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We are temporarily at LisaRaub.blogspot.com while we (my "web-design daughter," Sharon and I) work on a new website! Thanks so much for sticking with us!

Monday, April 30, 2012

De-lurking Day!


to me!

It's happening again!  Tomorrow I'm having another birthday!  No, I won't tell you how old I am, but I prefer to say that I'm "pulling 40!"  And yes, I'm pulling it pretty hard.

It's time to de-lurk!  All you people that are lurking in the shadows, not real followers, but regular blog -checkers, show yourself!  It would even be great to hear from my regular followers!

Introduce yourself and let me know who you are!  I would LOVE to hear from you!


Friday, April 27, 2012

Parenting Resources - Adventure, Excitement, and...History??

photo credit



"Boy, you slammed that door again!" chided the crisp and proper lady.

"Ah fogaht," the boy replied uncomfortably.

"What?" the prim woman demanded sharply.

Booker shifted his weight uneasily and tried again.  "Ah fogaht, Missus Ruffner....Ma'am."

Looking him squarely in the eye, Mrs. Ruffner replied evenly, "Your excuses will not do, Booker."

********************



Your Story Hour has provided hours - I mean, HOURS - of listening entertainment for us as a family!  We first were introduced to Your Story Hour way back when they had tapes, and that's a long time ago!  Since we first heard the above episode of the childhood of Booker T. Washington, we've bought many tape sets, played them to death (poor things), and finally arrived in the present by downloading MP3s of these wonderful stories.

Some of our very favorites are Heritage of Our Country, which my 26 year old daughter claims as "that's the way I learned history," and the Patterns of Destiny series, a compilation of stories about great Americans.  There are also wonderful Bible Stories, which are amazingly accurate, as well as the Great StoriesSeries.  We've very enthusaistically bought (and listened to!) Heritage of Our Country, Patterns of Destiny, several of the Great Stories series, Young Abraham Lincoln, and the amazing story of Shackleton'sArctic Expedition.



Take a few moments to click over to YourStoryHour.org, where you can find CD albums, activity books, and MP3 downloads.  There are also Spanish products available as well.

For me, I had a HUGE lightbulb moment when it occurred to me, "Hey, maybe I can get on ITunes and find something for my IPad!"  So I went over there, and, lo and behold, there was Your Story Hour!  As we speak, I am downloading Great Stories album 10!  This is the description:

Your Story Hour is proud to present this new set of exciting, dramatized stories.  You'll enjoy hearing the adventure of  dynamic Theodore Roosevelt, pioneering scientist like Wilhelm Roentgen and Alexander Fleming and more.  Great listening and entertainment for the whole family.(Each CD is approximately one-hour in length.) 

The CD album sells for $22.50 from YourStoryHour.org, but I am able to download it from ITunes for only $6.95!!!  (Can you tell I'm excited??!!??)

I'm really trying my best to remain calm, especially since I'm sitting in a nice quiet library.  But do you know what that means??!  That means we'll be able to listen to these stories on the hour drive home!  WaHOO!  Oops, I'm sorry, Ms. Librarian.  Yes, I'll be more quiet now.

If you get to listen to any of the Heritage of Our Country series, you'll get to hear what happens to poor Booker.  No, I'm not going to tell you, you have to fnd our for yourself.  Mwa-ha-ha-ha!

Have a glorious weekend!




These opinions are entirely my own, and I am not receiving any payment for any of these endorsements.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Beautiful, Wonderful Drive!


A few days ago when we drove from El Paso, TX to Carlsbad, NM (on the way to a meeting in Big Spring, TX) we saw some completely gorgeous mountains!  The weather was not too hot even though we were driving through desert but the scenery was beautiful.



My Beloved faithfully drives the big rig.  I'm so thankful that he's an excellent driver!  Some folks have asked me if I drive this thing, and I tell them emphatically "NO!"  Secretly, though, it would be nice to try my hand at it on a straightaway...maybe!  Perhaps if no one else is on board and we can stop all traffic.



As we drove, I prepared lunch.  That day we had tuna salad, which we normally have about once a week.  You won't find fancy bowls in our motorhome; there are no pretty dishes or quaint heirloom plates - just plastic, plastic, and more plastic.  When I took this picture, it was on a pretty bouncy road, so it is still a little blurry.



That day, two of us worked together to make a never-before tried tuna salad.  The results were, well, let's say, less-than-impressive, at least to me.  Some in my family, who shall remain nameless, really loved it, but my fellow chef and I thought it was, um...interesting!


We drove through more desert, but we also saw -, which was stunning in the radiant blue sky topped with wispy clouds.  Lydia was clicking away at it when I took the above photo with my IPad, and this is what she was taking pictures of:



We're so thankful to be able to travel in this ministry!  It's exciting to be able to see such wonderful sights!  And . . . thankfully there were no problems like blown tires or leaky radiators!!  

God is good!

Rolling on for Jesus,


Friday, April 20, 2012

Parenting Resources: Help for the Home School

photo credit
Call me a rebel if you like, but I've never been one to find out which way the current is flowing and go with it.  That's why it took me so long to read Charlotte Mason's first book in her series on home schooling.

You see, I always heard her name spoken in a strange sort of reverence, kind of the way someone would refer to "The Patron Saint of Home Schoolers" or something.  I just chalked it up to the thought that "I guess there's a few wierdos in the home schooling community."

So finally I found Charlotte Mason's book available for Kindle for$1.99 a piece!!  Being the stingy sort of homemaker, that strongly appealed to my thrify instincts, and I downloaded it.  I was in for quite a read!


photo credit 

I found Miss Mason's understanding of the learning process to be exactly correct, and I especially think her writings onthe will and the conscience of the child to be right on.  It was actually very convicting, too, to realize just how much responsability lies with me - the parent.

Even if you don't do the Charlotte Mason style of home schooling (which I don't, but someday I may,) her books would be a tremendous help to your parenting.    Good old-fashioned common sense, which was on every street corner back in Mason's day, is rare now indeed, but her writings are full of wisdom!



Simply Charlotte Mason has a lot of really good resources for their style of home schooling, as well as Queen Homeschool, who published my book,












  Check them both out, but especially see if you can get a hold of the original Charlotte Mason book.  Click here for the Kindle version, only $1.99, or here for the paperback on Amazon.

Enjoy your weekend!



Thursday, April 19, 2012

When You've Been Burned


Can you live again after being burned?


"...the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity..."   photo credit: www.libelium.com

All of us feel the flames of an unbridled tongue at one time or another.  Everything seems to be going fine, and then suddenly there are sparks, a flame, and before we know it, the fire is completely out of control.  Unable to halt its incendiary advances, we fall victim to its singeing cataclysm.

And it hurts.  Bad.


"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."  photo credit: www.photobucket.com
With ashes all around and smoke still seeping, we look around to see if there's anything left of our former selves.  We've been burned beyond recognition, but is there anything left to salvage? 

No.  Nothing.  Life as we knew it is over, and we will never be the same again.

Time passes.  The kindly winds blow, and the gentle rains fall.  The dead earth feels nothing.  Still, the showers continue, and the sun plays its part, beaming softly on our scorched ground.


photo credit:  http://www.mccullagh.org


We don't know when it happens, but it does happen.  A tender shoot, a small blade, appears, pushing its way bravely through the ashes.  Defying all the odds, and even perhaps to our own surprise, it continues to surge upward, reaching for the gentle rain and the kindly sun.  The wind plays with our soft , light green sprigs and strengthens them, helping us to grow even more. 

There is life, even after such an awful death.




Will it be the same again?  No, never.  But slowly we heal, and we learn that we may not ever be the same, but because our Creator allowed this horrific burning, we can be better.  The whole area is clearer and nutrients are everywhere.  Yes, life can be better now.

As long as we keep reaching for the rain of the Word, the warm and inviting Son, and the gentle breeze of the Spirit, there will be life, even after we've been burned. 



Monday, April 16, 2012

Manuscript Update!




I'm very thankful to the Lord that I've made lots of progress on the parenting book based on many interviews of those who have been raised for Him.  As I said in my last update, I've finished the manuscript and sent it out to various people for endorsements.  I've received one really good endorsement, and I'm waiting for several more, Lord willing.  I've also had it proofread by two different people, and sent it to a professional editor.  Soon, I'll get the edited copy back, and then, it's back to the revision table!

There are other sorts of things I've been able to do to get ready for the big launching day, but some of them are going to remain a secret for a little bit!  Not for long, though, 'cause I'm terrible at keeping secrets.  ;)

One of the things that I need soon is a professional cover designer/book interior designer, so if anyone knows of a good one who is reasonable, I'd appreciate your letting me know! 

Also, if any of you knows anyone who may be interested in a parenting book which tells how to raise godly children, based on actual childhood experiences of those who are godly adults, please let me know!  I can add them to my list, and they can receive regular updates and be the first to know when the book comes out!


Writing on the Journey for Him,

Thursday, April 12, 2012

When Someone You Love Needs You...


We've always loved the beach.  As a family, we try our best to see if we can find a nice secluded spot to swim in the places we travel to.  Of course, sometimes a secluded spot is not necessarily the safest spot.

Years ago, when we only had our three oldest children, we took a little vacation on the beach in Corpus Cristi.  We found a nice, secluded spot, put on the kids' floaty suits, and jumped in, with one of us always with little baby Stephen on the shore. 

We didn't realize there had been a tropical storm not far off the coast.



Taking my turn with Kathy and Jonathan in the water, I took them out to the place past where the waves would break, so they wouldn't always get slapped in the face by water.

Within minutes, we discovered a rip tide.

Rip tides are like fast-flowing rivers which flow out to sea right under the surface of the water.  It can carry people away from the shoreline in a matter of minutes, and unless they knew how to get out of the rip tide, they can exhaust themselves all the while continuing to go out to sea.




 I dove underwater, glided about ten yards, and then came up and looked around.  What I saw chilled me to the bone: 

my toddlers were swiftly heading out to sea.

I swam to them quickly and assessed our situation.  With their floaty suits on, the kids couldn't drown, but we were rapidly being pulled away from the shore, and I could no longer touch the bottom with my feet.  Here I had two small children, 3 and 2, to somehow tow, and I wasn't strong enough to swim against the tide myself, let alone with them.  And I wasn't about to leave them.





*********

Many of us have trials and troubles enough to fill an encyclopedia, but we also have loved ones to take care of.  God Himself can give us the strength to take care of the things we need to. 

There will be times in our lives when a loved one goes under.  Maybe a long illness has taken its toll.  There may be a traumatic situation in the past which continues to create difficult situations.  Perhaps they have had a setback at work.  Or maybe a friend has had a child go wayward.  The catastrophic situation brings heartbreak.   Depression sets in, and they need help.  In times like these, it's easy to panic, to be pulled under by the others' flailing.  If we're to be any help at all, we must be calm, careful, and prayerful.

Don't Panic!  In times when a loved one is going through a difficult situation, it may be hard not to mirror their feelings and go into a tailspin yourself.

Keep your own head up; make sure your lifeline to God is strong.  Always remember that He holds you.

Get behind them!  In lifesaving, we are taught to get behind the person and reach around under their arms. 

Our loved one needs to know that we're behind them, supporting them.  Just as you would never shout to a drowning person, "Oh, knock it off, will ya?  Just swim!"  It would be silly to tell someone, "Oh, you'll be fine.  Just cheer up!"

Talk to them Calmly! 

Reassure them that it really will be OK, you're behind them and God is strengthening them. 

Get them to the place where they can stand!

As quickly as possible, take them to Jesus, who can help them through the deep waters.  Pray with them, pray for them, and tell them any reassuring Scriptures you can think of that may be a blessing.

Once they're standing, however, it's time to let go!

***********



The kids must have read my face, and they were starting to worry.  One of them was just about to cry, when I quickly put on a cheery face and said, "OK, guys, looks like we need to get a little closer to shore!"  Knowing I needed their help, I told them, "I'm going to need you guys to help me get us all in, OK?  You both hold onto me, because I'm going to need my arms and my legs to get us in, and when I tell you to kick, kick hard!" 

With my precious cargo in tow, I began to swim gently but powerfully parallel to the coast. I knew rip tides can be wide, but I also knew that I could eventually get out of them by swimming along the coast to get out of the rapidly flowing river.  Once I got free of the rip tide, I could then get into shore easily, as long as I didn't wear myself out.

The waves were pushing us toward the shoreline while the water underneath was pulling us out.  I decided to take advantage of the waves, resting between them.  "OK, guys, here comes a wave.  Kick!"  It was a two steps forward, one and a half step back process

Finally, I felt the sandy bottom brush my toes, and I dug in.  For the first few waves, it was a worthless attempt, as my toes merely scraped along the ocean floor, but eventually I got a foothold & was able to really keep myself, and my loved ones, from going any further out.  Soon we were able to get to shore.

We were safe! 

Sometimes people need a little help from their loved ones.  Let's be the ones who can take them to where they can stand.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

...make every act a masterpiece...

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31


"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."  Ecclesiastes 9:10


Whether it be sweeping floors, changing diapers, wiping runny noses, or spending time with your hubby, do it with excellence; do it with thy might.  You will find yourself blessed in time to come.


Yours on the journey - with excellence -

Monday, April 9, 2012

Creating a Worshipful Atmosphere in the Home





Being a first generation Christian, I spent my childhood immersed radioland.  The top 40 was a big part of my Saturday, and every other morning, my clock radio would wake me up to the tunes of The Beetles, Beach Boys, Doobie Brothers, and John Denver.  Of course, when I got older, these gave way to rock groups such as AC/DC, KISS, and Pink Floyd.  Needless to say, my mind was full of all sorts of music that held me back in my Christian life.

It was a wonderful day when the Lord convicted me to stop listening to secular rock music, but then I turned to Christian rock!  It was the same ol' tune, but different words.  I must say that it was better, but the music I listened to was so close to the other wicked music that there seemed to always be a radio on in my head.  It wasn't until I began replacing rock music - in any form - with godly, melodious music, that I began to have victory in my thought life.

In the home, the music is the heart.  If we have raspy, demanding, irritated music playing in the home, how do you think the little children will behave?  How would we respond when milk is spilled, or when our husband asks us to pour him a cup of tea?  Can it be that selfishness is piped into our homes through the radio, strengthening our sinful natures, and causing all kinds of heartache?  Perhaps.

Worshipful music should be played regularly throughout the home.  "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in  your heart to the Lord."  Ephesians 5:19



I heartily recommend Majesty Music for the whole family!  They carry all sorts of beautiful music, tastefully arranged.  They have choir CDs, instrmental CDs, heartwarming CDs, and of course Patch the Pirate, the sea-going godly Christian who takes his crew through many adventures while teaching biblical character and principles.  

The tunes are very catchy, and encouraging to the Christian who wants to live for God and train a family for Him.



You can even go to Majesty Tunes, to actually download the music right to your computer.  That's even cheaper, and of course has great sound quality as well.

Singing as we go on our journey,


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Very Best Fish Recipe!!!

I make this recipe often, and my family simply LOVES it!  The only fish they had while growing up was just fish sticks, so I was quite brave to try to actually make fish that didn't come in a box.  What I came up with is a delicious fried fish recipe that everyone - even Jason - enjoys!!   






This recipe serves 6 of us, but you can adjust the quantities however you want.


Marinated Fried Talapia


2 pounds of talapia or some other mild fish
1-2 cups of olive oil or vegetable oil
1 t minced garlic
1/2 t Bragg Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
1/2 t Louisiana Hot Sauce (sounds crazy, I know, but it gives the meat a little bite!  ...and I don't mean you     biting it, either!)
Lawry's Seasoned Salt (to taste)


First, Make the Marinade:  Combine all ingredients in a gallon ziploc bag, then add the fish pieces.  (These should be thawed first, if possible.)  




 










Allow the fish to sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes.  Then, when you're ready to cook, you can try this new trick I discovered the last time I made marinated fish - if you drain the marinade into a cup (to throw out the back door later) then your fish will not be dripping too much.



Then fry the fish, preferably in a non-stick teflon pan, for about 3 minutes per side.  I usually look to see if it is done on the edges and only the middle is still pink when I turn it over.

Then, of course, EAT!  My family rants and raves over this fish . . . and they're really not much of fish eaters!

Try it!  You may find your family thrilled with it, and it's good for you, too!

How do you make fish in a way that your family enjoys?  Share a recipe or two with us!


Enjoying some high-quality protein for the journey,

Monday, April 2, 2012

When You Don't Know What to Do...



"Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires..."  (Isaiah 24:15a)

Just last week, my husband and I left the doctor's office with the news that he will need delicate ear surgery.  We know this needs to be done, but since we are self-pay and the surgery is lengthy, we have no idea how this will be paid for.  Besides that, our plan was to leave Arizona and head for Texas today, but instead, we have to go the exact opposite direction - California, to have surgury.  How's that for a monkey wrench in the plans?  It gave us a lot of food for thought on the drive home.  It seemed like suddenly life was turned upsidedown and scattered all over the floor.

But on the way home, we began to sing.  And do you know what?  The Lord used those songs to strengthen our hearts!






Paul and Silas knew this little truth.  Perhaps they were simply very godly, dedicated people who were singing praises to God in the prison out of a heart full of confidence and bravery...or perhaps they were afraid, and were singing songs to the Lord anyway.  Either way, the result was the same: there was boldness in the message of Jesus Christ, an earthquake, and then salvation!


At a recent church service, we waited expectantly as the offertory finished and the song leader stood up nervously.  Glancing around, he said, "Anybody know where the pastor is?"  All of us in the congregation looked around quickly and shrugged.  No one knew.  It was not unsusual for him to step out during the song service to pray, speak a word of encouragement to someone, or whatever the need would be. 

"Well," the song leader continued, "when you don't know what else to do, SING!  Turn to number 385, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!"  With lots of smiles and chuckles, we all turned to the appropriate number and began to sing the encouraging hymn.

Ah, yes, when you don't know what to do, what should you do?  Sing!  Sing a happy song, a song of praise, or a song of thanksgiving.  Sing to the Lord a wonderful song, off key or warbly though it may be, it is still sweet music to His ears.  And His ears are worthy of our songs.







I recently heard a small part of an old Roger's and Hammerstein song called Whistle a Happy Tune, and here are some of the words:

Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune, so no one will suspect
I'm afraid.

While shivering in my shoes, I strike a careless pose,
And whistle a happy tune, and no one ever knows
I'm afraid.

The result of this deception is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people, I fear I fool myself as well!

I whistle a happy tune, and every single time
The happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm
Not afraid!


So, whenever you're afraid, sing!

Whenever you're hurting, sing!

And whenever you simply don't know what to do...

SING!

Soon you will find that the message of the song will strengthen your heart.

Singing along the Courageous Journey,

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