Monday 28 February 2011

Tullie House Museum and Ephesians 6 v 10 - 18

Today was our planned trip to the Tullie House Museum in Carlisle Cumbria.  Our main area of interest was the Celts and Romans.  As always the museum never disappoints and the interactive displays and exhibits are informative.  In an attempt to sustain the interest of younger visitors there are colouring tables and jigsaws dotted strategically throughout the various levels.  The only downside is the museum policy of no photographs, so nothing visual to report from our trip.  Both kids enjoyed the visit and we would certainly make a return visit, albeit with our own sandwiches as the cost of a jacket potato lunch was heinously expensive!

Once home we settled to tea making and then down time for D and M and loft time for me.  I'm working on another dress for M only this time I'm making a note of how much work I can accomplish in a given time... in other words a good old fashioned time and motion study!  Ultimately it will help me produce a cost analysis for a particular item should I decide to sell on ETSY or some other similar internet site.

Monday night as always is my quiet time at Shalom Prayers and this evenings study was based on the passage from Ephesians and the full Armour of God.  The lady who led the meeting was reading from a piece of work written by her friend, there were at least four sides of A4 text and so it resembled an essay.  I tried very hard to listen but since I'm predominantly a visual thinker my mind wandered several times throughout the reading.  It was only at the end when I had time to ponder the words in relation to my visual aid from earlier in the day of a life size model of a Roman soldier that everything fell into place:

Gird your waist with truth - in physical exercise this refers to a person's core stability.  In spiritual terms the analogy is the very core of our being, who we are in Christ and how we relate to Him.

Breastplate of righteousness - this area  protects all the vulnerable and vital organs from attack of sword or spear.  In our spiritual life Jesus is our breastplate of righteousness, it is through His shed blood that, we have a hope of life eternal.  Righteousness cannot be earned it is freely given. 

Feet shod with the Gospel of peace - a Roman soldier's shoes were quite flimsy in comparison to the rest of his armour.  I wonder if this was so they could be nimble on their feet during times of combat?  The Gospel of peace says it all, after all if we practiced peace in our hearts and then our families, all wars would cease.

Shield of Faith - the Roman shield was a substantial piece of kit.  D and I tried lifting one at the museum and it took the two of us to raise it from the ground!  The shield was rectangular in shape and built in size so that if needed the soldier could kneel behind it and full body protection was given.  During intense combat the army would adopt a strategic move known as the tortoise formation, some shields would be linked vertically and others overhead in a horizontal format.  That particular method is still employed to this day in riot combat!  A strong faith can help us overcome the most insurmountable hurdles.  Like righteousness this is another gift freely given, but like any muscle of the body it requires regular training and exercise!

Helmet of Salvation - Joyce Meyer has a great phrase, "where the mind goes the man follows!"  If we are not guarded in this area, negative thought patterns can send us on an ever decreasing downward spiral and we can even doubt our own salvation!  Looks like this is one part of body armour I neglected to don these past few weeks!

Sword of The Spirit - the Word of God.  If you are ever in doubt over what to do, look to God's love letters to us, written in the Bible.  Jesus is the same today, yesterday and forever.  Those words that have spoken through the ages continue to impart loving guidance today.

In closing Roman Armour was worn continuously, so that very quickly it became a second skin; putting on the Armour of God might seem arduous at first but with daily perseverance and baby steps the rewards will be immeasurable.

Sunday 27 February 2011

Finally Moved In!

It's official cyber moving is very stressful!  I'm very grateful for a patient and computer literate hubby.  There were several times during this past week that, I felt like throwing the towel in and quitting cyber space altogether.  I did seriously wonder if blogging was really such a good thing, but I know that, through this medium I have "met" some truly lovely and helpful people.  Folk who are willing to support me on my journey as a parent and home schooler and who allow me a peek into their world too.

It was not an easy decision to block the Grace blog but I had to do something to prevent the stalking. Sadly as a result of the lock down I too was also locked out of various blog links and this was incredibly frustrating. My home life through  illnesses and disability is often confined within the same four walls, in cyber space I'm on a level pegging with others and to have that removed is not acceptable, hence my reason for being here! 


Here are some pics from the past week:



Collage work and pastel drawings by Mr B.

3D space ship as part of B's "homework" from his art and craft teacher.

Daffodils to cheer!

Civil Engineering at work!

Bakery Shop open for business!

I was also gifted a fabric stash from a kind neighbour and decided to reclaim my workspace in the loft and  put this floral design to good use:



Cute, don't ya think?

Cut and ready to sew.

The dress is fully lined with a flannelette fabric dress, so nice and cosy on chilly days.

C'est finit!!  Front view, all seems are top stitched with machine apart from the sleeves, they had to be hand sewn, my sleeve arm on the machine would not accommodate their size!

Back view.

This dress only cost £7.00 to make!  This was for the cost of the flannelette fabric.  I have a lovely blue pattern waiting for similar treatment and by then, it will be time  to make something just for me!

Sunday 13 February 2011

Instead...

... of my posting from yesterday, which has been removed I offer this as a reminder to me in particular:


"You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil."
           —St Seraphim of Sarov

This thoughtful passage was found at this website:  http://mollysabourin.typepad.com/ 


 My original posting although in some ways justified, left me feeling uneasy, after all two wrongs don't make a right, all words thrown out into the ether have the power to hurt or heal. 

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Peace...

... it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. 

It means to be in the midst of all those things and still -

BE CALM IN YOUR HEART.

Anon.

Monday 7 February 2011

Monday Musings

Once again I was privileged to attend this evening's prayers meeting.  The following is a meditation from  UCB radio and led by my dear friend Bea:

" Peace is your inheritance, your birthright.  When you have lost your peace it is harder to hear from God.  Your best problem solving resource is peace; anxiety blocks any solution.  God's peace is available to you if you choose it"

How ironic that I should encounter these words after the fact!  Last week was particularly challenging both physically and mentally; I reached a point where I could not truly pray nor find comfort in the Bible.  During times of great anxiety the only word I could breathe was the holy name of Jesus and little by little the tempest was calmed and peace ensued.  His loving and gentle words to us says it all:

" Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14 v 27

May the peace of God be your anchor in the storms of life.

Blessings San x 

Sunday 6 February 2011

Life In The Slow Lane

This has been our story this past week.  I've been hit with an unexpected health problem and the consequences of that have dominated our home this past week.  No supply teacher to step into the breach so home education in this household has truly been autonomous!  So much so, that Benedict has once or twice complained of boredom and had to find his own way of organising his time!

Pip has engaged in  some extra learning of her own and on Sunday whilst visiting friends, decided to use their  bathroom facilities.  She's been virtually nappy free since then and apart from the odd accident seems to be grasping the concept fairly well.   Enthusiastic praise and the occasional tiny chocolate button as a reward seems to be helping too!

Here are some pictures of this past week:

 Den Building.


Art Attack.


Collage Making.


Pom Poms At  The Ready!


Working And Playing Hard.


"Smile Dad you're on Candid Camera!"



Skeleton Spaceship.



A Much Needed Haircut.