The Night I Got Held Up in Guatemala

On June 27, 1995, I experienced the most frightening night of my life. I was on a Friendship Exchange Program in Guatemala, staying with a wonderful group of people that I truly consider family. We had spent the evening bowling with friends--having a wonderful time. It was late when we arrived home. Because of security issues, houses are literally walled in, with gates that are opened to allow the car into the garage. We had just pulled up and the gate was being opened when we were literally surrounded by guys with masks and guns. It was terrifying. They were screaming and yelling (and it was all in Spanish--which I had a hard time understanding under the best of circumstances, anyway)! We were of course, shaking and crying. The robber who came to me surprised me by speaking in English. He was very polite (considering that he was robbing me!) I was in shock. Everything seemed to slow down. I had my then-boyfriends watch and chain on...and the camera that my mom had gotten just the month before for Mother's Day. I immediately thought, "I can't let him steal mom's camera". Looking back, I realize how ridiculous this was. At the moment, though, I could not think clearly. The thief grabbed my wrist and began taking the watch off. To my shock, he said, "excuse me" and I think he even said "thank you" after he had robbed me. In the fog of the moment I turned to see my "sister" Lucky crying in the corner. I left "my" robber and went to her and we were standing up sobbing and praying while the thieves finished their terrible business. Now the neighborhood that we lived in was one with a good reputation. Apparently, the commotion of the robbery alerted a neighbor who began yelling for his brother?/Uncle? (I still don't know which) who was taking a shower during the episode. He came running out on his balcony--still naked and wet! Fortunately, it was dark and I was huddled with Lucky and I missed the "show" :). He began firing his gun at the fleeing car. We never heard anything about the band of thieves, again.

On a spiritual note, my mother had felt prompted to pray extra hard for me that night. When I called her, an hour or so later and still in shock, she shared with me how strongly she felt that I needed extra protection that night.

The prayers of a mother may have ensured that I got the "polite" crook--the one who let me be when I turned away from him and his gun and into the arms of my friend.

My story didn't stay in Guatemala. My friend Keith who was on this same exchange with me told me I was the talk of Abernant--"Did you hear about that white girl got robbed in Guatemala?" Ha!

Homeschooling Schedule

I have tried many different ways of homeschooling--tutors, a highly structured computer based curriculum, and a more eclectic approach with curriculum drawn from many different sources. This next year, I am going with the more eclectic approach. The basis of our curriculum will be www.amblesideonline.org. This is a list of recommended studies based on the Charlotte Mason method of learning. Charlotte Mason, one of my personal heroines, was a 19th century educator who believed that children should be exposed to grand ideals and what she termed, "Living Books". Living Books are "whole books" as opposed to textbooks that take snippets of information here and there. She also believed in plenty of free time out in nature. There should be exposure to great artists and musicians, great literature, a thorough study of history, and continuing religious education. Based on this model, this is our tentative schedule.

Opening
(Prayer/Scripture/Pledge/Creed/Song/Weather/Business/Etc.)

Copy Work/Penmanship (MTWF)

Morning Walk (MTWF)

Language Arts/Literature (MTWF)

Math (MTWF)

History (MTW)

Science (MW)

Spanish (MTWF)

Latin (MTWF)

Artist/Composer Study (M)

Poetry Journals (M)

Art (T)

Piano Lessons (M) Piano Practice (TWRF)

Nature Study (T)

Music Appreciation--(Hymns and Folksongs) (W)

Handicrafts (R)

Free Reading (MTWRF)

Scouting (W)

Religion (F)

Culinary Class (T)

Physical Education
(Dance/Fencing/Kung Fu/Gymnastics/Horseback Riding/Soccer)

What pleases me about this plan is it's breadth as well as it's depth. We will run with this schedule and tweak it where necessary. Yea, Fuller School!!!!

Homeschooling 2011-2012

I believe that this next year we are going to homeschool. I always try to keep an open mind on education, and I truly believe that parents have to make the best decision on how to educate their children based on their families' needs at the current time. For us, that means that at different times we have accessed the public education system. At other times we have home schooled our children. We have had positive experiences under both systems.

I have growing concerns about the time constraints placed on children. It seems like so much time is spent riding the bus, at school itself, and then on homework and extracurricular activities. I have to wonder--when do children just get to be children? Even playtime seems to be so structured now--instead of sending the kids outside to just "play", many parents form "play groups". I don't have anything against playgroups, I just hope that the children have plenty of unstructured time to just "BE". A.A. Milne, the author of the charming, "Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh", wrote,

"What I like doing best is Nothing."

"How do you do Nothing," asked Pooh after he had wondered for a long time.

"Well, it's when people call out at you just as you're going off to do it, 'What are you going to do, Christopher Robin?' and you say, 'Oh, Nothing,' and then you go and do it.

This is what childhood is all about. The ability to thrive in different, varied situations often has as its basis the foundation of a safe, imaginative childhood. I am not advocating letting children grow up carelessly, without ever having responsibilities. What I am advocating is a childhood full of free time spent exploring God's world, tempered with regular responsibilities (making beds, cleaning living areas, setting the table for meals, etc.) Free play, regular responsibilities, an accepting, secure home full of love, and regular studies of the sacred as well as the secular provide the idyllic childhood every child deserves.

Music and The Spoken Word: Just Hold On

Music and the Spoken Word:

Just Hold On Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Sitting at her window on a rather cold and dark winter day, a young woman began to feel very alone and discouraged. It seemed no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t keep up with the demands of life. The children always needed more of her attention, finances were tight, she felt like she had lost touch with who she used to be, and there seemed to be no end in sight. As the tears began to well up in her eyes, the telephone rang, and she composed herself to answer it.

A friend was calling just to see how she was doing and to offer some words of encouragement. By the time they finished talking, things were better. The lingering winter yielded to a hope for eventual spring. She began to see the opportunities in her life rather than just the burdens. Her problems didn’t disappear, but somehow just knowing that she was not alone, that someone cared for her, made them suddenly seem bearable.

All of us feel, at times, that we’re alone, that we’ve been abandoned and left to fend for ourselves. The everyday challenges of life seem to hold us back and weigh us down until we don’t know how we can keep going. Then something happens. We hear a child laugh, we’re inspired by sacred words or music, someone expresses appreciation for our hard work, or maybe a good friend calls to cheer us up. Our hope is renewed that somehow we’ll get through—if we just hold on, in some way we’ll manage. And we always do.

God is in His heaven watching over us. Spring flowers are just waiting for a chance to bloom. Dawn comes surely after even the darkest night. Every time someone reaches out to us—and every time we reach out to someone else—hope is reborn, and we realize that we’re never really alone.

Halloween 2011

As a child I always loved Halloween. I was almost always a gypsy. Why? Because I could wear a lot of jewelry and a lot of make-up! My last foray into trick-or-treating was my senior year in high school. Several of my friends and I dressed up and piled into the back of Keith's pick up for a hayride/last trick-or-treating hurrah. We had a blast. That year I dressed as a cat.

I dressed up three other Halloweens since then, masquerading as Cinderella, Meggra from Hercules, and as a doctor. Then Halloween shifted to costuming children and I didn't have the time or energy to dress up. I have decided to change that this year, opting to be that outrageous, exciting, adventureous girl...JEM! (ooh, ooh, ooh, Jem--okay if you were a young girl in the 80's you're singing along right now, I know it!)

So I've ordered the earrings, the shoes, the wig, watched a tutorial on how to do the make-up, and found someone to do the dress...

"Glamour, glitter, fashion and fame...JEM!"

Others Along the Way

I would like to share this Message from "Music and the Spoken Word":


Some people seem to have life firmly in their grasp, everything under control, and all things positive before them. But more often than not, it’s not the full story. Everyone struggles a bit at times, and we all know what it feels like to worry.

But worrying is not all bad if it grows into empathy for others who, like each one of us, carry burdens. Of course, some burdens are heavier than others, and that’s why we need each other along the way. We each have times when our burdens are more than we can bear alone, and we have other times when it’s our opportunity to make someone’s burden lighter.

A man with a dreadful diagnosis decided that he would wage his battle alone. Strong and independent, he determined that this was his problem and he would fight it by himself. Only his wife knew the grave condition of his health.

But little by little, word got out to a few people. They inquired about his health; they expressed their concern; they prayed for him. The love and outreach of others softened his heart. He realized that going alone was not the best way. He needed others. He needed their affection and strength; he appreciated their interest and their prayers.

Eventually his health improved, and so did his attitude. Because of what he learned, he now makes it a point to show more concern and compassion to others.

In one way or another, heartache and worry beset us all. And with them there often comes a profound hunger for genuine love and companionship, for support and kindliness. If we open our hearts to accept such help, we will find ourselves not only more willing but also more able when it becomes our turn to lift another’s burden.