We are just about to embark on a new journey by beginning a homeschool fellowship group that will meet at our local library two times per month.  We are having our first meeting tomorrow at the Green River Library in Tuxedo, North Carolina from 1-3 if anyone is in the area that reads this blog:)

We wanted to start something that steps outside the box of what the traditional homeschooler does in this area. I know that there is already a large group that offers co-op classes and I think that is a wonderful thing.  One day, as all my little ones are older that might be something that we can do as a family, but for now it is not something feasible for us.  But I still wanted to get my children involved with other homeschooling families, ones that are sitting home wondering where all the other homeschoolers are:) Thus the need.

I had to come up with some topics to discus at each meeting.  Tomorrows will be on encouragement. Anything that we do for an extended period of time can get boring and discouraging.  Life happens, things come up, and we soon wonder why it is we do what we do.  How can we avoid all of this?

We defend our minds

We need to not allow negative thoughts to fester in our minds. If something comes up, immediately deal with it and move on. Don’t dwell on past things and things you cannot change.

Watch the scheduling

Do not overbook the calendar. Be selective in your activities It is okay to just stay at home more than your friends do. It will create a peaceful setting in your home to help focus on priorities.

Grasp reality

It is okay to sometimes speak things out loud. Saying, “I cannot do it all and that is okay!” Focus on what needs to be done, what REALLY needs to be done and let the rest slip away.

Take breaks

It is okay to take the occasional break from “structured curriculum” and spend some time reading good books and getting outside exploring nature with your child. Do something out of the norm and surprise your children.

Smile

Even on days when you don’t feel like it. Let your child see your smiling face. It makes all the difference.
Homeschooling is a journey that we are on, not a marathon. Take each day and enjoy it. Explore and find things out as a family. You will not regret spending these moments with your child.

Be blessed as you embark on a new week!  Amy

Okay, before your immediate answer is, “Of course,I’m easy to work with!”  Think about this for a moment.

I know when my children stay up too late, have too many freedoms, and then I expect them to get back into real life interaction mode it doesn’t always happen.  You know the kind that when you go to church, you expect them to be friendly and at least LOOK like they are happy to be there? Or when you do school, you expect them to look at you and at least answer like they know what you are talking about?  Sometimes my children, especially teens go through this phase quite often.

But how many times do I myself go through this………………

If you ask most Christians of what kind of life that they want, typical answers will be, “A life full of abundance.”  We can all mostly agree that we would want the BEST LIFE EVER!  True?  But what type of person do we give God to work with?

Just as our children get moody and often times “hard to work with,” how many times do WE get moody and give God something “hard to work with?”

Do we complain when things start to go wrong, or do we immediately go to prayer on issues out of our control?

When the doctor gives us a “concern” do we immediately think the worst, or do we immediately go to God with that?

When we struggle with things in our own lives, do we just blame others and blame our “lot in life” on where we are at, or do we turn to God for answers and help?

They ONLY way you are going to see changes in your life is by giving God something to work with.  It all begins with a hunger.  A hunger to WANT more out of life.

It is easy to talk with friends and spread some “prayer requests”for others.  But what we need to do is stop finding fault with all of the things that go wrong in life and start bringing FAITH to the situations.  Isn’t that what our walk with God is supposed to be about?  Living a life of FAITH!

We need to stop being critical and judgmental and start bringing love to the situations.

Start expecting things to happen for the good in your life.  Walk with a positive outlook on things.  You realize that when you are dealing with your teenagers it is much easier to work with them if they have a positive attitude with things.  We are the same way when God has to work with us.  Don’t you think He would rather work with someone that “expects” great things? Or would it be the person who mopes around and complains about this and that and doesn’t think that God can do anything?  If we did a role reversal you know the type of person you would rather work with.

We must become hungrier to see the glory of God in our lives.  Begin today.  Stop complaining about things and start finding FAITH in what God can do.

Enjoy your weekend and be blessed!