Learning is not Limited...

Yesterday was a special day in our family.  It was the first day of our first official year as a homeschooling family.  

Michael-  first day of 3yr old Preschool

Josh - 1st day of 3rd grade (8 yr old)

We prayed about this decision for a long time.  Neither Will nor I were raised in homeschooling families.  But it is something that I have felt called to for years but wasn't in a position to do it before...and Will has always felt a strong leading to home school, even as a retired public school teacher.


We prayerfully decided to spend the first year of our marriage building a strong foundation as a couple, as a new family, and preparing to home school both of our younger children as soon as God showed us that it was time.  That time came in April of this year.  


The changes in Josh were amazing from the first day we pulled him out of the local school.  He is so much less anxious and stressed since that day...so much happier.


We decided that the best approach to homeschooling for our family would be to have a year-round schedule so that it would flex with our family's needs and schedule better...to follow a lifestyle of learning and discipleship.  


We have all been looking forward to the start of this new school year when we would have a fresh start...we are discovering a lifestyle of learning.  


The precious conversations we have had while doing the dishes together when he had some questions he wanted to ask me...the life skill teaching opportunities...the amazing ways that we are able to bring the Word of God into everyday life...blessings beyond measure.


Learning is not limited to the "school times" each day...learning and discipleship of our children happens when we wake up...when we are walking through town...when we are reading together...working together...playing together...and praying together.  The greatest joy is in sharing with them from God's Word how we are to live and walk in His way...to be able to live the instruction that God gives us as parents:

"You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."  Deuteronomy 6:7

We are getting to know our children in ways we didn't have the opportunity to before...each day is an adventure...we are spending time with God each day asking Him to lead our learning.  Some days are more challenging than others and we learn more everyday how to best help them to learn...and in the process God is teaching me even more about my own journey.  I am so blessed that He gives me the strength I need on the challenging days...I think we learn more during those times than the easier days!


I promise to share about our adventures and materials that we are using very soon.  In fact, we will be having a giveaway of some of them in early July!


I am also looking forward to sharing some of our real life and faith lessons we are learning as we walk this new homeschooling journey together as a family.  


Question:  What is something you learn about yourself as you teach your children?


Dancing together as a family at the foot of the Cross,


Mrs Mary Joy Pershing

Enjoying participating in these gatherings:

Homemaking Link-Up at Raising Homemakers

Healthy Home Link-Up at The Legacy of Home