The Joy And Grief of Homeschool Graduation Revisted

This is a revisiting of a post from 3 years ago when our oldest daughter graduated.  Some is copied unashamedly word-for-word from that post regarding the pros and cons of homeschooling and the positives and negatives of graduation and our goals as parents, etc.  The rest has been changed to reflect on our second graduation experience…

Let me try to say this without offending anyone: Public school parents have no idea what we’re going through right now. I’m not saying that parents who send their children to government run schools don’t love their children as much as we do; or that they are more sad or less proud of their graduates than we are; or anything like that. But, it is very, very different.

Until you’ve spent 18 years with that child in your home every day (well, nearly every day. Except for orchestra days and field trips and library runs and horse training days and homeschool co-op days and; you get the idea); until you’ve bought those text books with your own money for 12 years; spent those 12 years sweating day by day along with that child through all of those subjects and assignments, worried more about your teaching than their learning at times; until you’ve experienced the sacrifices in time and money and energy to provide those 12 years of education while at the same time building a bond together as parent and child, teacher and student, discipler and disciple, etc. Until you’ve done these things you can’t possibly understand the joy and grief of watching your child graduate.

Our amazing son Nathanael had his graduation last Saturday. It was a very emotional time for us. This was our second graduate, and our first completely homeschooled child.  (His big sister went to kindergarten in government school).  Though we’ve been through it before, in a sense, it doesn’t change the raging emotions involved in this whole process.

To say we’re proud of him doesn’t begin to describe it. God has grown him into a remarkable young man, and like I said with his sister before him, Mom and I can only take partial credit for that. God is truly gracious to us, doing things in his life in spite of the many mistakes we’ve made over the years.

During the service, Nathanael played a saxophone solo and was going to sing as well, but allergies got the better of him and he was unable.  He did give us a slide presentation of some of his amazing photography, though, and then gave a short speech (which he hated to have to do!), telling us about his experiences and how thankful he is to God and to his family for this part of the journey. Mom cried.  Dad almost did.

His Uncle Dan, who also happens to be his band director, brought a brief message based on one of Nathanael’s favorite verses from Isaiah 40:31  “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  He used the eagle, Nathanael’s favorite animal, as a theme to talk about faithfully walking with and serving God.  It was truly moving.  And just like with LoriAnn a couple years ago, I was fine with everything until Mom came up to give the diploma and started crying. I then, again, had to cry all the way through the prayer of dedication we offered on behalf of our precious son.

We are proud. We are joyful. We are also saddened by this rite of passage in which our son is now an “adult.”  He plans to take a year off before college, which means he’ll still be around for awhile.  And for that I’m truly grateful.  He’s more than just a son to me.  He’s a friend, a hard worker who has been an invaluable help to me.  He’s the guy I hunt and fish with, go to games with, and other “guy” stuff. He’s also my “number one son,” the one who I’ve tried to teach about being a godly man, and though I’ve often failed by example, I’m thrilled to see that God has overcome that.   I’m going to miss him terrible when he’s “gone.” 

Quite frankly, I feel for parents who didn’t get to spend this kind of time with their children; missing out on at least 8 hours a day with them; a minimum of 40 hours a week in which you didn’t get to experience life and growth with them. Of course, I’m not so sure I’d miss the added grief this causes when it’s all over. As I said before, I’m not saying other parents miss their children less because they weren’t homeschooled. It’s just very different.  The years of investing in him both spiritually and educationally have been tiring, but worth every minute.

In the end, our goal has not been to churn out a Nobel Prize winning scientist or a Pulitzer Prize winning writer. Though we are proud of his accomplishments in music and photography and baseball and so on; we are most pleased and proud of his faith and maturity. Our goal has simply been to see him become a fully devoted follower of Christ and a godly man in this sinful world. God has been gracious in granting that goal.

The joy and the grief. Quite a mixture of feelings. I believe that while all parents feel those, they are intensified for homeschool parents (you can argue with me later, this is my “moment”!). But I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s been a long, often difficult road; but by the grace of God it has all been worth it.

So congratulations, Nathanael. We are indeed proud of you. And we still love you, even if you have chosen to stay around and eat your mom’s cooking for another year instead of heading off to college like your sister!  No matter what you decide to do, may God continue to guide your steps each and every day as you seek to exalt Him in all you do.

Declaring the Glory of God

It’s pretty obvious that I haven’t posted in over a week.  From my last post, it should also be obvious why.  I went into the desert to get a word from God.  OK, so I did go into the desert…New Mexico and Arizona.  And though I didn’t go to “get a word from God”, the truth is I did learn some amazing things, or rather was reminded of several things.

For one, I was reminded how the earth truly does declare the glory of God.  Driving nearly 3,000 miles in 8 days, we saw a lot of nature. A lot.  Miles and miles.  Hours and hours.  Are we there yet?

Seriously, we saw some beautiful and amazing things.  The hills of the Ozarks which gave way to the prairies of Texas and the mesas and desert beauty of New Mexico and Arizona.  Then from the majestic view of Humphrey’s Peak in Flagstaff to the awe inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon.

How can anyone see these things and not be lead to praise and glorify the creator whose hand is behind it all?  Well that’s the second thing I was reminded of.  I was reminded that sin clouded eyes are blinded to this.

Nowhere was that more apparent than in the “scientific” descriptions around the grand canyon.  All the little postings in and around the canyon spoke of “millions of years” and “natural progression” and on and on.  Right in front of them is the evidence of an amazing Creator and a great flood which carved this canyon and laid down layer after layer of sedimentary proof in rapid fashion; yet all they see is the lens of their own evolutionary myopia.  I’m caught between praise to God for allowing me the grace to see His hand, and pity for those who see nothing but random chance.

Finally, I was reminded that while the heavens and the earth declare God’s glory, I often do not.  Scripture reminds us how day and night the heavens declare His praise, how the whole earth is full of His glory.  Day and night for all of history, this canyon has pointed to the grandeur of our God.  And yet, man, made in the very image of God, fails to see, fails to speak, fails to give God the glory due His name.  How sad.

Even those of us who have been given eyes to see and hearts to love and mouths to praise Him…how often are we silent?   And how many men and women around us are continuing in their own blindness to God’s glory because we are not speaking of it? 

And so my trip to the desert was profitable.  I was given a fresh view of God’s glory in His creation, and I was reminded again of my need to imitate His handiwork by never ceasing to praise and glorify His name.  And may He use me, as well as that handiwork, to draw others into praising His name as well.   

Taking Time to Mend the Nets

Our family doesn’t take many vacations.  Partly, because we just can’t afford the extended holiday abroad, as they say.  Partly because schedules just make it tough.  A couple years ago, we went to D. C. and some places in between for our oldest daughter’s “Senior Trip.”  Now that our oldest son is graduating, we’re going to try and squeeze in another trip for him.  This time, it’s out west, following part of Old Route 66 and to the Grand Canyon.

I have to admit that part of me always feels a little guilty.  I know time away is a good thing.  Time with family even better.  But I always feel like I’m “shirking” responsibility or something, just talking off and playing around. 

I recently read a few words from Spurgeon that helped, written in the July 1869 edition of The Sword and Trowel.  Maybe you feel the same guilt and you need to know that time off is not only good, but necessary; so I hope you benefit from these words as well. It’s aimed at ministers, but the principle surely applies to all. 

THE fishermen had a good take of mackerel the other evening at Brighton, but while getting in the net it became very badly entangled among the rocks, and was sadly rent. Before that net can be used again, busy fingers must see to its mending. Records of net-mending are as old as the days of “him who trod the sea,” for he found the boats at the sea of Galilee empty, because the fishermen were gone out of them, and were mending their nets. The Lord’s nets, the preachers of the word, need mending too. Our mind grows jaded, and our spirit depressed, our heartbeats with diminished rigor’, and our eyes lose their brightness, if we continue, month after month, and year after year, without a rest. Mental work will as surely wear out the brain as friction will destroy the iron wheel. It is a bad policy to forego the regular vacation. There is no more saving in it than there would be in the fisherman’s continuing to fish with a rent net, because he could not afford time to sit down and mend it. The mind, like a field, ought to lie fallow every now and then; the crops will be the better for it.

Congregations are most unwise who would grudge their pastor the time and the means to enjoy a thorough change, and a season of complete relaxation. Oh, how reviving to wander in the woods, or lie down amid the pillared shade of the pine forests! The hum of bees is Elysium. Every bell of the heather silently rings out peace and goodwill. One drinks in new life as the lungs receive the sea breezes, or the pure currents which sweep the glacier and the eternal snow. To watch the flying clouds, to mark the gathering tempest, to shelter beneath the rock, or in the cotter’s hut, or even to brave out the rain — all this is .balm to the soul. Headache, melancholy, nervousness, suspicion, and all the other children of indigestion, fly before the staff or the alpertsrock. Exercise is almost a means of grace; a walk with God is altogether so. Hope, courage, vivacity, zeal, resolve, all return on the wings of the wind when the right-hearted but weary laborer has had space to relieve the overwrought brain. Many a regret for unearnest sermons and unweeping prayers might never have been needed if our minds were more themselves, and less threadbare with everpassing anxieties. How can we help losing the fish if our net is fall of holes?

We may be blamed for bad fishing, but who can help it if the net be largely rent, and yawns with gashes? Mental weariness is too often the cause of spiritual powerlessness. Deacons and wealthy stewards of the Lord’s goods should generously aid their pastors, where such aid is needed, that they may for the sake of their churches and their work mend their nets; or, to use the Master’s words, may “go into the desert and rest awhile.”

Brethren, everywhere, see ye to it.

May the Fourth: Geek Mashup

My oldest daughter shared this quote mixing up several favorite "geek" stories, but I thought it was missing something.  So I added a picture, and now it's complete.  Have a Happy Geek Day.

True Bravery: Jason Collins or Chris Broussard

Rumors have been swirling that some big name atheletes were going to "come out" as homosexuals.  The rumor mainly focused on the NFL, where reportedly a group of 3 or 4 players were going to come out together.  Then, the NBA beat them to it, with the Washington Wizards' Jason Collins announcing that he is homosexual. 

Of course, the media loves it.  On Fox Sports' website, the top four or five headlines had nothing to do with NBA playoffs, or the NHL playoffs about to start, or any other actual sporst story.  It was all about Collins and how "brave" he is to do this.  

Really?  How brave is doing something that the sinful world in which we live applauds?  How brave is it to admit to a sinful lifestyle for which the mainstream media will turn you into a hero?  The President of the United States commended the guy for pitty's sake.  How brave do you have to be to step into the limelight and be the hero of a godless culture?  

Then there is Chris Broussard.  The ESPN analyst said in an interview: "Personally, I don't believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle, or like, premarital sex between heterosexuals … it says that that's a sin … I believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ," he said on the show. "So, I would not characterize that person as a Christian, because I don't think the Bible would characterize that person as a Christian."

That, my friends, is brave.  Because the media isn't going to send Mr. Broussard any love letters.  He won't get any press except bad press and the "hateful bigot" that the world sees all Christians as being.  He won't be getting any pats on the back from the world at large.  The POTUS certainly won't be giving any props.  He'll be lucky if he doesn't lose his job at ESPN.   

Because the world we live in loves the darkness and hates the light.  They can't stand for the light of Scripture to be shined upon their sin.  And Mr. Broussard did just that.  And the world cringes.  Yet, the truth is, we need more people like this who are willing to take a stand on God's Word.  As Mr. Broussard says in the interview, not just with homosexuality, but adultery and other sexual sins as well.  It's not a popular stand.  Especially in the hormone driven world of professional atheletes. 

Thank you, Christ Broussard, for standing firm on the truth.  Thank you for showing true bravery by going against the flow.  Thank you for putting your career on the line.  We'll be praying for you, and for others in the media to be bold like you.  And we'll be praying for Jason Collins as well, that God will open his eyes to the sin that enslaves him and show him true freedom in Christ.  

In the meantime, ready yourselves Church.  The onslaught against those who do take a stand on matters like this is only just getting warmed up. 

An Experiment in Time

I’ve noticed that over the last month or so, posts here have been rather sparse. I’m not sure if it’s a matter of too little time, too little to say, or a combination of the two.

But when I started this thing, I had resolved to try and average two a week, which I usually have done; until recently. Again, crowded schedule, empty brain, or somewhere in between.

So here’s the deal. At some future point I plan on time travel becoming a reality. Either we’ll invent it, or the Doctor will finally let us in on it. But either way, someone will figure it out. At that time, I will come back in time and fill these pages with some really amazing posts, so that readers will be amazed at how I can possibly find the time to do it all.

Of course, by the time you’ve read this, this future return to the past will already have happened. And so you will already have read all those posts. And you’ll be wondering what in the world I’m talking about. So maybe, I should also delete this post when I add the others, so no one will be the wise.

Now then, if you are reading this, it must mean that the time machine hasn’t been invented, or the Doctor is still keeping it all to himself, or somehow maybe I just got old and absent minded and forgot to come back and fill these pages with my brilliance. Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it? Where on the timeline are we, anyway?

Well, in the meantime, I guess I’ll just have to start working harder in this timeline, applying myself more faithfully to ensure that the two or three bored souls who stumble across this site have something at least mediocre to fill their time with.

To the future…

The Demise of Corporate Prayer

The Faithful Few. The Dedicated Dozen. The Elite Eight. Whatever the size, and however you refer to them, the truth is that those who regularly and faithfully gather for prayer in the local church seems to dwindle year by year.
Of course, not every church. I know of a few places where those gathered for prayer are a constant, and sometimes even growing number. Sadly, in my experience, these are the exception.

And of course, that's assuming the church even still has a "prayer meeting." I know there isn't anything magical or even biblical necessarily about a "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting," In some cases, it's just a tradition. But in doing away with tradition, many have done away with corporate prayer all together. Those that still meet midweek often are entertained with all sorts of programs for the kids, some helpful, some not. But where is the prayer?

It's sad that the average church of about 100 in attendance grabs only a fraction of those during stated times for prayer, again assuming such a time even exists. What's going on? Why are folks not interested? Are these meetings even necessary?

Charles Spurgeon once taught on the subject and outlined several biblical benefits of the corporate prayer meeting, based on the church in Acts. He reminds us that these times are good for encouraging the believers, for receiving divine power, strengthening during persecution, achieving the deliverance of individuals, empowering missions, among other things. He points out that this gathered prayer is where we find our true spiritual power as a church. He said:

"United prayer is useful inasmuch as God has promised extraordinary and peculiar blessings in connection with it, “Wherever two or -three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”…God asks agreement, and, once the saints agree, he pledges himself that the prayer of his agreeing ones shall be answered. Why, see what accumulated force there is in prayer, when one after another pours out his vehement desires; when many seem to be tugging at the rope; when many seem to be knocking mercy’s gate; when the mighty cries of many burning hearts come up to heaven. When, my beloved, you go and shake the very gates thereof with the powerful battering-ram of a holy vehemence, and a sacred importunity, then is it that the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. When first one, and then another, and yet another, throws his whole soul into the prayer, the kingdom of heaven is conquered and the victory becomes great indeed."

He then made application to his own church in particular, saying: 

"The prayer-meeting is an institution which ought to be very precious to us, and to be cherished very much by us as a Church, for to it we owe everything. When our comparatively little chapel was all but empty, was it not a well-known fact that the prayer-meeting was always full? And when the Church increased, and the place was scarce large enough, it was the prayer meeting that did it all. When we went to Exeter Hall, we were a praying people, indeed; and when we entered on the larger speculation, as it seemed, of the Surrey Music-hall, what cries and tears went up to heaven for our success! And so it has been ever since. It is in the spirit of prayer that our strength lies; and if we lose this, the locks will be shorn from Samson, and the Church of God will become weak as water and though we, as Samson did, go and try to shake ourselves as at other times, we shall hear the cry, “The Philistines be upon thee,” and our eyes will be put out, and our glory will depart, unless we continue mighty and earnest in prayer."

How I would love to give that testimony, that our church is known as a place of prayer, that even when worship services may lag in attendance, the prayer meeting is full.  I do know that the opposite end of that is true, though.  Our lack of prayer is much to blame for our lack of power in the church today, and in extreme cases why the "glory has departed."

Is it that our churches are filled with unbelievers, who don't care about prayer?  Or are they filled with immature believers who have forgotten their need for prayer?  Or are they filled with over busy believers who forget that the busier they are, the more they require prayer?  Some combination?  I don't know. 

So what's the answer?  I wish I knew.  I know that only God can motivate His people to want to pray.  I can sure offer a lot of gimmicks and gadgets to get folks to come out, but unless they really want to come and pray, all we end up with is better attended entertainments, not true prayer.   So all I can do is...pray.  Pray and thank God for the faithful few.  Pray that He honors their faithful prayers on behalf of the church.  Pray that others are convicted of their need for prayer in general and their need for corporate prayer in particular.  Pray for God to send His Spirit to motivated and empower His church again.  We need revival in the land, and that will only come through prayer.

So I urge you.  Go to your church's prayer meeting.  If they don't have one, ask to start one.  If they have one in name but fill it with activities and stuff, humbly request to set aside time for prayer.  May God restore His Church to a place of prayer.  

Note: Spurgeon's message on Prayer Meetings is well worth your time to read. You can find a pdf copy here.

This Shouldn't Surprise Us

Everyone knows of the horrific events in Boston this week.  By now you also know of the two young men suspected of being behind the bombings.  Two Chechnyan brothers have been identified, gone on the run, and one is already dead.  According to Fox News, it's been a violent end...

"The suspects apparently surfaced just hours after the FBI released their imaged late Thursday afternoon, shooting the police officer, robbing a convenience store, carjacking a man who later escaped and engaging in a wild shootout with Boston police, in which they hurled explosives from their stolen car."

As I stood in line to buy coffee this morning, I heard the reports on the radio and I heard comments like this: "How could someone so young already be filled with so much hate?" I've been hearing the same kinds of comments all week long. "How can someone do something like this?" "What are they thinking?" How, why, what's going on?

On the one hand, I agree with those questions. We like to think of ourselves as "reasonable" and "good" people, and acts like this befuddle us. We can't imagine what goes through the minds of someone who would bomb a marathon with an obvious attempt to maim and kill. And again, I agree; I can't imagine what goes on in their minds.

But the answer isn't as foreign as we might think. Jonathan Edwards once taught on the “dreadful condition” of natural man, and he said in part:

“The hearts of natural men are exceedingly full of sin…The heart is a mere sink of sin, a fountain of corruption, where issue all manner of filthy streams...The souls of natural men are more vile and abominable than any reptile. If God should open a window in the heart so that we might look into it, it would be the most loathsome spectacle that ever was set before our eyes.” 

I have to remind myself that he's not just talking about "those people out there."  Apart from Christ, apart from some really amazing grace, my heart is just like that.  We're born that way, drowning in sin.  I have to remind myself that my rebellious heart has the potential for the same hatred, the same violence as whoever it is that planted those bombs.

I know we don't like to hear that.  I know we want to act like we're better than this or that person.  I know we want to think that we're "basically good" people.  But the clear teaching of Scripture is just the opposite.  Ephesians 2 begins by saying:  "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." (Eph. 2:1-3, ESV)

Dead, following the sinful nature, disobedient, children of wrath.  That describes all of us.  I'm so grateful that Paul didn't stop there.  I'm so glad verses 4-5 continue: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved." (ESV)

Only God's grace can change us from depraved sinners with the kind of hatred and violence that leads to the most horrific things; not just bombings, but all sorts of vile and destructive things:  abuse, adultery, abortion, addiction...(and those are just the "a"s).  Again, I know we like to categorize sin, and say that the events in Boston are worse than the gossip and slander and bitterness in my own life.  But it's all destructive, all wounds and maims, all dishonors a Holy God, all is worthy of His wrath.  That's not my opinion; that's the Word of God.  All have sinned and fallen short, all are worthy of His wrath.  

In the end we shouldn't be surprised by the hatred in the hearts of whoever is responsible for Boston's grief.   It's the natural state of all men apart from Christ.  Just because all of us don't go bombing things doesn't mean our hearts are capable.  I think we've shown that they are. 

So praise God for His grace.  Praise God for the mercy and forgiveness shown in Christ.  May we be moved to pray that God would shower that grace on all those involved in this situation.  And may it motivate us to be even more fervent in our efforts to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Because gun laws and terrorist prevention and all the resources of this world can't stop this kind of thing from happening.  Only changed hearts, changed lives, grace washed souls will overcome the sin that is in us.    

 

God's Provision

I've been thinking a lot lately about God's provision.  In so many ways we take it for granted.  We get so fixated on what we don't have, that we overlook what God has provided.  To use a biblical illustration, we get so fixated on the fact that we're about to sacrifice Isaac, that we may lose sight of the lamb that's been provided. 

It's been a rough few weeks.  My son's car, which he's only had for a few months, dropped the transmission.  It may not be worth fixing.  We've been running around trying to get him to work, working around our other schedules, etc.  It's been a frustration. 

But then, we do have the other vehicles to get him there.  He does have a job.  I still have a job.  We may not be able to afford to fix his car even if it's deemed "worth it" but we still have food on the table, a roof over our heads, etc.  Because our God provides. 

Awhile back I started having worse than usual problems with my eyesight.  I've to -10.00 power in one eye and -7.50 in the other.  Pretty bad and I've always had trouble getting them to focus together, but this was even worse.  Things are getting "warped" in the one eye.  Turns out I have a degenerative condition that causes swelling and bleeding on the retina and damages the macula.  I'll be going in for a dye test to track the bleeding and then considering if an injection therapy will help, or if I'll just have to learn to live with the diminished vision.  Waa, waa, poor me. 

Even though my reading is affected, I have access to my computer where I can change font sizes, along with my Kindle which does the same.  This helps some, and what a blessing to live in a day where I have that technology.  And even if it does get worse, I can pick up audio books, and there are all sorts of other techonologies available.  At least I know how to read, have access to books, etc.  How many don't?  How many never have?  I still have breath in my lungs, and a mouth to speak God's Word, and an opportunity to do so.  Because God provides. 

We can be tempted to focus on the negative, look at the demands God makes of us, emphasize the "sacrifices" we make; and lose sight of God's gracious provision in all things.  I pray my eyes are always on Him (pardon the personal pun), and that I will always be reminded of the provision.  Especially the provision He has made in Christ.  Because above all, in spite of anything and everything else, we have Christ, I have salvation in Him, I have the promise of eternal life. What an amazing God we serve!  What a grand provision beyond anything we deserve, anything we could ever hope for.  

Another of God's grand provisions in my life, is music.  It has always been such a big part of my life, and I've been blessed to be able to collect quite a few old hymnals containing some amazing words of praise and instruction.  I just came across these words from an old 1833 volume, taken from one of Isaac Watts' old collections that speaks to this whole issue of God's provision and our need to trust in that, to trust in Christ above all.  I hope you are encouraged. 

Keep silence, all created things,
And wait your Maker’s nod!
My soul stands trembling while she sings
The honors of her God.

Life, death, and hell, and worlds unknown
Hang on His firm decree;
He sits on no precarious throne,
No borrows leave to be.

His providence unfolds the book,
And makes His counsels shine;
Each opening leaf, and every stroke
Fulfills some deep design.

My God, I would not long to see
My fate with curious eyes,
What gloomy lines are writ for me,
Or what bright scenes may rise.

In Thy fair book of life and grace,
O may I find my name
Recorded in some humble place,
Beneath my Lord the Lamb!

Homeschooler Moment #16

Wow, has it really been that long since I've done one of these??  Well...

We started homeschooling when our oldest was in first grade.  She's now finishing her Junior year in college, so we feel like we've homeschooled long enough to make fun of homeschooling!  Around our house, we have a little inside joke about being the "homeschool poster child."  Anytime someone does something really absurd, misses an obvious fact, etc. we laugh and say "homeschool poster child!"  (For the record, we think highly of homeschoolers, obviously.  We just think it's fun to use the absurd moments like these to fit in with what many have seen as stereotypes of homeschoolers.)

Here was the latest of those moments: 

Yesterday was my wife's birthday.  Our 8 year old made her a nice little card patterned after a family favorite series of children's books by Mo Willems.  It even featured the famous Pigeon.  His card was about "Don't Let Pigeon Blow Out the Candles."  (see the other Pigeon books and you'll get it).  But the story was only half finished.  The card ended with "to be continued..."

After mom read the card, my son smiled real big and said "too bad you have to wait until Christmas to get the contusion."  When we all laughed, he thought we were laughing with him at making mom wait.  Then we had to explain to him that we think he meant to say "conclusion", and explained that a "contusion" is like what happened when he hit the fireplace bricks with his head.  And to think that he was waiting to give one to his mom until Christmas, well, that's pretty funny.  Even funnier was the face he made, the light going on, and the big "Ooohhhhhh."  Homeschool poster child!

Of course, he's not the only one to suffer from a little word confusion.  We had a President who dealt with that, and in spite of what people often said/thought, he was a pretty smart guy.  So I think this one may turn out ok as well.   And that, my friends, is the contusion to my story.