10.31.2005
What are you thinking about?
A few things I have been thinking about lately:
Health Insurance - Our company is changing to a health savings account (HSA) plan at the beginning of the year. I think this would be a great program if the insurance companies would get out of the way. It would be nice for consumers to have a tax-exempt fund from which they could negotiate payment with physicians. As it is though, I think it is a pretty bad plan for our family. Because of that, I think we will be joining Samaritan Ministries pretty soon. I must admit that I am a little nervous about the program, but I think it should work out pretty well.
Thinking about medical costs has also caused our family to think self-consciously about our general health as well. For us, that means doing things like spending a little more money on anti-bacterial soap and being more diligent to wash our kids hands consistently throughout the day as opposed to going to the doctor's office 15 times throughout the cold season. It also means taking better care of our bodies through proper nutrition, and while we haven't quite gotten this one down yet, we are eating more garlic!
Homeschooling - I have been thinking through a lot of issues regarding homeschooling lately. My wife and I decided we would homeschool our children before we were even married, but our reasons have drastically changed since then. Our children are still very young but I am trying to figure out how everything is going to work out. I still have like four books I have been wanting to read, but I think I am getting a handle on how I want things to proceed. I appreciate the practical homeschooling insight offered at Dominion Family.
Usury - I think I have finally worked my way through all the Archives at the House of Degenhart, after missing the past few months and the posts on Usury have cut me to the quick. After studying the scriptures (and doing what I would not consider extensive, but good enough for right now, study) I am trying to slowly pry myself away from my associations with usury. I am indebted (no...wait) to Chad for his help on this issue.
Investing and Inheritance - Obviously related to the issue above. As I try and move away from using usury in my investing I am faced with the issue of how to be a good steward with my money so that I may be able to give an inheritance to my children and my grandchildren (Prov 13:22). One idea is that of investing in Christian Businesses. In trying to figure out how to do that I realized that I was neglecting an opportunity that was so close to home. So, I am going to try and invest in my wife's little enterprise: Lilyput Lane (new website and products soon!). If you are looking for any baby gifts, please check us out!
Two other things I see as the ideal means for investing: precious metals and land. The problem is that the price of both are up! I have been spending some time over at Franklin Sanders' website: www.the-moneychanger.com where there is a wealth of information.
A few things I have been thinking about lately:
Health Insurance - Our company is changing to a health savings account (HSA) plan at the beginning of the year. I think this would be a great program if the insurance companies would get out of the way. It would be nice for consumers to have a tax-exempt fund from which they could negotiate payment with physicians. As it is though, I think it is a pretty bad plan for our family. Because of that, I think we will be joining Samaritan Ministries pretty soon. I must admit that I am a little nervous about the program, but I think it should work out pretty well.
Thinking about medical costs has also caused our family to think self-consciously about our general health as well. For us, that means doing things like spending a little more money on anti-bacterial soap and being more diligent to wash our kids hands consistently throughout the day as opposed to going to the doctor's office 15 times throughout the cold season. It also means taking better care of our bodies through proper nutrition, and while we haven't quite gotten this one down yet, we are eating more garlic!
Homeschooling - I have been thinking through a lot of issues regarding homeschooling lately. My wife and I decided we would homeschool our children before we were even married, but our reasons have drastically changed since then. Our children are still very young but I am trying to figure out how everything is going to work out. I still have like four books I have been wanting to read, but I think I am getting a handle on how I want things to proceed. I appreciate the practical homeschooling insight offered at Dominion Family.
Usury - I think I have finally worked my way through all the Archives at the House of Degenhart, after missing the past few months and the posts on Usury have cut me to the quick. After studying the scriptures (and doing what I would not consider extensive, but good enough for right now, study) I am trying to slowly pry myself away from my associations with usury. I am indebted (no...wait) to Chad for his help on this issue.
Investing and Inheritance - Obviously related to the issue above. As I try and move away from using usury in my investing I am faced with the issue of how to be a good steward with my money so that I may be able to give an inheritance to my children and my grandchildren (Prov 13:22). One idea is that of investing in Christian Businesses. In trying to figure out how to do that I realized that I was neglecting an opportunity that was so close to home. So, I am going to try and invest in my wife's little enterprise: Lilyput Lane (new website and products soon!). If you are looking for any baby gifts, please check us out!
Two other things I see as the ideal means for investing: precious metals and land. The problem is that the price of both are up! I have been spending some time over at Franklin Sanders' website: www.the-moneychanger.com where there is a wealth of information.
A gift for me
In case any of my readers have been looking for something to get me as a gift, here is a book that looks really interesting to me: The parish in medieval and early modern Ireland. Amazon says it's not out until 2006 though, so I don't now what's up with that.
I also received a great catalogue this weekend from Vision Harvest. I don't know much about them, but they have some great books!
Doesn't it drive you nuts how the liberals always talk about the "mainstream." As if they are in ANY position to speak as members of this so-called "mainstream."
Another thing that drives me nuts (I heard this on "mainstream" news radio this week): referring to "substance-abuse." The context was an artist referring to his past substance-abuse problem. Talk about sugar-coating something. I mean, are we supposed to try and guess which substance it was? Was it chocolate, or maybe coffee, perhaps he just couldn't out down the twinkies? It's a DRUG ADDICTION!
On a less negative note, I had a nice weekend, albeit less productive than it should have been. Our family is doing a church history class together that my father is leading. It is supposed to be for my homeschooled brother who is a senior, but I think the adults are probably enjoying it a little more. We have been studying the patristic age, and it has been very encouraging.
We were talking yesterday about how modern American Christians have zero sense of their history. Any time trouble comes up they think they have to go through all the issues to figure it out. They don't even realize that the church has been working through the same problems they are facing for the past 2,000 years. To me it all comes down to education. It's the very thing that God tried to tell the Israelites: teach your children where you came from and what I did for you. But of course, we are just as stiff necked as they are.
Happy Reformation Day!
I also received a great catalogue this weekend from Vision Harvest. I don't know much about them, but they have some great books!
Doesn't it drive you nuts how the liberals always talk about the "mainstream." As if they are in ANY position to speak as members of this so-called "mainstream."
Another thing that drives me nuts (I heard this on "mainstream" news radio this week): referring to "substance-abuse." The context was an artist referring to his past substance-abuse problem. Talk about sugar-coating something. I mean, are we supposed to try and guess which substance it was? Was it chocolate, or maybe coffee, perhaps he just couldn't out down the twinkies? It's a DRUG ADDICTION!
On a less negative note, I had a nice weekend, albeit less productive than it should have been. Our family is doing a church history class together that my father is leading. It is supposed to be for my homeschooled brother who is a senior, but I think the adults are probably enjoying it a little more. We have been studying the patristic age, and it has been very encouraging.
We were talking yesterday about how modern American Christians have zero sense of their history. Any time trouble comes up they think they have to go through all the issues to figure it out. They don't even realize that the church has been working through the same problems they are facing for the past 2,000 years. To me it all comes down to education. It's the very thing that God tried to tell the Israelites: teach your children where you came from and what I did for you. But of course, we are just as stiff necked as they are.
Happy Reformation Day!
10.28.2005
Agrarian?
Wow...so it looks like I've missed a lot in the past few months. Although I have checked up on a few of my favorite blogs, I haven't spent much time looking around or following many links. But, after a post by Rick Saenz today regarding a new agraian blog, I started looking around. My, my, how the internet agrarian community has grown! Seriously, there look to be some very encouraging blogs that have popped up. I guess it was to be expected with the spread of broadband internet into the boonies!
I must admit, I was a little jealous of the Bradshaws garden, seeing as mine looks pretty pitiful in our backyard next to our green pool. Baby steps, right? We have gotten some decent pole beans though, and the broccoli seems to be holding steady. See in Florida we are just now getting into the summer planting season. I will be moving the bed to the side of the house for the spring garden, so I am starting to prep that. My dad also started his garden and its looking pretty good as well. Both of our families are just trying to start incorporating some of our future into our presesnt.
For those of you that don't know, my family is planning on moving onto some land with my parents in the (hopefully and prayerfully) not too distant future. So, we are trying to prepare ourselves and our families for the drastic change that I am so looking forward to. Which is one of the reasons I am taking welding at the local tech school. I need all the skills I can get.
I picture myself as a work in progress. Too often I have a vision of who I want to be, and I want to be him tomorrow. God is teaching me to slow down and learn my lessons one at a time. I see myself as a house being built...slowly. I'm in no rush any longer. I don't have to learn greek tomorrow, I don't need to know how to build a house tomorrow, I don't need to be an expert homebrewer tomorrow, but those are all things that I would still like to accomplish in God's timing.
Lord, grant me the patience and wisdom to yield to your guiding hand.
Wow...so it looks like I've missed a lot in the past few months. Although I have checked up on a few of my favorite blogs, I haven't spent much time looking around or following many links. But, after a post by Rick Saenz today regarding a new agraian blog, I started looking around. My, my, how the internet agrarian community has grown! Seriously, there look to be some very encouraging blogs that have popped up. I guess it was to be expected with the spread of broadband internet into the boonies!
I must admit, I was a little jealous of the Bradshaws garden, seeing as mine looks pretty pitiful in our backyard next to our green pool. Baby steps, right? We have gotten some decent pole beans though, and the broccoli seems to be holding steady. See in Florida we are just now getting into the summer planting season. I will be moving the bed to the side of the house for the spring garden, so I am starting to prep that. My dad also started his garden and its looking pretty good as well. Both of our families are just trying to start incorporating some of our future into our presesnt.
For those of you that don't know, my family is planning on moving onto some land with my parents in the (hopefully and prayerfully) not too distant future. So, we are trying to prepare ourselves and our families for the drastic change that I am so looking forward to. Which is one of the reasons I am taking welding at the local tech school. I need all the skills I can get.
I picture myself as a work in progress. Too often I have a vision of who I want to be, and I want to be him tomorrow. God is teaching me to slow down and learn my lessons one at a time. I see myself as a house being built...slowly. I'm in no rush any longer. I don't have to learn greek tomorrow, I don't need to know how to build a house tomorrow, I don't need to be an expert homebrewer tomorrow, but those are all things that I would still like to accomplish in God's timing.
Lord, grant me the patience and wisdom to yield to your guiding hand.
10.27.2005
A little odd, I admit
It is a little strange that my first real post back on the blog is exactly six months since my last post. Anyways, maybe it's time for a comeback. I'm not sure that I have anything to offer though, other than a regurgitation of Chad's archived postings.
I guess I'll give a brief update of some highlights of the last six months:
- celebrated three birthdays: mine, my wife's and my daughter's
- went to Salatin's Farm Day
- almost (and I mean really close) moved to Virginia with my family (including parents)
- became members of Holy Trinity PCA, and had all three of our children baptized
- read a bunch of agriculture books (see sidebar)
- brewed some beer (including a dud batch)
- started attending a welding class at the local tech center
So...I'm really glad it's the fall. It is my favorite time of year, and I usually get a lot of reading and thinking done. If anyone happens to stop by after six months, please say hello. Blessings!
It is a little strange that my first real post back on the blog is exactly six months since my last post. Anyways, maybe it's time for a comeback. I'm not sure that I have anything to offer though, other than a regurgitation of Chad's archived postings.
I guess I'll give a brief update of some highlights of the last six months:
- celebrated three birthdays: mine, my wife's and my daughter's
- went to Salatin's Farm Day
- almost (and I mean really close) moved to Virginia with my family (including parents)
- became members of Holy Trinity PCA, and had all three of our children baptized
- read a bunch of agriculture books (see sidebar)
- brewed some beer (including a dud batch)
- started attending a welding class at the local tech center
So...I'm really glad it's the fall. It is my favorite time of year, and I usually get a lot of reading and thinking done. If anyone happens to stop by after six months, please say hello. Blessings!
10.14.2005
1964 GMC Step-van with Late Model VW Type II Welded On Top - "Dandy Lion"
I'm still on vacation, but here's a quick sojourn:
I hesitate to post this, but here is a piece of my hippie past that I am selling:
1964 GMC Step-van with Late Model VW Type II Welded On Top - "Dandy Lion"
This is a 1964 GMC step-van that has been converted into a custom camper. The top half of a late-model VW Camper has been welded on top of the step-van to make a second story (and a third when the VW is popped). The camper is wired for both AC and DC power, sleeps up to 8, has a sink, icebox, propane stove, kitchen table, and lots of storage. The interior is all cedarwood and has a rustic cabin feel. All the windows have screens, and there are fans throughout. The camper is also complete with oak hardwood floors!
The GMC has a strong straight six engine. The engine has not been started in more than a year, but ran strong before being parked and should start right up with a little know how. So what's the problem? The GMC needs a new steering box. This camper cannot be driven home. Buyer will need to find a new steering box, or have a new one made. You will need to arrange for it to be towed or fixed before taking possession.
This vehicle is perfect for cruising the country, or parking out in the woods and squatting! Two golf cart batteries allow you to live with power for up to a week (est). The pictures listed are from three years ago, and the vehicle is dirty now from sitting, but will clean up nice. I may have some pictures left from 4 years ago when I bought this, and you can see how much better it actually looks now! I put a lot of time into this vehicle. Some things that I put in new: fuel tank, fuel pump, flooring, paint job, DC electrical system and lots of little things.
Seriously, even if you didn't want to fix the steering box, this camper would still make a great home for someone wanting some shelter in the woods. It could even work as a weekend hunting cabin! The camper is water tight, and the weld around the VW does not leak at all. The windshield on the VW is cracked though, and could be fixed under insurance, although it never bothered me. If you want some more info, please email me at schooloftrout at gmail-dot-com.
$1,200 - or make me an offer
I hesitate to post this, but here is a piece of my hippie past that I am selling:
1964 GMC Step-van with Late Model VW Type II Welded On Top - "Dandy Lion"
This is a 1964 GMC step-van that has been converted into a custom camper. The top half of a late-model VW Camper has been welded on top of the step-van to make a second story (and a third when the VW is popped). The camper is wired for both AC and DC power, sleeps up to 8, has a sink, icebox, propane stove, kitchen table, and lots of storage. The interior is all cedarwood and has a rustic cabin feel. All the windows have screens, and there are fans throughout. The camper is also complete with oak hardwood floors!
The GMC has a strong straight six engine. The engine has not been started in more than a year, but ran strong before being parked and should start right up with a little know how. So what's the problem? The GMC needs a new steering box. This camper cannot be driven home. Buyer will need to find a new steering box, or have a new one made. You will need to arrange for it to be towed or fixed before taking possession.
This vehicle is perfect for cruising the country, or parking out in the woods and squatting! Two golf cart batteries allow you to live with power for up to a week (est). The pictures listed are from three years ago, and the vehicle is dirty now from sitting, but will clean up nice. I may have some pictures left from 4 years ago when I bought this, and you can see how much better it actually looks now! I put a lot of time into this vehicle. Some things that I put in new: fuel tank, fuel pump, flooring, paint job, DC electrical system and lots of little things.
Seriously, even if you didn't want to fix the steering box, this camper would still make a great home for someone wanting some shelter in the woods. It could even work as a weekend hunting cabin! The camper is water tight, and the weld around the VW does not leak at all. The windshield on the VW is cracked though, and could be fixed under insurance, although it never bothered me. If you want some more info, please email me at schooloftrout at gmail-dot-com.
$1,200 - or make me an offer
