Becoming Available
My husband said I should go. I resisted. Ignoring the nagging in my heart, I called a friend about our homeschool co-op. Her husband, the youth pastor, interrupted with a question,
Does Renae need a ticket?
I said I’d call back.
Trying to stall, I opened the internet and stumbled across an article written by a young lady who spilled her heart in Africa.
My selfishness swelled and burst as tears spilled out of my eyes reading of her sacrifice, of her love. This single, young girl adopted 14 children. She had counted the cost and decided it was worth it.
As a young person, I told God I would go anywhere. I planned to finish Bible college then move another country.
He sent me here.
I never would have chosen this desert, but there is no doubt in my mind that I am here for such a time as this. This is my mission field. And the mission is not about the place. It is about the people.
So why was I shirking this opportunity to serve the youth in my church?
Comfort
It was an inconvenience. My plans included relaxing on the weekend. Besides, Acquire the Fire is LOUD. I’ve cranked up the sound on Michael Buble’, but that just screams old.
Insecurity
I’d gotten really used to hanging out with elementary school kids. Don’t you have to be cool to relate to teens? Surely, someone else was more qualified, more ready, more able.
Selfishness
My heart was already so full. I didn’t want to open it up any more.
I was willing to give everything decades ago. Why not for this? Was it because it didn’t look like my youthful ideal of living in a jungle?
There was no excuse for the lies holding me back.
Yes, I’m coming.
So I drove my van full of kids to a conference. It wasn’t much of a sacrifice. I slept on a cushioned bench and stopped for coffee on the way to the auditorium.
It wasn’t even really all that loud. I enjoyed the concerts and the teachings inspired. My insecurities sloughed off as I realized anew how simple it is to love. My heart stretched. My prayers for this generation renewed their blaze.
More faces filled my widening view of what if means to minister here.
Was that the purpose all along?
Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35)
The Homeschool Swap- The Real Gift
My opportunity was on the way!
The opportunity for me to step outside of my introverted ways. The opportunity to open my newly finished and almost empty home. The opportunity to have company while my husband was so far away.
Some would say it was foolish to let a practical stranger come stay at my house, but that’s the thing. Heather didn’t feel like a stranger. Even though we met only briefly at a homeschool convention, I knew her in a way I don’t know my own neighbors. I knew her through blogging.
photo by: Sprittibee
When I sent my first post into the cloud of search engines, I never imagined friendships would form. Friendships created not on externals, but on ideas shaped with words.
Even though writing doesn’t peel away our flesh, souls are revealed over time. And time is on Heather’s side. She has been blogging at Sprittibee for FIVE years.
photo credit: Sprittibee
I was so blessed to have Heather’s beautiful family in my home. They arrived late and had to leave early, but our time together was refreshing. Our children became instant friends.
I got to hold the baby while the boys chatted about Star Wars Lego faster than my brain could process the words. The girls enjoyed drawing pictures together.
The gifts Heather sent me for The Homeschool Swap are still making me smile. Many of the presents brighten my new kitchen: a cute towel, a stainless steel bowl (the perfect size for blogging munchies), a timer (which I really needed), and a cool magnetic spice container.
The artsy, handmade cards for each of my children were carted off immediately. Sweet Pea claimed the fairy wand, and Bug built the Lego set in mere seconds. Sunshine decided the CD was for her. She was not disappointed. Heather filled it up with pictures of the visit.
These last photos of our time in Texas brought tears to my eyes. She captured not only my children, but little glimpses of my house with new eyes.
photo credit: Sprittibee
The package was only a representation of the real gift: her friendship.
Thank you so much, Heather!
You can read Heather’s side of the story here.
Homeschool Supplies Giveaway Winner
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who likes school supplies almost as much as chocolate. Your comments are delightful!
Thank you for participating in the giveaway from Really Good Stuff. I wish I could send new crayons to each of your families. But since only one of you can capture the prize, I’m happy to announce…
Jenn4Him will be receiving a package from Really Good Stuff!
Homeschool Supplies Giveaway from Really Good Stuff
Today I have the privilege of giving you the opportunity to win a prize package worth $40 from Really Good Stuff.
I was a bit surprised when Brandi Jordan approached me to write a guest post for The Teacher’s Lounge, because Really Good Stuff specializes in classroom supplies. I am a homeschooler. Our entire home is our classroom. I don’t hang up educational posters or have learning centers.
After taking a few minutes to look at what they have to offer, I realized I like school supplies almost as much as office supplies. Don’t they just go together? I’m not sure why the two were ever separated in my mind.
Here is a list of what is being offered in this giveaway:
1 set- Building Blocks of Character Pencils
2- Capture the Adventure Journals
2- Really Good Reading Strategy Bookmarks
To enter simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite school supplies. Contest is open until Friday, May 28th at 11:00p.m. (MST). Shipping to the continental U.S. only.
For extra entries:
- Leave a comment on my Homeschooling Through the Summer post at The Teacher’s Lounge.
- While you’re there, subscribe to The Teacher’s Lounge blog.
- Share about the giveaway via Twitter and/or Facebook saying, “I entered the @ReallyGoodStuff homeschool product giveaway at http://lifenurturingeducation.com!”
If you subscribe to the blog or share about the giveaway, please let me know with a separate comment for each. Thank you.
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Update: Comments are now closed. Winner will be announced momentarily.
Homeschooling Through the Summer
Lesson plans wait as my little girls collect twigs and pull grass. A Birds’ Nature Park emerges underneath the green-tipped lilac branches. My twelve-year-old son gathers cast-off lumber and sketches plans for a chicken coop.
These first beautiful days of spring remind me of one of the reasons I homeschool: the inherent flexibility.
Photo by Brandi Jordan
During my son’s first year of phonics lessons, our schedule matched public school. I hadn’t considered any other possibility...
To find out my plans for summer learning and get some ideas of your own, please visit The Teachers’ Lounge.
{Psst, if you leave a comment while you’re there, you’ll already be entered for the giveaway from Really Good Stuff here on Monday.}
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While you’re thinking of summer plans, you may want to click over to read my review of a very helpful website I discovered: ChoreBuster.
