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Showing posts with label Four Somethings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Four Somethings. Show all posts
I'm trying something new on the blog today, after finding this great new (to me) linkup this month, called Share Four Somethings. Each month you share something loved, read, treasured, and ahead. It's nice to have a little structure for these chatty posts, and I'm glad that casual blog linkups are still a thing, so these are my four somethings for the month of July.
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Something loved.
I noticed the other day how our property has completely exploded with gorgeous wildflowers in the last couple weeks! I don't remember seeing this many flowers last year, and I think the unusual amount of rain we've had this summer is the reason. There have even been a bunch of flowers that I don't remember seeing in the mountains before. Even though bright, sunny days have been a little scarce, between the rain and the smoke blowing in from wild fires in other states, I'll take an abundance of wildflowers gladly.
Something read.
Since I do a monthly book recap, I thought I would share articles or blogs here instead of books. First, I thought this article on homeschool community was really good - I love the creative way she ties in a lesson from nature to the homeschool community. I especially agree that you don't need a huge homeschool group to have a homeschool community either - all it really takes is one good homeschool friend to be that encouragement in the midst of those tough days. I know there were a couple years when I first started homeschooling where all I had was one or two people in my life who also homeschooled, but that made all the difference in helping me not to feel alone. Second, I thought Elizabeth's thoughts on the trajectory of Instagram were really interesting - since I've been off of Instagram for six months, it was interesting to read about how it's still changing since I've been gone, and probably not in great ways for the average user.
Something treasured.
Can I treasure two things this month?
The last several weeks have been such a whirlwind for us, I've been running to keep up and wondering what is happening to the summer. Here we are, with only a few weeks left until school starts, and my opportunities to just breathe have been few. But this past week was a bit slower, with several days just spent at home. I've been able to start off the mornings on our porch, with a cup of coffee and my Bible, followed by enough space to read a chapter or two of a book. I sit, hearing the hummingbirds whizzing around my head, the wind blowing through the trees, the kids voices echoing from somewhere in the house, and I spend a little time refocusing my mind on the things that matter most. Activities and trips are fun, but quiet mornings at home are the thing that fills up my heart best.
The second thing I've felt particularly grateful for this month is having a solid church, with a group of believers that care about us and check up on us when we don't come for a couple weeks. Some people might find that intrusive, but Derek and I love it when one of our church friends sends a text to ask where we were last Sunday. It means that we are missed, and it means that we have that Christian accountability that is one of the main purposes of church. The Bible tells us to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works", and that's for the purpose of encouraging one another "to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering" and turn our eyes to Him, who is faithful (Heb. 10:23-24). When you find a church that actively does those things for each other, you've found a treasure for sure.
Something ahead.
Although I plan on fully enjoying the last few weeks of summer, August will bring the start of a new school year. I know I have to start organizing the school room and putting together schedules for the next few months. I've been procrastinating to this point, and let's be honest, I'll probably procrastinate a couple more weeks before I buckle down and plan out the 2021-2022 year. But speaking of homeschool community, I am also excited about planning a few homeschool get-togethers and field trips with friends and people at my church. It's going to be a busy school year, and even though I practically have some work to do yet, emotionally I'm ready for it.
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