Hey Mom, I'm Going to the Moon Today

     Today, my eleven year old, 

the astronomer, 

is going to the moon.  

Actually, he is going with about 20 of his fellow homeschoolers in our Co-op to the 

Challenger Center. 

The Challenger Centers were developed after the tragedy of the Challenger Space Shuttle which carried, along with the astronauts, the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe. 

It has a flight simulator and hosts many school kids to learn about science and experience space missions first-hand.      http://www.challenger.org/

 They have been working very hard for the past six weeks or so to get ready for this trip. 

Every Thursday evening, they have been building rockets, rocket-propelled cars, doing experiments and even building a habitat out of plastic sheeting and a box fan. 

They have been divided into groups, both large and small, and the night they made the "house" out of plastic, they worked together as one large group and were not allowed to speak for an entire hour. 

That's right, no talking for a whole sixty minutes. They did it.....well, the house had a few leaks and technically, they would have died for lack of oxygen, but now they know what to do. 

I believe the objective for this mission is to build a permanent station on the moon for habitation.

Maybe we can take a family vacation there some day??

I have, at different times in my homeschooling career, 

wanted to be part of a homeschool co-op. 

For one reason or another, it has not worked out. 

There were either time conflicts, or age conflicts, or a waiting list and we never seemed to get in. 

Now, in our 18th year of homeschooling and after moving 800 miles "back home", 

my youngest three kids have the opportunity to participate in a co-op. 

Everything has it's time, as the Bible says.....so this year, they are learning to play hand bells and band instruments.....

and one is going to the moon!

I will let you know how it turns out and

 if you will be able to make vacation plans 

to the moon in the future.

Singing in Harmony

My family is a musical one with musical roots. 

Mom of the Century.....well, not exactly........

Today, I have been a mom for a quarter of a century. 

Wow. 

When I mentioned this to my middle son, he said he'd never thought of it like that.

There are so many memories. 

So much laughter and tears. 

So much anxiety and so very many prayers.

God has been faithful. 

He always is. 

There is never a doubt about that.

From the very beginning, when I first knew the desire to be a mother, God began teaching me to trust Him with my children. It is not an easy thing to learn. But step by step, patiently, He showed me that He is big enough to take care of them. That He is big enough to take care of me. He has made sure that there is no doubt as to Who gets credit for how well my children turn out.

My brave soldier son has hit a milestone. 

I am very proud of him. 

I am thankful that God gave me this assignment.

......and remember.......I have six other kids to talk about, not counting the wonderful people who decided to be part of this family of their own free will....

Happy Birthday, Son!

What's My Assignment?

Several years ago, my husband sent an email to me about a woman who told the Lord that she would do anything and go anywhere that He wanted. 

Of course, she was thinking about being a missionary to the other side of the world or making huge sacrifices in some other significant way of service.
 The Lord told her that He wanted her to be in charge of a group of people , none of whom the world thought very important, and that she would not get paid or noticed. She eagerly agreed and wondered where He was sending her. He told her it was where she was already. At home. 

Her "people group" was her children. 
She was disappointed.