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.