Encouraging Moms Who Homeschool

Not only is it New Year's Eve for me, it's a time to think back over the past decade. Ten years ago I was overdue with our fifth child. It was a bittersweet time, as we knew the Lord had clearly shown us that would be my last pregnancy. I do not have the luxury of further pregnancies due to my health, and while I was glad to be in the center of God's will, I was also somewhat sad that I would never experience pregnancy again. It was the end of an era for me... Our youngest was born one week into the new year 2000. Next week she will turn 10. It's hard to believe it's been that long since I've had a newborn. In some ways it seems as if these last 10 years have flown by. Anyone else feel that way? Ten years ago I wasn't sure how I would handle homeschooling middle school or high school. Today I have a freshman and junior in high school and two daughter's in middle school. Only our youngest is still in the elementary grades. And guess what? Hom

Well, it's nearly the new year and time for us homeschooling moms to prepare to get back into the swing of things. Whatever your homeschool method, whether you've been at this for a few months or 20 years, it's typically harder to get back to work after the Christmas break than it is to start the new school year. There is something wonderful and exciting about a brand new year - something that isn't quite "there" when we start back up again after Christmas. It might be the long, winter days ahead, it might be the realization that there is still A LOT of work to do before we can close the books for the year, it might be that it's tough getting back to work after a wonderful time of celebrating our Savior's birth with our family and friends. Activities begin again, and it's time to start driving here and there and everywhere. No more sleeping in and staying up later than usual. It may be time for your husband to head back to work after some rela

About a month ago I wrote down all the verses from 1 and 2 Peter that started with (or almost started with) the word "so". Each day during my quiet time I read over one of the "so's" and dwell on it, with the goal of letting God's Word conform me more and more to His image. Today's post contains the "so's" from the New Living Translation, w/o the verse references...sorry, I didn't add the reference when I wrote them down and tucked them in my bible :) Hope you are encouraged today!! " So think clearly and exercise self-control. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts. So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls. So don't be afraid, and don't worry. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are

It seems the time has finally come for me to enter the world of blogging. The purpose of this blog will be to bring encouragement (and possibly some laughter!) to other homeschooling moms. Homeschooling brings it's own set of unique challenges and joys, and sometimes having others to share those challenges and joys with can make all the difference in how a homeschool mom's day turns out. So, be encouraged - you are not alone! There are many of us on this journey, asking the same questions you are asking, wondering about the same things that keep you up at night, and thanking God for this crazy wonderful opportunity we have to homeschool our children. My goal is to post 5 times each week - we'll see how that turns out! Hopefully I can encourage a mom or two along the way as I share my thoughts via this blog. Day 1 done :) Jan www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com