The Courage to Take a Stand

Last week our memory verse was "Do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Mathew 7:12. This verse is really resonating with me, even still.

Well, God's timing is so good, because last week we also began reading The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes, and the theme directly ties into that verse. The book, written in 1944, is about bullying.

From the back cover (Harcourt, 1944):
Wanda Petronski wore the same faded-blue dress to school every day. It was always clean, but looked as though it had never been ironed properly. One day when a classmate showed up wearing a bright new dress that was much admired, Wanda said suddenly, "I have a hundred dresses at home." That had started the teasing game of dresses, which Peggy and Maddie had played with Wanda. It was fun to stop Wanda on the way to school and ask, "How many dresses did you say you had?" Wanda did have the hundred dresses, and this is the story of how Peggy and Maddie came to understand about them and what the game meant to Wanda.

One of the most powerful aspects of the story is the subtle way Maddie disapproves of Peggy teasing Wanda. She is poor herself, and it upsets her the way Peggy teases the lonely girl. But she goes along with it because she is afraid that if she doesn't, Peggy will bully her too.

The definition of courage is, "The ability to face and endure what is dangerous, difficult, or painful; the habit of overcoming fears by facing them rather than avoiding them." But the classical definition of courage is "knowing what is to be feared and what is not to be feared." It takes a lot courage to go against the flow, even for adults.

The Hundred Dresses is honest about friendships, bullying, and compassion. And, it totally brings our memory verse to life! Treat others how you want to be treated. We would all do well to put ourselves in the shoes of others and be kind.

I can't wait to see how this book ends!

"Give It All"

Wow . . .

Today we began our unit called "Passport to India." I was so excited to get through our usual academic lessons so that we could begin. I knew that this was going to touch Emma's heart, but I wasn't prepared for how deeply Emma was going to touch my heart.

We began by watching the video of Pastor Chris flying in a plane for 25 hours to get there. He is a funny guy. Emma had a million questions. "Are those their cars?" (rickshaws). "Are those their gods?" (idols). "Are those all Indian people? (yes : ).

When we were done with the video, I read to her a story about a young boy Lamal. He is one of the young children pictured below, with his two brothers. His dad pulls a rickshaw everyday, like a horse would. The children are left to themselves everyday, since their mom abandoned them. These children spend their time playing in garbage heaps, finding stuff to sell, and even stealing.





But, one day someone invited them to a Bible Club, where they could eat snacks and learn about Jesus. They were cleaned up, taught manners, fed, and ministered to. They love learning, singing, and playing with the other children. They have not yet accepted Jesus as their Savior, so this is something that Emma and Miley can pray for. And it was amazing to hear Miley pray for them today! She prayed for them by name and mentioned the specifics of their situation.

Emma, was very deeply affected by these children. She told me to go get her old piggy bank (she has two). She told me to take the "crank" (cork) out of the bottom. She emptied it out, and began to put her money into our money jar to send the children to Bible Clubs. I wanted her to know that this is her money, and she can give however much she wants. With a deep, serious voice she said, "Give it all. Give it all." I told her how four quarters would send one child, I showed her a dollar. There was even a twenty dollar bill in there, and when she saw that it meant twenty children would hear about the love of Jesus she smiled so big.


Emma gave all of her money. I don't want to take away her crowns!!! But sharing this won't do that because it will inspire us all to be like her. God spoke to me about her giving as I was cooking the ground beef for our dinner tonight. His still small voice spoke to my heart, that the reason she was free to follow her heart and give it all, was because she knows that we take care of all her needs. She will still be taken care of today, and tomorrow. She can give it all, because she knows her father will provide for her and give her more. He said, that I should give like that too. Knowing that my Father is able to provide abundantly for all His children's needs today, and tomorrow. Like the widow who gave it all, Jesus saw how Emma gave. He loves the faith of children. They can be such an example to their parents!!!


We also talked about our new missionary named Dharmendra, how he is like a part of our family now. We need to pray for him and help him so that he can go door to door sharing the good news of Jesus. I love him already. He grew up a Hindu, and it brought him despair. As he grew older, he lived to gratify his sinful desires and it left him empty. Eventually he received Jesus as Lord and Savior through the friendship of a faithful missionary. Then the Lord called him into the ministry too! He went to Bible college and is now a full-time missionary in India.


I looked up the meaning of his name online, because I remembered that dharma is a hindu virture meaning "duty."It was one of the "four ends of man" and it meant that there is a time to cast off "worldly" desires in order to do your duty, and do the right thing. And yet even being named "Dharmendra" he fulfilled his name not in the hindu faith, but in Christ. He casted off his worldly desires and his false religion to serve the true God and find the "abundant life" in Jesus. He literally did the right thing! The name also means "King of Righteousness" -- I love it! Some of the prophets had names that brought glory to God. For example, Isaiah means, "The Lord is Salvation." So our missionary, even in name, points to the righteousness that comes from our true King of Righteousness, Jesus!!!


As we finished our lesson today, Emma asked me if she could go to India; I think she meant for a field trip! I told her that maybe she could go someday, but hopefully by the end of this unit she will learn that even if she never goes there physically, she can still make a difference spiritually. She can support the native missionaries who live there, in prayer and out of her abundance (the piggy bank).


Today, my girls made a difference for the Kingdom of God. They gave out of sincere love and they prayed with a fervent Spirit.

A Geography Lesson -- The California Mountains

This week I went to the Pastor's Wives Retreat. Dustin took the week off so that he could watch the girls while I was gone. He did the schooling this week, and he did great. One of our science lessons this week included a section on the geography of mountains, and since he was still home today, we decided to go and have a little field trip.

Key Terms:

Peak

Tree Line

Snow Line

Foothill

River and stream

Snow

Pine Tree

Acorn

Pine Cone

Bears

Squirrels

Deer

Here is a picture of our science book information

Here is a picture of our ascent up the mountain

Here is Miley and our bye-bye bears

Here is our Country Bear and Miley's literature book for the day

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Going to find a big one

What a beautiful day!

We're not scared."

When we got to Lake Arrowhead, we found a playground right by the lake.

the girls were able to play for a little while

And we met some wild animals--chubby squirrels!!!

Lake Arrowhead

Me and the girls

Then we went to Twin Peaks Conference Center.

Dustin wanted to show us where he goes for the men's retreats and we thought it would be a nice place for a little hike.

Here is the sign by the outdoor amphitheater; notice the verse!

Our car looked really stylish parked there.

We took our country bear to the woods and he climbed a tree

The trees are so beautiful

The bears sat quietly in the amphitheater

On the rock at the top of the trail.

Coming up the trail

Pretty fall leaves

A pine tree

Emma collecting some pine cones and acorns

The Pastor Chuck and Kay Smith Bears

Our Candy Apples

We found apples growing on a tree there!

Here is the apple tree!

Emma and another apple

We had a fancy lakeside dinner

The view from our table

The beautiful sunset as we came down the mountain

Nature is the best textbook

Even Donkey's Speak

I am so excited! I forgot that I ordered the book Even Donkey's Speak. It looks so good and I thought it would go well with our "Passport to India" lessons. We can read these stories in the evenings, as a family.

"Inspire your children, grandchildren or any other child in your life with Even Donkeys Speak. This just-published children's book is a collection of stories taken straight from the mission fields of South Asia. As you read these exciting tales of God at work, you and your youngsters will feel as if you are right there with these believers, following the Lord amid the steaming jungles and cold mountain villages of Asia. Even Donkeys Speak is great reading, no matter your age."

If you are interested in adding this book to your family library you can get it through www.gfa.org

Passport to India

For those of you who don't know that we are using Sonlight Curriculum, it is a Christian literature based curriculum that was designed for missionary families, but it is available to all families. Now, I LOVE this curriculum; it is so perfect for my children and our family. But it just got even better!

They have offered their customers a wonderful free, online video unit on India. You can watch the Trailer here. Basically, they sent a pastor to India to show what it is really like. As a family we are going to spend the next five weeks learning about India. The culture, the beliefs, the lifestyle.

I have always had a huge heart for reaching India. I studied India in college and my favorite person on the planet is K.P. Yohannan. So now I get the opportunity to share my passion with my children. Sonlight is sending me a suitcase to collect our spare change in. Each dollar we raise will send a child who has never heard the name of Jesus, to a Bible Camp. Emma will love this.

I am also choosing to include the resources from Gospel For Asia in our lessons. We have been supporting the Bridges of Hope, children's outreach. But this is a great time to sponsor a missionary again. I went to the GFA website, and I was able to read the biographies of various missionaries who need support. I was able to choose a missionary that grew up in the idolatry of Hinduism. He shares about how his false beliefs brought him misery, but when he heard the good news of Jesus Christ his life was transformed!

His testimony is powerful, and it will really impact my children. We are always reading in our Bible that people prayed to statues; it is important for Emma to see that people still do this. They pray to other gods, and yet the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth will still reach out His hand to them. He loves them. He died for them. And then when they are changed by the mighty power and truth of God, they can go out and help the Lord rescue others.

I might as well take this opportunity to encourage the people reading this blog to sponsor a missionary too. Let's do it!!! They are ready to go. These are the saints that will be so greatly rewarded when we get to heaven. I want to help the work that is so close to the heart of God.

If you are not familiar with the work of Gospel For Asia, it is the most trustworthy organization you can be involved with. 100% of what you contribute goes directly to the field. NONE of it goes to administrative needs. Check out their website. Gospel For Asia

While you are visiting the GFA website, order your free copy of the book Revolution in World Missions.

"Step into the story of missionary statesman Dr. K.P. Yohannan and experience the world through his eyes—from the villages of India to the shores of Europe and North America. Watch out: His passion is contagious! With fascinating true stories and eye-opening statistics, you'll be challenged to examine and change your lifestyle in view of millions who have never heard the Gospel."

Click Here and Order Your Free Book

Read it. Share it with your children. Let it change your life!