Colton's Junior Year!

Today was orientation for Colton's junior year.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday he was learning to walk and now he's this amazing, responsible, caring young man.

I'm so proud of him.

Challenge B, here we come!



Scope and sequence

Each week the students will working on:

• Writing
• Latin
• Current Events
• Debate
• Math skills
• Logic

In addition, they will participate in a Mock Trial and science fair with other homeschoolers.  We are looking forward to watching these students stand before a live judge in a real courtroom arguing different points of a trial.


I'm so thankful I have an amazing tutor who is going to walk them through all of those details.  It allows me to focus on character and academics.



Mrs. Hawkins will be Colton's tutor at Classical Conversations. (YAY!)   He will spend one day a week with this amazing, Jesus-loving, homeschooling mom each week.  She will create conversations with his peers, review important information, and drill new grammar.  Classical Conversations brings depth to all the work we are doing at home. 

I am so grateful that God has partnered me with like-minded friends all working to walk out God's purpose for our lives and those of our children.

Priorities.....

Today I was scheduled to do many different things.  My calendar was busting at the seams.  Doctors appointment, phone calls to be returned, housekeeping that needed to get done, dinner to make, website to work on, and the list goes on...... 

As I woke early and began making my lists I felt overwhelmed and agitated that I needed to drop Colton off at grandma's at 8:30.  I needed to get in and get out to make it to an appointment 40 minutes away.  It was not a conscious thought, but somewhere in the midst of my crazy schedule my grandmother became an obligation that needed to be checked off my to-do list.

As I sat with the Lord I began to feel conviction.  Where are my priorities?  My grandmother has spent her whole life loving me unconditionally.  How many times did she drive from St.Pete to Palm Harbor to pick me up when I was a little girl?  (Every.Single.Friday) I'm certain it wasn't convenient after teaching a classroom full of first graders all day long.  Never once did she make me feel as though I was an obligation or a box to be checked. 

In the midst of my quiet time the Lord sweetly and gently nudged my heart to cancel my other plans and to instead spend my time simply sitting and soaking with this woman I love so very much.

I wish there were words that could paint the picture of pure joy on her face when I walked in and told her I decided to cancel everything and spend the morning with her.  There we sat, cups of coffee in hand, reminiscing, dreaming, sharing our hearts.    

I am so thankful that I serve a living God who loves me enough to convict my heart when I get out of hand and make plans that line up with this world.   I'm overwhelmed at the blessing obedience brings when I stop and listen to the ONE who has planned out every single day of my life. 

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE!"  Jeremiah 29:11

Church....New Testament Style!

This Sunday we were blessed by dear friends who sweetly invited us to join them for a time of worship, reading through the Word, and eating.  My heart was inspired as we sought the Lord together through fellowship and conversation.

I am so thankful that Heather's husband asked if I'd be willing to talk with his wife about homeschooling so many years ago.  She is a humble, precious sister-in-the-Lord.  I love walking with her as she parents her six beautiful children in grace and integrity.  She and her husband Tim have been such a blessing to our family over the years. 

We opened with a time of worship.  My favorite part was allowing our children to pick the songs.

Tim opened us in prayer.  

I prayed through my pictures.  Capturing an event or special moment through my camera brings (for me) the entire experience to LIFE!  I had forgotten how much I loved this the past year when my other camera broke.

Tim, humbly led us through a group reading of 2 Corinthians.  We went around the room and everyone (including the children) read directly from the Word.  Tim then read through the chapter one more time and we began to dissect and dig into God's meaning.  It's amazing how much more we take away when we add conversation and others to our learning.  

Then it was time to eat!

 

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.- Hebrews 10:25

 

Community!!!

This Friday our Classical Conversations, St.Petersburg group hosted our first community park day of the school year.  Oh how I love these women!  I am grateful to the Lord for the blessing of like-minded mama's who walk together on a journey To know God and to make Him known.  (CC Motto)  

What is community?

It's a place where you never have to walk alone.  

 

Community is all about discipleship....

Friendships....

 

A gathering place to make new friends.

It's where we meet our forever friends.

It's a place of discovery....

(Even when we don't want to discover "some" new things)

Community is a safe place to seek prayer and counsel.

It's a place to discover who God made us to be.

It's a place of conversations.

Community allows us to encourage one another as parents. 

 

Ultimately, community is all these things.  It's a place of accountability, fellowship, encouragement, and equipping.  

Iron sharpens iron as one friend sharpens another!