Every December, I pack in the activities: Christmas parties, homeschool get-togethers, crafts, free concerts/plays, local Christmas events, and on it goes. If I can make it, I'm there with my kids in tow. By the time Christmas arrives, I'm exhausted. Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. But a few days before it even … Continue reading Why We’re Slowing Down this Christmas
We bought the large cotton sack six years ago from a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart who was raising money for charity by spreading the gift of giving. On the bag, in golden letters, are the words: "What can we give to the King?" The day after we got our sack, I eagerly … Continue reading What Can I Give to the King?
Being a mom is a pretty big job. And being a homeschool mom? It's tough too. There are days when you have nothing more to give but still must give more. On those days, there's nothing sweeter than to carve out a few moments to curl up with a life-giving book. A book written by … Continue reading Christmas Gift Ideas: Five Inspiring Books for the Homeschool Mom
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of homeschool moms. As I was praying about what to share, I realized that the most important thing I can share with anyone is what Jesus has done in my life. Our stories of redemption and grace hold incredible value. So I shared. I … Continue reading An Omer of Manna: Finding Joy When Life is Hard
Gulls swoop and wheel in the air, screeching loudly. Two men grunt as they pull in a large net from the water. Slimy fish flop frantically inside the mesh, sides heaving and scales glinting. One of the men looks up for a moment to watch the gulls. He sucks in a deep breath of the tangy sea air before saying, “Good catch today.”
Six years ago. The street was slippery with rain. As my car slowly climbed the hill, the mist grew thicker and thicker until I could hardly see the lines on the road. And then, out of the fog, yellow-gold leaves began to fall onto my windshield. Leaf after leaf fluttered down, startlingly beautiful on an … Continue reading Leaves in the Mist: Ordinary Extraordinary Expressions of a Savior’s Love
The dryer buzzes loud in the morning silence with another load to be folded. There are piles of already-folded laundry on the living room floor next to bags that have yet to be unpacked from a weekend away. Our school day is starting soon and the girls should have been awake and ready long before … Continue reading You are not enough … and that’s okay.
The first day of autumn. The milkweed is beginning to puff with seeds. It won’t be long now before they brazenly burst, and the breeze will carry wisps of white bearing kernels of life. Everywhere, the asters are blooming boldly—purple New England and white heath. There’s chicory, too, first brought by the early settlers as … Continue reading Goldenrod Days: New Seasons and Letting Go
Week three. I've already threatened to send the kids to school. More than once. September is a hard month. It's not just September. Homeschooling is a hard gig. It is by far the hardest thing I've ever done and will probably be the hardest thing I'll ever do. It's messy. Keeping up with the general tidying, … Continue reading Three Things to Remember When Homeschooling is Hard
The mid-summer heat is almost unbearable, yet I hesitate to turn on the air conditioning. Fans hum in unison with cicada songs drifting through open windows. I've just come in from inspecting the gardens, which are in a sad state. Despite my best efforts, most of the vegetables have been dug up by a marauding … Continue reading Each Day Special: Finding the Sacred in the Common
