Bonding in the Kitchen

I have to say that one of my favorite things in our days and weeks

is when learning can happen altogether.

And when we can "do" the learning

instead of just "hearing" the learning.

It isn't always perfect.

Sometimes directions have to be repeated,

minor hot glue burns comforted,

words spelled again (and again),

But I always feel like it was time well spent in our favorite laboratory, the kitchen.

Dominique

PS - We are studying ionic, covalent and metallic bonding, hence, the punny title.

Today

Today I'm

Excited: 

About reaching out to our community tomorrow in simple and fun ways.  Working together with God's people is refreshing and invigorating.  There's just something about loving people, together.

Happy:

That we had a productive week of school chock-full of the perseverant, steady plodding necessary to keep our educational program successful.

Sad:

That the foliage isn't as brilliant other years, although it's caused me to look harder for God's beauty I normally love seeing in autumn.  It seems the harder you have to look, the more you appreciate it.  

Reading:

The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch, which I snagged on a recent relaxing and fun outing with a friend.  It's proving to be a thought-provoking, counter-cultural read about the modern family, technology and family life.  I'm over halfway through it and I heartily recommend it!

Doing:

A juggling act!  There was school.  There were crafts!  There was motherly discipline!  There was quiet time!  There was grocery list writing!  It was a classic, regular ole busy day full of mama tasks.

Going:

To the feed store... again.  #microfarmlife

Planning:

Two week's worth of meals... again... to keep this crew fed.  

Some people might think it's a boring, unfulfilling life, but I know different.  Today, I'm reveling in being in the center of God's will.

Dominique

Leaving It Behind

We have friends who are ministering in Liberia.  We met them when they were our neighbors, only a mile or two down the road.  They eventually sold everything and did some cross country ministry stints before heading to Liberia for more longer term missions work.  It's been fascinating and inspiring to witness this firsthand.  

The Blossoms worked through the sadness of not seeing friends often anymore, but, I must say, technology is such an amazing thing.  Video chat isn't just for the Jetsons!  The girls have enjoyed keeping in touch that way.  Then, in Liberia, with the internet connection being sketchy, they've reverted to "old-fashioned" email and sharing photos and videos.  

Seeing the Blossoms crowded around the computer, grinning and reading emails and watching the videos has blessed me.  Deeper though, I find myself so thankful at how much their friends share.  A child's perspective of poverty and the work to be done is poignant.  It is simple.  It is straightforward.  It is brutally honest.  Their hearts to serve and do something about the problems are precious.

I'm marveling at the opportunity right here in the Blossoms' lives for the girls to leave small-mindedness behind.  

I don't want to be a small-minded Christian that is merely worried about daily first world niceties.  I want the Blossoms to have that bigger perspective.  I want it and I want to facilitate it here.

As the girls hear about malaria, poverty and simple missionary living, I'm reveling in gratitude at one more opportunity to see the world outside of ours.  

Dominique

In Civics Class

Jumping off of Tuesday's post, I'm sharing little glimpses into the richness of our educational program... what I'm really doing though, is sharing the joys of our life.

When I was chatting with a friend the other day, she mentioned that her little Sprout's adoption was going to be finalized very soon.  Would we like to come and witness the proceeding in court?  Since the girls and I have known the little Sprout since he came to live with their family, I thought it would be neat to witness the proceeding.  Actually, I was THRILLED at the idea of watching and sharing such a huge moment with my friends! 

After I double-checked that this was definitely something the Blossoms were welcome at, it should be noted that the Rugged Mountain Man was also completely thrilled with the idea of the girlies witnessing civil proceedings firsthand! 

We researched appropriate courtroom attire and ventured out to the courthouse.  Through the metal detectors and up to the courtroom we trekked.  It was absolutely fascinating to observe the judge and his interaction with the adoptive family, staff, and lawyers. 

I was so pleased that the Blossoms were quiet and respectful in their behavior in the courtroom.  They listened and observed attentively.  At the end, as the judge was giving the final words, he publicly thanked my friends and called them a "true asset to our community."  What a great witness and what an amazing testimony!  His comments facilitated a good discussion in our van later.

Sharing this moment with our friends was the highlight of our week.  It was a front row seat in Civics class, but also a real life lesson in family diversity, compassion and living our faith.

Getting Out

I've heard those statements of "You're a homeschooler, so you don't get out much, right?" my whole life and I've come to realize that they really just stem from misinformation.  

Most folks really just don't know what the homeschool life looks like.  This is why I love sharing our day in the life and week in the life posts.  

Not getting out much, being isolated and having limited educational opportunities, really isn't a problem right here in our educational program.  

For example, Blossom1 and Blossom2 recently toured a nuclear reactor with a bunch of their other pals.  This nuclear reactor is used for research and is suspended in a 24 feet deep pool of water.  

The students spent time learning about radiation and nuclear energy.  They enjoyed performing cool experiments involving salt, gamma rays and dry ice.  The salt glowed!

After they observed the reactor, deep in its pool, the students also visited the control room, where they learned about how the reactor is operated, started up and shut down.

Observing a nuclear reactor firsthand sounds like yet another amazing educational opportunity!

(These pictures were snapped by my friend, Elizabeth when she was allowed to have her camera.  

During other parts of the tour, her camera was taken away from her for security purposes.)

What Does Community Look Like

Following a beautiful day with the Blossoms on a field trip at a missionary information and training facility, I was reflecting on healthy "community."

I might define community as the crossroads of fellowship, edification and ministry, or as

"God-loving people loving people."  

You could say that's my theory of community, but as my friend Jessica says, "What does that look like?"

Real community looks like this:

"Be happy with those who are happy, 

and weep with those who weep."

If you're new and you're wondering how to build relationships.  

If you're wondering where to start.  

If you've never had functional relationships.  

If you're quiet and have a hard time "clicking" with people.  

If you want meaningful connections.  

If you want to be spurred on in your walk with God... 

I encourage you to share folks' joy in a heartfelt way and also, to feel their pain deeply.

It seems like community is a whole lot of being in the trenches together, standing on the mountain tops together and all the in between together, so let's jump in.

Dominique

PS - Scripture was taken from the New Living Translation.

PS again - Photos were taken during our late August vacation at the cabin.

Marshmallows

Roasted marshmallows.

I feel the exact same way, Blossom4.

Turtle Sighting

I told the girls that I hadn't seen a turtle in a really long time.  

I REALLY wanted to see a turtle.

On our recent cabin trip, the Blossoms came racing back from their bike ride and crowing the exciting news.

There was frantic racing around to locate an appropriate corralling mechanism.

He must be captured and investigated!

Of course he was subjected to a full and thorough inspection.

Perhaps he was even interviewed.

Is he a box turtle?  

Not likely.

Wait, he's endangered?

His coolness factor has skyrocketed.

Though his kind has been sighted in numerous PA counties,

believe it or not, my understanding is that this wood turtle really is considered endangered.

He took off at a steady crawl to spread the word that he'd sighted an endangered species ~

four girls filled with wide eyed wonder.

Paths and Prayers

Lord, I love to plan, but I'm relieved that you direct what I actually do.  

The mind of man plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9, NASB

Lord, I'm glad you are watching over the path of THIS day.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly...

Psalm 1:6a, NLT

Lord, what a God You are, 

that You thoroughly delight in every detail of my life.  

What care You demonstrate!

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalm 37:23, NLT

Lord, I don't understand everything, 

but I'm glad you've got it covered.  

I think knowing that in my heart must be the definition of peace.

Man's steps are ordained by the LORD,

How then can man understand his way?

Proverbs 20:24, NASB

Lord, help me to remember this today:

my life is not mine.

It's all about going Your way today.

I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own.

We are not able to plan our own course.

Jeremiah 10:23, NLT

Dominique

PS - These are just snapshots of more glorious cabin fun.