The Skeen Family ...

Overnight: Friends

2010-10-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we enjoyed less than 24 hours ( and less than what we wanted :) ) with our good friends the Rugloskis. On their way home from a hunting trip, they stopped for a night and morning, prolonging the visit as long as we could. We had some great fellowship : talking, hymn-singing, games, eating Courtney's flaky spiced apple pie, and throwing the frisbee. Thank you for a great Friday night and Saturday morning!

Playing Apples to Apples

Prayer of Confession: Sunday, September 26, 2010

2010-09-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

A Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have gone our own way,

not loving you as we ought,

nor loving our neighbours as ourselves.

We have sinned against you

in thought, word and deed

and in what we have failed to do.

We deserve your condemnation.

Father, forgive us.

Help us to love you and our neighbours,

and to live for your honour and glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We hope your celebration of the Lord's Day brings you to your knees, lifts you up, and sends you out to glorify the Father.

Today we'll celebrate with Hope and also visit the nursing home.

Father's Day

2010-06-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

photo credit::carolrobinking.com

"I slept and dreamt that life was pleasure. I woke and saw that life was service. I served and discovered that service was pleasure." ~ Tagore

The above quote sums one of most noble characteristics of my dad: his selflessness. Of all the people I have met, Daddy is one of two people who I have known to be utterly defined by their care for others, and the other person just happens to be his wife. Their pleasure is so connected to the joy and well-being of others that it's hard to know (and often they don't even know) what they enjoy doing aside from meeting the needs of other people. What an inspiring picture of love in two such beautiful and humble people.

As a close to this Father's Day, here's a short list of just a few of the other things I love about my daddy...

I love that he is steady and predictable.

I love that he loves the truth and loves people just as much.

I love that he cares about what really matters and supports any method or means that fits into that framework of essentials.

I love that he makes me love being a lady and has ever since I was a little girl with ringlets, patent leather shoes, and a daddy who told me I was beautiful.

I love that he cares about what his family does but doesn't micromanage.

I love that he can always turn melancholy moods into laughter.

I love that he takes time to think and patiently wait, and that he is not impulsive.

I love that the only and best manual he could ever write for fatherhood and manhood is his life. He could never write a methodology, because he never had one except his love and obedience to the Lord and His Word.

I love that he is not simply knowledgeable, but he is also wise.

I love that he can set ever-present problems and worries aside and focus on the task at hand.

I love that the best way for him to disciple is to just be himself. He is a natural shepherd and leader, so his character just rubs off on people if they're around him long enough.

I love that he doesn't take himself too seriously.

I love that this list could go on endlessly.

I love you, Daddy!

Something to sing about

2010-06-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago I ran across a radio broadcast entitled "How to Mess Up Your Daughter's Courtship" in which Kevin Swanson interviews Doug Wilson. Now I've heard pretty much everything the Christian community has to say about courtship and then some (or so it would seem). But it was refreshing to hear these two pastors clarify several common misperceptions regarding courtship and the nature of the father/daughter relationship.

There are people that automatically assume that a dad who seeks to shepherd his daughters is a patrio-centric, self-righteous, sheltering, overbearing, foolish male chauvinist.

There are other people that automatically assume that because they have chosen to reject some of the follies of the typical dating setting they are therefore wise, and they expect their children to respect and trust them.

But ultimately, the whole point of courtship is about pursuing biblical, Trinitarian relationships within the body of Christ: relationships based on love, humility, and the unique nature of our roles in relation to one another (father to daughter, husband to wife, father to son, mother to daughter, etc.). And without love, everything collapses. (I Corinthians 13:1,13)

Listening to Swanson and Wilson talking about a daddy's relationship with his little girl, I couldn't stop smiling and thinking of the daddy I love so much--the one who has invested in my "emotional back account" and made me rich. Look for a couple of Father's Day posts over the weekend, because I have something to sing about.

"O they say when you marry in June..."

2010-06-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

"...you're a bride, all your life."

Saturday June 5, 2010 we attended the wedding of Kelsey Haroldson and Rick Holets in Rio Rancho, NM. Kelsey and I have talked and dreamed and imagined this day for so long--since we were little girls playing dress-up with white nightgowns, aprons for veils, and our mommies' heels. And now the day has come and gone. Congratulations, Rick and Kelsey! May the Lord fill your years with good things (Ps. 103:4), and may you always rejoice in the husband/wife of your youth!

"...and the fellow who marries in June,

Gets a sweetheart for a wife."

awaiting the bride

daddy's little girl

is getting married

her maids::sisters and friends

their vows + a few tears

with this ring...

you may now kiss the bride::their first kiss

worth the wait

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Holets

all smiles

sweet laughter

playful love

having fun

a sweet kiss

the Skeen ladies with the lovely bride

friends forever

cousins

smiles::love

besties

family

The LORD bless you, and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine on you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace.

A little more than we might think

2010-05-12T09:24:00.001-07:00

~Sarah

I thought it was in "park".....

2010-04-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well, we were trying to figure out our next project... :)

I'm sorry we've been so bad about posting. But I have lots of pictures and I'll try to get some posts up this weekend. Love to you all.

"To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of His might, and because He is strong in power not one is missing." Isaiah 40:25-26

A Night to be Remembered

2010-03-16T08:59:00.001-07:00

On Monday, March 8th. We celebrated my (Meghan's) 16th birthday. We invited all the ladies from the church and almost everyone was able to come. We ended up with 18 ladies altogether. We had a wonderful time, laughing, talking, eating cheesecake, making memories. Here's some pictures of the evening. Enjoy!

Yummy fruit!

Heidi gave me a beautiful shadow box she created

I love all the laughter

A beautiful candle set

Pretty smiles :)

Some more smiles

I received some beautiful antique linens

Aren't they pretty?

Passing things around for a better look

We can't waste the bows!!

A fun homemade apron!

Inspecting the handy work

Ahh, we had lots of laughs :)

Sarah and Sara <3

I got some fun, crazy socks from a 2 yr. old boy :)

How many tries does it take to get 18 ladies to look, smile and open their eyes?

L-R Back Row: Lindsay, Mrs. Firestone, Amber, Kelsea, Meghan, Sarah, Mom,

Courtney, Jennie, Sara, Heidi, Mrs. Khoshnevis, Christine, Haley

L-R Front Row: Mrs. Warnken, Sujen, Ms. Anne, Kelly

Puppies!

2010-02-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

On January 6th my yellow lab, Emma, had six precious, squirming puppies.

They've been growing like crazy over the past few weeks. Here are some pics.

Here today, gone...well, in a couple weeks. Anyone want a puppy?

Friends and Frisbee

2010-02-16T16:48:00.000-08:00

So yes, we're still here. Our door has been revolving for the past few months, here's some pictures to recap our adventures.

We had a delightful with the Gibas family, eating delicious food, playing games, talking, playing frisbee golf, and enjoying fellowship with friends from church. We pretty much did anything and everything but sleep.....

Unfortunately I was too busy playing and talking to remember to bring out my camera much, but I did get some while we played Frisbee Golf on Saturday.

"Where is the basket? It's that flag WAY over there"

"Uh oh, where did my frisbee go?"

Just practicing my putting

November

2009-11-30T16:46:00.000-08:00

Our family was so blessed this month with visitors every weekend. First some friends from Albuquerque came to fish the San Juan. We unfortunately didn't get any pictures but we were very blessed to see Mr. H and Ryan.

The second weekend Nov. 13-17 the Johnson family came to visit. We were so incredibly blessed to meet their family. We had so much fun talking, playing frisbee, eating delicious food, talking, hiking, and more talking! We were so amazed at the bond that formed between our families in only four days. Here are some pictures from our visit.

Playing Settlers of Catan

Joseph <3

Daddy :)

E-beth

John

Hiking in Colorado

"Let's hope that timer works...."

"hmm, that looks like a cool tree for a picture!"

We look so innocent...

Daddy and Riley weren't there but from left to right:

Back: Jacob, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Sarah, John, Courtney, Meghan

Front: Susan, Elizabeth, Victoria, Joseph and Mommy

The following weekend Nov. 18-21 Marissa and Caity Spencer came to visit. We had a lovely time with them. Caity set up a hair salon on Friday, on Saturday morning we did a girl "cousin" photoshoot, then we spent the evening watching the new Sense and Sensibility and sewing. We had a lovely Sunday and even managed to get an extra day with them! So they returned home Monday.

L-R: Meghan, Caity, Sarah, Courtney, and Marissa

Thanksgiving weekend Aunt Marcia came and we had 30+ people at the house for dinner. We had a wonderful time and unfortunately we had so much fun we all forgot to grab the camera. :( But the next day we went with Aunt Marcia and our friend from church Jonathan to go cut down a Christmas tree. Afterwards we came home and played Lord of the Rings Risk and decorated the Christmas tree.

"The Aunt" :)

Aww

We found it!

Jonathan appointed himself foreman of the tree cutting :)

Riley and Jonathan taking dominion over the earth

Good looking shadows!

The guys cut down trees and we just pose for pictures :)

LOTR Risk

We played Scum

Mommy looking gorgeous

Jonathan

Courtney <3

Skirts

2009-11-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

I've been getting my daily Chesterton fix by reading a chapter a day of What's Wrong With the World, a delightful collection of essays. The following one is a scrumptious little morsel on skirts. When I read it I, romantic that I am, wanted to denounce pants in favor of the ever-superior skirt; but, of course, I happened to be wearing my favorite pair of jeans instead of one of those pretty little a-lines. Go figure. Can you guess what I'll be wearing tomorrow?

(By the way, I am fully aware that this is at least the third Chesterton quote I've posted in two months. I'm persuaded Chesterton has a quote for every occasion.)

"It is highly typical of the rabid plagiarism which now passes everywhere for emancipation, that a little while ago it was common for an "advanced" woman to claim the right to wear trousers; a right about as grotesque as the right to wear a false nose. Whether female liberty is much advanced by the act of wearing a skirt on each leg I do not know; perhaps Turkish women might offer some information on the point. But if the western woman walks about (as it were) trailing the curtains of the harem with her, it is quite certain that the woven mansion is meant for a perambulating palace, not for a perambulating prison. It is quite certain that the skirt means female dignity, not female submission; it can be proved by the simplest of all tests. No ruler would deliberately dress up in the recognized fetters of a slave; no judge would appear covered with broad arrows. But when men wish to be safely impressive, as judges, priests or kings, they do wear skirts, the long, trailing robes of female dignity. The whole world is under petticoat government; for even men wear petticoats when they wish to govern." --G.K. Chesterton

Summer 2009: The End

2009-11-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Well since Thanksgiving is almost upon us and we never finished our summer posts. We're just going to do one giant summer picture post. There's so many upcoming events to blog about, we can't keep throwing ourselves and you readers back to summer. :)

Hill Abbey. Location: Moscow, Idaho.

Taking turns reading Augustine

Mr. Callihan :) Our beloved tutor

Family Vacation. Location: Columbus Ohio

Sarah and cousin Ephraim

We went to the Creation Museum

Family pic in the botanical gardens at the museum

I loved the way this pic turned out

"Look at this giant water tulip"

An empty cage in the petting zoo. :)

Family photo shoot

Sisters

TeenPact Survival. Location: Glorieta, NM

Resting at the Spencers before the week began

Sarah, I love your smile

Aww, my beautiful sister

Our handsome little bro

We adopted Quinton as our brother that week

This incredible tree was at a ranch we drove to for shooting sports

Courtney, patiently teaching knot tying :p

If you show Sarah a mud puddle....

Riley's team

I can't shoot shotgun to save my life, but I love .22 Rifles

Staff Team

2009 Survival SW Students/Staff

We'll do our best to stay caught up with posts this holiday season. Hopefully we'll see some of you face to face soon. :)

Let's Chat

2009-11-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

So we've had a lot of talks recently, a lot of thoughts, and not much time to write. I've wanted to write some blog posts on some of my musings from my reading, but so far it hasn't happened. But I thought I'd post just a few of the many questions and thoughts that have been racing through my mind. Just to provoke thought.

Random musings...

How does the covenant with Israel apply to Israel as a nation, and how does it pertain to the church? (They are not all Israel who are descended from Abraham...Rom. 9)
How would God's universal law be defined, and how much room does it leave for variance in practical application?
What should Western Civilization learn from the East?
The Reformers put great emphasis on learning and intellectual understanding of the Word of God, as has most of Christianity. When have we gone too far in focusing on reason that it becomes rationalism?
Who exactly was Voltaire?
What are good books for 6-12 yr. old children to read?
We seem to like rules better than a ruler--which is why we'd rather put law than Christ at the center of our life. Rules are harder than relationships.
Grace vs. license: Just because someone falls down and is able to get back up doesn't mean that it's ok to grovel in the dirt. (analogy from Pilgrim's Progress)
Paul told the Jews not to make the Gentiles follow their customs. Should we establish traditions that are distinctly Christian? And at what point is it "standing on the shoulders" and faithfulness to the unity of the Christian church to follow traditions? How does this turn into the error of the Jews?
How do stories, the Socratic method, and just "saying it like it is" fit into the scope of education? Is it best to focus on one of those, or should a sound education include an equal mix of all? Or should it just be based on the personalities of the teachers and students?

And finally--a little wisdom from Voltaire:

He must be very ignorant for he answers every question he is asked.

What have you been thinking about? Let's chat sometime. :)

~Courtney

Psalm 107:8-9 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and his wonders to the sons of men! For he has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

watch this

2009-11-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

Weekend travels

2009-11-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we drove up to denver to visit our family up there. The road was snow packed and icy but thanks to our new 4wd suburban and daddy's expert driving we arrived....only a few hours late.

We talked, enjoyed yummy muffins, snow walks, books, cookies, more chats, shopping, and lots of friends.

Riley amusing himself in the car

Snow makes everything clean...

...and beautiful

Uncle Arthur's stories

Pumpkin blueberry muffins. Thanks Mr. Davidson

Can you get much cuter?

Sweet Keziah

Courtney and Tali

All bundled up for a walk

"you have a big thumb Riley!"

Runaway Bunny before bed

Late night (or maybe early morning) energy boost

The whole family dressed for church

Philippians 1:3-11

sometimes... you'd just rather not

2009-10-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

We haven't posted much recently.

But our cups are full and overflowing. God is blessing us richly.

From us, through the words of John...

"I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. "

[3 John 13]

Summer 2009: 4th of July hike and Choco-bacon

2009-10-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Over the 4th of July weekend some friends from around the country came and stayed with us. While they were here we swam, played Ultimate Frisbee, watched fireworks, hiked in Colorado, played picture games, made choco-bacon, and went to see the movie UP.

Some of the girls heading out on the hike

Kels, thanks for adding that beautiful touch.

Gorgeous CO aspens!

there were so many beautiful wild flowers...

Indian Paintbrush?

I'm not sure if you can tell but there are some neat raised white dots on these ones

Daniel solving problems

Part of the group: from l-r. Brianna, Courtney,

Jennifer, Kelsea, Daddy, Daniel and Mark

Kelsea!

Melting chocolate

"oops, I think it burned"

Second attempt

Crisp, (but not too crisp) bacon ready to be dipped in the chocolate.

I don't have any good pictures of our finished product so you'll just have to make your own.

If anyone hasn't seen UP I have 2 words for you. WATCH IT!

More to come!

Answers

2009-10-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some photo answers to the last blog post:

Picture 1: Flags for TeenPact Survival. (good guess, Curtis! I made 7 sets for Survival to have in stock.)

Picture 2: A gift for a new mommy.

Picture 3: Green chile, of course. :) Not the prettiest when roasted and peeled, but oh so good! *note to self: if ever you move out of state, visit Mom and Dad in September to stock up on that wonderful NM goodness*

Can You Guess?

2009-10-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

Below are pictures from some projects we've worked on over the past few weeks.

Picture 1: What do you think I made with these?
Picture 2: Can you guess what this is?
Picture 3: What did we use these for?

Structured Creativity

2009-10-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

Below are some pictures of quilts I made this summer.Above is the back of Hayden Hanson's baby quilt. Below is the front, with all the squares that were embroidered by ladies in the church.
Below: Caity's graduation quilt. Sarah picked out the colors, and I think it's such a fun combination of Caity and Sarah's styles!
Below: Annina's graduation quilt. I used the same pattern as I used for Caity's, and I used buttons for the middle of the flowers.

As I was getting ready to post these pictures, I was thinking again about why I like quilting so much. Of course, on the very simplest level, I just like it. But there's a logical reason behind it, too (can you believe it? *grins*).

Quilting is structured. As a girl who cried when she had to write a fictional short story but did math because it was relaxing, I need structure. And when I design my own quilt patterns (as I always do), I even use math!

Quilting is romantic. From the first time I listened to my parents read Little House on the Prairie and watched Anne of Green Gables, I fell in love with long hair and ribbons and domesticity and skirts and etiquette and tea parties and the idea of making homemade bread and knitting blankets. It may take more the form of a-line skirts and cardigans and Audrey Hepburn dresses and Pottery Barn serveware, but I still have a love for classic and beautiful things.

Quilting is creative. I love putting patterns and colors and designs together--but within that wonderful structure. And I love doing things with my hands, especially when I can multi-task by using my hands while using my mind. Turn on an audio recording of The Confessions by Augustine or Dust to Glory by R.C. Sproul and its just about perfect.

Quilting isn't practical--I can buy a blanket or quilt for less than the cost of the materials alone. It is one of those lost arts that is about making a home beautiful and creating lasting and personal gifts. And delight in such arts and beauty are things so sadly missing in our culture. No, I don't think every girl has to make quilts. But I love it.

--Courtney

Did you know...

2009-09-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

As I was reading Augustine's City of God this summer, I came across a fascinating passage about a non-Hebrew prophecy--which happens to also be the history of the ichthus. An Erythraean sybil, or pagan prophetess, wrote this beautiful prophecy that unmistakably points to Christ. The poem is an acrostic in Greek, and the first letter of each line spells 'Ihsous Xristos Qeou uios spthr, which means "Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior". And if you take the first letter of each word in that phrase, they spell--you guessed it--ichthus! The story is such an incredible testimony to God's preparation of the whole world for Christ, both Jew and Greek, circumcised and uncircumcised. You can read the prophecy and Augustine's commentary directly from the City of God here.

Summer 2009: Davidsons' Visit

2009-09-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Back row: Dad, Mom, Andie, Scott. Front row: Sarah with Calvin,

Riley with Noel, Meghan, Tali with Kezi, Courtney with Wesley, and Asher

Sarah already wrote about the next events of our summer: the CHEC conference, the Davidsons' visit, and the backpacking trip with the Spencers. But I had to post one more picture from the Davidsons' visit--our first picture with all of us together!

Summer 2009: Resolved Conference

2009-09-27T20:48:00.001-07:00

June 12-15 Sarah and I attended the Resolved conference in Palm Springs, California. We drove with Mr. Firestone, Kelsea, and Kenyon and stayed at Mrs. Firestone's brother's house. Dad was originally going to come, but last minute he was unable to come with us because of church responsibilities. It was Sarah and my first visit to California, and we were blessed with 85 degree weather (compared to the 115 that it was last year during the conference), which made for great morning runs and walks downtown.

Inspired by the resolutions written by 19-year-old Jonathan Edwards, the Resolved conference was geared towards college students. Over 4000 people attended, most of whom were between the ages of 18 and 30. Music was very professionally led by Enfield. John Piper, John MacArthur, C.J. Mahaney, Rick Holland, and Steve Lawson spoke on the theme of the conference: SIN. Their messages were powerful, and I'm sure they were very convicting for all of those listening who still had a problem with sin. Oh yeah--that would include me, wouldn't it?

Highlights from the conference included: meeting John Piper and having him sign a book, Enfield's version of O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, eating cereal at 10 pm after the sessions, eating sushi, spending time with the Firestones, and seeing the hundreds or thousands of windmills on the California plains that made us feel like we were on another planet.

Father and son: Mr. Firestone (sporting one of the Resolved tees), and Kenyon.
Us girls waiting for our sushi. Outdoor dining and Jasmine tea--oh yes.

Rainbow sushi, anyone? We likes it raw and wrrriggling. :)

Waiting in line--if you can call it a line. Everyone crammed together in a big clump as close to the door as possible, and if anyone started moving closer, the whole group moved as one animal in the same direction. When they opened the doors, people literally ran in and started saving seats.

The emcee told everyone that they couldn't save seats with anything that did not have a pulse. So most of the people ignored the rule, but one group creatively bought a couple dozen goldfish (in bags of water), named them after theologians, and reserved seats with them. Anyway, we decided to come 2 hours early one day to get good seats, and the picture above was about how many people were there. It seems everyone else had the same idea.

Happy to have found seats.
A random shot we took downtown on the steps of a beautiful old building.

To Discover the Knowledge of God

2009-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

Of the blogs that I follow, Joyfully Home by Jasmine Baucham is one of my favorites. I love Jasmine's perspective on life, and I find myself "amen"-ing almost every article she writes. Often I will read her newest post and am amazed at how eloquently and succinctly she wrote about something that had been on my heart or mind. So I was delighted, though not surprised, to find this article, Just Your Average Homeschooler, on her blog this morning.

Most of you will not be surprised that the article is about education. Yes, it's a favorite topic of mine; but there are some good reasons for that.

1) I believe that, Lord-willing, some of the greatest work I will ever do is disciple and teach my children in the fear of the Lord. And by that I do not mean just read the Bible to my kids for an hour a day. According to Deuteronomy 6, discipleship includes taking every part of our lives and subjecting it to the word of God.

2) I am at a stage in my life in which I have the opportunity to prepare for that work and for whatever else God calls me to do. Having graduated highschool a little over a year ago and not yet having the time commitment of a husband and children, I have the opportunity to spend my time serving, working, and studying to both bless others in the body of Christ and to equip myself so that I am better prepared for what lies ahead. Above anything else that I could do with my time, I want to seek wisdom. Oh that I may open my mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness may be on my tongue! (Prov. 31:26)

3) As I alluded to above, education is not so much one topic as a way of life. Whether building fences or reading stories or studying Calculus, every part of life is both a reflection of our worldview and a means of discipleship. Developing that worldview by acquiring wisdom and discernment is one of the greatest things that we can pursue, because it affects everything that we do, think, and say.

What I would call my views on "education" are really my perspective on life, which explains why education is such a central part of my thoughts and conversation. So next time we're sitting across from each other with mugs of tea in our hands (and a bowl of animal crackers on the table, if we're at my cousins' house :) ) talking about wonderfully deep and meaningful things, don't be surprised if education somehow finds its way into the conversation.

-Courtney

Proverbs 2:2-6
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will discern the fear of the LORD

And discover the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

zip on over

2009-09-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

If you aren't already subscribed to Sarah's blog, you might just go over sometime.

She's been posting some recent finds.

And there's rumor she might just have a giveaway soon...

www.scalesandtrills.blogspot.com

Who Said It? [Topic: Darkness and Light]

2009-09-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

Can you guess who wrote this? Comment with your guess. :)

"The Word of God is not bound, and the Word of God centers on the message of the resurrection. Not only can prisons and chains not hold this message, or execute it, but we also see a hint of why prisons and chains keep trying to. Life forever cannot be threatened or constrained by the ways of death, but death can be threatened and destroyed by life forever. The message of the resurrection is a message that says that that way of "doing business" is doomed, and that the day is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the gospel command to rise."

Faithful Warfare [Topic: Education]

2009-09-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

"To be a Christian is to be in constant, total war. We have no say in the matter, and no one is exempt from serving. This war is not just some sideline feature of the Christian life. It is the Christian life. Every step toward seeing “every knee bow” before the Lord of glory is an act of war, whether in faithfulness or hatred. Until that point, the war is ruthless and relentless. The horrific enemy onslaught never ceases. . . .

Christians ought to be the most skeptical and imaginative people on the face of the earth. We ought, by God’s Spirit, to discipline ourselves and our children in the Fruit of the Spirit, the testimony of faithful warfare. And, most assuredly, we ought to live in the unhesitating confidence that Christ has conquered the enemy, “having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15)."

(Douglas Wilson, Wes Callihan, and Douglas Jones, “Classical Education and the Homeschool,” pamphlet, p. 40)

Willing to Give Up His Mind [Topic: Education]

2009-09-06T20:53:00.001-07:00

Tonight I stumbled upon an article called "The False Promise of Classical Education". I was intrigued by the title and skimmed through it. I started reading more intently when I reached the section about classical Christian education (near the end of the article). Lisa VanDamme, the author of this piece, is apparently a non-believer. Her writing breathes rationalism, and she is adamantly opposed to classical education, whether secular of Christian. What fascinated me about her writing was how rightly she understands the classical Christian perspective on education. Here are a few snippets from the article:

"Everything in the curriculum is subordinate to the goal of breeding more effective “witnesses.”"

"To summarize this perspective: Education is a means of making Christian dogma the centerpiece of life and training Christian “witnesses” to defend and spread the faith."

"The kind of child Wilson wants to train is...someone willing to give up his mind, and if need be his life, for the Christian cause."

Ms. VanDamme also writes that Christians subordinate their reason to the Bible and to the cause of the gospel, and that classical Christian education produces "slavish followers". Interesting choice of words. Somehow, somewhere, someone displayed a right picture of Christian education to this lady. May we all, as the bondslaves of Christ, freely demonstrate such Christianity to the world.

-Courtney

I Corinthians 1:18-19 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside."

Summer 2009: TeenPact National Convention

2009-09-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

In May, Sarah, Courtney and I drove across the country in a 15 passenger van packed with some amazing people to attend TeenPact National Convention in Tennessee.

The girls at our rest stop in Roe, Arkansas

We slept...

We read, er...tried to read, not so easy with 13 people in the car!

At National Convention they have a week-long Ultimate Frisbee tournament.

Waiting in line to vote

Ruthie K. and I on election night :)

Courtney and Elise, I love you two!

Anna-Kate, Sarah, and Ruth

It was wonderful to have so much time with our sweet Britta

On the way back home we stayed in Arkansas with friends. They showed us this beautiful river.

There was water EVERYWHERE in Arkansas. But with big bodies of water come.....

Mosquitos! :)

Home

2009-09-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

The summer is over, and the Skeens--all of us-- are finally home (for a little while, at least).

Various ones of us have been to Tennessee, Denver, Idaho, Mississippi, California, Glorieta, Ohio, and Kentucky. We've gone to museums, hiked mountains, listened to speakers, climbed over 12 ft. walls, read good books, Trikeed, had cartwheel lessons on sand dunes, played frisbee golf and ultimate frisbee, spent long hours in cars, sung hymns, and camped in the rain. We've talked about education, theonomy, women's roles, Federal Vision, paedo-communion, wine-drinking, yoga, dualism, Augustine, legalism, tattoos, escapism, Thomas Kinkade, eschatology, Harry Potter, chore schedules, micromanagement, stories, soteriology, canonicity, and catholicism. And we've spent time with countless friends, both new and old, from little girls to grandpas. It has been a wonderful summer, and I am so thankful for all the opportunities we've had to travel and go on adventures and, most of all, to spend time with people. But, like Dorothy, I've clacked my little red heels together and am happy to be home.

As we are getting back into a routine, we're working on a series of posts to document some of our adventures this summer. Below are a few from TeenPact Survival, and more will follow.

~Courtney, for the Skeens

Ps. 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you, and I desire nothing on earth besides you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Sarah: mudding (we try and we try, but we just can't keep her out of the puddles...)

Me: assisting with worship (which meant acting as a human mic stand (when we had mics) and keeping pages from blowing away)

Meghan looking very regal while trying her hand at archery

Riley: doing hard things (here he was pulling himself up over a beam at 9 ft)

To Keep Them Broad

2009-09-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

"Woman must be a cook, but not a competitive cook; a school mistress, but not a competitive schoolmistress; a house-decorator but not a competitive house-decorator; a dressmaker, but not a competitive dressmaker. She should have not one trade but twenty hobbies; she, unlike the man, may develop all her second bests. This is what has been really aimed at from the first in what is called the seclusion, or even the oppression, of women. Women were not kept at home in order to keep them narrow; on the contrary, they were kept at home in order to keep them broad. The world outside the home was one mass of narrowness, a maze of cramped paths, a madhouse of monomaniacs. It was only by partly limiting and protecting the woman that she was enabled to play at five or six professions and so come almost as near to God as the child when he plays at a hundred trades. But the woman’s professions, unlike the child’s, were all truly and almost terribly fruitful.” -G.K. Chesterton

Does this sound to you like a Proverbs 31 view of womanhood?

To Keep Common Sense in the World

2009-08-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

"It is not difficult to see why … the female became the emblem of the universal … Nature …. surrounded her with very young children, who require being taught not so much anything as everything. Babies need not to be taught a trade, but to be introduced to a world. To put the matter shortly, woman is generally shut up in a house with a human being at the time when he asks all the questions that there are, and some that there aren’t. It would be odd if she retained any of the narrowness of a specialist. Now if anyone says that this duty of general enlightenment … is in itself too exacting and oppressive, I can understand the view. I can only answer that our race has thought it worth while to cast this burden on women in order to keep common-sense in the world. … How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No. A woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness.”

~G. K. Chesterton

3 things

2009-08-04T21:46:00.001-07:00

Let's play the game " Where was you at?"

(inspired of course by Brian Regan)

You get to guess- where were we in this picture?

Other business that I just must take care of here: an honorable mention. I highly recommend Ovaltine as a staple drink. Yes, that chocolate malt stuff that's in your grandparents' kitchen cabinet and advertised on talk radio. Did you know Ovaltine has been around since 1904? It can be a family bonding drink, a recovery drink, or a good morning drink. It's even better than chocolate milk (which is the best recovery drink after workouts) because it gives you extra vitamins and minerals. I just love it. Can't believe I lived so long without it. Take a look at what goodness there is here:

*P.S. There are a few dyes and unnatural stuff in here. Of course. Weigh it all out for yourself.

Well, let's see: this mix and match post can have some order only if we complete it with a third part. Three is a complete number. (By the way, if anyone has a good definition of 'trinitarian,' I'd greatly appreciate it.)

So part three: here goes. I wanted to let you all know that we have updated the reading list down there on the side and you can now listen to music as you visit here. We've added the playlist on the sidebar too.

~Sarah

P.S. Don't forget to guess on the "Where was you at?" picture. :)

Backpacking Trip

2009-07-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the four Skeen children drove down south a few hours to join the Spencers for their annual backpack trip. Rain was in the forecast. Actually, in New Mexico that doesn't necessarily mean much. I'll explain. On the trip down the we had a lot of sunny time, but rain pelted down around a bridge. Yep, that's right. A bridge. The downpour stopped exactly at the bridge's other end. This confirmed our suspicion that rainclouds in New Mexico have their own ideas of time and place. We still held out a little hope that the campsite would be dry.

Friday night we ate delish pizza by Meghan and Riss. And that's really not beside the point when this post is about the backpacking trip. It was the last meal home. There was piping hot cheese, homemade crust, and sizzling pepperoni. What better last meal at home? Over the course of the evening we packed our backpacks with clothes, cooking supplies, food and tents.

At 6:10 Saturday morning the F-250 and Excursion rumbled out. We took turns sharing the music on our iPods and played My Cows. Curtis thought he could call a cowboy in the game, but his cowboy was more like a rustler. He didn't really care, (and we like to laugh) so he kept rustling (and we laughed).

Halfway to the trailhead we stopped for the traditional breakfast at McDonald's. I think I counted 4 sets of BDUs in our group and more hiking boots tramping across the shiny McDonald's floor. We were quite the crowd, but maybe not as interesting as the one next to us, a crew of older men discussing how to build a rot-a-tiller with a seat on it. There's Las Vegas, New Mexico for you.

Our backpack/camp trip itself was rainy from Saturday afternoon immediately after we set up camp until Sunday afternoon, when we took a short hike looking for wild sheep. The rain meant a lot of chopping, kindling, smoke, and two brothers that kept the flame burning warm. Fire was definitely central to the trip. Meg and Riss dried their mud-soaked clothes over it till they were stiff and dusty. We ate Backpacker's Pantry Raspberry Crumble around it. On a log next to the fire five girls massaged each other's backs. We made the fire's smoke into notes singing hymns on Sunday morning. It dried dew-drenched boots and warmed our bowls before every meal.

Pictures say it all:

The group with their gear.

Back, L to R: Sarah, Courtney, Meghan, Marissa, Caity

Front, L to R: Curtis, Riley, Mr. Spencer, Buck

On the trail.

The trail.

On the ridge during the sheep-searching hike.

Everyone minus Riley.

Columbine.

Our campfire.

The girls sitting close and comfy.

Smoke turns toward the girls.

Now we know why they had a scarf across their laps. Is that Meghan peeking?

North Fork Lake. See where the snow makes a right angle? That's where we hiked on Sunday.

Sarah

Courtney

Meghan

Riley

Photos Courtesy Curtis, Caity, and Marissa Spencer :D

Nothing Profound...yet.

2009-07-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder if these things that don't seem so profound in life are really more thick than we give them credit for, like competing with cold, wet raindrops for place next to your friends around the fire pit, or keeping the irritations of a right turn-signal at bay; or praying for secure weather stripping on your van; or buying a Monster drink really fast in a town of Rainbow People who are doing drugs to stay peppy too.

There's the hors d'oeuvre...

~Sarah

A real update Summer Pt. 1

2009-06-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Certainly the short little snippets posted here recently have not been enough to really give you all an idea of what our lives look like right now. Also, there's been an appalling lack of pictures...especially of people. So let's move forward and begin with a good update. Ready. Set. Go.

This past week we three girls went to the CHEC conference. Even with little sleep and some sickness passing around, we managed to have a few good conversations and fellowship with one or two good friends.We may have had a couple smiles and one or two good conversations. It was pretty rough, really. ;)

On Saturday Sarah turned 20, too. This wasn't the only special occasion that fell on that day, though. Sarah shared the birthday with Mr. D and another younger boy at the conference. Really her birthday celebrations were spread out- special meals on Monday and Tuesday, gifts on Monday, and cheesecake on Tuesday. We celebrated with some of our dear friends who gathered around to help blow out the candle and pose.

Big smiles. This was the best attempt at opening eyes all the way under the bright flash.

Happy and ready to eat...someone already started his cookie.

Everyone blow!

Ok, so maybe not everyone... 3 out of 6 is pretty good. :)

Hope you've enjoyed reading this little update. We're so happy to have such a full summer. So far we have had one anniversary, one birthday, two conferences, one convention, and one family visit. Backpacking trip next, then....well, July :).

Good, this stuff!

2009-06-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sarah's Immune Booster is now ready for sale!

[enjoying something small]

2009-06-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

From Breathmarks: Haiku to read in the dark.

letting

the dog out--

the stars out

That's all tonight.

~Sarah

Doused

2009-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been pretty wet here. Actually, soggy. We haven't had rain that keeps the porch wet three days in a long time. But our plants and lawn are loving it, and growing just beautifully with this dousing. I mention our plants and lawn, but really the weeds are growing pretty well, too, I just didn't want to talk about that.

Ok, so here's the front yard.

And some bright flowers on the porch.

And a little Chamomile.

And some tomatoes.
And the Brandywine Tomatoes.

(Riley and I planted these several weeks ago and now they're keeping warm in a plastic bin until the frost danger has passed and they can move to their bed in the garden. )

Isn't it just wonderful to see little plants grow and rain fall? There's something about life that you only understand when you watch plants grow. I'm really not even sure what it is exactly, but it's something you just shouldn't miss. Agreed?

~Sarah

One month from today

2009-05-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

One month from today we will be here.

Where will you be this summer?

Is Catholic a Bad Word?

2009-05-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sarah's been posting some of her recent writing on her blog. Go check it out!

Is Catholic a Bad Word?

Christendom Claims This Ground

To be a little girl again

2009-05-08T23:41:00.001-07:00

Some more finds:

Something to make little girls dance for spring: it's for twirling

Something for Sunday: with little brown shoes

~Sarah

What Does that Even Mean?

2009-05-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from the AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions.

[The Plan does not cover]

(ii) Damage to the Covered Equipment caused by accident, abuse, neglect, misuse (including faulty installation, repair, or maintenance by anyone other than Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, unauthorized modification, extreme environment(including extreme temperature or humidity), extreme physical or electrical stress or interference, fluctuation or surges of electrical power, lightning, static electricity, fire, acts of God or other external causes;

I'm dying to know the story behind that. Has anyone else found warranties like this?

~Sarah

Picnic Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-05-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Picnic Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Isn't it gorgeous?

~Courtney

Have you seen it?

2009-05-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Leviticus 20:24

"But I have said to you,' You shall inherit the land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and hoen.' I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples."

Picture courtesy of whaun.com.

~Sarah

To Each His Own

2009-05-05T22:51:00.000-07:00

Something for the guys:

Canon Press is having an incredible sale on over 50 titles. Each one is either, 1, 2 or 3 dollars each. Sale ends Friday. Go get 'em..

Something for the girls:

It's always a pleasure to find sites to encourage and exhort young women to, well, be young women in spirit and in practice. This website is not an everyday find

For the littles:

I think these are just adorable.

~Sarah

Moment of Truth

2009-04-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here we go.... the answer to the question.

This :

Is just one of many.

Welcome to the world of compact ease, where we put handles on everything- making convenience, well, more convenient! Who wants to use the work microwave? Bring your own to work! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is a miniature portable microwave, quite originally called

The iWave Cube.

In case you were wondering:

Heating Cavity size: 8"W x 8"D x 6"
Weight: 12 lb

no joke.

Congratulations, Elisa, for guessing correctly!

2009-04-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Found some great photography today.

Something Orange

2009-04-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is the second color-related offering in 3 days...must be spring.

We have some family-friends who have been like grandparents to us up here. She recently gave me a recipe for making an Orange Julius just like the ones you buy at the shop! Here it is:

Orange Julius

1 small orange juice-frozen

1/2 c. honey

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 c. milk

8 ice cubes

Don't forget to guess at the yellow thing below! The guessing ends tomorrow at noon :).

~Sarah

No Feeling

2009-04-28T08:55:00.001-07:00

I was flipping through On the Incarnation this morning looking for a reference and found this quote in C.S. Lewis' introduction to the book.

“I believe that those who may find that ‘nothing happens.’ when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand.”

Don't forget to post your guess on the "yellow thing" below!

Contest: A Yellow Thing

2009-04-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

Your guess is as good as the next on this one.

What is this? Pandora introduced this one to me.

This contest will last until Thursday, April 30 at noon.

At that time I'll post the right answer.

Happy guessing! :)

Today...

2009-04-20T23:01:00.000-07:00

Riley's 12!!

Happy Birthday Riley! We love you and are so proud of you!

Florida

2009-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

Last week Mom, Marissa, and I went to Venice, Florida to visit my grandparents. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the warm weather. Here are some pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

Pretty Rissie

Me wishing I had my sunglasses

Mom and Grandma looking lovely

"Ooh, the water feels good. Too bad we didn't wear our swimming suits!"

"Well, we can wade a little bit without getting our clothes wet"

"Oh forget it, we can wash the silly shorts"

Feeding the flamingos at Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Posing at the Jetty

A Lippizan Stallion performing a war maneuver at their training grounds

Ice cream downtown

From L-R: Mommy, Grandpa, his sister Elinor, and her daughter Cheri

On the plane headed home

We had a fabulous time and came home very refreshed. Our original plan was to go home this morning (saturday) but some unexpected snow is preventing mom and I from going home for Easter. We're staying here at the Spencer's tonight and tomorrow (yay, I love my cousins) and we'll head home Monday.

Have a wonderful Easter celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord.

Hugs~ Meghan

New Camera in the House...

2009-03-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

Meghan bought a Nikon D60 camera for her birthday.

So for the past couple of weeks we've been snapping pictures left and right.

In this episode of New Camera in the House:

Pictures of...little friends :)

Yummy finger!

Contemplating his next move.

(playing Rummikub)

The pair #1

The pair #2

(eating popcorn)

The pair #3

(so much fun! )

Riley's lemon shot

(Riley loves finding creative angles.)

Our Weekend

2009-03-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Here we go: The weekend: Biology Lab and Riley and mom's Math Counts competition in Albuquerque. The Girls' Night to watch North and South wasn't listed here, but that was Saturday evening.

I made some Nettle Glycerite, too. :)

And Meghan made some yummy puffs.

Biology lab partners.

Biology lab specimen- I very purposely picked the photo that focused on the pins. Be thankful. :)

Below: Saturday morning tea

Seeing a Different Remedy

2009-03-12T13:26:00.002-07:00

"To a friar addicted to melancholy, the bishop prescribed, as penance, a cupfull of the best wine. After the medicine had been taken, Grosseteste said, 'Dear brother, if you would frequently do such penance, you would have a better ordered conscience.' "

Doug Wilson recently wrote a post on enslavement to things we ban too staunchly. This little story of the bishop's remedy has the same theme. Of course ridding ourselves of sin is an honorable goal, but sometimes we addict ourselves to warring against that sin. With that war filling our minds, we inadvertently leave little room for grace, goodness, and joy of our salvation. Granted, we are called to see our sin with God's eyes in all its odiousness; but usually we see much better in the light than in the shadows.

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Scriptoriolum

2009-03-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Today I was reading and underlining in my Church History (see my bookshelf). This particular chapter discussed the books and libraries of the Middle Ages. Among the sad reports of scarce literature, illiterate abbots, and depressing stories of destroyed libraries and burnings, there was this little sentence tucked quietly away: "sometimes a monk had his own little book-room, called scriptoriolum." I envisioned it: a tiny room. Space awaiting books. Volumes lined up on shelves. Study.

This is what I want. My library doesn't have to be stories high; it doesn't have to have a nice youth room or a great summer reading program. It doesn't have to have drop-off return. My library shouldn't have these things. What I want is a my own growing shelf of books that I read through, write in, and bring down now and then to answer a thought or question. As I ingest them I want to see God and my world better.

Ask most anyone and they will tell you I'm not a "reader." Does this matter? Really, in the quest of learning we need not have an infatuation for scanning words on a page, going into ecstasy at the smell of old books, or curling up on the couch with a volume of anything at any time of day. Some understand these feelings better and naturally love books and reading. But let's say a person loves running along a river more than conversing with their book. Like me.

What then?

Seeing things that we should integrate into life furnishes vision, but it is not the real work. Hurtles have yet to be jumped- and often the hardest ones lie at the beginning and require intentionality. That's how I started running. Initially it was something that I chose to do because it was good for me. I kept running. And eventually discipline cured my dislike. As I invested in the good thing it became a part of who I am and what I love.

For us, God has made all things clean. Doors are flung open to show us the world in the light of truth. To understand him more is the desire of our hearts. If we stutter and dislike the discipline of study at first, does that make us unfit? No. It tells us nothing but that God has more grace in store for us.

To study great thoughts, philosophy, theology ... this is a good thing. I want a scriptoriolum.

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Chicken Wrangler

2009-01-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was sitting there on my bed reading Thucydides and all of a sudden I looked out the window and saw......a rooster flying over across our backyard. I went over to the window and saw 3 hens and 1 other rooster fly over the fence. Now, I thought chickens couldn't fly (Rocky excluded of course) Then I heard mom yell out, "Riley go get those chickens OUT of the yard."

So over the next 10 minutes I watched all but 1 hen either fly over the fence or go through the gate. But that one crazy gal wasn't about to run through an open gate, NO WAY! After running around in circles for another 5 minutes Riley the Wrangler finally cornered that little Hen and got her out. Thanks Riley!!!

~Meghan

It's only January!

2009-01-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

So here's this week's forecast. No really.

Now, does this look right to you?

JANUARY 22-27

Among other news...

Survey Results!

The answer is:

Not one of the Skeen Family has visited... North Dakota.

The family drove through Illinois in 2001 on a trip to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The family drove through Alabama in 2003 on their way to Jan's parents' 50th anniversary celebration in Florida. Also, Sarah went to Alabama for the Whatley Stew Cookin' last year after the GA TeenPact class.

The family stopped in Oklahoma at the Mortensens' home on their way to visit grandparents in Virginia in 1999 and then did the same in 2001.

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Family Worship with Meghan

2009-01-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

Meghan: "A plus B equals... Z!!"

Dad: " Meghan, you'd better not say your math out loud."

And just in case you wondered if we only keep Meghan for her comic relief, she's awfully handy with recognizing hymns.

Sarah: "What was that song we sang last Sunday- it had 'all' in it."

Meghan, without a hesitation: "As the Hart About to Falter?"

Sarah: "YES!! That's IT!"

*both die laughing*

Hope your life was lengthened with a couple laughs :). Mine was.

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Welcoming our 44th President

2009-01-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

It's not as easy as it looks...

And the answer is...

2009-01-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

Riley plays both piano and harmonica. He has just started picking up harmonica, and he has taken piano for 3 years.

Thanks for voting!

Check out the new survey topic to the right.

~Sarah, for the Skeens

New Additions

2009-01-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

We've made some additions to our blog!

Check out the new bookshelves to the right, the poll-taker, and the NM Coalition Action Alert.

A day for the girls

2009-01-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

For a few months now we've been wanting to give the little girls in our church a special day. So we put our heads together and planned a tea/sewing day. Yesterday we carried out those plans. It was wonderful to watch the joy on those young ladies faces as they had a day to enjoy beautiful femininity. We went all out. The older girls worked on making skirts with Courtney while I took the younger ones and worked on embroidery samplers. Sarah worked in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on our tea goodies. After 2 hours of sewing everyone got dressed in their best and we had a very elegant tea. By the way, all the dads and brothers went out shooting and built a campfire to roast hotdogs. I'm not sure which group enjoyed themselves more.

Here's some pictures from our day.

Cutting out the material

They were all patiently waiting in line for my help.

The "littles" enjoyed their own little craft

All done up for the tea party

It was fun to pull out the costumes :)

Courtney read to the girls before tea

All the little girls LOVE to sit in our laps. They're so sweet.

Courtney played the role of hostess and showed the girls

the proper way to act at a tea table

After a long day we were very tired but it was all worth it. It's so important for little girls to have an opportunity to be feminine young ladies and we know they're all looking up to us as an example. That can be scary in some ways but it's very exciting to see how God is working through us to minister to these girls and by His grace we'll all be graceful women of God.

~Meghan

Living Intentionally: Memory

2009-01-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

After my ad Herreneum reading on the art of memory, my mind took quite the little jaunt yesterday. I have been looking for a better way to memorize things, but I had no idea I might consider housework part of the remedy. The ad Herreneum suggests one familiarize himself with a space he frequently uses, because familiar places provide a palate for memory. To memorize things or events, we can take spaces that we know and begin drawing on that palate mental pictures of things we want to remember. Then later we walk through them in our minds just as we would walk through our house. None of this art works, however, if one has no familiar, orderly palate. So I began thinking. For me, what is the place I’m most familiar with? My home. Am I familiar with its order and spaces? In fact, do I promote its order? When I clean and tidy the house I do. Think about it. Every time I dust or clean or wash windows, I'm acquainting myself with the order and space of our house. Not only that, I'm helping to maintain it. And I am establishing my palate for memory at the same time.

How do you remember things?

~Sarah, for the Skeens

snow!

2008-12-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

Snow!

Last night it started. Just as everyone was coming home from work, snow (that wonderful, beautiful, cold white stuff) began to fall. Meghan and I, still out and about in town, received calls from Dad every 10 minutes or so to insure we were safe and give us directions for when to come home. I picked up Meghan from her babysitting job just a few minutes after dark, and the snow started coming down fairly hard. On our way home my biggest concern was the twisting mile of road before the turn-off to our house, but we took it slow, and only lost control of the wheels for a brief few seconds at the beginning, though the roads were icy. We were all very thankful last night once the whole family arrived home safe and sound.

All night it snowed, and this morning we woke up to a world of white. Somehow the Russian Olives’ spindly branches outlined in white just make it a little more magical. After chores, Riley and I went outside and had a snowball fight and built our snowman general. Some people use raisins and carrots. And we have too. But we also like to create our own characters. Not every snowman has to be “Frosty,” right? Riley knew exactly what he wanted to make this snowman: an army general. Using a vintage army cap, Riley’s sword, a board (that Riley informed me was supposed to be a pike), and buttons from the scrap box, we created the snowman general. He’s quite the most distinguished snowman in the area.

The rest of the day was filled with cozy movie-watching, game-playing, reading, piano-playing, food, and clean-up. For my part, most of the day was spent in bedrooms making Christmas gifts.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…and from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:14&16

Snowman General

Merry Christmas!

~Sarah , for the Skeens

Meghan Bloopers

2008-11-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

In reference to an old John Wayne movie.

Jennie "Were those his skinny days or his fat days?"

Meghan "What is he now?"

Jennie "DEAD."

As we were all discussing what typifies right-brained and left-brained people, Meghan piped up:

"I don't think I have a left brain or a right brain."

Meghan called Smith's grocery store several times one day trying to get a good deal on strawberries for some jam. Here's how the conversation went:

Phone Call #1

Smith's: "Customer service."

Meghan: "Grocery department please... da de da de da..."

"Hello? Grocery."

"Hi, I was wondering how much you're strawberries are. Really! That's great. Thanks. Bye."

*hangs up phone*

Meghan: "Rats, I meant to ask him to set some aside for me. Oh, I guess I'll just call 'em back.

Phone Call #2

Smith's: "Customer service"

Meghan: "Grocery department please."

*ring, ring ring*

Meghan: "Hi again. I was wondering if you could set aside 20 lbs of your strawberries please. Sure I can be there at 5:00. Thanks. Bye."

*hangs up phone*

Meghan " Grr, we're going to bible study tonight....hmm. Well, I guess I'll call back."

Phone Call #3

Smith's: "Customer service."

Meghan: "Grocery please."

Smith's: "Again? Okay, sure. Here you go."

Meghan: *muttering* Man this is embarrassing. Well, at least it's the last time...Hi AGAIN. Could I pick up my strawberries tomorrow instead? Thank you. Bye."

*hangs up*

Meghan: "AUGH, I forgot I was supposed to get some for Kelsea too. I CAN'T call them again. Ugh, I have too. Hmm. Ah, I know! I'll fake an English accent for the Customer Service and then I'll be normal for the nice grocer. Yeah, that'll work."

Phone Call #4

Smith's "Customer Service."

Meghan (In terrible "British" accent) "Ellow, I was wondring if I could speak to somewon in the grosery depaatment."

Smith's: "Did you just call?"

Meghan: *clears throat* "Yes, that was me."

2008-11-10T06:51:00.001-08:00

I found this article today on a link from Ladies Against Feminism. Actually, this was about my third time visiting the website, and I'd never read an article from there. So this is not a plug for the site, nor do I pretend to know whether the rest of their articles are good, but this one was.

The collage above is a grouping of pictures that I found in just a quick skimming of some of my mentors who fulfill the aim of this article with their lives...

You can read the article here

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Smiling faces

2008-10-20T20:03:00.001-07:00

As I was going through some of my pictures I found some that were too cute to leave in a file so I decided to share them with you all.

Dogs.....

2008-10-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

My dad grew up with dogs. He just always seemed to have one around (one lived 21 years!). So we kids always wondered why our family didn't get one....until we did.

Our first experience was with an over-sized border collie "Buddy" I won't spend too much time talking about him. (I get stressed out thinking about him) As soon as we brought him home he promptly jumped our 6 ft. fence in about 5 seconds. That should have been our first clue. Over the next 3 years he continued to jump the fence every so often but he got better. When we moved out of town onto some acreage he decided to cause more trouble. Here's a time-line of the next 2 years he was with us. He jumped our fence, tore through screens, chased livestock, attacked our neighbor's dog, and killed 22 chickens and 4 turkeys. Oh, and he escaped the animal shelter once before we just told them to keep him. LESSON LEARNED: Never ever ever buy a working dog and assume you can turn him into a family dog.

During that time we purchased a miniature dachshund, "Amiga". She is about the strangest little dog you could ever imagine. For example, your dog is probably up with sun every morning ready for food and exercise right? Well, not Amiga. No siree. She finds it more convenient to sleep in until 9:00, and even then she lays around in the sun until about noon. Amiga is still with us.....

Two years ago I decided I wanted my own puppy. So I searched around and finally found an add in the paper with purebred lab puppies. So there I was with a 6 week old lab puppy. "Emma" She was the terror of our lives for awhile until she decided she didn't have to live her life going 90 mph NOWHERE. Then she decided she didn't want to be outdone by Amiga when it came to quirks so she decided to scare us with 2 false pregnancies. (If you've never heard of a false pregnancy look it up, it's pretty crazy)

So that's our experience with dogs...so far. Who knows what Emma and Amiga have up their sleeves.

Our early-riser.

Emma. She loves posing for the camera.

Fall

2008-10-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite season in New Mexico. But this year it reminds me of the times we live in. We wonder if cold winter will follow. In these times of uncertainty in the economy and the political scene, we take comfort in the unfailing sovereignty of God to sustain us through every season. And we enjoy the beauty of the season in the midst of the hardship, remembering that:

"All flesh is like grass,

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers

and the flower falls,

but the Word of the Lord remains forever."

~1Peter 1:24-25a (Isaiah 40:8)~

One morning last week Meghan took her camera outside to take advantage of morning lighting on some of the fall scenes.

-Morning shadows on the front lawn. -

-Trees on the hill across the road.-

-Beautiful Yarrow!-

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Beethoven is rolling over in his grave...

2008-10-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

I was in line at the store today and picked up Sunset magazine, a New Mexican magazine themed around artistic living (It was the only decent magazine on the shelf), and I started flipping through it. I got as far as the "editor's picks" and stopped. There was a little blurb on "The Church of Beethoven." You can visit them yourself here:

Church of Beethoven

Such ignorance about who Beethoven really was and why he wrote grieves me.

Frankly, I'm not surprised the pagans want a church service around classical music. Much of it- Bach, Beethoven, Brahms- has heavenly themes. Do our churches have heavenly themes in the liturgy? Most mainstream churches do not. Some conservative churches do not.

How sad that the pagans recognize our loss and yet we are so deaf from our rock concert-"worship services" that we can't hear the heavenly themes.

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Family...what would I do without mine?

2008-09-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

It's sad how we take for granted what we have until it's gone for awhile. This past month I spent 2.5 weeks up in Colorado staying with a family in our church who just had their 5th baby. I had a wonderful time helping with the children and the upkeep of the house. Within 3 days I had 2 phone calls from my dad and 1 call from my mom. I felt very loved. I thought I was doing pretty well. I mean, I missed my family, but I was staying very busy with laundry, decorating rooms, cooking, cleaning and such.

When I got home Sarah had made a beautiful Welcome Home sign for me. I had comments all day about how much I had been missed, how the family wasn't the same etc. I felt so special and loved.

A lady in our church pointed out to me how special it is that I have such a sweet relationship with my family. And then I got to thinking. I have so much confidence and security in who I am and what my place is in my family. I don't have to second guess the love of my parents and siblings and most especially Christ. I know I am God's child and I can rest in the promise of His never ending love. I am so humbled that God would choose to make me His child and rescue me from eternal death. He has also granted me a very special place in my family where I am loved and appreciated for who I am and what I can bring to my family. That is truly something to praise Him for.

I have been blessed with 2 sisters. I absolutely love both of them and I couldn't live without either of them. I don't pretend we don't have our share of frustrations and disagreements. But I thank God we have been able to work them out and grow through the trials. James says "Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing" I love you Courtney and Sarah!

I also have a little brother, Riley. He is so sweet and encouraging. He lives with 3 girls in the house very patiently and offers help when we need him. He is growing into quite the man and I love him. I am so grateful we have a good relationship. I love playing volleyball and badminton with him. He's a wonderful example of patience. I could certainly learn some lessons from him.

Well, I need to wrap up the post. Just some of my thoughts. :) Thanks for reading.

-Meghan

An Update

2008-09-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

We just heard that Zack Arnold died today. Please continue to pray for their entire family as the deal with this.

Thank you for your prayers.

Please Pray!!

2008-09-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hello friends. Please be praying for the Arnold family. They are a local family we have known for a few years. Their son Zack (18 years old) crashed on his dirt bike on the family property and experienced serious chest injuries. His family has also been told that he is Brain Dead. His family and grandparents own a winery here and are all very close. Please be praying for peace and wisdom for his parents as they will be faced with difficult decisions soon.
All Glory to Jesus

-Meghan for the Skeens

A Delightful Visit

2008-09-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

About 2 weeks ago I was told that "the Serven family from family camp" would be coming by the house and staying the night on their way back home. My first thought was. "Oh, rats, I wish I had made more of an effort at camp to get to know them. I don't even know their names!" But I was excited about having a second chance to get to know them.

The next day I spent the afternoon with Mommy figuring out sleeping arrangements and preparing food. That night they arrived around 7. We sat down to eat a scrumptious New Mexico feast. Fajitas, Homemade tortillas, corn, and of course, chips and salsa. (Thanks Courtney and Mom for the wonderful dinner!)

Beth and the two Sarahs talking after dinner

And right down the table the two moms visit together
The guys discussing hunting

Singing hymns in 4 part harmony. Talk about filling a room with beautiful music!
Joel, "It's been a long day"
Thank you for playing for us Rebecca, it was beautiful.
Sarah (Skeen) looking at the picture. "what is THAT in the corner?" Meghan, "It's my hair!" Sarah, "Oh, it looks like a wig"
Thanks a lot Sarah, maybe I'll model for wig maker people.
"Hmm, what game should we play?"
Joel: "EMPIRE"
Meghan, "My goodness, Rebecca has nice posture, I wonder if my shoulders are capable of doing that?"
"Okay so is Ben Kevin Swanson or is he Jimmy Stewart?"
"Oh yeah, we only have a couple people left"

The two oldest siblings team up against us
Okay, all we have to do.....

The Winner! Don Knotts of course

"Joel, are you Joel?" "Yep"

It was so wonderful for mom to fellowship with another pastors wife.

Anyone want cinnamon rolls?

Late night discussions on politics and theology

Thank you so much for the wonderful visit Serven Clan! We look forward to meeting again soon. It was very refreshing to fellowship with another pastors family.

-Meghan for the Skeen Family

Bachelors

2008-09-20T16:37:00.000-07:00

From Riley's mouth ( and printed with his permission)

Courtney notes that Riley and Dad are "aw.." sitting on the couch together.

Riley: "We're just two bachelors sitting on the couch..."

Eyebrows raise and mom sits next to Dad.

Riley clarifies: "...he just happens to have a wife."

What?!

2008-09-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

I was picking up one of our plastic bags that holds sheet sets today, and was about to return it to the closet when I looked more closely at the picture on the front. This is what I found:

Here we have a young couple and their toddler wrapped in sheets watching something either too graphic or inappropriate for their child- I assume the latter. They cover her eyes and watch in shock. Mouths hang open.

In some ways I'd like to think this is a common scene. I'd like to think that parents still shelter their children, that they shield them on either side and remain sensitive to innocence. But I know that this is not the case for the general American public. Certainly at the beginning of family television-watching these scenes appeared more frequently in homes. We can imagine our grandparents shutting off the TV when, in It's a Wonderful Life, Mary disappears into a bush hiding from George. And we can see the progression: The Andy Griffith's girlfriend scenes, The Carol Burnett Show's crass ad-lib, etc.

Every time TV reached a new level of impurity some household in America reacted like the young couple on the sheet bag. But then the progressive youth cried out "freedom!" We Christians, usually one step behind the pagans, soon yelled "freedom in Christ!" Parents justified TV as short-term entertainment. Each new level of indecency widened the tolerance. After reading Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death earlier this month, my hope for the TV culture had plummeted.

This is why the picture struck me. We know reactions like Mr. and Mrs. Sheet's in this scene only persist as long as the obscenity, gore, and indecency continue to be startling. And I thought that ended a long time ago. But perhaps this scene is depicting the fresh perspective young families have on indecency. Perhaps this is a faint glimmer of hope for change and cleanliness. Perhaps the upcoming generation can forge through the muck of the past century and start standards afresh. Perhaps we can see the perversion that we've hitherto flipped through. Maybe we're ready for change. Is it time to change the sheets?

~Sarah, for the Skeens

Please offer your ideas on this picture... we're still not sure what the Marketing Director was thinking...

Check it Out!

2008-09-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

I just found a new website for finding gear and clothing at good prices!

www.geartrade.com

It is like an upscale amazon.com just for gear and clothing.

And some old stand-bys:

~Sarah for the Skeens

P.S. > More to come on our visit last week with the Serven Clan