I absolutely delight
in those extraordinary days when
home schooling
goes according to my
“Little House on the Prairie Dream World
Scenario.”
I greatly despair & admire the Duggars (you know- 19 children and counting- all home schooled- all playing violin – etc.) however, Michelle I am not!!! 🙂 I know I’m not supposed to compare myself to others but that will probably be another blog!
Most of my days fall short of my creative, visionary, plethora of expectations! How does that precious woman do it?!!!! Laundry, dirty dishes, and multiplying messes seem to bombardier my home! lol
However, today was a banner day! As I pointed to a world map, Bethany recited flawlessly, the continents, the oceans, and identified the countries in North America. We went from there to Bible and Reading where she read and demonstrated great comprehension by asking me questions about the story. She diligently worked and completed her math sheets, giving me a whoop accompanied by a high five, a cheeky grin, and a “I’m really good at this stuff mom!” The cherry on the top came when we were driving to the store later that day.
“Look Mom!!!!! It’s North America!!! That’s where we live! In the United States of America with 50 states in Lawrence, Kansas!!!” shrieked Bethany- pointing ahead of us.
I looked but I didn’t see it right away- she kept laughing and shouting, “Look Mom! It’s North America.”
And what to my wondering eyes should appear? A moving van right in front of us with a huge blue logo of North America. YES! We started car dancing (moving around safely in the car while still seat-belted 🙂 ) She giggled and bounced as I chanted, “Go Bethany! Go Bethany! Throw your hands up! Throw your hands up! Let’s party! Let’s party!” 
There’s something so liberating about learning just for the fun of it! No pressure, no judgements, no negatives- just celebrating new growth! It didn’t matter that it had taken a week of lots of repitition and review! VICTORY had come!
There is a take away from this.
Celebrate every achievement!
“Life between the trees” is filled with enough disappointments and downers. Anticipate the victorys and the joys- enjoy the journey getting there- and once you arrive- don’t analyze it, don’t critique it, don’t grade it- just CELEBRATE the new growth God has blessed you with! Any time is a good time to throw a party!
Surprising Treasure: “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior! He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs!” Zephaniah 3:17
If you’re not sure how to “party” enjoy one of Bethany’s favorite Video clip of “So Good to Me” by Darrell Evans
The joy you feel in realizing that she is learning from all your effort is beautiful!! I find my teaching to be one of the most rewarding parts of my life…and in fact, never really feel like it’s “work” at all. Go Bethany, Go Bethany!!
I know Barb- I think God created us to love to learn and then turn around and love to teach what we’ve learned!
Cindy…Tell Bethany that I love her song too. It makes you want to dance!
And also just you dont feel too much under what Michelle Dugger does…She has a lot of help from her older children (they sorta took care of things while she was tending to the latest baby as she was away from home) so you are my hero …er to be political correct I guess you are my heroine 🙂 I guess I should share with you (as cheesy as it may sound) that I told Bud that when you drove into your back yard, you could feel the love. I am sure that is why you always had friends of your kids around…you never stopped the love with just your own.
Thanks Charlene- The Lord is still teaching me NOT to compare myself to others- just be who He has created (and is still transforming me) to be! Although- we just saw the Duggars at a Fundraiser Event for our ProLife Pregnancy Care Center- and their sincerity, love, and light of Jesus just oozed out of them. Fantastic family for the Lord!
Cindy, I just love reading what you write. You notice spiritual applications in all the events going on around you. You make this reader feel the joy, as if I were there in person. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Reminds me of another of my favorite people, Martin Luther. Here’s a sample I find so delightful:
Noticing how intently his dog watched him as he ate, Luther wrote, “Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has not thought, wish, or hope.” 🙂
LOL- oh that is rich! I love it and thrill to think He is growing us, maturing us, transforming us into His likeness more and more. Like the old hymn- Deeper, deeper, in the love of Jesus, deeper take me still! Love you big sister! 🙂