Things about the Thanksgiving weekend that I'm thankful for:
1. About 15 Sunday School kids showed up for the Thanksgiving Eve service.
2. We had as many choir members as Sunday School kids.
3. The kids were fairly focused during our rehearsal.
4. The choir was so patient while singing "All You Works of God" 8 or 10 times so the kids could master their parts.
5. The church service was well attended with the families of the kids.
6. The accompaniment CD worked well and the sound balance was good.
7. The Coats family arrived in time to join in on the singing.
8. Communion at the service.
9. Delicious pies afterwards.
10. The visiting dogs settled down OK.
11. David and Callie were here for three whole (and parts of two more) days.
12. We made it through the cold windy part of the Turkey Leg 5K.
13. We enjoyed the last part and Mary and I had a great conversation.
14. Pete finally won his age category in a race this year.
15. We won the Largest Family Group award, with 12 members running or walking, compared to 7 in the next largest group.
16. The award was gourmet snack boxes.
17. Mary's sweet potato dish and broccoli slaw.
18. Jody Brown's pies.
19. Seeing the Browns and the Coats, especially Cara and Elisabeth home from college.
20. Traditional Thanksgiving food.
21. Make-ahead cream cheese mashed potatoes. Yummmmm!
22. Cousin love.
23. Family sharing time in the evening.
24. Rahila shared about her school fund-raising for Heifer International and collected $63 on the spot.
25. Browns brought me a poinsettia.
26. We adults had a really excellent discussion about life, not always agreeing, but agreeing on the main things.
27. Hugs.
28. We got a 40" TV with an amazing HD picture and watched "Brave."
29. Delicious Applebee's food and stimulating conversation with David and Callie.
30. Even if I didn't have all these other things to be thankful for, I would still be thankful for Jesus Christ and His love for me. He will never leave me or forsake me, and if everything else passes away, He will remain.
Thanks Lord! Amen.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Historical Fascination
I love history! On Thursday, We traveled to the Cities on a bus with our homeschool group and were privileged to view the Terra-Cotta Warriors from China at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and participate in a class on "Minnesota's Role in the Civil War" at the Minnesota History Center. Both experiences satisfied my interest in historical information.
Over 2000 years ago, the first Emperor of China united all the Warring States under his control and pursued his interest in immortality. He commissioned the clay craftsmen of his kingdom - by force when necessary - to produce 8000 soldiers. These craftsmen were not artists, and in fact Chinese art up to that time was very abstract, geometric and stylized. But Emperor Qin wanted the soldiers, who were buried with him so they could guard him in his afterlife, to look realistic. The craftsmen succeeded in guiding their crews to construct figures, probably a little larger than life size, which astounded our group with their authenticity. Apparently, analysis has revealed that each figure has a different face, though eight basic facial types are represented (and are still operative in China today). There were about ten warriors and horses in the exhibit, all reconstructed since no figure was found intact. Ironically, peasants who rebelled against Qin's son looted the pits for the weapons each warrior carried, and broke them in the process.
At the History Center, we learned about the First Minnesota regiment, also the first regiment enlisted in the Union Army after the firing on Ft. Sumter, because Governor Ramsey was in Washington, DC when he heard about the South's secession and immediately volunteered Minnesota citizens. The teacher of the class sparked quite a bit of participation from the students, although she couldn't get Andrew to raise his hand, and delivered an interesting video, audio and hands-on presentation. Of the 1000 men who signed up to fire a few shots and teach the Rebels a lesson, 286 were killed and 609 wounded in battle.
The leaders of the War noted the First Minnesota's bravery in its very first engagement; unlike many other regiments, it stood its ground during the Battle of Bull Run. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Major General Hancock ordered the regiment to go up against 5:1 odds and hold a spot which had been vacated by three fleeing Union regiments. Suffering an 83% casualty rate, still the highest in any encounter by any US troops, the soldiers managed to hang on to the position, and the 47 survivors returned to the Major General with their flag intact. This was a crucial turning point in the battle, which was a crucial turning point in the war.
I love all this stuff. Every detail fascinates me, and I could have spent many hours listening to and reading the information these historians displayed. It's one of the top benefits of homeschooling for me.
Over 2000 years ago, the first Emperor of China united all the Warring States under his control and pursued his interest in immortality. He commissioned the clay craftsmen of his kingdom - by force when necessary - to produce 8000 soldiers. These craftsmen were not artists, and in fact Chinese art up to that time was very abstract, geometric and stylized. But Emperor Qin wanted the soldiers, who were buried with him so they could guard him in his afterlife, to look realistic. The craftsmen succeeded in guiding their crews to construct figures, probably a little larger than life size, which astounded our group with their authenticity. Apparently, analysis has revealed that each figure has a different face, though eight basic facial types are represented (and are still operative in China today). There were about ten warriors and horses in the exhibit, all reconstructed since no figure was found intact. Ironically, peasants who rebelled against Qin's son looted the pits for the weapons each warrior carried, and broke them in the process.
At the History Center, we learned about the First Minnesota regiment, also the first regiment enlisted in the Union Army after the firing on Ft. Sumter, because Governor Ramsey was in Washington, DC when he heard about the South's secession and immediately volunteered Minnesota citizens. The teacher of the class sparked quite a bit of participation from the students, although she couldn't get Andrew to raise his hand, and delivered an interesting video, audio and hands-on presentation. Of the 1000 men who signed up to fire a few shots and teach the Rebels a lesson, 286 were killed and 609 wounded in battle.
The leaders of the War noted the First Minnesota's bravery in its very first engagement; unlike many other regiments, it stood its ground during the Battle of Bull Run. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Major General Hancock ordered the regiment to go up against 5:1 odds and hold a spot which had been vacated by three fleeing Union regiments. Suffering an 83% casualty rate, still the highest in any encounter by any US troops, the soldiers managed to hang on to the position, and the 47 survivors returned to the Major General with their flag intact. This was a crucial turning point in the battle, which was a crucial turning point in the war.
I love all this stuff. Every detail fascinates me, and I could have spent many hours listening to and reading the information these historians displayed. It's one of the top benefits of homeschooling for me.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Perspective
I'm starting our Christmas newsletter by brainstorming possible items to include. It's not every year that a trip to California will take second place in the contest for Biggest Stadem News. Andrew's confirmation and David's college graduation pale in comparison with "Welcome, Callie!" It's all a matter of perspective.
Shelley was in town all week helping her sister, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a month ago. She slept here last night as all the relatives descended upon Lori's house for the bridal shower tomorrow honoring Jamie, Lori's daughter, who moved her wedding date from next April to this December so she can be sure her mom will be there. Their church and work communities have rallied around them and are doing a lot of the leg work for the wedding. Jamie confessed to Aunt Shelley, "When I was getting married in April, I had so many requirements. This had to be done my way and that had to be perfect. Now none of that seems to matter; I just want Mom to be well enough to enjoy my wedding." It's all a matter of perspective.
Only two days remain for Mitt Romney or President Obama to convince enough indecisive voters to propel him into office. I tend to follow politics and obsess about my concerns, so I took a break from the scene this fall and refused to watch, read or listen to political ads or commentary. I wish I could state that this cured me of my excessive interest, but I'm pretty sure that on Election Day (and for days thereafter) I'll be glued to the computer, trying to figure out what went right and wrong. However, if a member of my family died or became severely ill or injured, I wouldn't care a bit about the elections except as a distraction from things of true importance. It's all a matter of perspective.
Lord, grant us a truer perspective on life and Your kingdom. Amen.
Shelley was in town all week helping her sister, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a month ago. She slept here last night as all the relatives descended upon Lori's house for the bridal shower tomorrow honoring Jamie, Lori's daughter, who moved her wedding date from next April to this December so she can be sure her mom will be there. Their church and work communities have rallied around them and are doing a lot of the leg work for the wedding. Jamie confessed to Aunt Shelley, "When I was getting married in April, I had so many requirements. This had to be done my way and that had to be perfect. Now none of that seems to matter; I just want Mom to be well enough to enjoy my wedding." It's all a matter of perspective.
Only two days remain for Mitt Romney or President Obama to convince enough indecisive voters to propel him into office. I tend to follow politics and obsess about my concerns, so I took a break from the scene this fall and refused to watch, read or listen to political ads or commentary. I wish I could state that this cured me of my excessive interest, but I'm pretty sure that on Election Day (and for days thereafter) I'll be glued to the computer, trying to figure out what went right and wrong. However, if a member of my family died or became severely ill or injured, I wouldn't care a bit about the elections except as a distraction from things of true importance. It's all a matter of perspective.
Lord, grant us a truer perspective on life and Your kingdom. Amen.
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