Today is the last day of my oldest boy being ten.  But while I will celebrate his birth eleven years ago, another mom, Krista, will be mourning the loss of her dear daughter, Alexis. 

"A Mother's T.R.E.K." stemmed from coming across other mother's heartaches (not necessarily homeschoolers).  One moment life was "normal" and the next, a turn of events sent their world into "survival" mode.  I know as a homeschooler, I can get caught up in this as well.  I try to get everything done on the "list", but when a child gets sick (or when I do for that matter) we have to adjust and make exceptions.  A Mother's T.R.E.K. is just another way of reminding us to take a moment to evaluate our lives, our homes, and more importantly... our call as homeschool moms.

It would be wonderful if I could "get it right" every day... but I don't.  Even with the best intentions, I fail (sometimes miserably) as a homeschool mom.  But God's grace is sufficient (But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)), His mercies are new every day (This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:21-25 (NKJV)), and with His strength I can do all things (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)).

As homeschool moms, we're all on a "trek" (a slow or arduous journey), but how we go about it is different.  I pray that A Mother's T.R.E.K. will help us to remember why we do what we do, and encourage us one more day to seek our Lord and thank Him for each blessing He sent to us to care for.

Please join in me in setting aside tomorrow to pray for this family, as well as to spend time with our loved ones whether it be reading together and cuddling, having a picnic at the park, or a special meal.  Do something out of the ordinary and special... to remind the ones you love how much you adore them... and how thankful you are that you have this very moment with them.  Life can be tough... I'm still learning how to praise His name through it all.

Still Seeking,
Amy

So there have been a few questions about what "A Mother's T.R.E.K." is and how it started, so I thought I'd share the orginal link to "Introducing A Mother's T.R.E.K." posted on August 25th, 2005.

There were many responses to how we tried to go about the day (in honor of Missey)... some of us tried to do something "extra special" and out of the ordinary, while others let their children choose the day of fun.  Some have even said they would be making it a "habit" in their home.  Still others said they tried to do this kind of thing every day, so they just didn't understand the "point"...

I guess I just wanted to make "A Mother's T.R.E.K." clear, in that, it's original intention stemmed from reading things about other mother's heartaches.  One moment life was "normal" and the next, a turn of events sent their world into "survival" mode.  I know especially as a homeschooler, I can get caught up in this as well.  I try to get everything done on the "list", but when I child gets sick (or when I do for that matter) we have to adjust and make exceptions.  A Mother's T.R.E.K. was just another way of reminding us to take a moment to evaluate our lives, our homes, and more importantly... our call as moms.

It would be wonderful if I could "get it right" every day... but I don't.  Even with the best intentions, I fail (sometimes miserably) as a homeschool mom.  But God's grace is sufficient (But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)), His mercies are new every day (This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:21-25 (NKJV)), and with His strength I can do all things (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)).

As moms, we're all on a "trek" (a slow or arduous journey), but how we go about it is different.  I pray that A Mother's T.R.E.K. will help us to remember why we do what we do, and encourage us one more day to seek our Lord and thank Him for each blessing He sent to us to care for.

Missey's death has had me thinking a lot over the last few days.  I didn't have the honor of knowing her while alive, but I've been to her blog, as well as read the many comments of those who knew her as a friend and I'm mourning her death as well as so many others.  She spoke of the heart being such an important part of homeschooling, and in one of her first posts, "What is Heartschooling?"  I feel a connection with this as I strive to bring back the order in my own  home and school, by first addressing our hearts.

As I tucked my little ones in bed last night, I was overcome by emotion when thinking of Missey and the last night she unknowingly tucked her children in safely into bed for the last time.  I was hit with the realization, that I may never be warned before I leave this earth, and that every moment is precious.  Then... I was convicted... How many times have I tucked my children in bed, quickly kissed them, and moved onto cleaning the kitchen or putting in a load of laundry?  How many times have I taken those precious moments before they drift off to sleep for granted... feeling there would be so many more?  How many mornings have I awoke to another day with its "list of things to do" and not enjoyed the little footsteps that grace the hallway as they enter the kitchen with their precious faces?  How many times have I said "... in a minute", too busy to stop what I was doing when I child has come to me to read a book or play a game?

Missey took a month off in December to spend with her children.  What a blessing to them as they look back on that time now.  As homeschool mothers, Missey's sudden death touches us all, whether we knew her or not.  Let us celebrate her life and what she made her goal in "heartschooling" her children... Let's set aside next Monday, March 13th, as a Mother's T.R.E.K. to celebrate Missey's life and what was so important to her.  Let's take that day to spend with our children.  Maybe you will choose to make it a "kick-off" to a longer period of time off school such as a week, or even a month as Missey did in December.  Whatever you choose, please tell your children about the life of this mother, as well as her sudden death... not to worry your children, but to take time to tell them some of the things you may have never told them before such as...

• Why you homeschool them...
• Why you stay home instead of having a job...
• How being a mother has impacted your life...
• What you hope for their future...
• What you want them to know more than anything else...
• What you would want them to do if you were no longer here...

I will be sure to tell my children that if I were no longer here I know they would be sad, but that I would be in heaven and would want them to love and take care of each other.  I also want to tell them that even though I never want to leave them, the Lord already knows when I will die and that He knows best.  ("All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:13) 

It seems like such a sad topic that we never touch with them because we don't want to think about it ourselves.  We know better, however, and I for one want to know that my children know of the faith I have in the Lord and that I will be in heaven with Him when I die. There is a peace in knowing that my children will have that to go back to if ever the time arises.

You could also have your children take time to send a loved one a card or make a picture or letter expressing love and appreciation.  So often we wait for an occassion or holiday to do so... teach them to say "I love you" often.

Another idea to do in the evening after your children are all in bed is to write a special entry in a journal, remembering the day and giving thanks to the Lord for each moment given to you.  In your prayer, be sure to remember Missey's children who go to sleep without a mother and say a prayer for them and their future as well.

Our lives on earth are so short compared to the time we will spend with the Lord in Heaven.  Don't take these moments for granted... don't waste a one... and live each as if it were your last.  Please pass the word on to others and leave a comment if you'll be doing a T.R.E.K. with your children next Monday to celebrate the life of Missey Gray.

In Him,
Amy

Please take a moment to read this post by Molly at Choosing Home, and say a prayer for her son, Israel, as well as Crystal's daughter, Emily will be in surgery on Tuesday, and Cathy's daughter, Candace, who is fighting for her life with her thirteenth surgery in only nineteen days.

When I read a stories like that, I'm reminded of what's truly important in my life and I begin evaluating my life and where it's at... and where it's going.  There are three things I find myself assessing:

My relationship with the Lord...
Unfortunately, I know some of the times I've felt closest to the Lord were the times of trial and complete helplessness.  It shames me that after the Lord brought me out of those times, that I eventually "lost" some of that closeness to Him. 

Now, I know that there are things we simply have to do in life, but I know that I'm not always the best manager of my time either.  How much time have I wasted instead of spending time chatting with my Lord? I've often thought of how much the Lord must love me coming to Him with nothing else than be in His presence.  To desire Him only because there's nothing left to do... I've thought about how He wants that always and how little I've given that to Him in comparison to everything else.

And my priorities...
As a homeschool mom, there are certainly a lot of things that need to get accomplished in a day.  I find myself wanting to keep a list of things to do, and then check them off as I go.  As wonderful as that may be at times, I know that I've allowed my list to control me more than I've controlled it, and then things begin to fall apart.

When I think about what Molly, Crystal, and Cathy are going through right now, I know that other things have been put on hold in order to deal with what's most important in their life at the moment.  Why is it that while homeschooling, I find myself letting go of the main reason I chose to homeschool?  It was what the Lord wanted me to do... it was, and is, what He wants me to seek Him for answers in... but most importantly, He wants me to do it so I will raise children of faith who know Him and His power and are ready to fight in His army someday on their own. 

As a homeschool mom, I am responsible for their knowledge in mathmatics, english, and the like... but as a woman of God and their mother, I am responsible for something much more crucial... what I show them through my actions and reactions in my daily living will teach them as well.  I have to ask myself... how am I doing in that area?  Am I showing them that their hearts are more important than their math score?  Do they see me praying before I come out of my room and begin my day?  What priorities do they see me having for them as well as my own life?

Plan a  T.R.E.K. (Totally Random Events with Kids) with your children this week just enjoying them for the gifts from heaven that they truly are.  We never know what tomorrow holds for us or our children.  Take time to pray with your children for these families as well.

In Him,
Amy