Cancer Survivor Hugh Mc Campbell Plays It Forward Through Concert Fundraiser

Tonight we went to a concert, which was actually like a really cool PBS Special.  My very first guest on my radio show, Katie's Community Connection was a man named Hugh "Doc" Mc Campbell.  He's a vet for large animals and has a resume more diverse than the United Nations!  Honestly, I didn't know what to expect tonight!  I know Doc is always full of surprising stories to tickle the funny-bone.  And I know he can play the  piano (he plays at church nearly every Sunday...) And he can play the banjo and sing, (Doc recorded a song that I used for my show's intro theme music!)
Doc went from recognizing veterans, to the pledge, to "God Bless America!" seamlessly.  A favorite funny was the randomly chosen audience/quartet singers who sang a 60's love song, unrehearsed while Doc accompanied on the piano!  A little-known but beautiful piece written by Doc's mom conveyed the close-knit family which Hugh was raised in...
Doc and Marty, his wife of nearly forty-four years have put on this concert annually for the last five years.  It's a community service event in may ways...  First, it's a family friendly, redemptive and entertaining show!  Second, it's a fundraiser for the Mc Campbells' dearly held causes.  Doc is a cancer survivor; some of the money raised goes to cancer research.  A bit of a "pay-it-forward."  The Boy Scouts of America, yes, Hugh was a Cub-Scout AND an Eagle Scout (much like many of the early astronauts), and the third beneficiary of tonight's ticket sales is the Sweetwater Council for the Arts.
After a beautiful reception at the Mc Campbells' home, I finally got my moment with the Star!  "Doc," I said, "This was such a special event...I know you do this and so much more to support the community, you should be Volunteer of the Year!"  After belaboring the point, Hugh walked me back to where there was hung a BIG plaque...  It read:

"Hugh Mc Campbell, Volunteer of The Year 2010".

I was pleased and so was Doc.  Doc went from frame to frame on the walls, sharing stories.  (He must eat a lot of cucumbers or something because his memory is as good as my nine-year-old's!)  My jaw dropped as I read a personal letter from President George W. Bush to Doc!  (It's seems that I am just one-person removed from the Bush family lately.  See my post about "Let it Rain".) Well, then Doc told me they were cousins and I laughed.  Then he showed me the genealogy map and I wasn't laughing anymore!
Doc and Marty have become dear friends to our family.   In the last six months, Marty has been the driving influence behind a new English-As-A-Second-Language school and two Bible Studies for women.  Doc is contacted regularly to appear on TV or radio for his various talents, and still practices veterinary medicine full time.  They have a growing number of grandchildren; many are homeschooled.
Kudos to everyone in Sweetwater who condoned this event.  As we were leaving, I saw the Mayor of Sweetwater usher a disabled man into his car to give him a ride home from the concert.  What mayor does that?  One I want to re-elect, that's for sure!  What a blessed family we are, what a blessed community we have here in East Tennessee.  I'm so thankful for the Mc Campbells and especially that Doc survived cancer!  Here's to another sweet memory and many successful fundraising concerts!
Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz
P.S. If you would like a CD of Doc's music or would like to support Doc and Marty's fundraising efforts,  send me an email at KatieSmithCommunityConnection@gmail.com

MOPS-Mothers of Preschoolers! The Motherhood Adventure With Friends

My interview with Gayle Wright of MOPS International here!!  Don't let isolation keep you from being the best mom you can be!  Go to MOPS.org to find a MOPS group near you!

Madisonville, Tennessee MOPS group on Facebook HERE!

Part 2: Homeschooling! Resources and REST TIME!

Most of us are new to homeschooling.  We are charting new waters, so to speak!  It can be overwhelming.  If you've had success with homeschooling, please be sure to leave a comment!  In this post, I support developing your own philosophy of education and list specific texts and specialists in education, as well as where to start!


...Start by listening to this interview:  http://blog.carolejoyseid.com.s126415.gridserver.com/radio-interviews/


That will help with the "to-do" list.  What about public schools and charters?  We've been ruined for anything run by the government-even charters. That's not to say that in a crisis we wouldn't do public. We have had our kids in public school.  But a crisis is a life-and-death situation. So really, really pray and do your research before committing to a publicly funded school. But I digress...

By research I mean read Douglas Wilson, Dr. Raymond Moore, and Susan Wise Bauer. And Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.

I love you dear reader! God is with you! He has already given you everything you need for the good works he has called you to!  That's a promise!    Phillipians 4:12-13  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

My "go to" for homeschooling curriculum is two fold- The Well-Trained Mind and homeschooling lecturer and consultant Carole Joy Seid.  They both ascribe to the benefits of GREAT BOOKS! Our favorite story Bible is by Catherine Voss, A Child's Story Bible. We have tried many different learning materials but what I've found is that if the material isn't working, it's probably the wrong time. I put it away for a few weeks or months or even a year or to-then come back to it and try it again. I did this w/ Saxon Math and have had great success. But I wouldn't start with Saxon until age 9. At that age, things change in the brain and the abstract becomes much less painful to learn! Saxon has online assessments for free so that you can know what level to start at, when the time comes.  Pre-Math IT and real life cooking, measuring-making the measuring tape (your child's) favorite piece of equipment-have him measure his bed, his favorite toy, etc.  For little ones, get cardboard books where they can put their sticky fingers all over it, then, together, count the balls on the pages or monkeys on the bed. (When you listen to Carole's interview, what I'm writing will make much more sense!)

Use spoken words to describe each task you are doing when the kids are around! And with all this relating, don't forget to build in a rest time! How-to:  The kids must have their feet off the floor-and so must you-for ONE HOUR. Set a timer-out of reach from the kids.  Show them on a clock.  "When the hands on the clock are here, I will come get you! Then be sure to go get them on time, lol!  Unplug the phone, or put it on silent-mode! The kids can do one of four things 1) pray, 2) think, 3) sleep or 4) read/play with books.

Allow God to work in your relationships w/ the kids, whatever is happening in life. Don't become a slave to your academic goals. That will all come in time. Obey the Lord, delighting in his love for you! Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you ask him each morning for wisdom and guidance w/ each child and of course, with your husband. Character training is something only you and your husband can give your children.  Ultimately, that is what will make them employable, wise learners and thinkers!

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz

Christian Regretting Motherhood? My Response to This Motherhood Post: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-a-calling-and-where-your-children-rank#.Tiht6q53jzs.facebook

I didn’t have to read the entire article to clarify something for myself and… just in case anyone is looking, for them, too.

I am a mom.  It is the hardest thing I’ve ever accepted.  The cross my husband and I carry is that we are called to parent our children.  One must be present to parent…  So, I don’t have a career.  I have an itty-bitty radio show that I excel at the on-air stuff but drop behind-the-scenes stuff.  A lot.  Just ask my station owners...  And I wish I didn’t.  I hate not being perfect-especially in front of others.  But my priorities dictate that a few balls can drop.  Just not my husband, son #1 or son #2.  Not the family.  I've been doing this "christian motherhood, wife gig" for 11.5 years and I'm beginning, BABY STEPS  to understand what and who and how.  I heard this excellent thought last night,  "You can't be about the Big Picture when you are consumed with the needs in front of you."  So, who is our faith really in?  Christ has already promised to take care of our needs.  That reality should free us up to raise our kids with "big picture" perspective!  I pray that it does!

We drive old cars, borrowed cars and any car that will go, because our ministry tithe to our family is very, very high!   I'm not bragging about that.  We live in a once-upon-a-time cute house that-is-no-more.  (Use your imagination, lol.)   Because you may be struggling with your calling, I share this reality to encourage you,  really!

I have a radio show and for the summer, while the kids are with Dad, I get to put more than 10 hours a week into it; because motherhood is my first cross, my first act of obedience each day.  I couldn't do the show as much as I am without my husband.  My husband is called to teach, coach and preach and has the summer off from teaching.  But his first calling is as my husband.  And I am called to motherhood.  So he teaches and delivers pizza and is the kids' teacher for the summer.    Because I’m called to motherhood, because we're called to parenthood.

Sure, I hope my radio show will be a commercial-success.  It would be great to have money left at the end of the month.  But if it isn’t, I have pleased the One who matters most, the one who obeyed His Father and died for me.

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz