TJ Ed Mom For Liberty

On The Turning Away

2012-01-24T10:43:00.004-09:00

About those seeking a political office:

2012-01-18T12:34:00.000-09:00

It's so important to look at their actions, associations, and history; not just their talking points in an election year. Anyone can talk the talk, it's walking the walk that get's you somewhere though. Also, looking at each individual issue is helpful but it is also the individual issues that create big divides among the people. Instead of looking at it from the micro level we really should try to look at the big picture of Liberty for all. Ultimately, who takes the best stance in overall liberty? United we stand, divided we fall.

The American Form of Government

2012-01-13T19:14:00.001-09:00

Here is a video link to a good explanation on government types.

Educate Yourself!!!

http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/

An Aesop Fable: The Wolf and The Lamb

2011-12-27T14:16:00.004-09:00

A wolf came upon a lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse. So he cast about for a grievance and said at last, "Last year, sirrah, you grossly insulted me," "That is impossible, sir," bleated the lamb, "for I wasn't born then." "Well," retorted the wolf, "you feed in my pastures." "That cannot be," replied the lamb, "for I have never yet tasted grass." "You drink from my spring, then," continued the wolf. "Indeed, sir," said the poor lamb, "I have never yet drunk anything but my mother's milk." "Well, anyhow," said the wolf, "I'm not going without my dinner." And he sprang upon the lamb and devoured it without more ado.

New posts on my voter guide:

2011-12-16T13:34:00.003-09:00

I did two new posts on my voter guide.

The Camel In The Tent:

Not long ago I was in a short discussion about the state of our world and especially the way our federal government is conducting it's business these days. Ever hear about the camel in the tent during a sand storm? In this story the tent owner allows the camel to put only its nose in the tent but soon the tent owner finds himself kicked out of the tent for the camel has taken it over. I used this analogy to illustrate what our lives will be like as long as we keep allowing our responsibilities to be outsourced to governmental entities or other such institutions. If we continue to allow others to stick their noses where they don't belong we will soon be perplexed and unprepared finding ourselves kicked out of our own tents and into the sandstorm...

I realize this may sound disappointing but really the best we can do is educate ourselves and those in our circle of influence on the cause of liberty and the best way to institute it so we (or our descendants) are ready to step in when the fall happens. In other words, don't outsource your personal responsibilities, be prepared and have a spare tent ready!

The Dangerous and Misleading Problem With Our Elections:

The solution to our modern American election problem is simple:Better voters.

Voters are the hope of our future, specifically voters who are more calmly and consistently involved in politics on a daily basis both during and between elections, more locally focused, less emotional and wiser, less swayed by the media and the experts, more principle-centered, and more deeply studied in the principles and details of freedom.

If becoming a nation of such voters is too much to ask, then the future of freedom will be short.

Daughters in His Kingdom, Are You Missing Out?

2011-12-13T15:55:00.005-09:00

There's a book called Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society. It was passed out to sisters in the LDS church this September. Anyone can read it free in the link with the title.

My best friend is the education counselor for the chapter of Relief Society that I attend. Due to this she has read the book already and has encourage me to as well so we can discuss it. It has been a blessing to be able to read it.

Part of the outreach service members of the Relief Society participate in is Visiting Teaching. This is where two sisters visit or contact in some way the women on a list they are given. Through this contact we try to give an uplifting spiritual message and assess any needs the woman may have. I was blessed to be able to recently visit one woman on this list and due to the flow of the conversation I was able to share with her several sections of the book that would be helpful to her in her life situation. Had I not read it this valuable comfort and service to her would not have happened.

I'll share one part that spoke to me most:

In an address to Relief Society sisters, President Thomas S. Monson shared thoughts about how expressions of charity strengthen the ties of sisterhood in Relief Society:

“I consider charity—or ‘the pure love of Christ’—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

“I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

“There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

“Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. …

“Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.

“Charity, that pure love of Christ, is manifest when a group of young women from a singles ward travels hundreds of miles to attend the funeral services for the mother of one of their Relief Society sisters. Charity is shown when devoted visiting teachers return month after month, year after year to the same uninterested, somewhat critical sister. It is evident when an elderly widow is remembered and taken to ward functions and to Relief Society activities. It is felt when the sister sitting alone in Relief Society receives the invitation, ‘Come—sit by us.’

“In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.

“Charity has been defined as ‘the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,’ the ‘pure love of Christ … ; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with [her].’

“‘Charity never faileth.’ May this long-enduring Relief Society motto, this timeless truth, guide you in everything you do. May it permeate your very souls and find expression in all your thoughts and actions.” Page 99-101

I am greatful for spiritually wise leaders who were inspired to commission this book and share it with all the women of the world who are willing to read it. I know it is not just for LDS women but any virtuous woman of God can benefit from reading the history of the largest and oldest womens organization in the world. For those who have this book I ask, "Are you missing out?" Read it. It will benefit your life and the lives of all in your circle of influence. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Moments of Joy - Link Up

2011-12-06T11:30:00.002-09:00

So my great friend Kim has been working on documenting 1000 Moments of Joy. She asked me to share some and link up at her site so here goes. My hubbie and I decided to pick our moments of joy together.

Cuddling and playing with the kids in the morning.

May 26, March 10, April 12, 8/8, 8/19.

Sealing in the temple.

Hubbie says, "Waking up myself everyday".

Hubbie baptising the oldest kids.

A. saying, "Mom, I look like somebody!" when she is dressed up.

D. creating detailed works of art for those she loves.

Recieving voluntary hugs from kids.

When a child indicates that I'm the only one that can help them feel better.

T. cutting a tree down after Dad read Where the Red Fern Grows as a family read.

S. pretending a 20 pack of toilet paper is a car.

A. calling her belly button a pocket when she was into pockets.

T. calling his new baby sister Darling when we brought her home, where did he learn that word?!

D. wearing her cape in the store. She started to run with her arms out and said, "Mom, if I run fast enough will I fly?"

Hearing our first child (D.) laughing a real belly laugh for the first time.

S. is such a boy but shows his tender side by cuddling in blankets.

These are some of our many Moments of Joy. For any of you who want to share link up at Finding Joy in the Journey.

Daughters in My Kindgom: Retrench

2011-11-22T08:54:00.004-09:00

I am such a weak weak sinner. Lately I have struggled and fallen into old patterns. I have begun to seek for comfort with things of the world. These things do not satisfy though so I want more and more. I see it in my children too. Right now the biggest worldly comfort we seek more and more of is television. When I watch it I feel out of control and unable to stop myself. I’ll sit there staring, doing nothing but watching more and more. Thinking to myself I should stop this foolishness for I have so many better things to do with my time. Yet, I feel frozen. It’s awful.

As I was thinking of this compulsion I remembered a chapter in a book called Daughters in My Kingdom. Particularly the word retrench stood out. So I found the chapter (4: A Wide and Extensive Sphere of Action) and found this gem:

“[Sister Snow] said that the Holy Ghost ‘satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that Spirit, ‘ she continued, ‘my soul is satisfied, and I can say in good earnest, that the trifling things of the day do not seem to stand in my way at all. But just let me lose my hold of that spirit and power of the Gospel, and partake of the spirit of the world, in the slightest degree, and trouble comes; there is something wrong. I am tried, and what will comfort me? You cannot impart comfort to me that will satisfy the immortal mind, but that which comes from the Fountain above. And is it not our privilege to so live that we can have this constantly flowing into our souls?’”

I know that when I seek for comfort and satisfaction through worldly means I will continually be unfulfilled and need more and more of that worldly “cure”. I believe that it is only through “the Fountain above” that true comfort and satisfaction will be felt. So I will retrench (purge), repent and press on.

P.S. I wonder how many obsessive compulsive behavior diagnoses would disappear if only more people would heed the principle of seeking comfort from the comforter himself, the Holy Ghost.

Had To Share...

2011-11-12T09:40:00.005-09:00

When it comes to medicine and my children I used to be such a blindly following fool. With my two eldest children I was vigilant in their "well-child" checkups and vaccinations. I never asked about what was in the vaccinations I allowed them to put into my children and I barely glanced over the papers they gave me after the vaccinations were done. My children always had a minor reaction to them. It didn't bother me.

A dear friend share a site called Ians Voice. It shares the heart wrenching story of Ian who lived only 47 days. It documents in pictures his fatal reaction to the Hep B vaccine. *Warning-it is hard to see*

As I think back on my eldest sons young life I believe he too had a stronger than normal reaction to vaccinations. He now has many allergies with strong reactions, was briefly hospitalized just before 6 wks old, and for the first several months of life he had "eczema" so bad that his only comfort was to be in a snowsuit and swing. I was such a fool! But I was a blessed fool for I still have my precious son.

Please, don't take any information given you by licenced professionals as the final word. Educate yourself. Take a few minutes to check out Ian's story, if you can't handle the pictures then at least look at their page Safer Vaccines. Here is a snippet from that page:

"We hear so much about the good in vaccines from our doctors, friends and other parents. There is good in vaccines, but there is also another side. We want to share the side that Scott and I saw; the side that caused Ian’s death. Knowing both sides of the story may help you make better, more informed decisions.

Consider this: Hepatitis B is not airborne. It is contracted through sex, use of drug needles and blood transfusions. Unless you or your baby is involved in any of these, vaccination is not necessary for your child.

Further, the hepatitis B vaccine is made of baker’s yeast. It is the only man made vaccine. The rest are made from the disease itself. Across the board, parenting books tell us yeast is one of the things to avoid for youngsters because of its high allergic reaction rate in children. Thus, the vaccine they give your child contains a known allergen. Children who are allergic to yeast may have a reaction. How do you know if your newborn is allergic to yeast? You don’t. It’s a gamble. You decide: Does the benefit outweigh the risk?

Why has it been decided that we blanket vaccinate newborns for hepatitis B? The poorer population, which tends to have the virus, was not bringing their children in for follow-up vaccination. So they decided to hit the entire population. In other words, for a few they target all. That hardly seems necessary to me."

To: A Decent Little Cottage Blogger

2011-11-07T09:55:00.004-09:00

I am unable to comment on various blogspot bloggers posts now for some reason. I suspect it's the browser I use but I do not want to go to google chrome so I'll comment here and hope the person sees it as she "follows" this blog.

To A Decent Little Cottage blogger ie. Emotion and Assumptions article:

I know what post you are referring to and after reading your "Workin' Boxes" post I agree that assumptions have been made that are not accurate or true and that you were misrepresented (unless that comment was not referring to you). I also believe your thoughts on assumptions to be spot on. Thank you for taking the time to share.

Also, thank you for sharing the workin' boxes "invention". It may prove useful in my own homeschool situation.

Women of Virtue Series: Go check it out...

2011-10-14T09:14:00.004-08:00

I have a great friend, Kim, who has started a new series of blog posts about Women of Virtue. The first post was on her mother, then one on Elinore Stewart (from a book titled Letters of a Woman Homesteader).

Todays post she asked me some questions and I sent back the answers and pictures. By no means am I tooting my own horn! The post was a great one without the interview part.

Her idea to interview other women who are examples to her is a great one. The questions she asks are good ones to ponder on and bring greater enlightenment. We would all do well to think on them. Kim also does a great job of incorporating readings from church leaders and other books into the interview posts.

Here is the link to her blog: http://sklowry.blogspot.com/

Attention Local Followers

2011-08-31T10:59:00.001-08:00

I have started interviewing the candidates for Borough Assembly and School Board. There are 6 posts relating to the interviews for the election Oct. 4th. Be sure to check often as much more is to come. Here is the link:

http://interioralaskavoterguides.blogspot.com/

A Problem and Solution: Belated Independence Day Thoughts

2011-07-05T07:47:00.007-08:00

It's been awhile, again. Hmmmm. Sorry about that! :)

I recently read an article in the Ensign (a church magazine). It's titled: Making Principles of Welfare Part of Your Life and in part states:

"Our faith leads us to educate our minds and our hands and to work every day of our lives to be self-reliant. Having taken care of our own needs, we are better able to provide for ourselves and serve others...It allows us to face the challenges of life armed with courage and confidence rather than fear and doubt."

So much of what I have read recently and in the past fits with this topic. Did you know that Farmer Boy, Weapons of Mass Instruction, A Thomas Jefferson Education, The Declaration of Independence, and this article: Video Games, Home Education, and the US Supreme Court, and this one: Happy Independence Day! and the above quote are all related?

I was going to say, "Let me explain." But you know what? You need to read them for yourself with a few concepts in mind to look for so you can own the idea yourself.

Concepts: Freedom, safety, work, purpose of school, purpose of education.

I will testify to you this: I have learned that most of us live in "survival mode". This "survival mode" is not synonymous with "self-sufficiency" and leads us to fear and desire safety through government programs. Because of this we struggle to do, "That service to which all of us have been called [which] is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ." As the saying goes, "Freedom isn't free". I know that freedom, prosperity, and safety all fit together. Badger Mum who wrote the above mentioned Happy Independence Day article mentioned a truth she learned, “When a people have gained economic freedom, political freedom won’t be far behind.” Replace the word "gained" with "lost" and you will see where we, as a nation, stand today.

The solution is not more government but less, not more laws to govern our thoughts and actions but self-governance through true principles and standards, not more entitlements but more self-sufficient work, not bowing down to the fashionable "Gods" of the day (celebrities, government salvation, green-movement, moral relativity) and instead humbling ourselves to bow down to the true and everlasting Father in Heaven.

Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Final Headgates Post and As A Man Thinketh

2011-05-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

I posted the last book club post for The Headgate here:

http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/2011/05/headgate-last-real-and-reminders.html

Here is a snipet:

"I know that closing wrong headgates is a quick and productive way to guide our children without coercion. I've seen it work in my own home. It provides a way to help our children learn truth and see the world as it really is. Sometimes it's a challenge to figure out what headgate needs closed or be willing to close it but when you do the blessing will come. For example:..."

Also, Here is the next book post:

Next Reading and Schedule: As A Man Thinketh

Well, we have read one book and now it is time to put up the schedule for the next book. We are going to have a few weeks break because in that time frame I have two weddings in Anchorage, husbands family visiting, a wood stove chimney install which entails rearranging of the house, and our 10 year wedding anniversary! So hope you enjoy the break and will be refreshed and renewed to tackle this next read which is AMAZING! :) While this book is small and the chapters are small it packs a lot of great pondering bites so we will only do one chapter at a time.

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

June 16: Forward and Thought and Character

June 23: Effect of Thought on Circumstances

June 30: Effect of Thought on Health and the Body

July 7: Thought and Purpose

July 14: The Thought-Factor in Achievement

July 21: Visions and Ideals

July 28: Serenity and schedule for the next reading

Another FYI: New Headgates post - Close Wrong Headgates

2011-05-06T01:06:00.002-08:00

http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/2011/05/headgate-close-wrong-headgates.html

There is also a new post for the Poetic Knowledge bookclub.
http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/2011/05/poetic-knowledge-foundational-ch3-part.html

Become As Little Children

2011-04-30T13:18:00.004-08:00

Little children are so embracing! We have a neighbor who I find annoying sometimes....

okay...

often.

My little 2 year old girl is so loving! One day we were walking outside together and she said, "Mom, I love A_____." She tells me often. I know she does. She loves him like Christ loves us, like our Father in Heaven loves us. She isn't bothered by his ways or habits. She is a wonderful example to me of how I need to love others. She is a guiding light of how to be a Zion person. I am humbled and amazed by her example.

"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:1-6)

Blog in Pictures: A skirt I made for my girl...

2011-04-29T23:47:00.003-08:00

The Home Healer: A Question Social Norms Thought*

2011-04-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Not long ago I read an article called The Family Healer (The Herb Quarterly Spring 2011). In it is the following introductory paragraph:

Once upon a time, the homemaker of the family (usually the wife and mother) used to serve as the primary healer in the family. This caretaker tended to the fevers, the bruises and scrapes, and the coughs and colds, while doctors were reserved for dire emergencies only. Over the years, however, the health of our families has come to depend on hospitals, emergency rooms, and even insurance companies. The result? An overloaded medical system that sees costs soaring through the roof. It seems that at some point we lost our faith in the ability to look after ourselves. According to the national Center for Health Statistics, over half the people who go to emergency rooms don't even need urgent care. As for the doctor's office, it's estimated that 70percent of visits to physicians are for mild, time-limited disorders that could easily be treated in the comfort of home."

Bruce R. McConkie has said, "...the Lord intends that men should exercise faith in him so as to be healed, but he also intends that men should use the agency and intelligence he has given them, in both preventing and curing sickness. It is proper that the sick should, 'be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food.' (D & C 42:43.) The Book of Mormon speaks 'of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases.' (Alma 46:40.)" (Mormon Doctrine p. 573)

This brings to mind some questions I put in my Question Social Norms series (which I didn't finish, sorry). I asked about foods we eat, are they the only resource for what they provide.
Are meat and beans the only source of protein? Is milk the only source of calcium? What is actually in the food I eat? What is really our greatest societal ill? Is it lack of health care? Is it faith?

Some questions I failed to ask then but would add now, especially in relation to this post are: Are vaccinations right for me and my children? Do I really need to keep my childs fever down, especially when it's not over 104? Is this (fill in the blank) something I really need to go to the doctor for or can I find ways to treat it here at home? Is radiation therapy the only way to "cure" cancer? What are hospitals for?

My eyes have been opened to many alternative answers. Some are never featured in mainstream coverage. I believe this is due to purposful deception. We Latter-Day Saints have The Word of Wisdom to guide us in health matters. D & C 89:4 states:

"...In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation"

I recently learned that some hospitals in Utah were built for those people who needed medical care but could not afford it. This caused me to ask: Was this the original purpose of hospitals? I know doctors used to make house calls. How much of our medical industry is due to "conspiring men" and how much is truly needed? The connections are so broad and deep, I can't type fast enough to explain. So, to you dear reader, I suggest you ponder on these questions and do some research yourself and see what connections you make that you may have never considered.

*Please note this article is highly geared toward members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For those not members please consider quotes used and I would love any comments you may want to share from your particular view that you may find complimentary to the discussion.

Guess what I just discovered?...and Gardening

2011-04-28T15:38:00.010-08:00

I can do a whole bunch of posts and schedule when they post! So, I have decided to do a bunch of posts when I have the time to and space them out. I think I will do short one's with a quote and brief commentary.

To start with, I have gardened for a couple of years but still don't really know how to do companion planting and successive planting. I just discovered about Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bertholomew. I checked it out at the library and started reading it. This method of gardening makes sense and would solve my time, companion, and successive planting weaknesses. If I were just starting out this is what I would set up. I have 3 huge raised beds, now I need to convince my hubbie to let, I mean help, me change my beds to fit this method. I'm excited to try it out. Maybe instead of changing the beds we have we'll just build new ones to the square foot gardening specks. We need to expand anyway. Here's some quotes:

"...the final harvest is the true goal of gardening. And growing plants in a neat, attractive, weedless garden can help lead to that harvest goal (p.1).

The United States Department of Agriculture's county agriculture extension services tended to teach and promote what their big brothers, the state universities, were researching-- and that was commercial agricultural practices. That was fine for the large-scale growers, but it just didn't meet the needs of the millions of home gardeners in this country(p.7).

...square foot gardening will save you at least 80 percent of the space, time, and money normally needed to garden and at the same time will produce a better and more continuous harvest with less work" (p.8).

Do you garden? What method do you use? Is it working for you?

New Book Club Posts

2011-04-26T02:00:00.001-08:00

I have added several new book club posts to my other blog.

Post are for Headgates and Poetic Knowledge.

http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/

Poetic knowledge: Foundation for Science part 2

2011-04-20T09:51:00.001-08:00

Here is the follow up post:

http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/2011/04/poetic-knowledge-foundation-for-science_20.html

I don't know how to post to both without a lot of formatting issues sorry.

Poetic Knowledge: Foundation for Science?

2011-04-19T15:14:00.002-08:00

I posted my second article on the Poetic knowledge book here:

http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/2011/04/poetic-knowledge-foundation-for-science.html

Headgate and Poetic Knowledge

2011-04-14T00:26:00.002-08:00

I did a post on the above title at another blog of mine, check it out. :)

http://fairfieldsreaders.blogspot.com/2011/04/headgate-and-poetic-knowledge.html

Thought You Would Like to Know...

2011-03-15T20:30:00.003-08:00

There is a blog I follow where the women who write it are starting a new blog. This one focuses on the history of The Church of Jesus Christ's Relief Society organization (which is, I believe, oldest and largest womens organization in the world). Here is some information on it:

Blog Hop
In October 2010, the president of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a challenge for the women of our organization to study our history. She stated that by so doing, we would learn who we are, what we are to do, be united, and change for the better. She also stated that it would keep us safe from the calamity which is to come upon the world.

With that in mind, and in the spirit of our past sisters, we have decided to study some of the past ourselves, write our own history, and attempt to express how we can apply it in our efforts to fight the calamities and destruction of our crumbling society, and to bring Zion back to the earth.

How It Works
Each week, visit Society Sunday to read the latest excerpts from historical newspapers or magazines of the Relief Society. Then, on Sunday, participate in the blog hop/link list by posting on your blog about your thoughts on these articles. Alternatively, you may post a short biography or story about a Relief Society sister you know, or an experience you have had, as we continue to write our history! Post your link at the blog hop/link list, and share your insights with others.

I think this would be a great oportunity to learn more of LDS RS history, hope you'll check it out. I will be. :)

**My Ponderings...

2011-03-11T00:43:00.006-09:00

This entry is mostly quotes from several sources that have popped up just today but really relate to a *situation from tonight...I guess I'm just trying to wrap my head around some things...I have much to ponder in regards to the topics of freedom and liberty and the fight to maintain them...

This scripture so resonates with me:

Alma 46

12And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

13And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—

Yet, this Article of Faith begs the question, When do we take up the title of liberty and stop being subjects?

Articles of Faith

12We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Oliver DeMille sends out social leader daily emails. I think he's been studying Democracy in America by Tocqueville lately as there have been frequent quotes from it. Today's message was:

Tocqueville was surprised that Americans did not believe that the federal government had any right whatsoever to intervene in state issues, and indeed he said:

"...among the inhabitants of New England I believe that not a man is to be found who would acknowledge that the state has any right to interfere in their town affairs."

Enough said.

I lament: when did this change? Why did this change? Now mass media portrays people with that mindset as crazy but that is how it should be.

I get periodic emails from LatterDayConservative.com one article was titled, "The Political Pride Cycle and Other Thoughts"

In Ezra Taft Benson's message "The Price of Liberty: Eternal Vigilance", he spoke of a political cycle very much similar to the pride cycle Latter-day Saints are familiar with, from reading the Book of Mormon:

"...Great nations do not usually fall by external aggression; they first erode and decay inwardly, so that, like rotten fruit, they fall of themselves. The history of nations shows that the cycle of the body politic slowly but surely undergoes change. It progresses—"—From bondage to spiritual faith—From spiritual faith to courage—From courage to freedom—From freedom to abundance—From abundance to selfishness—From selfishness to complacency—From complacency to apathy—From apathy to fear—From fear to dependency—From dependency to bondage."

Ezra Taft Benson's message certainly remains true today. 30 and 40 years ago Benson was warning us of the dangers of complacency and apathy. Unfortunately today it seems America, and many other countries, now find themselves in the stages of dependency and bondage. While there is still an illusion of freedom that exists, the hard truth is that the entire system is corrupt, Secret Combinations are prevalent, and Satan has control now to a great extent.

Fortunately for those of us who have chosen to stand up for freedom, the next stage is out of bondage to spiritual faith, and so on into freedom, but we may have many more years of bondage until that point. As W. Cleon Skousen liked to point out, so optimistically, "I read the book, and in the end, we win". I think it's up to each of us to do our part in standing up for Liberty, and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we can be counted among his sheep. Let us not be complacent and apathetic which only leads to further bondage. We know that there are troubling times ahead, individually we can still experience much liberty and joy as we follow Christ. We know that eventually Christ will return, and that the Kingdom of God will be established on this earth. It's better to be found on Christ's side now rather than later when circumstances humble us to do so.

...Brother Skousen spoke ... of the Founding Father's and how in some of their correspondence they spoke of living God's law in America, establishing a system similar to that established by Moses, and that one day this would come to America, but not during the time of the Founder's.

Brother Skousen also mentioned a meeting he attended in which President David O. McKay stated that "our country isn't getting prepared for this great opportunity and it will come in a time of crisis." He told Brother Skousen that the Founder's knew that America would collapse and they also knew how to solve the problem. Brother Skousen finally found these writings from the Founding Fathers and his research eventually became the book "The Majesty of God's Law".

So...what do you think? Where do we go from here? Are you spiritually prepared? I'm not ready. I need to refocus and it begins now.

*I know one of the people in the situation and don't believe the charges to be true. More on the situation found here. Update: Newest news found here and here.

**I changed the title of this, my husband just informed me the formal title (My Struggle) is what Mein Kampf by Hitler means.

A Witness and a Warning

2011-02-24T00:26:00.009-09:00

It's been awhile and I thought I should post something. Often I don't post unless I feel inspired to do so and I do now so (all emphasis mine)...

Read this headline and article today:Gov't drops defense of anti-gay marriage law
Here is a snippet:

WASHINGTON – In a major policy reversal, the Obama administration said Wednesday it will no longer defend the constitutionality of a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage.

Now here is the long version of what I have to say about that (I put the short version on my FB status).

1) Benjamin Franklin said, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

2) Thomas Jefferson said, "virtue is not hereditary."

3) John Adam's said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

4) 2 Nephi 28 (esp. intro and v. 4-5, 14-16)

Many false churches will be built up in the last days—They will teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines—Apostasy will abound because of false teachers—The devil will rage in the hearts of men—He will teach all manner of false doctrines. About 559–545 B.C.

4And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.

5And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;

14They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

15O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

16Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

5) 4 Nephi 1:38

38And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites; and they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their fathers, from the beginning, did dwindle.

6) D & C 68:25-32

25And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

26For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

27And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.

28And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

29And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

30And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord.

31Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.

32These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them;

Now, to expand a little bit. As quoted before, "virtue is not hereditary". Therefore it must be taught. Virtue is not taught in our public school system. We must be vigilant in teaching our children essential principles and not rely on any other organized system to do so properly(including our church). I, and others I know, can tell when a child learns their gospel lessons from their parents and the standard works and when they learn it from other sources (for often inaccuracies are perpetrated in non-KJV scripture based sources). Here is a huge example: The 3 wise men came to see the baby Jesus. The scriptures do not tell how many wise men came and they came to the, "child" in his "home".

Anywho...I digress a bit...while many assume the public school system does not support any particular religious point of view I must point out this:

Humanist Charles F. Potter writes, "Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American school is a school of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday school's meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?" (Charles F. Potter, "Humanism: A New Religion," 1930)

For more on this topic I direct you to my friend Dianna on this matter: Walking to Zion: Rejecting My Enemy

I could go on, but this is getting long so I will bring it back around to the headline that started all of this. Our governmental system has long been on a quest to squash moral and religious thought in many areas. But I want to make this point clear: We cannot legislate sin out of existence. W. Cleon Skousen summarized Cicero thus:

...the essence of an evil law cannot be mended through ratification by the legislature or by popular acclaim. Justice can never be expected from laws arbitrarily passed in violation of standards set up under the laws of Nature or the laws of the Creator.

And finally: ‎"That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still." D&C 88:35

Just thought you should know...in case you didn't already. :)

P.S. I realize that our government not supporting a pro-1man and 1woman marriage law does not make the stance a law in and of itself. By not supporting that law, though, indicates an acceptance of the myriad other forms of relations that the imagination can come up with.

How Communist (or Marxist) Are You? A Quiz.....

2011-01-25T10:59:00.008-09:00

First of all, I wrote this post in response to a fellow bloggers article: Marxism . Be sure to read it. In it she points out that followers of Karl Marx (hence Marxism), who co-authored The Communist Manifesto (hence Communists) have a threefold objective, "1: Destroy our belief in God, 2: Destroy the Family and 3: Destroy Capitalism." If any one of those three points are important to you then please take heed and work toward regaining and preserving the freedoms established by our Founding Fathers. The best way to start is to educate yourself and those in your circle of influence. If you don't know where to start in the educating yourself department I will do a post on that soon but a good place to start is with this list: Out of the Best Books.

A friend once asked me why people (especially LDS people who should know better) are so blinded to the many deceptions and enslaving measures she and I see going on in America today. Besides the desensitizing influence of all media forms and public school there are the traditions of our father's that contribute to the blindness of so many. You will see from the quiz and explanation of it below why I say that. This quiz is so awesome! When I administered it I deleted the first two questions as I did not want to give anything away, I asked those questions after the quiz was completed.

Now for the quiz...

"INTRODUCTION UNNAMED, UNGRADED QUESTIONNAIRE

As a professor in the accounting department, Daddy taught Business Law at BYU for many years. His students were primarily upper division business and accounting majors at BYU, which meant that in most instances they were returned missionaries. My reason for making this observation is that the following explanation by him of the test he gave his students should be of concern for all freedom-loving Americans.

—Hans V. Andersen, Jr.

As a college law teacher, I have made it a practice over the years to give a questionnaire to my students on the first day of class in which they were asked to respond to a number of questions regarding their acceptance or rejection of the proposals contained in the Ten Points of the Communist Manifesto. Of course I did not inform them that they were registering opinions about Communism and the questionnaire revealed that very few had ever read the Communist Manifesto.

Their responses were therefore presumably not colored by any anti-communist bias. The results of the poll might be surprising to some. They revealed that on the average, my students were approximately two-thirds communist in their political beliefs. That is, on an average, they accepted about two-thirds of the Communist program for socializing a capitalist nation. Doubtless, much of the explanation for this apparent discrepancy lies in the fact that people are generally ignorant about Communist practices and methods. They do not realize that the political beliefs they are espousing will lead to the same loss of liberty in America as in Russia. (H. Verlan Andersen, Speech on Socialism, 10/8/79)

(Note: Below is a copy of the questionnaire, referred to above. The percentages to the right show the percent of the students who responded with a “Yes,” or “No.” The “No Response” would be the difference, if any.)

Please place a check mark in the yes or no column or fill in the blanks to indicate your response to the following questions. Do not place your name on your paper.

A.

1. Have you read the Constitution within the last four years?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 39% 60%

2. Have you ever read the Communist Manifesto?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 12% 86%

B.

Do you favor—

1. Graduated tax rates on income?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 55% 43%

2. An unrestricted power in government to tax inheritances?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] 4% 96%

3. A return to the gold and silver standard of the Constitution?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 39% 60%

4. Federal regulation of transportation and communication businesses?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] 54% 46%

5. A system of free public education?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 72% 23%

C.

1. For the purpose of providing for the less fortunate, do you feel government should have the power to

completely equalize all incomes?
Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] 2% 98%

2. If not, do you believe the poor have some claim on government for their subsistence needs?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 55% 43%

D.

1. Should government have the power to prohibit child labor?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 67% 30%

2. Should government have the power to set minimum wages?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 65% 30%

3. Should government have the power to license every economic activity?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 18% 80%

4. Should government be completely without such licensing power?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 13% 82%

5. If you believe in some, but not complete licensing power, indicate three trades, professions, businesses, etc.

which should be licensed:

a) ______________________________________________

b) ______________________________________________

c) ______________________________________________

List three which should not be licensed:

a) ______________________________________________

b) ______________________________________________

c) ______________________________________________

E.

1. Government should have the power to regulate the operation of all economic activities.

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 9% 89%

2. Government should not have the power to regulate any legitimate economic activity.

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 24% 73%

3. If you believe in some, but not complete government regulation, do you feel you could draw a precise line

between those activities which should and should not be regulated?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 17% 79%

4. Government should have the power to set minimum standards for all goods and services.

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 43% 41%

5. If you favor a partial, but not complete set of government standards, name three products or services for which

standards should be set by government:

a) ______________________________________________

b) ______________________________________________

c) ______________________________________________

Name three products or services for which standards should not be set:

a) ______________________________________________

b) ______________________________________________

c) ______________________________________________

F.

1. Should government have the power to bring waste lands into production and engage in soil conservation

programs?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 77% 19%

2. Should government have the power to control natural resources such as rivers, lakes, forests and mineral

deposits?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 78% 19%

3. Should governments sell to private individuals all the land they now own except that which is necessary for

defense and protection of rights?

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 21% 76%

G.

1. I believe that there is a distinct line between those circumstances under which the government should compel

people against their will and those where it should not.

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 48% 47%

2. I believe that the scriptures provide accurate guidance regarding the distinction between good and bad laws.

Yes/Agree [ ] No/Disagree [ ] No response [ ] 81% 14%"

This book on a data cd titled The Works of H. Verlan Andersen from:
http://www.ldshea.org/Bookstore/Catalog%20New%20Products.html

*This quiz with explanation take from The Moral Basis of A Free Society by H. Verlan Andersen. The copy I have was compiled and presented by Hans V. Andersen, JR. On 11/14/2010 I called Mr. Andersen, JR. and obtained permission from his wife, Melody, to copy and distribute this to share with anyone.

Here is a good quote from Ezra Taft Benson for LDS people, "

But many of the prophecies referring to America's preservation are conditional. That is, if we do our duty we can be preserved, and if not then we shall be destroyed. This means that a good deal of the responsibility lies with the priesthood of this Church as to what happens to America and as to how much tragedy can be avoided if we do act now.

And now as to the last neutralizer that the devil uses most effectively-it is simply this: "Don't do anything in the fight for freedom until the Church sets up its own specific program to save the Constitution." This brings us right back to the scripture I opened with today-to those slothful servants who will not do anything until they are "compelled in all things." Maybe the Lord will never set up a specific church program for the purpose of saving the Constitution. Perhaps if he set one up at this time it might split the Church asunder, and perhaps he does not want that to happen yet for not all the wheat and tares are fully ripe." Found it here: http://www.oaknorton.com/ETB-ActivelyEngaged.cfm

I wish I could find it on the official LDS site but could not. Sorry, I just like to have more than one source for verification purposes. There is some other great stuff on the page link too.

Community and Freedom

2010-11-05T12:53:00.001-08:00

An article I recently read begins by asking, "What makes a community a great place to live?"

This is a great question we should all consider. Is it the neatness and conformity the community has or is it the relationships neighbors have built with one another? Is it the high resale values our homes are able to maintain or is it the ability for property owners to use their property in the best way they see fit? Are our communities great because the local police are quick to respond to disputes or is it the ability of the individual neighbors to peaceably work out issues with one another because they have focused on one another's similarities and fostered friendships with each other?

One option is achieved by rules, regulations, rigor, and relevance. The other option fosters freedom.

This begs to ask the questions: What is freedom, how important is freedom, and what am I willing to give/sacrifice to have the level of freedom I feel is best?

Give this article a read The Tyrant Next Door and ponder on these questions.

My Testimony on Government

2010-11-02T13:07:00.001-08:00

"We have to know our stance and Gods teachings on such things, study it out with the spirit, and not allow seeds of persuasion from mere humans become our mantra. I have a firm testimony that bigger government full of bureaucracy, experts, micromanaging rules and regulations, and entitlements are not how Heavenly Father governs. I believe the Founding Fathers of our great country studied broadly and deeply and were inspired by God to establish the checks and balances they did with our Constitution. I know they intended the Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) to be a document of limitations for the Federal Government and the States and Cities, Towns, and ultimately people were meant to have most sway at their most local form of government with a trickle up influence. I bear witness that what our government is doing now is not following their limitations; it is too big and in too much debt. I know those candidates who support "social justice" rules and regulations, redistribution of wealth, and forced charity (like Obama and many democrats) are supporting Satan’s counterfeit for the Gospel. Many of them have replaced a faith in God and standards of true principles with their own brand of "religion" (in part, the green movement) that I'm sure many of them have been deceived into believing they are doing good by. I know much of what is being pushed for laws, etc. is devoid of the true source of charity and love and these popular movements and laws strike at destroying the family. I recognize that many do not see it as they are too focused on entertainment. So I am trying to find and vote for those who say they support smaller government, reductions in spending (if “we the people” have to tighten our belts so should our government), reductions in oversight, moral stances in line with mine, especially strong family values, and reductions in earmarks and entitlements. Murkowski and McAdams don't fit that bill."

My Great Conversation Answers

2010-10-21T21:20:00.003-08:00

Who is responsible for educating? Ultimately it is the individual. Quite simply it is the parent and individual. While children are young the parent needs to be educating their children in: life skills, principles, virtues, good habits, and how to think and learn. The best way for parents to do this is by example. If one wants their child to read then one should read to the child as well as read themselves. If one wants their child to do math then one should demonstrate to the child the day to day arithmetic skills as well as learn stories of mathematicians and try ones hand at various problems while sharing what is learned with the child.

What is school for? Teaching compliant worker skills. Teaching reliance on experts and employers.

What is education for? Etymologically, the word education is derived from educare (Latin) "bring up", which is related to educere "bring out", "bring forth what is within", "bring out potential" and ducere, "to lead". With this derivative in mind education is meant to bring out and enhance the greatness each individual is born with. This type of customization cannot be standardized and regulated.

Are job creation and economic stability really the most important issues of the day? Plainly put, I think reduction of Government spending, regulation and bureaucracy will naturally create a rise in both job creation and economic stability. We should be overhauling the government and reducing the “cultural dependency” on government programs. This starts with education; as the saying goes, “Give a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish he eats for life.” Our educational system is teaching children to be compliant and rely on experts and employers to be successful and those are deficient teachings.

Many politicians (whether they run for Senate or School Board) always claim their best for the job due to “experience”, is experience all its cut out to be or are there more attributes we need to be looking for? Experience shows me that our governmental system is in a expansion is the answer rut. It’s top heavy and growing worse. This is the experience most career politicians have and there needs to be an injection of ideas and solutions that lie outside the box of accepted experience. This can often come from those who are not part of the “good ol’boy” system. Experience and accreditation stem from the “expert” mentality that prevents those outside the system from being acknowledged.

Great Conversation Questions

2010-10-17T10:55:00.003-08:00

Who is responsible for educating?

What is school for? What is education for? Are they the same?

Are job creation and economic stability really the most important issues of the day?

Many politicians (whether they run for Senate or School Board) always claim their best for the job due to “experience”, is experience all its cut out to be or are there more attributes we should be looking for?

I’ll let you think on these things and answer for yourself before I submit my conclusions. I’d love it if answers were posted to my comment section so we could have a "great conversation".

The More I Read, Study and Learn......

2010-10-16T23:15:00.003-08:00

1) The more I realize I don't know much.

2) The more I wish I didn't know.

3) The more I know there is a vast conspiracy that is headed by Satan and it is designed to decimate the family.

How I wish others would do as I'm doing rather then entertain their lives into oblivion. Apathy, entitlement, laziness, irresponsibility, mediocrity - these attitudes are everywhere. I must be a mother who knows, I must go and do and teach, I must be strong and kneel, I must pray as if everything depends on my Father in Heaven and go forth as if everything depends on me...

So often I feel weak and helpless, like a failure...alone...

I can do this!

Right?

Homeschool Fun and Ideas

2010-10-04T15:56:00.004-08:00

What a great idea Heavenly Father inspired me with today for our free/learning time! I just had to share. Today I told the kids to figure out something they wanted to teach me. They were very excited and I learned about their digging project (how they will have tunnels and why), their mini fire pit, dog food (it has fiber) and why dogs like it, money: different kinds what the coins are worth and that they have Presidents faces on them (we will research further to find out which ones), how to make whistles out of straws, and how they turned their bikes over to use the wheels to help them make kindling. They really enjoyed sharing their knowledge and I think this will be a good thing to do with them periodically.

Also I've done a vairation of the bean jar. Ours is a warm fuzzy jar and we will fill it once. There are different size fuzzies and the larger ones are for good deeds and service. The smallest ones are for use of the "free time" jar (free time is our "school" time). We are still in detox mode and the kids struggle to find approved free time activities. Rather then me telling them and they always say no to my suggestions; I decided to type up the ideas and put them in a jar. They love it, and if they complete a suggestion they get to put a small fuzzy into the warm fuzzy jar. Some stips suggestions are:

-Learn about Seas and Oceans

-Do a copywork lesson

-Play Scrabble

-Practice a memorization with mom

-Map Alaska city's we want to visit

-Learn about a Hymn

-Practice Sewing

-Mentor (sibling name) in her numbers

-Use gospel art kit to learn about an artist

-Listen to classical music

-Grow some crystals

-Read a history of church in Alaska article

-Learn about a president of the USA

Some ideas I want the kids to do more so I simply made more suggestion strips with those ideas. To make the list I looked around at all the educational stuff we had and asked myself what they could learn from it then wrote it up in a suggestion statement. I also looked at the grade level suggestions our homeschool program listed and wrote those up (although I have many more to write up). I color coded the lists (but did not tell my kids I did so, we'll see how long it takes for them to figure that out) and my catagories are: Math, Science, Art, Music, Reading, History, Geography, Scripture, Writing, and Other (this includes skills and mentoring suggestions).

We are "The Overseers of Freedom"

2010-09-17T10:16:00.002-08:00

‎"Societies where the regular people aren’t allowed to read or comment on the laws are Totalitarian, Authoritarian, Dictatorial or Communistic.

Societies where the regular people are allowed to read and comment on the government and law, but instead decide to leave it to others, most often adopt aristocracy or socialism.

Freedom only lasts in societies where regular citizens:
- read government documents, think about and discuss them
- do something to change them when needed
- teach their children to do the same."

Think about it, where is our society now? Is it the kind of society you want to live in? Do you want this for your children and grandchildren?

This quote taken from Oliver DeMille

http://www.thesocialleader.com/2010/09/destroy-constitution-overseers-freedom/

What are you going to do to make a difference?

Keep in mind we need to begin with ourselves and Benjamin Franklin said, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom." I'm starting with educating myself and family and trying to apply our beliefs in our everyday lives more than we have before. For example we believe in the word of wisdom and are working on adjusting our diet to be more in line with it, also I am learning to rely on homeopathic methods to treat issues that we would normaly go to a doctor for. In a broader sense I am going as local in my community as I can get, I'm joining my local Road Commission, forming book clubs for children and adults in our subdivision, and really getting to know all my immediate neighbors. As I try to be a light through example I hope those around me will see it and want to know more. Then I can share the added light and knowledge I have gained (through study, prayer, trial and error) with those interested and that is how one person can make a difference.

Did you know that this week is Constitution Week? Familiarize yourself and children with it and if you haven't already this week is perfect for starting that! Here is the link for the online text of it: http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/print_friendly.html?page=constitution_transcript_content.html&title=The%20Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States%3A%20A%20Transcription

On Parenting, Education, and God

2010-08-22T16:25:00.007-08:00

Over the past few weeks I have thought a lot about my role as a parent, especially in relation to teaching my children. I keep searching for more "how to" information for my homeschooling toolbox. During this time it has come to the front of my attention that God did not give my children to:

The United States of America
The President of the United States of America
The State in which we live

He didn’t even give them to..

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Bishop or Stake President
Not even my childrens Sunday school teachers…

Especially not the Department of Education. :)

No, He gave them to my husband and me and we have the ultimate authority and responsibility to educate our children in the way we see fit under Gods inspiration, he knows the tools I need. That is an awesome duty and I take it seriously. I have the Gift of the Holy Ghost and a direct line to the ultimate educational expert for my children through prayer. I believe he has put me on the path to this conclusion.

When my husband and I married 9 years ago we briefly looked into homeschooling. Some years later, due to circumstaces in our life at the time, our oldest two did Headstart and public school; this was the path lit by a star. The oldest child did 2 years of each, the second 1 year of each with a 1 year break in between. During the 1 year break I was blessed to participate in a play group which led me to TJ Ed. The first tool to add to my education toolbox. It took 2 more years before I jumped off the conveyor belt and tried TJ Ed at home.

Now I have done 1 year of homeschooling and have been led further along the path of enlightenment in reguards to educating my children. I was led to The Headgate which showed me how to impliment counsel from Latter-Day Prophets and leaders. It, along with TJ Ed lit my path as if with the full moon. The headgate helped me out of socially accepted norms that had blinded me with darkness. It gave me permission, so to speak, to let go of and get rid of much junk (physical and mental) that was keeping me from fulfilling my parental duties in the Best way. I learned of Charlotte Mason which provided me with additional tools to assist me in educating my children, especially on teaching good habits, nature studies, and being hopefully expectant. I have learned to stop looking for "permission" to do what I feel inspired to do. I have also learned to be open and honest and not equivicate when communicating my beliefs and actions. It is so liberating to not be bound down by the worlds political correctness and expectations!

All this has culminated in learning of the DVD by Michelle Stone called Celestial Education. In it she was able to put words to the impressions I have had of late in reguards to educating my children and shine a light into my toolbox on tools I've had from the beginning. God has led me to this line upon line and precept upon precept. A celestial education is the message, the sunlit path, and now I can stop my searching for more homeschooling "How To" tools. I now know I have all the tools I need to educate my children in the Best way possible. I always knew this deep down but didn't recognize it, my toolbox is complete and God holds the key to it. I need only to search, ponder and pray for him to guide me to what tools I need to use... or make.

P.S. I thought about adding all sorts of quotes but I wanted to get this posted... it's long enough.

Leadership Principles: Know your purpose, be calm, don’t equivocate, have integrity

2010-07-30T17:26:00.002-08:00

I recently had an experience that has provided a great living story to illustrate leadership principles. I went to Sams club, it was a busy time, and I was strictly going to get a quick lunch for the kids and me. So with that purpose in mind rather than go the long roundabout way to get to the food court line I cut across the exit line to get to my destination. As there was a long backup of people leaving with their goods I of course had to say, “Excuse me” to get past the line to my destination. One lady was particularly perturbed by this and said, “You’re going the wrong way!” (this was said in an under her breath type way). To which I loudly but calmly replied, “No, this is the right way for my purposes” as I continued on my way. As I’ve pondered this experience I realized several things:

- We need to know where we are going and the best route to our destination and not allow others (which may be the majority) to deter us from our purpose.

- Not all people go with the flow and just because someone is not going with the flow doesn’t mean they are wrong. In the above instance there was no “One Way” sign posted and the way I went was the quickest and best route to get to returns, the food court, and the bathrooms.

- As principled leaders we will be questioned and accused of being wrong. We need to be calm, stick to the point (not equivocate), and speak our points with integrity.

- Standing up for yourself when faced with adversity is uplifting and it can be as simple as a calm statement of truth.

(The only thing I would have perhaps done differently would be to have looked at the lady who said I was going the wrong way but there were so many people present and she was behind me when she said it so I had no idea who it was.)

So, in conclusion, as we are faced with opposition in our efforts to be principled leaders we will need to know our purpose, face the offenders, calmly and simply state the truth of the matter, and move on. I read this* article last night that perfectly applies to this topic. Even if you are not a member of the LDS church the principles gleaned from the article make it worth reading. I leave you with a quote from it, “If we want to be respected today for who we are, then we need to act confidently - secure in the knowledge of who we are and what we stand for (p.47).”

*Article is Sharing the Gospel with Confidence by M. Russell Ballard Ensign July 2010 p. 45-51.

Bigotry vs. Integrity

2010-07-30T17:10:00.003-08:00

I’ve been looking for a better word to describe what the left often refers to as bigotry in my character. It is integrity.

Bigot: intolerant person: somebody with strong opinions, especially on politics, religion, or ethnicity, who refuses to accept different views

Integrity: 1. possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards

Okay, true, I do refuse to accept different views in some areas, that is my unalienable right. But I will listen to and even accept and love people themselves who’s views differ from mine. We need not recognize the negative term to define our steadfastness to true principles. “A person of integrity does not cover sins in order to look good to the outside world*.” I believe the term bigot it often misapplied to people of integrity and I plan to correct that misnomer every time I am faced with it. I challenge you to do the same.

* The Eternal Importance of Honesty by Richard J. Maynes Ensign April 2010 p.38-42.

My Guiding Statement of Purpose

2010-06-30T09:57:00.006-08:00

I pledge to be a mother who knows, teach my children from the Best books, and question social norms.

I will lay the foundation of faith in God daily thru personal and family study of our personal canon, the scriptures. This will strengthen the framework of family which is the basic whole unit of society (the cultivated person it’s parts). I will educate myself and those in my circle of influence out of classics not textbooks including founding documents and the works our founders studied. My desire is to seek to inspire through example, Gods creations (nature), and closing headgates to those things/activities not in line with true ideals. In our time of easy entertainment, quick fixes, unearned entitlement, lack of self-control, extended childhood, encouraged mediocrity, and wasteful consumerism I will question what I see being accepted and embraced by those nourished with the mind junk food surrounding us. My children will be nourished by whole truth, learn the value of work as they grow into young men and young women (not teenagers), and bloom into strong leaders for future generations.

This was originally published as: My Founders Keepers Pledge

Headgate Update

2010-06-25T09:48:00.003-08:00

I just wanted to share how implementing some of the Headgate tips into our lives has worked. The past few days we have been working on purging the living room. We are nearly done and it is beautiful! There is so much less stuff and it is nice to relax in it. Last night my husband said Thanks for working so much to purge our home.

Also, I explained to my two oldest (age 7 & 8) about the Headgate. I showed them this picture and told them they are like the water and I am the farmer. I want what is best for them and I open and close the headgates to guide them where they need to be. You know what I have discovered? If I have to close the headgate on something (for example: they can only play with friends at our house) they do not argue! They just accept it!

So purging and teaching my children the concept of closing the headgate has been a great addition to our family! Yeah!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, All of my children look at books much more now then they did before. My oldest (daughter) has quickly moved from to core to love of learning and is reading chapter books like crazy. My son is now frequently telling me he wants to know how to read. We work on it a little but I want him to really beg me for it because when we do work on it he's not focused. He needs to want it more. But I am confident it will come. Good times, good times!

Question Social Norms: Organized Sports

2010-06-21T14:29:00.008-08:00

Is participation in or viewing organized sports the best thing for me and my family?
Many of the youth sports out there now take 4 or more nights a week with practice and games during the season. Several sports have events on Sundays and Monday nights (an issue for those of the LDS faith). Additionally, what was once a good forum for motivation to excell is trending away as many sport leagues are turning away from keeping score out of “fairness”. Besides most people passively participate in sports by watching them. Yes, they can be good for physical health but so are other numerous physical activities that are more conducive to nurturing the family relationships. As the *family is the basic unit of society it is my conviction that the more we nurture those relationships the better our society will become. The more time we spend at home (or in nature) together working, learning, and discussing the stronger our bonds will be. So where do we draw the line?

In the case of this topic here are some questions to ask youself:

· Is the time spent on this sporting event dividing my family for extended periods of time during the week?

· Does the schedule conflict with regularly scheduled spiritual or nurturing time such as church, FHE, dinner, or just time when parents and children are not at school and work?

· Is it stressful to me or others in my family to adhere to the schedule (are we always rushing or eating out because of it)?

· Do I find myself (or others) in my family neglecting responsibilities (such as work, chores, education, quality time with those in need) in favor of this sport?

· Is this what is BEST for us?

Some suggestions for family friendly exercise are:

· Swimming
· Bike riding
· Running or walking
· Going on hikes
· Taking a class together (like yoga or a martial art)
· Informal family/extended family/friends sporting contests (for example my extended family has done kick ball and track and field games/races so far this summer. Many run/walks have also been planned in various locals such as along rivers and in Denali Park.)

What about other commonly accepted activities like TV/movie viewing, video games, book clubs, internet, iPod, cell phone etc?
Apply the same questions and suggestions above to this question.

More points to ponder:

*The very medium TV uses (not just the actual programs) "desensitizes the centers in the brain responsible for receiving and processing visual information... the longer children sit in front of their TVs, the longer it takes before they snap out of a state of reduced neocortical control, and the more likely it is that their behavior will be influenced by the material they have been viewing (Teaching the Restless by Mercogliano p.174-5)." So think: hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and aggression. Also, since video games and internet are delivered simiularly this research could apply to them.

*Is the book club you are participating in using quality books "where the reader is profoundly moved, changed, or significantly improved by (the) reading experience (A Thomas Jefferson Education by DeMille p.66)." Or is it just twaddle as Charlotte Mason calls mind candy.

*In speaking of the youth Julie B. Beck said, "They...have insufficient and underdeveloped social skills... They all have cell phones... and they all have an e-mail address. They're getting increasingly adept at talking to somebody 50 miles away and less and less able to carry on conversations with people in the same room. That makes it difficult for them to socialize with each other." Sure cell phones are good for some things but they can quickly become a toy that sucks time away from us doing the best things.

Finally some questions I think all posts in this series should end with: Are my pursuits nurturing excellence or mediocrity? Am I performing to the level of my knowledge?

*I know now days there are many definitions of family but for the sake of understanding in my posts I define a basic family as God designed it: one husband, one wife, and their children.

FYI: Question Social Norms...and listen to the Spirit

2010-06-16T06:21:00.007-08:00

I will continue the Question Social Norms Series but my daughter (youngest girl: Pigglet) broke my laptop screen which had that file so I get to start over or wait to get the file from the computer tech. See, another instance where I didn't listen to the promptings of the spirit! When I started this series I thought I should put my next nearly complete post on my blog and just not publish it - I said to myself, "No, I want to write it out completly in Word first, then publish it." Sigh, God's ways are not our ways! If I had only listened! Reminds me of an experience with my son we had last week.

We went for a bike ride, to get to the trail we have to cross a major road. My son (Tigger) thought the road was clear but really a vehicle was coming in the far lane. He started across and I had to yell at him to, "Stop!!!" 6 times before he did, by then he was halfway across the nearest lane. Scary! He was very upset but it did serve as a great teaching opportunity. I told him he needed to learn to listen to me and obey the first time. He needs to practice it on the little things like when I tell him to put his shoes in the entry or throw a piece of trash away. If he learns to "Obey the first time" with the little things it will become a habit so when Big things come along he will be safe. So now when he (or any of the children) has trouble doing what we've told them to do we remind them with our new motto: Obey the First Time. I need to thank some fellow bloggers who planted the seed to check out Charlotte Mason as it was through my limited reading of her writtings that I had the idea in the first place! She teaches about habits and how to teach them to our children; I need to study more but just that idea helped me in that situation.

Back to listening to the spirit... so the above story just reminds me that we need to do the same thing with the spirit. Learn to recognize it first of all! So maybe if you have a random thought to do something that is not what you would normaly do it is the spirit. I've heard it said that we should follow through with any good thought as a way to practice following the spirit. Since we know that Gods ways are not mans ways even a thought of doing something differently than normal can be considered a "good thought".

Just some ramblings thoughts I wanted to share! Hope it wasn't too rambly for you! :)

Hey, wait a tic! I just realized (as I was previewing this) that it was the spirit that reminded me of what I learned about Habits from Charlotte Mason in the bike lesson incident! See how learning from the best books and listening to the spirit can help us!

Question Social Norms Series

2010-06-12T21:05:00.005-08:00

In our day too many people are mislead in what they question: What are right/wrong, true/false, good/bad, faith in God. I propose we change the direction of our questions. I say question all the accepted social norms. We need to look around us and ask:

• Why do I have all this stuff? Do I really need it? Is it to keep up with the Joneses? Do I have to have it now? Is this worth the debt? Am I filling up the landfills needlessly with junk on a regular basis?

• Is it to entertain me? Why do I need to be entertained? What is the difference between entertainment and leisure?

• Do I need a new vehicle every few years? Why is it expected that everyone have a TV, a cell phone, or you fill in the blank?

• Are meat and beans the only source of protein? Is milk the only source of calcium? What is actually in the food I eat?

• Are all these educational toys really developing my child’s brain? What is truly Best for their immaginations?

• Why is public schooling the accepted social norm? What was education like 200 years ago? What is the purpose of education? Is it for job training or knowledge? Is it to know what to think, when to think, or how to think? Which way strengthens freedom most?

• Is participation in or viewing organized sports the best thing for me and my family? What about other commonly accepted activities like TV/movie viewing, book clubs, internet, etc? Are my pursuits nurturing excellence or mediocrity?

• Do you truly feel like an adult now? 200 years ago did adults say, “I still feel like I’m in high school!”? What is childhood for? Do I want my children to be teenagers or young adults?

• How much of my life am I really free? Am I tied down to my job because of debt? Am I free to hunt, fish, garden, farm, raise livestock, or gather and burn wood to provide for my family or do I need a permit (permission) first?

• What is really our greatest societal ill? Is it Capitalism? Is it lack of health care? Is it the Environment? Is it faith?

I say our media sure does a good job of convincing us on specific ideas don’t they; has it ever occurred to you to verify what the media feeds you ? Just like food, is it real or is it fake? Ask yourself why you are doing it, buying it, using it, believing it and so forth.

I’m going to start commenting and elaborating on each bulleted question group. These questions have come about through much reading and pondering. I’m deeply exploring this topic because I believe that, “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children” and we need to be choosing the Best in everything to guide them. I believe this list of questions can help us filter out the bad from the good to the best. I also believe that questioning social norms and traditions will be a hard challenge as it opens our eyes to how much Babylon is within us (yes, even as faithful Latter-Day Saints). But only through seeing this truth can we get out of Babylon and make ourselves and homes Holy sanctuaries from the world.

The Truth of Simplicity

2010-05-21T12:59:00.004-08:00

As I have been studying various topics of interest I have seen a pattern of truth emerge. It started by reading The Headgate which spoke of simplifying our homes by getting rid of the excess stuff we all have.

The “enriching home environment is not difficult to create. A home of this nature has nothing unique in it that any other good home does not have. But I think you will find that the difference between this sort of home and many other good homes is found in the things that it does not have.”

Then I started to read a book called Disease-Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right about what the average americans diet consists of and what it should consist of to provide good health.

“Modern societies live mostly on processed foods. These foods have been developed to meet the requirements of mass production, shelf life, economics, and taste acceptance. These “fake foods” no longer resemble in any way the nutritional characteristics of real food made by nature (p.7). “
“Though many think that disease is the result of genetics or bad fortune, the reality is that for the vast majority, we will get what we have earned. Our body is formed from the foods we have consumed in our life. A body made from refined foods, white flour, oils, sugar, and other highly processed “fake” food develops into a sickly human, with allergies and autoimmune diseases…(p.8)”
“Americans eat only 5 percent of calories from fruits, vegetables, beans, and unprocessed nuts and seeds, the foods that contain the necessary nutrients to maintain normal health (p.12).”

In spiritual matters the standard answers to what we should do daily to promote spiritual heath are: pray, study scriptures, and emulate Jesus Christ (What would Jesus Do?/Choose the Right).

“Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).”
“Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name (3 Nephi 18:19).”
“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work (D & C 10:5).”
“We should each study the scriptures every day. We should share these truths with our children. We should read the standard works with our children so they will learn to love them and use them for the truths they contain.
If we desire to avoid the evils of this world, we must feed our minds with the truth and righteousness found in the scriptures (Gospel Principles p.49).”
“Studying the scriptures, praying regularly, and living the gospel of Jesus Christ are works of righteousness, and the Lord has revealed this wonderful promise: ‘He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come’ (Things Pertaining to Righteousness).”

Finally, my husband works at a gold mine so I have thought about gold as well lately. The more refined and pure gold has less dross.

Main Entry: dross
Pronunciation: \ˈdräs, ˈdrȯs\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English dros, from Old English drōs dregs
Date: before 12th century
1 : the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal
2 : waste or foreign matter : IMPURITY
3 : something that is base, trivial, or inferior
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dross

In all these examples of simplicity, whole/real, basics, and refining the pattern of truth is revealed. Less is more, we need to get rid of the dross in our all areas of our lives to live meaningful, healthy, joyful, real, pure lives and stop living in the fake constructs of our society. This is the path to true freedom.

Just so you know…. I have a long way to go! Hope you will join me on this journey!

The Headgate

2010-05-19T08:55:00.005-08:00

A lot of great conversation has been going on in TJ Ed blog world lately. A recent free e-book came out called The Headgate, which provides ideas and reasons for closing paths we don't want our children going down (I would add ourselves as we need to teach by example). I have read it 1 1/3 times and I have read all the thoughts on it from several great blogs: The Tale of Our Quest and The Lazy Organizer. Another blog I follow has started analyzing various things and activities we do in a Tool or Toy format. Can I just say AWESOME ideas! I am s-l-o-w-l-y,
I repeat S-L-O-W-L-Y,
starting to implement some of the ideas and I am happy. I know upon first reading many people will think this information is extreme. But if you ponder it and compare it with teachings from some of the following articles, I’m sure you will find much of this material rings true too.

Mothers Who Know

Good, Better, Best

Your Refined Heavenly Home

Zion in the midst of Babylon

Watching with All Perseverance

Marinated Mediterranean Salad

2010-04-04T16:32:00.002-08:00

Must Have Ingredients

- Mesculin mix greens, lettuce, spinach or any variation thereof
- Marinated Mushrooms (chopped)
- Marinated Artichokes (chopped)
- Mediterranean Queen Olives stuffed with garlic (chopped)
- Black forest ham (chopped)
- Capicola ham (chopped)
- Peperoncini (Deli-sliced)

Use desired amounts to make the size salad you want. For dressing I just drizzled some of the mushroom marinade and peperoncini juice and it was perfect.

The salad pictured above is a vegan version with fresh tomatoes and cucumber added.

The salad pictured at top has the two ham’s and Mediterranean feta crumbles added.

The first time I made this only the Must Have ingredients were in it. The second version (pictured) was good but I think it would be better to replace the fresh tomatoes with sun-dried ones and omit the feta.

Gotta Weigh In Here

2010-01-23T15:00:00.004-09:00

A friend of mine has put some comments on Facebook about abortion lately. I've submitted a comment, gotten a response to it and now have more to say. So rather than do it on Facebook I will do it here.

My friend was celebrating the fact that one of her children’s friends just had a birthday on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and that this friend was adopted instead of the mother choosing abortion. What prompted my initial response was someone had pointed out to her that the woman had the CHOICE. Below are the results of a pro-abortion survey (http://www.holysmoke.org/fem/fem0543.htm). This survey is old but this article gives more current support to it.

Reasons given by women for having abortions. (1987 survey by Alan Guttmacher Institute Table 1)

Concerned about how having a baby could change her life 76%
Can't afford baby now 68%
Problems with relationship or wants to avoid single parenthood 51%
Unready for responsibility 31%
Doesn't want others to know she has had sex or is pregnant 31%
Not mature enough, or is too young to have a child 30%
Has all the children she wanted, or has all grown-up children 26%
Husband or partner wants the abortion to happen23%
Fetus has possible health problem 7%
Parents want her to have abortion 7%
Victim of rape or incest 1%
Other 6%

Most of the reasons involve convenience/selfishness, are they really worthy reasons to chose to kill a baby? The common reasons pro-abortionists use to justify abortion are in the bottom 4 reasons on this survey. At what point does a human “fetus” become a human being? It is ridiculous to say that a baby of 34 weeks gestation can be killed by abortion because a woman chose it but one who is born naturally at 34 weeks cannot be “aborted” the next day if the woman chose it. What’s the difference? As long as the head remains inside the woman murder is okay? The expected and natural consequence of sex is pregnancy (creation of life). If a woman (or man) doesn't want that there are other ways to CHOSE not to get pregnant in the first place and avoid the murderous CHOICE of abortion not to mention the adoption choice as well.

I then received a comment, "i don't believe anyone is "pro" abortion". Here is my response to that. No matter how much perfume you pour into the outhouse it's still an outhouse and it still stinks! Partial-birth abortion and intact dilation and extraction are the SAME thing (murder of a human being). One phrase just doesn't sound as bad as the other. People don’t hear the term pro-choice and think, “Oh, that person is for letting people chose their healthcare plan (or to not have health insurance if they decide).” They don’t see a pro-choice bumper sticker and say, “That person is all for taxing the uber rich to better distribute money to the poor so they can pay for college.” If a person claims to be pro-choice everyone knows it means they think abortion (murder of a baby) is okay. But if a person chooses to collect guns or use wood burning as a means of heating their home many of the same people who tout a woman’s right to chose will shout and holler and try to regulate that persons choice to own a gun or burn wood. One is choosing murder the other self-sufficiency.

Then of course there is the pro-abortion argument that pro-lifers only support teaching of abstinence and not contraceptive use and vice versa (I think both should be taught). This leads into a whole conversation about how abstinence needs to be taught with the foundation of absolute moral principles which are non-existent in the public school system (replaced by moral relativism)due to the misconstrued claim of separation of church and state and political correctness. When only one side of the coin is shown/taught there really is no freedom of choice. Now that's not to say parents have no responsibility here but....I could go on and on but here ends my tale... for now.

Out of the Best Books

2010-01-10T01:19:00.005-09:00

I have read a lot of books since embarking on the TJ Ed path. I often mention various reads to friends and family. My mom asked me to write her a list so here it is. Below are my top picks, I hope you will give them a go this year.

A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille
This is what started me on a wonderful world of discovery and true education.

The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights for USA
Face it, most of us do not truly know what our rights are and what our Governments role is meant to be. Freedom isn’t really free. If we don’t pay the price of even knowing the basics of the ultimate law of our land then we won’t know when that law is being broken and which freedoms are falling away with each break. If, as you read it, you think – this doesn’t apply to us now try to think of a similar situation that is going on now. You will be surprised. We did this method with the Declaration of Independence in my book club and barely got through the first 1/3 of it in a 3 hour discussion.

The 5000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen
About the ideas the Founding Fathers used in formulating the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Easy Read.

Dumbing Us Down By John Taylor Gatto
A compilation of speeches this award winning teacher has given at vairous events. Enlightens readers to the weaknesses of our public school system.

Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto
A much deeper look into the public school system and how it extends childhood and has nutured a society of consumers and worker drones.

Teaching the Restless by Chris Mercogliano
If you public school and are told “your child needs evaluated and drugged to improve their behavior” this is a must read.

The Great Conversation from the Encyclopedia Britianica’s Great Books of the Western World series
The Great Books of the Western World is a fantastic compilation of classic sources for studying history, philosphy, science, math, etc. This book introduces to readers why they should take the time to study from this series. It was originaly writen around 1952 yet, given our current political and social climate, it sounds like it was writen within the past few years.

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
This is completely in line with my religious beliefs and serves as a great reminder of how much the wife and mother of the home really sets the mood and tone of the home and how she can improve on it.

Animal Farm by George Orwell
Think of our governmental system today while reading this and you will know why I recommend it.

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Insightful and clever way to open the readers eyes to how Satan works to destroy us.

The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
Nature of Good and Bad in a way I had never thought of before. Very eye opening. In fact I need to read it again. Now that I have so much more enlightenment from others sources I’m sure this book will be illuminated even more…. Hmmm… off I go to find it! ( references to light inspired by The Allegory of the Cave found in Platos The Republic book 7)

P.S. Try Abebooks.com for very inexpensive used books.

Change and Glenn Beck's Plan

2009-11-23T13:41:00.000-09:00

Glenn Beck - Current Events & Politics - Glenn Beck: The Plan

From what I read it sounds very much in line with what my husband and I are already trying to do with our family. Educating ourselves in classics and self-sufficiency. I really believe our society is too dependent. Entitlement, entertainment, instant gratification permeate our lives. Without principles and wisdom drawn from our own knowledge sources and an ability to do more for ourselves rather then rely on others for our basic needs we "have no teeth" with which to fight for our visibly fading freedoms. The fading away of our freedoms has not happened quickly but is now manifesting itself so much so that it seems sudden. This is something TJ Ed has led me to, a waking up. A desire to know, think, and be more. An urgency to teach my children "out of the best books". Longing for a return to self-sufficient days where people knew how to cultivate, garden, hunt, raise livestock, preserve, sew, etc. I feel a call to return to basics in all aspects of life. We, as a whole, through loosing knowledge have lost our teeth. The good news is we can find our teeth through filling our knowledge reservoir, modeling it ourselves, and sharing it freely. Our quest to regain freedom as our Founding Fathers envisioned us having will take time, hard work, and responsibility. We did not remember their cause. We wondered off the path. Now there is a deadly forest closing in on us (Messenger by Louis Lowery). The change can only begin to happen with each of us individually.

I love what TJ Ed has done for me.

2009-11-13T23:28:00.001-09:00

It has encouraged me to continue on my path to education and wisdom. It’s like my mind is a giant vault that has been locked up by public school training. As I read and re-read all kinds of books, articles, essays, etc. there is that little click of the cam. One day all the little cam’s will fall into place and I look foreward to what will be revealed…maybe.

Classics and Zombies

2009-11-05T19:00:00.003-09:00

Went to Sam’s club today and browsed the book section with Kanga. A book cover caught her eye and she showed me. It was a zombie lady. I saw the title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. What?! I thought. I then glanced at the author: Jane Austen and Seth Grabame-Smith. What in the world?! My mind shouted. So, of course, I read the summary on the back. The final sentence said, “Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you’d actually want to read.” I was floored, stupified, and disgusted. Now, I like a good classic and enjoy mind candy once in awhile too but, each on their own merits.

What is with our Media today? Dumbing down a masterpiece of literature and telling people that now it is something they will want to read. Telling them that anything “good” and worth their time has to be filled with gore, sex and/or watered down. Striving for excellence is rarely emphasized. Instead mediocrity is the norm. The growing popularity of horror, You fill in the blank for Dummies, and sex as “art” to sell products reveals a dissatisfaction with life, acceptance of laziness, and absence of true creativity. What does that tell you about our society? I asked my husband this and he said, “That we’re going backwards.” I agree, I think it is an indicator of something we don’t want as a societal trend. For me, homeschooling and revealing to my circle of influence these observations and the fact that absolute principles need to be taught and reiterated are a start to correcting this disturbing drift.

Horror desensitizes.
Dumbing Down robs us of freedom.
Sex is not art, it is sacred.
Life is a gift.
Laziness should not be glorified.

...Creativity inspires, not requires. :)

Note of Gratitude

2009-10-26T23:09:00.005-08:00

Last week as we were heading into town a dump truck heading the opposite way had an unsecured load of rocks and gravel that came tumbling out. Rocks hit our vehicle and three others. Glass sprayed us clear to the back row. I had to pick glass off my baby's head and eyelid. Thankfully,the guy was caught. His insurance came out last Friday to assess the damage. This morning he called to tell us what they will pay us for the damage.

Now... our van is a 1986 GMC Safari. It has over 200,000 miles on it. The back doors won't open, the driver handle is broken, you can't open the sliding door from the inside, the front grill is broken, and the heater is run by toggle switches. She is an OOOLLLDDD lady! It is a miracle and a blessing that she continues to work for us. We knew it was time to retire her and so a few days before the accident happened we had started the paperwork to close on a new van for our family. I have the paperwork from the dealer to send back tomorrow in fact. The dealer already has the money from the bank and we should get it the beginning of November.

So, what was at first looked at as a bad trial God turned into a huge blessing. Miracle of miracles, the insurance is sending us a check for over $1300! We know this is a blessing! Heavenly Father is so good to us! When I think of all he has blessed us with this year I am overwhelmed! I know I need to express my gratitude more. And so I post this note of gratitude.

Book Making Software

2009-10-18T19:03:00.005-08:00

Okay, my sister told me about this free program you can download (http://www.blurb.com/)to make a book out of your pictures. You can submit it to publish and have a soft or hard bound book made. I was excited to check it out so I have. This is so awesome! I downloaded it Friday night and have already input all my 2009 pictures to date and half of 2008. I have also started a homeschool yearbook and a cookbook as it has templates for more than just a photo album. I am just so excited about this program as I can use it to turn my blog into a book and I can have the kids create their own books as you don't have to "Publish" it to print. In fact it is encouraged to print it out first before ordering your book so I am going to show the kids how they can make their own books and we can just laminate them. I also checked out their prices to print and I think they are reasonable (http://www.blurb.com/create/book/pricing#standard-portrait). Can't wait to order my first one!

A Good Homeschooling Day (Tue.Oct.6th)

2009-10-07T14:58:00.005-08:00

First I had personal prayer and scripture study (I think this was key in making it all work), then I read 1 chapter in The Great Conversation from my new Encyclopedia Britannica Great Books collection. Kanga (oldest girl) and I swept the floors. Then we had breakfast (saving some so my hubbie could have it next morning before work (he leaves at 5:30am when on day shift) and listened to Aesop’s: The Fox and the Grapes . Then kids got dressed and ready for the day, vacuumed the entry, then we officially began learning.

-Kanga read the Primary 2009 t heme (from our church) 3 times and we talked about it a little.
-Outloud read: Little House on the Prairie ch 1.
-Tigger looked at some K readers during the trip to archery.
-Driving game: Find the letter in alphabetical order. They each took turns saying what the next letter was once we found one. On the way to lessons we got to Q, on the way home it took a long time before we finally found Q. We were anxious that we would not find Z at the end but on one of the mailboxes by our house we found one! Whew! That was exciting!
-Went to furniture store to look at shelves and grocery store during Archery.
-Visited my sister to see new baby, oh and got to see another sister who was there too. :)
-Read from E.D.Hirsch What Your 1st Grade r Needs To Know p.180-1(Art) Cave Art (p.112).
-Read 1 ch. From Boxcar Children book 1 (I loved this book as a child). Today the kids were totally captivated and I read 3 chapters!
-Played cave man and did cave drawings (Monday they cleaned out the under-the-stairs closet and pretended it was a cave, so yesterday I lined the closet walls and ceiling with paper and told them to have at it with cave art).

-Listened to Hans C. Andersons: The Princess and the Pea, The Saucy Boy, and The Butterfly.
-Looked at pictures on the internet of: Indians, Eskimo, Papoose and video of ice calving (to hear it). All this was prompted from reading out of Little House on the Prairie.
-Put clean laundry in rooms they belong (but not actually put away).

All in all I felt like it was a really productive day! When hubbie got home I talked and talked about our day, usually I’m not very talkative, especially if I feel the day didn’t go too well.

Thanks to LibriVox for the audio recordings and thanks to In The TJED Trenches for revealing LibriVox! It is an awesome resource!

P.S. Yes, I did vote via Absentee Ballot last week. :)

Vote Oct.6th

2009-10-04T22:38:00.002-08:00

This tuesday is election day for borough mayor, etc. I thought I would encourage you to vote and give links to educate yourself on the ballot measures.

http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/ClerksOffice/Elections/RegularElections/2009/

In case your like me and don't get the paper or watch the news so aren't really sure what the canidates stand for the following list is who the Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition endorses.

Borough Mayor
Tamara Wilson

Borough Assembly Seat A
Matthew Want

Borough Assembly Seat F
Joshua Lott

Borough Assembly Seat G
Philip Newton

City Council Seat A
Vivian Stiver

City Council Seat B
Frank Turney

The link below is the IACC's platform.

http://www.interioralaskaconservativecoalition.com/2.html

INTERIOR ALASKA CONSERVATIVE COALITION (IACC)
Platform

State Sovereignty The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition defends each state’s ability to self govern without federal interference as per the tenth amendment.

Jury Nullification The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition opposes any infringement on the jury’s responsibility to judge the law as well as the facts of a case.

Monetary Policy The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition expects Congress to fulfill its Constitutional mandate (to coin money and regulate the value thereof). The IACC calls for the dissolution of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Gun Rights The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition opposes any law that restricts the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Property Rights The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition opposes any law that jeopardizes private property.

Judeo Christian Principles We, in the tradition of the founders, appeal to the laws of nature and of nature’s God as the basis of right and wrong.

Right to Life The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition defends the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
Education The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition considers the parents primarily responsible for the education of their children.

Personal Responsibility The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition is based on the fact that the individual is responsible for maintaining his own life, liberty and property as well as holding the government to its legitimate purpose.

Free Enterprise The Interior Alaska Conservative Coalition supports a free enterprise system of economics.

Our Mini Factory

2009-10-01T16:01:00.006-08:00

I have wanted to do a garden for years. This year was my first opportunity and I knew it would result in a lot of work during my 9th month of pregnancy. My husband also wanted to do chickens for meat. We got 25 chickens thinking they are so sensitive several would die before butchering time. Well all 25 made it! And, boy, do they eat a lot!!!

The chicks came home June 13th and butchering day was July 29th. I had heard many horror stories about how long it would take and how gross it is, etc. We decided to rent a de-featherer. It was soooo worth it! A friend from church came over to show us how as we have never butchered chickens before. It took him and Shawn only 2 hours to get them all butchered and de-feathered. The longest part was getting the necks our, final rinse and packaging. The guys started about 10:30 am and Shawn and I were done with the rest by 9 pm. We gave 2 chickens to our mentor (Travis), my mom took 11 (since she financed the whole adventure) and we have 12. Within the same week I also prepared 7 huge cabbages for sauerkraut which have since been canned into 16 quart jars.

Additionally the following was prepared a frozen (all with help from my mom and sisters):

-numerus zucchini (also many given away)

-6 kohl rabi

-many LARGE cauliflour and broccoli (about 16 Gallon size bags worth)

Below is the wonderful dinner we had the day after chicken butchering.

We also harvested potatoes and tomatoes. We ended up with 6-8 heaping baskets of tomatoes. We have eaten a lot and given away even more (I just did not feel like canning them). Below is a picture of all we have left of the potatoes and tomatoes.

Games We Play

2009-10-01T13:57:00.005-08:00

In TJ Ed Core phase we learn about good/bad, right/wrong and true/false. For me it has been easy to read a story and teach the principles of good/bad and right/wrong. I have more difficulty with true/false so I invented a car game we love to play called True False. We each take turns making a true/false statement and the others guess the answer. For example, "The trees are purple" Kanga (oldest girl) came up with yesterday. As part of home school we are also using a guide called Five in A Row. This week we are reading Who Own's the Sun? and learning about the five senses for science. So as we were driving we played True False incorporating one of the five senses with each statement. It worked beautifully!

Our First Garden (mini-factory)

2009-07-19T16:12:00.010-08:00

Here is the progress of our garden 2009 so far.

We started tomatoes and zucchini and yellow squash around the beginning of April.

By mid may our starts for zucchini, tomatoes, kohl rabi, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, cilantro were to this stage:

I don’t recall when we first ate from the garden but I know it was lettuce and cilantro. Since that time in June and the harvest from July 14th pictured below we have had lots of lettuce, green onions, cilantro, zuccini, kohl rabi, cabbage, and baby yellow squash.

Just four days later we got the cauliflower (pictured above) and here are some pictures of other produce still growing.

Public Virtue

2009-07-13T04:43:00.003-08:00

Who feels like our freedoms are being taken away and feels hopeless about it? Who is tired of the political climate of our country? Who is saying, “Something needs done!” about all this?

Its 3:52 am and I have been stewing for nearly an hour. My thoughts have turned to what Skousen referred to as Public Virtue (5000 Year Leap p.50). This past week a drunk driving neighbor drove through our neighborhood causing significant damage to 3 of the 5 properties she drove through. This event took place between 2 and 3 am. Had it happened 12 hours sooner she would most certainly have killed several of the 15+ children who live and play in the area she drove through.

So what do freedom and the drunk driver have to do with Public Virtue? Everything! Those who are silently trying to live a good life need to start to speak up and Lead a good life.

If you know someone who regularly drives drunk tell them to stop or you will turn them in and then follow through (the drunk neighbor's roommate did not do this).

If you really don’t like to hear dirty jokes or a lot of swearing in the work place Stand Up for yourself and say so, then support your words by the action of walking away. If you have to do this often - just do it!

If you squirm with discomfort at a graphic scene in a play you are watching (and the playwrights directions don’t specify that kind of a scene, nor was there a warning provided to the audience) then do as my friend did. Write a letter to the producers of the play, request a change stating why and that you would go again and tell others to go if the change happens or the opposite if no change occurs.

If you want to bring your children to a bookstore but find when you do they have unsavory displays on the way to the children’s section talk to a manager requesting the displays not be shown on the path to the children’s section. Have your likeminded friends do the same.

Stop listening to the rhetoric that, “Well, if you don’t like it don’t go there”, etc. If you buy into that then pretty soon there will be no place to go! So stop smiling and nodding your head in conformity to what you know is not good and Stand Up and say something! That is what Public Virtue is and our founding Fathers knew this. “Virtue has to be earned and it has to be learned…It has to be cultivated continually and exercised…” (p.55). When we start speaking out to those in our circle of influence then we can make a difference in our community and eventually our Country for “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters” ( p. 49).

I’m not saying it will be easy, I’m not comfortable stepping on peoples toes. But you know what, the people who have no public virtue don’t hesitate to stomp on my toes. So I hope you will join with me and Stand Up and Speak Out for virtue, good principles, and true freedom. The time for silent conformity needs to end and the renewal of Public Virtue needs to begin.

Gay Marriage

2009-06-20T13:35:00.004-08:00

Here is parts of an article with a link to the full article. My comments on the article are below it.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/06/lgbt_religion.html

June 8, 2009
Last week the Center for American Progress and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable released two groundbreaking reports analyzing religious and secular advocacy of marriage-equality ballot initiatives in California and Michigan.

The two reports—which examined campaigns in different states four years apart—draw remarkably similar conclusions about the need for partnerships between religious and secular supporters of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or LGBT people.

Similarities in the report findings include:

· Anti-LGBT ballot initiatives are often rooted in conservative religious rhetoric. Effective responses require faith voices and messages to counteract these claims in order to show religious diversity in support of marriage equality and disprove the notion that conservative religious voices are the sole guardians of morality on these issues.

· Secular-religious partnerships are crucial to the success of legislative campaigns and to the broader goals of social justice and equal rights under the law for LGBT people.

· Advocates should not disregard certain religious communities as impossible to win, nor overlook any “unlikely” allies, be it congregations in the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, or African-American churches. While some denominations may have official pronouncements against marriage equality and campaign against it, there are almost always members within that community who are open to other views.

· A narrow political campaign frame hinders effective collaboration with religious communities. LGBT faith advocates and supporters must work within their denominations for full support of LGBT rights, including marriage equality and adoption by same-sex couples.

· Media work that seriously considers the language and culture of religious communities is critical in order to quickly rebut inaccurate religious arguments and misleading statements from antiequality forces. Furthermore, the message of LGBT rights should be framed in a mainstream way that connects people to the issue. In addition, non-LGBT organizations, such as civil and human rights and faith groups, should be sought as campaign allies.

· It is important to have both robust on-the-ground organization and an effective media campaign, especially in larger states where much of the battle is fought over the airwaves.

CAP and the Task Force released these findings in a joint press release call last Thursday that featured Rev. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Bishop for New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson stressed that marriage equality is a justice issue and emphasized the importance of faith voices speaking out on behalf of marriage equality. He noted the importance of religious involvement in yesterday’s legislative victory for same-sex marriage in New Hampshire.

Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, author of the California report, agreed. She stated that, “As secular and religious organizers, we all strive for a country whose mores, culture, and laws reflect the dreams of our forebears—life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and genuine justice for all, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex people and families. Although there yet remains uncertainty and unknowing between us, these shared visions and values provide us with a solid foundation upon which to build strong partnerships.”

Tom Kam, director of the Religion and Values Program at the Arcus Foundation, which funded the California report, commented that, “Collectively, these reports recognize the power of conservative religious voices to utilize their moral authority to influence public debate on LGBT equality. It is time to respond to these voices with similar authority, fully incorporating within the leadership of the LGBT movement and the public debate, the LGBT and allied religious leaders whose lives and voices speak the truth about our civil and moral equality.”

I can easily see how even faithful members of our churches might be persuaded by these LGBT supporters that allowing gay marriage is Constituently mandated. I have personally known such faithful members. It is not! We need to educate those in our circle of influence that legislation cannot make evil good and our Founding Fathers knew this. John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (5000 Year Leap by Skousen p.56)

We do have moral authority and we need to stand by it. Those whose religious or moral or personal beliefs are in accordance with the laws of Nature or the laws of the Creator must stand firm in supporting those laws. It is our duty to fight against man’s attempt to legislate evil for good. If we do not we will be held derelict in our duty to stand for truth and righteousness.

Cicero emphasized that “the essence of an evil law cannot be mended through ratification by the legislature or by popular acclaim. Justice can never be expected from laws arbitrarily passed in violation of standards set up under the laws of Nature or the laws of the Creator. Here is his argument:

But if the principles of Justice were founded on the decrees of peoples, the edicts of princes, or the decisions of judges, then Justice would sanction robbery and adultery and forgery of wills, in case these acts were approved by the votes or decrees of the populace. But if so great a power belongs to the decisions and decrees of fools that the laws of Nature can be changed by their votes, then why do they not ordain that what is bad and baneful shall be considered good and salutary? Or, if a law can make Justice Injustice, can it not also make good out of bad? (Ibid., pp.134-35.)”
(The 5,000 Year Leap by Skousen p. 45)

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…

North Pole Fire

2009-06-07T21:09:00.001-08:00

We had a fire near our home. The house smells like smoke!!! But we are glad we have it still. Many of our neighbors across the street that borders on the one that the fire came to had small fires in their back yards. At last report the fire was 70 acres.

All videos uploaded to You Tube. I had to remove audio to make the files smaller.

If you search by: "North Pole Fire" or user NorthPoleLady(http://www.youtube.com/NorthPoleLady) you should find them or
Here are the links to all the video shots we put on www.youtube.com

North Pole Fire Big Plane 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NZHhUmD9Hw

North Pole Fire Big Plane 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52_-pT-Cjis

North Pole Fire Smoke and Plane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY39xMYQqrs

North Pole Fire Plane Dumping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDk0wyp3swo

North Pole Fire Heli Take Off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hhahp_w4FI

North Pole Fire Big Flames

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eutU6H8YVkg

North Pole Fire Big Flames Heli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uk7eSMw7jI

North Pole Fire Heli Dump

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN48wRsmOgM

North Pole Fire After

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3R4D8dE8Yk

On Socialism and Communism

2009-05-12T14:16:00.001-08:00

For some time now Shawn and I have been feeling a pull to somehow be involved in politics. In watching the news and studying our countries foundation we strongly feel things in our federal government are on a bad path. I am including some links of very good information.

First is a link to George Wythe University who is having Glen Beck (Consertive Radio Talk Host) come to a fundraiser. When you open the page click on "Play full audio clip" in this clip Glen Beck plays an excerpt from Ezra Taft Benson (Secretary of Agriculture during Eisenhower’s Presidency) talking about a communist leader (Khruschev) who told him something to the effect of, "we will feed you (America) socialism little by little until you find you are communist"
http://www.gw.edu/gala2009slc/
Now if you don’t think that could happen let’s look at the definition of socialism. For some definitions in parentheses I will give examples where that is happening now, here in America.

Socialism: 1. any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. (auto industry, specifically GM – governmental motors - ; Banks) 2.a. a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b. a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. 3. a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done (p. 1746).

Now here is what the Communist Party USA has to say: http://www.cpusa.org/article/static/511/#question11
“All Communists are for socialism, seeing it as a transition stage to communism, a higher stage of economic, political, and social development….
Socialism is social ownership of the main means of production (factories, transportation) and the commanding heights of an economy (banks and other financial institutions) and runs them in the interests of the working people, using part of the value that workers produce to build up the social institutions and benefits for the whole people….
Socialism, which we are advocates of, is a transitional stage between capitalism and communism, a stage where a change in production relations, social relations, and individual outlooks become solidified….
Communists are advocates of both socialism and communism….”

Is this what our founding Fathers intended for our country? Is this what you want for yourself and future generations? I hope not, but what to do about it? More on that in other posts.

To turn the tide begin at home

2009-05-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

I have been very involved in learning about homeschooling and have decided to go with the Thomas Jefferson Education model. Many of you have read the book A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille. About a month ago he had a webinar that Shawn and I participated in. His new book is called "The Coming Aristocracy" about the way our federal government is headed (or already at, as Shawn and I believe). In his webinar on this topic Oliver DeMille gave some pointers as to how we can work for Freedom and not be bound down by our government. First we need to work on really educating ourselves and our children. By using Classic books (including Scripture) and Foundational documents we can really know good and true principles. If we do not have this foundation we give our freedoms away through ignorance. Second we can build mini-factories. I am going to study more on this concept and get back to you on it. Third, we need to cooperate with others who support the ideals of Freedom but may not agree with us morally. A big reason why supporters of Freedom seldom win is because they are too busy bashing each other and concerned with themselves being right. Freedom fighters often work in "Rage not Wisdom". We need to work together in the spirit of Wisdom so we can all regain Freedom. Shawn and I say "regain" freedom because we feel a lot of ground gained by our founding fathers has already been lost in the past 50 or so years. We need to work to turn the tide or our children, and we, will drown.

We the People Act

2009-05-11T21:47:00.003-08:00

H.R. 539: We the People Act

To limit the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes. This piece of legislation is only 6 pages long, straightforward, and reiterates what the constitution has limited the Federal Government power to and attempts to bring it back to it’s intended design. It was introduced Jan. 14, 2009 and is still in committee. It appears to me stalling is happening, why is it taking so long to get out of committee? This legislation is precisely what the American citizens need to maintain their rights. Here is some of the text:

(7) Supreme Court and lower Federal court decisions striking down local laws on subjects such as
3 religious liberty, sexual orientation, family relations,
4 education, and abortion have wrested from State
5 and local governments issues reserved to the States
6 and the People by the Tenth Amendment to the
7 Constitution of the United States.
8 (8) The Supreme Court and lower Federal
9 courts threaten the republican government of the in-
10 dividual States by replacing elected government with
11 rule by unelected judges.

G.I.V.E. Act

2009-05-11T21:45:00.001-08:00

H.R. 1388: Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act

Also know as the GIVE Act. It is 142 pages of changes (amendments) to the ~138 page National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.). It is long and convoluted in form, to clearly understand it one needs to have both documents. From the time it was introduced to the Legislature to the time it was instated as law took 44 days (Introduce May 9, 2009, Signed by President April, 21, 2009). This document is longer than the Constitution. Did those who voted on it understand all of it? Did they even read it? (I am still in the process of reading it and learning about it) Are they familiar with the Constitution and the (misnamed) Bill of Rights (Should be Bill of Limitations) and how this bill affects individual’s inalienable rights? It clearly infringes on the rights of the people, if a person decides to participate in this they cannot have any political or religious activities during the time they are under contract with it. An example of someone who would be under it would be someone joining AmeriCorp. Below are prohibited activities taken from page 49 of the 142 page document.

‘‘SEC. 132A. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
‘‘(a) PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.—An approved national service
position under this subtitle may not be used for the following
activities:
‘‘(1) Attempting to influence legislation.
‘‘(2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts,
or strikes.
‘‘(3) Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing.
‘‘(4) Impairing existing contracts for services or collective
bargaining agreements.
‘‘(5) Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities
designed to influence the outcome of an election to Federal
office or the outcome of an election to a State or local public
office.
‘‘(6) Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that
are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties,
political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation,
or elected officials.
‘‘(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship
services, providing instruction as part of a program that
includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing
or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction
or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently
devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in
any form of proselytization, consistent with section 132.
‘‘(8) Consistent with section 132, providing a direct benefit
to any—
‘‘(A) business organized for profit;
‘‘(B) labor union;
‘‘(C) partisan political organization;
‘‘(D) nonprofit organization that fails to comply with
the restrictions contained in section 501(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, except that nothing in this paragraph
shall be construed to prevent participants from
engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own
initiative; and
‘‘(E) organization engaged in the religious activities
described in paragraph (7), unless the position is not used
to support those religious activities.
‘‘(9) Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of
such services.
‘‘(10) Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation
funds to conduct a voter registration drive.
‘‘(11) Carrying out such other activities as the Corporation
may prohibit

Books I am Reading May 2009

2009-05-09T13:23:00.002-08:00

The 5000 Year Leap: Principles of Freedom 101 by W. Cleon Skousen

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille

What To Expect the First Year by Eisenberg, Murkoff, and Hathaway

The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith

The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Dictionary Definitions

2009-05-09T13:15:00.002-08:00

All definitions are extracted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Deluxe Edition © 1998

Arbitrary: 1. depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law 2.a. not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority. 3.a. based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of something. b. existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will (p.91).

Aristocracy: 1. government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class 2. a: a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified (p. 95-6).

Capitalism: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market (p. 265).

Capricious: Impulsive, unpredictable. Synonym see inconstant (p. 266).

Communism: 1.a: a theory advocating elimination of private property b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed. 2. b. a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production (p. 364).

Democracy: 1.a: government by the people; especially rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections (p. 481).

Despot: 2.a. a ruler with absolute power and authority. b. a person exercising power tyrannically (p. 492-3).

Despotic: of, relating to, or characteristic of a despot (p. 493).

Fascism: 1. a political philosophy movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition (p. 665).

Federalism: 1.a: the distribution of power in an organization (as a government) between a central authority and the constituent units (p. 671).

Federal Reserve bank: one of 12 reserve banks set up under the Federal Reserve Act to hold reserves and discount commercial paper for affiliated banks in their respective districts (p. 672).

Freedom: 1. the quality or state of being free. 2. a political right (p.731).

Independent: 1.a.1: not subject to control by others: SELF-GOVERNING. b. 1. not requiring or relying on something else. 2. not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct. c.1. not requiring or relying on others (p. 932).

Liberalism: 2.b: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard (p.1056).

Libertarian: 2.a: a person who upholds the principles of absolute and unrestricted liberty especially of thought and action (p. 1056).

Liberty: 1. the quality or state of being free. c. freedom from arbitrary or despotic control. d. the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges. e. the power of choice. 2.b. permission especially to go freely within specified limits (p. 1056).

1 Progressive: 1.b. making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities. 4.a. increasing in extent or severity. b. increasing in rate as the base increases (p. 1462).

2 Progressive: 1.b. one believing in moderate political change and especially social improvement by governmental action. 2.b. a follower of Robert M. La Follette in the presidential campaign of 1924. c. a follower of Henry A. Wallace in the presidential campaign of 1948 (p. 1462).

Proletariat: 1. the lowest social or economic class of a community. 2. the laboring class, esp: the class of industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live (p. 1463).

Republic: 1.b (1): a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law (p. 1560).

Socialism: 1. any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. 2.a. a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b. a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. 3. a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done (p. 1746).

Socialist: 1. one who advocates or practices socialism (p. 1746).

Tyranny: 1. oppressive power <> esp: Oppressive power exerted by government (p. 2001).