A big THANK YOU for all who prayed me and the many others involved in Tenwek’s homeschool co-op. Monday was a great success, and today was even better. Here’s a little summary of the first two days of school here on the compound.
First things first…I may be biased, but I think I have the cutest, sweetest kindergartener!
He had to be awoken Monday morning by me whispering, “Jacob, wake up. It’s your first day of kindergarten!” Still groggy, he was questioning my announcement, but by the time he was getting dressed he was excitedly telling his brother, “Noah, do you know it’s my first day of kindergarten!?!?” He couldn’t wait to spend 2 glorious hours with Aunt Theresa and his 2 best friends (other than his brothers), Walter and Cooper.
When those 2 hours were over, Aunt Erin held a story time for all the preschoolers through 2nd graders. He was bouncing his way back home after the read-aloud time. He was just so excited for his school! However, by 10:30am today (an hour and a half into school), he was declaring to Aunt Theresa that kindergarten was taking much longer today than yesterday! He’s just too stinkin’ cute!
Noah and Levi love walking Jacob to school, and Levi wants to stay. He’ll be so excited when another auntie arrives and starts a preschool class twice a week!
I’m sure you all are wondering how this whole co-op thing works. It’s actually quite complicated. We spent hours (yes, literally hours) just on the logistics of who would teach what subject to what age group at what time in which location. Choosing the right curriculum seemed relatively easy after all the logistics were settled!
There’s a little rundown of our day now that school has started:
8am — Eat breakfast
8:30 — Start Noah’s school with Bible, Spelling and Handwriting
9am — Walk Jacob to school
9:15 — Noah does independent work and ‘book basket’ time while I teach the 6th and 7th graders pre-Algebra
10:15 — I get home to give Levi and Noah a snack and to do history and reading with Noah
11am — Story time with Aunt Erin (all 3 boys go and I watch Erin’s littlest son)
11:30 — I teach 2nd grade math to Noah and two other kiddos. Jacob and Levi play with friends.
12:15 — It depends on the day. On Mondays, Noah does science. On Tuesdays, Noah and Jacob do art. On Wednesdays, it’s science again. Thursday and Friday are free days. Until the full-time teacher gets here, I am sharing the science teaching responsibilities. I can’t wait until September 23!
1pm — Lunch time!!
2:15 — On Tuesdays, Noah and Jacob will have gym. Levi usually naps.
3pm — It’s recess with friends. There is a great new swing down at the riverside apartments!
In a couple of weeks, Levi should begin preschool for 2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which will be so nice. He’s quite lost when all the kids are in school all morning, and that’s why I’ve hired a helper to watch Levi on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Although it’s kind of crazy in the mornings, I am blessed to be a part of this community and this co-op. I believe that all the kids are benefitting from the collective skills, talents and gifts of all us mom-teachers. I never thought I’d be able to give up the responsibility and control over my kids’ education, but I am delighted that so many godly people get to pour into my children’s lives. Thank you to all of you who prayed that I would humbly submit to God’s plan for me here. I appreciate your part in the Holy Spirit’s convicting of my heart!
Praise and Prayer Requests:
1.) Praise God that the logistics of the co-op worked out! He is always faithful in guiding us through the planning and organizing of our kids and teachers and time and places, etc.
2.) Praise God that a teacher is coming! Lisette Lewis will arrive mid-September, and her primary purpose is to teach. I’m sure she’d appreciate your prayers as she packs and prepares to come and then as she settles into life here at Tenwek.
3.) Praise God for the Davis family, who will arrive at Tenwek on Friday. They have two children, and Katie will be teaching the preschool class. Please join us in praying them through the travels, shopping, unpacking and settling into life as a missionary family.
4.) Praise God for a good school day with Noah! He actually cooperated the entire morning and therefore got all his work done on time.
5.) Praise God that I have James memorized! Aaron quizzed me on Sunday and I messed up the last paragraph, so I was granted an extra day. I passed my test last night!! 🙂
6.) Please continue to pray for our hearts. The closer we get to the 6 month mark, the more difficult days we are having.
I’ll close with a verse mentioned in a book I’m reading. I hope to blog about what I’m learning, but for now here is the verse that’s challenging me.
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
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3 Comments
Kristy Vanderford
Sep, 3, 2013we love, love, love the davis’ and the mitchells! so glad you get to co-op with such spectacular ladies!
Tina Burns
Sep, 4, 2013So glad the boys love school!! (=
Linda Spriegel
Sep, 4, 2013So fun to read about this, Stephanie, and see how God has led your thoughts and decisions from the time you first arrived. It really enriches our kids to do school together, with various teachers. Way to go! I miss being there and seeing all the excitement!