Preparing for the Upcoming School Year: Are You a Mary or a Martha?....

Luke 10:38-42 King James Version (KJV)

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Many of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha found in the Book of Luke. I believe it's a great story to bear in mind as we prepare for back to school. Are you a Mary or a Martha in your preparations? Are you feeling anxious about the upcoming year? Maybe you are new to home education or you have a first time high school student. Are you feeling pressured about choosing the perfect curricula or creating just the right plan? Maybe you have frightful thoughts of ruining your child. Or, you have family members and friends doubting your methods. Are you comparing to other home educators either locally or online and feeling like you're not measuring up? Any one of these can cause stress, but fortunately, God calls us for something more.

Philippians 4:6-7 King James Version (KJV)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

He calls us to Him when we are anxious, fretting, jealous, competitive, discouraged, and unworthy. He is there in our darkest hour. He calls us to repent and rest in Him.

Matthew 11:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

If you are feeling more like Martha these days, it's time to Repent, Recommit, and Restart.

Repent

Andrew Kern from the CiRCE Institute speaks often about repentance. He says in doing so, you will come to understand what it means to be a free person. If we make an idol of books, curricula, lesson plans, and what our neighbor is doing, we will be a slave to those things and thoughts. When we repent, we cast off those idols, which opens our hearts and minds to the grace of our Lord. When you make yourself a living sacrifice to Jesus Christ, you become free. That inner discourse becomes peace.

There is no such thing as a perfect homeschool. Repent of perfection, which often stems from comparison. God's final commandment says,

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. (KJV)

This applies to your homeschool. Do not compare and desire what your neighbor appears to have, whether that be locally or online. It is sinful. Notice I said what your neighbor appears to have. Comparing my outside (online images) to your inside (reality) is comparing apples to oranges. What appears outside is often not reality. It is my experience that we are really not that different on the inside. Learn to be content with what you have. After all, it can always be worse.

Your identity should not be wrapped up in your homeschool. Therefore, you do not need to justify it. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us we were made in the image of Christ. Psalm 139:13-16 tells us we were knit together...fearfully and wonderfully made. Our self worth is often based on what others tell us about ourselves. However, the one, true authority on our self-worth is Jesus Christ. Having gave His own life for us by dying on a cross, shows how valuable we really are.You are enough in Christ, exactly what you need to be with or without your homeschool. Don't let your homeschool define you. If you do, when your kids are grown and gone, you will be left with nothing.

Recommit

Once you have repented, it's time to recommit. This is where you go back to your original intentions and goals to figure out why you homeschool in the first place and what is it you're trying to achieve. If you haven't created a vision statement for your homeschool, now is the time. A vision statement is your road map, showing what you want to become. It communicates your values and purpose, allowing you to focus on future plans.

Slow down! Often times overwhelm comes from busyness. Take time to contemplate your family's social commitments. Look at how many days a week you are away from home vs. at home. Social outings can be a source of refreshment. However, too many can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. It's OK to say no. Stay home. Recommit, reconnect and recharge with your kiddos in the solitude of your home.

Look at each subject you are teaching and determine what you can cut. It is not possible to cover everything. Your child will have gaps. Every student does regardless of their schooling. Choose to keep only that which is best. If your goal is a love of learning, your children will desire to continue to learn throughout life. Any books unfinished or not able to fit the schedule now, may result in future endeavors as an adult. Learning is not fixed. It should be constant and continual.

Reassess the nature of yourself. Be sure you're getting enough rest and proper nourishment. Not only in the physical form of food, but pabulum for your mind. Take time to fill your cup with things that encourage and allow you to grow both spiritually and mentally, as well as physically. Recommit to yourself so that you are better able to give freely to your children with a servant's heart.

Restart

After repenting and recommitting, it's time be begin anew. Kick off the year with a fresh attitude and a heart of service. Enjoy your children and this limited time with them. Flea from worry and anxiety, which are sinful. Instead, trust God and teach restfully. Sit at His feet and hear His word like Mary, rather than being cumbered by serving like Martha. Find gratitude and give thanks. In turn, you will find peace and joy.

How I Intend to Simplify and be Present with Joy this New Year...

I've been reflecting on 2016 as well as thinking a lot about what I would like for 2017.  You may be thinking I wish for an unlimited bank account, servants to clean and keep order, someone to fan and feed me grapes...ha! If so, you are mistaken...well, partially ;-)

Seriously, I'm talking more about my attitude in the day to day and organizing things that I have control over. Along these lines, I've come up with three words/ideas that I'm striving for in the new year.

Simplify

Our home has gotten away on me. The last couple of years have been challenging for personal reasons, but God has continued to sustain me throughout. I have now reached a point where I think I'm ready to carry on. Over the years, I have collected too much stuff! Closets are overflowing and I'm ready to purge.

I want 2017 to be the year of minimizing.  I am working on goals and a plan to sort through each closet as well as attempting to organize the basement.  I'm feeling a bit claustrophobic so I intend to sell, donate, and gift armloads of items that we no longer need or use.

I also intend to simplify our homeschool.  I'm reevaluating priorities and my definition of education.  I hope to post more about this as it comes together.  2017 will be a year of simplification all the way around.

Presence

I was thinking entirely about this over the holidays.  A couple of months ago, we got a new to us (used) couch. Its vivid 1970's pattern didn't match the quilt wall hanging that hung behind our old couch so I opted to rearrange the furniture.  I love this new arrangement!  I moved the two swivel/rocker/recliners, one of which was my chair, to the end wall in front of the quilted wall hanging and put the couch in front of the windows closer to the TV. I am not a huge TV watcher, but some members of our family are, so this arrangement affords me space at the end of the living room away from the TV, but still present with my family.

I must confess, in the past, I would sneak away from the family TV watchers to the quiet space in front of our computer.  However, now I am actually present much more sitting in my chair.  We also acquired a new to us (used) lamp stand where I keep stacks of books.  I can sit in the room and read or browse cookbooks while my family watches TV.  Better yet, I've noticed them turning off the TV or turning away from it to talk to me on the opposite side of the room.  As Riley and Ruben get older, I love to hear their thoughts and opinions about various topics. For example, the election gave us much to talk about and it was fascinating to see them articulate their ideas. This new living room arrangement has been more conducive to leisurely contemplation and conversation with them. I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Also, I've kept the stack of Christmas picture books by my chair so when Levi crawls up on my lap for snuggle time, I have easy access to a story.  When not in use, they are tucked against the wall behind the chair and out of the way.  This has encouraged more read aloud time for him.  I would eventually like to find either a couple of attractive baskets for book storage or possibly construct some sort of book rail along the wall to display picture books that could be rotated out seasonally.  I'm still thinking on this one, but the point being my presence has been a real present not only to my family, but my participation has been a gift to me. I intend to be more intentional in being present in 2017. The kids are growing so fast and I definitely don't want to miss these moments!

Joy

This has to do with my attitude. I saw a Christmas sign last month that simply said "JOY" and it really spoke to me.  I've been thinking about it since. When the day to day seems impossible, just maybe my bad attitude makes it worse. I have come to see my kids thrive or fail based upon my demeanor. Therefore, in 2017, I aim to improve my attitude and be more joy filled. Don't get me wrong, I know not every day will be roses, but hopefully, by keeping my focus on joy, it can at least be a poor man's orchid rather than thistles.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Romans 15:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Nehemiah 8:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Hebrews 12:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Proverbs 17:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

There you have it!  No resolutions to hit the gym, walk extra steps, or lose so many pounds this year, but rather it is my hope..

to Simplify and be Present with Joy

Do you have New Year's resolutions?  If so, I'd love to hear about them.  Feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment below.

When Your Ideal Meets Reality in an Unforeseen Way...

  

On the top you see a lovely looking utility room with stainless steel sink and counter top.  It is neat and tidy, freshly scrubbed and even appears to have an in tact faucet.  Now look below....Yup, that's my utility sink faucet.  It came right off in RileyAnn's hand this morning while she was making bottles for the calves.  If that wasn't bad enough, while taking the photo, I noticed all the dirt and grime surrounding the sink and faucet that I haven't cleaned. This, added to my homeschool planning failure, has caused me to see that my ideal sure is not meeting my reality.

Spring is always such a busy time here on the farm.  There's baby animals, ball, and book/thrift sales.  We're trying to finish up those last few lessons when the weather breaks after what feels like forever of snow, cold, and being cooped up.  Everyone wants to get outside!

This spring, I had a plan.  We finished up the bulk of our studies in mid May, everything except history.  Both kids were playing ball.  I was running around buying and selling books, as well as thrift saling to purchase our wardrobes for the coming year.  I was expecting chaos as usual, but planned that it would end with June. As a matter of fact, I didn't even make the pages of my calendar/planner for the second half of the year.  I purposely left them blank in the hopes of creating time off.  In July, we would have no outside commitments.  We were going to be home.  I was planning to pick our history study back up.  I was going to organize the school room and create fresh plans for fall.  In between, we would have beach days, cook outs, and leisurely reading.

I was also planning to try something new this fall.  We were going to start school in early August so we could have more breaks throughout the year, possibly testing a Sabbath school schedule.  I figured we'd all be refreshed and ready for a new start after our relaxing July.  This was my ideal.

Well, lo and behold, July came and reality set in.  The kids were offered a job.  The day after celebrating our independence, they were to begin pulling giant ragweed from organic corn fields.  The job would be short term and it was a chance for them to earn money.  It would be Ruben's first official employment outside the home.  It sounded like a great opportunity, however, the job was too far away to drop them so I would sit and wait at a friend's house while they worked.  I lost the first two weeks of July doing what felt like nothing.

Next, I was asked to volunteer for VBS again this summer.  I felt like I should since I had three kids participating.  It was Levi's first year attending and I was to lead the preschoolers.  Here went the third week of July away from home!

The worst part was the first day, Monday, when we arrived back home from VBS, shortly after noon to no water.  We have tannin and iron in our water and it had plugged the pump and the water lines.  We did not have water fully restored until Thursday!  Prior to the water stop, we made an impromptu play date with some acquaintances from the city who had never been to our home.  I debated on canceling since we had to use ice cream pails of borrowed water to flush the toilet, however, in the end, I decided the show must go on.  

At this point, I was down to one week left of July and you may have guessed that it did not go off without a hitch.  The Farmer received a call from a neighbor friend stating his elderly mother had fallen and refused medical treatment.  It was several days later and she was since unable to move from the chair.  He asked us to come over to help.  It took us three long visits over a four day period to convince her to allow us to take her to the hospital.  Needless to say, I am not the nurse type and was totally out of my comfort zone!

Now that we're heading into the second week in August, the reality is that I didn't even come close to reaching my ideal.  I have no lesson plans to show and no beach days, though we did sneak in two different water park trips.  The school room did not get organized.  Not only didn't we pick up and finish our history from last year, but I didn't get a single book read.  One might even say, my reality was dire compared to my ideal.

The funny thing is, I don't feel robbed or jaded.  I'm actually fairly calm, cool, and collected.  When I look back instead of seeing my ideal slip down the drain, in reality, I see God's ideal coming to fruition.  I watched my kids learn responsibility and gain employability skills.  I modeled service for them within our church family. We persevered through four days and near 100-degree temps with no running water, cultivating new friends along the way.  Lastly, I learned humility from our neighbor in the most humbling of times.  All the planning in the world, couldn't have prepared me for the last five weeks.

Today, was a new day.  We sorted clothing the kids have outgrown and cleaned the garage.  I updated book sale lists and answered neglected e-mails.  The Farmer cut hay.  Riley and Ruben helped with many odd chores.  We may be no where near my ideal as we begin this second week of August, but I see we're all the better for it.

The Unhurried Homeschooler....

In preparation for the GHC, I'm making my lists and checking them twice.  In the fall, I'll be 'teaching' 4K, 6th, and 7th grade.  This morning as I was nearing hyperventilation stage at the thought, I listened to Homeschool Snapshots Podcast 28, Unhurried Homeschooling with Pam Barnhill and Durenda Wilson.  I so appreciate perspective from veteran homeschooling moms like Durenda.  She has eight children ranging from age 11 to young adult homeschool graduates, a couple of which are married and carrying on the tradition with grandchildren.  After listening to the podcast, I felt better and would love to get my hands on a copy of her book, The Unhurried Homeschooler.

In poking around her blog, Simple Nourishing Home, I came across a video interview Durenda did with her third child, Jake, who, at that time, was a 19-year old college student.  In the intereview, Jake shares his homeschool experience and encourages homeschooling families.  I find it very reassuring when I hear homeschool graduates adamantly profess the power of homeschooling and their plans to continue with their children.  The Interview with Jake is a great testament to homeschooling.  There's no need for hyperventilation ;-)

Were You There, When They Crucified My Lord? A Break for Holy Week....

I aim to take a mini sabbatical from blogging this week in honor of Holy Week.  I will have a new post ready for you next Monday, God willing :)

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite hymns for this time of year, which we sang in church yesterday...


 

May you have a blessed Resurrection Season,

Melissa

Commonplace Book...Caroline Cowles Richards (1853)

April 1 -
...We go to school to Miss Zilpha Clark in her own house on Gibson Street...I like Abbie Clark the best of all the girls in school excepting of course my sister Anna.

Before I go to school every morning I read three chapters in the Bible.  I read three every day and five on Sunday and that takes me through the Bible in a year...

- A Nineteenth-Century Schoolgirl, The Diary of Caroline Cowles Richards, 1852-1955 edited by Kerry A. Graves, pg 13

Off to Hear Carole Joy Seid....

I'm off this morning to attend my first Carole Joy Seid seminar.  I listened to Carole speak with Sarah Mackenzie on the Read Aloud Revival and she definitely sounds like a kindred spirit.  Sarah's interview prompted me to buy Seid's new DVD series, Homeschool Made Simple.  You can get a good taste of it in the 30 minute sample offered by Compass Classroom.   I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but look forward to it!  I'm also looking forward to spending today with other like minded book lovers :)

Encouragement to Stay the Course...It's Homeschool Conference Season!

We have less than six weeks left of our formal school year here on Drywood Creek!  As I near the finish line, with my tongue hanging out, I want to encourage you to remember slow and steady wins the race.

As part of the Sonlight 25th Anniversary Blog Party, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post sharing some of the best homeschool advice I'd been given over the years.  This includes not comparing yourself to others and letting your curriculum work for you.  Keeping these two themes in mind will help you to finish strong.  Also, Afterthoughts blogger, Brandy, posted a timely article last week, titled, Don't Get Your Head Turned, in which she said, 

It’s springtime, and sometimes it is hard to be self-disciplined. And people are starting to talk about shiny curriculum catalogs and conferences and planning for next year and and and. It is so easy to get your head turned.

On the cusp of homeschool conference season, I think it's important to remain steadfast in our goals so as not to get caught up in all the latest and greatest homeschool curricula.  I love all the new "shiny curriculum catalogs" that are arriving daily in my mail box.  But I totally understand getting wrapped up in it all and for some, this season is truly overwhelming, almost to the point of debilitation.  This is a perfect time to look back on the goals you've set for each child and focus on the strengths.  Reflection and prayer are great tools for relaxation. 

By the way, if you are planning to attend a homeschool conference this spring, here is a past post on Preparing for a Homeschool Convention.  I have my lists ready and bags packed so as not to get my head turned as we head off to the MACHE Conference this week.  I'm looking forward to checking out some new Simply Charlotte Mason items, as well as language arts possibilities for Ruben, and bible study options.  Maybe I'll see you there!

Avoiding Homeschool Burnout...

February seems to be burnout month.  I know winter has been looooonnnggg here in WI and we're all more than a little stir crazy!   So today, I thought I'd post some links with helpful tips and encouragement on beating those burnout blahs...

1.Brandy Vencel at Afterthoughts has been posting a series of blogs called Preventing Homeschool Burnout.

2. I loved this post by Pam at Ed Snap Shots on The Ten Best Things You're Not Doing for Your Homeschool! You might say, now wait a minute Melissa, I'm burnt out and your including a list of things for me to add to my homeschool!  Actually, Pam's list is everything I find comforting about homeschooling.  By following these 10 easy steps, you will be set free from the daily grind.  I see it as simplifying :)

3. Does math got ya down?!  Take a break from the textbook and try some Real Living Math: A Fresh Approach to Teaching.  

4. Lori Lane, from The End in Mind, does a wonderful job of describing homeschool burnout with a symptom checklist.  She has some great tips for coping as well as prevention here in Homeschool Burnout: Rising from the Ashes.   She's also currently airing of series of podcasts over the next five weeks on Avoiding the Homeschool Blues. 

5. And last, but not least, I watched the following webinar today that Jimmie Lanley, from Jimmie's Collage, shared on behalf of Bright Ideas Press.


So what have you been doing to prevent homeschool burnout? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please leave comments below...

The Book of Ruth....

I'm excited to say, I just finished my second mother culture book for the year!  Ruth by Stephen Davey is part of the Wisdom Commentary Series.  The Old Testament Book of Ruth is a love story that parallels the love of Christ for "His bride", as Davey puts it.   The story of Ruth is really quite beautiful.   She is a Moabite condemned by God's law who, in the end, is redeemed by Boaz because of her faith in Christ.  In chapter one, Davey writes, "The Book of Ruth demonstrates the grace of God, the love of Christ, the proof of Christ's lineage, and the witness that godliness is possible even in ungodly times."  I found his message to be a refreshing breath of hope.

Overall, I found Ruth inspirational.  Davey does get off on personal tangents from time to time, which was a minor distraction.  Also, I felt Ruth didn't finish as strong as it started.   Davey did not nail down the ending.  Even with the negative, I learned a great deal.  I would recommend this commentary.  It's an easy and informative read. 

Real Fath for Real Life....

I recently finished reading Real Faith for Real Life, Living the Six Marks of Discipleship by Michael W. Foss for a book study with a group at church.  We studied one chapter per week for seven weeks. 

In Real Faith for Real Life, Foss invites readers on a journey of spiritual growth through applying six basic principles to their lives.  According to Foss, these "spiritual aids", prayer, worship, daily Bible reading, serving in and beyond the congregation, nurturing relationships, and tithing, "are biblical and have grown out of the Christian Church...they can help us find our way."  He says, "our spiritual calling is not to reach a particular destination and then stop.  It is an eternal invitation to grow, to become all that we are most capable of becoming."

Each chapter of Real Faith for Real Life focuses on a different mark of discipleship.  The chapters are broken down into 3-4 page sections with thoughtful discussion questions after each section.  It is readable and user friendly wherever you are on your spiritual journey.  

Personally, I felt the first three chapters were the strongest.  Maybe it was the content, prayer, worship, and daily Bible reading.  Foss gave practical ideas for strengthening each of these areas in our daily lives.  His anecdotal illustrations are realistic and support the theme.  Real Faith for Real Life is a great book for a group study. 

Bedside Books...

The weatherman's predicting -60 degrees with wind chill on Monday.  Area schools and businesses are already shutting down.  So, why not curl up with a great book!  Here are some of the most recent books by my bedside...

Inspiration

Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words by Johnny Cash - I am intrigued by the life of Johnny Cash.  In this autobiography, Cash shares his many imperfections, as well as his desire for the Lord. 

Desperate by Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson - The title says it all!

Health

Art Smith's Healthy Comfort by Art Smith; Wheat Belly Cookbook by William Davis; and Cooking for Isaiah by Silvana Nardone - My latest attempt at researching a healthier lifestyle :)

Education

Words that Ring Through Time: The Fifty Most Important Speeches in History and How They Changed Our World by Terry Golway - I really just wanted to read Winthrop's City Upon a Hill, but found many other speeches in this book quite fascinating.

The Noah Plan (Reading, English, & Literature) - Researching more on the Principle Approach method of education (I believe the Beautiful Feet guides are based on this method.)

Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn - Reading more about the Classical method of education through Scripture rather than Ancients (I'll definitely be posting more about this book in the future!)

A Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason - Volume 6 in Ms. Mason's Original Homeschooling Series - Digging deeper in the Charlotte Mason method of teaching



So there you have it, my attempt at "mother culture".  I don't always read every book from cover to cover, but tend to skim and find pertinent ideas and information.   I also find certain books are more appropriate at certain times.  For example, the Charlotte Mason series is an ongoing resource that I refer to at various times.  There is a wealth of information there and it's not possible to digest it all at once.  I feel the same about Teaching the Trivium, lots of great information to take as needed. 



Here's also a peek back at what was by my bedside last year at this time...

You can reference all my thoughts/notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin here.  Also, check out Julie's Pantry to see one mom's experience using The Homemade Pantry by Alana Chernila

What books are currently by your bedside?