Safe!

"Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you.."


My friend laughed as I began reading this verse, "At least no one's trying to kill me!"

Really?

Sure, no person is chasing me down with a weapon, but I'm pretty sure discouragement is trying to choke the life out of me, the sense of being overwhelmed is suffocating...slowing down the Life-giving flow of oxygen.  Inadequacy.  Anxiety.  Weariness.  It can be so many things--you know what it is for you--and, yes, it's an enemy that wants to "kill" you, to shut down the flow of Life in you and through you.  Especially, if you've said yes to an adventure of any kind in wild obedience.

Before you discount yourself from being on an adventure of wild obedience, may I remind you that such adventures are seldom the kind found on front pages of newspapers?  Rather the truly great ones go unseen... A mother wiping up the umpteenth mess with a song of thanksgiving.  A man faithfully going to work to provide for his family.  A moment taken from a busy day to write a line of encouragement.  A smile and word of kindness for a weary cashier.  Any act that is not self-centered is an act of obedience to the call to love like He loves.  Some are definitely more costly than others, but all reflect a greater glory.

It's good to stop and recognize this.  This attack on my life flow is because I'm doing something amazing!  You are a force to be reckoned with, therefore, worthy of being distracted, distressed, and disturbed.

"Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you.....your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch!"*

Chased.  Yet safe.

A contract out on your life.  But secure.

A treasure.  Safe in the care of the Lord.

You.

Doesn't it make you feel wild and free to laugh in the face of the destroyer?  That laughter clears the sense of oppression and Life flows, filling with strength.  I'm safe in His treasure pouch!



*1 Samuel 25:29a
This promise was spoken to David, but all who believe and receive Jesus have access to all the promises.   See Romans 11.

Joy follows Obedience

How on earth can I top last week's post?  Furthermore, could my kids possibly enjoy having me teach them after the brilliantly entertaining antics of last week's teacher?  Math did go so much better than it had been--clearly Hillary had an effect on them, which only stands to reason as Hillary's method was very fun AND her mom is, in my opinion, The World's Best Math Teacher. (I'd post a link here to Esther's fan page, but she doesn't have one and would only giggle if I suggested such a thing.)

After a week away, I found myself eagerly anticipating the return to our school room.  I breathed a sigh of contentment as I snuggled down in the beanbag with the kids and our science book.  I had an epiphany:   I'm homeschooling because I like it.  Because it's fun.

There are so many answers to the question, "Why are you homeschooling?"  I always struggle with finding a short one.  So many factors went into the decision.  I care very much that I don't come across as offensive in any way...

The question hasn't troubled Devin a bit.  When asked while at the grocery store during "school hours", he piped in and said, "'Cause I'm awesome!"  Totally true.

I'm not sure that saying I do it "because it's fun" will help much...but it wouldn't be the first time my answer to a question provoked a bewildered look!!  :-)

It does make me chuckle to hear myself say it.  I had so many fears before I took the plunge.  It just reminds me once again that joy follows obedience...every time.  (Note: For us, for this time,  homeschooling was a step of obedience--we don't think that it's for everyone!)

Some pictures of this morning's experiment showing how the electrical forces between water molecules create surface tension:

Rediscovering these things through the eyes of my kids is definitely fun.  Sixty-two drops of water will sit on a toonie ($2 coin)--who knew?

The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 28:7

Guest Post by Substitute "Mom-Schooler"

I was a Substitute Homeschooling Teacher for four days.

Well... almost four days. Somehow things got away from me on Friday, and we were out on a "field trip" for pizza with friends instead of sitting on the school beanbag learning our History lesson. But I hear random "field trips" are common in the Homeschooling circle.

This week I had the privilege of stepping into Michelle's shoes and caring for her three kids while she was away. I ALSO had the privilege of *attempting* to homeschool her two youngest while she was gone. As a "Sub," for Michelle,  I jumped at the opportunity to do a "guest post" on her homeschooling blog. She doesn't even get to edit it...(right?!?)

In thinking about what to put in this special guest post, it seemed only logical that I include a list of what I, the "outsider," learned about homeschooling. Note: The term "outsider" only means that I grew up in the public school system and never experienced the joys of homeschooling! This is a non-exhaustive list of things that I came up with:

• Homeschooling means EVERYONE learns--even the teacher. At times, it felt like I the teacher was learning more than my students! For example, in Language Arts I learned that the word, "swum" is sometimes acceptable..something like a "past-present-participle helping verb". Oh, and for Science, I learned that the Arctic Terns travel 35,000km every migration season (whoa!), and that the Fairy Tern doesn't even lay its eggs in a NEST--it just plops 'em down in a branch groove or fork! It was revelation after revelation as Homeschoolin' Hillary taught the two prodigies.

• Homeschooling means it can be Pajama Day two days in a row.

• Homeschooling means kids can be done school by noon and have the rest of the day to just be kids!

• Homeschooling gives you the teacher the excuse to say things like, "When I was young, we...(wrote 32,445 instead of 32445; spelled that word THIS way; didn't have calculators; didn't have "txting language"; had chalk slates; walked uphill both ways; had nothing but dirt and a rusty can to play with at recess)

• Homeschooling means more cuddle time and quality time spent with the kids you love...which only reinforces to your children the truth that they matter to you and are special!

• Homeschooling means you can explain to kids that Evolution just can't hold a candle to our Creator-Yahweh! God can be incorporated into every subject (well...Math is a hard one...but I prayed more about getting through Math than about any other subject!!!)

• And........Homeschooling means you can be wild and crazy and innovative and tailor the lesson to keep your children interested in learning. For example, this is how this Substitute Teacher decided to practice Math one day: 

It was such a cool experience substituting for Michelle this past week. Homeschooling takes a lot of patience, time, and energy...but I can see how these two kids are thriving and growing as a result of their mom's commitment and sacrifice. It's amazing. And, Michelle--I would sub for you again! As long as you keep their Math and L.A. assignments reduced... ;)

Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His Might!

-Hillary

P.S. If you would like to follow ANOTHER hilarious and profound blog, check out randomhillary.blogspot.com

Giving Thanks

It's the weekend that we Canadians celebrate the goodness and bounty of our lives.  So many things to be thankful for...  Our annual tradition is to pause between turkey and dessert for each one around the table to express thanks for the greatest blessing they've received in the last year.  It's always hard to choose, I often have to say a few, and I usually shed a few tears.

High on my list this year is definitely this adventure in wild obedience.  In the spring I was agonizing over whether or not to teach two kids at home and at the same time feeling a bit of anxiety about some of the things my oldest was dealing with in junior high.  I went over all the possible outcomes of all of the possible choices, realizing there were risks to any decision and trust would be required.  It was going to be a leap of faith to take the steps that we believed God was directing for each of our children--for the ones we would teach at home and the one we would send to school.

At that time, I came across this verse:

"I will teach all your children,

and they will enjoy great peace."
Isaiah 54:13

ALL my children.  He will teach them.  They will enjoy great peace!  What a promise!  I claimed it as my verse.  I even have the lettering to put it up in my classroom...someday...when I have some spare time...  I want the reminder that He's there helping these little ones that I'm teaching and that He's there helping the one who is in a different classroom. 

I can see that it's true as I look back over the few weeks of school so far.  He's been there, involved in their lives, working things out in their hearts that I never could have orchestrated.  He loves them and is invested in their lives.

Today I give thanks for this wondrous miracle and I bless you with the peace of knowing that He will teach your children and give them great peace--whatever educational path they are on.

One Month Report Card

One month of homeschooling under our belt and I think we should celebrate!  (Should I finish that sentence with, "...but I'm too tired!"?)

Monday this week was definitely the low point.  I guess the honeymoon stage had worn off...and it was Monday morning after a big weekend.  Thank God, a friend called at just the right time and I admitted that we were having a bad, sad day!  She was so kind and didn't offer annoying advice or platitudes, but simply asked if she could pray right then, over the phone.  It changed everything!  Things definitely improved after that.  I love that He cares and sent someone to display that love at just the right time.

The high point was when the Principal came and taught Math:

And my little warrior tackled his math as a little warrior should--fully armed and ready for battle:

As I evaluate everything, I'm in awe of the good fruit that I can already see from this venture.  It is producing in my kids all I had hoped for and more than I'd dreamed of and I'm having more fun than I'd thought I would!

I read a verse this morning that kind of sums up how I feel about it.  King David had asked God if he should go and fight the Philistines and God told him that he should.  Sure enough, the Philistines are defeated and David exclaims, "God did it!  He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!"  I love how David asks for direction, God guides, David obeys, and God comes through for him.  David's response is awe-filled worship!

Keep seeking and obeying--He'll come through for you!  I believe it gives Him great joy.

*1 Chronicles 14:11