Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Back to Basics

Back to Basics . . . .
That's what God spoke to me over a year ago.  I had no idea what it meant, but I suspected things were about to change.  My husband had been wanting to downsize our "things" and I assumed this had something to do with that.  Then, over the course of time, I realized God had something more for me.  He told me change was coming.  Again, I had no idea where that would lead.

This would take way to long to read if I gave you all the details, but let me sum up the past year:
  • God told me some friendships would be changing, and they did. I lost a couple key friends.
  • God told me to step down from the bible study at our church and our MOPS group.
  • I found out I was pregnant (I now have a 6 month old:)
  • God told me it was time to step out and try something new with my homeschooling.
I'm still not sure why those friends have been removed, but hopefully someday I will understand.  As for the rest of the list...  They may not seem like a huge deal, but to me they were.  Why would God tell me not to do a bible study??? And, I had no idea how hard it would be to finish out last years school year with a 2 year old and an infant. (some days I didn't think we'd ever finish).

So, when he told me to step out and try something new, with regards to homeschooling the girls, I panicked.  Other than being extra busy with the little ones, I didn't see anything wrong with the curriculum I have been using all along.  Plus, why fix it if it isn't broke? Right?!?!  I didn't do anything at first, mostly because I didn't want to choose the wrong curriculum, but I knew I needed to obey God.  I knew the pull that I felt wouldn't go away until I took that first step.  For those of you who may be hesitating....take that first step!  I felt such a relief when I did.  And after I took the first step, the second one was a little bit easier, and the third even easier than the first two. 

I am now confident that I am exactly where God was leading me.  I have rearranged our home school schedule so that I will have more time with the little ones.  (I'll get into how I consolidated things in the next few days.)

Here's where God's Back to Basics worked into the picture.  Two of my girls have been asking me, for a very long time, to teach them cooking and sewing.  If I hadn't stepped out in faith, I would have ended up with another school year of 'too much work and not enough time' to teach them basic life skills that they are wanting to learn.   I'm excited for what this year will bring.  I'm sure God has even more for us, now that I've stepped out in faith.

3 comments:

Kimmie said...

:-)

Glad to hear you being blessed by following Him. Cooking and sewing will be so much fun for all of you (well, especially the eating part of it ;-)

Of course I'd love to have you join me Thursday mornings at the Bible Study I go to (we've talked before)...we meet from 9-11 am (my girls are childcare). We are studying the book of Hosea this fall...then Acts part 2 in the spring. It is the most wonderful Bible study group I have ever been to...this is my 8th year I think...would you ask God and your Knight if you could come? (there is also Kid's Club at the same church on Thursday afternoons...from 3:45-5:30. All of my kids love it...) Not trying to make trouble, but would just love for you to give it a try.

I know it may not be part of your back to basics that God is calling you to...but as I'd love to have your company...thought I would ask now.

xoxo
Kimmie

J.L. BOSTICK said...

I hope you don't mind me posting, Kimmie led me to your blog. I am a first year homeschooler of a blind 5 year old.

I was just reading this post and it reminded me of a Valedictorian speech I listened to the other day. The girl was talking about the public education system making school all about passing a test and learning things you might never use not actually about learning and having a mind of your own. I think you made such a wonderful decision to take your kids input and incorporate these new things. To me it is so important school not be all about math, writing and arithmetic. I think kids learn so much better when they get their own personal wants met as well(well within reason..lol) otherwise maybe some our at home schools will end up turning into an at home public school.

We incorporate fun things in our day that our kids love. My daughter Miriam loves to sing and dance so we have "gym" where we dance and workout to fun kids music and my 3 year old loves to make things so we have a lengthy art and crafts time. I am not so sure I could get either of them to sit still very long if they didn't have their favorite things to look forward to..lol

Anyway, I look forward to hearing about your homeschooling method. Is "God's back to basics" an actual curriculum? We incorporate our Christian lessons into about everything. Our reading circle the girls get to pick one non bible book, a bible story then we read from some bible flashcards. My 3 year old ADORES learning about Christ, in fact she just adores Christ. Miriam isn't mentally ready for religion but she still crosses her hands for prayer and sits quietly. I just love being able to teach how I want to teach! :-)

Homeschooling6 said...

Kristine, that's great. We have been going 'back to basics' as well. For us it was switching to textbooks (this was really hard for me) I see it gives me some freedom to be with the younger children as well. This year Annette and I want to learn how to make different kinds of bread.
I have really relaxed with homeschooling too. Meaning if we don't get everything in that day, it's okay. There is always tomorrow.
Blessings,
Linda<><

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