Hey, dear ones.
We have hit the new year running. My dad and Cindy came for Lily's birthday, as did a few gaggles of girlies for banana splits and friend time, and yesterday we headed back to homeschool, Matt has a huge week at work with on-campus MDIV classes (and some really fun people in town), we have people I've never met coming to Wesley staying with us this week, and we're facing all the new year facts that we were delaying to do 'after Christmas.'
I'm reading through the Word again this year, the number one daily habit that actually works on my heart, my outlook, my life. I'd love you to join me, and if you do, this reading plan is still my favorite. It's a five day plan, so if I miss a day or get behind, I use Saturdays and Sundays to catch back up.
My Scripture memory goal this year is to simply memorize whatever each of the girls is memorizing. Each week the three girls get 1-2 verses to memorize. They work on it 2-3 times every day and "present" on Friday, and this season I'm going to try to memorize all three of their sets each week. They love testing mommy, and as always always, keep me on my toes.
Our first two days back in homeschool full swing have been bittersweet. Parts of teaching these precious kiddos, all at the same time, in four such different levels, is PRECIOUS and full of so many priceless moments and growth. Other times, like MATH times, or like the "I have asked you 35 times now to start your science, and you are in the BATHTUB?" are not as much fun...but man, are they stretching and strengthening my faith. Nothing makes me rely on His grace more than homeschool, housework and full-time, 24/7 parenting. Whose idea was it to have a 12 year old girl AND a 2 year old boy at the SAME TIME??
The grace I'm needing and seeking and dishing during homeschool is forming me for daily life, too. The pains of all this transition require such grace. I am in such a place of needing great grace from the Lord for my heart. Our dear neighbor on one side is trying to battle cancer, and such grace is needed. We had dinner tonight with the family whose little 2 year old has been battling cancer since we moved here, and such great grace is SEEN. I need grace for Haiti and grace for Mississippi, grace for family and friends, grace for my children and myself.
When I homeschool, I need that grace so much that I am searching for it, and when we search for it, family, we find it, don't we.
Looking for His grace this year, and working to give it back continually.
I want to share three resources I'm working through with the kids that we are just LOVING if you are looking for a way to daily point them to Jesus...
1) Tiny Theologians, Fathers and Mothers of the Faith cards...an accessible, fun, comprehensive introduction to the key Christian men and women throughout church history
2) Good News, the Story of Acts...."If you and your kids love a good action movie, then they will love this book! In it, kids will see the church grow like wildfire, and the gospel spread through the nations. You will read how Peter was delivered from prison by an angel, how Phillip just up and "disappeared" from a river, and how Paul was shipwrecked and bitten by a viper! But most of all, you will see God's great mission to build his church and spread the good news of salvation in Jesus--a mission he invites us to join.
3) In Search of the Source...the powerful, powerful and inspiring testimony of Wycliff Bible Translators Neil and Carol Anderson, oh man. Get ready to be in awe of God at work and to be pulling out your bags and praying over your children.
If you can read through these books each day with your kiddos without being moved to tears and inspired to tears and action, well, you're tougher than I am.
Finally, I want to finish this incredibly random post by asking you to pray for two things:
1) We are hungry to be a giving, receiving, pouring, sacrificing, learning, teaching, community part of a Biblical church with people of all ages, colors, backgrounds, cultures, experiences. Covid has made this an incredibly challenging time to find a church and we just need your prayers. Would you pray that the Lord would clearly speak to our hearts, point us? Guide us, help us? Thank you.
2) Will you join me in praying for a clear window of when the kids and I should be in Haiti this spring? Matt heads to Emmaus for 2 weeks in May to teach a class, attend graduation and participate in Dr. Guenson's inauguration, but graduation is too late for me to interact with students, classes, chapel, staff, etc, as I need to for sharing their stories. There are many complications to travel and a lot of future unknowns due to Covid that I've been trying to figure out, but I was convicted today that I need to be PRAYING for His wisdom and guidance and clarity on when and how, and asking the church to pray with me. When we know He is leading, faith and obedience are brought simple. Until we find a church (and after we do, too) you are my church. Thank you for praying.
There are my two requests...please, please email me yours.
There are so many hurting right now...instead of trying to figure it all out, I pray that this season may be one of renewed commitment to continual prayer, thanksgiving, and faith.
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