in pursuit of wild things

We greeted June in the emergency room.

Emergency comes from the Latin meaning “to arise” or “bring to light”. The symbolic beauty of the word’s origin is obscured today. The word seems ugly to me and does not flow well off the tongue. I like words and I enjoy learning about words. In those moments as May faded into June and I guarded with prayer my daughter’s  rest in the ER; I thought about “emergency.” We certainly have a mystery on our hands…a mystery where truth needs to be brought out of darkness and into the light of understanding. Unfortunately, her mystery illness will require a specialist that she is scheduled to see next month. She

is still ill but responding to antibiotics. (A thousand times “thank you” to those who have offered prayers for her!!)

Oh, and about those antibiotics she is taking…this stuff is given to people with the plague or anthrax exposure! The side effects are just as horrible as her current symptoms. We won’t really know if she is feeling better for another seven days or so…

My plans for our summer courses are moot. I’m not sure what to do now. Sparkles thinks she could work on math and maybe one or two other things. For now our summer intensive Kentucky history is out. I had planned for us to visit all of the historical spots in town this month (most of them anyway…).

None of my plans have worked out this academic year. We have moved, suffered with pneumonia this winter and now Sparkle’s mystery illness. I’ve learned more about homeschooling and my children this year than in the past. Despite the year’s turbulence and even my own

spiritual lows, I feel God’s guiding hand on us. I do not know what the next six months will bring. Not a clue. I’m only starting to emerge from the spiritual funk that has kept me from church and talking with God. Honestly, I expected the events of this past week to knock me back into my doubts and darkness.

So far so good…and that seems kinda weird to me. I should be falling apart and totally freaking out. But right now I just accept and know that all moments pass through the hands of God. In acceptance I find rest and strength. And a little fear…

Many years ago I use to keep a journal. I would write poems and paint in my journal. Sometimes I would write out quotes or word phrases that I just needed to remember. All of my journals and art were thrown away by my mother many years ago. I cried and still haven’t forgiven her for throwing those away…and other things she thought I needed to grow out of. Today I started a new journal…I feel a personal renaissance is awakening. I used to be creative and I let others beat and ridicule that force out of me.

Maybe it is time to reclaim and make certain that my children fine their own creative force within… Also, for the month of June I will be posting a picture each day of grateful moments. I just need to remember right now.

Another huge change for me this week was dropping out of the TOS Review Crew. It was not an easy decision to make because I signed a contract with them and have an obligation to be part of the team. I have one review due next month and it will be my last. I also had another review due next month but since we hadn’t even started working on it I was taken off the list of

reviewers. The owner of the company allowed me to have access to his art curriculum anyway even though I will not be able to provide a review for him (thank you Mr. John Hofland of ArtAchieve).  So, if you happen to be in the market for an art curriculum then I encourage you to consider ArtAchieve. I am very touched by his generosity. I think a little art therapy is just what we may need to get through this summer of changes.

Linking up with: Weird unsocailaized Homeschoolers

Oldest on outing with Daddy

Littlest and Oldest enjoying ice cream at VBS

Sparkles and friend at VBS

Kindergarten in church Sanctuary while Sparkles takes sewing lessons

Sparkles at sewing class

VBS

VBS