Beyond Imagination

2011-10-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hunter is playing he's second season of Upward Flag Football. He has grown so much from refusing to run through the cheer tunnel. To aggressivly going after the ball and trying to score.

The journey of the two front teeth!

2011-09-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

One day as I was riding down the rode, I looked at Hunter smile. I noticed his bottom two front teeth had moved very close together. So I asked him to open and let me see. Guess what I found, two loose teeth!!! How long had they been loose? He said a while! I am very observant!!lol So as we began to wiggle them daily, it came time to pull at least one. Oh the tears and the fears. Oh to the drama of the reality that we might remove part of his mouth and it might cause pain. So we waited to the next day. As Hunter and his sister where playing in the floor, she hit is leg which went to his mouth and hit his tooth. He was crying for Africa to hear him, and we where trying to find out why. When we opened his mouth to see his tooth gone. So then where did it go. Did he swallow it, or did it fly across the room? After we calmed his sounds and searched the ground, there was a tooth to be found. He lost his first tooth on Thursday night, and there was no reason for all the fright!! But that left tooth number two alone and sad oh what to do. So we wiggled and pulled but it was not ready. Soa few days passed and it was turning sideways. So daddy said it had to come out now. Which to Hunters opinion was not okay, and so the drama began again. But this time momma was in the other room, and when daddy pulled it was out like a snap, and Hunter never even knew it left his mouth. But then he looked at the rag in daddys hand and how what a story the blood did tell, to a little man who though you cut off his tail!!lol The toothfairy had two nights in our home and was very sweet to our two toothless little man. As off to the next time a tooth is loose, oh who will hear the cries from pauline, to the roof!!

2011-09-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

What a day to bee at sea. To throw a line an catch a flea. But once it was caught, It had to be fought. So we could see its vertebrae!

The adventures of school with dissecting fish to learn about its back bone. The adventures of mommy having to clean up the fish smell, hands and clothes when they where done.

Now to raise a tadpole and learn about metamorphosis! I love science lessons on reptiles and amphibians! Last weeks on weather was more my cup of tea!

Spring 2011 Pics

2011-09-20T13:35:00.001-07:00

2011-09-20T13:31:00.001-07:00

July-August-September Update

2011-09-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

We have had a full and busy summer. Have way through the summer we had a triple effect of unhappy news. We received a phone call on July 12th, that my grandfather was in Hospice care and had a blood clot and that he may not make it another hour or week. As my Dad was out of town and I had been dealing with health issues. This was the last thing I wanted to hear. My loving husband immediately said lets pack and go right now to see him. Let me give a little background. I had not seen him in a really long time. He always went against what we believed as being a Christian and fought hard with all his family. So my own children had never meet their grandfather. I had only one grandfather I knew, and spent several summers and holidays with him while growing up. I loved him very much despite his choices. I took a summer vacation to spend with him when i was 16. I talked with him daily about God and the bible and his life. I even had him visit church two Sundays in a row!! When I left that summer he said Holly, don't worry about me and heaven I will be there. Now the behavior never matched but I always prayed he would still find and serve the Lord before his death. So as we got this call I was anxious to get to him. But within a few hours of that call, another call came in that said he had passed away. As I stood in a parking lot with my family, I don't remember what else was said or what happen as we ate dinner. My sister who was on the phone as I told her, I could not carry on a normal conversation with. I thought once I cleared my head, this is not okay, this is not fair. My children will never know him and I didn't get to say I love you before he went. Along with my grandfather, my grandmother was loosing the man she had been married to and loved for years. I had not seen her in a long time either. So we packed up my family and went to see my grandmother and uncles. As we drove there and had the chance to see my grandmother, and what she could remember(early stages of Alzheimer's) it was a true blessing. When left for home and I again had this feeling of regret, and unfairness. As my supportive husband handle so much the next few days as we returned for the funeral. My grandfather was a Lt. Col in the army and was buried with full honors and military service. It was a site to see and watch as they paid tribute to a man who served his country so well. As the days since then, I still feel angry when I think about the last few years and lost time and how I didn't get to say goodbye. I also pray daily that I will see him in heaven, the thought that he is not there is heart breaking!

Then the summer continued and my health got worse. I headed to the dr the following week and had to go through a lot of pain for those issues. Then as I was dealing with that, my husbands company had a layoff and he lost his job. I know God had a plan in all this and we are still seeking that plan daily.

Now that we have moved to hang with my parents for now, it has been none stop. With school starting back and having a third grader and kindergarten. We are slooooowly getting settled and trying to stay on track with school.

Tim began a job three weeks ago and we are so blessed that it was open to him. He did however get called to three places in Al. for job interviews. So we made a trip to see Al. and go on job interviews. He received two offers, but it was never clear that God wanted us there at this time. So for now we are in Pauline.

School is going great. Hunter is doing sooo well in kindergarten and has started reading even better. He has made some great friends and his teachers say he is so smart and learning quickly. Also well behaved. Arianna is loving her online third grade program. It is about 10 hour days of work that we are trying to manage. But she is pushing through with only a few whines now and then. I think I am more tired at the end of the day than she is. We are still working hard on reading proficiency. But I know it will come in time. I am just impatient.

Just new to all this news, I have applied to go back to school in Christian studies. I do not have any confirmation when yet, but hope I will get to start some time in Oct.

Well that about gets us up to today and I will try to update more often on more fun stuff!!

Living a life beyond our imagination gets highly underestimated!

2011-07-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

As I have been terrible at blogging, I am planning to try and keep up a little better. As we head into our fourth year of homeschooling and look to a exciting year with a third grader I pray we have lots of ways God reveals that he is far above and beyond our imaginations. We have faced a few family challenges in the last week and half and only begin to see where God is leading us. He closed a door today we where not expecting, but I know that means he has something better somewhere else for us. Stay tune and keep up with us as we travel the journey this year as a homeschooling family on mission for Christ with a 8yr, 5yr and 20 month old!! Jer 29:11-12

2011-04-08T08:49:00.001-07:00

Wynleah Grace Owens 16 months old

It is bouncin in like Spring

2011-04-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

It has truly been a great winter. We have had a few colds and tummy bugs, but we have made it through with out a huge dry bill this winter. We have gotten settled into our home, and we love it very much. God has truly blessed out family and we know that all we have is his. Wynleah is waling, talking, eating any and everything but baby food, and refusing to let go of her bottle! So many sippy cups and still will not drink out of them! Hunter survived his broke thumb, and Arianna has not had any major allergic reactions! Tim is working a lot of hours. Mom is still tutoring high school students weekly and home schooling Arianna and Hunter. It is going really well. Arianna is finally reading on her grade level and doing better daily. Hunter loves his school work and ask me daily is it my turn now! God has protected this home and given us this huge mission field in our home. Arianna, after being baptized in Jan. has grown so much every day that it is such a humbling blessing to see God using her and working in her little life. She still says almost daily she is headed to the mission field as a missionaries. God is good! I have been through an amazing Bible study with Beth Moore called breaking free. God knew I needed to be in this study at this time. I truly was able to see what I was holding on to and what was holding me from being in the relationship I had longed for to be in with God. I have broken free and I am free in Christ. I would recommended anyone taking this and I would take it again. Tim and I have also been going through our study with Growing Kids Gods way. It has changed the way we parent, but more than that is has changed who we are and revealed our selfishness so that we could parent as a team for the Glory of God to be revealed in our children. Arianna has so enjoyed dance this year and is looking forward to her spring concert and her solo dance as well. She has been given a talent from the Lord and I love to watch her dance. Hunter is starting soccer with Upward and we are praying her will open up and have no fear and play this year. Well that about wraps up our jump into spring. More to come soon!

Wynleah Dancing to Never say Never by JB

2011-01-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

January 2011 Rolls in with a White Coat!

2011-01-11T17:49:00.000-08:00

We have enjoyed the Holidays. Even though two children where sick on Christmas Eve and the other in the ER on Christmas Night, as the snow fell. We have really enjoyed the snow! I love snow!! I have always loved snow!! Ice not so much. Then we had all these wonderful news reports of the inches of snow we where to get on Jan 9 and 10th. It was beautiful to wake up to on Monday morning!! Everything covered in white. I enjoy taken pictures of all the beauty that God creates. Then Tim and I had this decision to make. DO we stay home all day Monday and Monday night and hope the power does not go out, or do we go to my parents where we would have heat even if the power went out. Tim and I have worked for days to get our gas logs to start and work, but we made no progress and did not want to be in a home with three children and freezing. So we choose to go. Thankfully no power lose as of yet. But then today we had to try to make it back home in the snow, oh and might I add ICE on the roads. After much debate about even driving, we headed home with an escort to our door.:) We did great all the way at 20 mph. The roads where awful but God was guiding us. Then we reached our wonderful concrete drive way, and let me add up hill!!! Where after 5 attempts and smelling burning rubber, we where not making it up the hill. Then my dad and Tim racked and broke up paths of ice off the driveway. As they where sliding down hill while trying to scrub up the ice. It was a site to see!!! :) Then a very peace drive up the hill and into the garage safe and sound. We made it home. Still plenty of snow to build a snow castle tomorrow!!! Welcome to a Winter to Remember in South Carolina!!

Classical Literature Engages, Enlightens, and Instructs Students

2011-01-11T17:38:00.001-08:00

Classical Literature Engages, Enlightens, and Instructs Students

Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.

First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.

Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.

Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.

So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!

“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.

We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” C.S. Lewis

2011-01-01T16:25:00.001-08:00

2010 Rewind

2011-01-01T16:23:00.000-08:00

The Owens Family has had a wonderful and adventurous year. We have gone from Woodruff, to Charleston, from Enoree, to Wyoming crossing 9 states, and from Pauline to Roebuck. From a two year job search to a wonderful and amazing mission trip across the country. We have seen the valleys we never saw coming and started climbing a mountain we are blessed to be on. Wynleah Grace Owens was born in Nov 2009 and has grown sooo much this past year. As each day our prayer as parents has been Lord keep them and protect them and surround them with all your grace and love. But also teach them and guide them and use us to do your work as parents. As we learned so much on the drive across country and watching a building go from foundation to walls in a number of days. We have been given the gift of parenting. In Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. and in I Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
We have see the awesome wonder of it. With finding not only one job but three or four and being able to allow God to lead to the right one. To see our three amazing children grow. To becoming 4 year old sunday school teachers and never doubting why we do it, but wondering why we didn't do it before now. To becoming a Classical Conversations tutor of 6 amazing students who have turned my life around and made me think and relearn in a better and more effective light. To knowing that God has my family in his hands. He has not abandon us and he has kept his promise. I have seen where I did not see the light at the end of what we where trudging through, but I can look back and not only say we made it but we where carried through it by his grace. I have learned that parenting is not a job, yes I said it is not a job it is a calling, a mission field, and act of Gods grace. It is teaching me my failures so that I can correct them, it is showing me my selfish, so that I may find humbleness. Yes some days it is giving patience beyond my believe. And just when I feel like I am going to run away and pull my hair out, one of my children will make me laugh, cry, or hug or kiss me and my eyes are open again.
We finally after 8 years of marriage and searching for where God wanted us, have found a balance, a safe place to fall, and a home. I mean an actual home, as well as having the same mission, vision and heart for our family, that is home. We are not looking back at all that went wrong and all the mistakes we made, no matter how selfish, childish, or immature they may have been. But we are looking straight up the mountain we are climbing. Realizing that it will be a daily climb until the Lord takes us home to the top. But we are excited about the journey, that adventure, and the doors and places God has in store for us. I use to sit back quite(yes me quite) and say I will be a christian and be good and ask for forgiveness and live my life without any major issues. Just float along until the Lord returns.
But after what God has taught me the last year I am no longer sitting as a spectator in my life but i am getting my hands dirty, because the Lord has washed them clean for me to sit with him one day. I am excited about what God is doing in our home, and where our home is headed with God leading it.

But if that is not exciting enough, I had the best news in the world this year. That topped it all! Arianna asked Jesus in to her heart when she was 5. But being so young we have taken our time with her and allowed her to grow and make sure she understood what it meant. After a lot of Bible studies, amazing home schooling, and a church encouraging her. We know with out a doubt that she knows that she ask Jesus into her heart at 5 and has grown into a stronger believer every year. She has gone through new believers class at church and is now ready to be Baptized. Which she will do on Jan 9th at our church.

So as to my new prayers and resolutions for the new year.
Resolutions to of course become a healthier and better mom and wife. To seek Gods path for our family and my children's paths, and to be debt free!!

Prayers

Lord, I come to you In Jesus' name and give Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa to you. I know that you and you alone know what is best for them. You know what they need. I release them to you to care for and protect, I commit to pray for everything concerning each of them that I can think of or that you put upon my heart. Teach me, show me how to pray and guide me in what to pray about. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for them, but instead enable me to pray that Your will be done in their life. Thank you Lord that we can partner with you in raising them, and that I don't have to do it alone. Thank you for the precious gift of Arianna, Hunter, Wynleah, and Lyssa. Because your word says that every good gift comes from you, i know that you have given them to me to care for and raise. Help me to do that. I rely on you for everything and this day I trust my children to you and release them into your hands. Amen

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2010-12-31T13:08:00.000-08:00

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Day 1 Road to Wyoming

2010-09-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

We left around 12 and headed up the Mountains. We drove until about 7 ish and stopped to eat dinner. Mcdonalds of course!! Then we kept driving. Arianna and Hunter colored, played games, ate snacks, watched all the rock wall work being done, and sang songs. We went up until about 10 that night and made it to Kentucky. Katawba, Kentucky!! Only unpacked what was needed and stayed in the Comfort in Hotel, with plenty of room for everyone. After giving out breathing stripes to those who snore, we all got a good nights sleep. Woke up early and ate a good breakfast. Then hit the road again.

Update on June

2010-09-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

We made it through a wonderful VBS at AMRBC. Then home to pack and pack and pack. We prayed and committed to going on a Mission trip to Casper Wyoming. With a group that helps to build new churches around the country. They are based out of Alabama. But they had partnered with our church and we felt lead to go. We lift out on June 10th to drive for three days across the country with six people in an four door truck. Once I had packed, and repacked, and double checked everything, we loaded the truck down with tons of stuff. Half of which I could have lived with out once i got there. But not knowing if it would be warm, cold, snowing or raining, with three children and being 1000 miles away, I was over prepared.

Day 1 on the road!!

Jadyn Konner Owens

2010-09-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

May 31st four years ago, God gave us a little boy!! A son! It took as long for me to get use to saying the word son, as it did for me to get use to having a son! Tim was thrilled and proud. Arianna thought he was another doll to cuddle, and Lyssa thought he was soft and cute. He stole the hearts of everyone in the family. The only grandson, for my parents this side of heaven. He was tiny, but big all at the same time. He weight 9 lbs, and when Dr Davis pulled him out he said he was already a young man. He stayed with mommy the whole time in recovery and did great. They took him to get his bath and it was like he was gone forever!! It has been four years, and I still remember it like yesterday. He was happy and healthy and doing great. I, mommy lost way to much blood and was loosing huge blood clots of blood. So I started taking Iron and trying to drink a lot. They went ahead and sent me home, and that evening and next day, I ran a high fever and passed out twice. But God knew what he was doing and I needed to be strong for my little man.

Hunter was given the nickname hunter which is what everyone calls him. But he also gets called Jadyn, Jaddie Bug. He is all boy, has loved Lightning Mcqueen from his one year old party until today. He plays with cars, plays football and soccer, and loves watching them all. He has even gotten to go play golf with his grandpa. He potty trained in one week and ate baby food until he was three because he just liked it better. He drinks more milk, water and juice than anyone I know. But he is my heart, he has my heart. He is tough like daddy, but he is the first to love on you, hug you, make you smile, laugh loud, and love people. He is a cuddle bug. He wants to finish a task before moving on to another one. He builds, and creates and play imaginary so great. He will sit and talk to you about anything and loves to sit and talk, and loves to sit and be read to. He wants to be around people loving people. But on top of all of that he is soooooo shy. He is good with his friends and once he knows and trust you he is great. But he will stand in the middle of the soccer field and not moved, paralyzed by all the people he thinks are watching him. Oh yes and this year his sisters finger meet his eye, and we had to be a pirate for a few days!!

He is Mommy and Daddy all made up, but he is truly who God made him to be and I wouldn't change that and pray no one changes him. I pray daily for his salvation, as he loves God and is learning who God is. He loves to argue with his sister about who God is and what God does. Which both are right they just think they need to argue.

That was May, and Hunter turned 4. Which was so much better from the year before when Hunter was in the hospital before his third birthday.

God is truly the giver and he has given me soooo much with Jadyn Konner "Hunter" Owens

Finally an Update Part One

2010-09-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

We have had an exciting few months. Wynleah is growing more than ever and faster than she needs to. But more than that Arianna is growing up way to fast. We went from May to Aug and Jadyn and Arianna both turned a year older, made a trip across the country, lost teeth, played soccer, danced, moved from Woodruff to Pauline, Tim got a full time job while still landscaping, I took on a part-time director/tutor postion with Classical Conversations, and we are now in Sept. So I will try to update and then keep going from there.

May Hunter Turned 4!!!

Why study Classical Languages

2010-06-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Whether you or your child is 5, 12, or 18. They are headed to the mission field, college, or stay at home parent. Read this article!!

Why Study Classical Languages?

by Harvey Bluedorn. Copyright 2002. All rights reserved.

Why Study Classical Languages? Test scores indicate that students who learn a foreign language have a much stronger grasp of English language skills. Tests also indicate that studying a foreign language sharpens the mind.

Classical languages may prove the most profitable foreign languages for a student to learn. Consider Latin. Everywhere we turn, we read English words which originally came from Latin words. Over 60% of English words have Latin roots. There is so much Latin in English that learning Latin will help you to better understand English. And if a student ever wanted to learn one of the Romance languages â€” Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Rumanian â€” knowing the parent language of Latin will be like having a discount-priced ticket for a much shorter and easier trip to the destination. 80% of the vocabulary of the Romance languages is Latin.

Greek is useful also. While legal vocabulary is all Latin, most medical and scientific words come from Greek. Knowing Greek will give the student a head-start on the terminology of these professions. A large part of the study of these professions is the terminology.

Why learn Classical Languages? For centuries, classical languages have been recognized as an essential part of a good education. Ability to read classical literature written in Latin and Greek is only a subordinate benefit. The primary benefits are the mental discipline and the usefulness for all other studies.

Why Learn Logic

2010-06-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is an article I want to share from a great book!!

Reasons from the Bible to Study Logic

by Nathaniel Bluedorn, Copyright April 01, 2000, all rights reserved. 6885 views

A Little Introduction to LogicWhen most people hear the word "logic," they conjure up the picture of an old dusty professor with a high forehead teaching things nobody can understand, or nobody wants to understand. That's not the logic I'm talking about. Let me introduce you to logic in terms of how you might find it useful.

Logic is the study of how to take statements which you know are true and put them together to come up with a conclusion which you also know is true. Logic is also used to prove or disprove arguments.

Because many people have wanted to prove things, men have tried to develop our understanding of how to reason logically. Logicians have studied how to prove things, and in the process, they have discovered fundamental laws for reasoning, which we call the laws of logic. From the three most fundamental laws of logic, logicians have expanded to other laws of logic. This is much the same way mathematicians have expanded our understanding of mathematics. As Mathematics is to numbers, so logic is to words and language.

Learning how to reason well is something about which the Bible speaks. I have found in the Bible seven reasons to learn logic.

1. To Logically Defend Your Faith â€“ ApologeticsNow sanctify the Lord God in your hearts (minds); and always be prepared for (presenting) a logical defense to everyone who requests a reason from you concerning the hope which is among you, (doing so) with meekness and fear . . .

â€“ 1 Peter 3:15. (Very Literal Translation)

Always be ready to give a logical defense for your faith in Christ. Why does Peter say this? If we defend our faith, as taught in the Bible, with clear logical reasoning, showing how every man is accountable to the Bible, then we will be witnesses against the world. The world will have no logical excuse for its rebellion against God and for its hatred of us.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

â€“ Colossians 4:5-6. (KJV)

Know how to respond with a wise answer to non-Christians. God knows that if we prepare ourselves to answer those who accost us about our faith, then our faith and our hope in Christ will be strengthened.

. . . holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. â€“ Titus 1:9 (NKJV)

Hold tight to God's truth in order to be able to refute your opposition with sound biblical reasoning. The Lord makes every man pass this test before he can become an elder in His church. Shouldn't we all aspire to meet this challenge? If we stand firm in the truth, then we will be able to refute those who attack what we know is true.

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious . . . â€“ Acts 17:22-31 (KJV)

Paul stood before the pagan Greeks in Athens and showed them how the true God whom they did not know required them to repent. Have we trained ourselves to be able to do as Paul did? To give logical arguments when the opportunity presents itself? This is what first century Christians had to do, and quickly before the lions had the time to spring!

Defending our faith is our duty, and good reasoning is a means God has given us to do it.

2. To Defeat the World's Philosophies by Advancing Biblical Reasoning.We are at WarFor the weapons of our warfare (are) not fleshly, rather (they are) powerful in God for the demolishing of fortresses; demolishing reasonings and every thing lifting itself up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ.

â€“ 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (Very Literal Translation)

God gave us weapons in order to pull down the reasoning and philosophies of the world, and to subjugate all thoughts to the teaching of the Bible. The Bible lays down a plan for victory, not for defeat. This is a war we are fighting. It is not a war of swords and shields, but of thoughts and ideas, a war of minds, a war between God's truth and the world's rebellious reasoning.

. . .[I] exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. â€“ Jude 3 (KJV)

Contend earnestly for the religion which the Bible teaches. The world's opinion is that we all should contend earnestly for nothing. They want everyone to learn to accept all beliefs and diverse religions in the name of tolerance and progress. But Jude says something quite different. There is only one Book of Truth, and its doctrines deserve to be argued uncompromisingly everywhere.

The Enemy is strong. Be prepared.That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; â€“ Ephesians 4:14. (KJV)

Do not be like children, believing everything which comes your way, and falling for the cunning lies of the world. The world is not without designs on you.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. â€“ Romans 16:18. (KJV)

Beware of those who try to deceive the unlearned. Have your mind well grounded in Biblical reasoning. This is your best lie detector.

. . . Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. â€“ Colossians 2:6-8

Be well established in the teaching of the Bible, and be on your guard for those who would hoodwink you with the traditions and philosophies of the world.

The Weapon of LogicGod gave us a weapon with a winning edge: sound reasoning from the Bible. Though we may seem to lose battles as our enemies try to silence the truth we proclaim, nevertheless this is a war we know we cannot lose in the end â€“ if we are on God's side.

3. To Prove Your Doctrines from the Bible.When it comes to the doctrines we believe, what is one of the most worthy examples in the Bible?

These [of Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

â€“ Acts 17:10-11 (KJV)

Paul and Silas, coming to Berea, found the people there more noble than at previous cities, for these people were eager to listen, and carefully studied the Bible to see if what Paul and Silas taught was true. What was so important to these Bereans? Why didn't they immediately accept what Paul and Silas were saying? Because the Bible says we should prove a doctrine before we let ourselves be convinced by it.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. â€“ 1 Thessalonians 5:21. (KJV)

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

â€“ Proverbs 14:15. (KJV)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. . . â€“ 1 John 4:1. (KJV)

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. . . Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

â€“ Ephesians 5:8-11. (KJV)

. . .abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent. . . â€“ Philippians 1:9-10. (KJV)

Whom shall [God] teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. . .

â€“ Isaiah 28:9-10. (KJV)

Paul's methodsIf the Bereans needed things proven to them, what were Paul's methods for accomplishing this? The following passages from Acts illustrate how Paul tried to convince his audience:

9:22 [Paul] confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

17:2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

18:4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

18:19 . . .he. . . entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

18:28. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (KJV)

Paul knew he needed to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. If he couldn't prove what he said, he could not rightly expect them to believe it.

Augustine on LogicA Christian in the fourth century, St. Augustine of Hippo, had much to say about logic. He believed it was important to teach logic, which was the common practice in the classical schools of his day.

"The science of reasoning is of very great service in searching into and unraveling all sorts of questions that come up in Scripture, only in the use of it we must guard against the love of wrangling and the childish vanity of entrapping an adversary." (On Christian Doctrine II,48)

Augustine used Paul's argument against those who deny the resurrection of the dead (I Corinthians 15:12-20) as an example of how logic is necessary for proving our Christian doctrines.

". . .if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen,

then our preaching is in vain,

then we are false witnesses

then your faith is in vain,

then you are yet in your sins,

then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

"But all these false inferences followed legitimately from the opinion of those who said that there is no resurrection of the dead. These inferences, then, being repudiated as false, it follows that since they would be true if the dead rise not, there will be a resurrection of the dead. As then valid conclusions may be drawn not only from true but from false propositions, the laws of valid reasoning may easily be learnt in the schools ....But the truth of propositions must be inquired into in the sacred books...." (II,49)

Augustine also explained how logic is not an invention of the pagan philosophers, as some men objected, but a science which man has learned from God.

"...[T]he validity of logical sequences is not a thing devised by men, but is observed and noted by them.... ...[I]t exists eternally in the reason of things, and has its origin with God. For as the man who narrates the order of events does not himself create that order; ...and as he who points out the stars and their movements does not point out anything that he himself or any other man has ordained; in the same way, he who says, "When the consequent is false, the antecedent must also be false," says what is most true; but he does not himself make it so, he only points out that it is so. And it is upon this rule that the reasoning ...from the Apostle Paul proceeds. For the antecedent is, "There is no resurrection of the dead...." ...the necessary consequence is "Then Christ is not risen." But this consequence is false, for Christ has risen; therefore the antecedent is also false. ...We conclude therefore that there is a resurrection of the dead. ...This rule, then, that when the consequent is removed, the antecedent must also be removed, is not made by man, but only pointed out by him. And this rule has reference to the validity of the reasoning, not to the truth of the statement." (II,50)

A Cloud of WitnessesThe Bereans were commended for carefully studying the Bible before believing; Paul used proof and clear reasoning to convince men of the truth of the gospel; and Augustine, though not an inspired writer, showed how the Bible uses logic to demonstrate our most basic doctrines.

4. To Apply the Logical Implications of God's Commands in Your Life.As Christians, God has put in us the desire to obey His commands. But we cannot obey them if we do not know and understand them. Therefore, God has written His commands in the Bible and given us a mind to understand His commands. Now what is our duty?

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

â€“ Ephesians 5:17. (KJV)

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. â€“ Romans 12:2. (KJV)

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

â€“ Colossians 1:9. (KJV)

God commands us, not only to know His commands, but also to understand them â€“ to understand their logical implications and to apply them to our life.

AbortionAn example of how we recognize the need to obey the logical implications of God's commands is in the issue of abortion. Nowhere does the Bible explicitly say killing unborn children is sin, but we can deduce this command by comparing scripture with scripture.

•Murdering living persons is sin. Exodus 20:13. Matthew 19:18. •To unlawfully kill a person with premeditation is murder. Deuteronomy 19:4, 11. •Pre-born children are living persons. Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41. •Abortion is killing a living pre-born child •Therefore, abortion is murder and a sin. The logic is clear, no one can deny it. The conclusion is true, if you believe the Bible.

5. To Be a Good Steward of Your Mind.Some men think that all we need to get by in life is big muscles and wilderness survival skills. I would challenge these men to prove this idea from the Bible. God gave us a mind in order to make us more than just another kind of animal.

Some men assert that the mind is evil. It is only our feelings which we should trust. Though our mind is fallen like the rest of us, it is still an essential part of who we are as sons of God, created in His likeness. God tells us to renew our mind, and learning to reason logically instead of emotionally is part of that.

Brethren, be not children in understanding. . . in understanding be men. â€“ 1Corinthians 14:20.

Be a man. Use your mind.

In Matthew, Jesus tells us the parable of the talents in order to teach us to be good stewards with what God has given us.

. . . And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. . . . he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents. . . . His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . .

â€“ Matthew 25:14 (KJV)

Like the many other things God has given us, our mind is also a stewardship we need to be faithful in.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind . . â€“ 1 Peter 1:13. (KJV)

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. â€“ Matthew 22:37. (KJV)

. . . strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses [mind] exercised to discern both good and evil. â€“ Hebrews 5:14. (KJV)

As newborn babes, crave ye after the genuine mental [/logical] milk, in order that ye may grow by it. â€“ I Peter 2:2. (Very Literal Translation)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. â€“ II Timothy 1:7. (KJV)

Some liken our mind to a muscle â€“ the more we exercise it the stronger it grows. I know this to be true in my own experience. If I don't stimulate my mind, then it becomes like jelly and it won't work when I need it.

6. To Seek Wisdom in Living Your Life.So far we have been talking about one branch of logic, called deductive reasoning. This is the logic of proving things. I described it at the beginning of this article. Other areas of logic are also useful. It is handy to learn to recognize common errors in reasoning. This protects us from slick propaganda techniques and sales pitches. These common errors â€“ such as circular reasoning, straw man, red herring â€“ have, for our benefit, been cataloged by men.

Another branch of logic is inductive or scientific reasoning. The world is run by rational rules. God set it up this way so we could understand it. Good inductive reasoning helps us to make wise and practical choices in our everyday life. The study of scientific reasoning, and how to evaluate evidence to make wise choices, has a wide range of useful applications. (However, inductive reasoning is disastrous when used in theology.)

Many characters in the Bible are commended for their wisdom in their every day life. Joseph, Solomon, the wise woman of Proverbs 31, and Daniel are warmly commended for their wisdom. Proverbs often holds up the wise man who seeks to understand discretion, gathers knowledge to increase learning, and listens to the counsel of other wise men.

. . . To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: â€“ Proverbs 1:1-5.

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets . . . How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof. . . . whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

â€“ Proverbs 1:20-33.

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. â€“ Proverbs 15:14.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. â€“ Proverbs 15:22.

Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. â€“ Proverbs 20:18.

7. Jesus Was a Logical Man.This last reason is the heart of the whole matter. A few examples will show you what use Jesus made of Logic.

At the very beginning of the New Testament, our Lord displayed His mental acumen and thorough knowledge of His Father's Word. In Matthew 4, the devil tempted Jesus. Each time Jesus withstood Satan by deducing that if He complied with the devil's request, then He would disobey the logical implications of Scripture.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus used logic to deduce His theology from the Bible. In Matthew 12:1-8, Jesus deduced from the exceptions to a command of Moses' that the law of mercy superseded Moses' law. (See my father's pamphlet Sabbath Syllogism)

Battle on the Temple StepsBut the greatest example is in Matthew 21:23-22:46, where Jesus stood out as the world's foremost logician. There were six battles of the mind that day at the temple, and Jesus stood unvanquished. (For a better treatment of this topic see my father's article Jesus' Use of the Logical Dilemma.)

First, the Jewish leaders asked Jesus where he received the authority to do what He did. In response, Jesus gave them a logical dilemma which answered their question and yet left them with nothing they could use against Him.

Second, Jesus told three parables with which the Jewish leaders must agree, but in doing so they condemned themselves.

Third, the Pharisees asked Jesus if Roman taxes were lawful, trying to trap Him into angering either the Romans or the common people. But Jesus threw the question back at them in another dilemma exposing their false either or dilemma

Fourth, the liberal, skeptical Sadducees tried to show how absurd the idea of life after death was by presenting the dilemma of a woman who had seven husbands, one after another, and then died herself. Their question: whose wife would she be in the resurrection? Jesus destroyed their faulty reasoning by citing the Old Testament, how marriage plainly did not exist after death. Then came the most masterful move of the millennia. Jesus showed from the passage of the burning bush in Exodus that the logical implication of the tense of the verb is proved that God still was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Therefore there is indeed life after death.

Fifth, the Pharisees came again and tried to stump Jesus with a question Jewish theologians had been debating for a long time: "Which is the greatest commandment of the law?" But again, Jesus showed that upon the first command, and the second after it, all the other commands hung. No Jew could disagree.

Sixth, and last of all, Jesus Himself put forth a dilemma â€“ a dilemma which, if the Jewish leaders answered, they would have to acknowledge who Jesus was. Jesus asked how it could be that David spoke of his son, the Messiah, as his Lord. The only way this could be true was if Christ was both born a son of David but also existed before David â€“ as God the Son.

What a mind our Lord had! What a logician He was! By God's grace, I want to be like Him. There is no greater reason to study Logic.

Four Years Ago!!

2010-06-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

May 31st 2006 God gave us a little baby boy. I remember when we found out we where having a boy. Daddy so excited, and me thinking, I am a family of all girls, and we have one baby girl, I know a lot more about girls, and NOTHING about boys. What do you do with a boy? Then God showed me very quickly that he was giving me this baby boy, to give him back to God. So that he would learn. love, grow, and become a young man who has a love for God above all else. He was truly blessed this year to have great friends. He had a great Birthday party at Pizza Inn, and was so excited. He may look a lot like his daddy, but he has his mommies shyness, and cuddlness. He wants to help anyone hurt and love on all the babies, and love on his mommy and daddy and sisters. God gave him this heart and I love that he is shy just like his mommy was(ok is). He would say thank you for his friends coming and their gifts, but no one could hear him. Then as we left the party he said "Mommy thank you for my party and for my friends coming, I have really nice friends that God gave me!!" That is why God gave me a little boy. Who on most days scares me that he will get hurt, but on others shows mommy how great it is to be loved by God and have wonderful friends.

Jadyn Konner Hunter Owens, is daddy's buddy, but he will always be mommys baby boy. As he has grown the last four years, we have seen bumps, brusies, blood, tears and even seen my share of cars, dump trucks, animals, lizards, turtles and frogs. We can not visit Grandma without Hunter walking in the door holding a lizard. We have seen him fall in love with playing football, baseball, basketball and soccer. He had is first soccer team this spring, and did not want to hurt anyone while playing and wanted to share the ball with everyone, so he stood and watched a lot. He became a fan of Carolina football, and NC basketball. Learned to ride a bike, scooter and skateboard. Jump on a trampoline, climb trees, and chase his sister and cousins. He can write his name, say ABCs, count to 20, tell me the timeline from creation to Fall of Rome, the 44 presidents, and sing like an angel(he gets that from daddy)!! He is my baby boy, who I get to see grow everyday in order that one day he will be a man to help build up the body of Christ. Who ever thought I would be raising a boy to be a man after God's heart!! I am blessed to have a baby boy who turned 4 this year!! Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Pictures from Holly

2010-05-11T09:01:00.001-07:00

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Pictures from Holly

2010-05-11T08:56:00.001-07:00

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God has lead us to a new step, plan, adventure and blessing!

2010-05-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

I was sitting down to read email one morning as I always do. Before the school day begins. I had an email from a friend at Classical Conversations. For those who may not know what that is(classicalconversations.com) She was asking me if I had thought or would think about begin a Director/Tutor for the coming school year in Challenge B. Which is like middle school. Every Tuesday from 8:30 to 3 I get to share and learn and grow with a group of middle school students in 6 subjects. My first thought was really, did she send the email to the wrong address? Then I told her I would begin to pray about it and have family and friends pray with me as well. About two weeks into praying and searching and really getting hold on how I felt. I woke up at 3am and went to the computer and wrote a response to her. Yes I would truly be honored to become the Challenge B director/tutor for next year. Well saying yes, which I thought was the hard part, was the easy part. I have since that day been through a training class, a couple of meetings, view of mock trial, gathering books for subjects, and reading, reading did I say reading. Lets see, I went through school and college, and learned different subjects, but this is a whole new way to learn, but more than new it is the right way we should all have been taught. To learn through the integration of subjects. To recover the lost tools of learning. It has been a challenge for me to try to empty my mind and what I learned and start over. I remember a lot of the things I learnt, but do not remember always how I learned them. This changes all of that. To have students who come out of school and can hold a discussion with knowledge, and understanding. To be able to stand in any conversation and know what is being said and what to say about it. To be able to be argumentative in a good way. To have a paper written in grammar that is understood. To making writing and grammar, and rhetoric, and logic important again and where they should be what all of our education is about. So I am truly looking forward to the coming school year. But even more I am excited to see Arianna, Hunter and one day Wynleah go through the same steps from grammar stage and come out of Challenge in highschool and be self taught, To be able to go into the world and know how to learn anything new because they where taught how to learn, not just a bunch of stuff in subjects.

Now what I have to do is organize my house better, and get the school schedule worked out to where I will also have work to do each week. I have a whole summer of reading and learning to do. Feel smarter every time I read.

Now just a quick view of what I have to learn :. Latin?? !! Logic, History of Science Or gins, Mock Trial, Current Events, Literature short stories, writing and grammar. and more!!

I am looking forward to the students who will be a part of CC next year. If you would like more info for any child at any age you can come to an info meeting on May 20th. email me for me details and info!! tranquilitypro @yahoo.com

God has guided us here, and I am thrilled to be a part of his work. A small part! God has a plan for all of our lives. Open our eyes, hearts, and hands to him and he will show the way!

Easter 2010 Wynleahs First Easter!!

2010-04-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Trails of sick children

2010-03-23T06:28:00.001-07:00

It has been a roller coaster ride in our home. Tim sick with bronchitis, Hunter catches it, then Arianna and they all have sinus infections. My ears are blocked and will not drain, and I am limited to the medicines I can take while nursing Wynleah. Then Arianna and Hunter and getting better while still taking amoxicilin, and Wynleah gets sick. To little for medicine that put her on breathing treatments, they did not work she continued to run a fever. Went back to doctor and she is now on amoxicillin and orapred and breathing treatments. Fever gone, but still very congested. Then Arianna has a delayed allergic reaction to a combination of the amoxicillin and eating salty food and wakes up with lips swollen and blistered. Which has gone from bad to worse to just heart breaking. She is missing CC this week due to the pain and site of her mouth, and the doctor is sending her to dermatologists, since this is about the fourth time she has done this. To top all that off I have have the migraine of all migraines for three days!!!! When it hits, it hits hard! But I know that God will get us through each one of the sicknesses and that he is strong, and faithful to us to heal all of us in his own time. We stay in prayer for others, for the world, for our sins, and for the healing of our home and nation. Looking forward to a brighter day today

God Created The Earth, Rocks, Minerals, Crystals..........

2010-03-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

Today we took a short drive up a Mountain to downtown Asheville, NC. We meet a group of friends from our Classical Conversations. Mr Potter the geologists showed us all the types of rocks and minerals, and explained where they come from and how they are made. We enjoyed seeing rocks worth thousands of dollars and some worth pennies. They where able to go in a cave and see what it looks and sounds like when you blow up a mine. Learned about weather and how the earth rotating effects the weather. Also wher able to see some of the great volcanos, and see where the "Ring of Fire" Volcanos are. Arianna along with her brother and several of her friends even broadcasted the weather, and we had snow, clouds, sun Low pressure and high pressure, stong winds and a hurricane all today in South Carolina!!

It was a lot of fun to learn and explore more about Gods creation and how his art work is beyond our imagination. Tim and the childern even craked a Geo stone from a Volcano in Mexico to find smokey quartz inside, it was beautiful.

Then a fun lunch at Fuddruckers with all of friends. And we drove back down the Mountain with three sleeping babies.

What an adventure for today! Until next time.

Pictures from Holly

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Pictures from Holly

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2010-02-26T16:52:00.001-08:00

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Our New Baby Girl Arrives! Nov. 30th 2009

2010-02-26T16:49:00.000-08:00

It has been a crazy few months and this is the first chacne I have had to sit and blog. We were so blessed to welcome Wynleah Grace Owens on Nov 30th at 6:20 pm. She was scheduled to come on Dec 7th, but my water broke at 2 pm on the 30th and we entered for a c-section at 6:00pm. She was breech like her big sister! She weighed 7lbs 6 oz and was 19 3/4 inch long!!! Has beautiful long fingers(future piano player) and dark hair and blue eyes like daddy. But this time she looks like mommies baby pictures instead of daddys!! Deliver went well and nursing went well. The first six weeks she woke and ate every 2 to 3 hours. Now she eats every 3 durning the day but sleeps 6 hours every night! She is putting on her baby weight and is a bundle of joy!! We are truly blessed to be parents of three wonderful children. Arianna acts like she is her baby doll, and Hunter has to kiss her at least 20 times a day!! Very careful and protective of her! She is growing fast. She laughs and giggles when she wakes up and when you talk and play with her. A very happy and peacful baby girl. Only fussy when she is hungry and I don't get there fast enough. She loves to coo and talk back to you and loves to see what is going on around her. The start of lots more to talk about!

Pictures from Holly

2009-11-24T17:05:00.001-08:00

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2009-11-08T19:03:00.001-08:00

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Our Family Update

2009-11-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

It has been a few months since I have had time to write at all. So I am taking about 10 min this morning. We have family pictures today, that where on sale, so we decided to do a pre-baby picture and then will do more later for Christmas. I know have 4 and half weeks until baby arrives. Unless she decides to come sooner. I have finished her room, painting, carpet, bed, etc. I have a stroller and car seat for her, and a play yard. Still need more newborn clothes, but I am working on that. I also have to find a swing or bounce seat for her to sit in. Later will need a high chair. This time I feel like I am starting all over for the first time with this baby. She is due on Dec 12th. But she has(like her big sister) decided to stay breech. We have a c-section scheduled for Dec 7th at 7:30 am!!!!! I had to have c-sections with both Arianna and Hunter. Not thrilled about the needle in my back or the recovery from the c-section. But I know the Lord will get me through it.
Arianna is loving her new classical conversations this year. She has made great friends, and loves the tutor in her class room. She has learned so much already. It is amazing to see her memorize all that info and learn it all. Then Hunter has learned some of it as well from listening and watching Arianna. This class has truly been a blessing and I would highly recommended it to everyone. Not only is she learning educational info she needs, but how much she has grown in what she understands about God and creation and how thinks happen in an order. Devotion time each night has been a treat to go through with her. Hunter loves singing all the great songs. We have been truly blessed by this class. She is also doing well with her school work at home. From counting and reading. She has finally, or should I say we have finally found a program that worked for her and she loves to help her with reading. She is reading on her grade level and we feel by Christmas will be above that to second grade.
Hunter has done really well also. He is doing sight words, and phonics, and knows all his numbers and letters so far. He is working on writing skills now. He would rather color than write his name but is doing so well.
We all have our down days, but it is so much a blessing to be their mom and be able to see their minds grow and learn. Being able to be a part of the learning steps all the way, is so awesome.
Tim is working hard, in two areas. One to keep lawncare business running and growing. Two to find a full-time job with steady income. I am so proud of how hard he has worked to find a job. I know God will open that door when it is time. There are times when I would love to understand why we have had to grow through a year of no employment and stuggles. But then I look up and remember how well he has taken care of us and kept us right where we needed to be. I know I have been so humbled by this experience. From learning to do without what we didn't need, to learning to be a good steward of what we do have. It has been a hard and stressful lesson to learn, but I am glad I went through this. I pray I can teach that to my children. I now know that I can live under what my budget is, and we will be okay.
Scariest part at teh moment is Christmas coming, and since we down to one car, we need a new car for baby coming. We have been trying to save and prayer over this situation. I know that all will work out the way it needs to. It is just scary to know or not to know what will happen.
Tim is also deer hunting when he gets the chance. Hunter loves it, and Arianna does as well. They both want to go with him soon. I however pray they will out grow it. HAHA We have been able to take Hunter and Arianna to football games this year. Hunter loves it soooo much. He watches the players so close and then comes home and repeats what he sees. That kid at three has an arm on him and is catching really well. Arianna uncourse is the cheer section for us. She will cheer with the crowd and dance with the band. Full of entertainment!
I have also tried to start a athome business with the situation we are facing. Even if it brought in a little extra for food and things that would be great. I have been really blessed so far. Not only has it added a few 100 a month to our income, I have been able to go out and hang with wonderful women and pamper them. Whether on their lunch hour or at a home spa. The products sale themselves, they are great, but I get to help women and moms who are over worked and need a 30 min or longer break and get some great skin care and things at the same time. It has truly been a blessing.
Well I think that catches us up for know!

Pictures from Holly

2009-09-10T17:38:00.001-07:00

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We become wives, moms, home makers, and their teachers! God is Good!

2009-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is my precious baby girl. Who turned 6 this year and entered the first Grade! I can not believe it has been 6 years since this little bitty baby was laid in my hands. She was three weeks early and the best baby in the world. Always wanting to be cuddled, and still does on her time! She has gone from so tiny to this very beautiful, tall, smart, creative, talented, imaginative little girl. She is so independent or tries to be that I forget she is only 6 some times, and other times I would love to just sit down with her and tie her shoes for her again! Hang on to those moments, they pass to fast. She may look like her daddy, and has his sense of humor, but she loves people and life and loving on people like her mommy.

We where so extremely blessed to learn about Classical Conversations. Then to have it come to our church home was so much more of a blessing. Arianna went to her first class today. As I get to be right there with her, the tutor and other moms and children, I feel so much joy. God is good. The information she is learning this year and what will be taught in class once a week and then carried home all week is mind blowing. She learned all her subjects today, and by the time we come home at them all down and showing of all that she remembered! It was awesome. There will be 160 pcs of info on things from creation to present she will learn, not counting the History timeline, the Bible verses, the science all bible based, the math and english and grammar is wonderful. Can you imagine a 6 year old standing in front of her class once a week and giving a presentation!! She will and did today and many more to come! The best part is we are all there to love and support and lean on each other in the love of Christ. To raise up our children the way God intended and every step they learn is all from God!

We are ready for next week already! More to come!

Thank you God so much for bringing the talents to those who wrote this curriculum and to those who allowed it to come to AMRBC and my house hold. I pray that we learn all we can and lift you up each step of the way!

Arianna Is a 1st Grader and Hunter is three. We are homeschooling!

2009-08-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Okay so today was a Monday for our house. We had all our plans laid out and school lessons all ready. I even let Arianna pick what we did first and second and so on today. But for some reason I had her attention about 20 min and that was it. So after we tried making it more exciting, and trying to give Hunter something better to keep him occupied. Then trying a break and some stretching and coming back with a clear head. And then trying to get Arianna and Hunter to teach each other so that is was fun, which lead to a fight over who should be on the white board first. Then literally sitting down in prayer and asking for peace and focus in out home. Now would it not amaze you that, the one thing I should have tried the first time finally worked. We prayed together and seemed to get focused on each subject and made it through to break time. Now for lunch, Hunters nap and Arianna reading. So what started off a bit rough I think will end very peacefully. Thank you God for your quick answers to our prayers, and let me say I am sorry I didn't look to your first when in need. Lesson learned for all of us in the Owens house. I am now feeling much more encouraged about this week and next week. Arianna will have her new classical conversations classes starting next week on Tuesdays. We are so excited about this and her tutor and i am thrilled to be a help mom in class. So I hope to have much to report next week on how great and successful it will be. i would encourage any home school parent to have their children in Classical conversations by age 5. It is amazing what they will learn and master each year. You should check it out at classicalconversations.com. More schooling to come and now to get pizza for lunch. Of course adding a side of fruit for some nutritents.

Great Reading Info I found today

2009-08-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

I was looking for some creative, fun ways to work in school work into fun in Arianna's school days. Hunter spends about 2 hours with us doing school work so I thought if it was more fun, he would enjoy it also. I found this article that was great. How to raise an imaginative child.

I learned that encouraging imagination helps improve vocabulary. Reading, listening and acting all the fairy tales and stories helps them improve voc. It also helps with the taking control part of the mind of a six year old. She wants to control so much of her life, and being able to act out a scene where the princess rescues all the mice and her brother helps her to find good homes, and the King and Queen(of course mom and dad) help feed all of them. Helps her control what she feels like is more than beyond her control. It also helps with social rules. If they all go tot he play ground and create a castle out of the play houses, and then turn it into their own little world and play different parts. I love the Peter Pan part. They learn to interact with other friends in the creation in their mind. Even better is when mom and dad will join in. It is even a problem solver. They early they start with imaginative and creating the better when they get older they can solve problems through the ways they learned to be imaginative.
How do we help as parents was the part I was the most interested in. Read Read Read Books. Share stories, make them up not in a book and share them. Get them to make artwork with what they think, hear, feel, want to do, build play. Arianna loves this one and is awesome at it. She can take almost any image and in her 6 year old way draw or create it. It blows my mind every time she does it. Make music to go with all the things they are playing. Put a song to cleaning, eating, going to bed, going to the store, starting school work, singing ways to be quite. Act out different types of feelings and sad, happy, glad, and more and then how to go from one to the other,. Hunter does great at this and makes the best faces when her shows you how he feels. And of course as any acting coach says use props. Towel rack, chalkboard, sidewalk chalk, bathroom rug into a magic carpet..... But only turn to the computer on occasion. Looking up resources it is great for, but does not leave a lot of room for imagination. TV is even worse. Know all that is fun and can take up a lot for time and interaction. But there is also a limit to it, and accepting in some parts, like the imaginary friend you have to invite to dinner, always make the clean up of the mess as fun as the game, encourage wild ideas that are safe, like building a roller coaster in the back yard. ( I think I want to try that one).
So this is all the info I read and much much more. I loved all the info and wanted to share what I learned with anyone who also has a child with an active imagination and artistic mind. I will share more and would love to hear from others on things you read and learn about. Passing along parent info...

Baby Girl Owens

2009-08-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

This is the 18 weeks ultrasound from our new baby girl. Awesome size and shape and growing great. Moving a lot. She moves more at night around 11 pm every night. Arianna is so excited about her baby sister coming. Her due date is Dec 12th. I don't think she will make it that long though. The c-section will be a week early, unless her decides to come early like Arianna did. Arianna was three weeks early!!! We had to drag Hunter out. no really that had to use a suction tool to get him out.. HAHAHA He was also a c-section and 9lbs. I have a May baby and an August baby. A dec. baby is going to be a change. I have a few months to go, but feel like if I don't start getting it all ready now, I will wait and then it will be to late. I know with Arianna I had everything planned to do that weekend, since I had a c-section scheduled three weeks away. Then she decided she wanted out in the middle of the night. I love being a mom and getting to remember all the great ways our children come into the world. Arianna wanted to come early and that is so her personality. Hunter had to be drug out and he is the same now, you have to let him finish everything is in own time. I guess we will see what this one does. I am excited to get colors and clothes and strollers and all the baby stuff for her in the next few months. I actually started buying diapers already and that was the first time it felt like okay now it is time!!! More to share in the future!!!

Arianna turns 6 and we venture to Ocean Lakes

2009-08-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

We had a great invite to go to OceanLakes in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was a very nice house and the children had so much fun. There are so many things to do at the campground and hanging on the beach. My niece had a run in with a small jellyfish, bless her she was very tough. Then Hunter had a TV fall on his head and arm and scared Tim and I to death. But other than that it was a great few days. We even had Arianna's 6th Birthday there, which she LOVED. We ran into some wonderful friends from church and they where able to join us for her birthday and she couldn't quit talking about them coming and how happy she was they did. The pool was fun for a little while, but way crowded. I have never seen so many people in one place at one time. Hunter and Arianna played putt putt for the first time on her Birthday and Hunter wanted to play again and again. He wanted Grandpa to play with him, but maybe next time. He may have to wait until he can play big golf with Grandpa. I was a bit stressed at all the schedule and what to do when. But I finally relaxed and tried to just enjoy being there. The baby is 22 weeks along and she is moving a lot. Moves the most at night at 11 pm almost every night. Only a few more months and she will be here and I feel like my to do list is longer and time is to short. We are know back and already started some of Arianna's school work today. i am really looking forward to her attending Classical Conversations at AMRBC. I think it will be a blessing beyond belief. I have loaded the Beach pictures, and in the middle of trying to take the good ones my camera battery died and it got to dark, so maybe next time I will get that perfect beach picture like I wanted. I did however take several pictures of other families I didn't know and theirs where beautiful. I was actually ready to come home and get back to life, which is strange. More often than not I try to run from life....hahaha... I am really happy about what the future holds for our family and all that we are going to learn and experience in the next weeks, months and years ahead. God has a great plan for us and I am anxious to learn what it is, but also wanting it to happen slowly. Our pastor DJ is right about taking a vacation. You tend to come back with a clearer head and friendly manner than when you left. I am reading a new book I want to start posting more about, and still reading Power of a praying Parent. I will let you know how they both are going. Oh yes and the Have a New Kid by Friday really great. I listened to it, but some awesome info we are putting into play this week. I look forward to the awesome outcome, I hope!!! haha Blessings

Pictures from Holly

2009-08-10T17:07:00.001-07:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

2009-07-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

Long Time Catch Up Day

2009-07-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am so behind on blogging. The last time I entered anything I did not know I was pregnant!!!! I am know 19 weeks pregnant and the last three months have been rough. i have been soooo sick and not wanted to do ANYTHING! This past few days have been so much better and I am handling eating better. Which also means I am fianlly putting on weight, yuck! I am due on Dec. 12th. This will be a first to have a winter baby. Arianna is is August and Hunter is May, so this is different. Arianna is voting on a girl, she says momma what and I suppose to do with another boy? Ha HA Hunter is just well it is fun that mommy has a baby in her tummy but really not sure about all of this. I think he will be so shocked when it arrives. he has been the baby for three years! I am praying for a healthy baby either way boy or girl. Tim and i have taken on a new Landscape business and it has been going well, a but slow start but well. We are praying it will be a much needed long answer to prayers. We find out what we are having on Monday the 20th I can't wait. I am a plan ahead person and want so much to knwo so I can start getting everything ready. If that isn't big enough news, I turned 30 on the 14th!!! Had a great birthday. But this one was a bit harder for me. I am a kid at heart and have loved being in my 20's like forever, and I am now 30! Arianna is almost ready to loose that first tooth. And as most of you know Hunter was in the hospital at the end of May. He is 90% better. We are still going through some tonsil healing and worried we may have to have the tonsils removed. Thank everyone for all the prayers and all the food. I look forward to sharing more and keeping up to date better. If you need a great summer read try Power of a Praying Parent!

Home school Festival Biltmore House April 17th

2009-04-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

So we fianlly where able to take a short Spring Break vacation and still do school work while there. We had the great opportunity to visit the Biltmore House for their annual home school festival. From 8:30am on Friday morning, we learned about animals, making suilts, seeing real life Owls of different types, a red-tailed hawk, Arianna and Hunter picked up and 1000 pound log, made a water wheel, a compass and went on a treasure hunt with it, and made butter, and even watched soil erosion. Then had a picnic lunch at the Barn, played with the gots, chickens and beautiful horses. Then toured the Barn and all the old things. Then we toured the beautiful Biltmore house every floor. After touring grabbed a huge ice cream treat, and then slowly walked over to the Gardens. From the fish in the Gardens to every color of Tulp you could imagine. Then to the pond and waterfall. It was a full day that ended around 6 pm and then we grabbed dinner and went to our wonderful Hotel. We where so pleased with our hotel and how well we where treated. Then jumped in the heated(not so much) pool for a night swim, then back to our room where we all crashed from a long day. It was really great and we all had a great time. We look forward to going next year. We had a great drive home taking our time and going by Chimney Rock and Lake Lure for some play time. We rested most of Sunday from being so tired, but it was a wonderful time.

Dancing Dancing Dancing

2009-04-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

I grew up dancing with my mom and loving to dance. Then I had children and wouldn't you know that they would love to dance almost more than me. We dance at least once day and sometimes more when we can't go outside. Hunter will dance as long as no one is watching. We have been able to find fun christian songs they love to dance to and now they sing them as well. I look forward to posting dance videos of my wonderful dancers. It is really awesome when children are able to grow and learn and find different ways to just laugh. This is one of those times, where we just laugh. It makes me think of all the times we seem like life is to hard and just not fair, that maybe we need to take more time to just dance.

DANCE

What a day that will be!!!

2009-04-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

So today started out like it should have been a Monday. I am sure the full moon added to the days delight. I have two children whom are very different at times, but somehow seem to team those times when you think the devil has entered your home. haha The last two days where very off for my children, with saying no and not doing as they where asked. Don't even try to ask my so loving baby girl to help make her bed, it TOOK TWO HOURS!!! That was just the last two days. Tim has worked all day today, and we have a funeral in a few moments for a dear friend. So it has been me and my so adorable babies today. From writing on the wall, tv and teddy bear, to dumping the laundry basket in the floor after i just finished, to tearing up school work and putting it in the trash to laying in the floor screaming and kicking for spider man. So what may seem like they are being children and pushing the boundaries was like pulling my hair out today. My children are no where near perfect and need to mind better than they do, but on a daily routine there is none of what happen today. I think something got a hold on them and i couldn't get it out of them. Try punishment... forget that it was funny or a way to push momma even further. So after I walked out of another mess in the bedroom i sat down on the coach in silence. I did not answer to momma, mommy, mam, please, nothing. And about 10 min later I had my angels back with love. So today has been wonderful!! As my children like to push until I fuss or until I punish, they do not like it when mommy doesn't talk! So I realized as I was sitting there praying in silence and allowing them to realize who mommy is and what was going to happen if they didn't straighten up, I also thought how many times do i react to them in quick punishment which does not change the behavior it just hurts their feelings. Instead of walking out of the room in silence. Man is it easy to yell, but it is so peaceful and fulfilling to be silent. Isn't that just like what the Lord ask of us. Be still, silent and know that I am here. That he sees our every sin, hears our every word, reads our every thought, and what he asked of us as children is to come to our father and be silent and listen to him speak sofly to us. Exodus 14:14

Happy Field Trip to Happy Cow Creamery

2009-04-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Cow Creamery

Saturday April 4th

We had a wondeful field trip to the Happy Cow Creamery Farm in Ware Place(Pelzer) on Saturday. We where able to tour the farm, see the cows, how they are feed all natural rich grown grass, and how they are milked and how the milk is really good and healthy for you. Then we also where able to taste the milk, chocolate milk, and buttermilk(Tim only). It is sooooo good. And since I have had stomach trouble for the last few months I have not be able to drink one drop of store bought milk. But this has not hurt my stomach at all. We learned how anyone who takes medicine for stomach, ulcer, gastritis, heartburn, etc. If you drink this milk that is the real milk with NO hormones, no chemicals, no high temp process to remove all the good stuff that it will help heal the stomach, and no more expensive medicine! So we have decided that we will never buy milk that is hurting us and our children again. So we went back yesterday and got more milk, cheese(so good), sour cream, cream cheese, and more. So that was the best field trip experience we have had so far. I encourge anyone to make it worth the drive. http://www.happycowcreamery.com/ It ws a blessing to learn from Farmer Tom, and Ashley on the cows and how the milk is suppose to be. They are good christian people. Ashley said while we where touring how many times was milk and honey mentioned in the Bible, God was trying to tell us something. This is the way milk is suppose to be. We already feel better and Arianna and Hunter love it.

All Womens Weekend

2009-03-30T12:25:00.001-07:00

Ok so put 8000 women in the same building and what do you get? Still thinking? Okay so here it is. You get the most awesome, most blessed, most spiritual, most emotional, most loving, most eye opening, most uplifting, best worshiping you have ever seen!! The Extrodinary Womens Conference this past weekend at the Bilo center. I was so blessed to be able to go, at the last minute mind you. Then I had the best time taking my big sister with me. She and I haven't done that in a long time. I look forward to more time with her. It is so easy to drift apart when you have a family to run and things to do. Sometimes even your closest, become the furthest away. Then we had the best time worshiping Friday night with Charles Bilinsgly, and Rachel Lampa, and The sisters from Lord Song. Then laughed and laughed til we cried with Shonda Pierce. Then more amazing worship from NewSong. Everytime I hear A rise my love tears are like a water faucet. Then we got to go back on Saturday. We both went a little later, since we had babies at home that needed mommy first thing. But to hear Angela Thomas, man that was powerful. To fill God in the room with 8000 women, and see the stands almost empty and the alter full. She is an amazing women of God. I loved how she described every women as God's "Baby Girl" . I think I will sign everything that way now. Love Holly God's Baby Girl. I know I am the baby in our family and was a daddy's girl and still am most of the time. But to hear how precious you are to some one so powerful, so mighty, so faithful, and so uplifting. That is an awesome feeling. Then we had a lunch break and I walked around and talked to a lot fo the artist and speakers and writers. Then enjoyed taking pictures and listing to all the other womens blessing they had already gone through, and how thrilled they were to be there. We had more awesome worship with Charles, and more inspiring, God lead speakers that afternoon. Michelle was funny but very right on about life and God leading our lives, and being able to go through the battles with him. God does not take the battles away, he takes us through the battles, and then removes the hurt as we reach heaven. Then Stormie aw Stormie. So soft spoken, so beautiful, so loyal to what God has given her to do with her life. I was so blessed to be given "The power of a praying wife" , last year when I needed it. Praying through any situation is very important. But learning how it's not him, it's me and I needed to pray to be changed. Wouldn't you know that God changed Tim's heart while I was reading this book and he was saved!!!! Now that is power!! Since Saturday night Tim and I are reading her new book, "The power of prayer to change you Marriage." It is already been awesome, and Stormie hits it home in every word. The best part is that it gives Tim and I something to do together. The other awesome book she has is for children, and what does God think when I pray. It really helps out with all those little questions when children are trying to learn. Over all it was an amazing weekend. I look forward to next year!! Thank you to Jennifer, and Sande for the last minute tickets. To God for allowing my sister and I to go and spend this special time together and everything I learned and drew closer to him. Blessings to you all.

Living Loving Praying and Loving It

2009-03-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have the best story to share. We had a wonderful service at church on sunday. I was so thrilled to get to share with the high school girls about how the Bible and God's true and perfect word is so amazing. Then we had our last class sunday night body building. It was awesome, no, that is not the right word, it was Beyond Imagination.... Our wonderful pastor shared his vision for our church and then we worshiped. I mean the real down on hands and knees, tears, weeping as the Lord sat with us and wept, it was,... well it was.... So I wanted to share what God lead me through during this time of prayer and worship. I love being a mom, and I love being a wife. Sometimes i do better at one or the other but not both at the same time. Then trying to get our home running, clean, and organized. Well after being ill lately, forget it, it is all a mess. I found God showing me where i am trying to make every excuse for why, and he showed me how it is very good to clean, it is really important to stay organized, and it is important to balance them all well. What he wants me to do is first LOVE HIM, and let him love ALL OF ME! whoooo! To JUST BE, to be on my knees, loving, praying, worshiping, leading, following, growing, sharing, but JUST BE all those with him FIRST. Then love my husband and share all of what I love about God with my husband first, I love him more than anything, but sometimes he gets left out. God broke my heart to love this man with all I have, with all i am , and with all I do, the way i love the Lord, I will love my husband. Then to love my children, but not just love them as I already do, but love them more than enough to correct them the Godly way, to guide them to him, to share him with them, to teach them how he wants them to behave, not the world, to allow them to grow to who he created them to be, not who I want them to be, to fall on my knees with them daily, nightly and pray for thier lives, their salvation, thier future goals and dreams. To love them through Gods eyes and teach them to love others through his eyes. LOVE this word is thrown around like air, but to truly get down to LOVING the way God loved, the way Jesus loves/d, HIS BLOOD , there is no greater love.

How precious are children

2009-03-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

It has been a good week for the Owens family. Right now I feel very sad for the family who lost a baby boy this morning. I feel lost as what to think, say or do. i know everything is God's will with his children and that that sweet boy is in heaven with the Lord right now, but thinking how he left this world scares me and makes me feel so blessed at the same time for my children. Please join me in praying for this family and all families with children and realizing how blessed we all are to be parents..

Weekend Rewind

2009-03-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Okay so we made it through another weekend with all our hair. Ha ha No really after a rough week with my stomach, it was nice to have a good weekend with the babies. We just hung out at home Friday and watched funny movies. The funniest is watching Arianna and Hunter dance and Hunter will stop dancing if he thinks you are watching. So it is for sure that they both have my dance back-ground and rhythm but they have Tim's secret break dancing moves!!! You have to see he is really good. Then we went Saturday morning to watch the dancers at SMA and that was good, last year a bit better we thought. We left for a snack and to head over to AMRBC auction but I got sick again. So we headed home for some rest. Then we had a wonderful day at church, my pain aside, worship was awesome, the day 6 choir did really great, I love to hear them sing. Then our body building class was awesome and learning more about the church and waht the 21st century church should be. I think our church does an awesome job in all areas, but there is always room for improvement in any place. Which all lead to a great start for the week. School work went awesome this morning with Arianna, and watching her brain work and learn was really coll today. I love home schooling her and am so glad God lead us to this decision. I am looking forward to all the fun years of home schooling both of them. Looking to the rest of this week to be awesome. Jer 29:11

Our week in Rewind

2009-03-13T20:20:00.001-07:00

So this week started off with a wonderful night of vacation to the ER.(Holly) In the wonderful SRMC waiting room, and after seven hours of waiting and being in pain, it ended early tuesday morning with lots of medicine but no real good results. Then having the headache of a lifetime from the morphin hangover, that is worse than any miagriane I ever get. School work went really well though, we started a new book, Considering God's Creation science. Arianna has loved this one this week. It started with God's creation of the seven days and even learned a new song with the seven days of creation. Then we are working on number recognition from 1-100, so that is not quite as fun but she is doing really well. We learned about a new state today and have started reading the Boxcar children series. So all in all the week was great. We had STS on Wed. after ballet, and then helped with new soccer season evalutions on thursday. Stayed in and learned how to blog...yeah!!! on Friday. Hunter is also learning a long side Arianna and we have been going through simple sign language and he has I love you down pat. Counting to twenty and all of his ABC's. Knows his colors and is coloring more than just scribbles this week.
I had this awesome prayer God laid on my heart to share with our youth girls at the beginning of the week. I was not sure at the time where God was leading it, but after getting a awesome response to it's helpfulness from one of the girls it was eye opening to see where God leads your prayers. So even though I am eating crackers, and ginger ale and THAT IS ALL. It is still a blessed week. We are looking forward to this weekend full of dance comp. and day 6 auction and Sunday service. This week will be one to look back at and say we made it to share the love of God for another week.

Happy Snow Day March 2nd 2009

2009-03-13T19:06:00.001-07:00