rettas homeschooling: 2009

Fairy tales is rich literature that reveals a deep vision of life. It shows a battle that everyone has in the spiritual world. It has forces of good and evil that every child knows and it is confirmed. It shows us how to win the battle, by servant hood which is a truely Christian philosophy. It shows the Light (Christ) is the overcomer of all evil. It gives us insight into the imagination ,which is an art, and excercises our imagination to see outside of ourselves and discover hidden treasures. It helps us exercise our creativity in times of trouble. It helps us feel what others are feeling so when we read other literature we can feel with the charcters and heroes in war and strife, in other lands,in the later years of learning. It gives us the power to be creative in this hard life. We see hope. Just as the Bible teaches right and wrong so do fairy tales , not that it replaces the Bible, but that it demonstrates profoundly the contrast of good and evil.

There is great symbolism in the animals of the fairy tales. The apple symbolizes the fruit that Eve took in the garden of Eden, just like in Snow White. The bear, eagle, and lion represent strength and beauty. Dove represent the Holy Spirit.

Fairy tales give us the insight and wisdom to see there has to be a transformation in us and enlightment period to see the Light of Christ. We need to go through a refinement just as the Bible says in order to come out of the darkness.

There is much wisdom in fairy tales to teach us the development of human kind and see the Light over darkness .

We need to think beyond earthly thoughts of if we do good to others good will come to us. The spiritual element of the the fairy tales, like Snow White, her actions show love to her enemies just as Jesus would. We don't give love to expect something back instead we give love to others because of the commandment Jesus gave us to love out neighbors as ourselves.

Fairy tales give lots of analogies. The idea of Jesus as king and we are the princess and prince as God's children.

Fairy tales also speak to the children at their level. The Bible says we need to have faith like a child. Children can love and have a servant filled heart and are quick to forgive. Since fairy tales teach us about having a servant, loving forgiving heart children can relate to it more.

THIS IS A PICTURE OF A WILL-O'-WISP WHICH YOU WILL READ ABOUT FURTHER DOWN IN THE STORY "THE LIGHT OF TRUTH"

I will be writing about each chapter as I read it to my daughter in order to encourage mothers. The purpose of Parables of Nature is actually a part of literature like fables and legends. It give us a Christian moral and leads us back to Christ. It helps the child to undestand metamorphical language and helps to have a sense of wonder of the Creator and His creation. Christ used parables to teach us a lesson through nature. What a better teacher can we find! Your child will see beautiful pictures of life lessons and get out what they see sometime and not what we see and that is okay. A childlike faith who can find?

LAW OF THE WOOD

We read the chapter The Law of the Wood. It was about a Spruce-fur and Birch tree. The Spruce-fur was waving its branches in front of all the other trees in the forest and the Birch tree was silent about it for quite some time and then couldn't be silent anymore and procaimed the wisdom to the spruce fir would not stick out its branches to far it would make it more comfortable for his neighbors. The spruce fir said they are firm standing and will not relent to others. The birch could not get through it so it kept silent and its last word were time will tell. When as winter fell inot summer the other trees had lots of leafs and were very green. The woodsman came in and was talking about cutting them down for Christmas trees. And come Christmas they were cut down and brought into houses to be decorated. There the trees heard the wisdom again as they listened to the children who were going their own way and and not minding their neighbors comfort or wishes and the parents wisdom said they children needed to mind their neighbors wishes.

TRAINING AND RESTRAINING

Allot of thoughts went through my mind with this story. There are many things you can get out of it. The first thought was that we all grow better in our own environment. God choose a certain family for us for a reason. Just like there are certain plants in the woods or rainforest or garden or plains land we also have a place. The other thought was that we are to be gardeners of the earth and look after Gods creation. The last thought that went through my head was that if we don't train our children correctly than they may just go with the wind and do what ever pleases them. If we train out children well they will discern and realize what is right and wrong. Train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it. Proverbs 23 :6

DAILY BREAD

This parable teaches us frim Matthew 6:32 " your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." This story is about a Robin who is very cheerful and distracts the turtoise who wants to sleep through the winter. The Robin sings beautifully and has a positive attitude to life of trust and faith. The tortoise says there will be no worms to eat and the robin replied with "lets not trouble ourselves." Then the robin meets a blackbird and the blackbird says there who spoke of the chirping was out of character for autumn. Then he met a Woodlark singing and the robin did find out there will be some food around even though the woodlark was very apprehensive at forst. Well the snow did fly and the robin was finding it hard to find food but alas at the villa bread crumbs did come out of the house while the robin sang. so the robin did teachus to not worry about tommorrow or the future since God always provide for us day by day. Ilove this message! What I have found was I started baking my bread again and I found just going through the process helps me turn my eyes to God and realize that every thing comes from Him and Him alone. Lets bake our DAILY bread together and remember everything comes form His hand.the word 'Daily' here makes me realize that He provides daily and not in the future.

COBWEBS

This story was thought provoking. Thanks to all the ladies on Ambleside Online Yahoo Group for their insight.
It was about a thoughtful spider named Twinette who feared the unknown in life. Twinette was told to make a web but was unsure about what was below. Her mother asked her "how can you think about what you don't see and if there is anything you should see it." As she wondered the groined roof of the church and then hanging from her family rope was searching for things. She found flies and then the sun streamed through the chancel window which frightened her which she called dazzle and blaze.She went back to her mother and told her mother that she saw nothing but dazzle and blaze. Her mother said there can't be two things in one place at the same time so there must be nothing there. ( second rule) Then the wind came through and blew her around and she concluded that dazzle and blaze were nothing compared to the wind you can not see. She went back to mother and mother said I don't see what the matter is if there is room for flies there is room for you to make a web. She then went down the rope and felt the stone pavement and did not like the feel of it. She got back up the rope to the rafters and spun her web.She concluded that sight and touch are imperfect guides. She also concluded that there is so much more beyond what we see. She said the same thing over and over that there is ever os much more beyond and bequethed her wisdom of cobwebs to the next generation. She then died.
The moral of this story is the there is more than the human eye can see.There is a natural world that we see and supernatural world that we don't see with our frail minds and yet if we trust in our Lord as our Savior we have no need of being frightened of the unknown. It reminds me of the song What a Friend we Have in Jesus! Oh what needless pain we bear all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Let us have our eyes opened to Jesus and our hearts! Praise God from whom all blessings flow and for Him saving us and for someone to lean on!

KNOWLEDGE NOT THE LIMIT OF BELIEF

This story is a conversation between a zoophyte, seaweed and bookworm. They are in a naturalist library full of books and specimens. The zoophyte said the horrid being that picked him out of the washed up sea since all the creatures that live in him are now dead. The seaweed says the horrid thing is a man who is most obstinate in his findings and is wrong when he says that the I am and animal and you are a vegetable. Then the bookworm walks in and hears all this and responds with the fact that man can discover and correct by observing the next time he looks at his findings. The bookworm goes on to say that if the seaweed and zoophyte would read more they would be wiser. He says they are inferior to man and man can correct himself with patient observance. But the seaweed and zoophyte cannot observe and therefore not understand what man is. They are within the man's powers and yet man has more powers beyond the seaweeds and zoophytes powers. The bookworm explains that their limited power because of not seeing for instance a man can do because they have eyes to describe creatures. The naturalist came in and did some experiment on the seaweed and observed that it was a vegetable by seeing fruit on it under the microscope. The bookworm told the zoophyte to stop trying to reach the unattainable. The zoophyte then decided that I will rejoice in his position and humbled. He will now admire the man's powers even if he can't understand them. The bookworm goes on to say that the lower power cannot fully understand the higher, but to limit ones believe in the bounds of his own power is like tying oneself to the roots of tree and denying the existence of the higher branches. The zoophyte responds by saying there are no powers beyond man and the bookworm responds with--------I am not saying that but was interupted by the naturalist coming in the door.
The moral of this story is the question from Job11 :7 "Canst thou by searching find God?" I would say that it is not the searching or understanding that makes us find God it is just the belief and faith in God that makes us know there is a God. We will never understand His ways it is only through faith and trust in God that we know Him. We can do all the searching in the world but only the Holy Spirit gives us a small glimpse into Gods ways.
This is try to my heart since I was finding ways to search out God and realized that even Buddism that has 8 steps to see the higher power is not the answer ONLY the Spirit gives us faith in Jesus.

THE LIGHT OF TRUTH

This story tells us of four travellers and how they react to a will-o'-wisp. A will-o'-wisp is an phantom light who's purpose is to warn travellers of a swamp or bog up ahead. The first traveller is a statesman who got stuck in the mud. He was angry at the will-o'-wisp but the will-o'-wisp said that the light is friendly to the wise yet misleading to the ignorant, which actually the guided by the imperfect laws of society yet ignorant to the laws of Nature and Truth.

The second traveller was a girl who was also stuck and angry. She thought is was the light of her betrothed to meet her. The will-o'-wisp then replied that her mother did not teach her well, and does not know the law of nature.

The third traveller was a farmer and his boy. The boy,Colin, thought it was the lanturn of his mother yet the father explained that it was the will-o'-wisp tring to mislead folks. He went on to explain that as a young boy he was halfway to the will-o'-wisp when a neighbor called him back. The will-o'-wisp observed that a person like that would strike the hand of someone who helped him.

The last traveller was a man and son on pony and horse. They were grateful for the will-o'-wisp. The will-o'-wisp observed that there are people in the world who will thank God for Nature that works together to help others.

The moral here is found in the Bible Romans 8:28-We know all things work together for good. The laws of Nature work together for some good end. Even storms may not help one person but it may help someone else. We need to admire the Creator! through it all. He is wise and we need to search His ways out and know it is for our good.

A LESSON OF HOPE

A man was musing on natures laws contemplating the storm when all at once the moon shone through the darkness and he heard a voice say ' the moon that shone in Paradise!" A raven came by and called him a fool for believing in myths and flew in front of the moons rays and said the light was gone. The man replied that it is not gone but only hidden. Then the pine tree questioned the wind as to why he brought confusion to his path. The elm tree replied can not the moon teach you mild thoughts. The beech tree exclaimed his life was coming to an end with his leaves scattered all around. The poplar stormed in his anger as to his existance is a mockery to have beauty and then have his beauty torn by force. The raven told him to not aim so high in his thoughts and just think of the facts. The oak cried out and asked if there was any refuge. The raven said where would destruction be if there was no life! As he spoke the moon shone forth again to give its peace and glory and the man exclaimed the fury is for a time and love and order is everlasting which we see when the moon shines through the darkness. The raven again commented that it is only a myth. The owl said it did not matter. Then the man spoke again and said destruction is no law only harmony , peace and order is the law-destruction is only for a time. Again the moon shone forth. Then the oak, beech, poplar and elm all said that they were foolish to doubt the law of order and peace. They asked for forgiveness. The man returned to his lonely cottage. When he remembers his lose of mother and father he remembers the wisdom and hope of his dream of the moon shining on him. He takes his children on walk through woods to show and tells them the laws of nature and natures way of the trees groaning and owls philosophy and the patient mmon never weary of his task of teaching us of hope and promise-THE MOON THAT SHONE IN PARADISE!

The moral of this story is that through all our trials in life Jesus is our light. As we travel through advent this year we are reminded of Jesus light in our life to help us though our struggles. All we need to do is ask and Jesus is always there......... and this life is only for a short time with struggles for there is an everlasing life after this life.

This story was reminder to me ,since I lost my friend resently to cancer, that there is a hope that I will see her again in paradise!

CIRCLE OF BLESSING

Vocabulary

adieu=Goodbye

gorse= any shiny shrub of the legume(pea) family having rudimentary (underdeveloped)leaves and yellow flowers growing in waste and soily places

heather=a plant with pinkish, purplish flowers

tarn= a pool

profusion=in abundance

coronet=crown

expostulate=to reason

exude=to send out

pine=sorrowful

diadem=crown

rill=brook

turret=tower

procolated=pass through an opening

stalactites=deposits of carbon lime

This story is about the vapors leaving the sea. The sea reasoned that they can not leave since divided interests are a ruin of the fools. The vapors replyed that extended interests are the gloryof the wise and they wanted to distribute good to others. They had a dissatifactory parting. The vapors met with other vapors that had different temperatures from around the world. Their particles grew and they let out rain. The vapors then came to a tropical dry parched land and gave the land rain. The vapors had to leave and the earth complained for the vapors to stay yet the vapors reasoned that they pour onto the earth little here and a little there and then the sun comes out and they go up into the rays and move on to help other places. The waterfalls wanted the springs and floods to stay to help them, so the Vapors said that they should be ashamed to want the springs and floods for themselves. Then there were 2 boys and and elderly man in a boat. The young boy said he would get rid of agriculture and education and improvement schemes in order to live like a prince. The other boy said he would die with no friends in stagnation. He went on to explain that even the pond is kept clean by a steam going in from one end and a stream going out the other end. The elderly man replied The stream which recieves is like God himself and the stream that gives is the human race. Those who recieve from the fountain without giving back to the stream are going against Gods nature. Then a farmer saw how the rains once again used the circle of blessing to forget his anxieties. We need to thank God in all times. Then and urchin was watering his kidney beans from water from the pump. He got his pinafore wet and as his pinafore dried by the fire, the steam rose up under the influence of heat, escape into the air. This shows that nothing is lost that God ordained for good. At the end of the story the earth said that even the sea is sufficient for itself yet the Vapors suggested that everything depends on each other. You give us your soils said the Vapors. The earth asked what will you give back? The Vapors showed the earth that they take the virtues of the soil like salt, lime and mineral deposits and sink into rocks and caverns and hang suspended in stalactites or shone out in many sided crystals. Now I see said the earth. Even the waters still obey Gods commands and praise God when man is mute. They bless praise and magnify him forever.

I love this story. It has been revealed to me lately on how we need to praise God in everything. And this story has confirmed to me how everything works together for good. As humans we can make each other shine as well by praising each other and giving to each other as God has given to us freely. See how even the circle of blessing is everwhere! If one has a talent in teaching let him teach and other preach........ Give to each other our talents!

THE VOICES OF THE EARTH

The wind is complaining that since the beginning of the creation of man existance has been unsupportive. The mountains reply that the wind is jealous of man who is the glory of God and condemning and he should instead fulfil in his work and in so do it to the glory of God. The wind said it is for the honour of man and the glory of his creator that I am troubled about.I used to rest in His will and rejoice but I do not anymore. you know earth how I once roamed joyfully and tenderly and carried the fragrance of your plants to heaven, and still in my misery fulfil Gods word. The burden tis upon me of the pollution of the world from the hands of man. Woe to the civilized lands that I pass through. Woe for the cities that bear the habitation that I cannot avoid.Woe that I have to spread black results of misguided reason form pole to pole. Woe that I have to carry up jests of scorners as incense from man to heaven to his Maker: from man formed in His image and boasting of his faculties of sense( powers of mind).Oh that I might pass away and with me the evil fruits of mans heart. Thou hast numbered curses said the mountains. You are a messnger of blessing and also outpourings and voices and sounds you carry pole to pole. You need to also remember the prayers of faithful and daily thanksgiving of saints. The wind then said how find the balance when inanimate creation continue to praise God yet man has not so how do we boast in man? But man alone has a free will. There is no merit but only acceptance in the spirit of free will which has choice. Obedience to the law in not as important as the will in unison with the Divine. So just be content to labour as long as there is contest of good and evil and good is accepted in heaven said the earth. The wind than goes on to say he sees earth stand fast but man passes away. there is sorrow in my heart and wonder if I will pass away as though I have never been. Then the hills say you are speaking like those of those who see and know in part.There is a Almighty who we can trust in.. The wind goes on to say th humans groan in pain. Wait says the earth through pain is the answer that heaven rejoices in one repentant sinner. So take thae balance of suffering and its fruits and to be content in our labour. Yet man is most wretched sadi the wind. Unjust said the earth. you need to stop keeping record of mans wrongs and number the joys. Yet the wind said once more the evil in whom the glory of th creator is yet visible and is see the loathsome words of sin, lies of deciever, prating of the fool, the seducitons of dissolute, th shouts of drrunken revelry, songs of the profane and the gifts of speech musused for evil. these voices are horrible. Yet wait and see says the earth how God forbears while you lose patience. The wind said listen if there comes a day sin prevails than I ease to lift it to the skies. I promise that that till then I will watch the struggle and continue to labour. The wind is still careering aroung the world so we need to be careful not to tip the scales in our thoughlessness or sin. For if sin prevails and the wind ceases to blow what would become of the world.

This story was great for me since I also struggle with seeing evil and what is the purpose of moving forward. I need to trust God and leave the mysteries to HIM and just glorify God in my labour. Not get caught up in details I need to know. My favourite quote was: "Obedience to the law is not the service of the heart -not the highes tribute to the Creators glory.For dearer to God is the struggle by which human will is subdued ot unison with te will Divin, ub anticipation of the at day when all its wisdom shall be made known"

Psalm 6

Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord"