The Life of Savages

So, those that know me well know that I am not naturally the crafting type.  I appreciate those things immensely when others do them and I try simple things here and there but. . . it just does not flow out of me.  There is this element of the concrete – working with-your-hands type of talent that eluded me in favor of more abstract – all-up-in-your-head, visionary type gifts.  Alas. . .

I remember distinctly in third grade there was a little arts and crafts corner which I generally avoided.  At Christmas, though, we were all required to complete this ornament project.  It consisted of taking old Christmas cards cutting shapes out of them and then fitting those pieces together in this special 3D way to make an ornament – then add glitter.  I remember watching other students zip through the project with great zest!  I, on the other hand, read extra pages in my science book and studied more than I needed to on my spelling words to avoid – the corner.

Finally, I made it back there.  I waited until no one else was there so I would not feel pressured.  It all went down worse than I expected.  I traced and cut all my pieces, but as I tried to fit all those pieces together the hot tears started flowing.  I chucked the thing across the table – which my teacher (who thankfully loved me)  saw.  She came over and basically glued it together for me and then I glittered.

Why do I go on and on about this story now (other than it scarred me for life)?  Well, I conquered a huge Advent craft this year and I am PROUD!!!!!  I set my mind to finish it and I did.  I, along with a really cool group of girlfriends, met every or every other Tuesday evening this past year to talk and craft these Jesse tree ornaments – 25 of them!!!!  Susannah and Lily have had a blast hanging one ornament a day and reading the Bible passage that accompanies and so working through all of Biblical history, finally culminating with the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.

Check out my friend and the leader of this crafting group, Danielle’s blog (figtreefreedom.blogspot.com) and scroll down to her November 30 entry.  There you can see our project in full.  She held our hands and threaded my needle and helped us do something really special that will last for many Christmases to come!

Don’t be shy.  I need some input.

A godly guy likes a girl.  But, you know, there are some. . . things. . .about her that you (and others) think keep her from being top of the list.  She has no major moral failings and she has demonstrated a commitment to Christ and his Church.

Do you tip him off to some past insights about this person?

Do you let him possibly see it for himself by that time he might have his heart in a lot deeper?

Do you drop lots of hints and let him ask?

Do you let him walk around in a drunken stupor over her beauty and forget the whole thing?

Please comment

Brian and I have really gotten on a kick with these singers.  We love that mournful song and we were all plopped on the couch “practicing” it.  Lily seemed mostly to observe. But when Brian put Lily to bed he got her to sing the song, in a round, with him and he recorded it on his phone.  Seriously, it was the sweetest sound I have ever heard in my entire life.  I need to figure out how to share it.

Also check this out.

Wake me up when six years old is over. . .first time in my parenting life when I have thought – daycare and working full-time sounds like a niiiiice idea.

Back to the trenches. . .

Now, where is my copy of “Loving the Little Years”?  It is time for round 3.

Well, I promised to give you the scoop.  So, here it is.

Months ago I would have said that I am starting a new school in Center City Philadelphia.  It was my own (crazy) dream that started over a year ago, but grew into a compelling vision that I could no longer ignore.  Now, I can say WE are starting a new school.  We meaning me and my awesome core group of fellow Christians that I called out for and the Lord gathered together.  Our plan is to launch a Classical, Christian school in the fall of 2013 with grades K-3 (and adding as we go).

We are not your typical start-up group.  No one is over 40.  Most people don’t even have children yet, but all of us are committed to staying in this city and raising our children here.  There are doctors, lawyers, educators, artists, and business heavy-weights that make up this team.  We have a vision for excellent education and the long-term ripple effects that can have in our city and in our neighborhoods.  I think it is hard for me to articulate to people who don’t live here what an interesting climate it is in which we are working.  It is SO far from the typical places that Classical Schools tend to crop up.  That’s why I am super excited to see the shape our version of this kind of school takes!

As I have made connections with other people who have started schools or read through websites of other Classical Schools I see that I don’t fit the type, either, for the leader (though my interests really do) of this type of endeavor.  My mind keeps returning to the Bible during the period of judges.  Israel was at one of its lowest points.  It was a wreck.  At this time, God raised up women judges to lead.  I guess I feel the loose similarities.  Philadelphia is also a spiritual and educational wreck.  Enter me – young woman with a passion for my children and a passion to serve families in this city.  I feel so small. That’s okay.  My confidence is in the Lord and I know this is small potatoes for Him.

I see, though, many threads in my life coming together in this project and that is exciting.  It is going to be super hard work, but thank you Lord for my ballet training which has made hard work a state of being.  It will involve lots of probing and thinking, but thank you Lord for the teachers and classes that have given me a thorough Biblical worldview.  It will require lots of strenous interpersonal communication, but thank you Lord for that CCEF foundation that filters my every interaction.

We have had some preliminary meetings, but the official core team activities for Philadelphia Classical School officially kick-off this summer.  Pray for us!

” When one of the parents says to do something, this frequently does not carry as much weight as a list of rules written up and posted on the fridge.  A certain kind of mind likes abstract law.  When the law comes from nowhere, i.e. written rules, the person following the rule can be very scrupulous and tidy-minded about obeying it, and yet not really be obeying anyone but himself – certainly not obeying the person who made the rules, the parent.  This is veneered obedience “with the look of real wood”!

Certain personalities like things in straight little rows.  When such a personality is born into a home, life will be more pleasant later on, at least in some resects.  The parent who does not have to constantly get after a child to make his bed or pick up his shoes has fewer daily tasks to hassle with.  But this behavior on the part of the child is not necessarily true obedience; it may sometimes be as willful and stubborn as outright defiance or rebellion.  Outward obedience can be passive rebellion.  True obedience is a matter of the heart.”

Hello out there.  I have been neglecting my blog and will probably continue to do so for awhile, but I promise to catch ya’ll  (my small band of readers ) up on what is going on soon.  I have been enjoying this Easter season reading through the crucifixion and resurrection accounts with Lily.  We really have just sat together at the foot of the stories recounted in the gospels.  Honestly, there is nothing else I love more than observing her wonder and listening to her questions.  Not only am I stimulated by this (even though I am supposed to be “teaching” her), but I also love the connection that I feel to her in these times.

Anyway, I am knee-deep in some exciting stuff – big fuel for a visionary type gal like me. As always, big things can be overwhelming, but what a wonderful opportunity to have my faith stretched.  I’m ready!  I am so thankful for all the little ways that the Lord continues to encourage me and prod me forward.  A few nights ago,  I indulged Lily in one of her favorite stories in The Jesus Storybook Bible (she has several that she will always pick if you let her).  I am notorious in our house for crying every single time I read it.  Still, when she called out her request I sort of rolled my eyes inwardly, but I should not have.  The Lord used the story to. . .well. . .speak to me – addressing just what was on my mind.  Can you guess the story? 

“I have some, he said.  Jesus’ friends laughed when they saw his little lunch.  That’s not nearly enough! they said.  But they were wrong.  Jesus knew it didn’t matter how much the little boy had.  God would make it enough, more than enough.  Jesus said, Bring me what you have.  And so the little boy gave Jesus his lunch.  Jesus winked at the little boy and whispered in his ear,

Watch!”

If you have an older child like I do that has pretty much memorized all the great story Bibles – like The Big Picture Story Bible or The Jesus Storybook Bible etc – and is ready for something more, I highly recommend this.

We have moved onto using this in our family Bible study and so far we all enjoy it.  It can be adapted to different ages – though I think the youngest is supposedly preschool age.  Susu just sort of hangs out and enjoys whatever songs we sing but Lily really goes somewhere with this study.

That is family time but during “school” time I love that Lily is at the age where I can sit down and just work through a Scripture passage with her and she can even read some words in it too.  Last “semester” we worked through Philipians 2 quite extensively and memorized it by choreographing it – which I am happy for myself because I am not the best at dry memory but, boy, can I learn a dance .  This “semester” we are digging into Romans 8.  So far, I am encouraged anew.  I am really motivated to do this long memory work with Lily because the Scripture that I got “in” my mind as a child has stayed with me always and the new stuff that I put in as an adult has a tougher time “sticking.”  My goal is to give Lily a vast well to draw from later while her brain is still so pliable now.

All that is fine and dandy – now if we could only master getting dressed and hair brushed in the morning without major dramatics…

Not really but how about a little video interlude while I am laid up in the bed with a laptop (I REALLY hurt my back). . . .

Ah, if two sisters ever were more different. . . .

Little Miss Serious:

This is a brand new song that is in no way perfected.  The neat thing about this song, though, is that at her lesson on Monday the teacher began to show her how to play it, but Lily had already figured it out by ear from her cd.  Go girl!

Little Miss Silly:

Susannah has mastered question number one from the children’s catechism.  ”Who made you?”  ”God”

We are close to number two – “What else did God make?”  ”All things”

As with everything she does, it is all fun and happy games! Sorry this is sideways – the videos are from my phone and I had not quite mastered the technique.

Lily was playing with her dolls in her room this evening.  I happen to walk by and hear -

Lily talking an imaginary person:  “Is that fake milk you are feeding your baby in that bottle?”

Lily answering herself:  “oh no, I pumped”

When you overhear your 5 year old saying, “I pumped,” you just have to laugh!