Five Home Ed in Kent

Friday, October 20, 2006 - News

I was quite worried about my health recently and finally got around to making an appointment with the doctor. Sorry to be personal, but I'd been bleeding at times when I wasn't meant to be, and also had some pain.

Anyway, the short version of the story is, I'm 7 weeks pregnant!

It's all a bit much to take in. It's not that we weren't trying, just that what with one thing and another we'd forgotten about it - amazing but true. It's been over 18 months since we first decided to try for number 4 and I guess we'd given up.

The fact of the pain and bleeding is naturally a concern. These are early days, and I do tend to have "eventful" pregnancies, so all prayers gratefully received.

We told the boys. We've always included our lads from day one as we see it as a family thing and that, even if things don't work out, the children would need to know why we were all sad. Just our personal decision, I know not everyone agrees.

The boys have been great! Samuel says "hello baby" everytime he walks past me, and gives me two hugs and two kisses each time - one for me, one for baby! Joshua and Samuel are very excited - not quite sure why! William has said he wants either a baby sister or a baby puppy (!).

Interestingly, Joshua said "oh William will be put out". I questionned this and he said "well I know Samuel and I were, when William arrived and we weren't the centre of attention anymore". Such insight in one so young! I think actually William will relish not being the bottom of the pile anymore.

So, all change. It's obviously still a worrying time so it is a case of one day at a time. I'm really hoping that the pains will ease, and do not mean I'll have them all the way through, nor that the pregnancy won't hold. I have an irritable uterus, apparently, so all muscle strain, spasms, etc have an overly large effect on me. Also, having IBS, it means the two sets of muscles trigger of spasms in each other. Usually by 7 months I am having strong muscle contractions that can reach labour strength, but as only one set of muscles in involved, not both sets, I just get the pain but no delivery. Though having said that, Joshua was 4 weeks premature.

Sorry for all the detail! But my head is rather full of it all at the moment, as I am sure you'll all understand.

Joshua will be 11 on Monday. I spent the other day sorting all the baby clothes out and can't believe that some of them are now 11 years old! Eek!

Roarke's work have said Joshua can go into work with him and use their Learn Direct study centre to take english and maths, which would be good - something for him to "do" with his Dad.

William is doing well with his numbers, though he seems to have to count up to find the right number, and is a bit slower on recognising the number on its own. He can write a neat 4 - as that's "his" number!

Samuel I am still leaving to his own devices, somewhat, until I can work out the best way to encourage and support him.

Did you see about the Charles Darwin collection going online? I know that not all Christians wish to use his research, but I still personally find a lot of it has value (I just don't draw quite the same conclusions he did!).

And a personal, newly discovered favourite of mine - one of those sites you can get sidetracked into for hours - a site for "The Longest..." Look up the longest of anything recorded (like the longest abbreviation!) at this site with the longest domain name!

Thursday, September 7, 2006 - Fame!

Hey, we're famous (or should that be infamous...)

Thanks to Robert, our humble blog here has made it into his Kent Bloggers feature. We didn't make the radio piece that went with it - perhaps I sounded just too breathless (or soggy) having just got out of my sink hole...

Anyway, I think it was a great piece and I've enjoyed wandering around the other blogs that he mentioned.

I do hope, if anyone stops by via BBC Kent, that you stay and have a good browse through. If you are new to the whole idea of home education, you may find it useful to view our main website at www.ukhome-educators.co.uk. If you are in Kent, and interested in joining us, or learning more, you can use the feature on that site to contact us - or post a comment here and I'll try to answer your questions.

What with the Times article, and all the TV coverage this week (see my previous post), home education is definitely on the public agenda now. I hope this encourages a healthy and open investigation into how the school system is failing so many, as well as perhaps prompting parents to look afresh at the whole issue of parenting and how society today seems to force us into a particular route that maybe, just maybe, we might not want to go down..

My husband yesterday likened it to the Matrix film. I do hope you've seen it otherwise this reference could lose it's impact! Briefly, there is a bit towards the start of the film where the central character of the film, Neo, is presented with a choice by the mysterious character called Morpheus (named after the Greek god of dreams and sleep). When Morpheus and Neo meet, Morpheus offers Neo two pills. The red pill will answer the question "what is the Matrix?" (by removing him from it) and the blue pill simply for life to carry on as before. As Neo reaches for the red pill Morpheus warns Neo "Remember, all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more."

Roarke (my husband) said that the whole home education issue was like that. It is one thing to debate, discuss, or look into generally the issue of home education as an alternative to the school system. However, once you actually "take the red pill" and step into home ed, you truly see things from a different perspective. You start questioning so much that you took for granted and just, well, accepted before. It becomes an unravelling process (merrily mixing metaphors here!) where you keep coming across knotty issues that, once you deal with them, open up a whole new perspective.

We've found ourselves examining every aspect of our parenting, and then moving on to the whole issue of parenting in today's society - examining some fundamental assumptions that we realised we had. We might not be that average (ok, our friends think we are odd!) but we would never have classed ourselves as "alternative" lifestyle people (those Roarke was definitely a rebel in his younger days!). But now we find so much of the current political, social, economic and spiritual climate of our country quite frankly to leave a lot to be desired.

I found a site with an essay on this "matrix philosophy" issue and it's well worth a read - nothing to do with HE but this whole issue of whether or not to question the "status quo" in life.

Can I encourage anyone reading this, to "see how deep the rabbit hole goes" and take the "red pill" to find out more about the realities of home education?...

Saturday, August 26, 2006 - Tagged!

Hey, I've been tagged for the first time ever! Thanks Karla.

So, here goes:

ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE:

May sound corny but... the Bible

ONE BOOK THAT YOU’VE READ MORE THAN ONCE:

Grief - I read all my books more than once! Memorably, as a young child I read through all the fiction books in my local library.. Now having moved back to the area, I'm pleased to see they've got some new ones for my boys ;0) But one that I re-read regularly? Hmm, Jamie Buckingham "Where Eagles Soar"

TWO BOOKS YOU’D WANT ON A DESERT ISLAND:

The Bible, and the complete Lord of The Rings (bought as one book, not 3!)

ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU LAUGH:
The first Terry Pratchett that I read (Colour of Magic)

ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY:
"Skallagrigg" by William Horwood. An awesome book, very hard to read as it is so emotive. I was only a teenager when I first read it and it was very powerful. I have never ever forgotten the book, but have also never reread it - that's how big an impression it made.

ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD BEEN WRITTEN:

"The advantage of hindsight"....

ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN:

"Psycho" by Brett Easton Ellis

ONE BOOK THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING:

Dr Neil T Anderson - Victory Over Darkness

ONE BOOK YOU HAVE BEEN MEANING TO READ:

Anything by Charles Dickens other than Hard Times - the only Dickens I've ever read, and that was as part of my English A Level - which kinda spoilt Dickens for me!

FIVE PEOPLE YOU TAG:

I'm struggling here! Everyone seems to have been "gotten" already..

How about Roarke, Deb, OTHENA, Sharon, and Jules.

Saturday, July 15, 2006 - Home Ed Twinning Project

I recently set up a new international group (yep, another one!) which I am now going to promote shamelessly:

"To know and understand each other better" is the motivation behind the town twinning movement that started after the Second World War. The Home Ed Group Twinning Project aims to assist home schooling groups to do just that. Groups from around the world are encouraged to register, and to make a connection with another group. Groups can then build meaningful and rewarding relationships with each other, to the benefit of all the children involved.

"Education, in the broadest of truest sense, will make an individual seek to help all people, regardless of race, regardless of color, regardless of condition." George Washington Carver

Its success depends upon lots of groups registering - via a nominated contact point - so please, please take it back to your homeschooling group and pass the idea around. We already have a number of UK groups registered, all eager to build links with homeschooling groups overseas.

Plug over!

ps don't forget to keep up to date with me on my current blog, www.fivehomedinkent.blogspot.com.

Monday, June 19, 2006 - Recipes

it's taken some time, as I'm still only just about on my feet again after having lost Dad, but I have finally updated our family site, and in particular the recipes (as per my entry of 14th February!).

Enjoy!

ps don't forget to keep up to date with me on my current blog, www.fivehomeedinkent.blogspot.com

Sunday, April 2, 2006 - Deleting Blogs

Hi HSB. I would appreciate it if you did NOT delete my blog!

Whilst I may not be posting regularly here, I did, and I still refer back to my posts frequently. I direct other people to them, when there is useful information to look up, and it is also a great way to keep in contact with my many friends here.

I appreciate the need for space that is seemingly driving the need to delete unused blogs - but is there not some middle ground here? Is there a way to have just one page, that is a holding place for the Blog, with clickable links to the archives - just as there are links to the archives on the side anyway?

I would be very distressed to think that my blog here would go, and would not be available for reference anymore.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - Moving On

I'm moving!

Well, my blog is.

An issue has arisen which means that I am not comfortable using the Homeschoolblogger site anymore. It is in connection with TOS, and relates to their forthcoming tour of the UK.

I hope that some of you will visit my new blog (http://fivehomeedinkent.blogspot.com/) and bookmark it so that you can continue to follow our travels. I will still visits my friends here, and read your blogs as I have gained great benefit from them.

Best wishes,

Ann

Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - Art and stuff

I have continued to feel better today, which is great. I'm currently working on updating the recipes on our family site (as per J's request!) - I'll let you know when it's finished.

W is determined to be a big boy like his brothers. He wants to get dressed unaided, doesn't want a "baby" (melamine) plate and bowl anymore, but a "big boy" one (china) like his brothers. He also has asked for full sized cutlery instead of the toddler set he was still using. My little baby has grown up.

J came down today from his room asking if I had any books on art. He is looking for inspiration (his words) and thought that if he learnt more about art and famous artists, it may inspire him. He searched through all his encyclopedias, including the one on his computer, looking for reference to art. I also gave him some sites to look at online - the Tate and Sanford Art Adventures being particularly interesting for him.

W spent ages on some colouring, copying his eldest brother by designing a map. He has an amazing imagination, and always regales us of a morning with details of the dreams he had the night before.

It is a good job we had our valentines meal last night - poor dh came home with an awful headache and is going to bed now, with the boys. Yesterday we had taken a self-test for Candida, and it does indeed look like he is suffering with it. It certainly ties in with his symptoms. (click on this link then scroll down to look for the words "Simple Home Candida Test")

Tomorrow, S is out most of the day with his old school friend, and J has his friend over here. I guess W and I will be playing together then!

Monday, February 13, 2006 - Sprouts and valentines

I continue to be grateful for all your prayers, as I am definately recovered. Whilst I feel as wrung out as a dish cloth, my aches and pains have all gone.

This morning S went out with his (one) friend that he had from his school days. His mum and friend took them to a play park, had lunch, then called in for a cup of tea when they dropped S home. Sadly, his friend is being bullied at school too and is not very happy.

Whilst they were out, I took J & W to the library, then out for a drink at a cafe as a treat. We then went to get some fresh vegetables. I'd discussed moving to a more raw-based diet with J over his drink. I was very proud of him at lunch - in light of what we had discussed, he had a plate of crudites (with branston pickle!) and some rice cakes.

My first attempts at home sprouting were ready today - they are a bit on the short side (lack of warmth I think), but they certainly tasted ok.

J spent more time today on the Brain Pop site which he is really enjoying - I'd really recommend looking at it if you haven't already.

I also found a nice site for younger children looking into healthy eating which is worth looking at.

This evening, as dh is off work (but will be working tomorrow, 14th), I gave dh the card that I had made him for valentines. I felt a bit goofy giving him a homemade card, but he seemed to appreciate it.

We have never bought each other birthday or Christmas presents, but we have always gone out for a meal or a day on Valentines, and on our wedding anniversary (which somewhat sadly is 9/11). I guess to us marking our union is so much more meaningful to us than another year in age. As Christians, also, we don't find giving each other presents a reflection on how we feel about Christmas. It grieves both of us that this year we cannot afford to go out for a meal - the first time in 12 years.

Still, the boys are ready for bed sharp, and we have waited to have our dinner when they go up in a short while. We have a saved-bottle of wine in the fridge, and we will still celebrate our relationship together, and thank God for the blessing that our marriage is to us.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 - On the mend

This morning dh went to a new church to "try out" the service. We've been out of regular fellowship for nearly a year and are in real need of it. The church he went to are trying out a new format, with a separate meeting for the youth of the church.

We planned to return in the afternoon for that service, but he got called into work. It was a tough call - on the one hand, what could be more important that getting along to the church. On the other hand, with our finances, the honourable thing to do is to pay our bills and to work a rest day made up for being off sick twice last week.

The boys worked well today. I had emailed them each a link to a learning website and, when they checked their emails this morning, they clicked on the links and each spent half and hour on the sites. The idea worked so well that I may make it a regular thing. J learnt about the history of Valentines, and S learnt some natural history. Later, J also went on a fabulous science site given to me via the Education Otherwise list.

Up until mid afternoon I still felt very ill. However, dh kindly prepared dinner before he left for work so I ate with the boys. So far, I feel ok - that's the first food to stay down for 48 hrs so hopefully I am on the mend.

This evening I joined some new groups, kindly recommended by lvg4him in connection with CF/GF and raw diets. I also started work putting together the journals to return with our Flat visitors. Unfortunately, because we have been ill we have not done as much as I had hoped so perhaps their owners will let us keep them longer. In the meantime, I'm racking my brains for something to send back with them (other than leaflets etc). As they are going from the UK to the US, my original intention to send some chalk from the North Downs seems a bit unwise - I can see customs worrying about the white powder in the envelopes...

I must just thank all of you who have extended the hand of friendship to me, via this blog, and for the prayers (known and unknown) for my family. I am truly touched and blessed by your support. Thank you for also tolerating my moans and whinging over the past week - I don't think the blog has made interesting reading so your patience is appreciated!

Saturday, February 11, 2006 - Codes, loaves and woes

As the children had all recovered, my Mum offered to have all three of them today during the day whilst dh was at work. The idea was that this would give me a chance to catch up on all of my jobs.

As no-one else was in the house, I felt it silly to put the heating on and put my snuggly dressing gown on over the top of my clothes, with a second pair of socks. Thank goodness the postman didn't need to knock today. However, after 3 1/2 hours sitting at the computer, updating my internet shopping site, I was absolutely freezing. I took a break to turn my hand to my first gluten free loaf. I justified having the electric fire on in order to "prove" the loaves!

Unfortunately, after remembering to stop and have some lunch, I was ill again. Things kinda deteriated after that. I struggled on at the pc but to be honest, writing javascript/html with some kind of gastric flu is not a good idea!

I took another break to make some fairy cakes - gluten free. These at least looked like the real thing. The loaves - well, I don't know yet how they taste but they look like cast concrete door stops.

I finally gave up at 6.30pm, put the fire back on, and - gasp - watched some television. Do you know, it actually does channels for adults, not just for children? I hadn't realised that ;-)

The boys came home in fine spirits, and tasted the cakes . Today at their Nan's they had watched another dvd from BT, this time about not making hoax emergency calls. J then spent an hour on two great Imagine the Universe cds that we received from NASA (posting to the UK as well!). S read his book to Nan. I was proud of them for doing their learning whilst they were there.

I think it's going to be another early night for me. The trouble is, as a Mum, you don't get the chance to have a day off sick to get better. Who mothers the mothers?! I hate the way that it makes every cold or bug drag on so.

Mutter, mutter, mumble, feeling sorry for myself....

Friday, February 10, 2006 - Going Gluten Free

Hubby stayed home today in the end. Not only was he unwell this morning stil, but I was ill through the night.

As the day progressed, though, I felt better and this evening whilst I still feel wiped out, my stomach ache has gone for the first time in days.

The boys concentrated on maths this morning, with an hour at the table working through various worksheets that I had printed out for them. They also carried on with their game from yesterday. As it involveds adding up two dice, and calculating damaged to ships etc, I told them that counts as learning too. The attempts at resolving the inevitable arguements count as learning patience and tolerance

In the afternoon I needed to go shopping. We are considering going on a gluten and casein free diet to see if this helps S with his aspergers and J with his emotional outburst/AS traits. This has involved a lot of research on the theories, the products and the recipes. I will now have to add a whole new section to our family website cookbook for GF/CF diets! J said I should re-write it all, with an opening page letting people chose between regular, vegetarian, and CF/GF recipes! I'll just pop off and do that then...

Once again, the people on the HE special needs list have been invaluable with advice and recipe ideas. At times like this I feel very positive about the benefits of having the internet.

Anyone with any good recipes - especially dairy-free - using ingredients I can get here in the UK, please, please leave a comment!

Dh is currently goal-setting for the spring. We need to work around the finance issue and find a way to make our income and expenditure match. We have cut back on everything, but he still doesn't earn enough. All our bills are so much lower than most other families that I know, so its not just a case of being frugal. The real, big issue is the debt that we are paying off. Three years ago dh was so ill that he worked for only some 8 months out of 2 years. At that time things got extremely desparate and we resorted to using up credit on store/credit cards to meet the clothing and food needs of the family at times. This now means that over a third of all our monthly outgoings are on debt-repayment. Without that, we would be able to manage on a thrifty budget. I console myself with knowing that we are doing the Christian thing by repaying what we owe, and keep trusting in God to guide us through. If we can keep our eyes fixed on Him, I know that it will all work out according to His purpose.

All prayers gratefully received.

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Thursday, February 9, 2006 - More ill health

Praise God, the children are all back to reasonable health today. W still has tummy ache but otherwise, they are all ok.

Learning was laid back today. J and S played nearly all day with a pirate/treasure island game which they set up in the hall.

I spent most of the day flitting between playing with W and forcing myself to do some of my eBay work. I really didn't feel up to it and have only managed to list a few items.

Dh came home ill from work - I think we have the influenza B bug that is also peaking in the UK at the moment, as all the symptoms match.

We have just shared one fisherman's pie together - pitiful!

I hope we recover quickly as I can't help but be aware of all the things I should be doing that I'm not... Not feeling very "half full" today.

Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - Winter Sickness

Well, that explains my lethargy yesterday evening..

Have you heard about the winter sickness bug that is raging in Britain at the moment? Well, it arrived here last night.

It appears that one catches it from being around someone else being ill, and it can then incubate for up to a week. I presume we must have caught it from my friend last week when their children were ill at our house.

Last night my youngest starting being sick at 12am and carried on every half an hour until 4. My eldest started at 1 and went on till 4.30. Needless to say, I got very little sleep.

Both myself and my husband are also feeling very rough and totally drained. He called in sick to work today and we have all just sat around. I have never, ever known our house to be with quiet!

J still managed to do some learning, going on to the Government's Red Box site in order to take his mind of his tummy (well that's one use for taxes!).

I managed to takes photos today of the stuff that my friend brought over last night to sell on eBay - now I just need to find the energy to write the listings!

Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - New Friends, and Old Friends.

Not sure if it is where I am fighting off another cold, but I feel absolutely drained this evening. It's the first time, since my new year commitment to this blog, that I have really not wanted to sit and write.

However, discipline is most effective when it is such a conscious effort, so here I am!

This morning I caught up on some of the long overdue housework and general household/administrative phone calls that I'd been putting off for ages.

After lunch, we collected another family and then went to the indoor playcentre that our group meets at fortnightly. A new family had come along to join, and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's not just the children that benefit from meeting such a wide range of people through home education. As parents, we get the chance to make meaningful contact with other adults - something I never managed to do in the school playground.

We know that at the very least we all have something in common - a commitment to our children that means we have put their needs above our own in such a significant way. That makes a level playing field that enables families to meet across any social, religious or economic "divide".

The children all got on very well, and the family are definately a very positive addition to the group.

At home I tried to catch up on some background work for the group, organising and planning future events. That made me late in getting around to dinner, so out with the fish fingers!

In the evening, my best friend came around with some items that we are hoping to sell together on eBay. We met through work a year and a half ago and I have clicked with J in a way that I have never done with another woman. It was an all too brief meeting, but we are due to meet for lunch on Thursday which I am seriously looking forward to (I'll be without the children too!).

Have just picked dh up from the station - the boys get to stay up to see him which is nice but means we are now all very late and very tired.

I don't think this has been my most useful blog to date - maybe I should have given in to the temptation to just go to bed! Thanks for reading!

Monday, February 6, 2006 - I've worked out how to include pictures!

I don't know if you have a dedicated "classroom"? For us, we use the dinning room part of our kitchen/diner. We put cork tiles on one wall and then painted them over in the same paint as the wall. When the boys have finished a worksheet or drawing, we pin it onto the tiles, moving pieces upwards all the time. When a piece reaches the top, it is taken down and put away into their own folder. We keep this folder for our own benefit, but also with a view to producing it should we wish to at an LEA inspection.

I am also a keen collector of teacher packs - so far, we have bought precisely two resources for our homeschooling - everything else is free from the internet or made ourselves. The posters that accompany some packs make useful additions to the walls both there and in the boys' bedrooms.

This morning, S & W made Valentine cards, which were quite beautiful. J worked on a science CD called "Stuff & Substance" from SEP. It "uses videos and animations to illustrate phenomena and the related particle explanations in a structured programme". Although it is aimed at children some 3+ years older than him, J found it fascinating and his answers to my questions showed that he understood what he was seeing. No wonder he was so bored in school!

We had a lunch date with some HE friends, after which we all went to play in their nearby park. I love the chance that HE gives the boys to mix with all other ages, and I definately prefer to see them playing with toys rather than watching the sort of cartoons that all their "peers" enjoy watching.

I was going to mention something else that I did today, but as it is a secret for dh, and he reads my blog, I'd better not! I'll tell you soon ;-)

Tomorrow we are hoping to have several of the new families in the group turn up to an event for the first time. It is so rewarding to see the group growing and to watch the relationships forming.

However, I am quite behind on a lot of things that I have been working on, so advice on how to manufacture at least 5 more (child free) hours a day would be appreciated (that don't involve me having to stay up through the night!).

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Sunday, February 5, 2006 - Flats, Hills and Tables

It took a lot of courage, and many hours of agonising, to decide to post one of my stories yesterday instead of my "usual" blog. I usually only write for myself - just to "get it out", so posting one on the web was quite daunting. Thank you to those who commented - both on and off line. Your encouragement was lovely.

This morning we got out as quickly as we could after breakfast to take our three Flat Travellers to Rochester. We took photos of the cathedral, castle, and Charles Dicken's writing house. Sadly, the Visitor Centre was closed so that means a return trip during the week to collect some leaflets and take more photos. A couple of elderly ladies questionned what we were doing (yes, we did look a bit odd) and thought the idea of the Flat Travellers was lovely! We got in a little plug for home education too!

I am part of the FreeRecycle Network in the UK, linking up people who would rather see something go to a good home, than the landfill site. Today we took possession of a beautiful dining room table and six chairs. Our one was very chipped, and we struggled to sit all five of us at it. We try to practice the gift of hospitality and it is difficult to find both chairs, and space at the table, for visiting diners.

This table has central legs, so no arguing over sitting "on a leg" and the chairs are comfortable and strong, and includes two charver chairs. A little kiss from God - the chairs are upholstered in the same colours as our dining room! A perfect match.

Now, as you know, there is nothing straightforward about any sort of housework... In order to have the table, we had to put the old (fold down) table in S & W's room for them to put on their computer (also received free via the recycle network). This meant not only tidying their room, but then taking out my grandfather's old bat wing chair which was in their room. To find a home for that, meant putting all my "to sell on eBay one day" boxes up in the loft, and tidying OUR bedroom, in order to clear a corner for the chair!

Towards the end of that task, our friends came over to go out for another walk. We revisited the Blue Bell Hill site, over the channel tunnel rail link, and then a brisk 1 1/2 round walk up and down the hill. We waited around to try and see a train (and take a photo to send back with our Flats), but gave up in the end - however just before we got back in our cars one whizzed by, and we caught a glimpse. But no photo - another return trip!

Home for a lovely family dinner at our new table, then haircuts all round for the boys.

We have certainly managed to fill dh's one day off - as usual!

Saturday, February 4, 2006 - Let me tell you a story..

The Courtroom

As the screen portrayed the evidence of the crimes, the judge sat watching the accused. Her hands gripped the rail before her, knuckles white with pressure. Emotions chased across her face matching the torrid changing scenes on the screen. Her relief was evident when the screen finally went blank. The visual torture was over, yet the pain of seeing her many crimes remained with her.

She dared not look at the judge. Her eyes strayed to the void of the screen, not even daring to think or analyse her feelings because of the intense pain she knew she’d find.

The Judgement

“How do you plead?”

She knew she was guilty of all of them—that is, she had committed them all—but as she was unaware at the time that some of the were crimes, could she be fairly judged as “guilty”? The words refused to go further than her throat, strangled by the tense know thre.

“Do you plead guilty?”

She nodded slowly. The judge prepared to read the sentence—death—but stopped as a note was passed to him. He looked up at the accused, a quizzical expression in his eyes.

The Rescue

“Someone wishes to speak in your defense before sentence is passed.” The judge took off his glasses. “It is a most unusual request but I see no reason why this person cannot be heard.”

The woman in the dock looked in bewilderment at the person entering the witness box opposite. He exuded a quiet, calm attitude that contrasted with the tense atmosphere of the courtroom. She was confused. She had never met this man before, she was sure of it, yet why would a stranger speak in her defence?

“Please make your statement quickly sir, we are busy today.”

Compassion Speaks

In an unhurried manner, the advocate turned to look at the judge. “I have not come to plead this woman’s innocence, Lord, I agree with the Court that she is guilty.”

The accused stiffened; tense again, fearing harm now from this man rather than help.

The advocate continued. “I would not wish justice to be perverted. Someone must be punished for these crimes. I come simply to offer myself in her place.”

The Substitute

From the dock the woman stared incredulously at the advocate. The judge shook his head. “Am I to understand that you are asking me to pass this woman’s judgement on your, instead?”

The man nodded.

“Why? Are you guilty of these crimes too?”

“No, my Lord, I am innocent.”

“What then, can be gained by such an action? How can I let an innocent man die and a guilty person go free?”

“But I will take her crimes by taking her punished. By taking her crimes onto myself she is, then, no longer guilty of anything and may go free.”

The judge sat back, stunned by the apparent logic of the reply.

“You need have no fear in releasing her. After seeing my death, for crimes she has committed, she will be a changed woman and won’t offend again.”

The Power of Love

“Your words are wise young man, and what you say holds true. Yet, again, I must ask you—why are you doing this?”

For the first time, the advocate turned and looked towards the dock. The woman met his gaze and stifled a gasp. His expression was rich with love—not romantic love, but a deep, indefinable love. She felt saturated by it, warmed by it, and deeply moved. Silently, and without knowing why, she began to weep.

Loved from the very Beginning

“I do it because I love this woman. I have known her all her life and have watched her growing. I know the depths of her, the goodness and love she possesses but which has never been allowed to surface. Through my death she will be set free and will be able to start afresh in that love.”

Freedom!

The judge nodded slowly. What the man had said felt right, though something in him found it hard to accept. Instinct overuled logic and he turned to the sobbing woman. “I don’t know what you did to deserve such love as this, but it has saved you. As this man is willing, I am prepared to pass your sentence upon him. You will be declared innocent and released, but he must die in your place.”

“Court dismissed!”

The Man

Receiving permission from the judge, the advocate stepped down and walked slowly across to the woman in the cock. He reached out and gently lifted her face up t his with his hand. His touch felt like a warm breeze and quietened her sobs.

“Don’t cry, my child.” he whispered.

Triumphant Love

“I .. I can’t let you d .. Do this!” she stammered, overawed..

“It is not in your power to stop me. I must do it. One day you will understand. Now go. Be free. Yet you will not be free of me. I will stay with you, in your heart and mind forever. You will live now—live a true life, an abundant life. I will watch over you and guide you always.”

She looked at him—perplexed. “You speak as if you are not going to die?”

He smiled. “I have already died, and yet you see me now—alive. I bore your sins a long time ago, my child.” He took his hand away from her face but continued to hhold her with his faze.

Although his words made no sense and she felt that she was drowning, something in his expression stopped her questioning. She became dizzy and felt herself drop to the floor.

Seconds later she came round, and sat up.

Dream or Reality?

The streetlight glowed through her bedroom curtains and the house was still. In a sudden rush she remembered her dream and, smiling for the first time in months, she lay back down and closed her eyes. “Thank you Lord” she whispered “now I understand.”

She turned over. The tears in her eyes, this time, were tears of job and not of pain, and soon she slept.

The Lord watched His child sleep -

and He was pleased.

Friday, February 3, 2006 - Reasons to homeschool

Funny old day today. I think I am suffering the emotional catch up from having been without dh this week. My heart goes out to families managing with only one parent - I truly do not know how they manage without a soulmate/helpmate there. For that matter, my heart goes out also to those with a partner, but in an unsupportive or abusive relationship. I truly relying on dh so much for my backup, sounding board and general best pal.

I spent some time this morning with W and J working on the Planet Food project. I was amazed at the skill of W's colouring (he's 3) and the concentration and effort on his part at colouring in each figure exactly as the picture in the book. I never said that he had to copy the pictures - he asked to see the pictures so he could chose which one he wanted to colour in.

Our third Flat Traveller arrived today. Sunday will be a whistle stop tour of the Medway as we try to introduce them to the sights and sounds of our area!

This afternoon I took S to the opticians to see if there was some visual cause behind his squints/funny faces when watching tv. According to the optician, he has perfect vision. However, I've raised the issue on our HE SP UK board and it seems that there could still be more behind it, with the optician not being able to pick up on anything other than the pure accurancy of sight. Issues such as light sensitivity, colour sensitivity etc would not be noted. Looks like I'll need to take this further.

Yesterday evening W picked up a large model of the earth from J's planetarium and said "hey, this is just like our planet". I was stunned! As far as I can tell, this has come about from the aforementioned Planet Food project, and the big picture of the earth at the start of the book that I read out to him (a lovely, classroom sized big picture book). As dh just said to me, upon hearing that story - "thank God this child won't be exposed to the school system and lose this, like the other two did".

Sums up why we homeschool, I guess.