Whenever I go out to do lawns with Dad, there is ample time while mowing to think about many things. Yesterday one of the many things I thought about, (alongside publishing one of my books, singing "You're never fully dressed without a smile" to make Matthew laugh, and gathering leftover Christmas Tree clippings for Mama to decorate with) was why I don't think college is the best place for me to go when I graduate. Now, I realize that Meredith has done many posts on this sort of thing, and since she has had much more experience in this area, each will probably eclipse what I will write. Nevertheless, this is more for myself to remind me why I am looking forward to something different.
First off, I want to clear something up. It is the misunderstood fact that "Schooling" is not necessarily "Education". Since that is stated, I find it funny that people refer to college as "Higher Education". Dad has told me many stories that leave me with the impression that many kids at college are not there to be "educated". They are there to get more "schooling" with education as a hopeful by-product, but that is where it ends. (Though there are some who go with the best intentions and get something out of it I'm sure.) My idea of "Higher Education" is that we should never stop learning. When we think we have learned all there is to learn in life, then we had better review some things awfully quick, because that would be puffed up pride.
Now, I am not saying that everyone who goes to college is disobeying God. He works in all our lives differently, but for me, I must look at the vision God has given me for my life.
My idea of the most fulfilling "career" I could have as a woman is that of being a helpmeet, homemaker, and mother. That is what I hope and pray the Lord has called me to. And that is what all the training I have had so far is leading me up to. In fact, you can say that I am way ahead of all these public schooled kids in the fact that I am getting my career-training while I am doing "school". This is in fact, my 17 year of being trained to be a homemaker! :) Okay. That being said, what business have I to go train at some college away from home to be a lawyer? How will I use that in my future life? To diplomatically break up fights between my children? Okay, how about training to be a brain surgeon? Ummm.... sorry to disappoint you, but I think that unless all my children had awful and unusual brain problems (which is very unlikely) that would be something I would shelf pretty quickly.
Understand, I don't think that taking classes in a particular area is bad. Once I graduate I am looking at taking an online class to become a Certified Family Herbalist. Which will be really useful in my future home. But the best education I can get for my "career" is where I am right now. In my home, operating a household with my mother, caring for my elderly grandmother, learning to be helpmeet by practicing on Dad in our business.... and the list goes on.
When someone wants to learn a language the most efficient way, they go to that country, and immerse themselves in the culture so that they are forced to speak the language to survive! That is what I see I am doing right now. I am living in my future workplace. I have the advantage of watching and helping Mama care for sick children, and learning what is okay, and what needs to be watched or rushed to the emergency room! ;) That is something that no amount of college could supply for me. I couldn't read about it in a doctor class and be good at discerning how sick a child really was until I had a sick child.
I am learning how to run a household, and how to keep a home tidy and cheerful. I know many housekeeping things that make a home peaceful, like playing music quietly in the background when your Dad comes home, and always using a tablecloth and dinnertime. These are things that I would not come accross while eating cafeteria food at college! So anyway, I guess all this is to say that I don't think God would think it good stewardship for me, at least, to go to college and train for something that I will put away later, when I could have been using those years to continue in hands-on practice at what I will most likely be when I grow up.
(And anyone who wonders "What if she doesn't get married and needs to work?" my answer is first that I will trust God to have a wonderful plan and support me through it whatever it is, and then secondly, this is why I never stop learning and practicing with my talents. There are many, many things I could do at home and make profit even if I didn't marry!) -Rachel
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
We're Wanted!
It all began this fall. When the leaves began to change and the nuts began to ripen, then They awoke. With stealthy feet and masks of innocence they sent their spies into our woods. Four-legged creatures that bayed and ran across our fields and sent terror into the very soul of our dog Licorice. But Dad was staunch and refused Them what They wanted. We are now on Their "wanted" list. They enjoy free reign over all the land on either side, and wait with greedy eyes until we are caught off guard to grab our land from us. We are safe nowhere. At the gas station their minions are found. Everywhere we go They know us. Alright, maybe the fact that we drive a beaten up blue 15-passenger, and that we have so many girls and we all wear skirts helps distinguish us, but it is scary. Yesterday we were walking down the road and one of Them asked, "Ya'll those people in the big house down Garrison?"
What could we answer but a meek, "Yes."?
Last week They gave us a venison ham and tenderloin. Although the picture of neighborliness was perfect, we were not fooled. Their spies were swarming through our woods yesterday: along the edge and deep inside, their howls rising to terrorize the prey They are after. And last night, They tried a most desperate measure: In the middle of our Thanksgiving dinner They dropped off two deer's worth of meat for us! Now I am no longer sure if They just want our land. Perhaps they are after something more- our dog, our hens? Maybe even a bride? ;) (I was totally kidding about the latter)
Maybe I'm just nervous because of all Their gunfire. Maybe I don't like venison? Maybe They are in reality just being kind? I don't know, but I have a feeling that until They have persuaded Dad to let Them run their spies across our land, it won't get any better.
(Dramatized by Rachel)
What could we answer but a meek, "Yes."?
Last week They gave us a venison ham and tenderloin. Although the picture of neighborliness was perfect, we were not fooled. Their spies were swarming through our woods yesterday: along the edge and deep inside, their howls rising to terrorize the prey They are after. And last night, They tried a most desperate measure: In the middle of our Thanksgiving dinner They dropped off two deer's worth of meat for us! Now I am no longer sure if They just want our land. Perhaps they are after something more- our dog, our hens? Maybe even a bride? ;) (I was totally kidding about the latter)
Maybe I'm just nervous because of all Their gunfire. Maybe I don't like venison? Maybe They are in reality just being kind? I don't know, but I have a feeling that until They have persuaded Dad to let Them run their spies across our land, it won't get any better.
(Dramatized by Rachel)
Holdidayish Thoughts! Yay!
I am so glad that it is "That" time of year again! The holidays are fast approaching! Yay! Actually, they have crept up on us this year! Yesterday, after helping the Wilsons with their pick-up day, Mama was driving home and casually reminded me that "Daniel's graduation was two weeks from today! " (yesterday now) And Thanksgiving is Thursday! We've had such a blessed year! The Lord has been so faithful! I can't believe that this is the second Thanksgiving in this lovely home! We are all getting excited! Our pigs are back from the butcher as a tidy array of sausage, bacon, and the like, our harvest of sweet potatoes was bountiful, and we still have, (despite my dire calculations) plenty of my pickles in the cabinets! Dad and a friend have worked tirelessly to get our woodstove up and working, and we have maplewood from a job to burn in it... Dad still has polish under his nails from making the stove all black and shiny!
I have begun making presents for everyone in our family and some friends! I make it a challenge to try to spend the least money I can, and come up with lovely gifts! My standards for homemade gifts are rather high. When one hears about a "homemade Christmas" we tend to think of pencil cases made out of a felt-covered tin can, or a hand stitched pillow that will come apart the first time anyone dares to lean their weary head against it. But I have alot of fun planning things that are actually worthwhile! Last year I illustrated a book of my poems for Mama and gave that to her. The year before I made several books of words to praise songs for Dad since he has a hard time sometimes without them. :) Dad is probably the hardest to find something for. He always tells me with a twinkle in his eye that all he wants are "peace, hope, and love" so one year I made three heart-shaped ornaments and embroidered, "peace", "hope", and "love" them. Now he must give me other ideas! :) I have already done something for Sarah that I dare not say here because this is her blog too. Daniel has put me in an absolute pickle, for I must come up with three fabulous presents in 5 weeks! (grad. birthday, and Christmas)
I am so excited about Advent! It is one of my favorite seasons of the year! The word literally means "waiting" and is a period of four weeks before Christmas. We will fill ya'll in on that later! It is so exciting! I have been asked by Mrs. Mickey to plan out the cooking day for Daniel's graduation! Fun! (At least, I hope so! Alot of responsability! Pray for me because if I can't do it, all ya'll will go hungry! ;) Dad has almost relented from his rule of "No Christmas music before Thanksgiving". We call it "practicing" and then sing it as much as we want since such a thing is necessary to sound great during the holidays! :) We still have venison left from last fall! And a hunter just came and dropped off a venison ham for us- fresh! All these guys are butterin' us up since ours is the only land they aren't allowed to hunt on in this section! We have no intention of letting strange rednecks with mean hounds run ragged all over here and chase our deer off, but we enjoy the venison they give us in the fall, and the barbeque in the summer! :) Well, I must go put Abby to bed! (Duty calls!) Hope this rambling wasn't too unseasonal! Oh! Also, am I getting old? (17?) At the turkey pick-up day, someone asked me, "Oh! Are you Scott's wife?" (the father of Morgan who is older than me?) I was nearly dumbstruck but found it amusing! :) Goodnight all you bloggy-people out there! And have a blessed Thanksgiving! "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good- His mercy endures forever!"
(And maybe by next post I'll have a pilgrim poem made up or something! (I love writing poems!)
Excitedly,
Rachel
I have begun making presents for everyone in our family and some friends! I make it a challenge to try to spend the least money I can, and come up with lovely gifts! My standards for homemade gifts are rather high. When one hears about a "homemade Christmas" we tend to think of pencil cases made out of a felt-covered tin can, or a hand stitched pillow that will come apart the first time anyone dares to lean their weary head against it. But I have alot of fun planning things that are actually worthwhile! Last year I illustrated a book of my poems for Mama and gave that to her. The year before I made several books of words to praise songs for Dad since he has a hard time sometimes without them. :) Dad is probably the hardest to find something for. He always tells me with a twinkle in his eye that all he wants are "peace, hope, and love" so one year I made three heart-shaped ornaments and embroidered, "peace", "hope", and "love" them. Now he must give me other ideas! :) I have already done something for Sarah that I dare not say here because this is her blog too. Daniel has put me in an absolute pickle, for I must come up with three fabulous presents in 5 weeks! (grad. birthday, and Christmas)
I am so excited about Advent! It is one of my favorite seasons of the year! The word literally means "waiting" and is a period of four weeks before Christmas. We will fill ya'll in on that later! It is so exciting! I have been asked by Mrs. Mickey to plan out the cooking day for Daniel's graduation! Fun! (At least, I hope so! Alot of responsability! Pray for me because if I can't do it, all ya'll will go hungry! ;) Dad has almost relented from his rule of "No Christmas music before Thanksgiving". We call it "practicing" and then sing it as much as we want since such a thing is necessary to sound great during the holidays! :) We still have venison left from last fall! And a hunter just came and dropped off a venison ham for us- fresh! All these guys are butterin' us up since ours is the only land they aren't allowed to hunt on in this section! We have no intention of letting strange rednecks with mean hounds run ragged all over here and chase our deer off, but we enjoy the venison they give us in the fall, and the barbeque in the summer! :) Well, I must go put Abby to bed! (Duty calls!) Hope this rambling wasn't too unseasonal! Oh! Also, am I getting old? (17?) At the turkey pick-up day, someone asked me, "Oh! Are you Scott's wife?" (the father of Morgan who is older than me?) I was nearly dumbstruck but found it amusing! :) Goodnight all you bloggy-people out there! And have a blessed Thanksgiving! "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good- His mercy endures forever!"
(And maybe by next post I'll have a pilgrim poem made up or something! (I love writing poems!)
Excitedly,
Rachel
Crazy Night, Normal Day
Last night, Rachel was reading The Hobbit to our sisters when they noticed that our black lab/ German shepherd mix, Licorice, was limping. She is always jumping into our pool and she is six years old, so Mama figured that we could give some kid's Tylenol. That was a Big Mistake! :(
Sarah researched it online and found out that acetaminophen is toxic to dogs and also saw some very tragic stories of dogs that had died from eating it. Licorice had already licked up about 2 1/2 teaspoons of it!! So we were all running around calling Poison Control, who told us to call an Animal Poison Control who would give us information. (for a $60 fee!) Then we called a 24 hour vet(while the rest of us were looking over Mom's shoulder as she frantically searched the Internet) who told us that she would be fine, and to keep an eye on her. Mom had already read that activated charcoal capsules should be administered to soak up the poison in Licorice's system, so Dad and the girls were force feeding them to Licky in pieces of meat,cookies, and in brownies. (yes, chocolate's poisonous to dogs- she's fine today) After that excitement we all tried to go to bed.
Now for today! :)
Actually, it was pretty normal! Usually we do lawns on Thursdays and Fridays, but due to weather problems we got set back a day. Thus, Sarah, Dad, and Daniel all went out grass-cutting. The rest of us stayed home and did Saturday chores. ( cleaning bathrooms, dusting, organizing bookshelves, and the like) I (Rachel) also put all the loose discs back into all the D.V.D. cases. That hadn't been done in ages!
We had a snack, and a break, then cleaned out the van for church tomorrow, and stacked clean bricks (leftovers from building the house) so that Dad can make a hearth for our wood stove.
We saw a huge spider, and were ever on the look-out for black widows! :{
We had lunch and did chores, and then I put Gracie down for a nap. Then we all had a rest while Mama and Abby went to the store.
Later it was time to get the venison marinated for fajitas, and to make food to bring to church tomorrow for the weekly potluck lunch. We actually didn't end up eating till 8:00 or so.
Meanwhile:
Sarah was working, and simultaneously writing a report on raising broiler chicks for 4-H. We are new to 4-H aren't heavily involved in it, but it gets Sarah free admission and a learning experience, and it gets us free meat! :)Per Daniel's request, (we call him the carnivore) the work crew stopped at a place to get chicken wings. Their last lawn was actually a commercial contract, meaning that it is at a business. We call it "The Car Place" for lack of a better term, but really it is a place that ships cars for the navy from destination to destination. (Ever wonder how the people who are moving take their cars across the sea?) Since it was a Saturday, and we are usually there on a Thursday, there was a different security guard there. At first he wouldn't let them in, and so they sat with the truck and trailer in the turning lane of a busy road for almost a half-hour until the guard called the manager, and the other security guard, but to no avail. Finally he just let them in and guess what?!? They didn't steal anything! ;) Such are the adventures in a landscaper's day!
Like I said, since we waited for them to get home, we had a late dinner, and then Rachel (me) put Gracie to bed again. In our chore chart, each day one older girl has "Gracie Duty" which means we are her buddy. That was me today. I actually got her pretty wild before bed by tickling her, turning off the light, and hiding, etc.
Well, just thought we'd share a fairly normal day for us! After all as Laura Ingalls Wilder said, "It is the simple things in life that are the real ones after all."
Well, goodnight! Psalm 91:5-8
Sarah researched it online and found out that acetaminophen is toxic to dogs and also saw some very tragic stories of dogs that had died from eating it. Licorice had already licked up about 2 1/2 teaspoons of it!! So we were all running around calling Poison Control, who told us to call an Animal Poison Control who would give us information. (for a $60 fee!) Then we called a 24 hour vet(while the rest of us were looking over Mom's shoulder as she frantically searched the Internet) who told us that she would be fine, and to keep an eye on her. Mom had already read that activated charcoal capsules should be administered to soak up the poison in Licorice's system, so Dad and the girls were force feeding them to Licky in pieces of meat,cookies, and in brownies. (yes, chocolate's poisonous to dogs- she's fine today) After that excitement we all tried to go to bed.
Now for today! :)
Actually, it was pretty normal! Usually we do lawns on Thursdays and Fridays, but due to weather problems we got set back a day. Thus, Sarah, Dad, and Daniel all went out grass-cutting. The rest of us stayed home and did Saturday chores. ( cleaning bathrooms, dusting, organizing bookshelves, and the like) I (Rachel) also put all the loose discs back into all the D.V.D. cases. That hadn't been done in ages!
We had a snack, and a break, then cleaned out the van for church tomorrow, and stacked clean bricks (leftovers from building the house) so that Dad can make a hearth for our wood stove.
We saw a huge spider, and were ever on the look-out for black widows! :{
We had lunch and did chores, and then I put Gracie down for a nap. Then we all had a rest while Mama and Abby went to the store.
Later it was time to get the venison marinated for fajitas, and to make food to bring to church tomorrow for the weekly potluck lunch. We actually didn't end up eating till 8:00 or so.
Meanwhile:
Sarah was working, and simultaneously writing a report on raising broiler chicks for 4-H. We are new to 4-H aren't heavily involved in it, but it gets Sarah free admission and a learning experience, and it gets us free meat! :)Per Daniel's request, (we call him the carnivore) the work crew stopped at a place to get chicken wings. Their last lawn was actually a commercial contract, meaning that it is at a business. We call it "The Car Place" for lack of a better term, but really it is a place that ships cars for the navy from destination to destination. (Ever wonder how the people who are moving take their cars across the sea?) Since it was a Saturday, and we are usually there on a Thursday, there was a different security guard there. At first he wouldn't let them in, and so they sat with the truck and trailer in the turning lane of a busy road for almost a half-hour until the guard called the manager, and the other security guard, but to no avail. Finally he just let them in and guess what?!? They didn't steal anything! ;) Such are the adventures in a landscaper's day!
Like I said, since we waited for them to get home, we had a late dinner, and then Rachel (me) put Gracie to bed again. In our chore chart, each day one older girl has "Gracie Duty" which means we are her buddy. That was me today. I actually got her pretty wild before bed by tickling her, turning off the light, and hiding, etc.
Well, just thought we'd share a fairly normal day for us! After all as Laura Ingalls Wilder said, "It is the simple things in life that are the real ones after all."
Well, goodnight! Psalm 91:5-8
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