The past few days I've been doing some planning. The last time I was away from my children was when I was in the hospital on bedrest during Samuel's pregnancy. And everyone survived. But survival was about it. :) We were away from home, living out of suitcases, and the goal of each day at the time was to have everyone clothed, fed, and some clean clothes/dishes ready for the next day.
What a difference it makes to be home. The children know the schedule, and through the years of them working along beside me, between the older ones, they can do most of what I do.
While I won't be home to formally "teach", I want them to continue to learn. I'm putting together daily assignment sheets...writing assignments, reading, math worksheets, art projects, etc...to keep them busy during their desk time each day.
Tonight, we talked about meals. I asked the oldest 3 to name for me what dishes they could prepare 100% on their own from shopping to serving to clean up.
French toast, Eggs and potatoes, Oatmeal and toast, Breakfast burritos, Ceral and milk
Ham or grilled chees sandwiches, Bean and Cheese Burritos, Cup of Noodles with bread
Beef stew and bread, Spaghetti and green beans, Tacos, Shepherds Pie, Baked Potatos
I think Daddy will be well fed while I'm gone.
Then we talked about my chores. Hna. Meche will be doing the ironing and helping with laundry. And they took the rest of my schedule and planned out who would make our bed, dress and change Samuel, mop, clean my bathroom, and file the papers.
While I know they will miss me as much as I will miss them, they are almost giddy with excitement over their responsibilites over the next couple of weeks.
And I'm so happy for them. It will be a time for them to give of themselves and it is more blessed to give than receive.
How true that is!
I have felt sooo happy the past few weeks. Why?
Because I got some things in my life right with the Lord. And I wake up each morning ready to serve the Lord by serving my family from dawn to as late as they need me and I'm just almost bubbling with joy.
As the children are growing and our family is working more and more together, I've had more time lately. I asked Daniel what I could do with that time; how I could help him more.
And he gave me my own route area to work for Sundays. Timothy and Elijah have had thier own routes for about a year. Some of the other young people in the church have been working other areas as well. So Alma (age 16) and I, my 3 daughters and little Samuel get dropped off each Saturday at 10 am to our area of town. We go door to door for about an hour and a half inviting people to church, passing out tracts, and sharing the gospel as often as we can. Sunday morning, we go back to their homes and tell them the bus is coming by to pick them up in a little bit and to get ready. Seven new children we invited came last week! And I was so happy!
He who has been forgiven much loveth much. That is so true. The Lord has forgiven me and I how much I love Him. Oh, I know it is not as much as I should, but to think that every little hardship or inconvinience that comes along each day is a grand opportunity to show love to my Lord gives sweetness to what was before bitter.
While the boys and I worked on lunch today, Beka kept the little ones busy with "school". She was so patient and kind; so fun and yet determined for them to learn; so quick to heap on praise for each of their accomplishments. She was so happy! She wasn't off playing or doing anything for herself right then. She was giving. Giving her time, attention, and love to the young ones, and allowing the older ones to get their jobs done eaiser. And everyone was so happy.
No, it's not always like this. We all mess up...a lot! But more and more, we are learning to be quick to forgive, slow to anger, and praise the Lord, we can start again afresh the instant our heart repents.
One of the sweetest times I have with my children is when I have to discipline them. The more consisitent I am, the less I have to do it. But foolishness is bound up in their little hearts, and when the times come that it needs to be driven out, afterwards, I hold them, sit them on my lap or next to me, pray with them, tell them how much the Lord and I love them, and then remind them of one of my favorite verses~ Lamentations 3:22-23...the Lord's mercies and compassions are new every morning. The sin's been taken care of and we have a clean slate. And how happy they are afterwards.
Oh, how I will miss these smiles. How I will miss their Daddy. But I think they will do much more than just survive this time.
Thank you Jaynee. You are such an inspiration to me. I live in Cape Town, I have 3 little kids and compared to yours my life is so easy. Thank you for encouraging me to walk more closely with Christ and to serve my family with joy.
ReplyDeletelove kate
It is indeed a blessing to train up little ones to work together as a family. We are enjoying our time in the States but so miss ministry among the poor. We are getting excited as our time gets closer to once again go.
ReplyDeleteIf your helpers can add a little fruit to those meal ideas it might keep things running even more smoothly;-). My children like to peel oranges. Even little ones can chop a banana. Those are easily added to oatmeal too.
We have never used school desks for our children but I like the ones you use. Did you all build those in? Is the whole house something that you had built? It seems sp perfect for your large family.
Sj
Sj- Oh yes, there are always oranges, apples, and bananas on hand around here.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord provided for us to build this house 3 years ago. Daniel designed it and it truly is just perfect for our family.
It sounds like you have taught them well for when they get homes of their own. This is where you bear the fruit that you sowed when they were young.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
It was very neat to hear what your children are going to make while you are gone! They must have learned well from you to be able to make such a variety! :-) It sounds like they will do such a wonderful job at keeping up the house while your gone. When are you leaving?
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ,
Anna M.
Anna~ I leave Tuesday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteOh yes we know all about surviving (Shingletown). It's like a breath of fresh air to live again, not just survive :-)
ReplyDeleteYour sweet posts always make me re-examine what I am doing. What can I do better. How can we tweak here and there? Thank you for sharing your heart and your family. The pictures are soooo adorable!
Your kids being "giddy" reminds me of the BoxCar Children books. Inspiring :-)
I would love to know what art projects you leave for the kids to do? Do you get them from the internet, print them out? have a book of them? How do you handle the little ones and keeping them busy during school? I know you're preparing to leave so don't feel any rush to answer right away. Although I'll check back for an answer just in case :-)
~Cinnamon
Hi Jaynee,
ReplyDeleteI recently came across your blog after reading a post on "Smockity Frocks", and I just wanted to let you know just how encouraged and uplifted I have been by reading through your blog. I have felt so inspired by seeing the way you handle things, and by your accounts of the work your family is doing. Your children are beautiful, and I have never seen a group of kids look any happier! I think a lot of you, and I will be praying for your trip, your family, and your work in Mexico.
I was wondering if someday you could post your recipes. If your children can cook maybe there is hope for me too. :)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous~ I have been asked several times to share our recipes and someday I would be happy to do so. My time is full with other things right now, but it something I've considered doing for quite some time...maybe this summer:)
ReplyDeleteCinnamon~ We have a few art and craft books that the children use. We just received one recently from Rod and Staff of paper crafts that you cut, fold and color....my younger ones love them! They are able to be copied too.
I do print many ideas from the internet, the children write and draw from their "Draw Write Now" books (which they love!), and I we have a craft cupboard that they can have free reign of where I keep any and all sorts of supplies I come across (color paper, blue, glitter, popscicle sticks, tp rolls, tissue paper, stencils, stickers, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, paper bags etc...) and they love to make all sorts of creations right from their imaginations.
While the older ones are "in school", the younger ones have a variety of activities...usually one of the older ones is on "break" which involves teaching or playing with the pre-schoolers, or they play alone a bit, or color/do worksheets at the kitchen counter while the others work.
What has helped the most in keeping them occupied and not into anything/everything/fighting is to consistent and faithful to correct them when they don't obey. When I feel I'm "too busy" teaching the older ones to deal with what needs to be addressed with a littler one, they rapidly learn that what mommy says isn't that important. But when I am faithful and cosistent, I save much time in the long run and we are all happier :)