Monday Musings on the Creator in Me

"First Day" Traditions

The first glimpse of August skies (so distinguishable from June and July, don't you find?) have tied knots in my stomach for as long as I can remember. That's because after August comes September, which means summer is over, and the routine of school resumes. (At least that's typically how it has worked in my lifetime -- though things are changing.) Don't get me wrong -- I have always loved school and the fall season in general! But for some reason, the anticipation of the seasonal shift stresses me out -- perhaps because I never manage to do all the things I had hoped to do in the summer, and so I feel unprepared for the fall. Therefore, it is with that familiar knotty feeling that I reflect on this week's topic at
Homeschool Blogger : first day of school traditions.

I will say that as a homeschooler, the first day of school is one of my favourites because we always try to do something fun that none of the other school children can do simply because they're "at school." Here are some of the things we've done just because we can:

* had an elaborate archaelogical dig in our backyard sandbox
* went for a picnic and "explore" in the "Hundred Acre Woods" behind our home, wading in the creek and catching crayfish and butterflies
* visited Daddy at his workplace, bringing lunch with us
* explored the gardens and picnicked at a beautiful, historic estate and began reading one of our history novels while we were all perched on tree branches
* spent the day at the zoo

We have yet to decide what we'll do this year -- but maybe you have some ideas! HSB is hosting a linky party for you to link up your ideas, or you can leave a comment here :) I'm looking forward to being inspired by your ideas and experiences!

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual at Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Love to Leave By -- Another Altered Journal

A sweet friend of mine is moving clear across the continent and to another country very soon, and I wanted to  give her a little "love" to leave by -- some little token to remind her that her friendship has meant (and continues to mean) something to me. There wasn't a lot of time between plans being made and fulfilled -- but using some previously-made art, I managed to do a quick alter of a journal to accompany a great book that continues to enrich my soul:

How do you bid farewell to friends? How do you send them off lovingly without saying, "Goodbye"?

Monday Musings on the Creator in Me

School Planning 

You would think that as a former high school English teacher and a seasoned homeschooler, I'd be a great planner. And in many ways I am. But school planning is something that has always stressed me out. That's why I debated whether to join in the discussion about it at Homeschool Blogger (HSB)  this week. But as I reflected a little bit, I realized how well the theme fits in with my whole Monday Musings on the Creator in Me meme. . .

You see, there's an element of who I am -- the creator (small c) in me -- that really enjoys making plans and gathering materials and designing schedules and establishing control over my children's education, as well as the expenditure of our time, energy, and resources. I can delight in making a mighty master plan of how we will spend our minutes and days, what we will eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks, and how we will grow in family harmony, wisdom, and knowledge. I revel in the fact that I can command my printer to spit forth lovely colour-coded schedules and charts and menu plans so that I know our family vessel will sail smoothly on our charted course.

Trouble is -- when I do all this magnificent planning, the end result is always frustration -- for everyone! Life has a distinct way of -- well -- getting in the way! Sicknesses, sadnesses, interruptions, inconveniences, moods, messes, challenges, choices -- a whole alphabet of counter-calendar obstructions can blow us right off course, and set us spinning in a whirlpool of negative emotions. As the creator of that master plan, I inevitably become defeated and discouraged -- and we all know that "if mama ain't happy -- ain't nobody happy!" (I know I'm not alone in this; just this morning I read this post with some good insights.)


So this is where the Creator (capital c) in me comes in to this Monday's musings. As I was reflecting on the topic, Jeremiah 29:11 came to mind: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And it struck me -- this whole school planning thing is a spiritual issue as much as anything else! Like any other plans we make in our own strength, we're doomed to experience failure and defeat if we're not following His plans for our life, and the lives of our children.

Does that mean we just lie down on deck and let the waves of life wash over us, carrying us hither and yon? I don't think so. But we certainly need to apply the same spiritual principles to school planning as we do to every other aspect of life: we need to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit. This  will look different for each of us -- but ultimately it will consider the God-given bents and needs of every family member, and it will result in people's needs being met with prosperity, with hope, and with a promise of a good future (Jeremiah 29:11).

If you're anything like me, allowing myself to be led by the Spirit in my school planning also means an on-going guarding of my heart and mind against the invisible antagonists that would have me believe I'm not doing "enough," or I'm not doing it "right" compared to all manner of other educational models. The already-defeated-defeat-artist would like nothing more than to make me feel like a failure -- make me believe that my children will have no hope for a good future if I'm the one responsible for their education.

So, as I approach the charting of our swiftly approaching new academic voyage, I am determined to be armed for the battle with the brain birds that are bound to peck at my peace while I'm way out at sea. For example, Kat at Inspired to Action, well, inspired me to establish a morning routine that will enable me to be better equipped to face the flow of waters that will tilt and twirl our family vessel, and keep me more in tune with the Spirit's whisper, especially on those windy days. More important than any educational plan will be my ability to respond to the Spirit's leading -- every moment of every day. HE has already made the perfect plan! I just need to learn to follow.


How will you plan for smooth sailing in this coming school year?