Be It Ever So Humble

In the last two and a half months the children and I have traveled over 6000 miles, been in three major cities, visited historic sites, modern attractions, and natures beauteous offerings. Our many vehicles started with trains and ended with planes. In between we rode in taxis, on buses, and let's not forget the tow truck segment of our journey. We have been on Army forts, Naval stations, and seen Air Force bases.

I have dealt with all kinds of tedious adult tasks: paying TWO rents, buying and selling a van, insuring and licensing said van, having the van in and out of the mechanics shop, phone/medical/electric bills, GPS systems, etc. I baked bread, made oatmeal, and cooked a Thanksgiving dinner in crockpots. I spent a holiday season away from my parents and my in-laws.

Someone asked me if I feel like an experienced traveler now.

I don't.

I do feel less naïve, more confident, and have a greater faith in God.

At so many points on this adventure (in particular with the van) I was internally begging God to get me through some unforeseen crisis. Completely unfamiliar with my surroundings, I was praying for His grace to see me to the end. I can say that He always gave me the tools I needed: the GPS lady on my phone guiding me through frenzied roads and traffic, Roman's uncle working for a mechanic and helping with all my car distresses, sympathetic strangers carrying bags up/down escalators for the crazy lady with three kids in tow, sunshine and rain.

The past two months have been the most insane and courageous adventure of my life.
For this moment I am glad to be home.

To all of you who prayed for me, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The Legend of the Shamrock

Long ago, when Ireland was the land of Druids, there was a great bishop, Patrick by name, who came to teach the word of God throughout the country...This saint, for he was indeed a saint, was well loved everywhere he went. One day, however, a group of his followers cam to him and admitted that it was difficult for them to believe in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

Saint Patrick reflected a moment and then, stooping down, he plucked a leaf from the shamrock and held it before them, bidding them to behold the living example of the "Three-in-One." The simple beauty of this explanation convinced these skeptics, and from that day the shamrock has been revered throughout Ireland.

~source, Irish Blessings

 

The Charge of the Light Brigade

Half a league, half a league,
 Half a league onward,
All in the Valley of Death
 Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

"Forward the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismayed?
Not tho' the soldier knew
  Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die,
Into the valley of Death,
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to the right of them,
Cannon to the left of them,
Cannon in front of them
  Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell,
  Rode the six hundred.

Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in the air,
Sabering the gunners there,
Charging the army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery smoke
Right through the line they broke:
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke
Shattered and sundered
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to the right of them,
Cannon to the left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
  All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade!
  Noble six hundred!

~Alfred, Lord Tennyson

To Remember...

 

I think every generation will have a date firmly engraved into its memory.

A date that marks a dramatic shift in the functioning of society.

Over the 20th century and in the United States we mark dates such as:

October 29, 1929

December 7, 1941

June 6, 1944

August 6 and 9, 1945

November 22, 1963

November 9, 1989

 

I am sure my parents and grandparents could name the events which make these dates so significant.

They could also share a great deal of how their own lives were or were not affected by those events.

For this generation (the Millennial Generation) this date marks how our world today has been shaped.

September 11, 2001

9-11

 

This date moved 12 year old me with my family from California to Montana.

This date inspired my 17 year old future husband to pursue a career as a firefighter.

This date has changed the face of the modern world in large and small ways.

This date will be one I want my children to hear about.

They will know about the workings of God on this date and they will praise Him for how He has shown himself faithful.

 

This date

Remember.

 

Heroes; Knights in Shining Armor; Prince Charmings

Roman and I recently had a chance to see a performance of Shakespeare's Henry V. It is the source of the "band of brother's" quote so inspiring to soldiers of WW2.

Tom Hiddleston as Henry V

Seeing the noble character of Henry as presented by Shakespearean lore, I began to consider the of oft-condemned character of Prince Charming. This day and age is quick to dismiss them and their counterparts as relics of childhood, myths of the past bearing no relevance to this day and age. 

I used to think that such a romantic notion was impossible. Then I married Roman.

He is a true prince, with a noble and generous heart, a strong and courageous nature, tender, affectionate, utterly romantic, compassionate and eager to help everyone. Every virtue exonerated in romantic novels and ancient fairy tales is combined in him. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not a myth!

Prince Charming, Knights in Shining Armor, the heroes of the stories were meant to inspire to greatness. And though it seems that few men take the challenge, once in a while there are Henrys and Romans who stand above the crowd and demonstrate true princely behavior.

Teddy Roosevelt

Such men often seem as giants to compared to the rest.

George Washington, often called a prince among men

They are leaders of vision, with characters that inspire.

Prince Albert, husband to Queen Victoria

They do not need to be in the spotlight.

King George VI of England, father of Queen Elizabeth II

They will overcome personal afflictions and rise above petty disputes.

So many truly great men have existed throughout history. I add to that list fiction heroes, whom I wish my son to become very familiar with.

Ioan Grufford as Horatio Hornblower

Series such as Master and Commander and Horatio Hornblower. And my favorite sailor/mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch. 

All the deeds of King Arthur and the knights of the round table.

Kings and Queens of Narnia, given titles that express good attributes. Throughout the series all the kings seem to come from the lowest place to be granted the highest honors.

All the characters created by Robert Louis Stevenson,  Rudyard Kipling,  G.A. Henty, and the list goes on. 

We gave our son the name Ethan meaning strong and Patrick meaning noble. As he grows we will teach him how make his name the inspiration for his character.

I want my son to be like his father, a prince among men.

I want my daughter to believe in Prince Charming and know what he should really look like.

She will not be easily deceived, since she has such a man for her father.

I believe that there can be many heroes and knights and princes in this world, when given the inspiration to follow and the opportunity to succeed!

How Times Have Changed

Roman caught this story on Fox News and we had fun going through this test for Kentucky 8th graders in 1912. While there are some answers that have changed since then, most of the questions are still relevant to topics today. What we found most interesting is that students would have had to know and write out the answers, they are not mulitple choice questions. This difference alone shows how much our current testing system is meant for the lowest common denominator. Students should be challenged to do their best work every time instead of coasting on the answers they are pratically fed. OK, enough of my education rant. Go look up the test and see how you relate to 8th graders of a century ago!

1912 8th Grade Test

The Best Book You've Never Heard of...

I am joining a link-up sharing books of every shape and origin. Thanks Modern Mrs. Darcy, this will be fun!

The best book you have never heard of... how about The Wit of Martin Luther by Eric Gritsch.
So many people think of church fathers as heavy reading, deep theology, etc. This tiny book shares just how much Martin Luther had a sense of humor and zest for life (and a great deal of passion for his beloved wife Catherine!) So break away from weight of ages past and learn how to enjoy every gifts you are given with a hearty German appetite.

 

Amazon: The Wit of Martin Luther

Independence Bell - July 4, 1776

There was a tumult in the city
In the quaint old Quaker town,
And the streets were rife with people
Pacing restless up and down-
People gathering at corners,
Where they whispered each to each,
And the sweat stood on their temples
With the earnestness of speech.

As the bleak Atlantic currents
Lash the wild Newfoundland shore,
So they beat against the door;
And the mingling of their voices
Made the harmony profound,
Till the quiet street of Chestnut
Was all turbulent with sound.

"Will they do ti?" "Dare they do it?"
"Who is speaking?" "What's the news?"
"What of Adams?" "What of Sherman?"
"Oh, God grant they won't refuse!"
"Make some way there!" "Let me nearer!"
"I am stifling!" "Stifle then!"
When a nation's life's at hazard,
We've no time to think of men!"

So they surged against the State House,
While all solemnly inside,
Sat the Continental Congress,
Truth and reason for their guide,
O'er a simple scroll debating,
Which, though simple it might be,
Yet should shake the cliffs of England
With the thunders of the the free.

Far aloft in that high steeple
Sat the bellman, old and gray,
He was weary of the tyrant
And his iron-sceptered sway;
So he sat, with one hand ready
On the clapper of the bell,
When his eye could catch the signal,
The long-expected news to tell.

See! See! The dense crowd quivers
Through all its lengthy line,
As the boy beside the portal
Hastens forth to give the sign!
With his little hands uplifted,
Breezes dallying with his hair,
Hark! with deep, clear intonation
Breaks his young voice in the air.

Hushed the people's swelling murmur,
Whilst the boy crys joyously;
"Ring!" he shouts, "Ring! Grandpapa,
Ring! oh, ring for Liberty!"
Quickly, at the given signal
The old bellman lifts his hand,
 Forth he sends the good news, making
Iron music through the land.

How they shouted! What rejoicing!
How the old bell shook the air,
Till the clang of freedom ruffled,
The calmly gliding Delaware!
How the bonfires and the torches
Lighted up the night's repose,
And from the flames, the fabled Phoines,
Our glorious liberty arose!

That old State House bell is silent,
Hushed is now it's clamorous tongue;
But the spirit it awakened
Still is living - ever young;
And when we greet the smiling sunlight
On the fourth of each July,
We will ne'er forget the bellman
Who, betwixt the earth and sky,
Rung out, loudly, "Independence";
Which, please God, shall never die!

~unknown

Happy Independence Day!!

I love a vintage Americana, and having a traditional Independence Day.

The parade in Bigfork,

A BBQ at my parents house,

Roman and I will watch fireworks while the kids sleep. 

Sounds like a plan!

From My Great-Great-Great-Grandfather

While visiting my grandparents in California they brought out a booklet entitled:
  The History of the Skagen and Oie Families
   Early residents of Kent, Washington
I enjoyed reading the story of my Norwegian ancestors immigration and settling of our great country. It gives me a new appreciation for the contribution of my lineage to developing the NW.
In the book there was a poem written by my great-great-great-grandpa after the death of his 23-year-old daughter. It is so beautiful, that I wish to share it here. And for a lineage reference:
Caitlin Carstensen Mallery, daughter of
Blair Carstensen, son of
Marilyn Nelson Carstensen, daughter of
Alma Skagen Nelson, daughter of
Sigrid (Sarah) Oie Skagen, daughter of
Ole Eivindson Oie (1837-1920) born in Norway, immigrated to America in 1866, moved to Seattle area in 1889.

To the Memory of Nellie 
 by her father Ole E. Oie

Farewell, our dearest daughter,
At parting's hour we stand;
Your parents and beloved ones
Must reach a parting hand.
This world means throbs and sorrow,
When you from us have gone,
But joy comes on the morrow,
When Christ our Lord shall come.

Your journey her, dear daughter,
It was so happy and bright;
You were our hope and comfort,
And husbands sole delight;
He now is bent with sorrow,
Despair besets his way;
Oh, God! Be Thou his comfort,
Be Thou his help and stay.

As a lily in full blossom
On a mellow summer's day,
So was your life at twenty-three;
It was so happy and gay.
In a home entwined with roses,
Rich in a husbands love
Where your darling little daughter
Whispered of a home above.

Such was your life, dear Nellie;
Change seemed a far off thing,
When a message came from heaven,
Borne as on angel's wings;
It told of a home eternal,
Of a Saviour from sin and hell:
Entreated you to believed this,
Invited you there to dwell.

Mid many doubts and suffering,
This message to you came;
It was no easy matter
To break this earthly chain;
S patiently you suffered,
So earnestly you prayed;
And God be praised, He led you,
On His Word your trust was stayed.

And now mid angel chorus
With hosts of sinners redeemed,
You are singing of His glory
Who saves from death and sin.
God grant we again may meet you;
When our pilgrimage is o'er,
With God's holy Word for Guidance,
We may reach the golden shore.

October 28, 1903

From Luther

God makes things out of nothing. He cannot make something of one who has not become nothing.

 ~ Martin Luther

If God is kindly disposed to a man and gives him success, he can often accomplish more in one hour without care and anxiety than another man in four whole days with great care and anxiety.

~Martin Luther

How pleasant the trees are! How delightfully green everything's beginning to be! It's like a charming day in May....Ah, would that we could trust God! If God can take such delight in our earthly sojourn, what must it be like in the life to com?

~Martin Luther

Martin Luther is our family hero of the faith. Roman has memorized some of his speeches and I have greatly 

admired him for years. It was one of the first points of common interest between us.

Memorial Day Should Be Honored

My husband has a great admiration for the military and men who have fought for noble and true causes. Roman especially admires the men of WW2; Major Richard Winters is one of his heroes. We hope someday to visit the cemeteries in Washington D.C. and France. In the meantime here is a poem which truly honors the history of war.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
    In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
   In Flanders fields.

~John McCrae