So much has happened since my last post on the blog, my mind (and body) are tired! So if my comments are sort of short, I just may be nodding off.
First of all, Louie has spent a lot of time away from home-5 of the last 6 weeks- training for managing his new insurance agency. It's been stressful for everyone but in the end, we know we'll reap the benefits. One of the weeks he was gone, Garrett presented his Senior Thesis. At Covenant School, the senior write this 25 page paper persuasive paper that they then must explain and defend to the school's board of directors. Usually, the defense takes roughly 30 minutes, with 10-15 minutes of questions. Garrett's defense took 35-40 minutes and then there were 35 minutes (at least) of questions!
His thesis explained stem cell research and argued for the expanded use of umbilical stem cell research. (If you'd like to read a copy of his paper, let me know and I'll get you a copy) He did SO well. I thought he would do fine presenting, but he even handled it when he was peppered with questions- some very difficult- from board members. He totally kept his cool under pressure!
About a week later, while Louie was still away, I went with Becca's class on a 3 day trip to Gettysburg, PA. This trip was a spin off from their civil war unit/presentation. I really do love history, especially American history, and this trip was a treat. First, we went to the battlefield of Antietam.
Our tour guide was a local pastor who led tours one day a week. He gave a beautiful description of what led up to the bloodiest one day battle of the civil war. He lined the kids up in 'formation' to help them experience it and showed us photos of what took place where we stood.
When did she get as tall as me??? The picture of the little white building above is the 'Dunker' Church... aka the only church in the area at that time that baptized its members by immersion! (How radical!)
The next day, we made onto the Gettysburg Battlefields. It was a three day battle that turned the civil war. The battle actually covered a huge area. It was a cute little town with a huge percentage of buildings still standing- many with actual bullet shells still in them. As our tour guide for the day entertained us with real stories of people and facts, I was so struck by the contrasts... he talked about death and pain and loss in numbers I couldn't fathom, but we were standing in beautiful fields full of yellow mustard plants that were so tranquil I could have laid down a blanket and read a book on the grass.
One of the things that struck me the most was the Gettysburg Cemetery. Now Becca had to memorize the Gettysburg Address and we saw where it was given... SO cool.
What struck me through wasn't seeing where the Gettysburg address was given, but the markers- like this one- of an unknown soldiers' remains. Some markers simply said "Unknown: 411 bodies". Our guide said that about half of the men killed in that 3 days battle were not identified.
As we scattered and walked around the cemetery, there were markers, row upon row of them... unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown,unknown,unknown. All I could think was, "But God knows!"
At the museum, I read this plaque. It helped put things into perspective for me. During the civil war, over 4 years, 620,000 were killed. If the civil war happened today, based on our current population as compared to what it was then, roughly 6 million Americans would die. I can hardly believe our nation survived it.
We saw two wonderful actors during our trip! The kids asked them questions and they seemed to love it. Becca met Abraham Lincoln AND Robert E. Lee. Lincoln was kind and gentlemanly... Lee was charming.
And a piece of Civil War trivia... remember General Pickett, the Confederate who led the unsuccessful Pickett's Charge? After spending a few years in Canada after the war... he sold insurance!
Hannah has been taking dance since January with some friends from school. The woman who owns the studio is a Christian and uses her God-given ability and talent to bring glory to God and encourage girls and boys. Hannah participated in a recital on Friday evening. (Her last dance recital was when she was 6!) She did SO well!
So, Becca and I got to hang out together and soak up some of our nation's past... while I've been surrounded at home with a lot of Future-Garrett leaving for college, Louie's office opening in a few weeks, Hannah looking forward to a college visit and on and on. Then, this week, it's been all about counting down for school to be out- 10 days! Garrett actually just has 2 days left and then Graduation next weekend! (sigh- He and I had to select 12 pictures from his childhood for the powerpoint that will be shown at graduation... it was VERY hard to choose!!!)
I'll leave you with a quote that I loved from the Gettysburg visitor's center. "In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; Bodies disappear; but spirits linger... and reverent men and women from afar and generations that we know not of, are drawn to see where great things were suffered and done for them..." Yep. We were 'drawn' there... because what happens in the past affects the future.
