Wife. Mother. Youth pastor/college pastor's wife. Small group leader. And now...church nursery pastor. Yes, I have added another hat to my head (cue that Amy Grant song...). As of this past week I am now officially the director over the nursery/preschool department (ages 0-6) at our church. And you're asking, "what are you thinking?!?!" I'm excited about it though. Maybe it's partly because I have a personal interest, what with having children ages 4 and 2 and all. Maybe it's partly because our church is at a great place of transition since we are nearly ready to move into a brand-new children's facility. Yes, it's going to be a challenge. Some people just don't like change--hey, even I don't like it in areas (like my hairspray or lipstick)--but change usually comes from growth and progression which are GREAT things. So, I know that this change is going to require some personal changes from me. I'm going to have to show some real growth in the areas of time management and organization. I've always thought of myself as very organized, but it seems that beautiful trait just flew out the window when I had my first child. It's taken me about 4 years to start to get a grip on things again! Now I'm selectively organized-ha! I've always been a calendar person--one of my greatest pleasures is to sit down before New Year's and start filling in the new calendar that my mother inevitably gave me for Christmas (I'm weird, I know). This year I plan to live by my calendar even more though, hopefully making it easier on myself to be productive. My first goal is to begin going to bed earlier. The hubby and I are such night owls, but that doesn't work out so great with my youngest's schedule since he likes to rise with the sun--or before! My next goal, which will only happen if I can make the first one happen, is to have my quiet time with the Lord first thing in the mornings. The day always goes better when that happens, I'm just not very consistent with that schedule when I've stayed up way too late. Am I the only one with this problem? Feel free to leave suggestions, just season them with grace--thanks!
As our homeschool takes some time off this summer, my mind almost never stops thinking of and planning ahead for the upcoming school year. This is probably because I'm Type A and an obsessive planner...lol Whatever the reason, I do enjoy this season of planning. But I also need to be refreshed as a homeschool mom. Homeschooling can be incredibly exhausting and all-consuming. It's not easy and it's a lot of responsibility. And I take that very seriously when I am researching curriculum and planning toward the next school year. So also taking some time to rejuvenate and refocus myself is very important. How do I do this? Each summer I take some time to read something inspiring and motivating that speaks to me as a homeschool mom. Some of my fave reads from past years--that I have nearby on my shelf and refer to often--are Educating the Wholehearted Child, The Well-Trained Mind, The Charlotte Mason Companion, A T...