What's Happening @ Home(School): 2012

Yesterday, we went on a field trip to the SAC with the entire homeschool co-op. It was really fun. A bit much for FigNewTon, but worth the expenditure of energy I think.

We enjoyed the warmth and the sunshine waiting to go in.

A little more waiting for the presentation to begin.

They had a special display up for the students to learn about our solar system with an inflatable planetarium even.

Then there was a time of learning about our solar system.

Lastly, we went to a hands on room where they learned about comets, meteors, and asteroids. It was nice to see the older children interacting with the younger children and teaching them.

I think it is so good for children to be together in a learning environment like that. I am always blessed by how respectful the older children treat the younger children, how patient they are with them, and how much the younger ones adore the older children and teens.

I wrote a short story for Fine Arts. Thanks to all the people who helped me. Also thanks to Mom for her continuing support.

Elica lived a busy life. As a 15-year-old girl, Elica loved her curly blond hair and beautiful green eyes. Elica studied hard and received high grades. She had many hobbies including reading, swimming, and dancing. Elica loved God and always looked for opportunities to serve others.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her dad. Since Elica’s parents divorced, time spent visiting her dad transformed into the bright spot of the week as it gave Elica a chance to be herself without fear of repercussions. As a result of their shared relationship with God, Elica and her dad grew very close, even though she only saw him a few days each week. Elica lived with her mom and siblings in a run-down part of town. Considering that Elica’s mom did not believe in God, Elica struggled to get along with her mother.

Elica’s mom battled jealousy as a result of Elica enjoying a good relationship with her dad. Sometimes her mom would even try to stop Elica from visiting her dad. When Elica persisted, her mother grounded her and kept Elica home even longer. After one such episode, Elica’s mom told her, “You cannot visit that man any longer. He is a bad influence on you.” This saddened Elica. She was trying her hardest to honor God by obeying her mom. Elica prayed every day that God would show her what to do and how to reach her mother.

Some days were good. Yet on other days, although she tried her hardest to get along with her mother, she still felt like her mom grew displeased no matter what. Often Elica’s mother asked her, “Why do you waste your time with all that God stuff? It’s not like it can get you a career anyway.” Even though Elica did not know how to answer this, she did her best to avoid getting mad. This aggravated Elica’s mother.
It was hard sometimes since Elica’s mom didn’t let her mention the Bible, let alone read it. This greatly discouraged Elica. If Elica got caught reading her Bible during one of her mother’s bad moods, she always got scolded. Nevertheless she continued reaching out to her mother.

Elica participated in a lot of extracurricular activities. These included participating on the dance and swim teams, photographing for the school newspaper, and volunteering at the nursing home once a week. Her favorite thing to do at the nursing home was talking with the patients. One nice lady had shared with Elica that as a child she had gone through the same experience and this encouraged Elica every time they visited. In addition to volunteering at the nursing home, Elica also enjoyed church and Sunday School.

One week during class, Elica’s teacher talked about how everyone needed to be relentless in their efforts to reach the lost people in their lives, especially those they love. This greatly edified Elica and she pledged then and there to always be open to opportunities to share the gospel with her mom and other people she knew.

A few weeks later, Elica brought her mom to church with an invitation to a drama presentation that the youth group hosted. At the end of the show the pastor called for those people to come up to the front who wanted to accept Jesus into their heart as Lord and Savior. Elica's mom accepted the call that night and this began changing her heart.

Currently, Elica and her mother enjoy a very good relationship. Elica and her mom now share their testimony with the lost people they know. This brings joy to Elica and strengthens her faith because she is constantly reminded that God answered her prayers.

See if you can find me in last year's highlight video.