First Week in Review

Okay, I can say honestly that I hope that we don't start every year like this.  It's been a rough beginning.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it was fingernails and white-knuckles to stay pleasant and keep going in spite of my really-rotton-no-good-cold.  This week was rough starts and working out curriculum.  We introduced a new math curriculum (Math Mammoth) so as to fill in some areas that I feel may be lacking with Math U See (not that I'm not pleased, because I have been up until now).  It turns out we really like this!  We also began a new spelling program (MegaWords), which Matty actually likes! (faint...) and a new Bible curriculum (Apologia's worldview curriculum).  I would have to say that even from chapter 1, this has been the highlight of my week with the kids.  It has stimulated fantastic discussion, and generated questions, prayers, and conversations that I would otherwise not have had.  We have made it a priority to start with this every day, and no matter how bad I have felt, the days have started well because we have started it with God as our focus.

In keeping with the intent of this blog to be "encouragement for the homeschooling life," I will do my weekly report as a reflection of what I learned this week, because I have found that what I am learning in the course of all this is just as significant, but far more humbling.  God uses the process of teaching my children to instruct me more and more and more in his ways.  (I often tell people that homeschooling is far more about the parents than about the kids, if they will submit and allow God to shape them in the process.)

I learned that it is REALLY important to start our day out together in the Word.  Yes, I know this already, but I had allowed summer laziness to kill the habit.  I was truly miserable in my flesh this week.  In my Spirit, however, I was encouraged by the conversations and yes, fellowship I shared with my children through God's Word.  I also learned that even in the first week of school there are times when we need to just admit defeat and take a nap.  Everyone is happier for it.  I also learned that there are times when I don't know how to do this at all...no matter how much planning or curriculum.  These kids are individuals and full of their own strengths and weaknesses.  I have to rely on the One who knows them best to guide me every. single. day.  I am but a steward of these souls.  Lord, show me who they are in You, and how best to teach them...amen.