worshiper, wonderer, writer – seeking to encourage faithfulness in Christian women
Over two years ago, when my oldest was in first grade at a local public school, and I began exploring the idea of homeschooling, the term "morning time" kept coming up in various places where I researched. Some homeschoolers term this "morning basket" or "circle time," but the principle of the concept remains the same, …
We just finished our sabbath week break from our homeschool, and I thought I'd share how this works for our family in case others want to consider it. For the most part, we school year-round. This is very flexible, and depends greatly on our summer traveling schedule accompanying my husband to camps and mission trips. …
Continue reading "How we schedule our homeschool year-round using sabbath weeks"
Trying to do anything intentional with a two-year-old can feel a bit like walking with them on roller skates, pulling them along while they try to balance and don't yet know how to even pick up their foot and glide! I recently had a friend share with me that one of her goals for the …
Continue reading "Sowing seeds with toddlers; my answer to how to disciple a two-year-old"
I read a very familiar passage during my time in the Word recently. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the …
Continue reading "The Race Set Before Us; Fighting the “if onlys”"
I recently chatted with a dear friend who is about to move overseas to do mission work full-time. As part of the training she undergoes beforehand, she takes an inventory of her expectations in practically every area. Just hearing about it overwhelmed me, so I cannot imagine what she is feeling about having to do …
Continue reading "Replacing horizontal expectations with a vertical hope, Part 1"
I started this blog series with a focus on how we need these rhythms of returning to Jesus' feet for renewal. But let's take that one step further. We also need these rhythms to help us remember. Remember when we walked through Mark 6? Well only a few short chapters later, in Mark 8, we …
Continue reading "Pursuing Rhythms of Remembrance leads to Self-Denial and Deeper Dependence on God"
“Jesus stole my marshmallow!” The indignant eyes of my almost three-year-old glared at me in disbelief as we examined his first resurrection bun—the classic crescent-wrapped marshmallow that disappears after baking and symbolizes an “empty tomb.” Previous visions of theological discussions to help my child understand substitutionary atonement were instead dashed and replaced with the ideology …
Continue reading "The art of remembrance in our family traditions of Easter"
I hope from time to time to be able to share some thoughts directly from some friends and other mothers. This is one of those occasions. Emily is a dear friend who encouraged me during those first difficult weeks of breastfeeding. Pictured below is Emily, her husband Ky, and their son Jackson. This photograph was …
Continue reading "Postpartum Thoughts: A Friend’s Input on Breastfeeding"
"Isn't it sweet?" My Mom poised this question to me as I nursed my newborn. Although I nodded my head and replied with a weak "yes," I felt quite the contrary to my response. Sweet was not the word I quite had in mind. Painful? Ouch! Difficult? Yes! Exhausting? Terribly! With this post I simply …
Continue reading "Postpartum Thoughts: What I wish I’d paid attention to concerning breastfeeding"
I legally fit the title of "student" until completing graduate school this past December. From ages 4 to 25, I participated in various forms of schooling. After defending my thesis a mere four weeks before my son's due date, my husband and I celebrated me finally being finished. It felt so good. No more papers, no …
jami lee gainey 