G-Force Academy Weblog

This video was made by my sweet and tall son Mikael. I love his work! He wrote, produced, starred and filmed this by himself.

 

March 1st I turned the big 40. I had a wonderful week of celebrations. My heart is overflowing with love and greatfulness. My Wednesday Salt n Light Bible study girls surprised Mary(who also turned 40 that week) and I with a special cake. My sweet friend and study leader, Mary, gave me a pedicure gift card. I can’t wait to get pampered! Alfonso bought me tiara and I wore it all week. My lil” sister Millie gave me a special silver locket shaped like a box. I hold my love her there and in my heart always.

On Friday I woke up before dawn and sleepily walked to the front door to let PeeWee (our dog) out to take care of business. When I opened the door I was startled by a mylar balloon attached to agift bag. WHOOHOO! IT’S MY BIRTHDAY, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! I had a huge smile on my face wondering who the culprit was. As I bendt down to searchf or a card in the bag something caught my attention from the corner of my eye. OOH MY STARS! There were about five or six mylars balloons attached toyard signs saying ”HAPPY BIRTHDYA AND”BIG 40!” I let out a squeel of joy and laughter as Alf joined my in his unmentionables and a jacket on the porch. Icouldn’t stop laughing. What a surprise. Of course hewas inon it. My dear girlfriend Dawn and her husband created the festive display on our front yard at4 in the morning. who does that! Someone who loves you and I truly felt loved. Thanks Dawn and Mark.

That evening was girls night ot celebration for Mary and I, hosted by my blondie girl ,Korey. We were taken to the Melting Pot. The place was beautiful. Richdark woods and soft lighting withcandles throughout couldn’t be more perfect until ”la piece de resistance” a roaring fireplace! I got to sit right next to it. The cheese and chocolate fondues were great but the best part was just being with everyone looking around and seeing God with different dresses on, expressing His love for Mary and I. Korey did a fantastic job! Oh, did I mention she also had balloons decorating the special private room. I LOVE BALLOONS! The party was perfect, the place was perfect and the fun, laughter shared are memories I will carry for a lifetime. I received a lot of presents and cards. All are a great expression of love and kindness that would overwhelm anyone. There were a few ladies that didn’t attend and they got T’peed (homes were toilet papered). I say no more for fear that I might incriminate myself.

On my actual birthday came my family celebration and the house of mouse. My darling husband arranged for usto stay the night and no packing lunch the entire weekend. We first went to Disney Hollywood Studios. We worked a little on our Passporter’s Scavenger Hunt Book and then headed straight to Tower of Terror and Rockin’ Rollercoaster. Alexa got to ride the coaster for the first time.  I had my hand on her leg the entire to reasure her. Truthfully,I needed to reasure myself that she wasn’t gonna fly out of her seat. She loved it! She’s rides all the coasters. My little adventure girl. We got her a special penny to commemorate her first time. It was also ESPN Sports weekend and we had some sports fun too. We had caricatures drawn for us FREE! (Happy Birthday To ME!)  All my relatives called and sang “Happy Birthday” to me.  It’s tradition. From dominican Republic to Venezuela and Miami, I felt the love. We saw the Harlem Globe Trotters too. We visited Disney’s Boardwalk Saturday night. What a great time we all had walking on the boardwalk and enjoying all the entertainers. We were able to see Epcot firworks from there too. Sunday we had humongous breakfast at Golden Corral. Our waiter was from Hialeah, Fl. Were Alf and I met. We had a nice chat with him. Of to Epcot we went. I had the kids  undivided attention as we learned about Mexican Arts. I just love that pavillion. The weather was devine too. We met Mulan and Mushu in China  when we stopped for some culinary school. After a while we decided to head back to the Studios by way of Ferry. It’s located at the In’tl Gateway by England Pavillion. It also takes you to various Disney resorts. That was a treat and nice rest. Once there we rode the thrill rides and caught the Jedi Academy Training. This was way cool! I was given a FREE Turkey leg and Chocolate cake formy birthday! The kids and ALf sang Happy Birthday to me on Sunset Blvd. What a weekend!

40 IS FABULOUS!

I made a turkey last night. As I began to prepare it I found “the bag of horrors”, and it dawned on me, Alf eats this stuff! Ah- Ha! Bizarre Foods in my home! We love watching Bizarre Foods wih Andrew Zimmerman. Why we love getting grosssed out, I don’t know. We have issues I guess. But I must say that we have learned a lot from different cultures and why they eat all those crazy things. My son Mikael, the aspiring director put this video together for your, shall I say “enjoyment” ? Happy Eating!

Saturday mornings are our big breakfast or brunch day. We had a blast working together making our arepa and eggs breakfast. Arepas are made with white corn meal and stuffed with cheese. It’s a Colombian treat. My mother in law, Fanett, taught me to make them. After hubby and I sat on the porch to chat a while we came in the front door to discover our living room had been turned into some kind of battle zone. I love the crazy things my kids do and create when they play together. Except when they use talc for snow!

But the most memorable part of the day was going to the drive-in to watch Nat’l Treasure with our dear friends the Provards and Geers. My hubby didn’t want to go because it might rain, but we talked him into it. IT RAINED! We sat under umbrellas, towels and blankets. I’m LOL just thinking about it. Poor Korey got the most soaked because Dawn kept moving the umbrella and all the water dripped onto Korey, being that she was at the edge of the umbrella. The laughter we shared that night will always be remembered by us all.

Our Home Grown Teens Fellowship had a blast! They played with fire, roasted marshmallows and played Manhunt all over the house and yard. We are so blessed to provide our kids with fellowship time with kids their age from families with like-minded hearts. Oh and of course they played Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit.

This is a trailer for a video series by City on a Hill Productions. Please watch and share with others. It is such a blessing to have quality , thought provoking media available for free. May you be inspired by it and I pray your thirst be quenched. http://cityonahillproductions.com/tv/tv.php
Monica

Here are some great sites for unit studies/notebooking and lapbooks.

Happy Schooling!

http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/Narration.html

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http://highland.hitcho.com.au/

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Homeschool With Index Cards

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Spice Up Your Learning with Lapbooks!

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Here are a few websites that the kids will enjoy and not realize they are learning

Free Learn Spanish CD-ROM
$0.00 FREE!
($6.95 $1.95 Shipping/Handling)

Sunday night and I’m so excited about starting school again. I received an email from Mary A. inviting me to the Freedom Workshop at our church. So I adjusted our schedule to fit this in. Well, I had been told it was life-changing by many, and now I can see why. Our teacher Debbie Friley is an amzing instrument in the hands of God. Everything that came out of her mouth was like a sweet song that I have been humming all week. I praise God for her willingness to to point the way in order for us captives to find freedom in His words.Here are some of my thoughts on what the Lord is showing me:

• I talk to myself way to much!,  about my day, my worries, my husband, what so and so said to me, etc. The problem is I am talking to my sinful nature instead of the Lord. I finally broke down and cried when I found myself rehearsing my apology prayer to Him! He says in Psalm 27:8 “My heart has heard You say “come and talk with me” and my heart responds” Lord I am coming”   I am brokenhearted thinking of Him waiting and waiting; listening to my fruitless conversations and watching me become more and more exhausted with life and others. He says in Matthew 11:28 ”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. In John 7:37  He says, On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. And John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. Is not the message of the cross “come to me”?
  Oh, He is so gracious and merciful! My loving Lord and King of my heart. Notice how he speaks directly to my heart. He cuts right to my life giving organ.  He doesn’t want me to do all the talking or he do all the talking, He says talk with me. He wants to be with me!! That is love because let me tell you, my mind is going all day long and alot of it is nonsense. Nevertheless, He is interested in everything I have to say. “Lord, I am not coming, I am running!”

• Romans 8:12-14  12 So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But, if through the Holy Spirit you turn from it and it’s evil deeds you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. NO OBLIGATION WHATSOEVER!! I love that part. I’m am free from the power of sin and death. I have been crucified with Christ and given His Spirit which provides me with all I need to live for Him. It’s all Him! He made me, planned for me, loved me , saved me, and bestowed upon me all the power to be victorious in this life. I am no longer a victim but a victor! Thank you Jesus.
• Being crucified with Christ makes me a new creation. I can walk in freedom not fear of past nor dread of future. I can attempt things because the victory is mine through Christ. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
• I can memorize scripture! I had believed the lie that I couldn’t do it. Yet in places like China persecuted Christians memorize whole chapters per day. Why?, because they can be killed for having the word of God. They value it and literally hide the word in their hearts. I am humbled to say that I was believing a lie spoken by yet again my sinful nature. I have done my homework and memorized two scriptures this week. I even put my memory verses into a little scrapbook album. As I decorated my pages I rehearsed my verses. Praise the Lord because that is Him doing the work in me, through the Holy Spirit.
• He could do a lot with my want! I want to walk in Freedom and memorize scripture and be consistent in the word and He has made it possible in spite of my entire family and I being sick all week. I am being transformed by the Living Word and my mind is being renewed by it’s truth. Debbie asked us if we would sin if our brains were surgically removed. Whoa! Hearing is not the sin it’s how we respond to it. Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

As a my friend Tree in Miami  said to me We had a Hallmark Christmas. She is so right. It was the sweetest holiday season filled with family, friends, and fellowship. We are richly blessed! 

My cutie petutie on her way to petite petutie( she’s lost almost 40 #’s! Mary Davis hosted her annual Christmas card party and it was a hit. I actually sent out cards this year with her encouragement and lovely party. The table was gorgeous with dark wicker chargers, and needless to say we were our usual roady selves. Dinner and dessert wre perfect and thejust being able to spend time geting my act together before the Christmas hustle was a true blessing. Mary A. floored me with an invitation to become part of the PPEA homeschool board as the Public Relations Chair!! I prayed about it with Alf and jumped for joy when I was finally approved. I look foward to ministering to our county’s homeschool community in 2008.

We visited Disney and were able to relish in the beautiful holiday decorations. It was Seth (12) and Mikael’s (14) birthday visit.We picked up their birthday buttons at customer service and headed into the park. Before noon they had lost count at about 20 birthday greeting from the cast members. As we strolled down MainStreet a barber shop quartet sag Happy Birthday to them. It was awesome! they chose which parks and rides all day and everyone passed ot in the car within 15 minutes on the ride home.

The boys scouts sold Christmas trees as a fundraiser for a few weeks, Seth wrapped baseball winter league, and Scouts and Karate took their Christmas break the first week of December. the kids had their portraits taken and they came out great. We hadn’t had a professional picture taken since Alexa was 3 months old. they were qui the hams too. Alfonso’s office had their annual family Christams party and the kids ate alot of candy and received Mc’donald’s gift cards. Each dept. decorates witha theme. My husbands office theme was candy cane. they were everywhere; hung form the ceiling wrapped columns they even had a fog machine with peppermint extract on. The lights are all dim except for the glow and twinkle of all the Christmas lights. The winning theme this year was Marvel comics rescue Christmas. They had a short performance for the kids.  My husband waisted no time in touring the offices with his kids. All parents and kids look forward to this day.  

The next day Alexa and I attended a christmas craft party at our girlfriends’ home Korey and daughter Cassidy. they made beautiful and fun ornaments and all the moms got to help and play too. Korey is truly a gracious host and loving mom to all our girls. We are hoping this becomes a tradition. The kids made the artwork for our Christmas cards this year that was great fun. 

The highlight of my Christmas was going away with my honey for our 16th anniversary. Of course we went to Disney! Exactly where we went 16 years ago. My mother stayed with the kids. It was the most amazing and peaceful time. We laughed and walked hand in hand everywhere. We slept in and did what we wanted and ate what we wanted. It was Alf and me alone!!! A cast member at the United States pavillion escorted us to a phone in a vintage type box and it was Mickey and Minnie on the phone singing us a Happy Anniversary song. I tell you I was beaming like a kid. I wish I could go back right now.

When we got back from our “honeymoon” (as the kids call it) Alexa had a formal Christmas tea to attend. It was hosted by Kendra and Angela’s daughters. These young ladies are being trained to minister to the little girls. The table was beautiful and Alexa had a great girlie time. The little girls looked so beautiful. They ate treats and made flower fairies. I came dressed up and so did other moms not realizing they actually wanted us to leave to benefit the hostess’ in training. Oh what a blessing and treat! Mary D, Korey P. and I went to Applebee’s and chatted for almost three hours. I just praise God for the precious godly friends He has given Alexa and I.

I rested for a day and then attended Alfonso’s company Christmas party. I remember the day vividly because it was a “fat issue” day. But I remember it for the kind encouraging words I received not what I wore. It gave me an understanding that the Lord has already clothed me more beautiful than any flower in any meadow. The accesories he adorns me with are priceless and won’t tarnish. He has given this verse to me through my dear friend Ines Hourani in Miami. 

“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)

The 4th Annual Home grown Kids Cookie Exchange! There is a nervous excitement that brews in my heart over this event. My dear and sweet friends Dawn Geers and Mary Davis put this on. They are both so encouraging and supportive within the local homeschool community. As a matter of fact Dawn has joined the board as the new treasurer for 2008. I am so excited to be a newbie with my trusted friend. she is known though as the “cookie Nazi!”. She checks her list twice, you gotta make the right amount and size of only cookies. No bars, or popcorn balls allowed. She has softened litle and we kid her about it every year. This is where the nervous comes in. Choosing and baking with the kids is the fun part. And finally getting there and seeing all the cookies and treats made for us is very exciting indeed. It makes it all worth it to spend an afternon of fellowship and ring home cookies to boot. Hope you get an opportunity one day to participate in an exchange.

Now this we were in the final stretch. the King family hosted their annual Christmas party for the Boy Scouts. There was a big fire, warm yummy chili and a game of white elephant for the kids. It was a relaxing time.

The long awaited day for our family is Our Annual Christams Open House. We had tons of friends over, the kids roasted marshmallows and made smores. I made a traditional hispanic Christamas Eve meal; Rice, black beans, and roasted pork with sweet plantains. It was a hit. I was sweating bullets but that it would turn out good being it was my first time making it. Our friends the Busbee’s not only bought their guitar they also bought Mr. Cunningham from our church’s Children Music ministry. He is a wiz on that guitar. He and Barry played as we caroled through our neighborhood.. I hadn’t been caroling in years and it was a delight. Those that came to the door were so grateful. We look forward to next years party.

Christmas Eve was peaceful and relaxing. Of course I also had no energy left after all. Christmas Day at 2 am the kids awoke to open their stockings. We provide little trinkets in their stockings for daylight morning so Alf and I could sleep a little more, yet every year they wake up earlier and earlier. In a few years we will be doing stocking Christmas Eve at this rate.the kids enjoyed their presents and played all week. Alexa got her baby doll bath tub doll clothes and Narnia’s Lucy dagger, vial, and cape (this tuend out to be her favorite gift). Mikael received Heroscape boardgame and a nerf gun. We gave Seth a nerf gun and Nintendo DS’ Drawn to Life. Zachary received Cosmic Catch by Nerf and a shiny new bike! The kids were so happy and we are so grateful to the Lord for providing for these gifts.

The day after Christmas I went after Christmas sale shopping. It was a hoot! We all bought our treat bags for next years Cookie Exchange, and special ornaments. We ate a Ruby Tuesdays at the mall. You know you’ve found good friends when there is never enough time. My darling husband watched 8 kids all day for us. I love that man with a passion!

My Christmas gift from the Lord ad my kids was their school evaluation. Vicky Bueller is an awesome evaluator and she gets me. They all progressed and in some areas 2- 4 years. PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD, MIGHTY AND ABLE!!!!  I was in tears with a heart bursting with joy and gratitude. That moment set in motion a vision for my family that has never been more clear. It has given me the confidence to perservere and attempt crazy things like losing weight and taking dance lessons with my husband. Oh Lord thank you for giving me this life full of abundant grace and joy.

We closed out the year with good friends at the Ruskin Drive-In. Yes, they still exist in some places. We all caravaned there. The kids sat on blankets with goodies and during intermission we all shared brownies and hot cocoa. We had a great time together. The stars in the sky were amazing. We saw Enchanted and Alvin and the Chipmunks. I loved Enchanted. It reminded me that our fairy tale dreams are like heaven and we can live here with our hearts belonging to our King in heaven living our lives as Princes and Princess’ singing songs of worship for Him.

I praise you Almighty God for the trials and joys of 2007 and trust you  for 2008!

Happy New Year!

It’s Friday and I’m depleted. I look bac on the week and it seems I have only accomplished 10% of what I think I should have. Where do I find the energy and desire to go on when I  feel like it’s impossible to have a complete homeschool day, eat right excercise and meet the budget? I just want everything to stop! I need some perspective. I pray. I wait. And unbeknownst to me he was guiding me through our homeschool yahoo group to a web site for great bible study object lessons for my kids or was it for me. He used a video (see below) I am moved to tears when I realize he led me to the site to give me His perspective. All that matters today is not how I failed during the week or all I have to do this weekend but that He is God and I am His. Ahhh, ok father I will be still and rest in your arms for a while and let you guide me the rest of the day. One day at a time.  You are who you are and I am who I am  “yours”. I will praise Him in the storm.

 Check out the bible study web site http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/index.html

As per Wikipedia “An altered book is a form of mixed media artwork that changes a book from its original form into something else. An altered book artist takes a book (old, new, recycled or multiple) and cuts, tears, glues, burns, folds, paints, adds to, collages, rebinds, gold-leafs, creates pop-ups, rubber-stamps, drills, bolts, and/or be-ribbons it. The artist may add pockets and niches to hold tags, rocks, ephemera, or other three-dimensional objects. Some change the shape of the book, or use multiple books in the creation of the finished piece of art. Antique or Victorian art is frequently used, probably because it is easier to avoid copyright issues. Altered books are shown and sold in art galleries and on the Internet.”

I am so excited about this. I have been wanting to scrapbook for a while, and I love to journal or rather talk on paper. I also love to craft, decorate and cook.  Altered books let’s me do it all in one book and with the kids. I have a box of old discarded books. Alexa Seth and I fished through it and each picked a hard covered children’s book and went to town. This is like scrapbooking without  fearing of acid or lignin-free. I think it’s shabby-chic look is charming and adds to the value as years go by. We are making “All about me” and “My Favorite Things” type books. We are covering pages with construction or plain paper and added pictures, magazine, catalog, newspaper, sale flyers, and our own writings and bible verses to it. Aside from math this is all we’ve done all day. I would like to begin a few traveling journals in the near future to pass round to our friends. Check out these links and give your kids creative writing or journaling a jumpstart.

http://www.alicecantrell.com/blog/2007/07/traveling-art-j.html

http://www.creativeartspaceforkids.org/childrens_art/kids_art_gallery/ALtered-Books/

http://www.littlebit.com/ab/altered01/index.html

Books available @ Amazon .com that caught my attention:

There’s been a lot of talk and emails going around about the upcoming movie Golden Compass and it’s attack on Christianity. I’ve made up my mind about it. If you need more info click here http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Now let’s prayerfully consider Expelled. There will be opportunities to share our faith and give answers. Are you ready to answer your co-worker, child, neighbor, or family members questions about creation or “intelligent design”? If you want to KNOW what you believe and why visit the links below for resources, downloads, articles. Following the links of interest is info from the movies website.

Resources/reviews

http://www.christiananswers.net/creation/home.html

http://www.creationstudies.org/

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

http://www.josh.org/apologetics/apologetics.asp

In a controversial new satirical documentary, author, former presidential speechwriter, economist, lawyer and actor Ben Stein travels the world, looking to some of the best scientific minds of our generation for the answer to the biggest question facing all Americans today:

Are we still free to disagree about the meaning of life?

Or has the whole issue already been decided…
while most of us weren’t looking?

The Issue:
The freedom to legitimately challenge “Big Science’s” orthodoxy…without persecution.

The debate over evolution is confusing and to some, bewildering: “Wasn’t this all settled years ago?” The answer to that question is equally troubling: “Yes…and no.”

The truth is that a staggering amount of new scientific evidence has emerged since Darwin’s 150-year-old theory of life’s origins. Darwin had no concept of DNA, microbiology, The Big Bang, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity or of the human genome.

Each of these discoveries has, in one way or another, led a growing number of scientists to reconsider the simple view espoused by Darwin that life is a random, purposeless, chance occurrence. The universe, and life itself – is turning out to be far more complex and mysterious – than Darwin could possibly have imagined.

Darwin’s theory isn’t a single idea. Instead, it is made up of several related ideas, each supported by specific arguments. Of the three, only Evolution #1 can be said to be scientifically “settled.”

· Evolution#1: First, evolution can mean minor changes in features of individual species – changes that take place gradually over a (relatively) modest period of time.

· Evolution # 2: The Theory of Universal Common Descent - the idea that all the organisms we see today are descended from a single common ancestor somewhere in the distant past. This theory paints a picture of the history of life on earth as a great branching tree, from a single cell that “somehow” materialized.

Evolution#3: A cause or mechanism of change, the biological process Darwin thought was responsible for this branching pattern. Darwin argued that natural selection had the power to produce fundamentally new forms of life. Together, the ideas of Universal Common Descent and natural selection form the core of Darwinian evolutionary theory. “Neo – Darwinian” evolution combines our knowledge of DNA and genetics to claim that mutations in DNA provide the variation upon which natural selection acts.

When you see the word “evolution.” You should ask yourself, “Which of the three definitions is being used?” Because arguments and evidence supporting #1 do not support #2 or #3!

What Is Intelligent Design?

The theory of intelligent design is simply an effort to empirically detect whether the “apparent design” in nature acknowledged by virtually all biologists is genuine design (the product of an intelligent cause) or is simply the product of an undirected process such as natural selection acting on random variations.

“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” rejects the notion that “the case is closed,” and exposes the widespread persecution of scientists and educators who are pursuing legitimate, opposing scientific views to the reigning orthodoxy.

The Controversy
The American public’s awareness and beliefs vis-à-vis our government’s expanding role in defining the curriculum in America’s schools, universities and institutions of science.

Neo-Darwinian theory contends that life is the result of a random, purposeless process.

Neo – Darwinian theory is taught in schools as if it is the only plausible scientific explanation of how life originated and developed. Yet Intelligent Design theory has recently emerged to challenge neo-Darwinian theory.

Both are scientific theories, and the debate is therefore legitimate. Why is the debate being suppressed?

At stake are two very consequential views of existence: Is life purposeful, and intelligently designed? Or is it random and purposeless?

Question #1:
Knowing this - should our government be engaged in official, de facto promotion of the exclusively secular, materialist worldview inherent in neo-Darwinian theory in our nation’s public schools, universities and research institutions? Why?

Question #2:
There is growing support among scientists that there is evidence of intelligent design operating in nature. Yet these scientists, researchers and educators are being routinely persecuted for their scientific views. Who is behind this persecution? Why is this happening in America? How did this situation develop?

Question #3:
Should the enterprise of science somehow be treated differently from all other forms of human knowledge, and accorded a special privilege that exempts it from robust debate or inquiry, especially when such debate or inquiry may alter viewpoints that raise important questions concerning larger issues that extend beyond the limits of science itself?

“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” presents a point-of-view so powerful, that it
literally forces a re-examination of these issues.

What’s At Stake (and why is it important)?
We all know that ideas have consequences.

And our country was founded on principles of free and open debate.

The differences between these two worldviews are certainly consequential. So…why the suppression of scientific debate?

If in our publicly funded schools, universities and institutions our children continue to be taught only this: that all life on earth is the result of a purposeless, meaningless and undirected process of random mutation and natural selection…

What are the consequences over time of teaching this one-sided worldview as if it were fact rather than theory?

· How will ideas of morality change, if life is thought to be purposeless and undirected?

· How will the role of Government change, if the individual is taught by The State that one is accountable only to ones self?

· How will the role of “science” change, if “Big Science” alone determines our worldview?

Such a change in our government’s official policy represents a deeply troubling shift in our cultural identity and a radical departure from the very principles upon which our country was built. America is the first Democracy that was founded on the distinctive worldview that “a Creator” conferred “inalienable rights” on human beings, rather than the State, or another institution, such as “Big Science.”

So…how was it decided that the teaching of such a profoundly different worldview should become the official position of the United States of America’s public institutions?

Who was behind the decision? And…why?

“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” looks to scientists on both sides of the issue…and reveals some truly shocking answers.

Biography: Ben Stein

Ben Stein (Benjamin J. Stein) was born November 25, 1944 in Washington, D.C., (He is the son of the economist and writer Herbert Stein) grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended Montgomery Blair High School. He graduated from Columbia University in 1966 with honors in economics. He graduated from Yale Law School in 1970 as valedictorian of his class by election of his classmates. He helped to found the Journal of Law and Social Policy while at Yale. He has worked as a poverty lawyer in New Haven and Washington, D.C., a trial lawyer in the field of trade regulation at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., a university adjunct at American University in Washington, D.C., at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. At American U., he taught about the political and social content of mass culture. He taught the same subject at UCSC, as well as about political and civil rights under the Constitution. At Pepperdine, he has taught about libel law and about securities law and ethical issues since 1986.

In 1973 and 1974, he was a speechwriter and lawyer for Richard Nixon at The White House and then for Gerald Ford. (He did NOT write the line, “I am not a crook.”) He has been a columnist and editorial writer for The Wall Street Journal, a syndicated columnist for The Los Angeles Herald Examiner (R.I.P.) and King Features Syndicate, and a frequent contributor to Barrons, where his articles about the ethics of management buyouts and issues of fraud in the Milken Drexel junk bond scheme drew major national attention. He has been a regular columnist for Los Angeles Magazine, New York Magazine, E! Online, and most of all, has written a lengthy diary for ten years for The American Spectator. He also writes frequently for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, op. ed. and almost every other imaginable magazine.

He has written and published sixteen books, seven novels, largely about life in Los Angeles, and nine nonfiction books, about finance and about ethical and social issue in finance, and also about the political and social content of mass culture. He has done pioneering work in uncovering the concealed messages of TV and in explaining how TV and movies get made. His titles include A License to Steal, Michael Milken and the Conspiracy to Bilk the Nation, The View From Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Days, Hollywood Nights, DREEMZ, Financial Passages, and Ludes. His most recent book is the best selling humor self help book, How To Ruin Your Life. He has also been a longtime screenwriter, writing, among many other scripts (most of which were unmade) the first draft of The Boost, a movie based on Ludes, and the outlines of the lengthy miniseries Amerika, and the acclaimed Murder in Mississippi. He was one of the creators of the well-regarded comedy, Fernwood Tonight.

He is also an extremely well known actor in movies, TV, and commercials. His part of the boring teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was recently ranked as one of the fifty most famous scenes in American film. From 1997 to 2002, he was the host of the Comedy Central quiz show, “Win Ben Stein’s Money.” The show has won seven Emmys. He appears regularly on the Fox News Channel talking about finance.

He lives with his wife, Alexandra Denman (former lawyer,) his son, Tommy, four cats and two large dogs in Beverly Hills.

A quick guide to viewing the Website

The following links will help you understand the film at a glance. Included here are individual page links…or you can navigate the site directly from the Home Page. But be sure that you visit each of the six pages below, in order to get a feel for the project!

Go to the Home Page www.expelledthemovie.com watch the “Bad to the Bone” teaser trailer. Then enter the site.

From the Home Page…start with the Trailer…a clip from Ben Stein speaking to a college audience. It gives you an indication of the controversy surrounding the issues that the film addresses.

Ben’s Trailer http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playground.php

Then go to the Movie Overview…a short synopsis of the film.

Movie Overview http://www.expelledthemovie.com/movie_overview.php

Next…go to the blog, and scroll down the page to Ben Stein’s Introductory Blog…nearly eighteen hundred people have responded already, since the site first launched August 22, 2007. Remember…the “responses” are all about a film that no one has even seen yet….so take them with a grain of salt!

The Blog http://www.expelledthemovie.com/blog/

Then…go to the News page. The film made the front page of the New York Times on September 27, 2007. A link to the story is the top article.

News Page http://www.expelledthemovie.com/news.php

Complete with all of the assets that you would find in a hard-copy press kit, this online press room was created specifically for your uses

Press Room http://www.expelledthemovie.com/press_room.php

Last, but not least…go to Big Science Academy parody Yearbook, and follow the links to the Class Officers, etcetera. The Playground is just that…a place on the site where the issues are treated with a decidedly tongue-in-cheek fashion.

Big Science Academy http://www.expelledthemovie.com/bigscienceacademy.php

Today October 25th my thoughts are filled with Maddy. She went home with the Lord in January. She would have been 3 years old today. My dearest friends Jack and Millie live in S. Florida. If you want to read about it go to: http://www.myspace.com/powellprayers
I found these words that I believe express the journey of their hearts. I love you guys, Monica

SINCE HEAVEN HAS BECOME YOUR HOME
I SOMETIMES FEEL THAT I’M ALONE;
AND THOUGH WE NOW ARE FAR APART
YOU HOLDA BIG PIECE OF MY HEART.

I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH I’D GRIEVE
WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE,
OR JUST HOW MUCH MY HEART WOULD ACHE
FROM THEAT ONE FRAGMENT YOU WOULD TAKE.

GOD LET THIS TINY HOLE REMAIN
REMINDING ME WE’LL MEET AGAIN,
AND ONE DAY ALL THE PAIN WILL CEASE
WHEN HE RESTORES THIS MISSING PIECE.

FOR JESUS HEALS EACH TINY PART
THAT HOLDS YOUR MEMORY IN MY HEART.