Learning By The Way

I’m waiting for my computer to update before going home.

Home.

This week, while still a bit disheveled has been “normal.” [N.B. "normal" for the Lansberrys is not at all what you might think of and it's much more than a setting on your dryer]

Every morning we have gotten up at Ebenezer House and no one has thrown up. Every evening this week we have had dinner and family worship. Chores are getting done. Boxes keep disappearing. Learning is taking place, and my wife is even sane enough to blog about it.

Last night I pulled a book off the shelf that I’ve been curious about and began reading it to the children at bedtime. Tonight we’re having Ben-Ezras (mmmm . . . Ben-Ezras) for supper. We sent a meal today to a family who just had a baby.

I don’t have my own blog anymore, and so I’ll occasionally be posting thoughts about our experience in the ‘hood here for those who read it. God has been good to us and I look forward to many years of witnessing to the manifold grace He’s given.

“And I hope by Thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home.”

We’re home–at least as “home” as we can be until we get Home.

Yesterday, Raquel taught Samuel how to make marshmallows. Yep, marshmallows made at home. And Samuel wanted to make them again today. He was motivated, so I gave the go ahead. He consulted several times with Aunt Raquel on various issues, and he forgot to butter the pan before pouring them in. But other than that, he did it by himself. Gathering the ingredients, lots of stirring,and checking the hot syrup for what ’stage’ it was in. Great job, Samuel! We are in the waiting stage now, and look forward to having Samuel’s marshmallows for dessert tonight.

This morning, in a particulary vigorous game involving yelling and getting wrapped up in blankets, Peter got a bloody nose. He was not paticularly perturbed by this, but a bit bothered by having to stand there holding a tissue on his nose, so I proposed a book. He chose a book about Arizona desert animals (a gift from Grandma and Grandpa in Phoenix). We sat and I read it to him. On every page there is a rhyme about a different animal, a funny cartoon picture, and a photograph of the animal. On every page he would point to the photo and say “This is how it REALLY looks.” Somewhere in the middle he got distracted by the lovely winter tableu visible out our picture window. “Look mama, more snow!” He then explained to me that a little bit more snow comes every day. After a quiet moment of contemplating Orange Street blanketed in blindingly beautiful snow, he said thoughtfully, “They say Snow White has skin as white as snow, but she doesn’t really. They just say that in the story.” Then it was back to cougars and vultures, and “This is how it REALLY looks.”

in a town not far from here, there lived our family. And then we moved. And here we are. I have thought many times about recording a particularly beautiful learning moment during the crazy last couple months, but life just seemed too hectic. Here are some that I remember:

Moriah asking if she could practice her handwriting, and copying carefully the verse that I prepared for her. We have decided with our children’s handwriting that the goal is that they can write legibly at least one way, and assigned practices will be an obvious part of an practical task. (addressing envelopes, writing letters, filling out forms, writing stories). I was unsure how this laidback approach was going to look in real life, and I am delighted that Moriah initiated learning cursive, and enjoys practicing. So many children end up hating handwriting practice (me included!) that I enjoy seeing her enjoy her work! I know that the boys will progress differently in this same area, and may only learn enough cursive to sign their names. That’s okay, for their gifts and motivations are different. Love of learning is beautiful to watch!

Watching “The Alamo” with the children, and then getting to see it in real life. The three older children approached with respect and awe, as appropriate to a place holding such a history. We walked pass the Alamo many times during our trip to San Antonio, and I’m sure they won’t ever forget.

Meeting some amazing people at the 2nd annual San Antonio Christian Film Festival. And seeing some fun films, too!

Watching Toby and Samuel play a sumo wrestler game at the Japan booth at the missions conference. James had a booth there for Samaritan Ministries, and we spent hours roaming the exhibitor’s hall, meeting people, hearing their stories, playing with ’sumo wrestlers’ from Japan, worry dolls from Guatemala, and a catching game from Mexico. The full size tipi, with a lesson in tipi etiquette was great fun, too! What a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures, and hear about God’s work in other countries.

Hearing Great Grandpa ask the blessing on the family and our meal at Thanksgiving dinner. Cousin Eva showed them her dulcimer, and allowed them to try playing it. Cousin Ethan was a great host of the fort, and owner of a very fine and thrilling zipline. God has been so good to our family!

Moving here has been an important life lesson, too. We explained every step of the buying process, from the offer to the closing. It was a big adjustment for all of the children, and they coped in different ways. Peter and Elsie had to have everything explained numerous times, and Toby was not comfortable until everything in his room was put away! They have all settled in beautifully, and love the new house, as do I.