Morning Thoughts.

It's still early-6:29-but our day is speeding along. I've been up for over an hour already, did a little exercise, made a smoothie, sat down to spend some time with The Lord...quail and woodpeckers are playing  on our roof. It's foam, so this means those little patterning bird feet are very loud. It's like Wild Kingdom here sometimes...quail,rabbits,lizards galore, chickens, the occasional snake...lots of bugs. I love our little slice of country-in-the-city.
    School starts again today, after a nice long spring break full of Easter and birthdays and grandparents and shopping and trips to the air museum and the zoo...a good visit.
Now back to reality.
Reality hasn't been so easy lately, on the homeschool front. When you have a kid who "doesn't want to be taught" it's....well...there are days I want to find the closest school and enroll the kid. But this is where God has landed us for now, and for as long as He says "homeschool", we will. I'm trying a few new things; letting go of getting through a curriculum in a set time and focusing on mastery and a love of learning.
Mostly, though, connecting to my children's hearts. I truly, deeply desire that connection. Because, honestly... homeschool is nothing without the relationship.
And sending my kid to school May take the pressure off of me for a few years; but it won't change my child's heart and make it teachable.
Character....it's vital to teach in these little years. So that when they go off one day-to school or to a job or to college or the mission field or wherever God calls them-their heads aren't just filled with knowledge; their hearts are filled with godly character. Because that matters more in the long run, honestly. Would both be nice? Sure. But if it's a hard day and the choice it between forcing the. Curriculum and working on character-I want to choose character every time.
Theirs and mine.
I'm being taught and refined  and re shaped just as much-honestly' probably more! Than they are.
I prayed for more patience one, several years ago....and The Lord told us to homeschool.
Delightfully ironic. Uncomfortable.  And beautiful.

As I journaled last Wednesday, this was my heart's prayer...
               "How often I try to fight the battle my way-
without asking my Captain for His orders.
               What are they today, lord?"
He responded-
"Keep your feet steady. Raise your heart to me. Serve them, with love, to renew your mind.
              It's not in the "whats", it's in the "hows" and the "whys". 

Amen, Lord. So be it. I raise my Heart to you. Steady my feet, as I serve them today (and tomorrow, and the next day...). Create in me a clean heart, O God. It starts with me. It starts with you. Amen.

Little Friends.

One of the best things about the Lobmeyers moving to Arizona a year after we did? These two little girlies can stay good friends. Peyton and Blythe, born 2 days apart- they always pick up right where they left off! So thankful for the gift of life-long friendships!