THE ECOLOGY CENTER

 

We recently ventured out to a local farm in search of organic purple potatoes to grow in our garden.

Though we didn't find them, we did stumble upon a surprise field trip to The Ecology Center there.

 

 

The girls and I went exploring the gardens we noticed across the parking lot...but when we discovered more of what was over there we quickly called the rest of the van out to join us! (Fortunately {almost} everyone had shoes...no names here.)

It turned out to be an educational and inspirational summer field trip we hadn't anticipated and it was right up our alley.

 

 

We started off by wandering into the house which serves as a hub of information and a store.

The sign outside read:

 

(Ummm....OK!)

 

 

Inside, we talked about organic gardening, permaculture, chickens, rain barrels, and lots of other things that interest us.

 

 

There was a cute little kitchen that of course the girls loved.

 

(Me too!)

 

And outside there was so much to see like billowing plants blooming with GIGANTIC leaves...

 

 

(still no names)

 

chickens (who weren't too excited about us being there)...

 

 

compost, water conservation information, butterflies, birds, bees, a greenhouse, and overflowing gardens everywhere!

 

 (Aaaaaaahhhhh!)

 

 

 

 

We felt right at home!

 

(My token mom shot complete with Boden's meltdown...sometimes you just can't win 'em all!)

 

I'm so glad we went out looking for our purple potatoes that day...and wandered over into the gardens...which turned into an educational experience...making memories...and learning all the while at a new favorite field trip stop...The Ecology Center.

 

"And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.' And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:11-12

NEXT YEAR...THIS YEAR

We're at it again, prepping for next year...this year. Curriculum ordered, reevaluation underway! Elka wants to play the banjo (so she's practicing her guitar...Daddy's prerequisite). Aida has a full academic line up in mind. (It's her thing.) Brodie is taking a new approach to spelling. And Bea and Noble are joining the school-aged crew...to name just a few of our upcoming changes.

 

 

I tend to prepare for the coming year at the end of a school year as we pack away accumulated accomplishments and consider what worked well and what didn't. Though we view "education" as something that's always taking place, year round, and "learning" a foundational component of life, year round, we do also enjoy the idea of summer and break and graduating
on to new ventures for a new year ahead. We simplify and hone in on what works best for us more with every year.

(favorite change midyear this year...our new desk station)

We'll have 2 new kindergarteners this coming fall (Noble and Bea) along with the 5 others grades 1-9. Yes, we step into high school territory with Aida! Though I guess that's supposed to intimidate, it actually feels just as natural as the day she turned 13. She didn't suddenly become a stranger that day, or some sort of teenage alien...she remained our daughter, our growing up beautifully daughter. Likewise, this new journey with her into high school feels very much the same. One step at a time, eyes wide open, we welcome the future and look to the Lord for direction. We seek first His Word, His kingdom, and His righteousness, trusting His lead for her future. We also look to Aida, as we do with all of our children. We contemplate their interests, talents, as well as their struggles as we consider how to best approach their academics and training. It's a process we very much enjoy.

(my girls...growing up before my eyes)

 As the number of school-aged children in our family grows, we realize our perspective must also advance, as well as our homeschooling strategy. The older children have become quite self sufficient in many ways academically, and yet all the more in need of our instruction spiritually as they take steps closer and closer toward adulthood. The younger ones are just beginning, learning all the time. Our approach with them is so much more relaxed than when we first started homeschooling. There are lessons I drilled and drilled with the older kids that our little guys already know just by living together with their big brother and sisters. It's inspiring to see older siblings take an interest in teaching their younger siblings all the things they've mastered.

The responsibility of training all of our children's hearts weighs heavily upon Brodie's and mine. It's truly our privilege and joy to walk alongside them through the ever-changing and fleeting years of childhood. It's both a challenge and delight to meet each individual right where they are, all so different and complex in their own ways, all requiring and deserving of their own unique experience. We welcome the job we've been given, taking inventory intentionally and regularly. We're in deep and we love it, love them. Lord, equip us, we pray! Help us to do your will in the lives of those you've entrusted to us!

Diversity comes to mind as I ponder the many hats we wear. Little spongy elementary-aged children are learning things like ABC's and 123's, most of which develop naturally when they're given time, resources, and opportunities. Young adults in the making ponder things like the meaning of life and their purpose. It's exciting! The middle kids enjoy the frolicking of childhood still, even as they transition slowly but surely toward growing up. And, the baby nurses while toddlers break crayons and "accidentally" knock down hours worth of domino track. (Dominoes = Character Training: Patience) It's a dance for sure.

What a beautiful rainbow of stages we get to enjoy and work through. What a wonderful opportunity we have to homeschool and allow our children the blessings of doing life...together. We absolutely love the whole package - trials, accomplishments, unknowns, skills acquired. There seems to be no end to the experiences and chiseling involved. It's a gift!

(still doing plays)

(audience approved)

So, as we box up binders full of this year...we anticipate next year excitedly. We wonder what the next season will have in store and we know that whatever comes our way is deemed good by our loving Father God. Homeschool...it's a blessing! It's our way of life. It's taking place all the time. The learning never ends....just like love (1 Cor. 13:8). We thank the Lord for His wise plans.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."
Psalm 127:1

Thank you, Lord, for what you're teaching us now and always. Thank you for this time of reflection and
assessment of where we've been and where you're leading us next year...even as we wrap up this year.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
Psalm 127:3-5

BROTHERS & SISTERS & CARDBOARD CASTLES

"Good job with the flags..." I walked out as Brodie encouraged Nova. His mind is always coming up with something creative.

 

 

The packing materials-turned-castle was well in the works by the time I had seen what they were up to.

 

 

And this is why we homeschool...to see junior high brothers and kindergarten sisters creatively cooperating together.

 

 

This is why we homeschool and these are the moments tucked firm in my heart.

 

 

After all they grow up way too fast.

 

 

So I savor the time that we have while it's ours, cherish the sweetness of these days...

 

 

...filled with snapshot time capsule memories of sweet things to love like brothers and sisters and cardboard castles.

 

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

HOMEMAKING 101

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."

Proverbs 31:10

 

As the girls get older, more and more we feel a sense of responsibility to use our time as wisely as possible in training their hearts to know and love the Lord and out of their love for Him, desire to be God-fearing keepers of their own homes one day.

 

(making sauerkraut here)

 

"She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:27

 

With this pursuit in mind, we look intentionally for opportunities in our homeschooling days to allow them to participate in the ways in which they will one day care for their own families. Whether it's preparing healthy meals, nurturing a baby or feisty toddler with kindness, organizing efficiently, managing wisely, or even just tidying up, they enjoy the process of homemaking

and prayerfully our efforts will reap a harvest in the years to come in the same ways they bless our family now.

 

 

"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household."

Proverbs 31:15

 

(As a homemaker, you never know when a knight might pop in asking to help...)

 

(...or 4 princesses...also very helpful.)

 

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Proverbs 31:26

 

Hey, we even emphasize the fact that when the girls do keep their homes one day, inevitably their plans will often be interrupted blessed with opportunities to be loving, even when it's frustrating. Learning the act of self-control, gentleness, and grace definitely counts in the list of homemaking skills and I want my daughters to be prepared! Sacrificial, servant hearts make successful homemaking hearts. It's helpful to learn this early and in our home there is ample opportunity.

 

 

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come."

Proverbs 31:25

 

So, as we go about our days here at home, we're mindful of how we spend our time, focused on the future as well as here and now. Our highest aim is to glorify the Lord and homeschooling works beautifully in allowing us the blessed gift of TIME.

 

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"

Proverbs 31:28-29

 

By God's grace, may we raise up Proverbs 31/Titus 2 women for His glory and the benefit of their families and those around them. May we always think carefully about how we spend our time and why we do what we do with the days we've been
given to rear and train up our children. And, may our efforts be fruitful because the Lord has deemed it so.

 

Lord, please grow and multiply these planted, cultivated, watered seeds to fullness as we sow Homemaking 101.

 

"Older women...are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

Titus 2:3-5

NOVA'S BOOKS

Nova loves to illustrate and narrate stories. She's always asking for help with her latest book. This one, Animal Garden, is about a little girl who finds a bird nest with eggs in the apple tree of her favorite garden. She had the whole thing planned out...SO cute!

 

Last night, we surprised Nova by reading her new book aloud to all the kids at devotion time and she was glowing!!

To add to the excitement, we discovered a baby bird filled nest in the creeping fig high by our rafters yesterday...SO sweet!

 

Our homemade books will always be my favorite stories...lifetime keepsakes...I love them!

 

Almost as much as I love my little Nova.

 

 

"The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly...In them the birds build their nests."

Psalm 104:16-17

SCRABBLE = SPELLING

 

It just does.

 

Not to mention it's extra enjoyable with this on my lap...

 

 

This is why we homeschool.

 

"Making the best use of the time."

Ephesians 5:16

CASTLE OF LOVE

Sometimes on an ordinary day, someone creates a project that particularly blesses my heart.

Today that someone was Olia with her impromptu tale, The Castle of Love.

 

(Love my laminator...Thank you, Brodie!)

 

(Love this special girl!)

 

...and her special story...



 

 I'm hoping this means our princess knows we love her

just as much as the king and queen loved theirs.

 

You're a sweetheart, Olia...and we love you very much!

 

"Love one another."

John 13:34

COMPASSION

 

Years ago we signed up to sponsor our first Compassion International child...a girl. Aida and Elka are her primary contacts.

Their name is on her account. They write the letters and send the gifts, pray for her. It's beautiful.

 

"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."

Galatians 2:10

 

At some point after, we signed up for our second sponsored child...a boy. Brodie (Jr.) became his primary contact. 

His name is on his account. He writes the letters and sends the gifts, prays for him. And, it's beautiful.

 

"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

1 Corinthians 13:3

 

This year as I read Brodie's tenderhearted birthday card letter to his sponsored friend in Ethiopia, I had to hold back tears as I realized the compassion this opportunity has grown in my son...and my daughters. They are involved in the lives of these kids.

They've watched them grow up over the years and prayed for them through the seasons. Their letters and donations

make a difference and they're learning eternal things through their correspondence.

 

 

Children can do ministry...Yes, they can!

 

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example

for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12

 

(The kids keep their letters in folders.)

 

Last year we attended a Compassion International Change the Story event and it was awesome! All of us were enthralled and captivated to take a walk through real life stories of children just like the ones we get to invest in. As the kids saw the keepsake letters written from sponsors just like them, they were able to see with their eyes and touch with their hands the tangibility of the opportunity they have to influence a life for God's glory through their letter writing and contributions.

 

 

The whole experience that day further encouraged our children in their Compassion International friendships across the globe and they all dream of the day they will get to take a trip to meet them in person. What a special day that will be!

 

Compassion International is an excellent ministry, giving adults and children alike the privilege to participate in kingdom work.

We're thankful for what it adds to our homeschool and lives. I'm sure there will be more sponsored children joining our extended family as younger siblings observe and become ready to begin their own correspondence as well...thanks to Compassion.

 

WWW.COMPASSION.COM

 

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,

but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good,

to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share."

 1 Timothy 6:17-18

 

"And the King will answer them,

‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Matthew 25:40