say "i"...if ya need some patience!

all who need help and patience, say "i."

"I" {with a capital I}.....!!!!!

who knew that homeschooling would be so challenging?

in some {twisted, distorted} ways, i thought i was {maybe, sorta, kinda, just a little} taking the easier way out by choosing to homeschool. i envisioned us done with work by noon....happily smiling at one another over dripping ice cream cones, as we spent hours playing with puppies. well, that doesn't make any sense....but do you catch my drift? i pictured this new adventure quite differently than how it has actually been playing out {for realsies}. my friends tried to warn me that it was not for the faint of heart. i know i was {at least half} listening, but at that time, i was probably more worried about which curriculum to choose, or what school desk was the cutest. {'cause that's the way i roll.} i didn't really foresee tantrums, working until past 3, or major attitude issues.

well, we're three weeks in and every day, i tell the Lord that i need His help. i need Him to grant me extra measures of patience. i need my kids to obey. i need stamina...patience....endurance....understanding....

patience.....

.....compassion....patience....grace....

.....mercy....patience....

do you sense a theme here?.....patience, maybe?

i was recently reminded that when we go through certain trials, or experience certain things in life...the Lord is working in us, and He is creating in us a new character trait. i lack patience. so there. i know that that's what He is going to teach me this year {first, and foremost}. i love my kids....and i would die for them {if they don't kill me first}. but...with that said, homeschooling is not the fairy tale i once imagined it would be.

i do know, without a doubt, that this is where we- the menashe family- are supposed to 'be.' this is what the Lord has called our family to do. and...what i love about our God is that He doesn't choose the same path for every family {wouldn't that be boring?}. i love that during prayer the other night, my wonderful hubby thanked the Lord "for the opportunity" to homeschool. yes...my husband, who a year ago was {adamantly} opposed to homeschooling, prayed that prayer! i am so thankful for a supportive man.

the days have not been easy...but we are all still alive {so far}. i have already shed some tears, but i have also rejoiced much. i pray with the boys each morning, before we start our day. there is freedom in homeschooling...because i can make changes and adjustments. i can do away with the things that aren't working...and add more of what does!

i feel very blessed that i can be at home with my children. it's not easy {no, siree}. it's hard. but....i know that we are in the center of the Lord's will right now...and i know that we will reap rewards {like seeing my boys progress, learn, and grow}. getting there is going to be full of twists and turns...and ups and downs....

but....i am thankful and i am blessed.