Our Own Secret Annex


Caught between being a planner and an "in-the-moment" home educator. 
The security and tidiness of schedules gives my heart peace but the wow, the power punch and depth of teachable moments cannot be passed by. I tend to call is Spirit led education...when God guides and provides the learning, the curriculum, without much of my own effort. Often, it's just an experience to hook the knowledge onto...something to make it unforgettable.

November largely centers around Remembrance Day. We watch old war movies, attend the services and read about heroes. This year we've been into The Diary of Anne Frank. The kids really like it, a little to my surprise. Even with the reading challenge it is for them, with all her Dutch interjections and old, unfamiliar sayings. Upon getting to know Anne and playing the role of "Kitty", we are engaged in journaling for ourselves too. They've picked names for their friend notebook and tried to model Anne's ways. It was an honourable attempt, however, deep talks with Kitty turned into narratives about Pokeman and comic strip pictures of ball gowns. I guess that is ok too...just roll with it...teach proper letter writing and punctuation. 

Timely, is our upstairs home renovations, so our main living area will be out of commission for 2 weeks. We'll be cramped into a small spaced basement, with little light and make-shift cooking  appliances. I think this opportunity will help all of us understand a little better what Anne experienced in the Secret Annex. Maybe we can feel her frustration a little and become more grateful for our freedom, space and abundance of  resources. When the two weeks are over, we will ascend to the bright and fresh living...and intentionally remember that it never happened for Anne. Her end was far from the comfort and joy of ours. May this lesson make Christmas more meaningful and others focused.

I mostly appreciated Anne's honesty in regards to competing feelings of gratefulness and self-pity. On one hand, she felt unworthy to be safe in their hideout, and at the same time, angry that others get to live the way a young girl passionately desires. It was nice to share that with her and to be pushed toward the gratefulness again.Whether in war or in peace, inside, we battle the same flesh. The war He won for us by total sacrifice...comfort, family, honor and glory...He gave them all. 

Notice the moments, the opportunities, to really teach. Information is lost easily unless it is attached to an experience. The knowledge coupled with something to form a relationship with will last and create character. Follow His educational leadings and learn well. 

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