Teachable moments

I am learning to make the most of teachable moments as and when they arise.  When Alana asks a question I am beginning to learn to enjoy seeking out a full answer to give her rather than just a quick brush off, as well as having some fun in letting the creative juices flow.  The other week we were reading together from the book of Luke in the bible when we read about the houses being built by the foolish man and the wise man, which led our conversation around to the importance of building on a good foundation.   With all the new buildings being built up around us here in La Paz, it was fairly easy to introduce the concept of a building needing a good solid base. One building site in particular that is close to us has attracted much attention from our family, or rather Isaiah due to the huge digger that has been excavating a big hole, requiring us having to stop and watch the digger at work.  

After talking about these buildings we decided to take things a step further and try out our own little experiment, with the help of some Leggo.  Having built 2 houses exactly the same we then added a foundation structure to one of them and then sat them on some soil, having buried the foundations of the one house. We then tried knocking them over, taking note the force that was needed for each house. I think that Alana was quite surprised to discover how little effort was needed to knock over the house just sat upon the soil, where as the one with the foundations was much more difficult to shift.

Since that experiment she often now talks about the foundations of buildings as we walk past building sites, which has given rise to talking about how within our own lives we also need a firm foundation so that when hard things happen in life we are able to remain firm in who we are and in who God has created us to be.

Moulding Chronicles September 2013

Dear Friends,

God is so amazing, He has proved himself to be ever faithful as he has provided finances over and above what we were asking for. A big thank you to all of you who have responded to Gods promptings and who have contributed to being a part of Gods answer to our prayers, you are wonderful.

Another answer to prayer in this last month has been the approval to push forward with the pilot for the foundations for farming project. Talks are now underway with the regional offices in order to figure out where and how to next move forward.  We are also very thankful that the health of the boys has improved and thus allowing us to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Having shared much about what Ed gets up to in previous letters we thought that this month we would share a little of what life is like on the home front. With 3 little people around all day everyday things can get somewhat rowdy at home, and with no playgroups or mums and tots to go to we have to get a little more creative, and I am having to learn to be ok with getting messy.  

A Homeschooling lifestyle has been a challenge but on the whole a very positive one where together we have been learning much more than just academic studies.  

Two mornings a week Alana goes to ‘Kumon’ where she is studying Maths and Spanish.  From there she has homework to do every day (except Sundays) which we do every morning after breakfast.   We then get out of the house for a breather to either buy bread or play in the park, before returning for a snack. After this Lucas has a morning nap. Isaiah has just recently started joining us for our study time, where by Alana and I focus on her studies until lunch time. Our afternoons are then free for playing, or ballet (which Alana does 2 times a week).

I am so thankful for the privilege of being able to be at home learning with my children.  Yes there are times when I just want to scream (sometimes I do!), but the moments when I hear them happily playing and giggling, or Alana suddenly talks about something we have just been studying, of which I wasn’t sure she was understanding at all makes it all so worthwhile.

Thank God for:

• Providing the finances we needed
• Approval of foundations for farming project
• Improved health of the boys

Ask God for:

• Guidance for the foundations for farming pilot 
• Patience and understanding of each of our children
• Wisdom in some of our more complicated relationships

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah & Lucas

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7