Devils Lake Journal – Sarah Dixon Young

Made Visible

When Dr. Ian Donald was drafted into the Royal Air Force as a medical officer in 1942, he had no idea how the Lord would use the knowledge he gained using sonar and radar. In 1946, he was discharged from military service and awarded for his bravery during the war. He returned to practicing medicine.Continue reading “Made Visible”

This is the Work

Last week, my kids got vaccinations. As the nurse set out the band-aids and calmly talked us through the process, I appreciated her efficiency and adeptness. Later that same day, my son had football practice. It was raining. The coach, who arrived before anyone else, put on his rain gear and got ready for theContinue reading “This is the Work”

Cultivating Meaning

As soon as I make a cup of tea, it cools and I drink it. It isn’t static. It doesn’t grow warmer nor does my cup refill itself. The modern mind suffers under the delusion that everything is improving all the time even when we have hard evidence to the contrary. I have been enjoyingContinue reading “Cultivating Meaning”

Catalytic Converter

Yesterday, someone asked me if I was a teacher or a student. As a home educator, I can proudly answer, “Both!”

The kids and I did a science experiment this week that still has the wheels of my brain turning. In Jay Wile’s Science in the Industrial Age, he details the life and work of Jons Jakob Berzelius. In addition to exploring chemical formulas, denatured proteins, and organic chemicals, we also learned about catalysts.

Our experiment explored the behavior of a catalyst….

The River Road

If we hurried in the morning, we would have a few extra minutes to take the river road to school. Of the two routes, it was preferable. U.S. 1, flanked by used car dealerships and run down gas stations, was cluttered with cars and offered no enticing scenery. However, Indian River Drive wove alongside theContinue reading “The River Road”

In Deep Water

Swimming lessons had us at the pool more often this summer, and the most common phrase I heard there was “Don’t go so deep!” Why are children allured by deep water? They splash and play happily, all while edging closer and closer to that moment when the level of the water will be above theirContinue reading “In Deep Water”

Pressed

These are the flowers I picked with my grandmother when I was 3 years old. It was 1987. We picked some wildflowers from beside the road as we walked and chose cultivated varieties from her garden. Then, she showed me how to press them between pages of newsprint in her flower press. If she hadn’t,Continue reading “Pressed”

Surrounded by God’s Shouts of Deliverance

My children and I recently visited the On-A-Slant Mandan Village at Fort Abraham Lincoln in Mandan, ND. We had fun exploring the round houses and marveling at their construction. In the models of the village as it was in the early 1700’s, there is a long palisade along one side. As I looked at theContinue reading “Surrounded by God’s Shouts of Deliverance”

Swallowed Up

If Fairy Tales are any indication, one of mankind’s worst fears is being swallowed up. Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Hansel and Gretel, and The Gingerbread Man all include antagonists who will swallow you in one gulp, one bite, or one meal. To be swallowed is to be consumed, to cease toContinue reading “Swallowed Up”

Bigger Pots

My kids recently helped replant an aloe. They took shoots of all sizes and transplanted each one into a different sized pot. Small shoots went in the tiniest pots. Larger ones needed more room. Some of the larger ones have already sent up shoots of their own and are large enough to need new pots. Continue reading “Bigger Pots”