7 Quick Takes

Summing up our blogging thoughts for the week with Jennifer, from ConversionDiary.com.
Visit her via the link in my sidebar...you'll be glad you did...she's witty, clever, poignant, and diverse in her writing...a visit to Jennifer's is always a joy.

My Quick Takes:

1) I have been reflecting on a thought that has been brought to my attention several times this summer...and that is: "Why does God allow innocent children to suffer?" I know...that's a pretty serious thing to start out my Quick Takes...but it really does sum up my thoughts this week.
As I have shared with some of the friends with whom I've discussed this topic...I truly believe certain things:

A) God ONLY does good for God IS goodness itself...therefore, ANYthing He allows is for OUR GOOD; whether we can recognize it or understand it at the time or not.

B) Some souls that suffer on this earth have AGREED to suffer...they have been approached in some spiritual way and asked by God if they are willing to endure this for whatever reasons...and they have said, "YES". Sometimes, these souls are very young children...but it is not in vain for I also believe that children, in general, are far more profound and able to grasp the deep mysteries of life way beyond the credit we give them for it. What we see as tragic, unfair, or down right cruel...might have been accepted and willingly endured...even by a child.

C) NO suffering, if done with love of God at heart, is EVER in vain. . .ESPECIALLY that of His littlest lambs!

Though I do not understand His ways...I trust in them and believe them to be GOOD...therefore, when He has allowed a child to suffer, it IS for a reason...and it IS for His glory in some way.


2) Tons of school fun around here lately...a 12 specimen insect collection is underway, dissecting the frog, perch, worm, and crayfish we got via the UPS truck a while back...and experiments on waves and density as well. We'll also be making apple butter and spoon bread this week to take a look back to the Frontier and experience what is was like to be a kid in those days. One of the things I love about homeschooling, is that no matter which student's experiment or activity it actually IS...ALL of the kids gravitate to the room, gather 'round, and participate...this way of learning brings the family together, growing right along-side one another, through the lessons of each other...we ALL benefit...it's great.

3) So happy to have found my blogging friend Rebecca's blog recently. Take a look. Great reading.

4) I am reading a new book I got called, "Haystack Full of Needles". It's written by Catholic homeschooling mom, Alice Gunther, and has a lovely foreword written by, Laura Berquist (well-known homeschooling pioneer, owner of Mother of Divine Grace distance school and curriculum, and author of the infamous, "Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum" book)
As Mrs. Berquist shares in her foreword, this book is described as a guide to socialization for Catholic homeschooling families...but really, it is so much more than that. The author shares beautiful stories of her own family's journey, going back to the beginning, when she, as a young wife and mother was truly opposed to the idea of homeschooling! The chapters unfold, and the reader feels as though she is making new friends on every page...in addition to the personal and gentle tone of the book, there really are great ideas, creative, innovative, simple, and FUN for enriching the social aspect of your homeschooling lifestyle. Mrs. Gunther proves that "socialization" is not only NOT absent in homeschooling, but is one of its greatest blessings! I am considering this book for our next giveaway contest on Homeschool Faith and Family Life!

5) Consider this Quick Take a gentle reminder (or admonishment) to all parents who bring small children with them to sports practices for older kids. PLEASE SUPERVISE and DISCIPLINE your Littles as needed while you're there! Now, I need you to understand here, that I am not a "my-children-do-no-wrong" kinda' parent...in fact, my fault leans toward the other extreme in that I am usually one to ask, "Was it one of mine?" instead. However, I am noticing that many parents bring their little ones to these practices and then turn a blind eye while they enjoy watching their older son or daughter...leaving the child to run around...in and out of the legs of the other adults on the benches, walloping other people's kids...and being, in general, unruly and annoying to those around them. I see parents struggling to maintain a charitable nature...attempting again and again to steer the child in question off in another direction (preferably back toward his/her own parent) and trying, in a nonchalant way to get the parent of the child's attention; desperately hoping that he or she will DO something...but it's all in vain...no one notices...no one comes to the rescue...no one seems to care...and in fact, people seem to act as though everyone else should think that their child is being "cute". So...let's remember to watch our own kids on the sidelines...and let's expect them to maintain decent manners and behavior while there, K?

6) Lest I be viewed as a "grumpy old woman" by virtue of the previous Quick Take, let it be known that I ENJOY having other people's kids play with us at sporting events...as long as...(see number 5 again) ::SMILE::

7) My son Jake seems to think that when we keep Jalapeno peppers in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, that it causes them to lose some of the "ZAP"! What say you?