Let Summer Begin!

Sometimes I am amazed when I finally sit down and look at the calendar.  The days go by slowly, yet the weeks fly by.  Is it really already summer?

Amidst all the transitions, we are praising the Lord that our big kids finished strong this school year and we are so very proud of them.  Each child is given an award at their school, all equally wonderful to receive.   Ian was awarded the "Overall Great Character" Award for all of 1st grade.  It meant so much for us to see that he is taking to heart the things we try to teach him, the things we pour into him.  It means so much to hear the teacher say that he is such a sweet boy. Admittedly, parenting is sometimes often exhausting.  We are frequently left wondering if they are listening to anything we say.  Then there are those moments where we see it, we hear it and we give Him glory because it is only through His transforming power and grace that a human heart can change and be molded.  I love my little man and enjoy seeing him grow. 

Aili was awarded the "Creative Writing" award.  Those who know Aili and know the struggles we have had through the years on writing can understand that we were shocked, truly floored with glee for her.  

I went back through some of her writing this semester and I see the improvement.  Her penmanship, her ideas flowing...  Months before we departed the states, friends sat with us around their dining table interceding with us as we were truly nervous how the transition from homeschooling to international school would go - mostly because of the writing issues we faced.  I remember how we specifically asked the Lord to give her a teacher that would inspire her to write.  One who she admires, respects and desires to model.  The Lord was so faithful.  Aili's teacher was such a gift to us.  She did all the above and more.  She helped her grow in her writing skills - tremendous growth but more importantly she helped her grow spiritually.  So proud of my girl and her growth in not only writing but in her walk with Jesus.

The last day of school her teacher gave out these fantastic summer devotionals and Aili has been faithful each day to do them.  

They really are great for this age group.  You can check out the pages here...
I have to say, walking in and seeing her do this on her own, sends my heart singing praises to our Lord.  We continue to pray He leads and guides her, that she hungers and thirsts for His Word and continues to desire to be more like Him daily. 

We are super proud of our kids, they truly are blessings from the Lord.  We certainly all have so much growing to do (us parents included here) and are thankful for the continued transformation He does in each of us. We must press on Mamas.  Keep pray'n, keep walk'n the walk, and talk'n the talk.  It is hard, oh so hard many days, but so SO worth seeing the glimpses of His hand moving in their lives.  

As summer has officially started for our kids, we continue doing seven hours of study each day.  Before the kids were out of school, we wondered how we could do it.  We have been seeking His guidance and wisdom for a few weeks preceding summer on how to approach this break, making it fun for the kids, relaxing with family time while still getting our studies done and engaging the community.  He is faithful.  Our first week has gone pretty well, with only a few moments of break down. 

A huge reason for this is the gift of our new Ayi (nanny). She is such a blessing.  She plays with Meisi everyday (and now the big kids too).  :)  Not the best picture but hopefully you get a feel for the preciousness of these moments. :) She has the toy stethoscope around her neck treating "Marshall" Meisi's toy dog.  Apparently the babies were sick too, so they doctored them up that morning.  :)  

Another thing that helped is doing a little planning for the big kids (yes, the prior homeschooling mom who loved having a written out on paper calendar reappeared - still old school y'all, someday I will move into this new technological age).  The kids helped me color code it.  They followed it pretty well this week.
By the way, these schedules are free to download through the passion calendar, click here.

All three kids are here with our Ayi in the morning doing chores, then doing whatever the above schedule indicates.  We chose to schedule theme days: things like arts/crafts (Make it Monday), reading (Tall Tale Tuesday), exercise/playing outside (Work-out Wednesday), pretend play/school worksheets (Thoughtful Thursday), play with toys/games (Fun Friday).  Each afternoon the older two have a language tutor from 1-3 (it isn't too intense - they mostly play games in this language). They only have screen time once we are home and all chores/class is done.

After they come home we are usually done with class and studies so we can have fun together.   This is an answer to prayer as we have struggled since we arrived to be able to complete our studies before midnight - always having it on our mind as to what or how we were going to get it done, therefore; never been fully present with our kids.  Surprisingly, summer has helped!  Not having to get our kids ready in the mornings (and them being great sleepers), allows us to wake early to get at least an hour or two of studying done before class.  This way, we are done when they come home from the language class and we can play together, cook together, bake together, and have family worship. :)  

Friends, sanctification is continuous and I continue to relearn each day that I MUST trust Him (with the big and the little things of life), laying down my prayers and petitions at His feet.

He is faithful.
He alone gives peace.

Peace that all my planning, all my worrying, all my trying to fix it myself can never give.
His peace transcends all understanding.  I'm a bit of a control freak so laying it at His feet doesn't come naturally for me, but when I do (and when I leave it there, not trying to take it back because my lack of patience wanting it done yesterday).. - oh how He fills me.

Something I noticed the last couple weeks in that verse,  it doesn't say, "with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and he will grant all your wishes."  No.  As much as I enjoy Disney, our lives are no fairy tale and our God is certainly not a fairy godmother... He is so much more! What He gives is so much better! He gives us what we need for our real life we live in this broken, fallen world.

"And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Peace.  Peace that will guard my heart and mind.  Just writing it and thinking it, knowing I have experienced His peace is relaxing.  Relaxing to rest in Him, to trust Him.  Not saying it is easy (especially for those of you, who like me struggle with control and patience), but try it.

Give it to Him.
Leave it at His feet.
Meditate on His word.
Sing Praises to our God through the tears, through the laughter through the good and the bad.
Let Him fill you, let His peace pour into you guarding your heart and mind.

Let Summer Begin with our hearts and minds guarded with peace.
Now, go enjoy these precious blessings He has given!