Sir Hugo

(Posted by Josiah)

Hello everybody! Recently, I read a great book called, “A Knight’s City.” It takes the reader through the life of a man named Sir Hugo, who lived in medieval times. (That’s him in the picture, on the horse.) It starts when he was a boy, to when he became a knight.

The neat thing about this book is that it is a POP-UP!

In the middle of the book is the King’s castle. It has a drawbridge and a gate for protection. Even if an attacker gets through both, he would be trapped in the courtyard, and arrows would be fired down at him from the battlements.

During a battle, there’s a certain order of positions. In the front are the knights on horses. Behind them are men-at-arms with spears and axes. Then come the archers, with bows and arrows. Then the foot soldiers, with long spears.

Men who are attacking the castle with crossbows can shoot through full armor! Other weapons used to attack are catapults. If attackers come up the winding stairs of the castle, Sir Hugo can come around the bend and attack, pushing them back down.

This is the social order in medieval times. First you have the King and Queen, then the Bishop, Lord, Lady, and the Knight. Last are the Merchants, the Nuns, and the Peasants. This social order was on the first page of the book. It shows that the King had the most power in the kingdom, and the peasant had the least.

I enjoyed this book because I enjoy learning about knighthood, and it shares a good story of life in medieval times!

Your Eyes

(Posted by Roma)

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23

*Whose eye is this? Leave a comment to guess!!

Flying with Dad

(Posted by Rubia)

My Daddy loves airplanes. He loves to fly the Cessna that he shares with his flying club. He hadn’t been flying in a long time, so a few weeks ago he went up to the airport to get some practice. Then last week, he decided to go back and take a flying exam.

At the last minute, Mom asked me if I wanted to go with Dad. I hadn’t been flying with him in a long time, so without hesitation, I agreed. And Daddy said I could go!

But on the way there, he warned me that he would need to do some scary things as part of the test. He knew that I didn’t really like it when he would fly up and down, and up and down. It didn’t make my stomach feel good. He also warned me about the blindfolding test, which I will explain later.

I got all that out of my mind as we talked and talked on the way to the airport. Finally we arrived, and Dad parked the car in front of his hangar. He said that it wouldn’t be just us flying, but a friend of his, Mr. D, was going to lead him through his test. I didn’t mind—I actually felt relieved that Daddy wasn’t going to do the test alone.

I pushed the green button that opened the door of the hangar. Dad checked the plane over and pushed it out. Then we walked across the parking lot to the main building, so that we could use the restroom before taking off.

Outside the building were two men sitting at a picnic table. Dad said that one of them was a pilot in an air show! He had brought his little dog, Brady, with him, who I fell in love with right away! I cuddled with the dog until Daddy’s instructor arrived.

About 10 minutes later, I was in the back seat of Dad’s plane, putting on headsets, and making sure my seatbelt was fastened tight. Mr. D, Dad’s instructor, didn’t notice me until he climbed into the seat next to Daddy.

“Is she going to be okay with all this?” He looked at Dad.

“I think she’ll do fine,” he replied.

I felt a little nervous once again as the plane sped faster and faster down the runway.

“It really isn’t so bad,” I convinced myself the whole time. “It’s just like a regular flight. Just have fun.”

Even so, I kept praying. I thought it was almost silly that I was so nervous…but I prayed anyway.

As the plane rose higher in the sky, I gazed out the window. I kept looking out, until I couldn’t see Brady, the little dog, anymore.

Now it was time to start the test. For my sake, Daddy began with slow flight. In this test, he had to fly as slow as he possibly could. But not too slow, or the plane would stall.

I remembered a comforting verse in the Bible, about how not one sparrow falls without God knowing it. I felt better. This was relaxing.

But then when Mr. D. would say, “Nose down,” I knew that my stomach was about to drop. “Nose down” meant that Daddy had to point the front of the plane (the nose) downward toward earth. And then the instructor would say, “Nose up” and the front of the plane would tilt a little upward. I didn’t want to do this. I let out two hollers, so they stopped.

After all that, Daddy did the blindfolding test. No, he didn’t really have to fly blindfolded, but he wore some special glasses, and he wasn’t supposed to look out the window; just downward at his instruments.

I wasn’t scared anymore. So I took a few photos, and enjoyed the flight. As I looked out the window at all the tiny buildings and farms, I was reminded of how small we really are, and how BIG God is!

My ears were popping, so I kept chewing and chewing my gum. We flew for about an hour, and then it was time for Daddy to finish his test. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to handle the rest of it, because now he had to fly up-and-down and side-to-side.

“Dad,” I said through my headset. “I have to go to the bathroom!”

“How bad?”

“Pretty bad!”

“Oh, come on,” coaxed Mr. D. “Flying is fun! You can handle the rest of the test.”

“I think we’ll just fly her back to the hangar anyway,” said Dad to Mr. D.

I wondered if he was talking about me, the plane, or both. I hoped he meant me!

“She can wait in the office while I finish this.”

Now I knew he was talking about me. J

But just then, both men saw what had happened to the airspeed indicator.

“Huh? It says zero!” said Dad.

“A bug must have gotten in there,” said Mr. D. “We’ll just fly your daughter back to the airport, then figure out what happened.”

Well, it ended up that they never took the plane back up, because when we were landing, the indicator said 120. It was definitely acting weird.

By the time we got back to the hangar, it was dark. Dad left a note to let everyone else in his club know NOT to take the plane up. Then we drove home.

The good news is, we’re safe, and a mechanic can fix the plane soon. I really had fun flying, even though I’m not much for the “up-and-down” kind of flying. But I like to be with Dad! I hope to fly again soon, after the plane is fixed!

The Power of the Media

Every now and then, it is a good thing to engage in a bit of social analysis and commentary. Christians are “in this world, but not of it.” We need to be discerning about our culture, striving always to view everything in it in light of Biblical principles and truths. My brother Ben is our family’s political and social commentator! Below are his thoughts on a recent news story.

Posted by Benjamin

“WE WANT JUSTICE! JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON! WE WANT JUSTICE! JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON! “

Such was the cry I heard from the small TV in my grandparents' dining room. While on vacation, I heard of a case that had taken the nation by storm. A 28-year-old Hispanic had been accused of killing a 17-year-black male in Sanford, Florida.

I sat down with my dad and grandpa at the table to watch as a group of black men on TV shouted the chant above. They were dressed in hoodies and carried signs demanding George Zimmerman’s (the alleged shooter) arrest. I saw members of the press asking protesters questions about their opinion on the shooting. One woman stated, “It was wrong for Zimmerman to kill this innocent boy!”

At this point, this protester had no proof of this teenager’s innocence. She had no proof that he did not attack Zimmerman first. She had no proof that he was not up to something wrong or illegal. Yet she pronounced him innocent, and Zimmerman guilty. And the media aired her opinion on national television.

When I returned home from vacation, I did some further study on this case, and compared it to the Rodney King trial which started the 1992 Los Angeles riots. On one of the Zimmerman articles, I found this photo:

Do you notice anything deceitful about these pictures? Read on…

The Media’s Opinion

At first glance, these photos made me furious at Zimmerman. “What kind of thug would kill such a young, baby-faced boy?” I thought. But I had not seen the whole story, from both sides. As I watched news video on the case, more photos of Trayvon flashed across the screen: Trayvon holding a baby; Trayvon hugging his mother, Trayvon dressing up for a prom. By all appearances, the media had chosen to put its focus—and the focus of its viewers--on special memories of young Trayvon.

Then I watched a “Good Morning America” interview with a good friend of Zimmerman’s and with Zimmerman’s attorney. I found out some very interesting FACTS (not opinions) on the matter. I learned that Trayvon was a 6’3”, 17-year-old football player, rather than the young child the above photo depicted. Apparently, the media’s photos were outdated. I also learned that as large and “Goliath-like” as Zimmerman appears above, he is actually shorter than I am, at only 5’9”. It was also revealed that Trayvon had allegedly been suspended from school for drug possession, which possibly explained why he was not in school that day. Another interesting fact was that the only credible witness to the incident claimed he saw ZIMMERMAN on the ground bleeding, not Trayvon.

Taking Justice Into Our Own Hands?

I thought about the Rodney King incident back in 1992, in Los Angeles. Rodney King, a husky, 6’3” man allegedly on drugs had charged some police men who had pulled him over. According to police, he had charged them with his fist raised ready to give them a good headache. King was so large, and so strong under the influence of crack, that it took five officers with rods to subdue him. Someone caught video of the incident and spread the news nationally. Eventually, Rodney King was taken to court and found guilty of all charges brought against him.

Following that verdict, a riot broke out in Los Angeles that inflicted approximately one billion dollars in property damage, uncountable numbers of buildings looted and burned, and nearly 53 deaths. In this situation, people were taking “Justice” into their own hands, by inflicting injustice on others, in the name, and under the banner, of Justice. A little backwards, right?

Fast forward to a recent development in the Zimmerman case, that arose in the Sanford area. According to this report, famous movie director Spike Lee heard a rumor on Twitter, that a certain Sanford address was the address of George Zimmerman’s parents, and that he would be hiding there. Mr. Lee accordingly posted this address on his Twitter to his 240,000 followers. A few days later, an angry mob showed up at the house ready to find and likely lynch Mr. Zimmerman. Yep… you guessed it….it was the wrong address. The home belonged to a couple of law abiding, elderly citizens, who at one time had a son living with them with a similar name, but with no relation to the alleged shooter George Zimmerman. This couple was horrified by the mob, and after calling 911 to clear the crowds, fled for their lives to an out- of-town motel. The two are now in hiding and have done nothing wrong. All because someone took “justice” into his own hands.

To his credit, Mr. Lee eventually took responsibility for this incident (with the assistance of the couple’s lawyer) and has paid full compensation for the disruption of their lives, apologized, and deleted the post from his Twitter. But the damage has been done. This is a sad example of the tyranny that can result from mob rule.

I am not biased on either side of this case. I am not rooting for a certain side to win, but the point I want to make here is that we have police, judges, prisons, and government for a reason. I fail to understand why George Zimmerman had to go into hiding to avoid assassination if we have a legal system to sort through the evidence and come to a just verdict through due process of law. I further fail to understand why an innocent couple whose only crime is having a son with a similar name to Zimmerman’s must flee their home to escape an angry mob. We have courts, police, and government. We pay taxes for these organizations. Let them do their job!

Does the Media Have an Agenda in All This?

Sadly, men are killed all the time in this country, whether black, white, or any other race. So why is this particular case so publicized? Is it because it happened in a gated neighborhood in Florida, rather than a dark alley in Detroit? Is it because a white man killed a black man, and therefore it “must be racism?” Why did the media choose to use photos early in their reports that gave the viewers strong feelings of pity toward Martin, and anger toward Zimmerman? Why did they constantly show video footage of angry protesters supporting Martin, and present interviews of people giving their opinions about Zimmerman’s guilt?

I am not a racist. If you disagree with me, consider the fact that I come from a racially mixed family and am therefore related to people of different races and nationalities.

Like many out there, I share in the Martin family’s sorrow. I feel bad that this young man had to die at such a young age and did not live to see many of the rewards that this life offers. But unlike the media, I am not taking sides. I want justice to be done, no matter where it leads or how it ends.

The more I study about the culture around me, the more I see a socialist, humanistic, and pagan agenda in all things. Humanist thinking is infiltrating our schools, our churches, and particularly, the media. Is there a chance that Socialist manipulators are purposely using our media to “divide and conquer” our country over issues such as racism, or class warfare? Our nation is strong when it is united. Are the humanists trying to divide this great country, race by race, to make it more vulnerable to destruction?

Conclusion

I have learned to be very careful with the media as a result of this news story. When I see news reports, or read the newspaper, I need to always try to recognize the reporter’s viewpoint, identify his agenda, and determine how it affects the way he tells the story. Bottom line: don’t blindly believe everything you hear. And always strive to hear both sides of the story.

I would welcome your thoughts on this post. Please feel free to leave a comment!

Soli Deo Gloria!

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13

Love of God

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.”

From “The Love of God” by Frederick M. Lehman, 1868-1953

~ Posted by Betsy

Recipe--Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

I have a favorite Chocolate Zucchini Bread recipe that I’ve used for awhile. But recently I wanted to try turning it into muffins and using natural sweeteners. They turned out really good! I ended up making them for a bake sale at church, they were so good! Have fun experimenting with turning these into muffins, bread, or whatever shape suits your fancy!

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

3 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar (I recently used 1 cup of honey and ¾ cups of agave and it was great!)

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 cups shredded zucchini

2 ½ cups flour

½ cup cocoa

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking powder

Optional: ½ cup nuts

Beat eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. Combine dry ingredients and mix in with wet mixture. Pour into a greased muffin tin (or 2 loaf pans, or a muffin pan lined with cupcake papers, or mini muffin tins, etc. J) Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes (the original bread recipe says 1 hour. I’m not sure how long it took for the muffins to cook since they’re smaller. Just keep your eye on them.) Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes and then turn out and finish cooling. (Or if you’re like me, dig in. J) Makes about 24 muffins, or 7 jumbo muffins, or 2 loaves of bread, or an endless number of mini-muffins. Enjoy!

Easter Flashbacks

Easter is always a popular time of year to get family photos taken. For as long as I can remember, our family has done an annual Easter photo before going to church. I thought you would enjoy seeing photos from past years:

When this photo was taken, we were visiting my Abuela and Abuelo in Ohio.

Another time, we were in Pennsylvania with my other grandparents.

This photo was taken especially to send to my Great-Grandmother in Puerto Rico.

Sorry this picture is a bit blurry. We may have been rushing to get to church on time!

Roma and Rubia have much shorter hair do’s in this photo!

Mom and Dad have their Easter ducks in a row! J

Another Easter spent at home.

This time, I’m the one with the hair cut!

Last year at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

And of course, this year’s photo!

"Hostage Lands" Book Review

Recently I finished reading another Douglas Bond book called “Hostage Lands.” I had enjoyed “The Betrayal” by Bond and was excited to pick up another book by him. I believe I enjoyed this book even more than “The Betrayal!”

Part of the reason I may have finished the book so fast is because I really enjoy Roman history. I’m not exactly sure why, but I LOVE books set during the time of the Roman Empire. This book reminded me a lot of one of my favorite movies, Pendragon.

The book starts off with modern-day English Latin student Neil Perkins lamenting how much he detests his studies. On his way home from school one day, he finds an ancient Latin manuscript. His curiosity is piqued and he endeavors to translate the script.

The book then switches to the story found in the script. Roman Centurion Rusticus is the main character of the story. It’s 211 A.D., and the Roman army is fighting against the Celts in Britain. After a tragic battle, Rusticus becomes friends with a native-Celt-serving-as-a-Roman-soldier, Calum. Rusticus and Calum are sent on a spy mission into the North lands to spy on the Celts. As Rusticus gets to know Calum better, Calum’s faith in Christ begins to have an influence on Rusticus. The book ends with a great climax along with many twists and turns along the way.

This book was a great read and one that I would certainly recommend for all ages!