EARTHQUAKE, START OF SCHOOL, AND A MONDAY I WISH I COULD DO OVER

August 28, 2018


Well, we had an earthquake, which freaked the girls out. Usually, the ones I’ve felt have occurred in the middle of the night and it wakes me up. Then, I strain to hear to see if any of the girls wake up and cry, but no one does, so I go back to sleep. They definitely felt tonight’s and the two younger ones did not want to leave the doorway. It’s cute, so I took a picture.

In other news, school started yesterday. It’s my 8th year of homeschooling (8!!!) and I can’t believe we’re still going strong. There were so many times before that I wanted to throw in the towel, but last year was our best year ever. We did that math curriculum switch and it has done wonders for our relationships in this home. LOL

While Monday’s schooling went well, the afternoon… not so much. The girls were bickering about the stupidest things (and when I use the stupid word, they get all more up in arms) and it wouldn’t let up. We were on our way to do errands and they wouldn’t stop, so we turned around and went home. I went straight to my room, locked the door, came out to make dinner, but pretty much steered clear for the rest of the day. My heart was in a pretty rotten place and while I was trying to fight to remember Sunday’s sermon of “How to be Happy” based on Matthew 5:1-11 to be 1) poor in spirit, 2) mourn your sin regularly, 3) humble yourself, and 4) desire righteousness. Yeah, flesh won over spirit. Self over selflessness. I was pretty miserable, but content to be miserable, which is so dumb because I’m only hurting myself and preventing my joy in the Lord. That terrible attitude carried into Tuesday, but eventually God somehow softened my heart (cause I wasn’t about to do it) and I had the girls tell me how I was messing up. It’s not an easy thing to have your kids correct you, but necessary because I’ll need correcting forever, and I want my girls to feel comfortable enough to do it. Then, I asked for forgiveness for not having a happy heart and being generally angry all day. Forgiveness is extra sweet with kids because after it’s like nothing ever happened.

So to get back in the groove of writing here, this was our week so far… the start of a new school year. And hello to those still hanging in there after the radio silence this summer. There’s a reason for that and I will share soon enough! God throws curveballs sometimes and we’re rolling with it.

8 comments on “EARTHQUAKE, START OF SCHOOL, AND A MONDAY I WISH I COULD DO OVER”

  • Trisha says:

    Isn’t it interesting how sometimes the lesson in church really resonates throughout your week?
    Can’t wait to hear about your summer.
    Our summer I still need to write about too! My son is done with cancer treatments. 🙂

    • Rubyellen says:

      I’m so happy for you! WOW! That must have been such a hard burden to carry! You never want to see your children in pain or suffering. I’m praising God with you!

  • Frédérique says:

    My children are my best teachers for sure! Nice to read a new post!

  • JuliAnne says:

    Thank you for sharing! How do you create an environment that is open to correcting one another while begin loving and understanding? I don’t have kids yet but I was raised without that openness. We kids would be corrected often, and sometimes harshly but our parents could do no wrong. I don’t want to raise my kids that way. I’d love your advice. Thank you so much!

    • Rubyellen says:

      I think just not being afraid to ask them to correct you. We ask them to tell us what we’re doing wrong from time to time. And we tell them, if we’re doing something wrong, let us know. We might not listen right away, but don’t let that stop you. And also asking them for forgiveness when we do so. We say, “Do you forgive me for having self-righteous anger?” and giving them a chance to respond. Most of the time they get me on self-righteous anger, being way too anger about something and not being loving in tone.

  • Pete says:

    Incredible that you have done 8 years of homeschool. I can’t see myself doing one year much less 8. Happy also to see that you always mention the most high Father in your posts. Thanks for sharing, Ruby.

  • Amy says:

    I have enjoyed reading your writing since your youngest was born… so I am glad you are still sharing your life and faith here with others! I totally understand needing to take pause moments and hope God has been with you and your marriage through this season. After a major downhill ski accident and 5 surgeries with staggered recovery windows, this year I have been most reminded of God’s love and care through other believers. So I wanted to let you know a fellow believer in Michigan cares for you and your dear family.

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