Myths of the Homeschooled

I was going through some papers earlier today and happened across this list I entitled Myths of the Homeschooled (which I may or may not have posted here in the past).  Anyway, it made me laugh.  I am such the extreme people pleaser, and as such I have struggled all through our homeschooling years with trying to not place unfair (not to mention unrealistic) expectations upon myself and our boys.  Here are some of those expectations:

1.  As a Christian homeschooler, my children will always speak, act, and work with the same diligence, peace, and patience that Jesus did.
2.  My children will love every moment of their school lessons and always ask to do more,
3.  My children, after their schoolwork is completed, always are excited to get to their chores and do them in perfect harmony,
4.  My homeschooled children always get along, never argue or disagree and work together on everything without incident
5.  I am always energetic and excited for every day of school,
6.  My hair is always well groomed/perfect, makeup done and I'm dressed up every day,
7.  My house is always spotlessly clean, neat and tidy with everything in its place,
8.  My children always beg to be helpful, always want to spend time with our family and never desire to play with anyone else,
9.  I am always the joyful, patient Proverbs 31 woman God created me to be,
10.  My children are always well-behaved in public, never speak out of turn, and demonstrate their intelligence in every public outing...

Okay, well, let's get back to the real world here...  My children are just that... children.  And they will act like children.  My house is typically messy until Saturday (or for a few weeks after a week-long camping trip), and I sometimes love to just hang out in a baggy, worn out t-shirt & jeans.  (And yes, I throw my hair in a very unkempt ponytail and wear no makeup!)  Our boys argue frequently, and aren't afraid to just be themselves when in public (though I admit it would be nice if they'd just stand there and not move if I'm busy with something sometimes).  We all love homeschooling, however, we do get tired and worn out and all have days when we'd love to be doing just about anything other than another math lesson.  Over the years, the Lord has grown me through many of those expectations (though He's still working on some), and I've learned to let go of it all and rely upon Him to guard my heart and guide my days...    

Responsibility...

One of the things that is most frustrating to me as a parent is the lack of self-generated initiative in my children... I mean really, that shoe you just tripped over?  Yes, that one- PICK IT UP!  It really struck me a couple of weeks ago when I was frantically trying to get the house in some semblance of order before our camping trip just how far down the wrong path I'd gone. 

My dh was in the livingroom working on some things for our trip as I came in and began picking up the boys' legos and various other toys laying all over the floor.  "Why are you the one picking up their things?" he asked ever so gently, yet with a slight air of reproof.  "Because it's just easier and much faster if I do it myself.  Because if I tell them to come and do it, they're going to freak out... so I'm just going to do it to get it done!"  

Seriously??!?!?!?!  I think I was the victim of Invasion of the Body Snatchers!  I would never say something so ridiculous in all my life!  I've never been the person to take the easy road, or to go out of my way to make sure I am comfortable- in fact, I tend to go out of my way to keep things just a little bit difficult.  I'd become my own worst nightmare!  Something MUST be done about this treachery!  Here's where we are currently:

Every year we pray through and come up w/ annual goals for our boys (and me too) and just how we're going to shepherd them in those areas.  Guess where we're starting?   Responsibility!  I broke it down into four areas I want the boys to work on (and me too):

1.  Responsbility to our Lord (which covers pretty much everything else)
2.  Responsibility to our Family (chores)
3.  Responsibility to their Work (school)
4  Responsibility to their Self (hygiene & possessions)

I'm still in the phase of seeking out Scripture applicable (there are a lot of Scriptures on diligence v. laziness) to the situation and our point/reward system.  (Another area I said I'd never explore, but the Lord rewards us for our obedience, so we're going with that.)  My prayer through it all is that new and good habits will be formed in my children (and me too), that their hearts and minds would be touched and inspired...

When paper towels are a luxury...

I was looking around our blessed home the other day... at all the wonderful blessings the Lord has provided.  What caught my attention was our role of paper towels, which I had just told one of the boys to grab one to clean up a spill.  It occurred to me that not too many years ago paper towels, paper plates, paper napkins, facial tissue, plastic baggies and the like were all luxury items in this blessed household.  I reminisced about that era when my husband had lost his job and was working at whatever odd job he could find to provide for his family.  We had $35 per week for groceries- and that included diapers, baby food, etc.  All through that season, God proved faithful to provide for our needs- food, shelter, clothing, heat, and our faith in Him and who He is grew by leaps and bounds.  I wouldn't trade that season of life for anything, although it was so difficult at times.  Well, as time passed, my husband was found a job that has provided everything we 'need' and many things we 'want' as well... I still remember that first shopping trip when I felt the freedom to purchase a roll of paper towels just because it would be handy to have them.  I'm sure that other shoppers thought I was weird as I pulled them off the shelf with a goofy grin on my face (I mean, really, they were $0.75).  It has been a few years since that day, and we are still so very blessed at the Lord's provision of our want's as well as our needs, but as I look around it is always the paper towels that give me the most satisfaction and remembrance of God's mighty blessing...

Praise the LORD.

I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
~  Psalm 111

Prayer for Today... and maybe every day...

My prayer for today, and maybe every day hereafter...
Oh, my LORD, my God... would that my heart may thoroughly enjoy You... would that I may not give in to my selfish fits of passion, but grow each day in Your amazing and abundant grace, mercy and love... to live out my days in complete devotion and worship to You, O my God, would be my greatest joy;  that I could be useful to You, to love Your people- Your children- as I ought and bring them joy and encouragement... yet how much like a baby I am, Father, in giving in to my many insecurities, fears, hurts, all of which do You no honor or glory.
Oh LORD how You reign, robed in majesty, Your throne is established from of old, You are from everlasting..  Thank You, O my God, for who You are!  Mightier than the thunder of many waters;  Mightier than the waves of the sea, You, O LORD on high are Mighty!
How I long for more of You, to know You more deeply... How I long to be rid of this wretched sin that is so ugly in Your sight... remove it from me, Sovereign Lord, that I may have a pure heart before You...  I love You, Abba.  In Jesus Name.  Amen

Dry Spell...

It seems as if I've hit a bit of a dry spell in writing- both here and in my personal journal (not that I've ever been totally faithful in posting a ton here).  It's not that my heart isn't full of lots of stuff to write about- it's completely full and my mental meanderings are plenty, the Lord just hasn't provided me the words to give voice to all that is there.  I surely wish He would, I just know it would be a liberating experience to be able to get it all out.  Let's see.... there would be random musings on Family Camp 2011;  thoughts, fears, hopes, etc. for Fulton Homeschool 2011-2012;  on parenting;  on marriage;  on waking up at 3:47a.m. and NOT being able to go back to sleep!;  on 'Stepping Heavenward';  my recent physical limitations in working out;  and oh so much more. 

So, we start school in 2 1/2 weeks!  Our school room is not anywhere near ready-weriously, we still have to get the boys' new desks and chairs put together not to mention this year's school books put in place.  YIKES!  But, first things first we're having a wonderful yard sale this weekend and then I'm free!

Hopefully the Lord will soon give me the words to put to all that is in my heart SOON!

The Waiting Place...

The Waiting Place:  Learning to Appreciate Life's Little Delays by Eileen Button is a nice book recounting Ms. Button's life experiences from her past up to her present.  She very eloquently writes of her experiences and feelings as she was standing over her grandfather's grave site - before he was in it, as she was getting her hair done, as she gave birth to a child with health issues and so much more... Her accounts made me go from laughter to tears as I reminisced about my own 'waiting places'. 

I must say, that while it is a nicely written memoir, it did not appeal to me personally, as I typically prefer books of a more devotional style, or those that challenge me in my walk with Jesus.  With that said, I was left thirsting for God throughout the entire book.  He was present, to be sure, she did not leave Him totally out, but I had expected that through Ms. Button's 'waiting places' she would share how God blessed her, what He taught her through each experience, as well as personal encouragement and Scripture to apply in my own 'waiting places'. 

So, if you're looking for an easy, heart-tugging book to read, The Waiting Place may be for you...if, however, you're looking for a devotional-style book, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

{Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."}

Random Non-Sensical Ramblings...

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so I thought I'd stop by for a visit before heading on to the  rest of my day...  My heart is so very heavy at a recent turn of events in the life of someone we know, and quite honestly, I'm not really sure just what to do other than pray... of course, that's the primary thing for this particular situation.  A young man- well kid, he's nowhere near being a man, though he's trying in all the wrong ways... anyway, this person has declared he is 'not a Christian, and never was', he has declared that he's been lying to everyone and 'the joke's on you'...   My heart aches for him, he's choosing to take the way of the fool and has no idea of the implications of his decisions, and he obviously doesn't understand who he is in relation to who God is...

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God".  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.  ~Psalm 14:1

Anyway, Independence Day is almost here- already!  I remember the days when it seemed to take forever for July 4th celebrations to come, and now here it is.  Then it's JD's b-day party, Family Camp and BANG!  Summer's over and the school year begins again...  AAUUUGGGHHHHH!!!!!!  Yet I will not worry about tomorrow for today has enough trouble of its own... Thank You Lord for your comforting Word!  I just love how God's living Word washes over me and quenches this dry and parched land within- Jehova is SO Amazing!

Do you ever wish you could just go out and buy something you want just because you want it?  I mean without having to put in all the effort of searching out the best deal, looking in second hand shops/yard sales, planning & saving forever to buy it, praying for the Lord to bless you with it and then waiting for that blessing?  To just take the easy road and go buy something brand new (in the words of my children, "and nobody's even worn it before!" something they were very excited about).  Like, for instance I really want two dressers for the boys' room (it would make a little better use of space in there for them and be more user-friendly than what they currently have), and a slightly larger dresser for ours (it's the dresser my mother used when I was a 5-6 year-old kid that she bought for $25 at a yard sale- space is currently an issue and has been for 11 years)... Do we need these?  No, of course not, but it sure would be nice!  Okay, what else would make my life perfect?  Oh, yes, if I would have no more headaches, and this stupid chronic muscle/back thing would just magically go away so I wouldn't have to spend any $$ on doctor's visits...  :)

Now, that I've effectively complained about everything...  I've recently (within the last couple of months) been praying that the Lord would take me to a deeper level of submission to my husband and show me the deeper meaning.  So, being ever Faithful, God has provided opportunity.  :) 

"Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find;  knock and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened."  ~Matthew 7:7-8

So, I don't remember the exact conversations/situations at this point, but twice- yes, count them TWICE - Jon and I have been talking over situations and I do off and do my 'Wendy' thing where I come up with all kinds of ideas and plans for implementing them (this would be a great place for you to feel very sorry for my husband), when my dear husband pipes up ever-so-gently (he's always sensitive to the way he says things to me so as to not hurt my feelings)  "... you're trying to be the boss... and you just need to stop..." Well, that shut me up right then and there for sure... most of the time (in my flesh) I would feel rather offended at such a rebuke, but to my added surprise, I actually had a deep sense of joy and excitement at his stepped-up leadership!  :)    I should probably tell him this- I'm sure he'll think I'm totally a weird-o...  :)

Wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is Himself it's Saviour.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.  ~Ephesians 5:22-24