Sunday, December 25, 2011

Extreme schooling

A fascinating article and the corresponding video about how sometimes putting children in a difficult situation and letting them find their way through the hardships might actually be better for them in the end.

My Family's Experiment in Extreme School - The New York Times Magazine
An Education (the video - can also be viewed right from the top of the article)

I'm a fan.

Friday, December 23, 2011

In My Seat

Ever since my great-aunt, my grandma's older sister, was admitted to the hospital back in May, a sweet elderly lady named Ilona from one our sister SDA churches in the Okanagan Valley has been going to visit her on a regular basis. My grandma has become friends with Ilona and greatly appreciates her gift of spending time with Auntie Beth, who is now living in an assisted care facility, to help buoy her spirits on the days Grandma isn't able to visit.

Ilona e-mailed this video to Grandma and she forwarded it on to relatives. It sat in my inbox for about a week before I made time to watch the 15-minute video, but once I sat down to watch it, I was struck by the stunning symbolism. I think it's a perfect Christmas message. We should never forget the sacrifice that God and Jesus made for us. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this world for me.