So Far, So Good!

I am so excited about our co-op!  We've gained three new families this semester, and are now serving a total of 21 young people.  I know that in my Lord of the Rings literature class, adding in a few more people really has livened things up.  A special thanks to Bev for bringing the name tags so everyone can learn the names of the new folks, and they can learn ours.

One of the things we have decided to do is assist our host institution, St. John's Episcopal Church, in one of their ministries.  St. John's runs an after school program serving underpriveledged children in La Porte.  The children in the program get help with homework, plus enrichment activities, and a place where they are under the supervision of adults who care about them while their parents are working in the afternoons.  The director of the the program and the board of directors have identified 59 children who go hungry for some portion of the weekends because there is not enough food in the home.  The director got those kids enrolled in Backpacks for Kids, and our co-op families help by packing the bags with the food given to us by the director.  This past week, Ms. Buskirk had the children who receive the bags come in to say thank you to us.  I cried a little.  (of course, my own children would say that's pretty normal--I am a leaky little faucet)  I would like it if some opporunity came up for us to serve them further, because I love participating in activities that further people's personal development.  I mean, really, it's why I homeschool!

Anyway, that same day, the cooking class made a yummy tortilla soup!  There was plenty of soup, so I invited Father Reid and his wife, Marie, down to eat.  I was so glad they took us up on it, although I wished I had introduced them to everyone, and everyone to them.  We were all cleaning up and trying to get out of there, so I didn't get the chance.  They really liked the soup, so maybe we can invite them again another time, and introductions can be made.  But maybe some other time.

I am just beside myself to see the vision that was placed in my heart and head coming to fruition!  I know we are serving some families in the co-op that for various reasons do not feel like they belong in other homeschool groups, and that is an issue very close to my heart.  Everyone needs a place to belong, and so far our group is a fantastic mix of people of different ethnicities and beliefs.  So far, we are all getting along and being respectful of one another.  So far, it looks like there is a lot of learning and having fun going on (see previous posts for photos!).

So far, life is good EASTS this semester.