Berry Picking in the Welsh Mountains

Recently we went wild berry picking in the Welsh mountains. The berries are called wynberries and they are like blueberries, except smaller and more potent!

Doesn't look like much, but the berries are hidden underneath the clumps of purple heather.

All in all, it was a great day and we picked about 8 pounds of them!

Unfortunately on the way back our car battery went flat and we weren't going anywhere! So after calling out breakdown we arrived home at 4;30a.m. Phew! It was a long day.

Our Homeschool
A new year is starting again and that always calls us to reflect, as to whether or not the year has been a success. I find by doing a yearly report, this puts it into perspective, as I can see exactly where the children are compared to last year!This year we will be using Christian Light for Maths, reading and some Social Studies. We are switching to Bob Jones for English for a change. Sometimes it is good to have a change, as it gives the children fresh impetus.We use Answers in Genesis for science, and the Bluedorns' books for logic. Also lots of read alouds, especially for History and Geography. Not to forget the all important field trips as well! One we enjoy, is Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood.Our typical school day is never the same, as the children have a schedule and they mark things off as they are done. Every day they have English and Maths to do, but the other subjects vary, unless of course they do their week's Maths in one day! Believe it or not, that has happened!We do a 4 day week, this helps to prevent burnout. We then only have a week off for each summer month. On a Friday we might do baking, sport, or anything else considered fun!If a child has a particular interest, then we encourage them and help them to follow that. Our eldest is into writing and has just finished her first book.

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Our Girls!

Feeling Down?

Feeling down?

I was reading the Sword and Trowell, just recently, and read a rather interesting article on counseling. I thought it raised quite a few important thoughts, and points. Where does counseling come into feeling down? Well, many people these days seek counseling for the smallest things, and it seems to be creeping evermore into Christian circles with more and more books written all the time.

How often have we heard people being referred to counsellors because they have seen something or dealt with something terrible? Why, as a modern society do we seem unable to manage, as people have in the past with far greater calamities?

All of us have a problem sometime or another with feeling down, so what can we do to help ourselves?

1) We need to go to the Bible, and immerse ourselves in the word of God.

2) We need to be ready, able and willing to serve others.

3) Spend time in public prayer.

4) Do not complain, but reflect on God's blessings to us, and be reflective of this in our conversations with others.

5) Don't be idle, as it is the devil's home for temptation.

Richard Baxter the Puritan suggested that we serve others, and that will help us. We are required to live a life of service, and for many of us home educating, then that is our main calling. If we have any opportunities for hospitality, or to help out, then it can be beneficial, but not to the point where we exhaust ourselves, or neglec our families.

The Bible teaches us to apply the truth through the reading of the word, and applying it. The truth in the Bible is what sets us free.

So by putting others first and being unselfish (obviously not to the point of neglecting ourselves) we are actually helping ourselves.

We don't need expensive books on how to right this and how to right that. They can be filled with worldly psychology which looks at the problem, not the person. If we seek through God's grace to become better people, then in most cases that will be of great benefit.

Here is a link to Richard Baxter's book on melancholy http://www.puritansermons.com/baxter/baxter25.htm

The Life and Death of Mr Badman-John Bunyan

The Life and Death of Mr Badman, by John Bunyan
Here are some quotes from John Bunyan's The Life and Death of Mr Badman- It is rather horribly prophetical, and I have picked out these gems.
WISE. That may be. But let us proceed. This Mr. Badman added to all his wickedness this, he was a very proud man, a very proud man. He was exceeding proud and haughty in mind; he looked that what he said ought not, must not be contradicted or opposed. He counted himself as wise as the wisest in the country, as good as the best, and as beautiful as he that had most of it. He took great delight in praising of himself, and as much in the praises that others gave him. He could not abide that any should think themselves above him, or that their wit or personage should by others be set before his. He had scarce a fellowly carriage for his equals. But for those that were of an inferior rank, he would look over them in great contempt. And if at any time he had any remote occasion of having to do with them, he would show great height and a very domineering spirit. So that in this it may be said that Solomon gave a characteristical note of him when he said, 'Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath' (Prov 21:24). He never thought his diet well enough dressed, his clothes fine enough made, or his praise enough refined.

Instead of referencing the Word, when he heard it preached, read, or discoursed of, he would sleep, talk of others business, or else object against the authority, harmony, and wisdom of the scriptures; saying, How do you know them to be the Word of God? How do you know that these sayings are true? The scriptures, he would say, were as a nose of wax, and a man may turn them whithersoever he lists. One scripture says one thing, and another says the quite contrary; besides, they make mention of a thousand impossibilities; they are the cause of all dissensions and discords that are in the land. Therefore you may, would he say, still think what you will, but in my mind they are best at ease that have least to do with them.Instead of loving and honouring of them that did bear in their foreheads the name, and in their lives the image of Christ, they should be his song, the matter of his jests, and the objects of his slanders. He would either make a mock at their sober deportment, their gracious language, quiet behavior, or else desperately swear that they did all in deceit and hypocrisy. He would endeavour to render godly men as odious and contemptible as he could; any lies that were made by any, to their disgrace, those he would avouch for truth, and would not endure to be controlled. He was much like those that the prophet speaks of, that would sit and slander his mother's son (Psa 50:19,20). Yea, he would speak reproachfully of his wife, though his conscience told him, and many would testify, that she was a very virtuous woman. He would also raise slanders of his wife's friends himself, affirming that their doctrine tended to lasciviousness, and that in their assemblies they acted and did unbeseeming men and women, that they committed uncleanness, &c. He was much like those that affirmed the apostle should say, 'Let us do evil that good may come' (Rom 3:7,8). Or, like those of whom it is thus written; 'Report, say they, and we will report it' (Jer 20:10). And if he could get any thing by the end that had scandal in it, if it did but touch professors, how falsely soever reported, O! then he would glory, laugh, and be glad, and lay it upon the whole party; saying, Hang them rogues, there is not a barrel better herring of all the holy brotherhood of them. Like to like, quoth the devil to the collier, this is your precise crew. And then he would send all home with a curse.If you want to read the whole thing, then here it is http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Life.Death.Badman/index.html

The Badman Home Education Review

Another review into home education has been underway in England, and this time the authorities have tried to link it with child abuse. Have they any proof? The answer to that is no, although they have tried to make it look otherwise. Check out this:
His review found that "even acknowledging the variation between authorities, the number of children known to children's social care in some local authorities is disproportionately high relative to the size of the home educating population".
He recommended local authorities have fully trained staff who are "well-versed" in procedures for safeguarding children.
This was quoted on the B.B.C.news website. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8095864.stm
On first glance it appears that they have indeed got proof, but on a closer glance it states that children are 'known'. Known, doesn't mean they are on a protection register, it can mean simply, that they are known because someone has contacted them to make them as known. This happens a lot, as doctors, neighbours and family who are opposed to the idea of homeschooling ring the S.S. I have known of a case where a family had the S.S. call out 3 times, in as many years, all because people rang up.
The new proposals include;
1) Compulsory registration once a year.
2) Compulsory home visits once a year.
3) Questioning of the child alone without anyone else present.
4) If the authority doesn't consider the education satisfactory, or even disagrees with the provision, they can order the child into school.
We home educate for conscience. We are Christians, and it would be against the Bible to send our children into a godless system, where pornography, lies, and all manner of filth and rebellion are taught. It is our responsibility to educate our children, not the state. Increasingly though, under this socialist communist government we are told our children belong to the state. I think they may have well overstepped the mark this time. We will be fighting this, and in the meantime please pray for England!
Here is another link, on how it will affect things.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5506362/Home-education-rules-an-abuse-of-civil-liberties.html

The Bible in a year- Psalm 103

103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
What a great Psalm! We are so fortunate that we have enough food to eat, and we can even choose what to eat. It is a sad fact of life that so many can't. He does indeed crown us with loving kindness and tender mercies, and he satisfies us with good things. How thankful are we though, and how much do we take for granted? It is so easy to become complacent over God's goodness. We will come to Him with our needs, but forget to thank Him for His goodness to us!