A Schoolhouse of Trees and Sunshine...

My fondest memories in homeschooling were definitely the hands-on, less-rigid curriculum choices, and involved Scripture (of course), James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, Christian Liberty's Nature Readers, and summers sitting under back-yard trees and by bubbling brooks listening to my mother read scientific description and habits of butterflies; we caught many and sketched them in journals. To this day, I find myself still labeling different species---proof to show that tangible education encourages retention! In those elementary years, I had an academic experience very much along the lines of Beatrix Potter, with a tutor not unlike Charlotte Mason---only exceptionally better as Mrs. Dotson perceived all first and foremost from a clearly Christian, biblical worldview. The analogy between the relationship of blood-circulation to us as humans and sap to trees, the habits of the mud wasp, and the singing of the katy-did still ring in my memory. I had a joyous childhood in which reading and being read to fed my mentality without exhausting it---"tasting" knowledge and whetting an appetite without stifling creativity and originality was the key, I believe, to my present appetite for learning. Any success in my homeschooling is due to a mother who took the Bible seriously, and perceived understanding in its due perspective. She knew that unless knowledge includes the fear of God (Proverbs 1:7-8), it effectuated a puffed-up mentality.

I was also blessed incomparably and in addition with a father who provided all that was needed (finances and liberty of choice) in all academia involved :).

I have honestly never known anyone to put so much life, energy, and love into educational planning as my sweet mama. For her example, I plan to do the same someday with the children He blesses me with...though nothing will replace those memories of catching literally twenty-something eastern tent caterpillars and observing them with wonder burst from their cocoons into plain little moths all in one very small aquarium! I loved learning because I had a teacher who in turn loved learning---and loved me even more.

“Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.” ~ Beatrix Potter

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." ~ Proverbs 1:7-8

~~~ Whitney 

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Reminisce...

This is a memory of a little art work around 14 years ago---Autumn time with a Veggie Tales pumpkin, and my sweetest friends in the world. Joshua (around 2), and Ashley (around 8).

I will never forget this very sweet time in our lives---I was definitely big sister then (even in height), and we had the best times being "savage Indians" outdoors, as well as serene little home scholars at our small, cozy house in LaFollette.

Sherry as an infant, drawing by Whitney

Blessing / Devotional For Baby Girl





Little One:

You are God’s reward (Psalm 127:3). Before you were formed, God knew you (Jeremiah 1:7).

You are fearfully and wonderfully made, ordained for a purpose (Jeremiah 1:5).

When darkness blanketed you and your substance was concealed from your parents’ eyes, God covered you, and knew your thoughts (Psalm 139:4, 13).


Little Girl:

May your earthly father reflect the everlasting Father. May he be to you a refuge and a fortress. May he impress God’s Word upon your heart; may he speak of It when he sits at home, when he walks along the road, when he lies down and rises (Deuteronomy 6:7-8).

May your mother reflect the woman you shall become. May she clothe you in the expectations of Hannah, in a little coat of strength and honor (Proverbs 31:25). May you know that charm is deceptive, that beauty is fleeting, but the woman who fears the Lord is greatly to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).

Do not say that you are only a child, but be willing to go wherever He sends you, and say what He commands you to say (Jeremiah 1:7).

Honor your parents, listen to their voice (Exodus 20:12). May God give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him (Ephesians 1:18), to love Him with your entirety---heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

Be consecrated, be set apart, be His.


Little Woman:

Lovely One, may you grow in favor with the Lord and with men by following the paths of Wisdom, Charity, and Purity:

Fear the Lord above men (Proverbs 31:30), may your tongue be an instrument only of kindness (Proverbs 31:26).

Remain in God; may your husband’s heart trust safely in you (Proverbs 30:11).

Have compassion upon the unwell; stretch out your hands to the spiritually and physically poor, and reach out your hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:20).

May you marry a Boaz, who provides for all of your needs, and protects your heart and reputation. May he love you as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for Her (Ephesians 5:25).

May your womb be blessed with life and the expectation of Life (John 14:6). May your children arise and call you blessed, and your husband, also (Proverbs 31: 28). Be always content in their praise even as your husband is known at the gate (Proverbs 31:23 ).

In accepting these blessings, Dear One, you shall be a true daughter of Sarah, Ruth, and Esther; they found true beauty in a gentle and quiet spirit, and hoped in God (1 Peter 3:4).

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10)!



How Are You Clothing Your Children?  Corresponding Devotional by Sherry

"But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer yearly sacrifice."
I Samuel 2:18-19

"Hannah's motherhood experience revealed purpose; not only did she realize that children are from the Lord, but are FOR the Lord. Unlike what secular counselors typically excuse as the "unaccountable" years, Hannah's expectations for her son were wholly and only to wear a little ephod---to minister unto the Lord as His own servant. What raiment of expectations have we clothed our children in today---are they aspirations of worldly success, or a "little coat" of what he or she may become in the Lord?"

"...Much bounden are ye unto God, your Creator, and always in every place ought ye to praise Him, for that He hath given you liberty to fly about everywhere, and hath also given you double and triple rainment; moreover He preserved your seed in the ark of Noah, that your race might not perish out of the world; still more are ye beholden to Him for the element of the air which He hath appointed for you; beyond all this, ye sow not, neither do you reap; and God feedeth you, and giveth you the streams and fountains for your drink; the mountains and valleys for your refuge and the high trees whereon to make your nests; and because ye know not how to spin or sow, God clotheth you, you and your children; wherefore your Creator loveth you much, seeing that He hath bestowed on you so many benefits; and therefore, my little sisters, beware of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praises unto God."

~ Saint Francis of Assisi - c1220


"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

~ Matthew 6:26

Sacred Union

From Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

marriage MAR'RIAGE, n. [L.mas, maris.] The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity,and for securing the maintenance and education of children. Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Heb.13. 1. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage. The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage for his son. Matt.22. 2. In a scriptural sense, the union between Christ and his church by the covenant of grace. Rev.19.     From the inspired Word of God: *** "He created them male and female and blessed them..." Genesis 5:2 *** "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."Genesus 2:18   *Silhouettes in images original works by Whitney. Cropping, roses, texts, and rounded corners made possible by editing functions of www.picmonkey.com.

Corrie Ten Boom On Forgiveness

"It was at a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there – the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie’s pain-blanched face.

He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. “How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein.” he said. “To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away!”
His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often to the people in Bloemendaal the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side.
Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him.

I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness.

As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.
And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself."

~~~ Corrie Ten Boom

A Friend's Blessing, Balm To the Heart

I was blessed and "kissed" by God to receive the blessing below from a precious friend and sister who is knowledgeable in the Word, and passionate about Jesus. It was truly a gift, and a balm to my heart---just the sort of spiritual nudge to let me know that I can, and need to, move on by God's grace. To trust in the Father who certainly knows how to give good gifts to His children, and who is faithful to consummate our end in Glory, even as we trudge through this earth's often thick, dark pathways. He is so good, and sends Barnabases along the way to remind us of that goodness from time to time---in His perfect timing.


How is your day going for you? God's dearly beloved and precious chosen Princess. I feel that the Lord is speaking to me to share with you, that you truly are like a Joan of Arc, you are also His Deborah, His Esther, and the queen who won King David's heart: who refused to let her husband dishonor the king. You truly are far above the rest in a world that only honors the girls who have chosen their pledges to only simply be worth as dimes a dozen. You truly are far above, the diamond in the rough.

HE has chosen you truly for such a very great and deep purpose, dear Daughter of the chosen Lord and King. I prophecy to you this. that your legacy to both your future children and also that as well to your future and also modern day now present spiritual children. just as in Proverbs 31 shall truly rise up and also call YOU HIS dearly beloved Whitney, Daughter BLESSED! And also your future husband, too. The Lover of your life shall commend and honor your name in the streetsand among the highly honored and devoted men in the assemblies.

God has truly raised you up for as such a time as this, and no man or ever any woman can EVER tear you down from the place that God has placed you. Many have thought of the word Pedestal. But oh, you dear DIVINE Daughter of Zion, rise up, and truly lift up your head. For your King alone who who sits up and is high and is lifted up has truly exalted you---and never let any man ever abase you, for remember that when the King has exalted you. forever help lest any man or any who ever tries to bring you down. God has truly chosen you, for behold the Lord has spoken unto you that, for behold, many are CALLED...BUT MANY VERY FEW ARE CHOSEN!

You are are one of those few!

You have made it! And the Lord wants you to know just how very incredibly proud that He is truly is of YOU! Love you so much, sis! You forever radiate and shine with the beautiful, ever-so-gentle radiance of the candor and beauty and Grandeur grace of majesty. Never let anyone ever take away YOUR crown dear Daughter of the Most High God. He is so incredibly ever so very pleased with you are you HIS Daughter, and you are also HIS PRECIOUS CHOSEN QUEEN!

Art Work

*** All artwork original pieces by Whitney with the exception of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and Friends references. Silhouettes edited by the use of www.picmonkey.com ***

                                              

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival." ~ C. S. Lewis


                                                         ~~~Whitney Ann

Blessing Joshua

Your announced coming was our blessing (Psalm 127:3-4).

You were hidden in an ark of mother's love and discretion.

A joyful boy and peace-making young man (blessed are the peace-makers), you grew up before us like a tender plant and like a root out of dry ground (Isaiah 53:2).

You are often in your Father's House,

Fleeing from impurity and embracing your parents' instruction (Proverbs 1:7-8).

May you continue to increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man with every passing year (Luke 2:52).

May you always keep your way pure by following His commands. Hate evil and love righteous instruction. I ask that humility and blamelessness clothe you. That the armor of God unceasingly gird you:

The Helmet of Salvation, the Belt of Truth, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit, and the Readiness given by the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 5:13-17).

Oppose mightily the desires of the flesh---sexual immorality, idolatry, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, envy, and drunkenness---by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

Be the bond-servant of Jesus Christ your King, and to your fellow man in His love. Fight valiantly as His soldier, remembering that the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Walk by the Spirit, my precious brother, which is a walk of faith in the unseen: in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control.

 Joshua,

I can personally attest to the fact that you truly are a Lion Heart. You are an inspiration to me for all mankind as a pure, brave, strong, and virtuous knight. You are the best man I know. I hope I marry a man like you someday as you are my example/ hope that a man can be both so loving and tender as well as valiant and fierce on the battlefield of Christian victory through the grace of God and His Holy Spirit.

I admire your consistent desire to please the Lord first above the death-loving ways of this world, your brave stance against un-biblical philosophies concerning the Gospel and the Church, your love for God's Word convict me. Thank you for, already at your age, recognizing the importance of heeding wisdom and leading our family as the head when the family Patriarch is away. I love you so much, much more than you will ever know, my brother. I pray for you daily. If the world had more men like you, it would be a much more God-glorifying, safe, and joyous place. Please always be the man that you are now. You are the manliest man I know. The world will throw lies at you; the enemy prowls. But God's Word alone is Truth, and you will do well if you always follow It.

Your "Miriam" always.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." Psalm 119:9

The Road Not Taken

I read the familiar poem again at a bookstore while stumbling across Frost's poetry works last evening, and was reminded of my mother's lifelong, spiritual impression. Her testimony---that of true, faithful steps into the unknown and scoffed-at---has been one characterized by taking the road "less traveled by." Her distinct glow in the Lord really has made all the "difference." I am reminded of the Scriptural definition of faith: