"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"         

                                             — Hunter S. Thompson

While I don't ever really have any hope of  "arriving safely in a well preserved body"..some days I think, "Can't I just have a little time for myself?" Today I had one of those days when I had to make a million phone calls (ordering fridge parts, how about the warranty on the TV, and did they ever get approval for the dental work yet?). Then my darling daughter and grandchildren arrived just when I was sitting down to help with school! Soon one needs a snack - the baby needs holding for a minute, my son needs my advice for a graphic for our newsletter, and someone wants to talk to my husband about a trailer he's selling. Yikes, then it's lunch time and the gang wants to know what's for lunch! Are you getting the picture? I finally got a shower about 3:00 and that's when I had that pesky thought "Can I just have a little time for myself?" Wish granted, I was able to take a shower BY MYSELF without anyone banging on the door with a question!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:

and he delights in his way. ... Psalm 37:23

I don't know about the "good man" part, but I know the Lord orders my steps and I am very grateful for every minute of my day! I had the opportunity to attend a ladies conference last weekend where Elyse Fitzpatrick spoke on "Idols of the Heart." Sometimes my desire for peace and quiet can be one of my an idols! I'd rather take the wild ride of life and by God's grace make it to the end saying

                                      "Wow! What a ride!"

Okay, I'll admit it...I really don't like studying science!
I'm more of a history lover and those who know me,
know this to be true! But, I have found that any topic
can be interesting when you pick it apart
(pardon the pun on rocks!), divide it into smaller chunks
(another pun?) and look at it from many angles!

I believe these are the Barlang Cavernoso in Brazil.

These pictures are from National Geographic.

Well, for now, I am going to recline in my chair and start reading Journey to the Center of the Earth (the abridged version...sorry I'm a wimp when it comes to Jules Verne) to my daughter. I will share more on our adventures as we go.

Jennifer Steward

Dear Friends of the Harris Family,

I am sending this message to you to let you know of a need. Perhaps you have heard that our dear sister, Sono Harris, is struggling with cancer - and soon to go Home.

The Harris Family hold a special place in our hearts as it is through the ministry of Gregg Harris and Christian Life Workshops....that many years ago, my  husband came to know Christ. Many of you have been influenced, inspired, helped and taught God's principles by this ministry. And many of you who are new to homeschooling may have never even heard of Gregg Harris - one of the key pioneers of the homeschool movement. BUT, even if you've never heard of Gregg and Sono, you probably have heard of their talented children: Joshua Harris (author of I Kissed Dating Good-bye) and Alex and Brett Harris - authors of Do Hard Things and the Rebelution blog.

Sono is my dear friend. I am at a loss to express how deep is my sadness. But I know for certain that God is good and that He never makes mistakes. He WILL be glorified! Sono lived well and has worshipped the King and now she is dying well.

Though this trial is difficult beyond words, they have walked through this with grace and courage. Read Joshs' posts and updates on his blog here.

 I am posting here to ask you to prayerfully give to this family....whether you know them or not, if you are a homeschooling family, we owe a debt of gratitude to their work and their faithfulness. Let us give as we are able. The medical bills are mounting.

Cards and notes can be sent to:

Gregg and Sono Harris and family – 6920 SE Hogan Road, Gresham, OR 97080

You can also donate to Noble Institute, marking the donation Friends of Sono Harris Fund.

Blessings in Christ's Name -

Jennifer Steward

Summer is here! We had quite the wet and long Spring, so we are enjoying the warm days now :)

Our days are always full and we have much to be thankful for! Last week our family was busy helping some dear friends of ours prepare for a wedding. Everything turned out beautifully. Jennifer helped coordinate, Kally helped with seating, I, Brooke, was honored to be a bridesmaid, Sam helped with parking. It was a family effort and we were blessed to be a part of it. These were lifelong friends of ours and it was so amazing to witness a wedding where Christ is the center and it is evident the couple's desire is to glorify Him. What a blessing! The bride has been like a sister to me through all these years, which as you can imagine helped to produce lots of joyful tears on the day of. :)

Well, I, Brooke, am busy gardening and trying to stay on top of Steward Ship business. I am very excited to garden this year. I realized this Spring that I have gotten into the habit of being too busy all the time...and don't just have time to think and pray with true sincerity because I usually always thinking about what else I have to do....even when I'm driving. And, I'm only 21 years old. So, I decided I needed to do something that would take time and couldn't just be "checked off" a list. I planted, with the help of sisters, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, carrots, turnips, tomatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkin, cucumbers, and wild flowers. Not in one day. It was a process. :) One thing at a time.

I have been blessed to have some "dwelling time" while in the garden. A lot of what I have been dwelling on has been lessons a garden has to teach. Like the weeds, for example. They grow so easily and will "take over" if I don't pull them. It's like sin in our lives, it will take over and cause delay and harm to the plants growth, if I don't pull them.

Or watering. If I don't water the plants die. If I don't stay in the Word of God slowly it is hard to know truth and to live by it.

Or how you need both sun and water, with just one or the other the plant can't survive. It's like how we need both the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible to help us grow.

I have become quite thankful as I have been paying attention to the plants in the garden and as I compare myself to one of those plants I get a new perspective. How grateful I am that God does pay attention to my life and helps me to grow through His Son, His Spirit and His Word of Truth. It is also quite humbling to realize that in and of myself I cannot grow, it is something, Someone much greater than myself that produces growth and fruit in my life. Therefore, when growth and fruit comes forth the glory and credit goes to the gardener and not the plant. I am left with a very thankful heart....for who could ask for more than I have? To work towards accomplishing the task I was created for, there is great joy in that!

I hope this finds you all enjoying your summer days and rejoicing that Jesus Christ is alive and His Word is true! How sweet it is to trust in Him!

I received this story through email and, even though I’ve heard something like it before (as you may also have), I thought it was too good to pass up! Let us remember how our Lord values the eternal investment of motherhood!

JUST A MOM

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's  office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. “What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job or are you just a ...?”

“Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. “I'm a Mom.”

“We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,” said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or  “Town Registrar’

“What is your occupation?” she probed.  What made me say it?  I do not know. The words simply popped out. “I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.” The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?” Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I replied, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) And already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.” There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, Testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just a Mom.' Motherhood - What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers

“Senior Research  Associates” in the field of Child Development and Human Relations'