Mercy in the Morning - Discouragement or Flexibility

Jul. 19, 2007

Discouragement or Flexibility - Choose one!

I am so sorry if you are a visitor to my blog and haven't seen anything lately - okay, for a LONG time!! I hadn't realized that three months had passed since my last post. Time flies for this busy wife, homeschool mother of seven, and author.

I guess because of my weekly writing for The Homeschool Minute and the Company Front Porch and for the monthly Devotional e-Newsletter, and for The Old Schoolhouse print magazine as well, I really tend to forget about my poor neglected blog. Wow, just writing all those things down makes it sound like a lot, but since it is broken up into little chunks, it fits well with my home schedule.

Are you all preparing for the upcoming school year? I have piled around me the books, bins and supplies for next year but have not sorted through them all yet to make my seven crates of school work for the children. Yes, even little Hope (2 years old) will have her own crate because everyone else does and because it keeps her busy with things from the crate while we are doing our schoolwork. That reminds me that I have to go buy a few more crates.

I have high and lofty plans for this next coming year for each of my kids and for our homeschool schedule in general, but after homeschooling this long, I know that these plans will be subject to change. I always start the year out with a bang and then as we go along and see what needs to change and what needs to be added, and how our schedule morphs into something quite different, I don't become discouraged. I know ahead of time that things will change so I remain flexible. Remaining flexible is the key to staying away from discouragement. Instead of feeling discouraged that things aren't working the way we thought, try to see the Lord's direction in leading you a different way. After all, Proverbs says that we plan our way, but it is the Lord who directs our steps. Don't be discouraged when the Lord directs your steps a different way than you have planned.

Thanks for coming back and checking on me! I am still alive and well and getting ready for another year where I will experience the Lord's wisdom, leading and faithfulness. And, it is my plan to post more frequently here, but we will have to wait and see what the Lord actually has in store for my days.

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Comments

Jul. 20, 2007 - Whohoooo!

Posted by Kellyque777

Glad to see you have made it back into the blogosphere, well . . . your personal one anyway :-)
WELCOME BACK!
<>< Kelly

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Jul. 24, 2007 - Thanks!

Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi

I just popped over here to check out your blog and say thanks for your post on Gena's blog today~ what a blessing that was to me. I'm not one who said "I could never do that" but I have many friends who fit into that category and it made me sad thinking of them and their kids as I read your post.
Anyway, I hope you'll find the time to post more on your blog~ I appreciated this recent post as well~ like you, I have lofty goals each year, but have learned to be very flexible! I'm going to add you to my list of friends so I'll be updated when you post.
Thanks again,
Heidi

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Jul. 28, 2007 - Hi Deb!

Posted by ByHisGraceInColorado

Sounds like you are really gearing up! I love planning for the next year. We just got two free bookshelves, so now I can get all my stacks of books off the office floor. Now I can see more of what we have! I am praying for a nice, tall file cabinet next. Maybe by the time I am done homeschooling, I will be all organized! LOL

Blessings on you and yours,
Nancy B.

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Aug. 1, 2007 - August 1, 2007

Posted by Anonymous

Thank you so much for your article regarding criticism from others-family members in particular are who I am always dealing with. It's not just with home schooling, either. This has been such an issue with me that-at times-it affects my health and well-being with my husband and daughter. Your article was quite encouraging. It's also nice to know I'm not the only one out there feeling this way.
Sincerely, L.H.

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Aug. 2, 2007 - homeschool minute

Posted by Anonymous

awesome mercy in the morning article on joy zappers! thank you for the reminder......i've also sent it out to all my friends!
i think i will make a t-shirt that says "do the Word"!
have a good one and don't let satan steal your joy,
shonda
homeschool mom from ky

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Aug. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by devdoordeborah

In case you are wondering what some of these comments are referring to, it is either a post from the Home Where They Belong blog over at www.homeschoolblogger.com/TOSPUBLISHER where I blog every Tuesday, or it is from The Homeschool Minute, a weekly email sent out to subscribers. This email is short and sweet and doesn't take long to read, and you can subscribe here: www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/E_News/

Thanks for all your encouragement,

Talk to you all again soon!

Deborah

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Aug. 18, 2007 - The school year morphing

Posted by laurie59

I was so glad to see you talking about having big plans for the school year and then having it look completely different as you get into the year. It happens to me every year, and yes, I do feel a little guilty each time. Even though I have been home schooling for 23 official years! Wow.

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Aug. 24, 2007 - Thank you....

Posted by growinginhisgrace

My name is Heather and I just want to thank you for the awesome woman of God you are! Because of your example I have been challenged since the birth of my 3rd, to spend the first part of my morning in God's word as I seek to glorify Him in all I do. We are starting to homeschool this year and I am recognizing that there are so many more important things to impart to my children than education alone. I wish to raise them in the admonition of the Lord. When it comes to their education, godly character is paramount. As I stated once in my blog, "When we get to Heaven no one will be asking for our transcripts!" Thank you so much for your example! Young moms like me are so very grateful for all the great experience and wisdom you possess.
Blessings,
Heather
p.s. Feel free to visit me anytime here at homeschoolblogger! My blogs are "lessonsfromthevine" and "lifeinanutshell"

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Aug. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by LittleEblingsAcademy

Hi! I hadn't been around in a while, either... It was great peeking in on you this morning.

We, too, are busily preparing for a full load of school. It is always so exciting to prepare!

Blessings to you and yours! ~Beckie :o)

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