Overwhelmed?

I've talked with several homeschool-mom friends in recent days, and one thing particularly stands out to me...they are STRESSED OUT.  To be honest, I feel the same way.  The causes are many for us:  maybe a too-busy summer with no time to fill up our empty wells, lots of outside commitments that drain off our extra time and leave us with no margin, illness, guests and vacations, etc.  Then suddenly it's school time again and we find ourselves poorly prepared and overwhelmed.

Sound familiar?  For some reason this year seems especially so.  I think we need to remember that we have an enemy out to do us in any way he can.  I'm having to start each day putting on my spiritual armor, casting my care on Jesus, declaring His Lordship over every part of my life, and looking to Him to order my hours and minutes.

If you're feeling this way, I want to pray for you.  There's power in agreement!

Heavenly Father, we thank You that we can bring our empty, exhausted, and overwhelmed lives to You for refreshing and help.  I pray for my sisters in Christ right now who need Your help and touch.  Your Word declares that we are equipped and anointed to do Your will, that Jesus is our Peace, our Wisdom, our Victory, our very Life.  We ask for understanding and revelation for each day...for wisdom in decision-making and prioritizing...for patience with our children...for joy in the journey.

We praise you for this wonderful privilege of homeschooling.  Help us to keep our focus on the big picture--making disciples for the Lord.  Help us to keep our minds renewed in Your Word, and to see the little blessings you send our way each day.  Thank You for Your incredible promises and help us to take them by faith, expecting to see their manifestation right now, today.

You are SO GOOD and we love You!  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Summer's end

We've been back to school for a week now, but I must confess it's been slow going for both of us. Summer ease has spoiled us for a disciplined routine--we're too quick to give in to the lure of a break for any reason! It'll come, I know, I'm just loathe to let go of the simplicity of sunshine and play.

Don't you love August? Red, juicy tomatoes and perfectly ripe melons, peaches that drip with each bite. The din of crickets at night. Flowers exploding with color everywhere you look. Gardens that are finally yielding the fruit of your hard labors. Green, green, green. Thank You, Lord!

Our studies this year, 7th grade for SweetPea, include Sonlight's Core 6, Saxon 8/7 math, Apologia General Science, and some fun add-ons. I'm pleasantly surprised with Saxon. We've done Singapore and Horizons and had heard a fair bit of negative press about Saxon. However, we're finding that the explanations are solid and clear, daily problem set varied, and good review presented. Even the drill seems good for her this year as a prep for Algebra next, so I'm pleased. Best of all, she loves it! This from my non-math girl.

So...by God's grace, I'm expecting a good year. He is so faithful.

By Way of Introduction

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by to visit!  I have finally gotten my blog going after letting the idea simmer on the back burner for a while, so let me introduce myself.

           

I’m mom to a precious 12-year-old daughter, a miracle child given to us by the Lord when it seemed like it couldn’t or wouldn’t happen.  I’m wife to a wonderful, godly man who shares my passion for the Lord and His Word and is the dearest friend one could have.  When I’m not homeschooling or tending to the other million things we gals fill our time with, I love to read, spend time with friends over tea (jasmine green tea, to be specific!), be outdoors gardening or hiking or biking or camping; I also enjoy writing, nature journaling, cooking and trying new recipes, sewing, and crafts.  Fortunately, my daughter is a kindred spirit, so most of these things are extra-fun because she does them with me.

 

We’ve homeschooled from the beginning, happily using Sonlight as our curriculum (read: love all those fabulous books!).  Hubby is a vital part of all we do, adding a wonderful dimension to everything from P.E. to car maintenance.  We’re part of a great support group and I can’t imagine homeschooling with it!

 

My hope is to share all sorts of things here—homeschooling tips I’ve learned, riches and encouragement from the Word, even nutrition information and recipes that have become vital to our family through some health challenges in recent years.

 

So please come back again.  God bless you today!