For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Aug. 6, 2007 - The First Day is not all it's cracked up to be

We started "school" today. The longer we homeschool, the more of a lifestyle it becomes, but there is still a place for "academics" and "bookwork." So when I say "school," that's what I mean. Anyway, I'd originally planned to do school through the summer, but with all the traveling and company, it hasn't worked out to do that, so today we started up again after about 2 months off. In the past, I've started the day after Labor Day, so we're a full month ahead of schedule, but with all the time we lost last year with moving and getting settled, and my typical habit of taking off a whole month around Thanksgiving and Christmas in addition to having a 4-day schoolweek, I figured we needed to start school earlier. So we're starting. And our first day went okay, I guess. My much anticipated planning weekend didn't really yield the time that I needed for planning, so I still have to figure out a schedule for Science and History and get a few more things organized, and after having maintained a decent order of cleanliness for much of the past couple of months, the house is a wreck again, and there's still a huge pile of unfolded laundry that needs to be folded and put away and a sink full of dishes, oh, and I-- who so rarely get sick-- am fighting Bronchitis and my four extremely healthy kids all have colds, so why not? Doesn't it sound like the best day to start school to you? Ha! I thought about waiting until after I'd cleaned the house again and folded the laundry and we were all healthy, but I decided it was better to just start. You have to face the first day at some point, who's to say that any other day will be better than today? The one good thing was that even though I set my new alarm clock to go off at 6:45pm instead of 6:45am, I still awoke on my own and actually Got. Out. Of. Bed. If you had seen my lazy self the past two months, sleeping until 9am or 10am or 11am, and known the insomnia that has kept me up until midnight the last few nights, you would understand what a miracle it was that I got up on my own when the first number on the clock read SIX! I'm so glad that I did, as I would never have been able to make it to this point in the day without spending that quiet time in the Word and Praying! God is good! I praise Him for getting my lazy butt out of bed!

It's almost 3pm now and the kids are still working on a couple of things. My older two struggled to get out of bed at 8am and everyone was slow moving in the morning and I did have a couple of interruptions, so we didn't work as efficiently as possible. I've also had some griping about copywork, "This is too long! I can't write this much." It's not really, they've just gotten out of the habit and need to get used to doing "schoolwork" again. But it was good to be in God's Word with the kids again and recommence our Bible Study. I regret that I have neglected it! God is gracious and the Spirit was bringing conviction not only to me but to the kids as well. I had a wonderful opportunity to encourage my daughter (who tends to internalize things) when she very openly and honestly mourned her sin. It was amazing to see her respond to the Spirit in the way she did and to be able to lead her through repentance and restoration! And that's why I do what I do. Because you never know when those moments will come and you can't force them to come on your own timetable. It's in the quantity time that you really experience the quality time and are able to take advantage of the teachable moments.

That being said, I really need to make myself another cup of tea and go fold some laundry or something. I'd really like a nap, but the insomnia is bad enough without one, I'd be up until 2am if I yielded to the urge to sleep now. So, I press on, glad that the first day is behind me (almost) because it's just not all it's cracked up to be.

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Aug. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

Hang in there! I'm so proud of you for getting up :) I hope I can. Than ks for your note. We are actually not starting until next Mon. I've given myself a whole week to do nothing except scrapbook--that is no school stuff. Unfortunately, a few things will probably creep in. Then there's "life" to contend with! HA!

On another note. I have a verse for you that I meant to tell you yesterday. Good ole Romans! "The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable". How's that for a doosey! For what you are called and the gifts you are given...there's just no going back! They are irrevocable! I was so excited when I read it (and immediately thought of some of our recent talks--which I've loved by the way:)). Just thought I'd share! heehee
Blessings,
Melissa