Refine: seeing God as Lord more clearly

As soon as I saw the word refine this chorus popped into my head.

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will

You know what refining does right?

If you work at a refinery you are busy taking all the unwanted materials out of another material.  Making it clean, pure, just that one material.

As believers we are constantly being refined by the Lord God.  

Drawn in to be more like him, more able to see HIM, more able to see our separation, more able to turn away from our sin, more able to recognize God as the Lord of everything.

Can we say the process is easy?

No.. it's hard.

It's VERY hard at times.

Seeing how much we have left to chip away, not us doing the chipping, but the Lord himself.
Knowing he does so with care for our very selves.

Giving us life circumstances that challenge us, break us, wound us, and up lift us, helping us to challenge each other, helping us to see the joy that it is to be more like the one who loves us deeply.

Ah... this is good... to see that love and care he takes for us.

Remember that..

Remember it when you are being refined.  It's only for our own good.

AND

It is done by one who loves us deeply.

And that matters.

--------------

This is a five minute friday post. the word prompt is brought to us by Miss Kate.  Today the word is REFINE.  What is Five Minute Friday?  Well it's a party of a group of like minded folks who gather on Friday to do a five minute free write around a singular word.  AND THEN we take the time to offer up encouragement to each other on this writing journey.  It's fun, though it's not always easy, but it is always good.   Come join us won't you?  You are always welcome.

Question of the Day: How Do They Make Pudding Cups?

The lad and I have the joy of talking about all kinds of different things, not that long ago this questions came up:  just how do they make pudding cups?

I found this video to explain that process (even if it is with tapioca pudding which my lad would rather not have).  :)

This of course led me to wonder.... can one do this at home?

So I found this recipe Homemade Chocolate Pudding Snack Packs.   Look good don't they?   Oh oh.. and here's another one that I want to try (looks easier with less chance to muck it up). 

Anyways, there we go with a quick answer to "how do they make pudding cups".

Field Trip: Bird Kingdom

On January 5, the lads and I took in the Bird Kingdom.   I managed to find a fantastic deal through groupon plus had an additional 10$ off coupon which.... WOOT WOOT  saved us the price of parking (which by the by.. tad expensive).

BUT the Bird Kingdom was a lovely place to visit and I am so glad we were able to go.

The Bird Kingdom is divided into different sections. Each area with it's own speciality.

The first area was devoted to the daredevils of the Niagara Falls.   We had fun posing in a barrel.

We had a chance to read various exploits, and learned about one lady who went over the falls in a barrel with her pet toy dog.   The dog survived, the lady sadly did not.

The reptile area.

My son was able to have a bird sit on his arm.  A nice big parrot.   We weren't allowed to take pictures of him with the bird.  It was a money grab, but what the lad wanted was to hold the bird and he could.  He said it was neat!

The finch room (or at least what I call the finch room... better name probably the small bird room)....oh my... the fun we had watching the finches!   They move so fast and they made us laugh.



We moved from here past the talking bird (none of the pictures good enough to show).
Through the noctural area.

Off this took us to the main aviary... WOW... the birds we saw.  It was rather interesting to see.  The room was divided into multiple levels, starting us at the top so we could work our way down.  Feeding stations were placed throughout the room.   It was great to just take one's time and slowly walk through, checking for hidden spots where birds might be hiding.

  

I hope you enjoyed the tour through the Bird Kingdom.  It was an excellent place to see a variety of different birds and other critters too.  :)

The Bird Kingdom!
Open 9:30AM - 5:00PM Daily
 5651 River Road
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 7M7

Egypt: Alas the day

Today's Devotional is based off Ezekiel 30:1-19.
 God's word against Egypt continues.

God tells the people to prepare for 

“Wail, ‘Alas for the day!’
³     For the day is near,
    the day of the Lord is near;
it will be a day of clouds,
    a time of doom for the nations.
⁴ A sword shall come upon Egypt,
    and anguish shall be in Cush,
when the slain fall in Egypt,
    and her wealth is carried away,
    and her foundations are torn down.

A time of hardship is coming for the people of Egypt, a time of doom and the sword, for her wealth to the carried away.

Art Series: Zentangle - anything is possible one stroke at a time

Zentangles...I had never heard that term before until I received this book.   The cover made me think of the colouring books that I enjoy doing.   I always thought those were called mandalas though, which of course led me to research that idea.

A mandala is a piece of art made in a circle. Mandala means “circle” in Sanskrit.   In Buddhist and Hindu faith systems they have spiritual significance.  Outside those circles they are just circular drawings that can used to help you relax.

A zentangle is any design made from repetitive patterns.  Does not have to be in a circle shape.

There are some people who use the words interchangeably, but mandalas are supposed to circular, zentangles can be anything.

Good to know eh?

Anyways, all that to tell you about this book I have in my hands here.  Zentangle: the inspiring and mindful drawing workbook.  This workbook has over 70 practice tiles to play around with.  It has been put together by Jane Marbaix.

Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

On January 7th, my side of the family has our annual potluck meal.  We had a pretty good time eating, laughing and singing together.  The lad brought a friend with him.   Folks brought some good food. 

My sweet man, knowing how I hate coming up with something to make for potlucks, suggested I make Spaghetti Casserole.

It was REALLY good.  The only one in our family who wasn't keen on it was the lad.. because we told him it was much like spaghetti and meatballs but...it wasn't really spaghetti and meatballs and so offended his sense of rightness.  :)  Precision sometimes causes troubles!  

Anyways, you are probably waiting for the recipe.  It is based off this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 (26.5 ounce) cans meatless spaghetti sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) container fat-free sour cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• salt and black pepper to taste 

  
Changes I made:

• used a whole medium sized onion
• Added basil, parsley, oregano and a touch of garlic to the meat mixture.  Other than the garlic, about 1 tbsp each of the dried herbs.
• Instead of sour cream used greek yogurt. 
• also guesstimated the spaghetti used as I used leftovers from during the week (had hubby cook extra when he asked)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a deep 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the spaghetti. Boil the pasta until cooked through but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well.
3. Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet over high heat; drain fat. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, sour cream, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Mix in the cooked pasta. Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese. Cover pan with aluminum foil.
4. Bake in preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

End result:

• Came home with about a 1/3 of a large casserole dish full.   
• Requests for the recipe.
• An international student who eagerly devoured the leftovers. 
• Knowledge that hubby picked a good recipe and now I have a new recipe to add to our repertoire.
• it works well making the night before and then cooking in oven the next morning and travels very well.

Discipline, Protection, Promise

Ezekiel 29 is all about a judgement being proclaimed against Egypt.

My son and I are in the midst of reading a book about Egypt, so having this prophecy against Egypt just kinda fits.  :)    We've been brought to awareness how vast Egypt was and how poorly she treated Egypt.  We know this from the bible, but sometimes reading it in a story just brings those facts more to life, gives an awareness not previously seen.

A is for Sidney Altman

Welcome welcome one and all.. to the first letter of the alphabet.

The letter A.  You'll join Amanda and I won't you?
 
I am so looking forward to seeing what others have to say.   It'll be fun eh?

For my part, I am intending to be talking about all things Canadiana as we go through the alphabet.   Some will be obvious.. Like the provinces in our fine land, and others I am hoping, will be a bit more obscure.   All in all I hope that we all can learn more about my lovely land of opportunity..... CANADA!   :)


Today we start with Sidney Altman, a scientist who received the Nobel Prize in 1989 for his work in Chemistry.

Born in Montreal, Quebec in 1939 the son of working class immigrant parents.   His dad owned a grocery store and his mom worked in a textile mill.   Learning from his parents the value of hard work and determination, which served him well in the long run.   As a youth he read anything he could get his hands on.  Reading a book Explaining The Atom by Selig Hecht got him hooked on science.

Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in physics, he later changed his major to biophysics.  He studied chemical compounds called acridines, focuses on how they affected the replication of viruses that infect bacteria.

He had many false starts and job changes over the years, eventually finding himself working in England, which is where he started on the path leading to the Nobel Prize.    His work led him back to the United States.   Working with RNA (Ribonucleic acid)  he, over a period of 20 years, discovers catalytic RNA, thus earning the Nobel Prize.

If you want to know more about this work

 

Mr. Altman remains a Canadian Citizen, though he is dual citizen with the USA.  His work with RNA continues. 

Sidney Altman, Canadian Citizen, winner of the Nobel Prize, Holder of the Letter A for this week of Blogging through the Alphabet. 

 

Feel free to link up your family friendly posts using the letter A this week. 

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An InLinkz Link-up

Hymn Study: Praise Ye the Lord, The Almighty

I LOVE the singing of Fernando Ortega... The way he sings hymns just lifts my spirit every single time.   He occasionally lightly changes the words but not enough to annoy.  :)

Here he is, singing this lovely hymn written by Joachim Neander

Lyrics:

The verses I am familiar with in red.  

Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise ye the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

 This hymn was originally written in German and was translated by Catherine Winkworth.    It was written by Joachim Neander, who studied theology in Bremen.      He wasn't a serious theology student until he heard a sermon by a man by the name of Theodore Undereyk.  (source) .   (see.... good preaching changes lives)  :)   He was a minister only for a year before he died, at age 30, from tuberculosis.

An interesting fact is that a valley was renamed after him, and in that valley the remains of Homo neanderthalensis, or the Neanderthal man was discovered.  (source)   This makes him the only hymnist with a hominid named after him.

 Now for this hymn without singing.  Isn't the tune lovely?

 

Practical Math

My son and I have ... A struggle with math and I have to admit that I am not always sure what to do with it.   He's been getting a bit weary with the struggle (as am I). 

We had picked up a math program last year that I thought would work well for him but it has proven, over time, to be far too easy for him, yet I know he has gaps in his learning (as evidenced today when, to my surprise, I learned that he doesn't really get what fractions are)...yet he has done lots of fraction work and done it well!   So... I'm currently feeling a bit floored and flummoxed.

So anyways, the point of this post is about math.. practical math as you can see from my post title, and how needful taking a day away can be.  Susan from Homeschooling Hearts and Minds is hosting the Virtual Curriculum Fair this month and math is the focus this week.

Recently I had to bring a bunny to London, a person from Toronto was planning to come by to get the rabbit, but we live in South-western Ontario where we are prone to winter storms, so bunny needed to travel in something that would hold for a few days, if their person couldn't make it.

ERGO enters a practical math problem.

Our issues:

• Normal rabbit carrier is frozen solid from an unexpected leak
• Bunny will be staying at gramma's so tidyness is very important (measuring lower side height)
• bunny needs sufficient room to move around for health and mental outlook (area)
• Needs to hold food and water dishes for continuity of care (perimeter)
• needs to open and close easily to avoid confusing gramma.

 I'd heard about rabbit carriers being made out of rubbermaid containers so thought that might be the route to go.

Canadian Tire had a sale on containers so off I set.

We came home with two containers (in case we made an oops).

 What we needed:

• a drill with two different sized bits
• jigsaw
• wire for the side
• wire cutters
• zipties
• rubbermaid container
• very sharp knife
• markers
• straight edge

My son asked me "How is this practical math if we aren't actually doing measuring mom?"

I said "Math is more than measuring, it's doing estimation and lines, learning how to use a straight edge and stuff like that".     So we used line of sight, hand measurements, estimation and approximation, and so forth.

He was happy.. he got to use a drill once I showed him how to do a quick up and down with the bit.  He learned how slippery plastic was to cut and so learned to slow down so he wouldn't take mom's fingers with it.

I have to admit, that even though my lad is very good with knives I didn't allow him to do any cutting.   Cutting plastic can be temperamental and using a really sharp knife is a must.  As it was I got nicks taken out of my fingers.

First up.   Taking one piece of wire (taken from an old bird cage) and eye ball it to see what we have to cut back.  It was too wide and a touch too long.

We needed to consider having room to connect it, maintain the stability of the container, and not waste the wire we had.

Using the wire cutters with the wire was pretty easy though dad had to lend his strength to cut through the thick wires.

Cutting through the plastic had dad helping with drilling holes into the corners.  We learned quickly that regardless of what markers I used they didn't hold well on the plastic making it difficult to see the lines, so after helping cut one line with the jigsaw and not being able to see the lines he left me to cut the rest with my sharp blade.

We needed to put two holes close together to hold the wire onto the sides.

We discussed if it was better to put the wire on the outside or inside and had differing opinions until Dad called from across the room.. put in on the inside...keep the rabbit from nibbling on the plastic.  That cemented the decision-making for us.  :)

It proved to be a two person job to attach the wire.   Working from opposite corners we managed to get the job done.

The lad completed the job by trimming off the excess ziptie (to keep bunny from thinking...ooh.. free nibbles here!)   Yes, bunnies can be silly.

This took us about a half hour from start to finish, including installing bunny in her temporary home.

Does she look content?   Hay given, water and pellets when she gets to gramma's.   She should do well eh?   Opens from the top as well as the sides for ease of access.  Turned out to be a good thing as gramma couldn't figure out the side panels at all.

The bedding for those curious, is a mixed shaving and straw bedding.  Safe to use with small animals.

My math weary child was so delighted to use this project for his math work, it inspired him back to doing "regular" math... even though fractions proved more problematic than we thought they would.  :)   go figure.   Sometimes taking a day to do practical math.. even without actual numbers .. is just what a lad needs.

This post is part of the Virtual Curriculum Fair, it's math week .. having fun with numbers.

Please visit my fellow homeschool bloggers who are talking about Discovering Patterns: Math and the Mathematical Sciences this week:

Finding Our Math Equilibrium: Our Plan for 11th, 7th, 5th, and 2nd Grades + Free Printables! by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
Math Resources and Programs for All Ages by Amanda H @ Hopkins Homeschool
Math (doesn’t) Stink! by Jennifer King @A Peace of Mind
When Math is NOT Your Thing by Michele@Family, Faith and Fridays
Math U See and All the Supplements by Laura H @ Four Little Penguins
Discovering Patterns in Our World: STEM Studies by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World
Junior High Math by Jennifer @ A Glimpse of Our Life
Science & Math for Struggling Learners by Yvie @ Gypsy Road
Maths: a subject in progress by Sarah @ Delivering Grace
Taking Mathematics out of the Textbook by Dana Hanley @ Roscommon Acre
Maths for a Very Maths-y Boy by Lizzy @ Peaches At Home
Practical Math by Annette @ A Net in Time
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling by Kim @ Good Sweet Love
Math, How I Loathe Thee by Shecki @ Greatly Blessed
Math and Logic in Early Elementary and Preschool {virtual curriculum fair 2017} by Meghan W @ Quiet In The Chaos
Low Stress High School Science and Math by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
Are these toys or manipulatives? This is math? by HillaryM @ Walking Fruitfully
When You Don’t Have a Math Plan by Brittney @ Mom’s Heart
Clear Horizons by Lori H @ At Home: where life happens
A Few Thoughts on Teacher Math by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset

An InLinkz Link-up

This post will also be linked up on January 25 with the Canadian Homeschooler. 

And They Shall Know...

²⁵ “Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. ²⁶ And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.”
Ezekiel 28:25-26

These are the last two verses of Ezekiel 28.  

God has a promise for his people Israel.   "when I gather the house of Israel.... they shall dwell in their own land....and dwell securely"

Think about that.   

Mom, thank you for teaching me...

I've heard that expression a lot this week.  "Mom, thank you for teaching me."

When I re-taught him the continents and where "Canada" fell into that mix.
When I helped him understand that fractions were actually division statements.
When we looked into a microscope and saw what blood looked like and then saw the blood cells MOVE.
When we sat down together to edit chapter two of his story.

It's been a bit of an odd thing hearing this so frequently.  I'm guessing the lad missed learning things when I was so ill before Christmas and then having two weeks off over Christmas.

It's SO good to be feeling mostly back to normal again.   So very very good.

So what has our week looked like?

Monday: 

• Most of his schooling he did before he got to grammas, why you ask?   Because my lad has taken up the cause of sewing lately and his gramma helps with cutting out pieces.   They sit and sew and chat together.  Little stuffies are born.  Veritas Press history and bible, math, human body, astronomy, all done.
• He did his reading at Gramma's and played a game (chess I think though it might have been sorry).

Tuesday:

• Learning about Canada ... we started with where Canada was in the world.   On the 3rd largest continent, 4th most populous continent, two mountain ranges, a great plain etc.   All the basics.
• We worked on difficult angles in triangles and learned a disconcerting fact, the lad is VERY determined that fractions aren't a division question or problem, they are just parts of numbers.  Still working that one through.  :) I'm going to guess though it's a terminology issue though as he does his fractions quite easily and he has a tendency to be very particular about words and how they are used.
• We had a great deal of fun editing the second chapter of his book.   Complete with misspellings and horrid punctuation.  He knows better with the punctuation but is too lazy while he's writing to worry on it because "I can always edit it with you mom".     (me rolling eyes)
•  
  

  Wednesday

• Foodbank day so no on-line materials done.   He's required to do his schoolwork and to help when asked.  Today he mostly did his schooling but also helped with putting away potatoes, onions and tossing mis-given food (food that should have tossed but went to foodbank instead)
• Math... today fractions into mixed numbers, percentages and decimals.   I was mixed up with my percentages today (head not into math) so we had an animated discussion about how if I was teaching in a school I would deserve a stern talking to.  :)
• at home we did our astronomy because "Mom, I know you like to learn this too but if I read it out-loud to you it takes too long!!"
• Our breakfast book "Tirzah" we read at lunch time since breakfast didn't happen at home today.  We scavenged at the foodbank.  :)
• Excitement prevailed when ... Mom scratched open a scab and we looked at blood under the microscope.  BOY fun times!!   Dad even got in on the action.   We managed to even get it hooked up to the computer which was cool.

Thursday

•  Astronomy was a source of fascination today.  We have picked up our study in Apologia's Astronomy course again.  Today we were learning about real-life comets.   This video fascinated and elicited an "OH WOW" from the lad.   We spent longer with the wow factor that we didn't move on as far as I had planned

 

• We started an art project based on the Canadian Rockies.   The project we wanted to do didn't pan out much to my lad's delight, so he did what he really wanted to do.. a mountain that will be coloured using pencil shading.   He's gotten the outline done, we'll work on it more tomorrow, and I started an experiment in using tissue paper to create an abstract mountain art. 
• He worked on the grammar part of chapter one of his book.. ACED it.  :)   It was like a test to see if he could see what changes we made and why we made them.   When it came to making one of his sentences run more smoothly we had a good discussion about what sounded better and why.
• Math was a lesson I pulled up from Khan academy but I couldn't find any practice tests to go with it so kinda just said "That'll do" (he didn't complain one iota!)   We are looking at a different free math program called MEP Math.   A quick look has me thinking it makes more sense... easier to figure than Khan anyways.  Anyone familiar with it that can give me some ins and outs?
• Here's the start to my abstract art project.   It's going to be few layers thick I think.. I want to do a silhouette on it, add some sticky out flowers and a boat to it as well..it's a way for my boy to see different art in action without worry that something he will do will be a bomb (and ergo wasted time in his opinion and therefore a hard nut to crack at times).    Be mindful of this.... it is still a work in progress FAR from done.

Friday

•  I LOVE our Fridays.   So relaxed yet busy.  
• Today we enjoyed the cats being silly with the birds at the feeder.   You should have seen his tail switching and twitching and the jumping at the windows.

• we made a DaVinci clock and worked more on our art projects.

• we also fed the snake whose been out wandering today.  She eats MUCH less in the winter than she does the rest of the year so we only feed her when she's out and about wandering.   She doesn't eat as much at one time either.  

Reviews
 Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to help the busy mom.
Trials, tears and triumphs.   I reviewed this for a friend.
SchoolhouseTeachers.com.   Homeschool Crew Review

Word Prompt
Monkey in the Middle

Devotions
 Sidon Be warned.
King of Tyre, Lamented, Destroyed.

Variety
Art Series: Beatrix Potter: A great art book all about Beatrix Potter
 Recipe: Scotch Scones.  I like them the lads are less enamored.
Introducing Blogging the Alphabet.   A linky Amanda and I are hosting.
Hymn Study: God of our Fathers.
Field Trip: Ontario Science Centre.  
Connections and Thankfulness. blog posts I liked and things I am grateful for
2017's here, what's in Store. goals for the new year

                                 Linking up at the people below.

2107 It's here...what's in store?

The Crew Round-Up this week is all about Goals for the year.

I have to admit, I don't tend to make a lot of goals.   I tend to take the year as it comes and make plans in my head about what I want, but you know how plans are?   They build upon each other until you reach overload (at least that's how it tends to work for me).

So I make longer term goals with small steps leading up.

This year goal planning is in flux because hubby is needing to find new work, we may end up moving by year end, my life might end up looking quite different.   So most goals are dependent upon that.