Shotgun Contest ***Photos***

The shotgun contest on Saturday was a blast! (Don't ya love my puns?!) The group is ready for the 1st course....

Lucas loads...

A deep breath...

Ready. Aim. Fire.

You should join us at the next contest!

Shotgun Contest sign up

Click here to sign up for Saturday's Shotgun contest!

We take a break from our regularly scheduled blogging to remind you (or encourage you) to join us for the Covenant Academy Shotgun contest this Saturday. All info is on the link above ^^^.

See you then!

Careful with that cup of Coffee

More than once I have heard in passing that the US government has funded research to identify domestic terrorists. Recently I read a few articles regarding this research that have me particularly concerned.

Quoting from a July 4, 2012 article posted here

“The report takes its definitions from a 2011 study entitled Profiles of Perpetrators of Terrorism, produced by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, in which the following characteristics are used to identify terrorists.

- Americans who believe their “way of life” is under attack;

- Americans who are “fiercely nationalistic (as opposed to universal and international in orientation)”;

- People who consider themselves “anti-global” (presumably those who are wary of the loss of American sovereignty);

- Americans who are “suspicious of centralized federal authority”;

- Americans who are “reverent of individual liberty”;

People who “believe in conspiracy theories that involve grave threat to national sovereignty and/or personal liberty.”

The Author, Paul Joseph Watson later states, “Under the FBI’s Communities Against Terrorism program, the bulk purchase of food is labeled as a potential indication of terrorist activity, as is using cash to pay for a cup of coffee, and showing an interest in web privacy when using the Internet in a public place.

As we have documented on numerous occasions, the federal government routinely characterizes mundane behavior as extremist activity or a potential indicator of terrorist intent. As part of its ‘See Something, Say Something’ campaign, the Department of Homeland Security educates the public that generic activities performed by millions of people every day, including using a video camera, talking to police officers, wearing hoodies, driving vans, writing on a piece of paper, and using a cell phone recording application,” are all potential signs of terrorist activity.”

Let me make something clear. I am as anti-terrorist (including domestic terrorists) as a person can get. That’s probably why I carry my own personal defense system wherever I go! Like the old adage says, “An armed society is a polite society.”

Since I wasn’t polled for this outrageous study, allow me to clarify where I stand.

I avoid debt at all costs. (Yes, pun intended.)

I buy food in bulk. Mostly rice and beans.

And, we eat rice and beans. A lot of it. Partly because it is cheap, and partly because its healthy.

We grow our own vegetables, and we believe in harvesting as much fresh fruit and veggies as we can. Harvesting includes drying, freezing, canning, and making as many products from these fruits and veggies as possible.

We believe composting and recycling are ways to be a good steward of our resources.

We believe that we shouldn’t buy something if we have to put it on a credit card, especially, our cups of coffee - which are few and far between. Coffee is a luxury, and we don’t live in times where we can afford many luxuries.

We would rather save money than spend it. Especially if that money is gold, silver, or old coins. In fact, if we could barter for everything, we would. You give me your farm-fresh eggs and I’ll give you some of my apricot preserves!

And, if that isn’t crazy enough when I see a law enforcement official doing something to endanger the lives of my fellow citizens I’m more than likely to take a picture or video. If our Founding Fathers could list their grievances in the Declaration of Independence, I have every right to record mine.

Call me crunchy, call me a little to the right of normal, but whatever you call me, don’t call me a terrorist. It is an outrage that we don’t stand up and yell “foul” when our responsible, self-governing and thoroughly American behavior is called terrorist behavior.

The only thing I may be considered an enemy to is debt and a cradle-to-grave dependence on my government. That’s one label you can feel free to give me!

Strawberry weekend

This weekend will forever be marked as the strawberry weekend! Since Friday morning our house has smelled like strawberries and even now the sweet smell lingers.

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved picking and canning or freezing fresh fruit and veggies! And...I've always dreamed of doing it for my very own family...and that's exactly what I've been doing :)

On Friday morning we picked close to 60 pounds of organic strawberries. We are so blessed that our fruit season this year started early due to a very wet spring! Lucas washed the first box and we sorted them.

I had 3 grades. Eating (the almost ripe ones or, firm ones). Freezing (the ones that were perfectly ripe leaning to over-ripe) - they will go in smoothies or other yummy things throughout the year. Canning (the overripe and mushy ones) - they were for Strawberry Jam. I dreamed of a million things that I can make or can, but I'm trying not to bite off more than I can chew in the canning and freezing department my 1st year of marriage. (Pun intended).

So, in just about 12 hours time 60 pounds of strawberries were converted, with the amazing help of my dear husband and Mother in law, to 9 bags of frozen and vacuum packed berries, 23 pints of strawberry jam, and about 3 gallons of fresh eating berries.

This is the first time I've ever made strawberry jam, or actually jam of any sort.

Next on my list is apricots and cherries. And...I'm also very much looking forward to some fresh veggies soon.

The 15-minute Goal

One of the things that blessed me as a young lady was reading blogs of young women who got married and would share tricks and tips about married life. So, I resolved that when I was a young married woman I would do my best to give folks glimpses into the new adventure in my life - both the failures and the victories!

My husband and I have more than one business. Combine that with the fact that I work a job where I have to carefully keep track of my hours and we knew that time management would be one of the keys to our success.

So, one of our favorite “rules” to operate by is what we call the “15 minute goal”. My husband and I actually started this before we were even engaged. Basically, we focus on one project or task for 15 minutes before switching gears. This has been especially helpful for me as I can so easily get sucked into a project and stay in a sedentary position for hours. This isn’t a good idea for anyone. With my job I do a large amount of writing and it is vital for me to keep my creativity tank full. Sitting still and doing the same thing over and over can definitely be an inspiration-killer, and I didn’t want that to happen! I know some folks might think that this sounds like multi-tasking and you’ll say “I can’t multi-task”. But, this isn’t multi-tasking. Let me give you a few examples.

On a typical work day, this is how I apply the 15-minute rule.

Wake up, take 15 minute or less shower & get dressed.

Spend 15 minutes making breakfast. Usually, breakfast is a milkshake and maybe some pancakes, eggs, or something.

Begin working. Spend 15 minutes checking & replying to email. Stop, even if I haven’t read every message.

Spend 15 minutes checking voicemails & replying to calls. Stop, even if you aren’t done. (Obviously, you can’t hang up on someone. 15 minutes is just a guideline to keep you going!)

Pull up 1st writing project of the day. Spend 15 minutes proofreading, editing, & writing. Stop.

Log in to social media outlets & check stats. Spend 15 minutes looking at posts, responding to messages & preparing your next post. Stop.

Research foundations & update database for 15 minutes. Stop.

Hand-write thank-you notes for 15 minutes. Stop.

At this point I’ve been at work 1.5 hours and made progress on 6 different things. If I did just 1 task, I would have spent my entire morning doing something like replying to emails. I would be tired of staring at one screen on my computer and frustrated that I’m not making any progress because every time I send an email someone replies and I would begin to feel I’m not getting anywhere. With my 15-minute strategy I know that I’m making some real progress in more than one area.

How about a weekend day, when I’m not working. Here’s how my Saturday last weekend started out.

Wake up, take 15 minute or less shower & get dressed.

Spend 15 minutes making breakfast. Usually, breakfast is a milkshake and maybe some pancakes, eggs, or something.

Spend 15 minutes rinsing dishes, putting them in dishwasher & tidying kitchen. Stop.

Go outside. Move rocks from where I’m going to plant my starts for 15 minutes. Stop.

Come inside and write wedding gift thank-you notes for 15 minutes. Stop.

Go in garage and assess which boxes need to be moved. Move them for 15 minutes. Stop.

Go back outside. Notice that the Christmas lights *still* need to be taken down. Take them down. Stop.

Go inside. Move load of laundry out of dryer. Move load of laundry from washer to dryer. Fold clothes. Stop.

Realize your pantry needs to be cleaned out so there’s room for all the things you want to can this summer. Organize it for 15 minutes. Stop.

Decide its time to sit down and you want to write a blog about the 15 minute rule. Grab laptop. Sit down & write for 15 minutes. Stop.

The hardest part for me is the “stopping” after 15 minutes. I want to keep going because I love seeing projects DONE. But, so many projects are easy to get burned out on or worse yet you have to rely on someone else to finish them. So, 15 minutes at a time actually makes it easier to get more done. Yes, sometimes it means you’ll have to come back to a project for 3 or 4 15-minute installments, but I think you’ll find you are generally more energized and enjoy the time you spend with each project.

Another advantage of this system is that It forces me to plan ahead. I can’t make a breakfast in less than 15 minutes if I don’t have bananas, berries, kefir, etc. already in the freezer for or morning smoothie - or at the very least have them easily accessible. It makes me think about what I have and (try to) plan meals ahead.

The main reason I love my (our) 15 minute goal is that It keeps me going. It makes big projects become bite-sized challenges. And, when I’m frustrated with a project not moving forward it makes me feel as if I’m moving forward if even just a little bit at a time. Try it out and let us know if it works for you!

Wedding photos are up!

Our wedding photos are up on Facebook!

Check out the album here:

Lucas & Elysse Baumbach wedding album

We will likely be adding more photos, but this is a start...

Charge to Lucas & Elysse

Another significant part of our ceremony was my (Elysse) Father's charge to us as he answered the question "Who gives this woman to this man?"

Instead of just saying "Her Mother and I do", or something along those lines, he stepped aside and said these words:

Lucas:

You came to me desiring permission to seek the heart and hand of our daughter, Elysse.

In taking that initial step you recognized the God-given authority and headship given to me over her life.

As a result, we met several times. We talked of your family and your faith in Christ. We talked of marriage and God's purposes in that relationship. We talked of family and Gods vision for and kingdom purposes for the family. We spoke of Fatherhood and the great responsibilities it entails. We spoke of your role as husband and the service it requires.

Each of these times we looked to the Word of God, for only there can we find clarity in what God expects of us. Through our times tougher, we covered what the Word of God has required of me, and will now, by the transfer of responsibility, require of you to be the head and covering for Elysse.

Only as you keep Jesus Christ at the head and covering of your life and His Word as your Law for living can you fulfill what God intends for the husband of a marriage and the father of a family. Lucas, as you commit yourself to Elysse this day, and enter into the role of her head and covering, commit yourself to love her as Christ loves the Church, washing her with the water of His Word.

Elysse:

This is the last time I will address you as only my daughter. The next time we speak together, you will be the wife of Lucas. You will have taken on a new identity. For these past 27 years you have honored me as your father and as your head and overing. You have listened to my instruction and followed my lead. Yet, you have done even more.

Early, you learned to learn of God on your own. Having committed yourself to Christ, you have pursued a life in Him and consumed by Him. Years ago, I told you that before you could ever enter a courtship, you would have to be married first. Marriage, marriage to Christ was a necessary prerequisite to entering any courtship. Having been united with Christ and learned of His love, you can now be united with another and love him out of Christ's love for and in you. Having come into a true covenant with Christ, you can now enter into the covenant of marriage with Lucas.

Marriage, as you know, Elysse, is for God's glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom in the earth.

Elysse, as you enter into this covenant relationship with Lucas this day, recognize the great kingdom purposes for which the union has been ordained.

Pastor Chaney:

Pastor Chaney, it is with great joy that I respond to you, that her mother and I give this woman to this man.

May God's blessings to their fullest be upon this union.

Then, Daddy came over, lifted my first veil and hugged me. We were both trying not to cry. I want to make it a goal to re-read his challenge to us on a frequent basis. What wonderful words of wisdom!