Yesterday was our first day of the school year. I put some thought into the school schedule this year, intentionally striving to balance the littles into the mix. And while we still have some kinks to work out (as does every classroom after its first day of “the new schedule”) I’m really, really happy with how positive, balanced and flat-out joyful of a first school day we all enjoyed. So here’s a few pictures of our four-hour school day (we like to take things gently around here).

We’re all doing journal entry prompts this year.

(Excluding Eden, who’s doing teething and walking around the house with a cup in hand).

Can’t believe I have a Kindergartener and a Second Grader. Where did the time go?!

And someone’s even learning how to read upon her own initiative.

(I had to get with the program quickly because she’s gleaning so much from Rachael’s lessons that). I had to make sure there weren’t gaps).

In the meantime, a big second grader has been paired with this little for reading time while I teach Abi to read.

And naturally we’re only wearing one sock because we’re two.

Who knows where that other sock got off to…

While the littles’ nap, the older ladies are enjoying some art free time.

Rachael made fish from a pile of art scrap options that she had been drooling over for weeks.

Abi enjoyed an Art Kids Hub YouTube video (I HIGHLY recommend it. The guy is so, so affirming) drawing Toothless.

I love how they can do their own thing and have SUCH confidence and fun.

So the new additions to this year are: a fun activity to start our day after calendar, journal prompts, Hannah joining Abi’s Math for some toddler education gleaning, Rachael being confident and advanced enough (she can now pick up any picture book and work through it well) in her reading to keep Hannah’s attention for 20 minutes of picture books, and daily exercise (a walk, playing in the backyard, etc) to break up some heavy thinking subjects.

The girls were THRILLED to start back into school. And this year I really feel much more confident, prepared and ready for the balancing act. It’s really exciting to feel like after three years of flexing through homeschool curricula, adding on more dependents 😉 and studying the learning styles of my children, I’m really ready. Homeschooling is fun. Yes, it is work. Yes, it is still challenging. Yes, the toddler and baby both rotated in fussing for a bit yesterday morning as they adjust to the new norms of a school year’s return. But their smiles, their giggles, their dancing and joking between subjects’ transitions, their independence, their eagerness to share in their school lessons together, their confidence to pursue their individuality, their singing… it all speaks of success. Yes, it was only our first day. But their happiness, dear friends, their confident happiness… I’m pursuing their hearts…and this is going to be a WONDERFUL year.

*Thanks be to God for the blessing of my little delights!

Over the weekend we took the kiddos to a farmer’s market downtown. The sights, the smells, the fresh. It was precious to see their eyes light up. “Ooooh, look at that?” We drunk it all in slowly walking down the crowded center aisle. The light breeze and cool of the shade provided a respite from the heat of the early afternoon.

We were in no rush. There was nothing but time to spend. Just enjoying it all. There were no expectations. No begging for sweets. Just delight.

“This is similar to what it will be like in Africa, loves.” My voice broke into their amazement.

“We’ll probably buy our food from markets in Africa.” Matt encouraged.

“I like it! This place is so neat!” Came a delighted six-year-old.

The other girls still all Ooo’s and Awww’s.

Call me sappy, but a little knot caught in my throat as God reminded me that He is preparing us. One day at a time. One new culture at a time.

Thank you, Lord.

This past weekend we receive the news that we are approved to go to Africa. Now we’re on to the job matching phase.  So we can now talk about Africa with certainty. It is coming.

Praise the Lord, Africa is coming.

It was a night I will never forget. March 27, 2015. But it really began months earlier. Family devotions seemed to perk more questions than her little body could verbalize fast enough. She had to know why. She had to know it all. Right. Then. Every night. She just had to know.

I remember weeks earlier calling it a quits in the middle of a homeschool lesson. She was troubled. Her brow furrowed. She unleashed an hour and a half of question after question. Old Testament. New Testament. She needed answers. Pictures. Explanation.

I came to my women’s Bible Study group begging, “Ladies, this child is grilling me!” Not rebellion. Not frustration. She just couldn’t get enough. She needed to know.

And then it went quiet. And I wondered if that at was it. And she had forgotten.

A few weeks later it began again. More. She needed more.

She started talking more about sin. And it’s results. The bible verses starting to become more than words we repeated. Could it be true for her?

We let her wonder. And wrestle. It’s her walk. It’s her journey. It’s her choice.

Then came the night. We gave our usual hugs and kisses. Three little ladies tucked in to bed tight. But something was wrong. She couldn’t go to bed.

I came into the room and instantly knew she had more questions. He lay at her side in the quiet dark as she led the conversation. Her eyes were searching. Her face was torn. Her heart was wrestling. Could it all be true for her?

I climbed in beside her. And the questions began to be different. She began answering her own questions. He guided her gently through His Everlasting Words. Familiar verses broke light on her face. And yet she just kept repeating, “but my sin, all my sin.” And it was in that moment that we realized He was speaking to her heart. Her guilt lay open, bear on her mind. She could not avoid it. And her only question, “How are you sure that you’re saved?”

Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” That’s it, Rachael. You just believe. There’s no fanfare. No audible voice. You just believe and then God does the rest.

Light hit her face. “I want to pray” she said with clarity.

She said a simple prayer. Acknowledging her belief in Jesus, agreement that her sins separate her from God, and her desire for Jesus to be her leader and guide as Lord of her life. Simple. True. Sincerity. And then that smile. That calm. That peace. That joy.

The next morning she couldn’t wait to tell her sisters. She even began encouraging Abi to trust in Jesus for herself. She shared the news over the phone and in person. It is HER story. Her new life..

And since then she has been hungry for the Word. Her questions haven’t ended. I mean, this is Rachael we’re talking about, dear ones. She is a THINKER! But there is this peace. This PEACE that has taken hold of her. She doesn’t fret about knowing anymore. She knows! And she is not afraid. Not afraid to take big steps because she knows Jesus is worth it. She knows it for herself.

She is His.

And He is hers.

And just like that through her beautifully sincere surrender she has become my sister. The most wonderful little sister I could ever have.

• Unspeakable Grace.

*** I received Rachael’s permission to share this in respect for it being her story and not my own. She agreed with a big smile. Love that little girl so!

(Eden)

Forever my baby.

(Hannah)

No matter how the time may fly.

(Abi)

They’ll always be my babies.

(Rachael)

Each and every one.

– Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful gift of them. I am so undeserving of such grace.