Refreshing Mountain

In May 2019 we attended our first Homeschool Day at Refreshing Mountain. We returned again in the fall of 2019 and the fall of 2020. Since then, we hadn't been able to attend due to either scheduling conflicts or because all the spots had already been taken when I tried to sign my kids up. The first three times we attended they divided the kids into groups by age and told the kids when to switch from station to station. This time the kids were not divided into groups. We selected a time slot for the zip lining and ropes course, but other than that we could do the activities at whatever time we wanted. Three other families we know were also there on Tuesday. My kids spent their first hour on the ziplines and ropes course. They did the ropes course multiple times. After that, we met up with some of our friends for a presentation on snakes. The kids ran around for a while, and then my kids attended a presentation on birds of prey. The kids played on the playground and ate their lunches over the next hour.  After the lunch break, they all went to the climbing tower. Our friends had arrived earlier than we did so they left after the climbing tower. My kids did the pedal cars, slingshot, and farm animal presentation next. For their final activity, Nadia and Ian chose to ride the zip lines one more time, and Oliver opted to climb a different part of the rock wall. The weather was a bit chillier, but we were very grateful it didn't rain. On the way home, we stopped and had dinner at a friend's house. Kay was the principal of the school prior to me. She invited the woman who had been the kindergarten teacher to join us. Kay and Allen were at our house last year, but it had probably been 20 years since I had seen Joan. 

Our friends hosted their first homeschool game day on February 24. Today that same family is hosting what is the fourth game day that our kids have attended since February 24. I'm scheduled to host one next month. I've also scheduled two field trips for homeschoolers in our area next month, and in both cases, more than twenty students and nine parents are signed up for each trip. I'm thankful my kids have these opportunities to spend time with friends!

This week we received the bad news that Margie has bone cancer. She will likely be placed in hospice in the near future. They are trying to determine whether or not she should have a surgical procedure to place pins in her right hip to prevent it from fracturing before she goes to hospice. I remember what it felt like when I found out that my mom had stage four ovarian cancer. My heart goes out to my dad, her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. Seven years ago, my dad was walking this same road with my mom. Unless God chooses to miraculously heal her, it seems that my kids will experience three grandmas passing away from cancer within seven years. Margie has been their grandma (Gubba) for almost six years. We are praying that they can keep Margie as comfortable as possible. She's been in a tremendous amount of pain. We're also praying for comfort for everyone who will grieve her absence. I'm eternally grateful that she is a believer; we know that her destiny is secure, and I also find comfort in knowing that my dad and others can rely on the Lord to carry them through these difficult times.