"You just call out my name..."

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend.

-James Taylor, You've Got A Friend written by Carole King

This song has been playing in my head in the last 24 hours as homeschooling friends have rallied to help piece together curriculum to use while we're away from home. I left all our curriculum at home thinking that there would be time to do anything here and that it might be inappropriate. Well, we're sitting here now while the rest of the family is at hospice with MIL and the kids and I are going a little bonkers. It's raining, the kids have limited things to do here and well- if we don't do something constructive soon (and distracting)...

There is nothing finer than having a support group: people to help, rally around when they need it, give a boost when they are low and someone to just listen. The surprise is that when you're in a situation where you might need someone else, there they are doing the same for you. Unfortunately, my support is mostly online so I don't get to take dinners to my friends' houses that are experiencing a difficult time, or wrap my arms around a friend that's hurting, or just sit and listen over a cup of coffee while a friend just pours her heart out. I can't tell how much I wish I could be that person for the ladies I've met online, they have hearts of gold.


Our curriculum free week, without any books other than a few library books is:

HISTORY- Story of the World Volume 2, Chapter 11
printed from the Internet:
Clovis I - wikipedia page (pictures included)
The Story of the Middle Ages by Harding from mainlesson.com- The Franks
Famous Men of the Middle Ages from Gutenberg
Roland from Heroes Every Child Should Know by Mabie Hamilton Wright (via Ambleside to Mainlesson.com)

provided by friends:
-SOTW2 pages for Ch. 11 & Activity guide - emailed
- coloring page, map work, narrations, copywork from Hannah's Yahoo Group
- Favorite Medieval Tales, chapter on Song of Roland- emailed (local library doesn't have the book)

MATH
- math worksheets that address the concepts dd's learning now plus review
- a friend offered to provide the Horizons 2 pages that we'd be doing this week

SCIENCE
- UnitedStreaming.com for volcanoes/earthquakes
- Usborne Quick Links for interactive activities
- library books
- Volcano/Earthquake kit being delivered soon, paid for 2 day delivery.

POEM MEMORIZATION:
True Nobility - the poem we're currently memorizing, printed out

MUSIC
Haydn - Surprise Symphony, lyrics from Themes to Remember book 1 provided by a friend so now we can listen to the song online at classicalarchives.net and practice the lyrics.

Library books for reading, I have a few books with me and the library will open tomorrow (today is Columbus Day) so we can grab whatever else we need/want. Hopefully we can find something Bible related to read and some leveled readers for Camille.

We're not doing French (unless it's online) this week but other than that, this week can be as normal as it would be at home- because of my homeschooling friends reaching out and helping. I really can't say how much this blesses me, not just in practical terms but how deeply touched I am and it shows me that God WILL provide. He provides in ways that you may never dream of, but He does.

Thank you ladies for making my heart sing with joy during this difficult time, for reminding me that God's grace can be shown in many ways and that although I may be physically alone during this time, I am not truly alone. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.