, white marshmallows can have BLUE dye in them!!!!

FaithRamblings

Philippians 1:27a

By AudreaLeave a comment

I have been working SUPER slowly through a Bible Study on Philippians by Karen Ehman. It’s called “What Matters Most” and our Bible Study group chose it because we all have various trials or struggles that we face and felt we could all use a little more joy. And joy is supposed to differ from happiness in that it is separate from your circumstances. Happiness comes and goes depending on what you’re dealing with, but joy is supposed to be permanent and “no matter whatish”.

The verse that we are supposed to memorize for Week Two is Philippians 1:27a which says: “Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ”. This has been rolling around in my brain ever since I read it. This idea that my citizen is settled, I belong in heaven because of Jesus’ sacrifice and my belief in it. BUT, there’s still the ONE THING! I’m supposed to ACT like I belong in heaven from now until I get there. Not to guarantee or earn my place there, but to honor Jesus’ sacrifices and be worthy of the title Christian.

This idea just kind of stopped me in my tracks for two main reasons. One was that it is so easy to see this world as our reality and heaven as this supernatural, other worldly, idea that some day will become real when we get there, BUT that’s not true. This world is the vapor, the flash, the mirage that we walk through to get to reality/Heaven. The supernatural is our true reality, the spiritual is the actual. As a citizen of heaven, my future is decided, the “victory is won”, my case and debt have been settled and all of that is current and past. Done, decided and completed. I just have to realize, recognize and live in that.

The second reason this verse stopped me and has stayed in my mind off and on for the last week is that “Just one thing” is to live like a citizen of heaven so that my “life is worthy of the gospel of Christ.” And the gospel of Christ is that the most powerful being in the ANYWHERE suffered and died in my and your place, AND THEN used His own power to rise again to conquer death and let me and you be a citizen of His heaven IF we want to. So this verse, this “One more thing” is a call to live a life worthy of that story. So, even though I get tired and I feel like everyone wants something from me even when I have nothing left to give, how can I not turn to Jesus and ask for His strength, patience and love to give one more thing in order to honor ALL that he’s done for me!

And what that “one more thing” is changes by the moment, I think. Even now as I write this and one of those rambunctious princesses keeps crawling up next to me and wanting to color or read or anything, but let me finish typing this, my “one more thing” changes from sharing the thoughts on my heart from God’s word with anyone reading this to spending some time building that princess into whatever Her Jesus wants her to become! So, here we go, “just one more thing……