From Milk to Meat: Time to Start Chewing!

I feel like it's been forever since I last wrote.   Friday, I had something to say, but never had time to say it.  Saturday came with a new topic at my fingertips, but again, no time to sit and think.  Today, again, things have been whirling around inside my head.  This time, it is a topic that's been on my mind awhile because it's something I've been studying awhile.  So, although this will take a few sittings to complete, here I sit at 11pm on a Sunday night putting 'pen to paper' trying to get a start.

Three times a year my church ladies and I do a Bible study together. Our little group has grown to ten and not all the ladies are members of our church. One is a fellow home school mom who I met one day on a walk. Seeing this woman with her non-uniformed children and her denim skirt, I felt compelled to stop and talk to this stranger who has now become a friend and fellow Bible student. Another is the sister-in-law of a faithful member of our church and Bible study classes. It turns out this sweet one goes to one of our sister churches, about 40 minutes away. We also have another precious soul coming along to learn; soon to be a born again believer, I pray.

Currently, we are on week six of a wonderful study through the Beatitudes. Such a familiar passage to many, yet, not truly understood or heeded; for as the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. To think of having contempt for God's word is unthinkable. However, as I have been studying this passage of scripture, I find that this can easily be so. Not because we want to disregard or devalue what is being taught but because, out of familiarity, we fail to understand what Jesus is really saying. What does Jesus mean by "poor in spirit?"  What is this "mourning" all about?  What is real "meekness" and how do we get it? How can we "hunger and thirst after righteousness" when we don't truly understand what it means to be hungry or thirsty?  This is were we are in our study. Throughout the week, I will expound on these topics and the insight I have gained from this study. In the meantime, I hope you will consider the questions above. Here is the rest of this familiar portion of scripture for your consideration, contemplation, and edification.

Matthew 5:3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for the shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Being Mrs Pickett Has It's Privileges

It seems like everybody knows my husband.  If you've met him, you definitely couldn't forget him.  Most people love him.  Some people aren't so sure.  Others pitty me.  (Sorry, Dear, but it's true.)  But I'm here to tell you that being Mrs. Pickett has its privileges!

Mr. Pickett has been sick for three days now.  Of course, this has its effect on the whole family.  Especially me.  You might be thinking of all the whining I must endure.  (It really hasn't been too bad this time.)  I've also heard the phrase, 'you have three boys,' more than once, and this often does seem true.  Yet, the biggest thing for me this week has been that I've had to be HIM and ME.   What a difference that has made!  

On Monday, I got to get lost in the grocery store again (not because HE would get lost, but because he does all the grocery shopping!).   Next, I got to do the laundry. (A real chore for me, since my hubby does that, too!)  Then, I got to go to the bank and post office (another one of his pleasures.).

I must say, that was the best part of the day.  A matter of fact, that was the inspiration for this hubby praise session.  You see, my man asked me to go to the bank.  Not the one in town, but the new little branch he'd discovered that is closer, faster.  After he reminds me how to make a deposit in the UK (pitiful, I know), I set off to do yet another one of his tasks.  Upon entering the bank, I stopped at the counter to fill in the deposit form.  Although my hubby has reminded me what to do, I am still unsure (because I NEVER go to the bank).  So, I go to the teller, seeking affirmation.  As the teller is looking the slip over, she says to me, "I haven't seen YOU for a while."  Of course, I'm thinking she may NEVER have seen ME before, especially since this is my first time in this branch.  Interrupting my thoughts, she says, "I think it's been about five years, when I worked at the bank in Cannock."  I laugh and said, "It's probably been that long since I've gone to the bank!  This is my husband's job."  Then she and the lady next to her look at each other, and say, "We know! (hee hee) Tell Mr. Pickett we said hello!"  That really tickled me. I'm sure the only reason they recognized me was because of him, and that's alright with me!

Thank you, hubby!  You're the best.  Now get better so you can get back to your stuff! :)

Lesson Plans and Lessons Learned

After the better part of two weeks off, it is time to settle down and write my last few weeks of lesson plans in preparation of going back to America.  The beginning of the planning is easy......just pick up where we left off.  It's where to stop that is the challenge.  There is so much I want to do before we pack up to leave, unsure of what those first few weeks in America will be like.  I've been here before, desiring to plan much, knowing it can't be done.  Why, you  might ask?   Because, regardless of all my careful planning, life happens.  I'm not even sure what my last few weeks in England will be like!

Sometimes I get discouraged by the distracts, some avoidable, some to be expected but are not.  In times past, I have wondered how much my kids are really learning.  Are we keeping up or at least moving forward?  I can say with confidence that this year has been the best!  Progress has been made, fun has been had, and less regret incurred.  As I think back through my memories, I've decided to share with you a few moments I've captured on 'film.'  These are for my encouragement as much as for your enjoyment.  Whether you are a homeschooler, classroom teacher, or just someone passing through, I hope you have a blessed week, full of things accomplished, happy flexibility when required, and an overall sense of time well spent.

Outsmarted By a Four Year Old!

Yesterday morning, while I was typing up my latest blog, Dakota kept coming to me, asking if he could do this or do that.  In the mornings, when we are not doing school, I like for him to play with his toys and watch a show while I get some things done.  Dak has this great castle he's been building with MegaBlocks, so he usually does a bit of both, watching and building. Yesterday, however, Dakota wanted to eat, eat, eat and play LegoGames on the XBox. Of course, he knows he can't have crisps or biscuits until lunchtime or play his 30 minutes (or soooo) on the XBox until after lunch, but he persisted, negotiation tactics in hand!  On his last attempt, Dakota says, "How about I play my game after my show is over?!"  Thinking I could put him off for at least an hour, I happily agreed. Then, with the biggest smile I've ever seen, Dakota says, "And my show is already over!"

Me and The Things I Love

Pancake Day!  I had never heard of Pancake Day before we came to England.  Of course, upon learning of this important day, I knew right away it was for us.  We love pancakes!  So, every February, when that Tuesday rolls around, we do as the British do..........eat pancakes morning, noon, and night!

Now, British pancakes are not the same as American pancakes.  They are thin and flat, only a little thicker than a French crepe.  The British traditionally eat them differently, as well, with a sprinkling of sugar and lemon.  I enjoy them.  I do, but when I think of pancakes, I think of big, thick American pancakes.  So, when our first Pancake Day was upon us, I went to the store looking for pancake mix.   You know, Aunt Jemima's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, anything quick and easy....just add the water or milk and go!  Of course, I left the store disappointed, as I had many times before.  No American pancake mix.  What to do? What to do? Well, I COULD make batter from scratch. What a thought!  So, off I go to find that Wycliffe Cookbook the missions office gave me before we came to England.  Thinking back to the day I received that book, I remember perusing it's pages of canning vegetables, making preserves, baking bread, and the long list of food substitutions, and I thought, 'It's not like I'm going to Africa!'  Little did I know how much England could be like Africa!

In this now-precious cookbook I found several recipes for pancakes. The one I like the best just happens to be called 'Favorite Pancakes.' They are so well-named!  Here's the recipe in case you want to give it a try:

Favorite Pancakes

Combine: 2 cups flour (500ml)

   2 Tbsp sugar (30ml)

   4 tsp baking powder (20ml)

   1 tsp salt (5ml)

Combine separately and add:

   2 eggs, beaten

   1 1/2 cups milk (370ml)

   1/4 cup oil (60ml)

Stir quickly until blended. Do not beat. Cook on a hot, greased griddle or pan turning when bubbly.

Pancakes should be a golden brown, traditionally served with butter and maple syrup.

On this past Tuesday, Pancake Day, I must have cooked 60 pancakes. And not just the American kind.  In the evening, some young men from our church came around for pancakes. We made traditional British pancakes, flipping them right in the pan.  What a sight we were, gathered around my little kitchen at 10 o'clock at night laughing, joking, and flipping pancakes.  It was fun, and the pancakes were good.

Fast forward to Friday.  While out with a friend, enjoying a cup of tea on a play date with our children, my friend asks me what I'd given up for Lent.  Lent?  'Well, nothing,' I said.  'What have you given up?'  She gave me her list of sugar, chocolate, and biscuits.  The normal things, I would suppose.  After all, Lent is about giving up things you enjoy.  She explained a little more about Lent, just enough to get me thinking.  I came home and did a quick search on Lent and it's connection to Pancake Day.  I knew a little already.  Pancake day came about as a way to get rid of whatever flour, eggs, milk, and sugar were left in the cupboards before Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday (the day after Pancake Day).  Traditionally, it is 40 days before Easter, minus the six Sundays and ending on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter).  This is, of course, a Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist practice...........NOT Baptist.  I understand that bit, too, in light of  I Timothy 4:1-5.  However, I had that feeling.  You know, that feeling like this DOES have something to do with me, at least this time it does.

What really got me thinking was the fact that I so whole-heartily participate in the feasting but just as easily turn my back on the fasting. Would it really hurt me to give up something leading up to Easter? Would I be doing anything scripturally wrong if I chose to participate in this abstinence in my own way?  The answer to those questions was a resounding NO!  A matter of fact, I felt convicted to do so.  Not for the reasons others may do, but for my own good, self-control, not letting anything other than God be my master and me it's slave.  So, I have given up something.  Something I enjoy, dare say I LOVE. But I give it up gladly.  My friend is on day three of her abstinence, and she says she's already feeling 'the pain' of not having what her body wants but does not need.  I know I'll feel that pain, too. I need to feel that pain.  I need to bring my mind and body under subjection (I Corinthians 9:23-27), and this will get me going in the right direction.  I hope and pray that the awareness of doing without will lead me to NOT do without what I truly need, an awareness of my God and a right relationship with Him.

Thursday Night is Pizza Night!

Thursday night is pizza night in the Pickett household.  It no longer matters why it is pizza night, only that it is.  My boys are good at reminding me of that.  My 12 year old can make a good pizza - from dough to oven - all on his own.  Unfortunately, the novelty has worn off.

 Now, this has become the highlight of my 4 year old's week.... sometimes to my consternation.  I don't want to deal with the mess, muster up the patience, or take the extra time to let him do it by himself.

But lately, I've been plagued by this thing called time. Where does the time go? Minutes turn into hours, hours into days, and days into years before I look back and realize they are gone. Sometimes, I've looked so forward to the next phase that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed the phase we are in.

So, tonight I will ignore the mess of flour on the floor,  not cringe when he licks his fingers and sprinkles on the cheese, resist the urge to straighten every pepperoni into symmetry.  Tonight, I will delight in my child and  make precious memories of pizza night with him.

The Beginning of Something..........

Beginnings are always special to me.  The excitement and nervousness of doing something new, something fun, something that could be BIG.  Of course, that something BIG could turn out to be a BIG dud.  That's when the terror sets in...........the fear of failure, disappointment, the insecurity. Oh, the pain!  But, alas, here I am, at the point of yet another beginning. I'm not sure where this will take us (If you're reading this, we're in this together!), but with this first post, I have finally begun!