Crafting a Vision for a New School Year

 Lately I've been reading through the book of 1 Kings.

I've read through Old Testament books many times before, but because the Word of God is, "living, active, and sharper than a two-edged sword," a new insight revealed itself to me.

1 Kings 22:5-6 says, "... 'First seek the counsel of the Lord.' So the king of Israel brought together the prophets and asked them, 'Shall I go to war or shall I refrain?'"

This reminds me of when Roman was about to enter first grade. Up to that point I had been lightly and unofficially "homeschooling," and was feeling a little panicked at the thought of ordering my very first piece of actual, formal curriculum and homeschooling for real!

I told Micah I didn't know if I had what it takes to be a homeschool mom.

But I remember distinctly his reply.

He very wisely advised me to take it, "one year at a time."

I adopted that approach and have tried to keep that mindset ever since.

All throughout the Old Testament the kings would ask the Lord if they should go to war. They didn't assume because they were successful once that they should go to war every time. It was a case by case basis. In fact, there was one instance when Israel was defeated in a war because they did not, "inquire of the Lord."

For my family, every year is different. 

I pray I always remember to "seek the counsel of the Lord" for each approaching school year, and not plunge into homeschooling just because we've been successful before.

So this summer I have been in continual prayer over the upcoming year; cleaning out our school cupboard, organizing curriculum, asking the Lord for a burst of inspiration and His blessing.

It has been an amazing summer of rest and leisure, but a renewed motivation for our return to homeschool is slowly emerging within me.

My homeschool mama-friends are some of the wisest and most encouraging people I know. It seems they're always saying things I want to write down! Recently one of them was explaining to me a delightful sounding way to teach subjects like history and science that she called Book Feast. Images of having all my children cosily around me, sipping hot chocolate over opened books and comfortable conversation, immediately flooded my mind. 

Combine that with verses the Lord has given me to pray over our homeschool such as, "Teach them the right way to live." (1Kings 8:36)  And, "Now I will show you the most excellent way..." (1Cor. 13:1) and I am beginning to craft my vision for the 2022-23 year.

The homeschool lifestyle is mellow and unassuming.

I'm sure for someone who is used to the hustle and bustle of the work-world, it could be quite jarring.

The trick is to become self-governed, content, and settled; viewing being settled at home not as boring, but as a blessing from the Lord.

"I will settle them in their homes." (Hosea 11:11) "He settles the woman in her home as the happy mother of children." (Psalm 113:9)

Once I learned how to do everything for the promotion and well-being of my home, to make us happier and more comfortable, and to make the home more useful to us, I had the secret of contentment at home.

Now that I am finished with 1 kings, and reading through 2 Kings at the moment, I was reminded of the story of Naaman and his healing from leprosy.

I'm sure you've read the story as well. Remember when he got upset because Elisha had prescribed the very humble remedy of, "Wash and be cleansed"?

Naaman stormed off in a rage because it wasn't the elaborate, showy healing he was expecting.

But then his servant wisely pointed out, "If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?" (2 Kings 5:13)

Reading the story, I was struck. This is why I should be content at home. I don't need some grand assignment from the Lord in order to serve Him. If the Lord says, "be busy at home" (Titus 2) and, "watch over the affairs of your household," (Prov. 31) why be upset that it isn't a great thing?

If you have a home and a family, you have everything you need for a fulfilling life. 

If you have a home and a family, you have everything you need for a ministry.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands." (1 Thess. 4:11)

"That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:2)

So, I am happily looking forward to welcoming a new homeschool year. This is the humble assignment the Lord has given me and I am thankful for it.

"She is not a success as a Christian until she is a success as a mother." -Tim LaHaye

💐

Before I end this post I'd like to share the progress Micah has made on our half-bath...

It's coming along nicely and I'm getting excited about it!

We now have walls, a door, drywall, plumbing, a new window, and the floor has been ripped up.

It feels great to be in a project again!

😊

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

~ Courtney 

LEAD 2022

 There have been some questions as to just what kind of experience LEAD camp was for Roman this summer.

Wisconsin Family Council offered its second annual camp for equipping teens to become effective godly leaders, and Roman made the cut to attend.

WFC believes that a key element in restoring our society is raising up Christians of godly character who know how to be leaders in their families, churches and communities.

The vision is to train the next generation on how to engage our culture from a Biblical worldview. And as we all know, we NEED Christians in politics!

We were thrilled to be able to send Roman down to Madison for a week to receive this training and to "rub shoulders" with other godly teens who want to make a difference.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17

The kids were divided into caucuses and given bills to research and write.

Then they held mock legislative sessions at our beautiful state capitol in the assembly chamber.

Our family traveled down to Madison (roughly a two hour drive for us) on the last day of camp to view the sessions from the gallery.

What we saw impressed us greatly.

Well-spoken and sharply dressed teens from all over our state presenting and opposing bills, debating professionally, then rising to vote "yea" or "nay."

WFC could not have given these teens a more authentic experience.

We learned that the majority of the participants were homeschoolers, so Roman was in good company.

Micah and I had the privilege of meeting and visiting with some of the parents while we were in the capitol, and we quickly discovered that these were extremely solid, conservative families.

I commented to Roman on our drive home that evening, "It looks to me like God is raising up an army. You homeschoolers are going to take over the world!"

He laughed, but agreed.

It might take a generation or two, but if it's God's will, and if other states adopt the LEAD program, we may just be able to take this country back for the Lord. 

But if not, we Christians are okay with that, too. Because we know the Lord has a plan for both the righteous and the evil.

"The Lord works out everything for His own purpose, even the wicked for a day of disaster." -Proverbs 16:4

This camp was such an elite group of people and such a unique experience that Roman is already making plans to go again next summer.

First year campers are placed on the representative track, whereas second year campers are placed on the senate track. So Roman's experience next year will be slightly different.

Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Council, told parents that they plan to keep adding tracks as the years progress, so that a teen can attend each year from age thirteen to eighteen and never repeat a track. 

This year they added a media track. Next year they plan to add a judicial track.

Roman told us that his time in Madison helped him better understand the whole process of how bills are written, debated or amended, and eventually voted on... essentially, the process of how a bill becomes a law.

(And to think, all I had growing up was the Schoolhouse Rock song. 😂)

Attention to detail was obvious throughout this camp, right down to signed certificates -

LEAD...

To LEARN to live out your faith in the real world.

To be EMPOWERED to fulfill God's purpose for your life.

To ACT like a leader.

To DISCOVER and unlock your God-given potential.

To "always be prepared to give a defense." -1 Peter 3:15

There were speakers and devotions each day, armed security keeping everyone safe, and a team of people praying over the campers all week long.

Can you tell I was impressed with this camp?

We feel very fortunate that Roman got to experience it.

~ Courtney 

Summer Days at Home

 Don't you love waking up to bright sunlight and birdsong in the summer?

May and June are my favorite months because summer is young and fresh. But even July mornings are magical because the day is young and fresh.

Plus, I just love a new start.

"His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22-23

My first order of business is to pour a cup of coffee and sit down for my Bible reading.

It's a beauty secret, you know!

Moses' face was radiant because he had met with the Lord. I make sure I never miss this morning beauty regimen.

Breakfast is always leisurely, and then it's straight outdoors for several appointments...

One is to taste the morning. I need to experience the extent of the warmth and humidity before I can go on with my day. Then I say, good morning to the chickens, cats, and flowers while I make my rounds with my watering can.

Once my "chores" are done, I walk through the garden.

I feel as though gardens benefit from us walking through them.

I enjoy having little stone walking paths for the occasion.

In May and June I am an avid weed puller, full of enthusiasm and false hope. By July I settle into - wasn't I going for the wild country look? Yes, let's go with that!

My showy lilacs and peonies are done for the year, and the hydrangeas are not quite fully there yet. When I find myself in-between blooms I just take my clippers around and snip one of every little random thing I can find. 

Instead of the statement arrangements lilacs, peonies, and hydrangeas make, I cobble together a haphazard arrangement and it's somehow just as charming.

I love the instant beauty it gives as I sit down to write a grocery list.

With both the dishwasher and washing machine humming along, and the kids done with their morning routine and chores, we all leave for the store.

Over the holiday weekend I spent some time researching new recipes as well as book lists for the upcoming school year.

In my research I discovered two things I was able to apply today.

I learned that fresh basil is a natural anti-depressant. I didn't know that! I've never been a depressed person but everybody loves a mood-lifter! So I checked my grocery store for a basil plant and sure enough... this cute (and very fragrant) little guy made its way home with me.

The second discovery was that a book that piqued my interest on the book list was one we had in our home library but have never read.

I pulled it out, dusted it off, and began a new journey with the kids.

Opening a book you've never opened before and beholding the words Chapter One is such a thrill, isn't it?

It's like opening a secret gate that will usher you into an unknown world.

I tried a new recipe for dinner...

These sultry summer evenings inspire me to play Bluegrass in the background while I putter around the kitchen.

I made chicken with parmesan, zucchini and yellow squash, with of course a sprinkling of my new basil as a garnish. Baked potatoes with a green salad were the sides. 

I like to make up a topping platter when we have baked potatoes. It makes it easier to carry everything over to the table, and it's nice to have the toppings for our potatoes in one spot. 

This dinner was so filling and nutritious.

Once the kitchen was cleaned up we changed into our bathing suits and enjoyed a cool evening dip down at the pond.

Perfect for wearing out the kids right before bedtime.

We are soaking up this summer! I may not want it to end!

But as my summer day at home has come to an end, I am feeling fulfilled, revived, and so very grateful.

💐

~ Courtney