What Do You Do?

One activity I greatly enjoy is meeting new people; I consider this a blessing, because

I can learn about their family, church, work place, and dreams.  I enjoy

sharing ideas and philosophies.  Many times, my new friends ask me about myself

and what I am doing with my life.  I am always excited to say that I am blessed with a

wonderful husband and three great kids that occupy most of my time.  However, in

between taking care of my family, I work on my fortune!

     I loved being a full time mother and home educator for 19 years.  Toward the

end of my home education experience, I decided to work outside the home to help

with college education for my oldest daughter.  “Are you working again today, Mom?”

asked my youngest daughter.  “Oh, you won’t be home tonight?” asked my oldest

daughter. 

     “Not again.  I have to cook!” my son said, venting his frustration.  Needless to say,

not being in control of my schedule was not working.  My family and I felt much

frustration until…..

     Years ago a great friend shared an awesome opportunity with my husband and myself! 

It has turned my life around.  We have saved thousands of dollars on everyday items my

family needs and we have earned thousands of dollars.  The savings alone has allowed

me to return to being a full time stay at home mom!  This company is also allowing me to

help my children with college tuition costs and replenish my husband’s retirement

account.  In fact, I am retiring my husband early! I can’t wait!

     The personal growth has been life changing.  Life, in general, pressed in on

me.  Worry, low self esteem, false guilt, and sadness had crept in over the years.  For the past three and a half years great authors such as Jim Rohn, Napoleon Hill, Joyce Myers, Andy Andrews, and Anthony Robbins have been my constant companions.  People at local, regional, and national meetings share their success and encourage me on my journey.  I listen to business and CDs everyday.  Today, I worry less and I recognize when I take on false guilt. I am confident in my abilities and I am happier.  This is priceless!  

     The personal growth did not stop with me; it is trickling on down to my

children.  I am able to encourage them to dream big and reach their goals.  It is such a

blessing to observe my daughter tell her friend, “Don’t say that!   That is ‘stinking

thinking’!”  It is a blessing to observe the personal growth in my children.

     My circle of friends is increasing.  I spend more time with friends who challenge me

and encourage me to be more.  I strongly desire to become more of the person that God has

made me to be!     

    

A Lesson I Was Not Ready To Learn

  “No don’t!  I don’t want to!  I am frightened!  Don’t take me over there!” I begged my

Dad.  Have you ever experienced a time in your life, when your parents tried to teach you

a lesson you were not ready for?

     Tucked away in the corners of my mind, I remember the summer I turned 12. 

Attending a pool party with friends was no fun because I didn’t know how to swim.  I

would be the only one in the shallow water.  I felt left out on all the fun and exercise.

     “Dad and Mom, I want to take swimming lesson at the Bolivar Public Pool.  Can I

enroll this summer for lessons?” I asked one evening at supper.

     “The lessons are costly and traveling to town everyday would be expensive and

time consuming.  I like open water better such as the lake and ponds.  Why, I know how

to swim.  I can teach you.  Swimming is easy.  We will go tomorrow afternoon.” Said my

dad.

     Riding through the field in the pick up truck, my brother and I were sitting in the back. 

I enjoyed the scenery.  My dad’s 350 acre farm connected with my Grandfather’s farm. 

On one side of the gravel road fescue waving in the gentle breeze and on the other side

was woods of full grown trees, saplings, shrubs, and wildflowers.  Cows grazing in

designated areas were look up chewing their cud as we drove by.  A baby calf would

lollop to his mother in fear of the big moving vehicle.  The remains of an old one room

school house stood at the top of the hill.  “What did those kids learn all those years? 

Where are they now?  Where was the teacher? Why did the school close?” I wondered as

we passed by. 

     At the bottom of the hill was a crystal clear creek we slowly crossed.  I loved the

peacefulness of this little area.  As I listened to the birds chirping, to the breeze blowing

through the trees, and the water ripple, I knew all was well in my world.  I smiled.

     This peacefulness was about to change.  We arrived at the pond in the clearing.  It was

a fairly good sized pond.  We had fished here several times.  In fact, I remembered that I

had caught seven fish one afternoon.  As I reminisced, I heard my Dad tell my Mom his

plan for my swimming lesson.  I pretended to keep my eyes glued to the pond, while my

ears were intently listening to my Dad’s plans for me.  “I am going to lead Teresa out to

the middle on the edge of the deep water.  I intend to just shove her into the deep water. 

She will just start swimming.  I have seen people do this.”

     I walked further away from the truck.  I had put some distance between us to think this

situation over. “Could I swim just like that?  I had heard about people learning to swim

this way. Could I?” I asked myself.

     My Dad took my hand as we stepped into the pond together.  The rocks hurt my feet! 

“Ouch!” I cried.  “I can’t see where I am stepping it is so muddy!”

     “Are you that tender footed?  The mud is not going to hurt you!” exclaimed my Dad.

     We were into the pond as far as knee deep now.  My feet began sticking in the mud

more and more.  The water was murky.  By the time we up to our waist I was about as far

as I was going to venture.  “Let’s stop here.  You can teach what you know now.”  I said.

     “No, no, just a little deeper,” urged my Dad.

     He pulled me along until the water level was up to my shoulders.  I stopped.  “Please,

Dad, stop.  I don’t want to go any further.  I am scared!”

     “Nothing is going to happen.  You are going to swim today!”

     Suddenly, learning to swim was not important anymore.  I did not want to be shoved

into this murky muddy pond.  I knew I needed more instruction.  What if I didn’t swim? 

What if my Dad couldn’t help me?  “Turn loose.  I don’t want to learn to swim

anymore!”

     I waded my way back to the shore.  My Dad couldn’t believe it.  He thought I was

ready, but I knew I was not ready for that challenge.

     Years later I did learn to swim in a college level swim class from an instructor named

Coach Potts.  He challenged me in small steps everyday.  He helped me to overcome my

fear of water.  I am grateful for his patience and encouragement.

     Parents and teachers should present lessons in small incremental steps, allowing the

student to build confidence in the learning process.  My Dad, being impatient and

desiring to skip those small steps in my swim lesson, caused me to fear water.  It was a

lesson my Dad attempted to teach me that I was just not ready for. 

    

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways 

acknowledge him, and He shall direct your paths. 

    

Secret Communications

“How do spies communicate secretly,” I asked my spies?  We were learning about Undercover Communications in another exciting Spy University Class. 

How can spies communicate without being seen or followed?  Telephone conversations can be tapped and personal meetings are risky due to being seen or followed.  Many times spies need to avoid meeting people altogether.  Thus a system was designed to leave information in a secretly hidden location called a “dead drop.”  An example of a dead drop could be dead tree stump, an old log, a space between bricks in a wall, a spot under a footbridge, etc…

“Let’s set up a dead drop for next time we gather.  Where will that be?” the class brainstormed.  I, the teacher, was to place the information in an envelope and in the drop box location of my choosing and I was to chose one spy student to pick the information nonchalantly and without being seen by the other spy students.  I would be contacting this spy student via email.  If you were a spy not contacted, then you were to be keeping your eye on a fellow spy who would be picking something up at a drop box at some location in the gymnasium before Shared Learning Classes began.

I emailed Jonathon to pick up information at the drop location.  The location was the information table at shared learning.  I chose this because it was hidden, but somewhat in the open with people around.

During class Jonathon shared, “It was quite challenging to get the envelope because all the homeschool moms kept getting in my way at the information table.  I thought one of them would tell me to move!”  We all laughed.

“There are all kinds of secret messages on the table!”  The spy students look at the messy table of rubber bands, balloons, and scrape paper haphazardly scattered.  “What?” they ask.  “A rubber band has a secret message?” one spy student asks.  “Pick up one of the rubber bands and stretch it out.  What does it say?” I ask.   “It says Chris cannot be trusted.”  Another student picks up a balloon and stretches it out.  “Look this says meet at Wendy’s after our meeting at headquarters.”  “Does this have a message?” asked another spy student holding up a box of stale donuts?”  Laughing, I shook my head.  Still another picked up some narrow strips of paper with writing.  “I think this is a clue.  I cannot decipher it.”  I gave them a hint.  “Wrap it around one of the pencils.”  There were different pencils, markers, and pens of various widths.  One had to have the correct width in order to figure out the clue.  “I have the clue,” said the spy student excitedly.  “Meet at my house after shared learning.  Don’t tell anyone!” 

The spy students learned several ways of keeping messages undercover.  “What do you do with the message after you read it?” I ask.  Throw it in the trash?  No, because someone could retrieve it.  Keep it?  No, you would risk getting caught.”  “Eat it!” suggested a spy student laughing.  I, then, pull out an envelope with edible paper.  “Write a message with this edible ink pen and eat your message.”  “Eww!  Really?”  “Really!”  “It doesn’t taste bad!” observed a spy student.

The class ended with learning about John Walker who was an American who spied for the Soviet Union from 1967-1985.  He used an elaborate system of dead drops to transfer secret information using a 7 up can.  He was finally caught, tried, and sentenced to a life in prison.  We all thought it was a disgrace to deceive our beloved country

Disguises

“Is tomorrow Shared Learning day?” asked Chris, my son.  Over the years in our homeschooling endeavors, homeschooling families would gather to teach different classes to support and help each other.  It was a way to learn, have fun, and build relationships. 

One of my favorite classes I taught was Spy University.  Why would I teach Spy University of all topics?  My son, Chris, was interested in spies.  I began searching for books; I found Spy University produced by Scholastic Books, Inc.  It was a set of 14 books, each covering a different aspect in being a spy.

There were 6 aspects covered in my class.  The first topic studied was The Spy’s Guide to Disguise.  Spies use disguise to avoid surveillance, to escape, and to keep the spy’s real identity a secret.  Our assignment was to change into a disguise in between fine arts and shared learning classes.  It was a time the homeschoolers gathered in the church gymnasium for The Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer, and announcements.  This was the perfect time for the spy students to try this experiment to blend into to crowd and yet no one recognize them.  It was like Clark Kent running and hiding in a phone booth and jumping out as Superman except not so dramatic.  The spy students were to act a little different, too.  The goal was to discover how well each spy blended in with the crowd.

I, even, donned my own spy attire.  It consisted of a scarf tied on my head and light sunglasses.  As I stood in the corner, I scanned the room for my spy students.  There was a young lady in a leather skirt and hat, a young man in a trench coat, and others with different hats, sunglasses, and blue jeans.  Some applied make-up to mimic the effects of aging.  I noticed other spy students’ personality changed slightly.

Later, we met at Spy Headquarters (classroom) to discuss our adventure.  It was fun watching my spy students enter the classroom laughing.  This is what these kid spies found.  Most peers did not initially recognize them.  The peers looked at them at least twice if not thrice.  “Oh, I didn’t recognize you!  What are you doing?”  or “I really like the new look you have created!”  If the spy students changed their personality people would ask them, “Why are you so quiet today?  You are different!”

These students were having fun learning.  I asked, “Did your disguises work?”  “No, they did not.  We were recognized by our friends,” one of the students replied.  “In order to be successful with our disguises, we must completely transform ourselves.  We must believe and act the part with all our strength and bravado,” I shared with my little spies. 

We talked about an upper class Russian mother and daughter disguising as peasants to escape Russia after the revolution of 1817.  If their disguise didn’t work, they would be in danger.  These students learned that being a spy is serious.  It involves the safety of people such as this.

I am continuing with more Spy University Stories.  In the meantime, does anyone, student or parent, have any memories they would like to share about Spy University? 

Stephanie and Jeff's Story

Stephanie Stewart, a biology major, and Jeff Hall, a math major, met at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MIssouri in the fall of 2008.  Stephanie and her friend, Nicole Miller, being challenged in a college physics class, were seeking help.  Nicole suggested and arranged a few help sessions with Jeff.  The ladies were thankful for Jeff's help.  Shortly, thereafter, Jeff asked Stephanie out on a date.

Jeff called home to his mother after meeting Stephanie.  He asked his mother,  "I have met the girl I am going to marry!  I just know it!  Tell me how I can make this first date special."

Taking his mother's advice, Jeff took Stephanie to the Branson Landing.  After dining at the White River Fish House, they spent the afternoon walking around the Landing and visiting.

Four years later Jeff brought Stephanie back to the Branson Landing.  Again they ate at the White River Fish House and walked on the boardwalk to the fountain.  This time there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky they admired.  Jeff turned to Stephanie asking, "Will you marry me?"  Stephanie looked at Jeff answering, "Yes!"  At that moment the five pillars flamed up.  Startled, they jumped into each other's arms.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

                                                                        

Five and Dime Store Experiences

One bright sun shiny spring day my husband and I wrapped up a business appointment

in Branson, Missouri.  “Do you want to shop a bit at Dick’s Five and Dime before we

head home?” my husband asked.

     “Sure,” I replied.  As I stepped into Dick’s Five and Dime Store, a flood of sweet

memories came to my mind and filled my heart with gladness.  Visions of our three

children running up and down the isles looking at the toys and even visions of my

childhood experiences in other Five and Dime Stores in Bolivar and Buffalo, Missouri

brought smiles to my heart. Five and Dime Stores, being a popular type of business in the

60’s, provided fun learning experiences and provided the means in making memories for

my family. 

      

     Many times our mother would take us to the Five and Dime Store in Bolivar, Missouri

to pick up Household items and undoubtedly we ended up in the toy section.  “I think I

want a kite today.  Or I want a set of jacks?  Oh, Mom, look at this felt marker set!”  The

shopping experience created as much fun as playing with our new toys and gadgets. 

These toys and gadgets, also, provided my brother and I with many great fun learning

experiences. 

     We bought clay in a package of four square bars in red, yellow, green, and blue.  We

would mold the clay in animal shapes, dish shapes, and flower shapes.  Many great works of art were created. 

     Over the years we bought different simple toys such as a jump rope, a set of jacks, and kites.  We even purchased school supplies each fall.

     The most fun Five and Dime experience I have ever had happened on one warm summer afternoon.  My younger brother and I along with our mother sat waiting in the car for my Dad.  Time seemed to drag on and on.  We were waiting for our father to complete a business transaction with a local business owner in Buffalo, Missouri.  I observed the different stores on the city square such as a bank, a clothing shop, a barber shop, a jewelry store and a five and dime store.  “Mom, can we go look around in the dime store?” I asked.  “Well, I don’t know.  Your Dad will probably be out soon and then we are going to buy groceries,” replied my Mom.  “Please?” my brother and I cried in unison.  Our mother looked at the store assessing the store and the distance from where we were parked. “Well, okay.  Here is twenty-five cents.  Why don’t you buy a bag of candy?”  “Oh that sounds great!” 

     Excitedly, I jumped out of the car with the quarter in hand.  As I stepped into the store,

I observed long counters upon counters of penny candy.  In fact I had never seen so much

candy in all of my 9 years!  Pixie Sticks, Jolly Ranchers, Laffy Taffy, Sweet Tarts, Sugar

Babies, Sugar Daddies, Double Bubble and Bazooka Bubble Gum, and Jaw Breakers

fill our bag.  What does a Pixie Stick taste like?  And Sweet Tarts?  I glanced back

out at the car questioningly.  My brother anxiously peered out of the car at me anticipating what I was choosing for both of us.  There was only one way to find out and

that was to try different candies.  I filled our bag with two of each kind of candy I thought

my brother and I would like to eat.  The quarter bought a lot of candy for two 7 and 9

year old kids to devour!

     Arriving to the car, my brother opened the back door for me.  We poured the bag of

candy onto the back seat.  “Oh!  Ah!  What is this?  Let’s try the Pixie Sticks first?”  The

little grains were a taste bud treat of sweet and sour all at the same time!  “Let’s don’t eat

too much!  We don’t want to make ourselves sick.”  Over the course of two days my

brother and I consumed the twenty-five cent bag of candy.  We thoroughly enjoyed

ourselves.  After the experience, every time we traveled to Buffalo we bought a bag of

penny candy. 

     Five and Dime Stores provided fun learning experiences and memories for my

family.As Benjamin Benii once said, “We didn’t realize we were making memories, we

just knew we were having fun.”  

Don't Drop Your Towel!

  “Let’s play a little joke on someone,” said one of my children.  Being a mom my ears

perk up when I hear statements such as this.  It is my responsibility to teach my children

to be kind to one another.  I ask what are the intentions of the teaser?  Are the intentions

to be annoying and hurtful?  Or are the intentions to be playful and affectionate?  

     Over the 19 years of homeschooling my three children, we developed a daily routine

of arising at 8 o’clock, dressing, eating breakfast, feeding the cats and dog, and starting

school by 9 o’clock, eating lunch at noon and watching The Andy Griffith Show, and

hitting the books again at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.  Our school day was completed

around 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon.  After school we prepared for evening extracurricular

activities.

     “Mom, I just finished my history report!  Can I take a shower and then watch TV,”

asks Christopher?  He was excited for our upcoming evening’s activities.  On the

particular evening we were going out to eat supper before attending church.

     “Go ahead,” I reply.

     Christopher grabbed a towel and scampered down the hall to the shower.  Stephanie

and Hannah finished their homeschool assignments.  We all felt good about what was

accomplished during the day.  The three of us were laughing as we put away our school

books in the closet.  Hannah stopped and said, “Mom, I have an idea!  I am going to tease

Christopher!  I am going to hide under the blankets on the top his bunk bed.  When

Christopher returns, I am going to pop up and scare him,” she giggled.  “I want to stir

him up a bit.”

     “I suppose, but do not embarrass him,” I cautioned.

     Hannah climbed onto the top bunk and placed the blankets on top of her.  She silently

waited for her victim.  A happy Christopher, holding a towel around his waist, trots down

the hall and into his room.  “Thump,” the door closes!  All was silent for a moment.  It

was almost like the quiet before the storm.  Stephanie and I look at each other smiling

anticipating the reaction about to happen.

     As Christopher stands in front of his closet, Hannah peers out from underneath the

blankets.  Chris, pulling a light blue shirt and blue jeans from his closet with his back

turned toward Hannah.  Hannah yells, “Hey Christopher!  How are you doing?”

     “Aaaaaaaa!” yelled Christopher.  Christopher was so startled he almost dropped his

towel.  In frustration he demanded, “What are you doing in here?  Hannah, you get out of

here right now!”

     Obtaining the reaction she wanted, Hannah jumped off the bed and out of

Christopher’s room.  She runs up to me and bends over laughing.

     “Hannah, that was so ornery,” Stephanie said, “but it was funny!”

     “I know!” she giggled again.

     A few minutes later Christopher walks out of his room laughing.  “You played a good

joke on me Hannah!  I am glad I didn’t drop my towel!” 

     Hannah says, “Me, too!”

     Teasing should never be hurtful.  One doesn’t really know how the joke will be taken. 

The real test is if someone else finds the joke funny or not.  Does the person being teased

find the joke as friendly?  Teasing should be used in a way to make people feel closer.