The Holidays and Russian Tea

Halfway through the CC year! 

We are currently on holiday break, so our school schedule has now changed. 

First, since we aren't meeting weekly with new information, I am introducing very little new stuff to my child. We are reviewing the memory work, two subjects a week. For example, she wanted to review geography and math first, so my little board has all twelve weeks of geography and math. And scripture. I want to be sure we cover scripture regularly. 

The "new" info we will learn is the stuff I fell behind on during the CC schedule. Stuff like my ABC Bible verses and finishing up a phonics workbook. The things Onwant to do that isn't part of the official curriculum. 
Because, let's face it, learning never ends unless you shut your minds and heart to the information out there. I want my daughter to learn that - how vital learning is throughout her entire life - without being stressed about it all the time. 

A way to relax while trying something new, and reconnect with what we should already be familiar with.

Much like the Russian Tea I am currently drinking. 

(Huh? Just hang on a moment...)

We had Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws on Thanksgiving. My SIL had some instant Russian Tea mix, the recipe of which she had been given by her late mother-in-law and was under orders not to share the "secret recipe". 

So, I sat there trying the delicious new drink, wondering how to figure out the recipe, and watching my girls play with their cousins. 

I thought about how wonderful it was that my girls get to connect with their cousins. They don't get a lot of time together, living 30 minutes away from each other and having different family schedules (they public school, we homeschool is one example). So, it's great to watch them play as if they play together all the time. It's as if no time has passed. 

I love how that relationship stays. I see it with my husband and his cousins - it can be a year before they see each other again, but the bonds they formed as children are still there. No, they don't agree with each other in everything, and have their moments, but they are a tight family that will always be there for each other. 

I didn't have that growing up. I had my sister, but no cousins.  Small family. 

They do new things, share with their old devoted friends (family) and enjoy life. Reconnect.

Where does the Russian Tea come in? 

It's a "secret family recipe" - but when I googled it, I found a few variations. All I have to do is discover which one tastes like what I had last night (and tonight, since I brought some of the mix home with me).

I could use trial and error. I could try to pry the exact recipe out of my SIL.  

And yet, I go back to watching my children, niece, and nephews playing together. Their parents know the secret recipe to a connected family - they live it. 

I want that recipe for my children. Do I use trial and error to get it right, or do I go to the source?

Is their recipe perfect?

Do we, as Christians, keep the recipe to peace a secret? Do we keep grace a secret? Forgiveness? When we get things right (aka: do things Gods way) do we keep it a secret?

Or do we share it?

Family.

Tea.

Salvation.

Amazing how God uses the daily to remind us of Him. 

We need the reminders. 

2 Peter 1:12

"Wherefore I will not be negligent to our you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth."

So, the holiday break allows us to reconnect. Friends, family, people we don't see often. 

It gives us time to focus on what is important, and to enjoy the truly meaningful moments in life. 

We can sit back and drink our tea with satisfaction. We can share it with others. 

Are we sharing the recipe so they can continue to enjoy it, or just giving a taste of the peace we have deep inside?