Profiles of Valour, written Marilyn Boyer & Grace Tumas

~Book Review~

http://characterconcepts.com/store/product.php?id_product=3309

 

I want to tell you that when the book came in I fell in Love. Not because I am an avid history fan, because to be quite frank history has always been a subject of boring facts made to run on forever. When teaching my children about history I try to inject fun, crafts and more opportunity to live it than read it!

 

The front cover is done so beautifully, this is what stole my heart to begin with. Imagery is a very big attractant to myself when looking at anything. Then you open the book and it honestly transforms you into another world.

 

First, each chapter opens with the character quality that the following story with highlight. A definition of the character quality and a KJV Bible verse to further showcase God's plan for this character quality. I have to say I love this, I want to photocopy and get my kids to color on them and then laminate them and place them all over my house!

 

 

 

 Then the historical, biblical story on these amazing Americans that shaped, formed, and fought for! The narrations are long enough to showcase history in its finest, and illustrations to show you the depth of the men. These narrations are not to long, as to lose interest but long enough to explain and transform you into an era that before unimaginable. I really got caught up in each one and then beauty of the words, how the words came to life within my hands. The tears, the devotions and I was enthralled.

 

At the end of each chapter is a questions page, and the questions are amazing to really see if the person or child really retained the biblical character quality of the chapter. I really love how easily understood it was and amazing the questions were.

 

Then some of the chapters also have a quote from the gentleman you were learning about and to further highlight the character quality.

 

Myself, I loved the book as an adult. It kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation and a thirst to continue. As a parent, I am adding this to my nine year olds book for grade four starting in September. I believe it is an amazing way to showcase history, bible facts, character qualities and interest throughout!

 

Also, because of this book I will be purchasing for my nine year old the Level 3- Character Concepts because I am able to see how visual, intellectual and easy understand the books are. I was already purchasing the Preschool pack but now I will do both. I truly am blessed to have had the opportunity to have read this book and blessed with such a biblical history that truly inspired me!

http://characterconcepts.com/store/product.php?id_product=3261

 

 

**Disclaimer**

 

I was not in any way shape or form paid for my opinion. The opinions expressed are 100% my own! I did receive the book in print in order to review it.

 

 

Praying that each of you were encouraged by my post today. May you be blessed and May you equally bless others on your way.

 

~Stacey Homemaker~



I am pregnant and I am not able to cook! LOL

Now you say, nah just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you suddenly lose the ability to cook.

I say Ha, yupp and its me!

Two years ago I was determined to learn how to cook properly, to really have meals that both my children and my husband would love. The kind of meals that my children would remember for ever and a smell when their in the adult ages will bring them back to warm memories of home and of me!

I really could not cook to save my life! LOL! So I got cook books, spent hours of watching amazing cooking shows (from the library, our local Library has saved me thousands of dollars, not only with my homeschooling but with my learning to cook!). I tried recipes and fell in love with the art of cooking! My family liked most of the meals I cooked. They loved the baking!

Then I got pregnant with baby number four and its like no matter how hard I try the recipes are still the same but the end result is not good! yikes...has anyone else ever had it happen to you before.
Where no matter how hard you try the recipes and the actual taste is wayyyyyyyyy off!

Thankfully I am blessed with an amazing husband that loves to cook! So he has been cooking up a storm!

This was the left over mashed potato's from making perogies and oh my....so bad for your health (deep fried) but this preggers mama was in deep fry heaven!


These beautiful crepes made 24 and had our homemade right off our tree cherries. This meal cost us $3.35!

For you see my husband wants to be as frugal whilst still being creative and yummy!


Can you believe it! Rissoto runs soo expensive when you order in a restraunt? But to make it at home for a family of 5 was 15 bucks! Sweet, and to boot all of our children absolutely loved it! Ages almost two, almost four and almost nine!


Arancini Di Riso! These were absolutely devine. Our children loved them and only cost about 15 bucks for the whole dinner!

Our goal is to introduce foods from other cultures and learning where their origins are and how to find the country they are from on the map! It is great fun!


Gajar Ka Halwa, a dessert from Indian, mainly northern. We have missionaries and children we support. This was an amazing dessert, carrots, ghee, almonds! soooooooo goooood!

Now you see, I wasn't always on board with this Hubby cooking, Kids liking it better than mine!
For all intents and purposes, I am the mama, I am supposed to be the great cook! I want them to like mine better. He makes it look so easy, He really can cook better than me, I wish he could just not be so gosh darn good at it......

For you see I am an imperfect wife, and to have my selfish, childish, whinny moments....
God gently nudged me. God gently showed me what a beautiful labour of love this was. God showed me what a gift and a blessing to have a husband that loves me so much, that he would pour in to his food all of his love, adoration and caring.....That I should be grateful. I should be receiving the blessing with thanksgiving and see what a gift it truly is...

And what an amazing break to not have to think, prepare, or clean up after it truly is.

Now ladies, if your man does things, anything that you feel is better and your hearts turning to jealousy, anger, resentment...take it to the Lord for this may to be His way of teaching you!

Praying for an amazing week for you all,
Stacey Homemaker~

Whats in a language Pt 3

Whats in a Language….

 

Its not how we speak!  Sometimes its in the feeling behind the words. Ever talk to an Elder and listened to their stories….the way their eyes light up, or their voices get louder or softer to really emphasize their point.  The way the hand gestures are? If you have not had the pleasure, you should try it sometimes. I mean really listen, open your heart, your mind and your ears.  Watch, what happens is purely a miracle to behold. Treasure that moment , for all too quick time with our Elders is fleeting and fading….and whom will be there to share the stories, the wisdom, the knowledge of an entire life lived to the fullest?

When I was a little girl, I had a Papa, he wore a cowboy hat faithfully everyday (even when he napped!) He had cowboy boots on and the jeans with suspenders. He was magnificently tall, he hung the moon and the stars in my little grandbabies eyes. I sat at his feet while he played his guitar and harmonica(which was attached to the top of his guitar) and sang. I still remember the sound of his voice, and the smell of the room and the feel of the songs. This is how his legacy lives on in me. I learned to play the guitar. I learned to sing. I knew that what ever I learned I wanted to share with my children.

Well, this past year has been a whirl wind of learning, frustrations, hurt feelings and Lord knows….anger!

I was so excited because this year an amazing Elder and a good friend of mine were teaming up to do a preschool language program. (Because we homeschool this meant that myself, my 8 yr old, my 3 yr old and 1 yr old would be participating) Also on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Fall was Language class and guess what my husband attended them with us!

I was sooo excited to start. First, I had to get a Statutory Declaration signed my my biological mom. You see I was starting all of the paper work to get my Status. The little white card that tells you what band you belong to, and that says Hey you are Native! Yuppers here we go!

She refused to sign it, she needed to sign it because my dad was never placed on my birth certificate. It was an emotionally draining situation that blew up my a thousand percent each moment. A drama that could surpass any on television.  Albeit, she has her own personal reasoning, it was hard to walk through and harder because it left a lot of questions of the paternity and if the man I have know as my dad (for 28years) was my dad. It was a very hard, emotional situation. God, was my focus because without my faith in Him and what was to be would be…..I might have had some other things that happened.  At times, the hurt would spill into an anger that consumed my heart, it made me want to lash out at her. It made me so tired, drained, it made me feel like I belonged nowhere. God gently kept telling me that I was I was His daughter and He had it in His Will.

Now, let me tell you. Although, I knew for better or worse God had His ways and reasons……this sent me for a hard hit. I felt lost, looking at my dad, at my family members, the resemblance’s I had once seen so clearly were hazy. Like it was murky water that I couldn’t quite see the same as the clear crystal blue they were before.  I was afraid, afraid that a man I grew up with, lived with , fought with, respected and loved, a man that I so knew was my dad, our tempers, how we talk, how much we talk! All of these things were in question. I had been living in our sweet gorgeous valley, for two years! Two years pouring into our language, learning our culture, meeting cousins, auntys, uncles, friends.  Don’t get me wrong, it was not wasted time. It was cherished moments, and loved moments. But if I was a LSIB what was I?

I also, started having weird memories flooding over me, dreams that felt soo real. Memories I had long since forgotten and pushed aside. I had a very hard growing up. There  were good times but a lot of scary, angry hateful, spiteful moments. These were consuming my sleep.

My husband and I talked about it, prayed about it and decided to lay to rest. We got a DNA test. Now just so anyone else out there knows these tests are not cheap. It cost us $700 just for a scrape of the inside of my cheek and my dads. Yes, I know there is a lot involved with this process but it cost us a lot of money. It was worth it. To know for sure that my dad is my dad! It gave me clarity and although it didn’t stop the emotional rollercoaster I had been riding it did give closure to a question that he had kept locked away in his heart for all these years as well!

Now for applying to become a First Nations Status Card holder……ugh and sigh and allot of praying! They tell us, that the DNA is not good enough! That I must have my birth certificate changed over to have my dad added.  So we think sweet simple I have my dna test this should be a breeze…think again! Stats Can will only change the Live Birth Registration to add my dad if my mother signs the documentation. Which, she refused to sign anything! So we hired a lawyer (just to let you know, no we are not made of money but we felt that this was an investment in our family!) so we buckled down and didn’t spend money on anything that we didn’t 100% need! We had been blessed so that it wasn’t such a harsh burden! The lawyers says that INAC cannot do that. They cannot legally require a birth certificate, that a DNA test is admissible as one in the same with my birth certificate.  So, we called to see if we could go around all of this, turns out we can pay to go to the court house and see a judge explain situation and prove our case and have him stamp the birth certificate…..we don’t have money for that. We have three children at that time and really couldn’t do it. So we researched and talked to the lawyer. For all legalities the INAC cannot legally refuse the dna test. So we submitted anyways!

Then the waiting game….

During this waiting, we had the priviledge of learning our language! I learned from an Elder that sometimes its ok to not have a regular school type setting. My 3 yr old son would not sit in circle and just wanted to play. This beautiful woman told me to let him….boy oh boy it took a lot for me to do that! And you know what she was right….he learned more language from osmosis than anything! It made my heart sing! My Elder is a beautiful woman, I enjoyed sitting on the floor and listening to her teach and gleaning and learning! I learned more than a language, more than a culture I learned a love for people and a love for my life. I believed God gifted her to me at the right exact moment.

My dear friend, she is an amazing teacher. She helped me learn to calm down, to soak it in and to let things happen. She has six children all under the age of 14. She is a super hero mom. She worked along side of this beautiful Elder and I tell ya I was gifted an education of language and an education of motherhood, compassion, love and determination. This education is far more precious than anything I have ever learned in school! For you see my dear friend, although I know she is a closet superhero, she is a normal mom, good days, bad days amazing days! I have been blessed to get to know  her and learn from her. All at a time where I felt I was a failure in so many ways! God gifted me amazing women, mothers, grandmothers….friends and He knew that I needed them.

 

I also was gifted the opportunity to learn how to make traditional ribbon shirts, moccassins, and yarn bags for berry picking! We had so much fun! We forged friendships with other moms, and I tell ya nothing surpasses the laughs, the smiles and the amazing time we all had!

For you see a language is nothing without the people in which speak it. A people is not really a people without the love, laughter, faith, confidence, strength of who they are!

I am a born again Christian, I love my faith!

I am a Lower Similikamean Native woman! I love where I came from!

 

I will teach my children about God, about Christ and along side it all I will teach them of their heritage, language, culture! I will teach them to love others, to serve others, to be kind and to always always help when you can. No matter who the people are! For God called us to love one another, not just those you think deserve it! He called us to love one another and to serve in love! Forever my children will learn from example and from what we do.

 

Go listen to your Elders, hear with your heart, visualize the story. Fall in love!

Another post, will be my status situation for now, learn your heritage, learn your language! Learn Learn Learn!

Praying that this post encouraged!

Stacey Homemaker~

Focus on the Family: Fight Right , Marriage Seminar in Kelowna, BC

Focus on the Family Presents:

Fight Right with Dr's. Les and Leslie Parrott

Kelowna, BC

June 15, 2013

 

 



Well, I have to start off saying that I came across the seminar from the Thrive Magazine that gets mailed to us from Focus On the Family. I instantly was excited and ever sooooooo eager to go.....

 

My wonderful husband on the other hand (although absolutely loves me) thinks that our marriage is awesome(which I completely agree with) and thinks that a marriage seminar really is not needed.

 

Although, my hubby also knows that anything to do with learning is worth a look into. So I did! Found out location, date and time. Found out that the two hosting the seminar both are Psychologist's. And are Parents and have been married for 14 years.

 

Just so happens, that this seminar landed the day before my birthday (what a bargaining chip that God gifted to me). I also found out that the start time was at 7pm. You see our store is open 6 days a week, 9-5, and Kelowna is 1 hour and 45 mins away from our town, that leaves a wee little wiggle room to stop for a coffee too! You see, you have to get all your facts straight before negotiations. LOL

 

Also, we have three gorgeous children, 8yrs old, 3 yrs old, and 1.5yrs old......hmmmmm who to babysit....we rarely rarely rarely ever go out anywhere....last time was when my mom (adopted) was living with us in November.

 

So, I phoned up my mom! She said, YES!!!!!!!!!!! so my husband was ever so wonderful to indulge me for my birthday present! The tickets were very affordable as well, $15.00 each ticket! Yeah!

 

We had all of this figured out by the end of April, for you see I am a planner LOL......then we hit a slow bump in our road for the store, the money really wasn't where it needed to be....our must haves needed our full attention and our wants needed to be put on hold. You see, the gas, and to eat is not the cheapest, and at $1.40 a litre for gas....we were just gonna to not go....

 

My husband was devastated and really wanted for us to go because he knew how much it meant to me. I held strong and said it wasn't a big deal. Next year we could go. (we both know that I was utterly heartbroken.) We offered to give the tickets away. We prayed and thanked God for the blessing it could be for someone else. We prayed. I prayed to have a thankful heart despite circumstances.

 

I picked up the phone, and called my mom, to tell her that we had to cancel. And although my voice was light and cheerful she knew something was up.....After explaining our circumstances...God used her to bless us. For she now knew what I needed for my birthday....

 

I also found a surprise, my big brother (adopted) was flying in from Calgary to visit with us for the weekend....What a blessing God gifted us. For I would be honoured to spend my birthday and Father's day with my wonderful family!

 

The day before everyone was to arrive, I had a midwife appointment.....I had lost one pound(I have only gained 2lbs in 15weeks), and my blood pressure was phenomenal(which also is such a blessing) then came our test.....Could not detect our precious baby's heart beat...although our midwife was optimistic she was worried so she scheduled us for a rush appointment the following Thursday. I also had to be scheduled for a OBGYN appointment (a must have after having bp issues in the past, I must be deemed fit for midwifery care by a specialist) :(.......

 

God was in this too. Sean and I prayed. At first, I was sooo worried. Then I prayed, I gave it to the God that holds my every best interest at heart and for His Will to be done. I decided right there that no matter what may happen God's Will to be done, and if it is His Will for our baby to return back to Him then it is meant to be.

 

This weekend was meant to happen at the exact moment when we needed it the most. My mom came up the next day, that night her and I had awesome quality time and drove to Kelowna to pick up my brother from the airport. Then we Had the seminar the next night and then the next day was my birthday and it was one of the best yet! For you see, my dad and my grandparents came for dinner. God gifted me amazing family around me....he gave me love and strength!

 

So, lets get back to this seminar.....

 

First of all, I have to really say that I am very impressed on the location that Focus on the Family chose. It was soooo easy to find and get to. It was right off the highway! That was sooo nice....and great for my hubby!

 

We were greeted with amazing and smiling faces. A very warm welcome. We were able to get right into the line for the "picture". Focus on the Family set up a photo shoot for all of the couples. Ours is right at the top of this page. I thought it was so very nice, and what a thoughtful was to commemorate our time at the seminar. I don't know about you but we don't have many pictures at all with both of us in the same photo...unless its our family photo...once a year! lol. So I thought this was a very wonderful addition to the seminar.

 

The seminar had a big screen that was displaying "marriage facts" in a power point for our viewing pleasure while we waited for it to start. Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott are extremely humorous, and warm and very friendly. Sean actually laughed....genuinely laughed at their illustrated stories and analogies on marriage. They were soo fun and animated. We really enjoyed how much fun they were.

Here are my notes.

 

Fighting or Conflict

• every conflict (or almost every one) can be traced back to perception
• Perceived Threat or Perceived Neglect

MEN AND WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT

 

GOALS OF CONVERSATION

MEN: Report talking

WOMEN: Rapport

 

Report:Give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated.

:An account given of a particular matter, esp. in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration

 

Rapport: a relationship of mutual understanding or trust and agreement between people.

                    :a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character

 

You can clearly see why we sometimes have conflict....LOL!

 

Approach to problems:

MEN: want to fix or solve (instantly)

WOMEN: want to explore, talk, feel

 

KNOW YOUR FIGHT TYPE PERSONALITY

Are you a low flexibility, high flexibility, low expressive or a high expressive?

 

Are you a competitive fighter, collaborative fighter, cautious fighter or a conciliatory fighter?

 

C ooperation: fight for a win-win

O wnership: own your share of the pie

R espect: steer clear of belittling

E mpathy: step into each other's shoes

 

**Romans 12:18**

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men

 

WHAT TO AVOID:

1. Critisim
2. Defensiveness
3. Contempt
4. Stone walling

XYZ FORMULA

 

in situation X, when you do Y, I feel Z

 

Withholds: are things that you didn't tell your spouse during the week. They can be good or bad.

 

Sharing Withholds: had to happen with in the last 48 hours

One Positive: spousal response is a simple thank you no more no less

One Negative: spousal response is a simple thank you no more no less

One Positive: spousal response is a simple thank you no more no less

 

Do not talk about the withholds now for 30mins give yourselves some cooling off time before discussing.

 

This is all the notes I had. I honestly have to say that although I loved the seminar it was extremely entertaining we both expected more from University Professors and Psychologists. Expected more meat with all of the fun and simplicity.

 

We were also a little discouraged. Focus on the Family is such an overtly "Christian" Organization, and there was very little about God in this seminar. We prayed prior to the second half of the seminar, and praying for the hearts of the spouses. That was really it. We expected that since it was hosted and put on by Focus on the family that the seminar would be how to work through your fights with God, from a biblical perspective. That was just not how it happen.

 

We loved it though, and had a wonderful date night. The night was entertaining and fun and light hearted. Hoping the seminar in November is more biblically based!  I would also like to purchase the Parrott's books, because I know that's where the meat and potatoes is! I just have to save up for them!!

 

Thank you for reading and may it be a blessing to you.

Stacey Homemaker~

http://www.focusonmarriage.ca/
http://www.focusonmarriage.ca/speakers.php
http://www.lesandleslie.com/