First Day of School

We started our new school year (2012-2013) on Labor Day because the principal (dad) said "Why not?".

I made Daniel dress up in his Hawaiian shirt, which he took off right after picture taking. James picked out his own outfit which was Daniel's old school uniform. He loves them and feels proud to be a first grader!

Teacher and Her Students (ratio 1:2)

Our 4th Grader

Our 1st Grader

The Whole Class

Summer Fun

Can you believe it that summer is almost over? We didn't go on any family vacation, but did have some fun time on a few outings.

I'm really bad at the task of timely uploading digital photos to PC. At least it's still summer...

 Day trip to Lake Tahoe. Our family of four and Guibo's nephew who was visiting us from UC Berkeley.

Trip to Six Flags. I was left behind, voluntarily, to have my praying and planning time for the new school year.

By the bank of American River. 

Random moments. 

Quote of the Week: There is no neutral ground...

I have been pondering the following questions lately:
"Do school subjects such as history and social study have anything to do with God?
What about math, science and economics?
What about art and music?"
when this quote from C.S. Lewis got my attention and confirmed my view.

“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan."
C.S. Lewis

That reminded me of a Chinese proverb, "普天之下，莫非王土，率土之滨，莫非王臣。"  Here is my paraphrase translation. No land under the sun does not belong to the King; no people living in the land does not submit to the King.

In the September issue of AFA Journal, Kirk Cameron was quoted in his interview:
"Sometimes as a Christian, I have had a dualistic way of looking at the world. My heart, my marriage and my family may reflect something of heaven. but I would often think that business, science or media was always going to reflect hell because those things belonged to Satan. I don't think that way anymore."

With school starting (today!) and all the extracurricular activities quickly filling up the calendar, I don't have time for more reflection. Let me end with this Bible verse. It is so beautifully and truthfully said, isn't it?

"Lord You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4:11

One oh-so-rare day of quite time and a precious gift

A couple of weeks ago, Guibo took the kids and his nephew who was visiting from Berkeley to Six Flags while I stayed behind to start off the school planning.

It was a very hot day. Not long after the gang left, I headed to the library with a backpack with books, calendar, notebook, Bible, and my sandwich lunch and water bottle.  I felt like a student again!  Although only the high level planning was accomplished, I had thoroughly enjoyed my day of quite time praying and planning in the library.

What made that day even more wonderful was a small gift from my son. Daniel handed it to me before dinner and said, "Mom, it's for you. I bought it with my money." The price tag said $5.99. But to me, it is priceless. In the Thank You note to Daniel, I wrote "I will always treasure it". And I will.

Isn't this lovely?

Blue fluid trickling down the winding tube. Fun to watch!

Camp Lassen: A Place for Boys and Men

Camp Lassen is a Cub Scout and Boy Scout camping ground located 30 miles north-east of Chico, in the high Sierra mountain, with elevation of 4500 feet. Beautiful scenery, fresh air, and far away from any cell phone transmitting tower, which means no cell phone signal whatsoever. Another abundant there is dirt. It is SO dusty.

My husband was the one who was supposed to be there, but couldn't go because of his broken leg. I always dread driving to any unfamiliar places, so the two and half hour drive especially the final 30 some miles along the winding mountain path was quite daunting to me. But I made it! Thank you God for watching over me!

There were only two moms among the nine parent-child pairs in our Cub Scout pack. It is a place for boys, growing boys and grown-up boys. You will see "why" from the pictures below.

Daniel enjoyed all the activities. His favorites were archery, BB gun, and "polar bear challenge"--jumping into the cold pond in the chilly morning hour (I was very proud of him!). What did I like about the camp? First, we had daily  flag ceremony and boys saying grace before each meal. Second, the programs and activities were all boy friendly and encourage their budding masculinity. Last but not least, the closing ceremony was very well planned. There were funny and goofy skits and songs, saluting and honoring former Eagle Scouts and men and women who had served the country, and a ceremony honoring a retired American flag directed by a special guest, a military general. Something said by the camp program director really resonated with me. "This country desperately need strong men."

The afternoon when we just arrived

Roasting marshmallow by camp file

Making a human pyramid after flag ceremony

A pack of boys form pack 65

Rock climbing. He didn't make it to the top. 

Ready?

Set.

Go!

Aim and shoot!

That's our open "cabin". Very cold at night!

Where flag ceremony and grace was taking place

Before BMX bike ride

Candle making in Handicraft program

Handicraft program

Cooling off in the lake (pond)

Boating fun!

Wood whittling during free time 

Wheel of the doom in dining hall

Enjoying a  s’more