Star Wars, baby birds, puppies & fudge

The past few weeks have brought us baby chickens, puppy antics, and fudge recipe searching.  Yes, spring at the funny farm!  The children even found a baby Kildare and brought it in for me to see.  I’m thankful the Kildare parents usually take their babies back after our young’ns have all put their scent on them.  They are amazingly forgiving birds.  Lily, the puppy has made it into the collage because she sat so nicely.  She would like you to know she is very nervous and excited about her first show coming up.  We’ll make sure to post pictures of the ribbons we are sure her and her daddy, MERLIN, will win!

Things we’ve learned from Star Wars:

• Character Traits – The characters in Star Wars are complex enough to evaluate according to different Character strengths and flaws.
• Cause and Effect – There are consequences for actions in real life.  Evaluating the decisions of beloved & despised characters of fiction are an exercise that helps us see where our own personal decisions might take us.
• Practice – Practice in picking out new age and evolutionary themes and ideas.  I’ve seen many people raised in the church who don’t recognize non-Biblical worldviews. Practice can help our children develop a strong foundation and logical reasoning for our beliefs.

The boys have learned this so well that it often takes the “fun” out of movies we used to enjoy.  That is not a problem in our minds.  This means they are making their own decisions about what is worth our time and pleasing to God.  This is NOT meant to be a theological discussion on whether or not Christian homeschooling families should watch popular movies.  Each family should pray and discern God’s leading personally.  Our family has chosen to watch some things many others have shunned.  We have also chosen NOT to watch or read many things other Christian homeschooling families consider harmless and sometimes almost mandatory.  Discretion is key.  Admittedly, if we were to evaluate everything by “What would Jesus do?”  We would live our lives much differently.  I am hoping our family is getting closer and closer to that life.  At the same time, I am not willing to take a chance on losing relationships by pushing too hard.  Our family will learn together.  There may come a time when we need to make some drastic changes, but that time has not come in our family yet.