Thoughts to You (But Mostly Myself) on Home Schooling

This week's weather reminds me of why I live in Florida. ONLY this week, mind you! It has been so stinkin' hot here. It's October for crying out loud. But this week has brought about morning weather that makes you want to sing. It also brings (or seems to anyway) the best out in my youngest student!

This year has been a roller coaster with the thoughts in my head of , "should I or should I not home school?" ADHD, sensory integration disfunction and attachment issues due to substance exposure in utero makes my littlest spin, literally, and my head spin, figuratively. Screaming fits, defiance and an extremely strong will make me question whether we have made the right choice to home school her.

Then we have days like this that speak for itself. My beauty who is normally distracted beyond all compare finds the ability to function quite normally outside surrounded by her bunny friends with her favorite story playing on her cd player. And school was done by 1 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. There were no screaming temper tantrums and life was beautiful.

So I remind myself, "These are some of the reasons I choose to home school. What memories are being made! What invaluable resources for my crazy princess!"

Unconventional, you say?

ABSOLUTELY!

A Great Resource For Children

I am always looking for a great resource for proclaiming the Gospel to children. I have come across a new one that is a gem!

Sally Lloyd-Jones has put together some of the most well known Bible stories in a storybook form. She retains the interest of the reader, but what she does best is point that same reader to Christ. I believe each page of the old and new testament points us to the Savior. The Gospel is the antithesis of the Book of Books. And as Mrs. Lloyd-Jones paraphrases each story she reminds the reader for the reason of the story: to proclaim the Mighty Acts of God. David and the defeat of Goliath is not about David; it's about the Gospel. The Great Yahweh!

She reminds us redemption is the great story!

As to a critique, this book is labeled for teens/young adults, but I would say my 10 year old enjoyed it more than my 16 year old would have. But they have been raised in the church. If I had knew a teenager who knew nothing about the Gospel and the work of Christ and the Bible, I would not hesitate to hand this book to them.

As a part of the Booklook Bloggers Network, I received a free copy of this book.

The Flax (Part Two)

The Flax
by
Hans Christian Andersen
(1849)

(Part Two)

Years passed away, and at last the linen was so worn it could scarcely hold together. “It must end very soon,” said the pieces to each other; “we would gladly have held together a little longer, but it is useless to expect impossibilities.” And at length they fell into rags and tatters, and thought it was all over with them, for they were torn to shreds, and steeped in water, and made into a pulp, and dried, and they knew not what besides, till all at once they found themselves beautiful white paper. “Well, now, this is a surprise; a glorious surprise too,” said the paper. “I am now finer than ever, and I shall be written upon, and who can tell what fine things I may have written upon me. This is wonderful luck!” And sure enough the most beautiful stories and poetry were written upon it, and only once was there a blot, which was very fortunate. Then people heard the stories and poetry read, and it made them wiser and better; for all that was written had a good and sensible meaning, and a great blessing was contained in the words on this paper.

“I never imagined anything like this,” said the paper, “when I was only a little blue flower, growing in the fields. How could I fancy that I should ever be the means of bringing knowledge and joy to man? I cannot understand it myself, and yet it is really so. Heaven knows that I have done nothing myself, but what I was obliged to do with my weak powers for my own preservation; and yet I have been promoted from one joy and honor to another. Each time I think that the song is ended; and then something higher and better begins for me. I suppose now I shall be sent on my travels about the world, so that people may read me. It cannot be otherwise; indeed, it is more than probable; for I have more splendid thoughts written upon me, than I had pretty flowers in olden times. I am happier than ever.”

But the paper did not go on its travels; it was sent to the printer, and all the words written upon it were set up in type, to make a book, or rather, many hundreds of books; for so many more persons could derive pleasure and profit from a printed book, than from the written paper; and if the paper had been sent around the world, it would have been worn out before it had got half through its journey.

“This is certainly the wisest plan,” said the written paper; “I really did not think of that. I shall remain at home, and be held in honor, like some old grandfather, as I really am to all these new books. They will do some good. I could not have wandered about as they do. Yet he who wrote all this has looked at me, as every word flowed from his pen upon my surface. I am the most honored of all.”

Then the paper was tied in a bundle with other papers, and thrown into a tub that stood in the washhouse.

“After work, it is well to rest,” said the paper, “and a very good opportunity to collect one’s thoughts. Now I am able, for the first time, to think of my real condition; and to know one’s self is true progress. What will be done with me now, I wonder? No doubt I shall still go forward. I have always progressed hitherto, as I know quite well.”

Now it happened one day that all the paper in the tub was taken out, and laid on the hearth to be burnt. People said it could not be sold at the shop, to wrap up butter and sugar, because it had been written upon. The children in the house stood round the stove; for they wanted to see the paper burn, because it flamed up so prettily, and afterwards, among the ashes, so many red sparks could be seen running one after the other, here and there, as quick as the wind. They called it seeing the children come out of school, and the last spark was the schoolmaster. They often thought the last spark had come; and one would cry, “There goes the schoolmaster;” but the next moment another spark would appear, shining so beautifully. How they would like to know where the sparks all went to! Perhaps we shall find out some day, but we don’t know now.

The whole bundle of paper had been placed on the fire, and was soon alight. “Ugh,” cried the paper, as it burst into a bright flame; “ugh.” It was certainly not very pleasant to be burning; but when the whole was wrapped in flames, the flames mounted up into the air, higher than the flax had ever been able to raise its little blue flower, and they glistened as the white linen never could have glistened. All the written letters became quite red in a moment, and all the words and thoughts turned to fire.

“Now I am mounting straight up to the sun,” said a voice in the flames; and it was as if a thousand voices echoed the words; and the flames darted up through the chimney, and went out at the top. Then a number of tiny beings, as many in number as the flowers on the flax had been, and invisible to mortal eyes, floated above them. They were even lighter and more delicate than the flowers from which they were born; and as the flames were extinguished, and nothing remained of the paper but black ashes, these little beings danced upon it; and whenever they touched it, bright red sparks appeared.

“The children are all out of school, and the schoolmaster was the last of all,” said the children. It was good fun, and they sang over the dead ashes,—

“Snip, snap, snurre,
Basse lure:
The song is ended.”
But the little invisible beings said, “The song is never ended; the most beautiful is yet to come.”

But the children could neither hear nor understand this, nor should they; for children must not know everything.

Happy Birthday, Dear Son

Our Dear "Hoss",

Today is a special day. It is your 13th birthday. So much has happened this year and we find ourselves separated. Never would I have imagined this would be what it is. There is much pain being apart and there are tears shed daily for you, from all of us.

Our love remains steady for you and for our Savior. He is the One who makes living livable when the trials come.

Thirteen years ago you were born in the same state, Missouri, that you find yourself in now. We were supposed to see your beautiful little face a couple of days later, but there was delay. Five weeks later you flew over on a prayer for safety and landed in my arms, nestling cozily. At 12 pounds, you were quite a handful, but such a good-natured baby. The first night you slept through for 12 hours and made that a habit every night.

Words came easily for you at 18 months as well as potty training. You really spoiled your Mom and Dad. Your chubby little arms easily found their way round my neck frequently.

Questions were always on the tip of your tongue. Questions about very deep things: God, Adoption, families and the Bible. At 3 years old, you were thinking through, "Why am I so different from you?" That was a shocker for us, coming from such a little fellow. But we were honest with you and sat you down to tell you the "story". At the end of our little time together, it humbled my heart and brought tears to my eyes, when you told me you were sad. I asked you why and you said, "because I wasn't born in your tummy". Then, I knew that everything would be alright.

I still believe it will be alright.

You are no longer 12 lbs; you are 6 feet, wearing size 15 shoe.

Instead of putting your little arms around my neck; you put your strong arms around my shoulders.

I am so thankful we have these good memories. We'll get through this, son.

I know these things are still close to your heart. I know you have so much hurt and pain deep down inside, still. I know your sadness has shifted to a new place. I know you have lots of questions. Our prayer is that you will find your answers in Christ Jesus.

HE placed you in our home.

HE knew from the moment you were conceived you were be a "Cartwright".

HE has a special plan for you.

HE loves you more than any human on this earth.

HE knows your pain.
HE gave his only Son for you, so you could be His possession.

Your family misses you and loves you.