Lately, I have been avoiding anything with a screen, that's chargeable, and requires a cable to keep itself powered....I mean ALMOST everything. I do need a phone to fulfill critical tasks, like texting and calling sisters. I do need to access some curriculum for my children, but when it comes to spare time...
give me a good book,
give me a little bit of quiet time for a nap,
or just give me solitude to think and do nothing at all!!!
So...with my new found hatred of the techno age necessities (or so we think they are necessary!), I am losing my drive to do the things I love, like blog, write, and even reminisce.
Lest, I lose that drive and talent forever, let us start again; however uneasy this relationship may feel to rekindle!
I have spent countless hours with my children this past school year reading.
We read about Cinderella stories; not the ones you are familiar with, but the ones that are carried through different cultures and times, the ones that make your heart go "wow, life is beautiful!"
We read about warriors...the many awful ugly ones, and then the few beautiful ones.
We have learned about Cyrus, he is known as Cyrus the Great. Did you realize that as the ten tribes of Israel were scattered, he, through the goodness and grace of God, was able to gain the land of Canaan and rule over it for a time. When he took over the land, he gave the Jews that were still living in their promised territory the right to build temples and worship God. He wanted them to feel free...to literally be free. God speaks about him In Isaiah as HIS, doing His will, though he (Cyrus) knows Him not. Cyrus truly was great!!! He was even so great that the Babylonians, as prophesied by dear Isaiah, would literally open their gates to him and his armies, almost begging him to be their new leader because they (the Babylonians) were so tired of the cruel and enslaving leadership they were subject to.
I have learned that all through history there are good people.
I have learned that all through history that the bad people eventually bring upon everyone ugliness and calamities, destruction, and natural punishment by God.
Today, we learned about dear Socrates. He lived in Athens about 400 years before Christ was born. He was not a lovely fellow to look upon. Actually, he was said to have large lips, a flat nose, and bulging eyes. It is interesting how that these themes have been common in history....some of the most brilliant minds and lovable souls opposed their physical appearance. He eventually had a wife who treated him cruelly, so I would say he really didn't have a wife, he had a bully in his own home. He was naturally loving and kind, he was naturally born to show forth the will of God in all things. He was a teacher, and he loved teaching philosophy so very much that he refused payment for his skills and talents. He wore rags and was mocked daily. Instead of fighting against his accusers, he would smile and offer words of kindness. Sadly, he was falsely accused through his life, and in one accusation, the punishment was death. In this particular month, death could not immediately happen, and so he was enslaved until the following month. He did, however, have students who loved him, one of which was Plato. They arranged a way to get Socrates out of prison, to live the free life he deserved. Socrates refused, stating that he would rather die in truth over living in guilt (the guilt of breaking the law by getting out of prison). I taught my boys some his beautiful statements today, they dug deep into the meanings and then they interpreted them so beautifully.
"Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults" Socrates
"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel" Socrates
At the end of each day we are turning more towards books...long hours are spent reading to the girls, reading to the boys, and then getting our scriptures in as well.
Tonight, as we were singing, I decided to pick a song that the children are working on for Primary, "I Stand All Amazed"! There is one lyric which says, "I tremble to know that for me he was crucified"
As I sang this line, I raised my hands as Jesus had his hands raised on the cross when he was crucified. I tend to talk and sing with my hands...hence, sign language was a very good class for me in college!
Maya interrupted immediately with, "George was crucified too!!!!!" She said it with enthusiasm and awe! I was totally confused and brushed it off until the song was over. I would have brushed it off longer, but I have inquisitive children who asked questions and researched the answers for themselves!
Question: Why would Maya say George was crucified?
Evidence: Maya said, "George was crucified." Maya raised her arms in the same manner I did
Research: Look at the book Maya was looking at while we were reading!
Conclusion: Maya said George was crucified as well because the picture she was looking at when we sang that lyric was this....
Thank you Maya, for lifting my soul with happiness as you dived into you books as we read tonight!
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