What does your ideal home look like?
What does my ideal home look like? A Victorian style farm house with the original word work still intact. Fully equipped with a a princess tower, fully stocked library of unique and rare books, and a dungeon in the basement. Oh and don’t forget about the hidden tunnel and passage way through out and secret hide aways. All situated on 100 acres with rolling hills and farm animals. Id your going to dream, might as well dream big right?
The next morning Rose made two lunches. One for herself and one for the young girl hiding in her shop. She had come to the conclusion to invite the girl into her home. She had the extra room to spare and would love some company. The child was probably even old enough to help around the house with some chores. It would be better than sleeping in a bookstore or wherever else she sleeps.
Rose wrote her address on a small slip of paper and taped it inside the second lunch box. She added, “If you would like a place to sleep other than an old book shop you are welcome at my house.” Rose grabbed both lunches and headed to work.
All day once again she watched for the pale face girl. She planned to casually talk to her and nicely bring up that she was aware of her sleepovers. Then she would invite her to stay at her house for a little while, or so she imagined the conversation to go. Unfortunately, Rose didn’t see the girl all day. At closing time Rose locked up and went home, leaving the lunch behind just in case. Perhaps the girl had snuck in while she was busy with a customer.
Elianna hid away once again in the bookstore, eyeing the old woman’s lunch she left behind. Silently she prayed that the woman had forgotten to eat it once more. A decent sandwich would be heavenly at the moment. She hasn’t eaten since the last forgotten lunch. The second she felt safe, Elianna darted from between the bookshelves and over to the left lunchbox. She was half way through the sandwich before she noticed the pinned address and note. She stopped mid chew and read it time and time again.
So the old lady wasn’t so senial and dim witted. She definitely knew Elianna was sleeping in her shop, but to go as far as inviting her to stay over, that seemed suspicious. She debated the reality of the offer and knew she could never trust someone that much. If her father ever caught her staying with someone it would mean trouble for both of them and Elianna wanted no trouble to come upon Rose. She was far to elderly to worry about such things. For a moment, she fantasized what it would be like to sleep in a nice soft bed again. To bathe in a shower with pretty smelling soap and shampoo. To wrap her long hair in a soft towel and brush it 100 times before bed. She day dreamed what it would be like to be normal again, with a normal family and a normal home.
Elianna broke from her make believe world and faced reality. She would no longer be able to use the bookstore as a hideout. Now that her cover was blown she must move along and find another safe place to sleep. It was sad, she has come to really enjoy her time amongst the bookstacks and loved the endless entertainment. She finished the prepared lunch and read herself asleep, making the most out of her last night in Rose’s
bookstore.
Rose half expected a tiny knock at the door all night. It never came. She decided the pale face girl didn’t camp out in her book store that night. Disappointed, she hurried to the bookstore to check the lunch box. To her surprise the forgotten lunch was entirely eaten. “So the note was presumably received and the answer was, “no thank you”. Rose thought. She was certain the girl would take her up on her offer. Confirming that the note was likely read and she never showed up to her house just added to the mystery of the situation. Why would a child want to continue living on the streets, Rose pondered. That night she came up with a different plan. She would do a little hiding out herself.
The next day Elianna left Charlotte the moment visiting hours were over. The sky had been dark and ominous all day and she was certain tonight it would rain. She didn’t want to be caught out in the elements and hasn’t found a suitable substitute for the cozy book store. Regardless of the apparent danger, the shop was going to have to be refuge again tonight. She prayed that she could pull off one more night, then first thing tomorrow she would look for a better place to sleep.
She could try going back to her father’s house but knew that was out of the question. A place she once called home, now just a place where her father drifts in and out. The short time he is there, he is entertaining fast women and doing dangerous things. When he’s not there his minions hold down the fort like they themselves are king. Either way, it was no place for a child, especially a young female. How she longed for the days when her mother was still alive and the house was her home.
Elianna slammed back to reality as she approached Rose’s bookstore, the first few raindrops pelting her head. She paused at the window, hoping to slide through the door unnoticed. The old lady was busy helping a customer in the far left corner. Elianna eases the door open, ensuring the bells remained silent and slid through the door. She closed it behind her silently. Quietly she hurried off to the restroom to await closing time. She planned to sneak to her hiding spot a little later, for now she just wanted to sit down and be unseen.
At 7:00PM Rose turned the sign to close and shut off all the lights. She lowered all the blinds and locked the back door. She caused the front door to open and then closed and locked it from the inside, hoping to fool any would-be hiders into thinking she left as usual. With silent footsteps she walked to her favorite chair and had a seat. Earlier she moved the chair to a dark corner, situated so she could see down the rows of bookshelves. She sat there quietly, steading her breathing and listening for any sound. Finally, a movement between the corner bookshelves, a silhouette sifted from between them and began walking her way. Rose waited until the pale face girl had walked past her until she spoke.
“What do you think you are doing?”
The pale face girl screamed in terror.
“I’m sorry ma’am. I was just leaving.”
“No you weren’t. You have been sleeping in here.”
“This was going to be the last night. Honest.”
“I gave you my address. You should have came”
“Yes. Thank you for the food.”
“Where are your parents?”
“My father doesn’t want me and my momma died when I was a little girl.”
“What do you mean doesn’t want you?”
“I mean every time he sees me he tells me to go away. If I dont he beats me.”
“Then come stay with me.”
“No, I stayed with my friend once and daddy found out. He hurt her mommy really bad. I’m better off alone. Your better off if I am alone.”
“Nonsense. The streets are no place for a young girl like yourself. Come home with me, just for a little while.”
“How do I know you’re not going to murder me or something?”
“Come on, I am a 70 year old woman. I am confident you could take me.”
“If father find out he’s gonna be really mad at you for helping me.”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll deal with your father. Come on now, let’s get you washed up and fed.”
After a few more moments of convincing Elianna agreeed to go home with Rose. Surely her father wouldn’t find out after just one night. Then tomorrow just as planned she will find a new place to crash. On the drive to Rose’s, a peaceful silence settled amongst them, both unsure of what to say and too nervous to say it. Just as Elianna expected they pulled into the drive of a little white cottage with a white picket fence. Was she making the right decision to stay with Rose for a night? What happens if father finds out? She knew he would be out of town at least until this weekend. But after that, for both their safety, she should move along.
Welcome back to another in-depth Bible study. May you have listening ears and eyes that see. Join me as we dive into Father’s word.
Deuteronomy 28:31
31 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.
32 Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.
33 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
35 The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.
36 The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.
37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.
38 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.
39 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.
42 All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.
43 The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
44 He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
46 And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.
47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
50 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:
51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
52 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:
54 So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:
That concludes our lesson for today. Comeback tomorrow as we continue right along in the Bible. Have a great day and God bless!
Oftentimes we adults forget that our children need and crave deep and meaningful connections. We focus on the food, shelter and clothing and sometimes neglect another need just as important. Genuine connection is crucial for a child’s development. It helps them better understand their thoughts, feelings and actions as well as how to process them. Many children who do not receive quality time with parents act out in a desperate attempt to get it. All kids want to be heard, seen, loved and included. Something as simple as having a say in the choosing of what’s for dinner, playing a game together or simply asking how their day was can have a profound effect on their mental well being. It is our job to create safe, healthy environments for our kids and that takes more than food, clothing, and shelter. Nobody is perfect, we all get caught up in the chase of life, But let’s not forget that little minds and little hearts need attention too. Life can not be all work… and no play. Take the time to see, listen and include because I assure you, if your child doesn’t make that meaningful connection with you, they will with someone or something else.
Welcome back to another in-depth Bible study. May you have listening ears and eyes that see. Join me as we dive into Father’s word.
Deuteronomy 28
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
21 The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.
22 The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.
23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
26 And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.
27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
29 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.
30 Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
That concludes our lesson for today. Comeback tomorrow as we continue right along in the Bible. Have a great day and God bless!
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
What brings a tear of joy to me eye? Seeing my children happy and knowing I caused it. Pure joy on their face is food for my soul. It could be something as simple as a flower or a big as a family vacation. My kids are and always will be my greatest accomplishment.
The choice to homeschool my children was not an easy one. At one point in time, when my oldest was just a toddler , I dreamed about the heart ache I would endure as I sent him off to school the first time. It hurt just as bad as I imagined it would. To watch my whole world climb those big bus steps and a stranger drive him away.
Then I received the heart shattering call that the school had misplaced my five year old. I pulled him out and started homeschooling. A few years later and the thought of him missing out always tugged on my consciousness. I remembered the themes of the season and holidays and all the activities I enjoyed while in school. The Valentine exchange, spirit week, gym class, and halloween parties. I recalled the social time during recess and other learning experiences I wouldn’t have if I was homeschooled. I feared my son was missing out on key elements of his childhood. I decided to give public school a chance once again.
The year seemed to be going smoothly and his grades were fantastic. He was making new friends and beamed with pride for his accomplishments. Then an event happened and I witnessed adults bullying my son and I was clued in about many other instances involving other children that were mishandled by staff members. In a blink of an eye we were homeschooling again.
I do not wish to go into full details as this is not a bashing article. This is to the non-traditional parent with school aged children. Our children’s first days are still memorable too. Maybe your child has health issues that make brick and mortar schools not an option. Possibly your child has a genetic disorder that requires more one on one attention that those types of schools can’t offer. Or maybe you have found traditional schools harsh and not aligning with your beliefs and views.
Whatever your particular case may be, don’t forget to make it special. Snap the picture. Record the memory. Post it on Facebook and send it to your family. My son is starting middle school and my daughter is entering Kindergarten. Each of them are beginning a journey that I am blessed to be a part of.
Celebrate your child’s success no matter where they are. My son is participating in online classes, while that is not traditional homeschooling, he still stays at home while doing his studies. My daughter is learning with the traditional method this year. She will never ride a school bus or be placed in the hands of a traditional school. My children will never step foot into that lifestyle again and I am okay with that. It is what works for my family even if it doesn’t work for most. I will mark their achievement and document their accomplishments just the same.
I no longer feel like they are missing out. In fact, I believe homeschooling was the best choice I have made for my children. It has been a blessing and an honor to be so involved in their learning. I am not simply sending them off to school to let someone teach them. I have a say in what is taught and what is not. I have more control of the content exposed to my children and know first hand what influences them.
I ensure they have plenty of social interactions and have been able to find sports and dances in our community for homeschooled children. My eyes were opened to tons of opportunities to get togethers with like minded people and have made several friends along the way. One very important thing I have learned is every family is different and chooses to homeschool for their own reasons. Everyone’s homeschool routine may look a little bit different, but we are all just trying to do the best for our children. What does your non-traditional first day of school look like?
Heather Congrove