Feb. 26, 2006
Life's ups and downs
How different life seems when big changes are about to take place. I feel like I'm in no man's land when life is on hold. My husband is waiting to hear whether he will be offered a job in the city 2.5 hours away. It's a dream job for him that would get him out of the turmoil of forestry and increase his salary significantly. Life feels like it's on the verge of being turned upside down. We just moved into our current house 5 months ago and what a blessing it is. We are renting a 2 acre avocado orchard in Omokoroa, NZ. The 4 bedroom house in the country is just perfect for us and our parrots and rabbits and chickens and exactly what we can afford. The city is way more expensive and would not tolerate the pets.
My friend's mother from England surprised us with a visit over the weekend. I was telling them all the things that are going on in my life at this moment and how I couldn't see how God would want us to move away from the church we are involved in. She mentioned about the Israelites in the wilderness sometimes had 2 months in one place and in Numbers 9, it says they sometimes had one day before the cloud was lifted! I was blown away by this! Well, I guess I have to wonder if God is punishing me like the Israelites! My husband says they were in training to obey God. I'm not sure how to take this?
On another note, my poor friend who has just started homeschooling is really stressing about "having a curriculum" and although I understand her fear of not having everything planned out and set to go, I cannot seem to make her relax. I know I was the same for years. When I hear myself and other homeschoolers tell her to just take it one day at a time and to "relax", I know she just wants to punch someone!! It almost sounds like we don't educate our children! Any thoughts on how to direct her. I told her to trust God and yet it sounds so cliche. I want to give her resources but she seems to want to hear it from the experts. I don't know what to say?
My friend's mother from England surprised us with a visit over the weekend. I was telling them all the things that are going on in my life at this moment and how I couldn't see how God would want us to move away from the church we are involved in. She mentioned about the Israelites in the wilderness sometimes had 2 months in one place and in Numbers 9, it says they sometimes had one day before the cloud was lifted! I was blown away by this! Well, I guess I have to wonder if God is punishing me like the Israelites! My husband says they were in training to obey God. I'm not sure how to take this?
On another note, my poor friend who has just started homeschooling is really stressing about "having a curriculum" and although I understand her fear of not having everything planned out and set to go, I cannot seem to make her relax. I know I was the same for years. When I hear myself and other homeschoolers tell her to just take it one day at a time and to "relax", I know she just wants to punch someone!! It almost sounds like we don't educate our children! Any thoughts on how to direct her. I told her to trust God and yet it sounds so cliche. I want to give her resources but she seems to want to hear it from the experts. I don't know what to say?
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Posted by WalkInFaith
Posted by Sweetie
Posted by joyismystrength
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Feb. 26, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by WalkInFaith I know that feeling! That life is on the verge of being turned upside down -- but you know, sometimes it's turned rightside up! (I know you probably know that as well as anyone but just in case you were ignoring that as a possibility, thought I'd throw it in there!)
Perhaps God has a greater blessing in store and the wonderful home you've made the last 5 months was a stepping stone to it. I wouldn't necessarily see it as a punishment. I like your husband's view on it, as in training to obey God. It's a blessing anytime God presents us with an opportunity to serve him. Who knows what terrific things may await you should that move be in the plans!
As for your friend -- draw on your memories of what you felt and your worries (and excitement) when you were just beginning. Relate them to her, let her know we all reach milestones that strengthen us to proceed. And slowly, little by little, she'll also reach her own milestones to build her confidence. Just keep being her friend. Go ahead and share those resources! I don't know what "experts" she could be wanting things to come from -- other than those who are in the trenches of homeschooling presently! Whether we're comfy with it or not - we *are* the experts! :-)
Perhaps God has a greater blessing in store and the wonderful home you've made the last 5 months was a stepping stone to it. I wouldn't necessarily see it as a punishment. I like your husband's view on it, as in training to obey God. It's a blessing anytime God presents us with an opportunity to serve him. Who knows what terrific things may await you should that move be in the plans!
As for your friend -- draw on your memories of what you felt and your worries (and excitement) when you were just beginning. Relate them to her, let her know we all reach milestones that strengthen us to proceed. And slowly, little by little, she'll also reach her own milestones to build her confidence. Just keep being her friend. Go ahead and share those resources! I don't know what "experts" she could be wanting things to come from -- other than those who are in the trenches of homeschooling presently! Whether we're comfy with it or not - we *are* the experts! :-)
Feb. 26, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sweetie I understand your apprehensive, anxious, uncertain feelings! :hugs: to you as you wait to see what God has in store for you.
Feb. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by joyismystrength When I was a new homeschooler I wanted assurance that I had made the right decision to teach my children at home. Although I accepted peoples' advice when they told me to relax, I felt anything but relaxed. I was focussed on doing things "right" - whatever that meant. Unbeknowst to me I was still being heavily influenced by what the government told me comprised being educated. I was under the wrong assumption that I had to complete the exact things they were telling me to do or I was somehow going to leave big gaps in my childrens' learning.
I have grown beyond that panicked feeling that I used to live under because I now understand that there are things that I, as a homeschooling parent, can give my children that NO public/private school can give them. Namely...A LOVE of learning. The opportunity to study topics that INTEREST them instead of ones dictated by a list. The enormous gift of being able to study the Bible and other school subjects from a Christ-centered perspective. Focussing on their strengths, and honing skills/gifts that are uniquely each childs, and working on areas of weakness without pressure to do so in a set length of time.
I have also learned what I think is the homeschooling parent's greatest release from anxiety - putting my faith/trust in God into practice in my homeschooling just as much as I do in every other area of life. God has opened the door for me to homeschool. He has lead me down this path. He will not abandon me at any place along the way and say "okay, you're on your own". I have rested in His guidance in regards to the curriculum that He has directed me toward. I have rested in the knowledge that I am not an expert in every field of knowledge but God knows what my children need and will meet their need through other means. I've been amazed at the people God has brought me into contact with who are able to teach my children things that I know nothing about. Being open to the experiences, and following God's lead is the only thing required of me.
I pray over my homeschooling. And, the more I put my trust in Him the more relaxed I've become.
My initial anxiety made the homeschooling experience a volatile one for my children. My anxiety came across to them as impatience, anger, frustration that we weren't making enough progress, and tension. We weren't able to have fun when I was so uptight!
So, for your friend....the relaxing will come as she surrenders her children, their futures, and her gifts as a teacher to His greater wisdom. And, as she puts aside the anxiety she will learn to love learning right along with her kids. I hope this helps a little?
I have grown beyond that panicked feeling that I used to live under because I now understand that there are things that I, as a homeschooling parent, can give my children that NO public/private school can give them. Namely...A LOVE of learning. The opportunity to study topics that INTEREST them instead of ones dictated by a list. The enormous gift of being able to study the Bible and other school subjects from a Christ-centered perspective. Focussing on their strengths, and honing skills/gifts that are uniquely each childs, and working on areas of weakness without pressure to do so in a set length of time.
I have also learned what I think is the homeschooling parent's greatest release from anxiety - putting my faith/trust in God into practice in my homeschooling just as much as I do in every other area of life. God has opened the door for me to homeschool. He has lead me down this path. He will not abandon me at any place along the way and say "okay, you're on your own". I have rested in His guidance in regards to the curriculum that He has directed me toward. I have rested in the knowledge that I am not an expert in every field of knowledge but God knows what my children need and will meet their need through other means. I've been amazed at the people God has brought me into contact with who are able to teach my children things that I know nothing about. Being open to the experiences, and following God's lead is the only thing required of me.
I pray over my homeschooling. And, the more I put my trust in Him the more relaxed I've become.
My initial anxiety made the homeschooling experience a volatile one for my children. My anxiety came across to them as impatience, anger, frustration that we weren't making enough progress, and tension. We weren't able to have fun when I was so uptight!
So, for your friend....the relaxing will come as she surrenders her children, their futures, and her gifts as a teacher to His greater wisdom. And, as she puts aside the anxiety she will learn to love learning right along with her kids. I hope this helps a little?