These weekend features are to remind us of all of the INGs of life. The Waiting, the Enjoying, the Believing. The things that make your heart sit up and take notice, or simply take up room in your head all week. Here’s what’s taking up residence this week:
PRIORITIZING
We start our 10th year of homeschooling next week, and I’ll admit that I haven’t been very excited about it. I feel good about having my kids home and am excited about the things we’ll be doing for school, but in the last year I’ve been so torn between the two major things God is asking me to do with my time in this season of life. I know He wants me to do both of them, so it’s not like I can just cut one out when things seem overwhelming. Also, there’s this little thing called eight kids home with me all day long. That’s tough too, I’m not gonna lie. It challenges me to my core.
At one point this week, I bawled my eyes out paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy and fear about the days ahead. I know all the right answers. The ones telling me God’s got this under control. I absolutely believe He does. But it’s not Him I’m doubting or even our schooling choices, it’s me.
When I pulled myself together that afternoon, I wrote this and posted it on social media:
I want to be faithful. I want to do this well for the sake of Christ. I want to like it! Isn’t that what we all want in every area of our lives?
For me, in this area, it comes down to wise time management. I need to stay committed. That’s when things start to flow more naturally. I need to be willing to stick to the boundaries I’ve set up for myself even when I don’t feel like it. Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? Well, not really. As you and I can both attest, being disciplined is sometimes the hardest thing of all.
As I’ve been seeking assistance in this area, here are some of the things helping me gear up to make wise decisions as we begin another year, maybe you’ll find something useful as well:
* The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst – LOVE, Love, love this book.
* 30/30 app – I just downloaded it this week and set up my first routine, but I think it will be super helpful for someone like me who struggles to stay focused.
* Filling the Time Jar – The article that has been sitting open in my browser all week. Great stuff.
PLANNING
I guess the other side of Prioritizing is the Planning. I’ve had to make some hefty changes to our curriculum style to better fit our family’s needs in the coming months (and also avoid the burnout that sometimes sets in by December.) I’m pretty happy about what we’ll be working on this year. If you’re curious about what we’ll be up to, keep reading!
Homeschool Curriculum for the Big Ones (1st, 1st, 4th, 7th, and 8th grades)
* the Bible
* Five Minute Devotions for Children
* Various classic read-alouds. First up this year? Charlotte’s Web.
* Book Shark – Basically we’re doing everything in this package except for the Math for the 1st & 4th graders.
* Time4Learning – online learning for 1st Grade Math & Science, 4th Grade Language Arts & Science
* Explode the Code – All of our kids have gone through this phonics series. The 1st graders are continuing this year.
* Handwriting Without Tears – Another tried and true classic in our family.
* Teaching Textbooks – I can’t say enough about this one. It saves my life. Our 4th, 7th, and 8th graders love it.
* Freedom Project Education – Our 7th and 8th graders are enrolled in this online Christian school for live classes in History and Language Arts.
Some Fun Preschool Activities for the Little Ones (ages 2, 4, and 4)
* All By Myself Preschool Boxes
As we move into a season of change, I pray we may be found faithful. Using our time in ways that glorify our Creator, not spent cheaply on meaningless pursuits.
Father, help us stay constant and committed to the things you’ve called us to do. We thank you for your faithfulness and help. We need you. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Amanda Bacon
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