Dear Homeschooling Friends,

Welcome to the Autumn of legends and prophesy victims.  It is also a time where apples fall from heaven, things happen with solitary bell towers...

And it all happens in the autumn when trees change their colors and drop their leaves.

When I took a tally and counted all the suggestions that received more than one vote, I came up with the following:

Legend .......................................5

“I’m prophesied to do WHAT?”.....5

Combine legend and prophesy... 4

Lack of a Fatherly Influence.........2

Something having to do with fall...2

A Solitary Bell Tower.....................2

Apple that falls from the sky.........1

(I included the Apple because it was the last suggestion, so there wasn't much chance for anyone else to second it -- and I thought it was a good one.)

So...

The main theme for this fall is a combination of legend and prophesy, since they received the most by far.  However, I thought the other ones were so good, they should receive some sort of "official status" as well.  So, write about legends, or victims of prophesy, and if you combine both you've hit the sweet spot.

Also, if you feel so inclined, incorporate a solitary bell tower -- that could easily make for a good legend.  And then, of course, an apple falling from the sky would go down in history.  It has a lot of gravity to it.

(My appologies for bad puns.)

I should clarify what Anna's idea of "I'm prophesied to do WHAT?" means.  In her own words:

"I was thinking that most prophecies come as an inconvenience to the mentioned hero, and my gut reaction if I found out I had my own prophesy that said I had to do such and such would be, 'I'm prophesied to do what? Are you sure?' "

So, there you have it.

There is one more theme I'd like to chalange you with apart from the above mentioned, and it's based off of Kasady's suggestion, "Lack of a Fatherly Influence."  I would like to expand it, though, to be more along the lines of "Importance of a Fatherly Influence."

Yesterday I went to see the movie "Courageous" on its opening night.  I'm sure everyone who saw it was deeply moved, and it reminded me of how dark it can be when a father abandons his children, and also how much good is done when a father committs to loving his children, discipling them and teaching them to love God and walk in his ways.

So, in addition to the fun themes, consider this more weighty one.  How does a lack of a father (or a father who is neglegent) negatively impact people?  How many generations are impacted?  How can people be redeemed from vicious generational cycles, and start afresh?  What does it take for a man to be a good father to his children?  How much good does it do when a father is there for his children?

And, on a further note, I encourage you all to see Courageous.  It explores this theme so well, and tells a story of hope for people who haven't started well, but want to finish well.
Perhaps you can write a review of the movie and post it on Apricotpie!

I look forward to reading everything you all can come up with.

Blessings,
James