ThinMint

- 5 - We read to gain, to be inspired, fall in love. We find the thing that makes us thrive -even if we’re not very good at it, and we steady on because it makes us better. What is the passion God planted in your heart? How will it bloom? Where do you start? As the above quote tells us, in our home.

- 4 - Turn your face towards the sunshine, be barefoot in the soft grass, get yourself an indoor plant to nourish, stand in the rain, look for shapes in the clouds like you did as a child. Be silly, be spontaneous, be content. If it’s delightful to you and glorious for God pursue it ardently, consistently. And if it’s pleasurable to you in any small way, read. Last week, I finished the book, “The Wind and the Willows,” chosen by Shannon Guerra’s channel, Gaining Ground. This was one I started with the kids many years ago, but couldn’t get them interested so it was put aside. I’m so tickled I got to read it all as it was so thoroughly charming! The previous book was, “Hinds Feet On High Places” and before that was Tolkien’s, “The Hobbit.” We’re starting, “Sense and Sensibility” August 8th so if anyone would like to join this very sweet, small and laidback group, we’d love to have you!

- 3 - Some folks say that every generation has their own woes, that nothing is new, and that throughout history people have felt “this is it.” I don’t think it’s far fetched to say that we are, without a doubt, living in unprecedented times. Other than the days of Noah, I don’t think anything can compare to the filth and ungodliness we are witnessing. So yeah, my kids will read good stuff to embolden and boost them, to get them excited and passionate, to help them feel brave, and be empathetic. They need it. Right now they’re experiencing the pain that comes from the unexpected and unexplainable. They need to see how beloved heroes handle unfairness, cruelty, grief. Last week one of their track and field team mates was killed after being struck by a vehicle while he was riding his skateboard. He was only 14. Our hearts hurt. Sadly, both hamsters unexpectedly died Sunday, the shock making the twins feel incredibly uncomfortable, scared. Life is hard. We need to have moments to do the things that make our heart smile.

- 2 - I’m also reminded of another statement from CS Lewis that has stayed with me for a very long time: “Since it is so likely that they [children] will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage…” You know, I think that ought to be applied to adults as well. How do we fight an unseen enemy that manages to seep, ooze, infiltrate and leech all that is good, honorable, charitable? How do we stay encouraged when it’s all too easy to become preoccupied with what we see happening around us? Read. Read about the feats of the men and women of the American Revolution. Learn about their heroic acts; understand how they overcame a long line of abuses; empathize with them having snitches as neighbors; appreciate all the impediments they had to overcome; and apply their courage, their boldness and their resolve to liberate their children’s world from tyranny. Read the struggles, the angst, the glories that David shares in Psalms. If it’s pleasurable to you in any small way, read!

- 1 - I think many of us see the worth in reading, collecting, and sharing books… Felix recently got me some new bookshelves to replace the scruffy ones I've had for 16+ years (the new shelves are like something a grownup would have *swoon* 😊). So my home is in disarray with books and knick-knacks scattered here and there. If the clutter wasn't books, I would lose my mind. I’ve been busy rearranging my collection, but admit I’m not in too much of a hurry as I savor the smell and sight of books stashed in unconventional places around the home, waiting to be moved to their handpicked real estate spot. The twins will be taking a tutorial class for their freshman year. This is a first for us, and I’ve been preparing for this new venture since June. They’ll be reading some classic American literature this year, and I am hopeful I can read all the books, too -even those I already read in high school. In the past two weeks, I’ve managed to complete: Johnny Tremaine, The Scarlet Letter, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Red Badge of Courage and The Call of the Wild. And of course, there’s my nightly cuddle with my Kindle, and a Telegram book club I joined. All this heavier than usual reading reminds me of On Living in an Atomic Age by CS Lewis: What a wonderful way to go through life - getting all cozy with a book!

Thank YOU so very much for all the amazing tips you shared regarding Latin. Sounds like I'm going to need to stock up on cookies to get through this course 🥴 Hope you have a spring in your step today as you bask in the knowledge that God loves you!

courtesy of @CallToBattle

Heeeeeeey friends ... 😬 Anyone have some tips/resources for a very lost and confused mom helping her high school freshmen learn Latin for the first time? (The curriculum we are using at the moment is Henle First Year.) And when I mean tips/resources, I mean like I need it really simplified. Pre-school level, complete with snacks and naps. Or... You teach and I pay you in cookies 😃

I can't think of a better way to start the morning! Thank you, Kazoo, for sharing this sweetness with us 👇🏻

I keep receiving surveys in the mail from the first hospital Felix was admitted. I think it's probably best I do not fill it out. Sometimes we just have to acknowledge our limitations. And I am pretty limited in feeling charitable towards some... organizations. Did I ever tell you that I have received bills for the first time as late as July for December and January claims with threats to ruin our credit? Did I ever tell you that I receive bills repeatedly for claims I already paid with threats to ruin our credit? Did I ever tell you that I receive erroneous bills telling us to pay double to 200 times more than what we owe? Did I ever tell you that the total bills from both hospitals came to just over a million dollars? Our eyes remain focused on Jesus through the continued trials. What also helps us get through these moments that test one's patience is reflecting upon and feeling very grateful for all you did for us. God is still doing the miraculous. Hope. Believe. Pray. Praise. Never, ever stop trusting God!!!!

Happy & Blessed Sunday Friends! I spent time yesterday and this morning enjoying the beautiful creation gifted to us by our Lord! Majestic and wonderful..my favorite thing to do! As I surrendered and was still in His presence, He spoke to me. The temple of the Lord, we each seek to find. Peace, comfort, love. Where does the Lord dwell? Amongst His people and His creation! As I watched the bumble bees collect pollen, butterflies supple sweet nectar, birds singing, grasshoppers hopping, ants busy...I was in His temple! I felt Him ever so close, divinely connected, as if He brought heaven to me. I believe in that moment He swept over my body a healing touch in my heart and soul! I encourage you to step away from the hustle of this life and enter into the temple of the Lord! "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalms 27:4 -The People's Pharmacist 🙏🏼❤️🇺🇲

At some point there is only so much Deep State research we can do. There is only so much delving into conspiracy theories we can do. There is only so much horror we can view. Don’t get me wrong. The pursuit of His truth is paramount. However, if we are spending more time online viewing Red Pill Material™ than we are reading our bible and pursuing Him, we are missing out on truly living. He calls us to Him, for Him, to be used by Him. We don’t want to miss His call! The more it looks doomy, the more we ought to praise Him. This is trust –one of the best ways we can actively demonstrate our love for Him. Another way to show Him we love Him is to live a life appreciating the beauty He gave us in all its many forms. Whether we love art, music or cooking; whether we love gardening or being around animals; whether we are teachers, care givers or truck drivers; whether we’re in the thick of bringing up young ones or enjoying the next generation… We can pursue our loves because He gave those to us -for His glory. Maybe it’s not so much “seize the day” as it is, “pursue God.” Live beautifully. In Him. For Him. Because of Him.

What does this have to do with what CS Lewis wrote above? I propose that living a less distracted, less cumbersome, less hurried life is not just for our benefit, but it’s beneficial for our sphere of influence. Or put another way, pursuing the passions and talents God gave us, cherishing the friends and family He gave us, and adoring Him and treasuring His creation, gives us a servant’s heart for others. He designed us to be happy. Truly. The difference is the world goes about happying* themselves; we know our joy is in and from the Lord. He designed us to laugh, sing, dance, enjoy food, hug and kiss, read, create. He designed us to help one another –an impossible task if we are entirely focused on the world’s standards and distractions. *Made up word alert. You know what to do 😃