Civic's Class Notes - 6th Class

Monday, 01 February 2010

• Civic's Class Notes - 6th class

  January 15, 2010 Class Notes

  We opened class by discussing the experiences the children had when giving their food baskets to the Veteran of their choice.
  Brenda gave a report on Haiti, the earthquake, why Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and what could be done to improve the condition of Haiti.
  Dave started class:
  We now leave European and World History and jump ahead to the American colonies. Mankind’s condition on earth has not changed much up until the discovery of the new world, but after the American War of Independence and the birth of a new nation, mankind now makes a HUGE leap forward in almost every aspect of human existence.
  

  • personal liberties
  • religious liberty
  • financial opportunities
  • education
  • medicine
  • science
  • manufacturing
  • space travel
  • personal comfort

  To name just a few
  How did all these things happen? Did they happen automatically? Certainly not! But rather these were the results of God inspiring the founders with certain ideas and principles upon which to base the new nation’s government. These principles changed the world. We will discuss these principles in greater detail in the following classes.
  Before we do that, we want to point out how America seems to be in decline, because of our obvious wavering from our foundational principles. Some examples of our decline:
  

  • massive debt
  • crime
  • loss of manufacturing
  • devaluation of the dollar

  Good government and a civil society do not happen automatically!!We also took a few minutes to tell the story of Eldridge Cleavor – look up his life for those who do not know him.
  We just briefly ran down a time-line of events that were happening on our continent.
  

  • 1776 – Declaration of Independence
  • 1781 – Articles of Confederation – the United States first attempt at central gov’t
  • 1783 – Revolutionary War ends
  • 1787 – United States Constitution is written

  We discussed the inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation and also the purpose of the Federalist Papers.
  What were the founders discussing in Philadelphia in 1787 as they established the most enduring constitution in history?
  We discussed some of the challenges facing the founders.
  

  • equal representation
  • slavery
  • tariffs
  • commerce
  • currency
  • foreign affairs
  • rights of the people
  • defense
  • etc.

  We now begin to examine the ideas and principles that the founders based their decisions on. First of all, the founders had a different scale upon which they measured political philosophy. The scale we use today, right and left, Republican and Democrat, or conservative or liberal, would have been meaningless to them. They would have measured political ideas on a scale of tyranny on one extreme to anarchy on the other.
  Ruler’s Law                                                                 No Law
  100% ß -----------------------------------------------------à 0%
  Tyranny                                                                       Anarchy
  
  The founder’s goal was to keep this scale well balanced.
  Where would you place our current administration on this scale?
  Basically that was the conclusion of this class. We will continue on Feb. 5^th.
  Until next time...........

Georgie's Idea

Sunday, 24 January 2010

• Georgie's Idea

   Poor Georgie!  The other day, he had such sinus congestion and was continually running for the tissue box and then the trash can.  Next thing I knew, there he was, showing me how he solved this issue.
  
  He cut slashes in the back of the tissue box and looped it through his belt and tied a garbage bag to his belt on the other side.  What a grand idea!  And he walked around like that as long as he is could.  So next time you have a problem with a runny nose and need the tissue box constantly, give Georgie's idea a try.  But, remember to pay him his royalties!
  Until next time...............

Little Sweet Pea & Homemade Bread

Monday, 18 January 2010

• Little Sweet Pea and Homemade Bread

  I just had to show you this picture of our little sweet pea.  She is growing so quickly!  She is almost 16 weeks and so smiley.  We can just squeeze her!  Grandpa takes pride in being able to settle her down when she has her times of fussiness.
  
  I thought I would also share our favorite homemade bread recipe.  This is so simple and always turns out successfully.  I have made this with all white flour, all whole wheat flour, and also half white and half wheat and no matter how I did it, everybody loves it.  The recipe calls for sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top, but you can leave it plain and then after you get it out of the oven, just rub the top with butter.  Also, you can shape loaves and  put them on a cookie sheet or put them in a bread pans.  Here is the recipe:
  Easy French Bread
  combine following ingredients and allow to foam
  2 T. instant yeast         2 1/2 C warm water      2 T. shortening ( I usually use lard)       2 T. sugar     2 tsp. salt
  
  Stir in 7 1/2 - 8 C. occident flour.  Knead until smooth.  Shape into loaves (this recipe only makes one large loaf or 2 smaller loaves, so I usually double this) (also, I use a rolling pin and roll dough into a rectangle shape and then roll it up).  Place on greased cookie sheet or into greased pans.  Make slashes diagonally across tops.  Let rise until double (I have found that if you let rise too long it developes a pocket at the top of loaf, also, I sometimes do not even let it rise the full way, for it will rise in oven).  Before putting into oven, brush tops with 1 beaten egg, 2 T. milk and poppy or sesame seeds.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned on top.  Take out of oven and hide them, or they will be devoured immediately!
  
  
  
  
  Until next time..........   

He's 21

Sunday, 03 January 2010

• He is 21!!!

  Benjamin Oak, our oldest child, is now 21 as of January 1st.  Ben's beginnings were not that as other newborns.  When I was 27 weeks along in my pregnancy, I went into labor.  I was, of course admitted to the hosp., put on medication, strict bedrest, and with the news that I had an incompetent cervix and would be in hosp. till I had the baby.  My due date was March 30 - 3 months away.  However, after 2 days, it was obvious that this baby was not going to wait and I had an emergency C-section.  Ben was born weighing 2# 4oz.   It was a very rocky road, with times of him having to be put on life support and weighing as low as 1 # 15 oz..  To make a long story short, he spent 98 days in the neonatal intensive care and was finally able to come home (2 days after his actual due date), weighing 4 # 6 oz., on several meds and a heart monitor.  Ben suffered with alot of respiratory illnesses and spent time in the hosp. quite a few times.   He slowly outgrew most of the health issues.  Now Ben is 21!  And a very nice young fellow!    We are very proud of him and love him dearly!  We know that God had a purpose for the journey that Ben traveled in those early years and He has a plan for his future.  God has been good!
  This is Ben at 6 weeks old, weighing 2# 14 oz..  Dave's finger tip was the size of Bens hand.
  
  This is Ben now!  A very handsome dud!
  
  Happy Birthday, Ben!
  Until next time...............

How Serious Is It?

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

• How serious is it?

  I have had a "heart cry" for a long time.  I have felt that I have no right to talk about it, but an incident happened last night that makes me realize that I must share what has been on my mind.  If the Lord gives a burden we are to do something about it, so with His help, I will try to put it into words.  They are coming to you out of love, with no condemnation and with a humble heart that realizes I myself am still a work in progress.
  I am a 43 year old mother of 6 children, a wife to "my man",  a grammy and a mother-in-law.  Obviously, I have not always been at this stage in life, and many times I reflect on my youth.  Regrets? Many! Was it all bad?  Absolutely not!  But, I cannot help but think about the regrets as I witness the youth of today.   I continually think of what I was like at each stage that my teens go through and think of what I would do differently in my life if I was that age again.   Looking back, I realize that I have wasted so many tender years pursuing the fleshly or carnal things of the world.  It seems like todays society is promoting "me" more and more - it's all about "me" and how can I maniupulate all circumstances, events, etc. to satisfy and meet the needs of "me".   That is in no way what the scriptures teaches (not then or now) and we all can recognize the results of that way of  thinking.   There are so many distractions for our youth, due to the advancement of technology and general decline of moral standards.  It is very difficult for them and I spend alot of time contemplating this issue.  The youth stage of life is not to "have fun" and "live it up".  It is a time to prepare for adulthood.  A time to learn good work ethics, responsibilities and to realize that there are consequences to actions.  Also, most importantly, a time to establish a relationship with the One who makes all the difference in the world - Jesus!   The One who can guide you and give you strength to overcome temptations.   One of my regrets is not establishing that relationship in my young years and succumbing to the peer pressures of that time.   Oh, how can I convince you dear young people how serious it is to evaluate this time of your life?  Just 24 hours ago, Solomon and our friend, Tucker, were in a car accident.   When we stood at the scene and viewed the damage, a realization overcame us.  All people involved were ok, but it was only by a matter of seconds and it could've been very, very different.   Instead of an ambulance ride for everyone, a coroner could've been called.  Instead of  looking around in the E.R, they could've been opening their eyes in eternity!   Tears still flow when I think of  how our lives could be very different today.  This life is serious business and could be ended without warning or having a time of preparation!  It does matter what we are doing with our lives now.  It does matter how we are spending our time.  It does matter what we are listening to now, for it effects our thoughts and moods, which effects our actions and on it can go.  It does matter how we present ourselves now, for we are to represent Christ.  How we dress has a huge impression on how people view us.  Ladies, are we dressing modestly?  Are we promoting men to look at us with lust or respect?   Are we jealous or envious of others?   Are we developing cliques and leaving freinds out?  Or appearing superior to them?  Are the movies that we watch something we would want to be watching if Jesus walked in?  How about the words that are coming from our mouth?  Or the places that we visit?  Or the websites that we view?  The list can go on and on.  All these things effect our spiritual life and it does matter, for one of these days, we will die in some way and we will face the One who is the Judge and our destination will be announced.   Let all of us put aside the flesh, take hold of the things that are spiritual, the things that change our hearts and gives us strength to live the life that the Lord has for us.    To all the adults,  please let us take seriously our position as examples,  and encourage our youth of today to travel the high road, the straight and narrow way even if it means they have to stand alone.  It will be so worth it!!
  Until next time................

Merry Christmas 2009

Friday, 18 December 2009

• Merry Christmas

  
  

  Merry Christmas to Everyone!

                                      
  When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for our family to divulge to friends, the happenings of yet another year, and to inquire of the well being of those we have not seen for some time. A decent respect for the sanity of mankind requires that this correspondence not bore the readers with redundant details.
  We hold these truths to be self evident that all our family is created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unconquerable desires, among these are chocolate, pizza and the pursuit of an extra hour of sleep.
  The following is a recollection of various happenings, etc. for our family in 2009:
  Most exciting news: the birth of Oakley Paige to the proud parents of Gordon and
                                                    Kelsey on October 3^rd.
  Most troubling news: the new President that got put into office
  Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
  Family’s favorite meal: homemade pizza with homemade soda
  Favorite getaway: day at Camp Swatara
  Best Deal: the purchase of Solomon’s "96 dodge pickup
  Most thankful for: the freedom we enjoy in Christ and the liberties we enjoy
                                  In our country
  Most consumed food: eggs (about 28 at each breakfast)
  One thing uncles do not do: change poopy diapers
  Most mundane chore: milking cows and endless laundry
  Biggest endeavor – Dave teaching civics at our home-school group
  2 happiest outcomes: the boys heart checkups, good water from new well
  Addictions: computer, talk radio, music, and pursuit of the Truth
  Most played games: chess & basketball
  Most faith stretching: enduring the low milk price
  Most discussed topic: politics\world events from Christian perspective
  Most amazing realization: His mercies are new every day
  Favorite new song: The Promise
  Most awaited for moment:  passed driver’s permit test
  Toughest tongue twister: good blood, bad blood – say it 3 times real fast
  Goals not met: to lose 30 pounds (it’s all that pizza! )
  New names for Dave & Brenda: grandpa & grammy
  
  For the conclusion of this correspondence, we trust with a firm reliance on divine Providence your well being and protection throughout another year and pledge to all our love, thoughts, and sacred honor. (Hee Hee!! You can tell Dave has been studying the Declaration of Independence, can’t you?)
  May the Lord’s blessings fall on each of you! Dave, Brenda & boys
  
  Until next time...........

Sweet Oakley

Monday, 14 December 2009

• Sweet Oakley

  She is growing so fast!  She is about 10 1/2 weeks old already and is smiling and cooing at anyone who looks at her.  This being a grammy is awful fun!
  
  Until next time.............