Greatest Job Ever

Most of my friends would take it as a given that being a homeschool Mom is a tough job -- long hours, no real "days off", cranky kids, tough principal ;-) -- However, the truth is I LOVE THIS JOB. It is so awesome to watch Jon spell "pot" with no help! It is so amazing to watch Ben finally remember the difference in length and width. I love seeing them smile when they conquer a new skill. I love listening to them laugh at my mistakes (for example, "Listen Jon, pot is spelled "put"). I love seeing their eyes light up when we start History or Grammar or Math or any of the subjects they really like. I am thankful for every moment that I am their teacher. Every day we have together in the comfort of our home, in our peaceful wooded neighborhood, with the loving presence of my husband and the overarching love of our heavenly Father is a blessing. I know any moment all of this could change -- moves, death, war, famine -- all the evils of this world are only a breath away. So, while they eat a snack and pester me for "recess", I just wanted to say I LOVE THIS JOB.

Anne of Green Garbage

After re-reading the Anne of Green Gables series, I have to say that I do not understand why so many of my friends enjoy this book. It really isn't a very nice book. While there isn't any blatant violence or immorality, it is the kind of book that undercuts the faith of new believers/ seekers. Anne is portrayed as some third category of person -- not a christian or non-christian but the "race of Joseph". Her starry-eyed imagination is portrayed as superior -not just academically but spiritually - to the traditional church attending Christian. Anne, and later Davy, are irreligious and disrespectful in their prayers but this, again, is somehow a higher understanding than Marilla's reliance on Scripture, catechism and hymns. Over and over again, Anne's imagination and her almost druidic worship of nature lift her above the church-going members of society. It is really quite a blasphemous, humanistic book and Anne is not the hero -- I am actually more a fan of Marilla.

That being said, it is a well written work of fiction and certainly is no less offensive than other works of fiction I enjoy. I am just surprised at how well received this book is in Christian circles.