Fresh Resolve

Dictionary.com defines the word resolve like this:

1.  "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something):  

      I have resolved that I shall live to the full."

First of all let me assure you that this post is not to try to convince you to homeschool.  Hubby and I believe that each family must pray about and decide how God is leading them in regards to schooling and then obey His direction.  We have a diverse group of friends who have chosen public school, private school, and homeschooling.  We see our friends thriving as families when:  they are being faithful to the path laid before them (Proverbs 3:5-7), they are involved in their children's education (no matter where that education is taking place), and they are intentional in parenting their children and knowing the condition of their flocks (Proverbs 27:23).

We are no experts, but we do have some experience.

Here are a few things I have learned over the past 5 years of homeschooling.

1.  Make sure you and your spouse are united in your decision, with each other and with the Lord. Whatever schooling decision you make will present challenges.  It is so much easier if you both are on the same page.  I was the one resistant to homeschooling at first...but God and Hubby were both clearly leading that way, so when I decided to follow (and stop worrying what others would think) there was a lot of grace and peace that followed as a result.

2.  It is hard (no matter what schooling option your family chooses, it is going to hard- it requires time, commitment, resolve and being intentional and involved...My dear friend Tami is a wonderful example of this.  Her children go to public school and she has always been involved- from praying for the school, to room volunteer, to subbing, to reaching out to needy students, she is a presence in her kids school and knows the teachers and students that are influencing her kids.  This obviously takes time, energy, and saying "no" to a lot of other things, but Tami counts it worth it).

3.  There will be tears, but there will be silver linings too (when reading finally clicks or their face lights up when they figure out a story problem on their own).

4.  What looks good on paper may not work out in reality.  Be prepared, but be flexible too...don't force something that is not working for anybody.

5.  "It doesn't have to be fun, but it does need to get done" (I read this in a homeschooling book, and at first it bothered me, but, I have used it many times.  I used to feel pressure to make everything amazing, and then I realized if we always do that... the house will never be clean, I won't have energy for other important things, and not everything is fun at any school anyway.  I want my kids to love learning, but there are somethings that are just plain mundane, albeit important).  Darling daughter likes to try and make math fun by drawing creatures out of the answers...3's become clouds, 5's become butterflies, and 11's get put in jail.  

6.  On the other hand, give yourself grace.  Realize that sometimes, instead of plowing through, it is okay to take a nature walk break or read together longer and slow down a bit. 

7.  They are learning.  You may feel like they'll never get something or aren't really listening...then they bring it up later and show excitement for it.  Yes!

8.  Network with other people...they can be a wealth of knowledge and support, but in the end you and your husband need to decide what is best for your family.  Resist the urge to compare, oh we women are bad at this!  Don't be afraid to do something "out-of-the box".  My sister-in-law is great at this- she requested her child to go half days instead of full days at an "all day" kindergarten (because that was best for her child and family).  She also is homeschooling their 4th grader this year (for the first time) but is not homeschooling her other two children (because this is what is best for him and their family at this time).  Our kids are enrolled part-time in a nearby school in order to be in a homeschooling co-op that provides some things we can't on our own.  Again, I am not saying this is best for others, but what works for us at this time.

9.  One of our rules at Roots & Wings Academy is "do your best".  Unfortunately I was not doing my best last year.  I was too distracted with phone calls, the computer, housework, and my desires that I was not doing my best with school.  So, insert the fresh resolve, and this year (only 3 days in) is going a lot better.  I was convicted that I needed to say "no" to more things so I could do the things that God had already asked me personally to do (being a respectful and considerate wife, an available and kind mom, and a prepared and intentional teacher).  It seems you get more criticism than pats on the back for attempting the above mentioned, which can cause you to be tempted to throw in the towel and long for things that will be more public, more praised, and just plain "easier".  I am far from making the grade, but in the resolve and follow through there is freedom and peace indeed.

A few years ago a friend gave me the book "Youniquely Woman" by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes and Donna Otto.  I am really enjoying reading it.  In the front my friend wrote, "May you walk as God has called you to walk".  I love that.  I don't need to try and be someone else, but I also need to be faithful to what He has asked me to do, with the strength and grace He supplies.

So, all this to say, let the school year begin!  May we all have a great one, by being faithful to what He has called us each to, and walk with our heads held high as we carry it out by His grace, encouraging one another and cheering each other on to do our best.

Here's to fresh resolve!

 

The Leap

Our good friends, Nic and Beth, are getting ready to take a leap of faith

To follow God wherever He is leading

They stand together, with Him, with each other

They go, facing fears, embracing faith...

There are unknowns
There are exciting and challenging things ahead
But they follow, they go, they leap!


They will be deeply missed
They have left their mark; impacting those behind
They will go forth-
blessing those around and before them
They are valued, loved.
We thank God for them.


Is God asking you to leap? To take a step of faith that may not be logical in the world's eyes? A step that may not make sense to those around you? Like Abraham, is He calling you to take that next step of faith, even though you might not know where you are going or how it will end up? Don't wait any longer, if He is clearly leading and speaking; LEAP! He is holding you, He will uphold you...don't let the giants in the land intimidate you (that is the enemy's tactic). The bottom line, obey the Lord...don't be afraid, He is trustworthy- He knows what is best.
1, 2, 3, go!

Expecting and Expectations

"O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms. O how bright the path grows from day to day- leaning on the everlasting arms."
I was reminded several times recently that I am expecting! Yes, we are adopting, and no, we do not know for sure when we will be chosen by a birthmom, but, we are still "with child" (in heart) and expecting the arrival of a newborn. It feels good to be reminded of this and let myself celebrate that fact. We registered at Babies R Us the other day (please don't scold us if you think this was not wise or necessary- it was something we needed and wanted to do and was an important milestone in our preparation to welcome #4 into our family). Someone dear started making our baby's blanket the other day, I could have cried- how special and hopeful to us. There has been such an outpouring of support- prayers, fundraising, people asking us how we are doing and how things are going; thank you for walking this journey
with us and supporting us in it; it means so much.
We were thrilled to find out that a waiting family, we have met online, just welcomed their adopted daughter into the world- oh, she is cute! They have been waiting just a bit longer than us and it brought much joy and hope to hear they are now holding their 4th child in their arms.
Daughter and I decided to pack/stock our diaper bag today, just in case we get a call from the hospital anytime soon- wouldn't that be exciting and wild?! But, regardless we will need it anyway once baby arrives.
Along with expecting a baby comes "nesting". Today I organized our bathroom, linen closet, and schoolroom closet and it felt great. During my nesting session today, I came across some articles about Sarah Edwards (Jonathan Edwards' wife). I had been prompted to look her up again and it was quite timely that I found these articles. What a woman it sounds like she was- her greatest success was being a great wife and mom; what a valuable legacy! At the end of the research paper I was reading it said, "Sarah Edwards was not remembered because of her profound writings or her legacy-making preaching. Rather she is remembered as a model theologian who spoke not in words but deeds" (Morrison, 1998).
I want that to be true of me- that my largest "sermons" come from what I do and how I live my life, not just by what I say. It is easy to say the right thing, to challenge others, and to paint this flowery picture of my life...but I want people to be inspired by how I live, really live. I don't want there to be a disconnect between what I say (preach) and how I am living...when I see that in others and myself it is ugly for sure and puts a bad taste in people's mouth. I can say "be present and spend quality time with your kids"...but am I yelling at my kids and too preoccupied with my interests, aspirations, and life on the computer? Yes.
In 2 Corinthians Paul says, "If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message". Amen, I don't want to be praised for things that aren't really worked into my life. I want to be real, to not have a gap between my message and actually everyday life.
Today's Challenge: How do you spend your time? Do you live like Sarah Edwards, spending the best of yourself on those God has placed in front of you- your family? A wise friend once told me that I can have the greatest impact on society and for God's
Kingdom by raising our children well. And as we know, this is hard work! Sometimes I think moms of young children stay so busy with the "other things" (even good things) that they miss out on a lot with their children. I think some reasons this happens is: identity crisis, not really grieving the changes that motherhood brings (don't get me wrong there are fabulous things about being mom, but you do need to give up a lot to in order to gain), not wanting to face the hard things in motherhood (the whining, yelling, character flaws, sins, and weaknesses of our precious kiddos)-- it takes work to set schedules, and boundaries, and discipline consistently; but it is worth it, and it will be worth it! Let's not beat ourselves up with Mommy Guilt, but resolve to do the hard thing today- to love our families well. To lay aside selfishness and keep our husbands in mind and heart, to cuddle with our kids and pray with them; to talk more calmly and play with them.
Speaking of spending time with your family...here is a quick, easy, and delicious recipe for granola to make together.

4 cups Old-Fashioned Oats (Meijer Naturals Brand is what I use)
2 cups chopped Almonds (I use unsalted, or salted with sea salt)
4 tablespoons butter (melted)
1/2 cup raw honey or maple syrup (with no high fructose corn syrup)
I like to use a mixture of both of these (honey and maple syrup)

Mix the oats and almonds in a big bowl, then pour the melted butter with honey and/or syrup mixed in with it. Stir it all together. Bake in a lightly greased large glass plan in the oven on 300 degrees for 25 minutes, stir and then cook for 5 more minutes. Let granola cool and then place in an air tight container for up to a week. Trust me, you'll go through it quickly! You can add raisins when you serve it...eat as cereal or use as a yogurt topping. Yum!