Perks of Homeschooling

We do not celebrate Halloween in our family.  We just believe there is nothing redeemable about this "holiday."  So we don't participate.  BUT...we do celebrate something on October 31!  We celebrate...

REFORMATION DAY!

That is, the day the Protestant Reformation was more or less, born.  499 years ago, the monk, Martin Luther, boldly nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church for all to see.  Thus sparked the Reformation...as people's eyes were opened to the rank disobedience to God in the Catholic church.

So, today, instead of the usual homeschool;  we did a mini unit study!  I researched on Pinterest for ideas...and found some gems!  I printed out 2 pages for the kids to color.  One was of Luther nailing his theses on the door with his name, "Luther,"  in bold letters at the bottom.  The other page was of his crest, a rose with a cross in the middle;  and Ephesians 2:8-9, which says, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  I then looked on Amazon Video (we are Prime members.) and found the Torchlighters had an animated "documentary" for kids called, The Martin Luther Story.  The kids loved it, and I enjoyed it as well.

Sorry about R...haha

This is why I LOVE homeschooling!  I can decide to change up the day's learning to match the holiday, or some event taking place in our lives.  I also love that we have the Internet as a huge resource!

To my Pregnant Friends...

Dear Pregnant Friends,

I know, I just lost my baby at 10 weeks.  I know that some of you don't know what that is like, and can't comprehend how it feels.  I know that you have no idea how to talk to me, or what to say, or even if you should say things.  I know you feel that you can't share your pregnancy joy without hurting me.  But I want you to know some things:

1.)  I am SO happy and excited for you during your pregnancy!

Yes, I feel a pang of sadness when I see your growing belly...but that doesn't mean I am not thrilled to hear about his kicks or her bout of hiccups at 10 p.m.  It doesn't mean I don't want to celebrate with you when you find out it's a boy or a girl.  I love to celebrate the precious life inside of you!

2.)  I cannot wait to hold your newborn!

I might cry the first time I hold her, but it's not you or him...it's the sadness that I won't be holding my own.  I will drink in your baby's newborn scent, laugh at scrunched up faces, and love her head of hair.  I'll tell you he looks like you or her daddy.  I'll celebrate her arrival and bring a special gift for him.

3.)  I may, at times, well up with tears.

It's nothing you said, or did.  Grief hits me at all times and in all places;  sometimes for no reason at all.  It's part of losing a loved one.

4.)  I will sometimes need to talk.

Some day, some time...I may need to just talk.  About my grief, about my baby...just talk to someone.  So someday I'll need your ears to listen, and your words for comfort.

Grieving is a process.  I'm never going to "get over" losing my child.  But with the Lord's help, and support from dear friends like you...I can live a happy, joyful life.  I won't obsess over the child I lost.  I will laugh at jokes and funny stories.  I'll spend time with friends and family.  I'll live my life to it's fullest knowing I will see my baby again in Heaven.

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month.  (it is completely overshadowed by Breast Cancer awareness...)  No one talks about it as much as they should.  The statistics surrounding P&IL are staggering.  One in Four women has suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or SIDS.  There shouldn't be a stigma around P&IL.  We should be able to talk about it and find support through it as common as cancer.  Women should know that they are not alone, and they don't need to go through this pain alone.

As Christians, we can find comfort in knowing that our babies are in heaven with Jesus;  singing and dancing and praising our Father.  We will meet them one day, and we will never be separated again.