My Gethsemane

Christ in the garden teaches me that in this life, I may be asked to suffer precisely because I don't deserve to suffer. Mostly I suffer for my own choices. But sometimes, the cup set before me is filled with the consequences of other people's choices and if I choose those people, I must partake of the cup they poured, naturally. So I see the sinless Christ choosing others, drinking down the cup of suffering to its very dregs. He drank all of it, so He could have all of us. But first, He did pray, "If it is possible, take this cup from me..." And I am glad for that prayer, knowing He has been here before me. For sinful me, facing one drop of suffering that belongs to someone else is like drinking an ocean. But the kneeling Christ inspires me to choose others, reminds me, I am not alone in this, my Gethsemane.

But at the first club meeting, Haniel's found out he's the only one in the club so far. 

Professor Paggie McSmith uses two wands, too, so she recruited Haniel for her club.

Feeling confident, Haniel tried again and made one tree double the size.  

Haniel cast a spell for one tree, but got two! Each wand made one! His wizarding skills are improving. 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten, full of grace and truth. 

-John 1:14

I purchased this nativity set in a pewter shop in Boston.

It's time to catch the Pigblemish Undeviating. Haniel casts a self-image to his communal medium.  



han_the_man Evanesco, Muggles!

Haniel Padcliffe was half the wizard he wanted to be, so he thought to make up the difference by using twice the wands.

"I do not understand the Incarnation. I rejoice in it."

-Madeline L'Engle, Bright Evening Star: Mysteries of the Incarnation

Norah made this nativity set, adding pieces each year.

I'm still doing phonics with my youngest.  We are in that tough phase where it feels like we aren't making progress and she doesn't like reading. But I stay consistent with practice, so as not to let her regress. If anything, she is learning to sit still, focus, that mom believes she can do it, that reading is important, etc. This is the third child I will have taught to read, so this is quite familiar territory. The other girls were at different ages when they went through this, but it was the same process. We seem to stay in short vowels forever, then we pass into long vowels and special sounds, and at some point, it all becomes a blur and I can't keep them from the easy readers and then the easy chapter books and then that's it- they can read anything! And they read everything! So I know that will happen in time. I keep a positive demeanor and try to snuggle up and keep our sessions short.  I remember I was not always this confident about teaching reading.  But what I lacked in confidence years ago, I made up for in zeal and determination.  It feels much better to be confident and at rest.  I can remember when I dreamed of teaching my children to read. By God's grace, I have/ I will.  Thank you, Lord.