All Things New: Natural History Museum! 11/09

When Ab started 2nd and Em K, I began my own journey. One much to detail intensive and time consuming not to mention private for this very public blog. One aspect of my life is worth addressing. I had a stirring in me to expand my girls' world with regards to their education. I have always loved!!! teaching my own children. But between building a house, having another toddler at home and my own live crisis ensuing I had burnt out. Even my desire was but a flicker. I also began working part time which I loved, I was just emotionally drained constantly.

I asked God to use it for my good as I struggled to understand the depths of the questions in my spirit concerning my girls' learning. Since I was so tired and I wanted more for them I began researching ways to bring them to learning instead of the other way around. Which had always been natural since I was home day in and day out with 3 children.

Here is our very first attempt at an after school family field trip. So MANY more have taken place since this time and I can not wait to share them with you. But this place, The NHM in C-town is much akin to a first love. A place I will always look back on with fondness. A place where my eyes were opened to how much the world of education, in this country, offers if you only take the initiative. A place where my girls realized learning exceeds the boundaries of a school building. A place where my kids wanted to explore and seek knowledge for themselves not just because mom said so. A place where God began to form, more than physically, my little family.

In Scripture there are many references to the Tabern*acle. The Hebrew word is "Mishkan"= not a place of physical splendor. But it IS where God chose to dwell with His chosen people! The Tabernacle most often referred to in scripture is the one in the wilderness. (I realize in the NT we are the temple in which He chooses to dwell)

That description sums of my feelings for this place. We bought a yearly pass. We received so much more than an education here. We received mercy, redemption and grace. Don't misunderstand me. The people, tools and information provided here offered nothing more than human mind expansion. God simply chose to meet with me, as He so often does, in the most unexpected place.

In my wilderness, among the animals he created no less, while walking along dim, long hallways with my family, God was healing my heart one stitch at a time. This is not the only location God has worked in my life the past 2 years. It is the one place though that all 5 of us loved to go together. A place inn which we could escape the difficulties of life together and just enjoy each others company.

We had no idea the museum had an outdoor, very intimate, and private zoo. In fact we were able walk the path through the cages and showed up just in time for a tour. There were 3 families and the guide stopped to feed many of the animals as he gave described all sorts of facts about the them.

If you have read my blog: so much better than our trip to the Czoo. There we walked forever and then not able to see any animals up close except for while on the small train ride.