2018 Children's Book Reviews

Here is a second book list, one of books completed with my children in 2018. I would have been happy to read any of these on my own as well, but it was a pleasure to spend time reading them with my kids.

2018 Kids’ Book List

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (1948). This is the hilarious story of how Elmer Elevator risks his life to save a baby dragon from the dangerous animals of the jungle. We laughed out loud at the descriptions of his surprising schemes, and spent several nights staying up too late because we were unable to put this book down. 

The Mystery of the 99 Steps by Carolyn Keene (1966). All the charms of the typical Nancy Drew story are here. Nancy and her friends are off to Paris while they and Mr. Drew solve several puzzles dealing with money and a mysterious staircase. We had fun with French phrases, and imitating the many accents.

The Indian Medicine Man by Robert Hofsinde (1966). A description of medicine man practices among various American Indian tribes, such as the Sioux, Iroquois, Apache, Navajo, and Ojibwa. This book describes wide contrasts to our Christian beliefs, providing much material for discussion. The text is written in language that offers enjoyable reading about concepts that are strange to us. 

The Happy Hollisters by Jerry West (1953). This is the first book in a big series about the five Hollister children and their parents. Written in a cheerful 1950’s style, the Hollisters solve the mystery of who has been prowling around the basement of their new home. Like Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys, there are elements of danger (such as going off alone, or talking to strange people) that can be used to warn kids about unintelligent risks. I like this series better than Boxcar Children, and enjoyed the family camaraderie. 

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886). We read two chapters of this book every week for fifteen weeks. I love the typical Stevenson writing of shipwrecks and wayfarers, of fighting and obscure characters. David Balfour is winsome, and his strange pal Alan Break grew on me, too. This is not an easy read, but worth the adventures. The Scottish accents are fun to attempt.

The Ocean of Truth by Joyce McPherson (1997). This biography of Isaac Newton is an easy, entertaining, informative read. We were taken through his life from boyhood to death. I’m fascinated by his pursuit of knowledge, and enjoyed learning about his walk with Christ.

The Storybook of Science by Jean-Henri Fabre (1917). I can’t imagine a richer way to make science come to life. We learned so much from the character Uncle Paul, who describes many parts of God’s creation in detail to his niece and nephews. Topics such as cotton, cows, bees, caterpillars, metals, lightning and thunder, poisonous plants, pollen, earthquakes, and shells are covered thoroughly. Children will enjoy and appreciate science taught in this living way, much more than un-relatable textbooks. Who can question God’s design after the awe-inspiring descriptions of nature given in this book?

George Washington’s World  by Genevieve Foster (1941). We love this approach to history: living stories about historical figures who were alive during Washington’s lifetime. Sections of the book are divided thus: when George was a boy, a soldier, a farmer, a Commander, “just a citizen,” and when he was president. It’s interesting to see how other people’s lives unfolded over the same time period, and what was happening throughout the world. This book gives thorough instruction on the American Revolution and world events of the time.

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford (1961). This is the story of three animal friends who trek across part of the Canadian wilderness to track down their family. The cat and two dogs have been left in the care of a friend while their family is on vacation, but they miss home. Full of rich description and little dialogue, this seems better for read-aloud than for silent reading. (In general, I find that books are more enjoyable when read aloud; I tend to miss things and mind-wander when reading silently!). 

Uncle Wiggly’s Storybook by Howard R. Garis (1921). This delightful book is made up of small chapters, each containing a tale about Uncle Wiggly the rabbit, who lives in a “hollow stump bungalow.” He is always finding situations in which he can offer help to unfortunate animals or humans. His animal friends all speak to one another, and Uncle Wiggly understands human talk, although he is unable to communicate with people. This lighthearted book of sweet tales of kindness gently teaches morality and doing right. Much better read aloud than silently!

Minn of the Mississippi  by Holling C. Holling (1951). Minn, a snapping turtle with three legs, slowly makes her way down the entire Mississippi River. The reader experiences each step of her journey in a short chapter describing her encounters, beginning in Minnesota and ending in the Gulf of Mexico from New Orleans. This is an excellent resource for teaching United States geography and history. We read it slowly, a chapter a week, over a school year. As in all his books, Holling’s illustrations are extraordinary.

The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh, illustrated by Marie Nonnast (1956). This short, simple book is an easy one to pull out on Independence Day for a few moments of joyful reading aloud. It is an ideal refresher of what the kids have learned about the American Revolution during the school year. The illustrations are delightful! 

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey (1943). This book contains several hilarious and charming tales about Homer’s adventures in the town of Centerburg. He learns how to operate his uncle’s donut machine, meets a superhero, finds out why an unusual man came to town, and obtains a pet skunk. This is a wonderful read-aloud at bedtime, complete with drawings in the style for which McCloskey is famous.

The Story of Your Blood by Edith Lucie Weart (1960). We spent four weeks reading this book, taking 6-8 pages twice a week. Although the author describes the blood and its components in detail, her style is entertaining and easy to understand. I highly recommend this living book for any type of school.

Titanic: Voices From the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson (2014). This is a thorough, excellent resource for learning the living stories behind the Titanic disaster of 1912. All history should be taught as it is here, in the tales of real lives, rather than dates and boring facts. 

Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark by Gail Langer Karwoski (2002). What a fantastic way to take the journey west with America’s most famous explorers! Great care is given to the details of the expedition, with excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark. Seaman adds life and fun to the exciting adventures, in which we also get to know Sacagawea, a slave named York, other men in the Corps of Discovery, and the traits of many Indian tribes. 

Cherry Ames, Student Nurse by Helen Wells (1943). This first book in the series tells how Cherry becomes a nurse, taking readers through her learning experiences as a student nurse. Not only is it packed with educational medical terminology and scenarios, but keeps readers engaged with exciting plots. 

The Story of Madame Curie by Alice Thorne (1961). This is a simple yet full biography of Marie Curie, from her childhood in Poland to her death in Paris. We enjoyed learning of her work with Pierre, and their excitement in discovering radium. Biographies are highly desirable in exploring history, as opposed to dry textbook facts. Books like this one teach us to care!  

2018 Book Reviews

This year I set up my book lists differently: I decided to give a short, opinionated synopsis about each one. These are books that I completed during 2018, not including daily Bible excerpts and certain chapters from Charlotte Mason's Parents and Children. My desire is to remind others that little bits of reading every day can add up to lots of time in which to digest a wide feast of books. A subsequent post will include books completed with my children. Be encouraged!

2018 Book List

Jean and Johnny by Beverly Cleary (1959). The awkwardness of a teenage crush for a plain girl who realizes that popularity isn’t everything. A light, happy read. I wish my own teen experience had been so insightful, and highly recommend this book for teenage girls.

The Girl Who Knew it All by Patricia Reilly Giff (1979). I was given this book as a first grader and wasn’t ready to read it, so I glanced at parts over the years but never fully read it. It’s the simple story of a small-town girl who has trouble reading, which she tries to hide by acting like a know-it-all. It’s a typical early ’80’s book: neighborhood children are relentless in their remarks to one another, and parents are working all day, leaving kids to their own raising during the summer. Okay for a mindless read, but not ideal mind-food for children (or adults!).

Eve by Evelyn Minshull (1990). This is the story of Eve based loosely on a Biblical plot, with a lot of fiction added. The descriptions were fairly interesting, with the shocking exception of a drunk Adam raping Eve, which I never did get past. Also, the author goes out of her way to paint Cain as a good guy, and to gloss over his murdering Abel, who is barely mentioned at all. Minshull uses Adam and Eve for inspiration, but creates a soap opera to depict their lives. It’s also not Biblical that after one generation, there appears a population of random folks with no accounting of origin. Take this book with a grain of salt, or better yet, skip it and read the truth in Genesis.

Come Home Laughing by Tanya Lyons (2017). This book was written for adult children of divorce. It is the fictional story of several adults who begin to face and process childhood wounds from their parents’ divorces. They form friendships and attend a church retreat designed to begin their healing processes. I tore through this book in a few days. It put words to many feelings I also have experienced. I enjoyed the unique format of factual data sprinkled throughout the story, explaining the clinical points behind the feelings. This is the only book of its kind I’ve encountered, and I’m grateful for such a treasure.

The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis (1949). This is a typical, meaty Lewis book. I confess that the chapter on “Theology as Poetry” was so over my head, I had to skip the second half and move on. My favorite chapters were “The Inner Ring,” and “Forgiveness.” He says, “At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door,” and “We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it is to refuse God’s mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions and God means what He says.” Lewis’s wisdom never disappoints!

The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers (1996). Rivers bounces the plot back and forth  between two characters: the modern day life of Sierra Madrid, and the pioneer journal of Mary Katherine McMurray as she travels the Oregon Trail. This author’s fiction is always true to life, diving into the hearts and minds of broken people, showing Christ’s love for them, and His redemption in their lives. Overall an outstanding read, but two areas disappointed me: Sierra blames herself too much for her husband’s poor behavior (as “good Christians” often do), and too many details of Mary Kathryn’s life are left unknown at the end of her diary. I enjoyed her journal most, and would love more stories about her. 

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (1971). I had never read this classic, and am glad I finally did! The Christian Ten Boom family hid Jews in their Dutch home during World War II. We get to know Corrie in her early adulthood, and are taken through her horrific experiences after being caught breaking the law. Packed with accounts of deep faith and miracles, this book sharpens believers, and no doubt will convince non-believers. 

Take Your Life Back by Stephen Arterburn, M.Ed. and David Stoop, Ph.D. (2016). A must read for everyone, this book gives Biblical wisdom and clinical facts regarding taking our lives back from past wounds and lies we’ve believed. The authors give personal examples and practical insight to help break negative behaviors, create healthy boundaries, and walk in freedom. There is also a workbook to accompany this book.

Good Grief by Granger E. Westberg (1962). This booklet that has circulated through churches for decades is a pithy, easy guide to understanding the stages of grief, even in the small losses we face regularly. 

Mama, Get the Hammer!…by Barbara Johnson (1994). Another classic from the lady who lived through serious heartache, and used her experience to bring godly encouragement with a humorous twist to others. In true Barbara style, this book contains stories, quips, and cartoons to uplift and bring truth.

The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan (2014). A friend told us about this easy read, then surprised us with it as a gift! Morgan’s book centers around the fact that in every situation, God makes a way. He illustrates this with ten principles from what happened to the Israelites and the Red Sea, and cites personal examples. 

White Like Her by Gail Lukasik (2017). Packed with impressive genealogical research, the author traces her mother’s roots after discovering that her mixed-race mother left her family to “pass” as white. This book is a good blend of racial history in New Orleans, the author’s personal ancestor stories, and her memories of her mother’s family and their strange behavior. I commend Lukasik for this tribute to her family and her handling of a tough topic with courage and respect. She honors her mother and ancestors, as well as family members she never knew she had. This should inspire us all to dig deeper into our own family histories.

Angels by Billy Graham (1975). I had never read a book by Graham before, and I wasn’t disappointed. I love the “old-school” feel of this work, which reads like a living textbook. Billy Graham’s tone throughout is one of love, comfort, and truth; it’s like reading something written by a wise, caring friend. There are some modern-day examples of angels cited, but this book is primarily filled with incidents in Scripture that educate readers on who angels are, as well as their many purposes. Such meat will be worth re-reading in the near future, as I’m sure I missed a lot this first time.

Understanding and Loving a Person With Borderline Personality Disorder by Arterburn and Wise (2017). Psychology has become a topic of interest to me lately, as I realize that we are all a product of what we’ve believed. The intricacy of the heart and mind is fascinating. Gaining understanding about Borderline Personality Disorder is an integral part of having healthy relationships and setting boundaries, and the authors present an easy read on the subject. 

Fire Road by Kim Phuc Phan Thi (2017). This is the fascinating story of the famous “Napalm Girl,” whose photo was snapped in 1972 as she ran screaming after being attacked by a napalm bomb in Vietnam. Kim Phuc shares how she learned peace and forgiveness, and how her scars have affected everyday life. This book is an easy, personal biography, excellent for middle-schoolers and beyond. Kim is transparent about what following Christ looks like in major as well as in daily struggles.

A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola (1998). This is my favorite homeschooling book, one that I have read through several times. Karen and her husband, Dean, unearthed Charlotte Mason’s essays and had them republished, making her methods available and more widely known. Here, she offers insight into these methods, and what they look like practically in a modern-day homeschool. Karen’s style is warm, winsome, and inviting. She provides rich, doable examples of a CM education. 

Finding Home by Jim Daly (2005). This autobiography of the president of Focus on the Family is fascinating. Daly intimately describes the brokenness of his childhood, and how he came to know Christ. I wanted to adopt the little boy whose story he tells, and wonder how many children grow up in dysfunction that those around them ignore, or know nothing about. His story is proof of God’s redemption, and a reminder of the importance of loving children well. I was a Daly fan before, but his story increased my admiration for this godly man.

Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola (2002). This is the fictional diary of Carol, a 1930’s mother who decides to homeschool her children. She gives vivid descriptions of their nature study subjects, and how her children keep nature notebooks. This came at the perfect time for me, as I’ve decided to be diligent in implementing regular nature study into our school year. Carol’s charming story is a living, doable example of home education.

Dear Papa by Thyra Ferre Bjorn (1963). I was introduced to Bjorn’s books by some friends who described them as an older Mitford series. When I found this signed first edition on the library sale rack for a quarter, I knew I’d hit gold! The story is a treasure indeed. Mama writes to Papa, who has passed away, and fills him in on adventures involving their eight children. She is now eighty-one, enjoying a quiet life in Miami, looking back on the joys and sorrows of the past. Mama is the ideal picture of a godly woman; I enjoyed spending time with her in this book!

Middle School: The Inside Story by Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuña (2014). I heard about this book on “Focus on the Family,” and it piqued my interest, as I am now the parent of a middle-schooler. This is an easy, entertaining read. I found the information about body changes and communication more pertinent to our situation, but I believe this will be a valuable tool to parents and teachers of middle-schoolers in traditional public and private schools, as the school setting is also discussed in detail. There are certain points about which I disagree, but this is an overall informative, good book.

Born For Battle by Arthur Mathews (1978). This little book consists of thirty-one short chapters on fighting the good fight of the faith, and doing battle against the enemy. I liked being able to read each chapter in one sitting, and take on deep points each time. It’s an easy, ten-minute morning read over several weeks.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson (2015). This is the most interesting, well-written biography I’ve read to date. Larson does a compelling job of giving Rosemary Kennedy the dignity she deserves. We learn about Rosemary as a person, rather than an obscure member of the Kennedy family. Some biographies include dry, boring details, but every part of this one held my attention. 

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer (1948). I had never read Tozer before, but my husband gave me a volume that includes three of his works. This first book was a clear read that sharpened my faith and gave me plenty to ponder. It’s not one to read quickly, but rather a chapter a day, or even per week. I especially enjoyed the short biography of Tozer included at the end. 

Lost Boy by Greg Laurie (2008). "Thankfully, God doesn't look for the 'religious type.' He looks for the 'sinner type.' I qualified. And against all odds, He changed my life.” This quote describes the tone of Pastor Greg Laurie’s story. He was brought up in horrible conditions, and saved by the Lord at age 17. He is a likable, funny guy, with a powerful testimony that speaks to Christ’s rescuing power.

Wounded By God’s People by Anne Graham Lotz (2013). I read this book when it was new five years ago, because I had been wounded by several who claim to be God’s people. I reread it this time because it covers the story of Sarah and Hagar, which I had gone slowly through in my Bible, and wanted to remember what Anne had to say about it. She is a likable author, like a godly mother, who is candid about her own wounds. This is an overall helpful read, although I don’t espouse the idea of “That was then, this is now” woven throughout. In my opinion, there is a tone of “Get over it and move on” that can cause people to bury wounds that haven’t been fully healed. That, plus some differences in theology, make this just an okay book for me. 

Tortured For Christ by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand (1967). This is the fascinating autobiography of Pastor Wumbrand, who endured fourteen years of torture in Communist prisons for his Christian beliefs. His description of modern-day martyrdom in vivid, heart-wrenching detail is a call to action in sharing our faith, no matter the cost. The “underground church” is alive and needs our help and prayers today. This book is a challenge to examine our own faith, and the sacrifices to which God calls us in Christ’s name. 

Out to Canaan by Jan Karon (1997). Another heartwarming volume about Mitford! I can’t get enough of this series. Does Esther Cunningham keep her status as mayor when Mack Stroupe stops at nothing in the contest? What becomes the fate of Fernbank? Can Father Tim really be considering retirement? All this and more!

God Erases

It seems that God's lessons to me are one spilling into the next, with some overlapping. It's astounding what He's showing me: that He erases circumstances and situations that I have wished I could change. He literally makes it as if these things hadn't occurred! I feel helpless to put this idea to words.

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins." Isaiah 43:25 (my added emphasis).

There have been several specific situations where the Lord nudges me about this, and for me to ask, trust, and believe. I confess that it can seem "too" wonderful, that my mind can't grasp it. Isn't that what makes God who He is? Isn't this why He sent His Son to die? I feel the miracle of what He's doing, what only He has power to do.

The Lord and I will work on one thing, then another seems to pop up. What condemnation I've felt in my life! What mistakes I've made...so many! Yet He seems to be taking each one and saying that yes, He will erase that one, too. 

My humanity responds in three ways:
1. I think, Can I ask the Lord to erase yet another thing?
2. I wonder, Is He willing to erase yet another thing?
3. I ask, Does he really, truly, erase certain circumstances...as in, honest-to-goodness...gone?? 

The Lord keeps bringing me back to Luke 11:9-13. I read and reread this passage: "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Now, get this: "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

How much more, indeed! Our pastor encourages us to pray crazy, radical prayers, asking for things that to us seem impossible. In this passage, Jesus doesn't say that this asking, seeking, and knocking is a one-time deal, so we'd better proceed with caution and not use up our one "wish". I keep thinking about how parents want to give good gifts to their children. How much more does the Lord see my heart, and want to give me good things for His glory?

This view from my husband's office window is a breathtaking reminder of God's love and redemption, and that His promises are true.

The Lord has tied into this a struggle I have, that I seem to "freeze" in certain situations, seemingly not knowing how to respond. As a result, I end up tremendously regretting ways I've handled certain things. I end up feeling stupid, inadequate, and lacking sense. The Lord keeps reminding me that the Holy Spirit is there to help, all the time. Time and again, I rely on my own devices; I don't feel I have the wherewithal to even remember to call on Him. This is what leads to situations that cause regret.

God is now unpacking and unfolding all of this before me. I have trouble receiving His rescuing and love, because I feel like I should've known better, and don't deserve it. That's the whole point: I don't know better, which is why I need Christ! I can't rescue myself or others; my own devices leave me in the regret of my inadequacy. He is teaching me to call on the Holy Spirit, and to learn to trust in His forgiveness that removes (erases) all our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). "As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him" (Ps. 103:13).

Another addition to all of this is that the Lord has been addressing almost daily something that has weighed greatly on me for years: the effects that my inadequacy will have on my children. I have been nudged that these lessons are for me, and that my kids will benefit from that, rather than being harmed by it. What good news! 

I confess that all of this is hard for me to digest. It's hard to learn to trust God. However, He is teaching me to take Him at His word, as "impossible" as it seems to my human mind. Shouldn't God's ways be higher than mine? I'm learning to stop putting Him into my understanding, which actually isn't "understanding" at all. He truly renews the mind in ways I never imagined. 

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33

A Book Note...

Here is a book worth reading: Rosemary, The Hidden Kennedy Sister by Kate Clifford Larson (2015). Regardless of your position on the Kennedy family, you will be up late into the night getting to know Rosemary and her tragic story. Clifford does an outstanding job of giving this obscure figure the dignity she always deserved. Many biographies can contain dry, cumbersome details, but not this book. Every word contributes to the whole of Rosemary's fascinating story. This may be the most compelling biography I've ever read, no exaggeration.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

God's Protection

I don't want to write a post about a man following my girls and me out of the library, but I feel a duty. You may be as oblivious as I was. I thought I always noticed people around us. I sometimes felt too cognizant of a loner in the park, or a strange-looking character in the store. It didn't occur to me that someone might follow us once we'd gotten into our vehicle. Thanks to a plain clothes policeman sent by the Lord, we escaped harm. I want you and your children to be safe as well.

We were in the library last week, about to leave, and were looking at a shelf of sale books right beside the entrance/exit. There's a big table beside this shelf where a policeman is usually stationed. We were almost through perusing when a man came in and stood to our left, presumably also looking at the books. I noticed he was odd-looking, with almost feminine facial features, as if wearing black eye-liner. His head was covered with a navy bandana, with black curls coming out underneath. He wore khaki shorts and some kind of sandals. His build was muscular, with hairy legs. 

Why did I notice all of this in just a few seconds? Probably because God wanted me to, and also because this guy was so noticeably different looking. Anyway, I moved my girls over, we looked maybe fifteen more seconds, then we left.

Evidently, so did he...right behind us.

I only know this because of the policeman who had indeed been at the table, but his plain clothes made him inconspicuous. As I was backing out of my parking space, he was standing by my window, beckoning. Only then did I notice the handcuffs and badge at his waist. He asked me to stay put for a minute, and asked if I had noticed the "weirdo" beside us at the bookshelf. "He acted like he was looking at the books," the cop said, "but, trust me, he was not looking at the books." A chill went through me, and I wanted to get sick.

Apparently, this policeman was at the table watching, and no one noticed him because he was sitting down in regular clothes, so his waist with his gear was hidden. He saw the man follow us out, and hightail it to his own car, which was parked in a different lot, across the street. We had parked behind the building. The cop said it seemed like the man was planning to follow me, so he wanted me to wait a few minutes. If I still noticed him, I was instructed to drive straight to the police station.

I talked to this officer for probably three or four minutes. He had been so busy chasing me down and giving me this information, that we didn't notice if the man left his parking lot. Supposedly he was in a blue Honda hatchback. Thankfully, he did not follow us home, and we actually had a sheriff behind us most of the way! I drove home in a daze, not knowing how to process the event, and being shocked that I hadn't even considered noticing if I were being followed. I think that if the cop hadn't informed me, even if I'd noticed the man, I might just have thought, "I think that's the guy from the library behind us." As scary as it is, I'm very glad to have this awareness now!

I'm looking into family self-defense with a local lady I know. I also started carrying my pepper spray again. Why did I think I didn't need it? Over the days that followed, I had many dark thoughts of what could've been. The devil attacked me hard. I recalled several moments past that could've ended badly, and took my feelings of condemnation to the Lord. Isn't that what Satan does, especially at night? He brings up the "what ifs," what "could've" happened, and how "negligent" and "stupid" I was. God has been allowing me to process this, and working on my heart regarding regrets and how I handled things I wish I could've done differently. On top of that, there was the lingering fear.

What if we were somewhere else, and saw this guy again? What if someone else tries to follow us? What if, what if, what if. I could drive myself insane falling into the enemy's fear traps. Ephesians 5:11 says, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." This is something to pray about daily. In writing this post and in talking to my friends, I am exposing the ugliness of darkness.

I have also done some serious praying about our protection, that the Lord would outfit us with what I term "beefy angel-bodyguards" to go everywhere with us. I felt peace about God's provision, as His Word clearly states that He places angels to guard us in all our ways. 

So guess what happened yesterday? I saw him again.

Yes, only nine days after the incident, I saw the guy again. I had just prayed before walking into the place; I asked the Lord, "Please don't let me see the man with the bandana here." Ironically, it was at another library event, although in a different building. I was alone this time, at the library's half-price book sale, and was just finishing looking around after having been there at least an hour. I don't go into the cd/dvd room, but as I passed by it, I glanced in...and there he was, standing in the little room, head bent, looking at some media that was in his hands. The bent head was covered with the same navy bandana, with the same black curls emerging, and he wore the same khaki shorts, and same sandals.

I seriously couldn't believe it. My first instinct was to flee past, which I did. I was shocked, and my heartbeat increased ten-fold in a matter of seconds. I stood with my back to where he would come out (if he left the dvd room), and pretended to look at some books (oh, the irony!) as I pulled myself together, tried to breathe, and said some prayer, although I have no idea what I said. I texted my husband, who responded "Get out of there," which I did. As I made my way through the payment lines, I kept my face firmly forward, as I didn't want him to see me. I had no idea if the guy could be behind me, although I feared he was. The ladies at the table wanted to chitchat, and I was practically shaking...I wondered what they would say if I blurted out, "I have to get out of here! A-bandana-guy-who-creeped-me-out-and-who-I-hoped-never-to-see-again-is-within-yards-of-me-and-I'm-gonna-pass-out-if-I-can't-get-outta-here!"

I grabbed the mace out of my purse, held it firmly along with my box of books, and made it to my van, which was thankfully parked close to the door. I checked to see if he was in the parking lot, and he wasn't. No one followed me out, and I made a second trip home in a daze, not knowing what to think or how to process seeing this person for the second time in nine days. 

"Lord," I said, "I have to admit I'm baffled. I confess I don't understand, when I had just prayed not to see that guy here, why I would see him here!" I knew God had some purpose, as He always does. I told Him I knew he was always teaching me something, but I just didn't get it. Not that I had to, but I knew that the Lord was happy to engage me in a dialogue nonetheless.

A different sort of question suddenly popped into my head: "Aren't you glad you did see him?" Well, yes, I was. And certainly glad that he didn't see me! And even more grateful that in the long time I was at the sale, not once did that man appear down an aisle where I had been. I can only imagine if I'd looked over and seen him standing beside me again, "looking" at books. I'm pretty certain I'd have passed out.

When I got home and had bent my husband's ear awhile, yet another nudge came to me: "Remember the beefy angel-bodyguards?" And it was a warm nudge, with a loving embrace from God. 

What do I make of all of this? I can't fully say. It was an unsettling evening, with more enemy attack. However, the love, protection, and sovereignty of God have overarched the whole situation. Jesus Christ is "Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet..." (Ephesians 1:21-22). I read this aloud, thanking God for His might, and asking Him to make me strong in it (Ephesians 6:10). 

The Lord reminds me that, in none of the potentially dangerous situations that have happened over my life, have I been in control of the outcome. In fact, it is because of Him that they have ended well! I feel Him showing me His great love and protection, making me aware of His care for us. I was reminded today of the passage in Luke 11:11-13 where Jesus says, "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Matthew's account in 6:11 says, "How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

I feel the Lord's love in that He understands that I want "good things" for us. He is reminding me that He wants this, too, even more than I do ("How much more will your Father in heaven...?"). He is speaking to me about the fact that he gives bread, fish, and eggs, not stones, serpents, and scorpions. He gives "beefy angel-bodyguards" if we ask! It can feel scary and terrible, but our Father in heaven always knows what's good for us, even if it doesn't make complete earthly sense. I will trust and grow in Him, forgetting not all his benefits (Psalm 103:2)...and still carry my mace. I hope you will do the same!

Summer Rundown

Summer is supposed to be a time of breaks, but it ends up being almost busier than the school year! Now here we are in September, one of my favorite times of the year. Our summer was a blur of tennis, swimming, cake-making, a new job for my husband, community group, AHG camp, reading (of course), trips to see my dad during a long surgery recovery, and the Carowinds trip mentioned in the last post. Being a homebody, I don't seek to be "on the go," but this summer, it just happened.

Here are some photos I took during the past three months, that I'm happy to get around to posting: 

This summer, we became fans of "Kids' Baking Championship," and my girls started teaching themselves to bake cakes. This is a vanilla one they made for their grandmother's birthday in May.

Some-birdie decided to set up camp right on top of the hedge in front of the house! I enjoyed a frequent rustle in the bushes as I sat out on my bench.

Our community group didn't take a summer vacation. Being with these folks every Wednesday is a highlight of our week! There's nothing like Liz's homemade bread, and enjoying it with our group's company.

Memorial Day weekend means meeting up with our pals from all over the state for the Tarheel State Junior Qualifier. Players who compete are then eligible to play in the Southern level competitions in June. This picture illustrates what occurs when matches are on a rain delay!

We made it through the Qualifier, and then through Southern's two weeks later, in two separate cities (and states!) on the same weekend. Every age level was divided into its own tournament, so while Jeremy and one daughter were in Cary, NC, I went with another to Columbia, SC. After that, it was time to celebrate another year.... 

 ...with my annual espresso cake! This was baked by a local lady. It's as much fun (almost) to smell it as it is to eat it! Can you guess the number on my cake? Hint: I didn't turn 411 years old!

My birthday tradition is to thrift shop with my girls and Liz. I found these: 

The next day, my actual birthday, I spent at a homeschool curriculum/book sale. I thought I was supposed to be a seller, but I ended up being a buyer. At the end of the day, I guess I broke even: 

More odds and ends... 

This cute guy comes around this time of year. We don't know if he is "Chet" from last year, as we call him, but we enjoy seeing him behind the house.

My girls made this scrumptious, gooey cake for their grandfather, who turned seventy and whose favorite treats are Reese's peanut butter cups.

A friend told me that if I enjoy Jan Karon's Mitford series, I'd surely love Thyra Ferré Bjorn's books. I spotted Dear Papa on the library sale shelf for a quarter...and it's signed by the author! Papa's Wife was found a few weeks later at a used bookstore for fifty cents. As rare as these books are, it's thrilling to find them, especially for less than a dollar for both! Inexpensive treasures are fun.

One more cake! You can tell I'm proud of my bakers. This one was apple flavored, made by the girls for a party hosted by their aunt and uncle. The leftovers were wonderful for breakfast with my coffee!

"Are You Kidding?" Cake (from Pinterest):

One box of any flavored cake mix

One can of any pie filling

Three eggs, beaten

Mix these ingredients and pour batter into greased 9x13 pan; bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

The girls used vanilla cake mix and apple pie filling, but you can try any palatable combination. 

Goodbye, summer!

Planning a Day at Carowinds

What a busy summer it's been! There have been many things I'd like to post, but haven't had the time. I decided to break my silence with a topic that might interest other parents: How to plan a day at Carowinds.

I decided to take my two girls and their friend to Carowinds for one daughter's birthday. It had been over twenty-five years since I had been, and of course, I hadn't been the one organizing the expedition back then. It seems like nowadays, a trip to any park involves major planning ahead, with "tricks" to learn. The more advanced society becomes, the more complicated everything seems to be. Can't we just "show up" anywhere anymore?!

We had an overall wonderful time, but it took some research and planning on my part. I'm going to share with you what I learned, and hopefully you'll feel confident planning a day at Carowinds.

When I was a kid, Carowinds was just an amusement park. Now, regular admission includes the Carolina Harbor water park. These two parks are connected; you can go from one into another, or you can go into the main entrance of one or the other. Both parks involve considerable walking, so wear comfortable shoes. I didn't get the "fast pass" that gets you to the front of the lines; this is like what you can purchase for more money at Disney World. But first, let's talk about tickets.

I didn't want to pay for any bells or whistles. By design, I'm a simple creature who just wants the basics. A ticket to the park also gets you in to the water park, so that's what I wanted. Besides, how much can you cram into one day? One ticket will cost you around $45, which is a lot, but after going, I believe it's worth it. However, by the time they add processing fees and taxes, it will be $217 for four people. My advice: Forgo the website and check Groupon first! I was able to get four tickets for $159, but only a few hours later, the deal was sold out. 

Places like Carowinds will get your money however they can (more about how I learned that the hard way in a moment). You will also have to pay for parking. If you pay at the gate, it'll be $20; you can save $3 by doing it online. I also learned that on Thursdays in summer, parking is free. You can opt to park closer to the main entrance, or at the Carolina Harbor entrance. 

The website advertises lockers for rent....at a minimum of $17!!  I carried my backpack around, and it wasn't a problem at all. There's no room for backpacks on rides (and most rides don't allow you to have it with you), but at each ride you can place your bag either in a bin, or set it to the side, inside the ride's gate. No one messes with it, and it wasn't a worry for me. 

At Carolina Harbor, I also didn't get a locker. There are lounge chairs everywhere, and like at any pool, people leave their towels and bags on them, and no one seems to mess with any of it. I had left my wallet hidden in my car at this point, so I wasn't worried about leaving our things at a chair while we enjoyed the attractions there. We simply moved our things to the next attraction as we hopped around, finding a new chair at each place. The only reason to secure your bag in a locker here is if everyone in your group is going to go down any of the water slides. If not, then someone can just guard everyone else's stuff.

As for taking things into Carowinds, they are fine with water bottles. Our friend ended up having some food in her bag when we went into the water park, and the attendant who checked the bag didn't say anything. When you arrive at either entrance, you'll first have to set your bag on a counter for inspection, you'll walk through a metal detector, then you'll proceed to a gate where you show your tickets. If you want to leave the park for re-entry, there's someone at the gate who will stamp your arm. To get back in, you have to go through the baggage check again, but you don't need your ticket (just your arm stamp).

As for eating at Carowinds, I recommend packing a lunch, leaving it in a cooler in your car, and eating it in the parking lot. It's also a good transition from the regular park to the water park. We chose to drive the van from the main parking lot over to the entrance to the water park, to be closer. Carolina Harbor is open from 12-5, so you have time to ride some main park rides, then cool off at the water park. The main park is open till 8pm, so we chose to return there after the water park. We drove back to the main parking lot, and by that time (around 5:30), there were empty spaces much closer to the front gate.

The food at Carowinds is insanely expensive, a complete racket. I knew this going in, which is why we took our lunch. However, when the girls asked to get something to tide us over and eat our lunch later, I thought, that sounds ok. We went to Sweet Frog, and I can only plead ignorance at the fact that I never considered that what's in that cup can weigh close to a pound! We go there at home, and our bill is usually around $23 (which, for frozen yogurt, is already expensive to me). I saw the sign on the door that said "99 cents an ounce," but it obviously went over my head...like I said, I guess I thought we'd each have about 6-8 ounces. 

When the guy rang up our tab, it came to a whopping $46.19, for four frozen yogurts! I gulped and had to ask him to repeat it. There was a moment when I stood there, mouth agape, wanting to reply but no sound came out! I knew that leaving the stuff on the counter and running out wasn't an option, so I paid the bill and we decided to enjoy every bite of the most expensive frozen yogurt we'd ever have (hopefully)!! I had to explain to the kids that they hadn't done wrong in getting what they usually get at home. I was just so shocked, and felt very stupid that I hadn't considered this more carefully.  I still wonder if that guy hadn't put his thumb (or entire hand!) on the scale!  At any rate, I learned a lesson, and will hopefully keep others from making a similar mistake.

Since we had loaded up on the yogurt, we decided to make that be our lunch, and were able to ride a few more rides. We did go back to the car as planned, as we had left our towels and bathing suits in there. It gave us a chance to fuel up on some snacks (which I was glad we had taken) and drive closer to the water park. We changed in the bathroom there; Carowinds does have ample restrooms, and there are showers and changing rooms at Carolina Harbor. Also, there is free water available anywhere that food is sold. Next time, I'm going to leave my wallet secured in my car, and stick to only the snacks and food we take ourselves. Not taking a wallet inside the park keeps you out of food traps and other enticing money pits, and also avoids worry about it being in your bag. If there's a souvenir you can't live without (and, trust me, there isn't), you can always get the money out of your car and go back in.

So, in summary, we got to the main park at ten (when it opens), went over to the water park around 1:30, dried off and changed at 4:30, ate our dinner (which originally was the lunch we'd packed) in the car, then went back into the park a little after five. Carowinds does allow strollers, and also those fold-up wagons you can get at sporting goods stores. It will seem like there are tons of people there if you arrive right at ten, because everyone has to go through the same gate. However, you'll see that the crowd soon disperses as folks go their own way. We went on a Tuesday in mid-August, and the longest we stood in a line was 15-20 minutes. The staff was friendly, and not once did I feel overwhelmed or unsafe. The lifeguards at the wave pool are outstanding. There is one lifeguard for every ten or so yards, and they watch the crowd like hawks.

That's about it, in a nutshell. If I forgot anything, mention it under "comments," and I'll see if I know of an answer. Carowinds is a fantastic place, and well worth the trip, as long as you do your homework and plan ahead. 

Spring!

The yard is suddenly in bloom, and as a result, so is the pollen! The colorful rewards are worth the scratchy throat and itchy eyes. 

Phlox and other happy plants in front yard

Dogwood in front side yard

Rhododendron under front window

Azaleas that burst forth suddenly, and are gone just as fast

The beginning of blueberries

First rose blossom

Mossy patches in woods behind our house

Babies stopped to rest on the moss!

Dianthus, or "pinks," that come back fuller each year

Clematis growing on the side of the house is a welcome sight.

We are close to completing Fabre's Storybook of Science, which we've read twice a week all school year. I loved this passage: 

I can't add one more thing on that subject!

Speaking of school... 

We have a few more weeks to go. When I realized we had eight weeks left of Ambleside, I decided to condense those into four! This required doubling up on some chapters, and omitting others, but it works. We finished Stevenson's unabridged Kidnapped, a big accomplishment, and made it through our first year of Latin. It may have "killed the Romans," to quote my dad, but we'll pick it back up next year!

We examined these works of Winslow Homer over a term, and enjoyed learning about his life. He loved to paint outside, regardless of weather, set up inside a makeshift fort, capturing his subjects in their natural settings: 

My favorite is "Snap the Whip," the second in the second row. I can hear those boys' laughter, and imagine their panting and yelling as they gleefully play in the schoolyard.

As I was reading about the end of the Revolutionary War from Foster's George Washington's World, one daughter sketched this priceless cartoon of King George's astonishment, as Ben Franklin happily looks on: 

As for math, we continue to love Horizons, with its wide variety of practical exercises. I like the freedom of circling specific problems for the girls to do, while being able to skip over areas they've mastered. It allows us to progress at the right pace and focus on what needs practice, making the most of our time. One day, I had to do a drawing to distinguish among angles. It took me back to the days of Sister Fintan's math class at St. Paul's School, and I tried to replicate her examples and pristine cursive: 

Those were happy times in Catholic school...I learned well and enjoy applying some of it to my own teaching! 

Finally, it's way overdue, but I couldn't resist posting the Easter cake the girls made. It was a perfect ushering-in of new life, with a light, fabulous almond taste! 

Thank You, Lord, for new creations! Let us live in the freedom for which You died to set us free.