Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Finding Joy in the Unexpected

We just finished our history from 1st grade about a month ago and we ended with Ancient Rome. How great it was, then, when my husband heard and advertisement for an exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art for "From the Ashes of Vesuvius". We thought it would be great to take the boys and let them see the artifacts that were uncovered in the ruins. What a perfect way to end our year and to usher in our study of the Middle Ages.

So, today was the day and we arrived at the museum around 11:15 ready to see the exhibit. Each boy was armed with a notecard with approx. 6 words that I thought would be easily found in the signage and pamphlets about the exhibit. They were told that upon finding all of the words, they would be able to get a dessert at the end of the trip. How cool for them!! (I was patting myself on the back for the idea)

We entered the exhibit with each of them feeling a little antsy (not a good thing for an exhibit displaying ancient antiquities) We looked for words and were finding them and moving along. We came upon some urns that would have been in existence around the time of Christ. What an amazing thing to ponder!!! The boys weren't that impressed (they feigned a little interest) and we moved on.

We then happened upon a small room where a video was being shown. I smelled trouble but apparently the video was a simulated walk through towns surrounding Vesuvius before the eruption. It had captured their attention and they were sitting nicely.

After the movie and awhile later my husband shared with me that my oldest son was very impressed that the Roman Villas had pools in them. Here we were looking at pieces in existence from first century AD, some from around the time of Paul and even Jesus and my son was impressed with the pools in the villas. Perspective is everything!!

Here's hoping you find your joy in unexpected places!!

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