Backyard Camping 101

Monday night, I mentioned to Thomas that since the weather was warmer, it was probably time to go for a camp out in the backyard. As many of you remember, we have close to 1 acre, and some nice woods. Since I enjoy the outdoors so much, I want to foster that love in my children. So, without fail, Thomas asked every night if we could camp out that night. I told him it would have to be Friday night. Friday afternoon, I get home, and the first thing Thomas says is, "Daddy, can we put the tent up?" That had been my plan anyway.

So, downstairs we trudge to equip ourselves for a night of camping in the backyard. Thomas dutifully assisted as we setup the tent, gather firewood, and setup our chairs for an evening by the fire pit. We returned inside just in time for dinner. Afterward, we went out back to start our fire, and roast marshmallows. Lily decided they were "muck muscles". I laughed most heartily.

I have to leave for tests tonight. More later...

Today's Reading....

Inspired by the wildfires in Northern California:

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 1:7

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Revelation 3:18

I saw a picture on an Internet news outlet of a fire captain surveying the damage left by the wildfires in Big Sur in Northern California. He looked perplexed as if nothing he had ever seen compared to this swath of destruction that fire had left. I think we are the same when we come through a trial by fire. What we learn in our walk with God is much the same as what happens in creation when fire strikes.

We see only the immediate. The destruction of homes, lost lives, and pain beyond our understanding. Fortunately, God sees from every side of an event. He knew those fires would happen. He also knows that good can come from them. Just as our personal trials by fire are excruciating and devastating there is always good on the other side. He knows. He loves us. He holds us.

We become refined by fire. Our actions and reactions become more like His. In creation, some very beautiful and awe-inspiring trees would never grow were it not for forest fires. Check these out:

These men are standing at the base of 1 tree!

Here a church group is having service on 1 fallen tree.

Each of these pictures are of the Giant Sequoia Tree. They are native to Northern California. What makes them remarkable other than being the oldest living trees and the largest trees is that their acorns require "special treatment" to take root. A sequoia acorn will not root and grown unless it has been burnt. They require trial by fire to reach their fantastic full potential. Amazing isn't it? Here's another bit of information: any plant has as much structure below the ground as above! Now apply that to these spectacular trees that routinely grow hundreds of feet in the air even to the obscuring of the sky from the viewer below.

Now thank God for the fires in your life. He will bring you through it and you will be better off in the end.

Love to all!

A Disturbing Idea

Thomas had a dental appointment today with a new dentist. We left the last dentist after discovering some disconcerting information about their practice and about a policy that I find positively disturbing. Today, we find out (after having gotten different information over the phone) that the new dentist has the same policy. Apparently most dentists have this policy and parents don't seem to mind. I am speaking of their idea that at 5 (and sometimes younger) a child should go through his appointment with the dentist without his parent present.

They tried valiantly to convince me that it was in Thomas' best interest to be allowed to go behind closed doors with virtual strangers for a minimum of 30 minutes while I just sit back and read a magazine. They suggested that it instilled independence and confidence. All the other parents were doing it. How can he trust the dentist if I don't?

My question is this: If something happens, how can he trust me again? It isn't in their job description to determine that other people's children are ready for something like that. They are not accountable for the well being of those children. He is my responsibility. I claim rights to him by virtue of him coming out of my body! God has chosen me to guard and tend him. I can't imagine shirking that duty because of their arbitrary policy.

I would venture a guess that many of you out there are saying, "what's the big deal? Its just the dentist." The big deal is that if we change the titles of those involved it becomes a potentially dangerous situation that no decent parent would ever consider. Imagine this:

A random person says: you should leave your 5 year old with me, behind closed doors and without accountability. And, by the way, I have enough chemicals behind those doors to incapacitate your child and blur their memory so you will never know what I've done.

Sounds scary, right? Somehow, though, when that random person is wearing brightly colored scrubs and has some initials behind their name they move from the realm of suspicion to acceptability. Why? Do we not hear almost daily about the trusted soccer coach, teacher, or doctor who turns out to be the town pedophile? Would you send your child into the pediatrician alone? Nope. You would insist on being there. You would insist that to leave them alone would be irresponsible. Yet and still doing that at the dentist office is ok?

Needless to say, we are now searching for another dentist. We have a lead on a "family dentist" who specializing in treating the whole family. This time I intend to make myself and my position clear up front. If you happen to know a good dentist who doesn't try to usurp the rights of parents, please let me know.

Today's Reading....

Just something that occurred to me earlier...

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. " Hebrews 12:2

Of the four million times I have heard this verse in my life never has it had the clarity that it did today.

Of course, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If it doesn't begin and end with Him and all He says, then what is it? If our faith is not wholly rooted in Jesus, His redemptive work, His creation, etc. then what is it? Something of our own making. When we find ourselves there, we ought to look toward Him for renewal and uplift of our faith.

Love to all! Goodnight!

An Amazing God Moment

This hibiscus bloom opened this morning. While that is an amazing God moment in and of itself that wasn't what touched me so profoundly this morning.

In the quiet of the morning with the TV off, Lily still in bed and Thomas asleep on the couch because he had gotten up too early, the only sounds I could hear were the occasional car driving by and the rooster next door crowing. In a moment when it seemed that traffic had stopped, the rooster took a breath, and even the refrigerator seemed to quite its hum, I heard a gentle crackling sound behind me.

I found it odd since the only thing behind me was a tree. Perhaps a branch was giving way. I looked over my shoulder and I noticed the single bloom at the top of the tree that had been tightly closed when I got up this morning was open. I took a minute before it dawned on me that I had actually HEARD a flower bloom!

Never before in my life had I considered that the tightly closed petals might actually make a sound when they pulled apart to show their full glory. It was spectacular. It was beautiful. It was slightly haunting. Most of all it was a moment that I felt connected to God in a new and exciting way. I had a new understanding of Him and His creation. I think this one will stick with me for a long time.

Thank you, God, for this wonderful moment and all of your creation!

Today's Reading....

You have probably noticed that I have been sporadic at best at posting to the blogs. Unfortunately I don't see that changing in the near future. These last few weeks of pregnancy are taking their toll on my body. With my other two pregnancies I was very active right up to delivery. With this one I had a bout of sciatica in early April that seemed to linger. Now hip, leg, and pelvic movement are painful and restricted. This pain makes it incredibly difficult to be in one position for an extended period of time, particularly sitting in the desk chair.

All that to get to this: I have chosen a scripture for my own uplift and encouragement:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy 2:15

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:12-13

I know that you all keep us in your prayers, and we definitely appreciate them. Now more than ever, though, I could use some specific prayer. Please pray for strength in my body and mind, encouragement for my spirit, the ability to continue to care for my family, a quick, pain-free, uncomplicated delivery, and perfect health for our newest edition to the Scalf clan.

For those that scoff at the "pain-free delivery" idea. Its very possible if we apply our faith to God's Word. The full concept is explained in a book that I love Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize which can be purchased here or here.

Basically, with faith, a woman stands on all that God has promised including those regarding the Hebrew women in birth, our healing being bought by Christ's death on the cross, etc. It is a fantastic read even if you aren't pregnant. it is particularly helpful if you are having problems conceiving. Its going to become my standard gift to moms-to-be and those wanting to be moms.

Thanks again for your prayers. Please feel free to comment with any other scriptures that you feel might be of encouragement to us right now.

Love to all!

Some Older Pictures that I Ran Across Recently....

SeaWorld San Diego, May 2006, 5 months pregnant with Lilianna. Thomas thought the Clydesdales were great.

Thomas at 18 months. He opened and played in a 5 lb bag of polyfill for stuffing pillows, etc. This is when I caught him. He must have had a great time. Check out his hair!

Speaking of hair....This was in the "early growing stages" before Thad cut it off. I'm not sure what was up with my hair.

Thad put hair gel on him before he went to bed. This was the next morning.

Sleeping Lily about 3 months old.

Today's Reading....

Tonight I just wanted to share two videos I found on YouTube. I have just recently gotten into searching YouTube. What a fun site! (Just be careful what you search for.) Anyway, these are two of my favorite songs. They are truly uplifting to me.

Take a few minutes of your life to allow praise to flow freely. Step back from your everyday and put your hands in the air. Allow the tears or laughter or prayer. Whatever your heart has to give, let it be given. Don't be embarrassed if others can see you just know that God can see you. It pleases Him beyond our knowledge when we praise! Here are some scriptures to go with each:

#1: "God With Us" by MercyMe

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" Matthew 1:2

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." Psalm 103:1





#2 "You Reign" by MercyMe

"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:37-40

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " Philippians 2:9-11

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2




I can't possibly add anything. I hope your were impacted. Love to all, Goodnight!

Today's Reading....

More from Proverbs:

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:6-7

We often hear these verses separately. Standing alone they are powerful and instructive and vital. But OH the power they have when combined!

When we define fiscal responsibility as a component of training our children, it takes on a whole new light. How many of us believe that a car payment for the rest of our lives is inevitable? How many of us save as much as we could instead of buying the next biggest, flashiest thing? How many of us live on less than we make?

How would the "mortgage crisis" be different if our parents had taught us that borrowing money is dangerous? Truth be told, most of our parents shied away from debt and most of our grandparents thought it abhorrent to borrow money from anyone. We, as a generation, have succumbed to marketing and the idea of having more.

This all goes back to our being spoiled, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We live in a world that continually says we are entitled to this or that thing for whatever lame reason we can think up. We don't live in a society that mirrors the Bible in that a person who does not work, does not eat. There is always someone there to pick up our slack. Not out of an inability to work but out of a lack of desire. Welfare is not the answer to poverty. Employment is.

Not teaching our children fiscal responsibility is the root of why we have people living in the projects with 50-inch HDTV's and driving Cadillac Escalades. Not teaching our children fiscal responsibility is why Japan saves an average of 18% of their income while the US saves an average of -2%. Yeah, negative. That means we are farther in debt than what we earn. If all of our mindsets were fixed on the understanding that every time we borrow we have entered into servant hood, we have made ourselves slaves to VISA, we would probably turn tail and run from the extra 10% off our shopping trip with a credit card application.

If we taught our children proper money management we would have no need of government assistance. We would have made generation upon generation of givers, people who want to help others as they help themselves. We would also have created people who were ashamed that they weren't providing for themselves and their families, people that understood that when you have no money the best place to go is to work not to the welfare office.

We need to train givers, savers, and workers. People who know that you can have an amazing, full life that doesn't include a payment book.

I am going to continue to seek God's wisdom on how to train my children to manage HIS money the best we can. I hope you will do the same.

Love to all, goodnight!

Pictures from Thad's Birthday

We are big believers in the homemade/handmade birthday gift.

The kids and I printed from the computer and colored a banner for Daddy!

These are their scary bowling faces. Intimidating, aren't they?

This is just funny. Thomas was so intense with his bowling. He also got second place in the final score ahead of me, my mom, and my dad!

Super-Pregnant Bowling Woman!

Her face explains the frustration we all felt.

Lily's favorite part was spinning in the chairs!

Finding a new use for the hand dryer.

A good time was had by all. its amazing how much fun can be had in rented shoes for next to nothing! Simple birthdays are great.

End of the School Year Pictures

Thomas attends a private school, Family Christian Academy, 3 days per week.

Here are some pictures from the school presentation night:

Showing off his artwork in the "gallery."

The kids in Thomas' class (grade range of K-4) sang several songs at the presentation night. The songs included "Awesome God," "Thy Word," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," among others. Its hard to capture singing with a still camera.

Thomas was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by the teachers and administrators.

More artwork.

This is his other teacher, Ms. Rebekah. She was an invaluable partner and resource this year.

It was a great year! We are looking forward to first grade and continuing to watch him grow. He will have Ms. Rebekah for the next few years of school even until Lily starts school. For one grade they will be in the same class. I enjoy the idea of having a teaching partner that is watching his development every year as I do instead of breaking in someone new every year that may or may not care to take his personality and idiosyncrasies into account. Ms. Rebekah truly cares for each child and his needs. Its great to have that sort of compassion in a teacher.