Sheldon

I had not planned to blog anymore today, but now I need to.  Tonight we got an email informing us of Sheldon Martin's death.  He is the husband of Louisa, and they both attend our church back in the States.  Or did.  Two days ago Sheldon went to Heaven after his canoe capsized in Lake Cheney.   He was newly married and only 31 years old.  This is too unbelievable!  He was the children's SS superintendent this past year.  Week after week we all had the privilege of watching him teach biblical truths to the children in the most interesting and entertaining ways.  The children loved him.  We are in shock- completely.  Please pray for Louisa!!  Please do.  That would be my heart cry- pray for the family.  We know Sheldon is fine now.

Sudden, tragic deaths and the resulting sadness are very real to us.  Soon after Sheldon and Louisa got married, about 3 years ago, we lost our 12 year old son.  Seth was in a hayride/tractor accident.  The details I'll save for another day, if The Lord grants that.  Honestly, all of our days are numbered.  It seems presumptuous to assume any of us have 'another day.'  Let's give God our ALL today while we still have time.  He is worthy.
            ......and if you haven't yet, please pray for Louisa.

Homeschool

A backyard photo of a soon-to-be double rainbow in Dungarvan, County Waterford.

Exactly two months ago we arrived in Ireland (September 19th).  Before we even arrived I had hoped to blog our adventures.  However, the sheer amount of cultural adjustments caught me off guard, and so my blogging journey is a little behind.  

For me, the biggest adjustment is trying to homeschool my children in a foreign country.  I like my homeschool day to go like clockwork- everything on time and in perfect order.  However, life in Ireland has challenged my every attempt to do that, or so it seems.  Recently, I had designed, what I thought, was the 'perfect' schedule.  Everything fit neatly into a time slot, and school was going to get done.  Well, that lasted about a week, when 'real-life' knocked on my door again.  This time it was a couple that needed someone to watch their 1 and 3 year old children, so they could go on a much desired 10-year anniversary trip.  Of course, we couldn't pass up this opportunty.  My children 'love' little children and well, how much more educational can it get?  And, besides, aren't we here as 'missionaries' to some extent?  Aren't we here to encourage the missionaries and other families that are building God's kingdom in Ireland?  A big yup to it all!  So, without much hesitation, we told her we'd be available.  The following week was spent house and babysitting for them and it was tremendously educational!  Child Care and psychology were the themes all week.  It gave them a deeper understanding (and empathy) for young mothers in a way that no textbook could.  And as a side note, I think the young children benefitted, too, as they had many doting 'parents' who read to them all week!

Well, can you see my dilemma, though?  So many educational opportunities are presenting themselves outside the typical curriculum scene.  Anyway, these thoughts were abounding as I stumbled over an inspiring website: storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com. This is an amazing website.   So, anyway, after discussing this with Wolf, we decided that an 'interest-led' education is what we need to try.

We aren't 100% interest-led/unschooling folk, however.  Although we are learning in 'unconventional' ways, Mama (I) still do good-'ole math with them.  Guess I can't kick that habit- besides I love math!  Just wish the children did.  At least they enjoy our library trips, plus all the excursions we do here.  So far, we've visited the Hook Lighthouse (oldest operating lighthouse in the world, I believe) and the Dunbrody Ship, or famine ship.  It was basically the type of ship that brought the Irish folk to America in the 1800's (potato blight times).  The type of ship that my ancestors, and maybe yours, were on.  In the near future I really want to take them to the Waterford Crystal Plant to see how glass is made and transformed into a work of art.

 Each weekend that Wolf is with us, we try to do a special trip.  Of course, with him going to the States for 12 days or so each month, it makes it harder, but we still do exploring on our own.  Since the ocean is just minutes from us, we went clamming and 'musseling.'  Not much success in the clam  dept., but we enjoyed feasting on mussels that night!

 Anyway, the bottom line here is, educational opportunities are all around us.  But, more importantly, opportunities to answer the door when God knocks, also abound.  So, we've decided to answer those knocks, and put our own desires (my set homeschool schedule) to the side.  We desire to put God first in all we do, and that includes in the homeschooling realm, too.

Yoder Days

 A huge amount of time was spent reading to Joy (1) and Josiah (3) Yoder. 

 Maggie and Joy are good friends here.

 We are going for a walk.  In the background, there are fields with cows grazing.  A very common sight in Ireland.

 Anna doing Joy's hair.  I'm sure this was Anna's favorite part of the day!

Even Nehemiah enjoyed reading to the children.

The girls

Anna, Beth, and Maggie with Princess, the dog.

We spent the last week at Jonathan and Joyce Yoder's house watching their two youngest children.  Anyway, this is their back deck, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  Can you see it way back there?   So beautiful!