The Star Chasers
Three Plus One. August 28, 2007.
Maybe you didn't know that this morning, on the 28th of August, the moon was totally eclipsed by the earth. That's too bad. I guess you missed it.
Well, I can empathize, because for the most part so did we, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. We are, after all [cue music], the Star Chasers [cue announcer]: "Sleep-deprived or with sleep arrested, this ordinary homeschooling family of five chases the deepest night into the darkest corners of Chicagoland in light of the ever-burning hope that they might catch a glimpse of some phenomenal astronomical ... er... phenomenon."
Cut music. Our record is 0-3 with one tie, if you consider a partial eclipse neither a complete win nor a complete loss.
During October's incoming stretch of Comet Swan with its green tail, we drove out to Indiana, but took too long before stopping, so we missed it. On the comet's outgoing lap, the rising sun drowned out the possibility of locating it in the east, so again, we missed it. Earlier this month we were better prepared for the Perseid meteor showers in the new moon sky, but the summer humidity blocked the view of all stars, including our shooting stars.
We shuffled the kids, all bundled up in their comfy quilts, down the sidewalk to our parked van at 4 o'clock this morning. Looking up, we could see the partially eclipsed moon through a partly cloudy sky, about a quarter of its way into the earth's umbra. As we drove south towards the cornfields, we watched the clouds alternately cover and reveal the moon, continually making us guess whether the light was being blocked by a cloud or by the earth. Despite our silent, fervant prayers, however, the clouds soon took over, and at 5:45 we gave up our dream of seeing the moon glow red.
Dreamy Star. August 28, 2007.
All was not lost, however. Before we had left on this adventure, I had asked the kids why we were about to do this. Because grogginess was about all I got in return, I said enthusiastically: "We're doing it to give God glory!" Elliot, fresh from having watched Facing the Giants, said in reply, "If we see it, we give Him glory. If we don't see it, we give Him glory." Amen!
Even in its incompleteness, the eclipse did display God's glory. But in northern Illinois, God's glory was more prominently displayed in the day's dawning.
Dawn Breaking. August 28, 2007.
One of these days our hopes will be fulfilled, so we're just going to keep trying. It's become one of those "things that we do." The kids are used to the excursions, and rather than being discouraged by our lack of success, they've kept a plucky attitude and they stay flexible.
And, I must say, getting to share an iced coffee from McDonald's (that's right; see picture above) and having Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast afterwards doesn't seem to hurt their enthusiasm, either, even if it doesn't compete with the Perseid Adventure's horse riding treat.
from Psalm 19:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
posted on Tuesday, August 28
