老大已經高中一年級, 聖誕月他還是必須要正常地完成作業也有補習班, 但因為我們在家教育, 所以每早晨他都還是會跟我們一起吃早餐一起禱告。我們早晨的晨光時間大約一小時左右, 這一個小時我們透過Operation World App 認識國家, 一天一個。App 會有一小段說明這個國家目前的狀況, 需要代禱的事項, 跟基本的統計還有地理位置。我們會一起簡短的為這個國家目前的需要禱告, 接著雙寶就可以先自行去玩了。雙寶在玩的時候就是我朗讀給兩個大孩子的時光, 因為是聖誕月, 我選了這本經典Classics 書名 The Story of Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke. 這本書是根據耶穌降生的時代背景寫到當時來自東方的博士們其中有一位因為在旅程中遇到的事情無法親自將禮物獻給耶穌, 但這位沒有被聖經提到的博士確實踐了聖誕最美的意義。雖然這本書是虛構, 但書的歷史背景卻是非常正確地描繪出耶穌出生當時的歷史也更啟發我們思考聖誕的意義。
我在朗讀的時候大孩子可以隨意地做些安靜的活動, 也可以繼續吃東西。這個晨光時間Morning Time 的學習份圍是我們在家教育的核心, 是我可以影響孩子們將可愛的, 可稱讚的, 有美名的想法像宴席一般呈現給孩子們的重要管道。
自律與自省是計畫執行是否成功的關鍵。我很喜歡亞里斯多德說的一句話 “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore is not an act, but a habit.” 中文翻譯「我們重覆的行為造就了我們,卓越因此不是一個行為,而是一個習慣。」
What does it mean to be human? 這是我常常問自己的問題, 也是我最近一直在反覆思考的事。如果教育不是為了上好大學找理想工作, 如果教育是為了活出真理, 良善, 跟美…那我必須找到成為「人」的價值 與意義。但這樣的問答, 若離了基督…我找不到解答。聽了很多 podcasts, 摺衣服的時候聽, 在廚房工作也聽, 我真的很想找到答案! 我有聽過人說學歷史是要避免重蹈覆轍, 學歷史要能批判性思考看多方的角度, 這些我都知道, 我也同意。但我始終覺得….不只是這些。History is way MORE than just becoming critical thinkers and avoiding repeated mistakes.
我受教育的目的……跟我如何成為「人」有直接的關係。而唯一的解答只有在「基督」裡。
以下是我自我問答的過程…..
What Does it Mean to be Human
It means…
When we were once lost in our helpless state, God came and rescued us.
We are redeemed.
When we were in moments or seasons of doubts, God reached out to us and showed us that doubts are His ways to deepen our understanding of Him.
We are renewed.
When we failed, made mistakes, messed up our lives, God sent His son to die for our transgression while we were still sinners.
We are forgiven.
When we were lost, losing directions and meanings in life, God before the time began had already designed wonderful plans for each of us.
We are to live purposefully.
When we were drowning in sorrows, sadness and frustrations, God wiped away our tears by His abundant, and unceasing grace.
We are to testify joyfully.
When we were struck by hardship, suffering, and disasters, God promises to never leave us, and to give us courage and strength to face the day.
We are to act hopefully.
So what does it mean to be human?
To be human is to walk on a journey of knowing who we once were, and who we are becoming as God’s redeemed nation.
It is a journey of sanctification. A journey of knowing God.
Amazon River 世界上流量、流域最大、支流最多的河流。全長 6436 KM, 橫跨 Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana, Suriname and French Guiana.
看這張地圖很清楚
Andes Mountains
世界最長的山脈 7000 KM. 觀察一下這張地圖, 它橫跨了哪幾個國家呢?
Mt.Aconcagua 6961 Meters
Angel Falls 世界最高的瀑布 3212 Feet
Drake Passage
1000 km wide connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans between Cape Horn (the southernmost point of South America) and the South Shetland Islands, situated about 100 miles (160 km) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Galapagos Island
Lake Titicaca
Orinoco River -Covers Venezuela and Columbia
Parana River -run through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina 這是環境議題2021 九月的新聞