Keep Praying and Trusting God

My garden sprouts... and other new beginnings

My garden is sprouting.  Mother's Day is almost upon us.  I am considering the upcoming changes that are going to occur over the next few months.  I am wondering about the numerous decisions that I have to face, some faster than I anticipated.

A friend from church asked me if I would perhaps homeschool her daughter next year.  She is a year younger than Laura.  This scares me a bit.  It's one thing to be responsible for the education of your own children.  It is another to take on the responsibility of the child of someone else.  I am praying about that, and I am not at all sure what I am going to do.

Then there is the fact that money is diminishing rapidly in our home.  I am trying to calm my nerves and just trust God.  I knew that the child support I have been receiving for my two oldest girls was going to be ending.  Now it appears that, due to a new law passed,  it will be ending a couple months ahead of what I had anticipated.  This will truly leave our family existing on one income.  I keep praying and trusting God to provide and give me and my husband wisdom in financial matters.

Then, there is the curriculum challenge.  While I love Heart of Dakota, I couldn't purchase it this year.  So, I am having to come up with my own once again.  It makes me nervous, but I have decided to just keep praying.  I have read over and over how, with the internet and a library card, you can create a very high quality curriculum.  While I will still purchase some items, I can't exactly purchase all that I had dreamed.  So... here I am, scrounging yard sales and researching my little heart out.  I keep praying for God's direction and guidance in making the best choices. The fact that someone else wants me to homeschool their child during a year when I can't necessarily afford the best is also a bit disconcerting.  Trusting God... Trusting God... Have to keep Trusting God.

On the flip side, there are positives that I am choosing to see.  Less money may be a challenge, but my older girls are adults now.  They are in college, independent, and beginning their lives.  Less money in our home may not be such a big deal with both of them not living here.  Expenses will go down, both in food and utilities.

I am also honored that people trust me and respect me enough to homeschool their children.  After all, I don't know if there are many others that I could say the same about.  Whether I accept the decision to homeschool this child or not, I am honored that they asked.

As for coming up with my own curriculum, I wonder if it will be as challenging as I fear.  I have homeschooled for four school years now.  I have tried many different types of homeschooling methods.  I know how to put things together.  The internet is an amazing resource.  It is time to take the summer and be creative, coming up with plans to keep us moving forward.  I already have many ideas and some plans.  I think we will cover much the same history that we would have with Heart of Dakota, at least for Laura.  As for Megan, Kindergarten will continue.  I am still piecing it together with some of the books I already own, trying to make sure it is well rounded and complete.

God will see me through.  My older two daughters growing up and moving out has been harder on me than I thought.  I love my older girls.  We have been through a lot together.  They have grown into beautiful young women.  Both are in college, one is getting engaged, and I am in awe at how fast the time flew.  It makes me realize that my time with my younger girls will go just as fast, and I should enjoy every moment God has blessed me with them.  I am glad that He led me to homeschooling.  I have gotten to make so many precious memories with my girls already.  I look forward to making more with each passing year.  I am just going to keep praying and trusting God.