Sunday Reflections: School is Back

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Life at the Strauss House...

School started back this week: our first week of Challenge 1 with our Classical Conversations community. The girls don't start It's been great to get everyone back into the rhythm of getting up and learning together.

Where I'm reading in the Bible...

I haven't made it very far in 1 John, but I've been blessed by going slowly. The word "fellowship" is a word that flows through the text. In the Vulgate, the word used is "societas" - where we get words like "social, society, socialization..." This Latin verb translates as united, joined, allied, or associated. Often it seems that fellowship with believers simply means hanging out, and not necessarily being united. I've been pondering what builds unity and what breaks down unity. My desire is to be a cultivator of true fellowship as John (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) intended it.

What books we're reading...

Jason: He's still chipping away at his regular books, but he's added one we're reading together

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace - we've started reading this at night. It's such a great encouragement as we start back into school. I love the title, and the idea of "unshakable peace".
Practicing Affirmation: God-centered Praise of Those Who are not God
Norms and Nobility
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Honor and Shame
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis - listened to it again...because he loved it!

Betsy: .

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace
Norms and Nobility - I have a group of friends that have committed to read this together.
Words Aptly Spoken: American Documents - This is where the bulk of my reading time has been spent this week. Since Classical Conversations has started back, my study as a tutor is full steam ahead. It's such a blessing to be reading these documents though. I don't know that I've ever read these original source texts!

Family Read Alouds: With our school routine back in full swing, we love taking time to enjoy good books together.

The Magician's Nephew - we've been listening to this one in the car as we travel around from place to place. This is such a beautiful masterpiece...it gets better with every read!
My Book House, Volume 2 - So, I've had this book series since Will was a baby...a guy came selling encyclopedias and these books, and we bought them. It took us about 11 years to appreciate the encyclopedia set, and I'm just now taking the time to read them aloud to my family! They are awesome! My favorite part is the little notes at the bottom that suggest classical pieces to go with the stories. Volume 2 is a mix of poetry, Aesop's fables, and other short folk tales.

Andy: Even though school is back on, he's inspired to make time in his schedule for personal reading

Call of the Wild - finished!
This Present Darkness - for fun

Alyssa:

The Mysterious Benedict Society - she's been listening to this one on Audible
Crispin: The Cross of Lead - She's reading this one to me for school. I love hearing her read to me.
Nature Anatomy - she carries this book around with her to read when she gets a chance. This one is one of her favorites because it combines science and art - two of her loves.

Audrey:

The Fairy's Mistake - finished! Every page was read by this sweet 9 year old. It is a huge accomplishment!

Nana:

The Fall River Family Saga by Chloe Emile - not one she'd recommend!
The Gift of Love by Eve Cross

Steps towards a healthier lifestyle...

My husband has started getting up with me in the mornings to walk. I've got to say that it has been surprising how much quality talking time we've had this week just walking together. If I can work on being healthier physically and have the side benefit of having a healthier relationship with my husband, I'm all for it!

Low carb recipe of the week: Slow Cooker Poor Boy Chicken

This week's highlights...

My son and I started back into Challenge I last Tuesday. Even though I've directed Challenge the past two years, I'm still nervous every year we start back. This year I added six new faces to my class and it was such an amazing group of kids. I look forward to learning and growing with them. We've figured out a new way to get all of our stuff to CC...because we move in, and then leave without a trace. I love having both of my guys at community with me.

My husband and I also celebrated our 16th Anniversary. It's amazing how time flies when you're raising kids. We got pregnant three months after we were married, and celebrated our first anniversary with our three week old son.