Homeschooling The Myth and The Truth

Hello,

As we draw near the end of the school year, I'm thinking about how my kids are getting older. Amy is 15, Michael is 17, and Emily is now 19. My oldest, Matthew, is 26.  He's out on his own now, but calls and comes by often.  It's been so neat to have the privilege of being with my children as their personalities and interests develop.  Homeschooling has been a great privilege. I wouldn't trade being a stay-at-home mom for anything.  I never made a paycheck that was worth the relationships I have with my four children.

Thank you Lowell!
Thank you God!

Laura
Thankful to be Momma

P.S.  
Big myth—your husband has to make a lot of money if you're going to stay home.
Truth—you have to stretch your money if you're going to stay home.


Mommy Monday 

Homemaking Party

A Story from the Land of Oz....

Once upon a time, a long time ago, in the land of Kansas, a little tiny boy was born to a couple who had prayed for three years to have a baby. They had prayed for a name for him even though they thought he would be a she. They settled upon Matthew David because it means, "Beloved Gift of the Lord". When he was a month old, his Momma dressed him in a little preemie outfit. Then, his momma and daddy took him to church and dedicated him to God and to the Lord Jesus the Christ. And he grew and he grew and he grew....

He was his momma's world. She just adored him. She read all the books and listened to the experts and did the best she could. She wanted to do everything just right so that he would turn out just right. Silly Momma! She only needed her Jesus and her Bible and prayer. But, she didn't know that then. So, she tried and tried in her own strength and understanding. Because she only had so much strength and so much understanding, she did as we all have done. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. She made mistakes; but, she did pray and she did share the gospel with him, and she did love him like crazy. And he grew and he grew and he grew....

The momma and daddy felt the Lord tugging on their hearts and minds to homeschool their little boy. So began many years of lessons and learning for both the momma and the boy. And it was good. Then the little boy started praying for a sister, and God gave him a sister. Then he prayed for a brother, and God gave him a brother. Then he prayed for another baby and got another sister. And it was all very good. And he grew and he grew and he grew....

Then, when he was 16, the boy and the Daddy and the Momma decided he would go to the high school in town. He worked hard and graduated. His Momma and Daddy were very proud of all he did to finish, especially during the last few weeks when he worked some hard jobs without pay to meet his work study requirements to graduate.

Yes, that boy is my son, Matthew. I love him very much. He's got a strong mind and a strong will. For that matter, he's just plain strong!

I love you, Matthew, and I'm proud of you. I am glad that you think for yourself, even if I don't always agree. Love the Lord with all your heart mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Honor your mother and father that you may live long in the land the Lord has given you. Trust in the Lord. Pray without ceasing. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Be still and know that He is God. Be still and quiet and listen. Fill your mind and your heart with His words, the Bible, so that you will recognize His voice.

Father God, bless my son, please. Give him Your direction for his life. Be that friend that sticks closer than a brother to him. Thank you Father. Amen

Congratulations Matthew!

Something to Think About...Ripples on the River

Recently I went down to the river with my oldest son, Matthew. He's thinking about his future and trying to make some decisions about which path he wants to take this next year. I, on the other hand, am trying to come to terms with the fact that our time with all of our children at home will come to an end sooner than I wish. One of the songs that plays on my blog is "I Will Never be the Same Again." I don't like to think about the fact that our family will never be the same. There's such a desire in a momma's heart to have all her little chicks under her wings, to protect them from all life's foxes, possums, and dogs.

While Matthew and I were sitting there talking, he picked up a handful of rocks and began tossing them into the river, an age old pastime. I gazed at the ripples as they spread slowly outward, just as in a pond. As I watched, I saw them slowly move downstream carried along by the never ceasing current. I was struck by how for an instant he put something into the river. Yet, the ripples continued on, not only spreading out, but also moving on at the same time. I realized that my time to invest myself fully in my son was but a small part of his life. I made ripples that will continue; but, he'll be moving on soon. Those ripples will continue and will touch others as well.

"Lord, I pray that the good, true, Christ-like things that I've invested in my son will continue and stay in his mind, heart, and spirit. I pray that the things I've done wrong, the gaps I've left in his education, the times when I've made wrong decisions, the times when I've lost it, will all be covered in the Blood of Jesus; and, You Lord will make it all right. Thank you, Jesus."

Friends, I do hope you don't mind a prayer or two on my blog. You see, I do believe that God reads blogs. I do believe we talk about praying, and we need to be praying.

So, today I choose to toss a rock in and make a splash in my children's lives and let God handle the rest. This blog is a bit like that. I toss my posts out and hopefully make a little splash in your lives...a splash of hope, a splash of encouragement, a splash of kindness, a splash of Christ's love.

God bless you!

Laura

Splashing in the Grace of God



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• Something to Think About... Regular Hours
• Stuck in Its Ways
• Hope