What Am I Teaching?

"We're not trying to replicate the time, style, or content of the classroom. Rather we're trying to cultivate a lifestyle of learning in which learning takes place from morning until bedtime 7 days each week. The "formal" portion of each teaching day is just the tip of the iceburg."

Steve and Jane Lambert-authors of Five in A Row curriculum

I would never have thought that I would homeschool. Ne-ver! I was an awful student and I really don't know how I graduated. How I got through college...that's another good question. But I do know this. God has called me and He will equip me. Becoming a wife was one thing. Becoming a mother was another thing. But teaching my kids, not just "in the classroom" is a whole different ballgame. I try to teach them "school" things, ie. math, how to read, colors, tally marks, ect...but I'm also teaching them how to cook, measure, clean after themselves, have manners (and am having little luck with that one), how to respect others, how it's important to read your Bible. Just when I think I'm failing, Ty and his friend, Tyler come in the house for a few minutes to look for a toy. Ty comes to me and whispers, "Mom, will you read the Bible to Tyler now? He needs someone to teach him about Jesus." I'm crying as I type that. It's a burden on Ty's heart that his friend Tyler doesn't know and love Jesus yet. Ty hasn't made a "profession" yet, but Ty knows Jesus and loves Him and wants to obey. And Ty wants Tyler to have the privalege of being able to have someone to read the Bible to him like we do to Ty and Brett. He wants Tyler to know and love Jesus. Many parents rely on the church to teach their kids Bible stories and about Jesus. But Matt brought up a wonderful point in church this morning..."What if we didn't have Sunday School? Who would teach your children about Jesus?" I WILL!! If I have to stand alone and teach my children about Jesus, I'll do that. That's the most important thing to teach...when I rise, through my day, and at bedtime...I should be teaching. So some may think I shouldn't be homeschooling my children. That's okay because I'm called by God to do this. I firmly know that. There are frustrating days...many of them. But God is faithful. I will teach my children all they need to know...and the most important thing they should know is about Jesus and His salvation.

Who would teach your child about Jesus if there was no Sunday School?

The Morning When Nothing Worked, But Everything Worked

This morning at 6:30 our power went out. FYI...we have a well, and when power goes out, we have no water either! At first they said it should be back on by 9am. That was fine (since I didn't wake up until 8:15). Then word was it was going to be 10:15. I can manage that. 10:15 rolls around and my friend calls to say word is now that it will be 12:45. Now this is getting serious. Nothing is working. No water, no lights, no TV, no Facebook, no washing clothes or dishes, no baths...nothing is working....

But I'll tell you what was working!

Family time was working. With no distractions like TV, internet, cleaning...we had family time. Boys played outside and I sat and watched them for a while, talking and laughing with them about things they would do or bugs they would find.

My neighbor's power/water was working...so I went there to shower.

My bowels were working (4 times...and no flushes).

Ty's bowels were working (shew wee...what can come out of a small kid)!

My broom was working (behind couches...reaching the dustballs as big as a baseball)!

God time was working...I was still and quiet for at least a few minutes talking and listening closely.

So I really liked this morning when nothing and everything was working. I need to often pretend that nothing is working, so that more important things will work.