Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Friday, September 7, 2012

Reluctant Teacher



I confess....I am the Reluctant Teacher.  That's me!  After 23 years of straight home schooling, and while going through what I believe is a mid-life crises (please laugh with me)...I wasn't ready to start a new school year.  My school book's arrival is being delayed by financial woes....what's new.  The washing machine followed the dryer and died.  After their wonderful make-up, they still gave up the ghost.So priority one is clean clothes, pretty soon, before books.  Although I pressed through the summer intentionally living life to the fullest...I didn't have a vision for school.  So I have drugggggggggggggggggggggg my heavy feet into this school year, with a heart of a two-year-old, who is setting down as told, but standing up inside.

God is gracious.  He reminded me of all the activities we had enjoyed in the summer and He ignited two weeks of teaching from our experiences....each giving me excitement and motivation.


As I drove through a subdivision my eyes caught a pond.  Oh! what a great pond...so Monetistic.  God gave me a glimpse of how to take my draggggggggggggging feet and produce a fun-filled teachable day.

So, on Thursday we packed up an art bag, camera, bug spray (West Nile Virus prevention) and headed out the door before the heat ate us up.

Not only was the environment relaxing and inspiring, we were welcomed to an additional surprise.


Benjamin and I just soaked in the wonder of the ducks and the little one!  Benjamin crawled up under the branches of the tree to intently observe while he was drawing.  Later we saw the same tree in Monet's garden in France.


Back at the table he painted and drew the wonders before him, as we continued to soak in the sights and  sounds...a huge bullfrog croaking, fish jumping, mirroring reflections on the water and the whistling of the summer breeze.


As the heat began to beat down on us we returned to read and watch Linnea in Monet's Garden.  We searched the internet to see videos of Monet's Garden in France.  We located France on our map and discussed other books, like Madeline, which were written around the Paris setting.  We pulled our Monet study into the same time period of the discovery of dinosaur fossil bones around the world, which tied into our dinosaur study of two weeks....another adventure from summer discoveries.


As I picked up our remnants from the day I thanked the Lord that He loves even reluctant teachers.  He is concerned for my child's learning and his mom, who is just a little discombobulation as the school year starts.  I think we will make it...I WILL get use to the packed schedule, the evenings of running to lessons or work  and summer WILL show it's freedom again.  For now I look up for my inspiration and energy that no curriculum can provide, only He can supply my needs.


28 Joining in with more words:

myletterstoemily said...

wow. if that's an example of a 'bad' school day,
one in which the teacher had NO motivation, then
benjamin is one very blessed school boy!

keep up the good work and believe that God will
provide. i'm believing for a new washer, dryer,
and 'manna' school books for you!!!!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Never mind all of that... you are the BEST teacher a kid could ever have. Just look at what you did with Monet, from the pond to the map and back. Benjamin is going to thrive cuz his mom is teaching him every day, whether she feels like 'Miss Janette' with a rigid curriculum or not. :)

I'm with Lea... trusting for washer, dryer, and books, but in the meanwhile... your books are in your head and heart, and he's getting it! :)

xo

Debbie said...

Good morning! My thoughts are the same as the other ladies....YOU are a wonderful teacher and Benjamin IS truly blessed. I think it is OK if we don't always FEEL like doing what we know we are suppose to be doing. The important thing is you do it, and you do it soo well. I am often finding myself standing in similar shoes, but I can only be obedient to what I know to be my "season" right now.

As for the financial woes, I hear you over here on that too...it does get old doesn't it? And yet God always meets our needs. Praying for yours right now..

Have a wonderful week-end Janette!

HUGS

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I TOLD you I would love to be in your classroom! I'm so glad God uses our available - even if sometimes reluctant - hearts to minister to His children. I'm praying your school year will develop into one of your most blessed yet!

Angel said...

Reluctant or not, you get an A+ for effort! And you are correct, God will supply all your needs. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Janette,
I think it's been going around...general lack of motivation and lassitude.
What a blessing your lessons are. A delightful way for Benjamin to learn and wonderful memories for both of you. Terrific job. Terrifically faithful Provider.

Vee said...

That sounds like a beautifully inspired day. There can be one right after the other! Who needs textbooks?

And I'm sorry about the demise of both the washer and dryer. I feel the pain...it's been that way here as well. May the Lord provide these things as easily as He provided inspiration. It certainly isn't cheap to use the laundromat.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Well, I'm not sure you need any books, you are such a creative person without books. What a gift!

I bet the Lord knows that you need to get that laundry done and He's already got that figured out as well.

Happy weekend!

camp and cottage living said...

Janette
The Lord provided you with a much better lesson for Benjamin than any books could provide. I really admire you for homeschooling your children.
I do hope it won't be too long before you can get another washer & dryer.Laundromats are such a pain!

Farm Girl said...

But do you see where the victory is? You did what God called you to do, and not want you wanted to do. That is what being a servant is, doing those things we don't want to do every day. We pick up that cross and follow Him. :) We just keep running that race Janette. You know because of that great cloud of witnesses. You are teaching the future. Someday, he will tell his kids about his awesome Mom and all that she taught him. Benjamin Franklin was the eighth child in a house of 15 children, Look how he changed the world. So it will come. I felt pretty much like you were feeling when I started and I was scared because I had never felt like that before. Now into my 4th week, I am so excited again.
God knows what He is doing. :)

Ginny Marie said...

What a beautiful morning for an outdoor lesson! The perfect lesson not only for your son but for the teacher, too. I'm glad it worked out so well!

Anonymous said...

So wonderful to catch up with you this morning, Janette - and - once again - you write God's Word to my hear. I am struggling with a sort of depression as all my exciting ideas for this homeschool year and my classes filling up and starting in just one more week are crashing down on me and I am wavering in self doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Soooo draggy, too. Financial woes in excess - and by faith I invested in a bell choir kit for the kids holiday performances. Your school day in God's Creation and romp at that amazing artist house museum was a joy to behold - wish I was there. I'm hosting my monthly homeschool workshop today - looks like the Lord will have to preside - I'm empty. Maybe too much fun with my grandbaby last week - in vacation mode and don't want to get out of it.
Joy in the journey . . .
Kathy

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Wow...I love those pictures you took of Benjamin...the one under/in the tree and the other one in the pond. I love your stories...the life lessons I take away and your honest open sharing....wishing you a great relaxing weekend.

Canadagirl said...

I pray blessings on this time of utter dependence on what the Lord has install for you. It is amazing when we get to the end of what we can supply and that is when God says..." okay now it is my turn to show you what "I" will supply for you". And you will have your socks blessed off like this day. I need to be saying this to myself too sweetie. ((HUGS)) I too am waiting a bit long to order my school books and relying on what the Lord will supply. Be encouraged my SSiC and I just LOVe love love what the Lord gave you this wonderful full packed learning day. God is so good all the time and all the time God is GOOD!

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

Maryann said...

The end of summer always has me a little sad, I too miss the freedom that summer seems to bring (and I don't even have children at home...go figure)
Sounds like God used your willingness regardless of your reluctance...what a wonderful school day

Christine said...

So inviting to look at the picture of Benjamin under the willow tree.
You ARE a great teacher!

Sally said...

I've considered myself a reluctant chef. I really don't like to cook, and David is so good at it, but I'm in the position to have supper ready so I do, but I don't enjoy it. It sounds like your day was a fun time, even after a sluggish start. Success under any other name is still sucess. Kudos!

Sandy said...

You are a wonderful teacher and mother, Janette. I know Benjamin is growing and thriving in every way because of you guiding his life. As for the washer and dryer and books, I will come into agreement with you for our Father to provide.
Blessings~

Sue Anne McKinney said...

You are SUCH a great mom/teacher! Praying God blows some fresh wind in your sails as only He can!

Junebug said...

First of all thank you for stopping by my blog. I always love new visitors. I feel mother nature is the best teacher of all since God has provided it for us. Yes, text books do provide the basic but a day outside soaking in God's world is priceless.

Kathy Bradshaw said...

Your photographs are beautiful, so soothing. Stopping by to say Hi.Come visit sometime, tea is cold and no shoes are required. Kathy B. http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com New follower from Austin TX

Always Nesting said...

You always make such sense out of everyday struggles. I love it that you are so open to learning life lessons. I wish I could "see" like you do. I just get so stuck in my head.

Anonymous said...

would be fun to be a co-teacher with you! So good to be able to catch up on your blog.
xox
Lis

Anonymous said...

I have a new blog.... if you ever get a chance - free time- ha!
jump on! : )

http://twovin.blogspot.com

Tanna said...

He is SOOOOO amazing at meeting our needs... and our hearts... in the most wonder-filled ways... my heart is singing for yours. And, I know you will be running on winged feet before long... and, just look how great you did with the dragging! God is awesome. blessings ~ tanna

Debbie Petras said...

Trust God fully in the midst of times like this. Life can be so uncertain with stresses and broken washers and dryers but God is faithful. I love the lesson you and Benjamin were able to learn. How wonderful to be out in the open and see the beauty of God's creation. Even in Texas, Monet's world can be found. I had that book on Linnea's Garden too. God will provide all things that you need to do His Kingdom work even if your clothes are dirty. :)

blessings and love,
Debbie

Lisa said...

Janette,
You are a Great teacher! We all have days when our get up and go, got up and went but we press on. Your school year is off to a wonderful start!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

God does have a way of giving us inspiration just when we need it most, and we can rely on Him to continue. Sometimes the reluctant turn out to be the very best. Scripture is full of them. So, you are in good company.

Related Posts with Thumbnails