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Raising a family isn’t always easy, but with a little work can be very rewarding.

A New Way

“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.”
Walter Bagehot (1826-77) English economist, political journalist, and critic. Physics and Politics, 1879.

Another small milestone has been reached for the Frania family. We’re doing something different in our schooling, something I’ve wanted to do but never had the chance. We decided to try just two subjects, full time. We started in September to see how fast we could finish them. We did this for a couple of reasons. 1. It’s easier for students to stay focused if they’re not constantly interrupted with breaks,  lunch, change of classes/subjects, etc. 2. It’s easier for the teacher to have to check and grade two subjects rather than 6 or 8. Oh, I’d got so behind some days!

With that in mind, we chose two classes: Math and Science, the hardest and most tedious. Levi finished his entire year’s worth of Consumers Math yesterday, and Jacob finished today. I took the 300 pages of math and split it up to fit 2 months of school days. What I didn’t realize is that there were divider pages and teacher’s notes that the boys just jumped over when they did their 8 required math pages a day. This was a blessing, for they finished much earlier than we had anticipated. We made the rule they couldn’t eat lunch until all their math was done and checked, including corrections. Some days lunch time was very late, but they met their goal each day. It cut down on the stress for both student and teacher because it left no room for putting it off, which was a typical scenario of prior years.  After lunch they would do their science and then an hour of reading from some historical novel. Those of you who know me, know that I cannot forgo reading regardless of our schooling strategy. Reading is just a given in this house, and if it’s on a subject that will gain them high school credit, the more the better. I also threw in a little bit of Computer Science to give the boys something to look forward to at the end of their “regular” school day. All three boys are working on a blog and Levi is learning the Adobe products (InDesign & Photoshop) on his own. Levi is putting together his own comic book using his drawings and the Adobe products to format it.

Jonathan has Saxon Algebra 1 this year, which is a bit more challenging than Consumers math. But so far, our strategy is working well for him as well. He does 2 1/2 lessons a day unless there’s a test, which we count as one lesson. In just two weeks he’s finished 27 lessons along with 4 tests. (He got a late start on his math because he had other school work to finish up) At this rate, he’ll finish in three months.

The jury is still out, since we have never done this before, but so far it looks like our plan is working. Jacob has been taking some time out to apprentice a friend who’s an electrician, but it hasn’t hurt his output in any way. If anything, it’s helped him to manage his time. All in all, I really like this type of schooling and hope we’ll be able to finish early this year. At this rate, if all goes well, we should finish school at least a month early, or maybe even choose to take off more time than usual during the holidays. I’ve seen a desire forming in their minds to excel. There have been times I’ve let them off school to help others, fully intending to not require any schoolwork that day, yet they decided on their own to make up the time they missed. I especially like the fact we aren’t held back from important family events because of our school schedule – like moving day for the Jones family. All of us were there to help because we could. Many times they have expressed to me that they like this new way of schooling. I certainly know I do!

For Jillian on Her 18th Birthday

Where did the days go? To where did they fly?
It was yesterday I held you, my grace from the sky.
A gift from my Lord, the One whom I serve;
He saw my great need, a life to preserve.

Days were so hard, this task to complete,
God called us to work, this great untold feat.
The tools He selected: His Word and His grace,
He was the Word and you were the Grace.

Knowing I’d need help, in His kind gentle way,
He gave you to me, so my life He could save.
Days were long and hard, because of this thing we did do,
But it was so sweet and good, all because of you.

You sweet loving face, and your tender little heart,
Brought me to the Light, right from the start.
I’d be empty and sad, wondering however and why,
One look on your face, I’d turn to the sky.

To my Savior I’d look, with a full contrite heart,
From my treasure He sent, I would never depart.
Your life has been, such a blessing to me;
You’re my angel of peace, always grateful I’ll be.

You grew up and away, sadly by my side you’re no more,
Know your life has had meaning, since the day you were born.
May this year of 18, give to you as was me,
A glimpse of His face, and a courage to be.

I miss you Jillian and wish we could be together today.

Written from Mom to Jillian for her 18th birthday on 9.27.08

My Life, My Love, My Joy

There is a sorrow endured that cannot be shared,
A heavy burden that I find alone I must bear.
From my day to day loving my Isaac did part,
A sawing asunder of my mind and my heart:

There’s no way to explain the pain I do feel,
It’s a sharp silent ache that only to me it is real,
No one can take, help carry, or rid of the cold,
The emptiness I feel without my Hudson to hold.

Others try to lessen the pain that does so totally grieve,
But it’s not an element that can be taken or freed;
How does another replace my daughter that’s truly my friend?
I’m afraid it’s a heart’s tear that only she can mend.

It was for His service that my son stepped out of my days,
and took his family so far from my love and embrace,
One solace that’s given by my God who’s so good,
He gave me a son who has done as he should.

Every day is empty of the sunshine I so need,
Each day is full of a begging, an overwhelming plead,
My Father, my God, allow me to go to where they have moved,
To see the grace of God to me so benevolently proved.

In the evening, when we’re sitting by the fire alone,
Where the weeping seems to be so useless and drone,
I contemplate my last huggling and kissing of my boys,
The sum of my life, my love and my joy.

I love and miss you Adam, April, Isaac and Hudson.

Written for the Jones family by Mom & Grammie 9.25.08

Pint Sized Photographer

I handed my digital camera to Isaac Saturday. At first most of his pictures had a partial finger in each one, but after we showed him how to hold it he did fine. It was so cute to see him walk around taking pictures of everything while holding the camera like an English tea cup with his fingers spread out.  I thought you’d enjoy seeing his pictures. Of course, he gets his talent from Grammie.

A Friendly Wave on Sundays

We have been given a great gift from God this week – a new mini van. We have been saving since Christmas last year, looking for a great deal on a mini van to save gas (Our big white van is a hog!) The picture below is for those of you that we pass on Sunday mornings. Don’t just look for a big white van or a red car any more. Look for a navy blue Chrysler mini van with a cheesy looking, grinning man in the driver seat. And BTW Keith & Nancy…we’ll still be swerving in front of you to get your attention! Elizabeth, flash those lights so I know it’s you! I’ve clued in Jonathan to let me know when he sees all of you – I tend to be oblivious!


Milestone Birthday

I’m not supposed to tell, so keep this under your hat!  My mom, pictured here at Christmas with Katie and Isaac, turned 80 years old today. It’s my favorite picture of her because she so adores Isaac! She’s on my Facebook friends listing if you’d like to send her a b’day wish.

Her favorite things to do are read, be with her great grandkids, quilt and sew, visit with family, and go to church. She’s in the process of writing a cookbook at the request of her dentist featuring meals that can be eaten by those who have just had dental surgery. She lives in the basement apartment just below us and plans to move with us to Wausau, Wisconsin. She’s been our greatest support during all our ministry years, including participating in the raising of our special needs children. God has given her so many years because she’s dedicated her life to serving others.

Happy birthday, Mom!

House Hunting in the Bag

The Jones family was successful in finding a house in Wausau to rent. It was a reasonably priced brick house, with four bedrooms, a nice large basement, and located very near the church. Please continue to pray that the Lord will continue to make their way straight. Change is hard but exciting! And, while you have the Lord’s ear, please bend it just a little longer and ask that He sell ours quickly so we can embark on our own hunting expedition!

Different is Good

It’s stuff like this that makes my day just a little sweeter. Below is an email I received from Jillian tonight.

It is a good thing to be proud of your daughter.

Mom,

I met a girl from Japan today that is in my keyboarding class. She was amazed that I didn’t treat her differently like other students did. She said it was like I didn’t see her skin or hear her accent. I laughed at her and told her that I was different too and that I knew what is was like to be different. Then I showed her a picture of the boys and me. She was ecstatic, and had to show all her Asian friends. So now I have an Asian family. 🙂

It’s a Done Deal!

Adam has been called to be the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was unanimously voted in without any formal candidating. In a couple of weeks they’ll be traveling back to look for part time work and a place to live. Please be in prayer as they make their way into their new ministry. So many exciting things have been happening in our family! We are in awe of our wonderful God.

Changes

Isn’t it often hard when family changes? How do you let go of a person who’s been in your life for 18 years and watch them make a life parallel to yours? To a mom, this change doesn’t seem right and your first and last desire is to prevent it. But that’s what it means to deny yourself. You go against the natural inclinations of protection and holding close. You choose outside of yourself and push them away from you – AWAY. I suppose some mom’s continue to hold on tightly, but that’s not what keeps them close. Actually pushing them away brings them back. Encouraging them to develop themselves apart from us is what will maintain the tie that was tightly knotted throughout their lives. But then, the knot had to have been tied by the both of you early on. Children who never tied the knot will drift away and maybe never come back. With some of our kids, the knot was tied very tight. Yet with others we just couldn’t seem get the second part tied. Oh, we tried, but “it takes two to tango” or in this case, “tangle.” All that said, here’s my first step in pushing away. Above is our family as we embark on Jillian’s journey – her journey that will hopefully bring her back home. You can see more pictures on her blog luv4him.

After a couple of hours on the road we stopped to Devin’s, then about an hour later met April and Adam on the road and visited for about 15 minutes.

They were on their way home from Austin’s wedding. Seven hours later we were standing in Katie’s apartment, dropping Jillian off for a day of shopping. The rest of us settled in at the timeshare. That night, to our surprise, Katie called and told us she got Tuesday off and would spend the day with us. We spent the day watching the Olympics and then went to Crossville shopping. Adam, I took the picture of Katie eating just for you – but then, I couldn’t have gotten a different one if I wanted to since she’s always eating! Today the boys played in the gym while Jillian and I worked on our laptops, checking our mail and loading our new Adobe software. Tonight we’re checking out a new church in the Glade, Fellowship Baptist.

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