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Ladies,

I just wanted to pass along some encouragement.

We are back to our fall schedule as of today.....I was a bit hesitant, but it has been a great day. Did we have some issues yes, that is part of parenting...the hard part.

My encouragement for you is one day at a time. You can do what The Lord ask, you just need to seek His strength. The blessings He gives are amazing and the fruit you will see is all worth it! If you are just starting out, be patient with yourself. You can teach your kids, you already are. If you are tired and need a rest, take it. The kids will be fine!

I haven't been at this homeschooling thing too long. Some things that have helped me is not to compare us to anyone else and to take one day at a time. Be consistent. Don't over think. Simple is best for us. Smile at your kids and use the voice that you would with anyone else. Love them, even when you want to throw them and the math book out the window.
No matter what gap they may have The Lord will fill it in.

I have seen so much growth in my kids, that only comes from The Lord. I am going to share our experience with HOD, sometime soon. It has been a huge blessing using HOD. Thank you Carrie and family for all your hard work.

What sweet, wonderful and encouraging words! Thank you! It's my first official year homeschooling so encouragement is greatly needed and appreciated. I have done so much research and my heart keeps bringing me back to HOD. My husband finally gave me the go-ahead to order last night, yippee! I'm placing my order today and we are scheduled to start as soon as everything is delivered.

Thanks again for sharing!
Holly in AL

I am so glad you were encouraged! I am excited for your box day, how exciting! We will be ordering in just a couple of weeks for my older kids. You will love HOD! Just send me pm anytime you need any encouragement. I love to be there for others, as some one was there for me. Enjoy each day The Lord brings!

Blessings,
Stacey

Stacey,

Your post is filled with such wise advice and encouragement. Thank you for taking time to share with us! I was blessed by your post.

Blessings,
Carrie

snadig wrote:Smile at your kids and use the voice that you would with anyone else. Love them, even when you want to throw them and the math book out the window. No matter what gap they may have The Lord will fill it in.

I have seen so much growth in my kids, that only comes from The Lord.

This is so true. My oldest started CTC this year and she is on the young side of the guide but will be 10 soon. She does so great with some things - just in general - but still lacks some confidence to do things alone. This is my biggest struggle, being patient for her. And while I am still a work in progress, the Lord has really been gracious to me in helping me be more gracious to her. There are definitely days I was needing a time out! But this year over all, I just felt like the Lord said , "Hey, Daneale, you are homeschooling your kids cause you love them and want them to love me. CHILL OUT!"

And as for growth - I can't praise God enough for the growth in my middle child. I was fully prepared to need to go half speed with him in Bigger this year. But not so! He is doing a full day of Bigger with absolutely no problem at all! I expected to have to do 1 vocab word per week when we started. Not so! He does all 3 and ...... he actually wanted to do all 3, I was going to only have him do 1 but he saw there were 2 more and asked to do them (I seriously almost had a heart attack when he asked!). Last year that boy struggled with reading and he reads so well now! He would spell things out and miss or confusion letter sounds. He spells so well now! He is so confident in his abilities that now he is constantly reading the captions from the pictures in the science book to me because he wants to. In general, he has grown tremendously! And I already know - I didn't do this! God did it!

God is so great! I can't praise him enough for his grace, mercy, love, and kindness in my own life. I thank him constantly for his patience in me and pray he helps me with patience for my kids. Thanks again being real and for the reminder.

Yes...God is so patient with us! We were rolling right along with our week, despite my cold, and now today I have one sick. Talk about "chilling out". but we have math to do, and English, and history, and.......No! I just have to relax and love them. Work with the ones that are feeling better.

Thanks for sharing how The Lord is working in your life. Great encouragement to me also!
Stacey

Stacey - what gems of wisdom are found in your post! I found myself nodding at each thought - so true - each and every heartfelt thought shared. Such good advice and kind encouragement. God simply brings the best ladies to this board. Thank you for your insight, inspiration, and sweet spirit. These qualities are precious in the Lord's eyes as well as mine.

In Christ,
Julie

I am replying to this thread because it is a warm hug. I hope more mamas read it. Last week I was struggling with school decisions and the Lord is SO good, so gracious, so patient, and I am thankful He forgives and gently leads. I think my focus got off track but it has been the encouragement of some very dear home school mamas and messages like the ones above that God provides for us to refuel. I thank you ladies for sharing, it has helped another.