Posted in God Speaks

I don’t know about you, but when I first began homeschooling I was involved in a lot.  Too much probably but I wanted to see what this whole homeschooling gig was about.  I wanted to see other homeschooling moms in action and I wanted to see if this was right for me plus I had no idea what I was doing so I jumped in feet first.  We went to Friday co-op, to playgroup, to Bible study, to 4H, to Cubbies, to science club, to art club, and, and, and…  It was too much and I burnt out quick.  It was all good but it was just “doing” and not choosing what G-d wanted even though everything we were doing was Christ centered. 

Well, G-d put a complete stop to all of that when he took away our second car thus taking away nearly all outside activities.  Our transmission went out and at the time G-d was just showing me how I needed to HOME school and not be so involved in so much and volunteering my life away.  During that time at home, my kids became the very best of friends and we really became the family that I think G-d wanted us to be.  We also learned how to put Papa first in all that we did which was an unforeseen blessing.  We enjoyed being home AND being with each other.  It was such a peaceful time.

As time went on, G-d blessed us with another car and we were able to start adding a few things here and there that seemed to be such blessings.  The kids started playing sports and we added a few things more that just seemed like the “right” things to add.  I never picked anything that conflicted too much with what G-d placed on my heart to study or with dh’s schedule and I tried to choose things that didn’t add too much more to my plate (and being always mindful of our finances). 

But as I started to once again look at our schedule and look at our family life I started to feel that tug that again something wasn’t quite right.  Well, that and the thought that maybe G-d took away our 2nd car AGAIN so that we would get back on track.  I had prayerful only put outside events that seemed to be right.  Toastmasters Orators speech club seemed okay.  It only met twice a month and it was so good for the kids to stand up in front of people and speak.  I didn’t even have to teach the class.  Oh and there was chess club.  That only plays once a month (but don’t forget, we practice once a week).  Well what about soccer?  The boys need their exercise and that is only twice a week (yes, but don’t forget the boys are on two different teams so that is two different practices, so essential four times a week and ALL day Saturday watching games).  Well then there is Royal Rangers.  That is daddy bonding time with a bunch of other boys once a week.  And don’t forget AWANA which is once a week and what about church.  Oh and I nearly forgot piano which is also once a week!!!

Well G-d pulled the plug on Toastmasters (the club changed meeting time to the same time as soccer so we had to let it go) and I was asking why?  Well, duh (I sometimes need a hammer to hit me over the head)?  Then I took a closer look and realized again we were doing TOO MUCH!  We weren’t in the position to relax and still aren’t.  We seem to always be saying we “HAVE to” instead of “I want to”.  We aren’t and weren’t getting any day of rest in the Lord ever.  We are plum tired and I wonder why my kids don’t seem to be at all interested in the school plans during the week. 

So after some prayers we have also dropped chess club.  We may have to drop piano just because financially it just is getting too much but I am praying for G-d to keep that.  After this season there will be no more soccer.  It is hard to drop this season because dh is the coach and that would be terriably mean.  Royal Rangers is still up in the air because it is good bonding time for dh and the boys with a whole mess of other boys, plus I get some of that testosterone out of my house. 

But AWANA!  I was poking around their site today for an unknown reason and I found a list of how many verses your child will learn as he completes each book.  I am amazed!  My two older are both T&Ter’s and they are both on track to finishing at least to Book 3 (if not to Book 4)!  In one year, they will have learned 433 verses just from attending AWANA!  And my little Sparky will have learned 166 verses plus all the books of the Bible which is a good pace for him!  So if I have to keep them doing only one thing, then I think that maybe that is the one thing they would be doing that pleases the Lord (beside the fact that I am learning most of these verses right along with them). 

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  

Psalm 119:11 KJV