Learning in the everyday

As a homeschool mom my thoughts often turn to how much my children have learned and have yet to learn and the list includes far more than basic academics.


With this post already mulling around in my head, a couple other blogs posts around this idea came through my Reader. Gale at Schooling with Integrity talked about learning and modeling maturity through some of life's more difficult lessons, and Luke at Sonlight blog talks about the simple lessons that arise in playing with blocks.


Each week we experience moments of unanticipated learning. One great environment for that this week came in a game of croquet.



A simple game, really, simple rules, simple set up. My kind of game. Friendly, few penalties, light competition, everyone can participate. You picture women in hoop skirts and glasses of lemonade and parasols. Well, at least I do. It looks a little different in Chicago in October . . .


Not my son's kind of game, but he loves all games to some degree, and we had lots of character lessons while playing. And, they played a second day, so I guess they all had fun in the process.

You have to choose at times to focus on progressing your own ball, or sending a fellow player's ball to kingdom come. Players should show grace when a mallet swipes the grass instead of their ball (especially if said mallet-holder is under 6 . . . ) Of course honesty comes into play -- is the ball completely through the wicket? Did you truly strike the post? And, lots of room for encouragement and helping one another with strategy as we learn together.

Squabbles, of course, here and there. Winners and losers. Perseverance even when behind. Smiles of encouragement. Squelched frustration, and repeated attempts. Yes, learning, lots of learning.


Back inside, popcorn and a video. More learning.

Torchlighters: The Jim Elliot Story-DVD


Due back at the library tomorrow, we had to take it in this afternoon . . . The Story of Jim Elliot. After the animated story ended, a few interviews took us deeper into the story, and brought it all the way to modern day.

Missions, a serious passion of mine, always captures my attention, and this video was no exception. Steve Saint, son of martyr Nate Saint, shared his current ministry with the Waodani people largely through the Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (I-TEC).

A great reminder of the desperate need for the gospel around the world.

Sweetness . . . Faith reminding me that we need to keep saving money to translate a verse or more through Sonlight's project.

The learning never ends, and most of the valuable lessons have nothing to do with books.

Comments

amy in peru said…
Jim's brother, Burt and his wife Colleen are our long-time colleagues here in Peru. We are very indebted to them and their example to us of a life poured out in missions. You may never hear about them, but their story is amazing. The work we are now involved with in the jungle is a direct extension of their work beginning more than 60 years ago!

There are SO many people who still do not know about Christ... it's overwhelming sometimes. But that is what our life is about and why we are all still here! That they may know Him that we know.

Amy
6intow said…
Amy,

Thanks for stopping in and commenting here and there. That AOY5 post is ridiculously long, and now I'm hardly using it because of all the review stuff I have gotten to use (Such a blessing!)

Neat to hear about Jim's brother and wife still serving down there. So many people (including yourselves!) that continue to work tirelessly to advance the gospel. We will only get glimpses this side of eternity of all God is at work through.

Praying for you and yours as you continue such a needed work.
~Erin

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