Hey Parents!
Our household started the Covid-19 Isolation on Friday, March 13, 2020. Yes, Friday the 13th! Little did we know that the world as we know it would change from that day forward. I believe I have been more purposeful about reading scripture, praying and interceding for those around me, and loving those I am quarantined with in a deeper way. But I am having a hard time being housebound.
I love that that David says in Psalm 27:14, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage.
I know I can take courage from the Lord, but I am terrible about waiting! Patience is not my virtue! I am a doer! I strive to be a “Mary”, but “Martha” is my true being!
I have been very blessed being quarantined with my husband, and our children and grandchildren. Being a retired teacher, I started homeschool on day 1! I had my schedule of devotions, prayer, reading, writing, math, science, art, physical education, and music all lined up for six hours a day! And you guessed it– that lasted for about half a day. I realized that homeschool was not about math workbooks, and getting in a solid hour-long-block of reading. It needed to be creative, and I needed to really listen to my grandkids, and what they needed to process and talk about, pray about, and to be flexible.
We start each morning with scripture and prayer. They have lots of questions and what a precious opportunity to have the time to talk and go deeper in God’s word with them! They love to learn math through cooking and baking, and I plan meals they can cook… and then we eat them for lunch! Mac and cheese, chicken and rice, spaghetti and meatballs, homemade soups– They are learning to make it all!
We are working on reading, writing and art, by reading about sea life, and writing questions, and researching the answers. We made a sea mural with butcher paper on the hall wall, and are drawing sea animals to put up on the mural. Integrating and working in multiple subjects in themes and chunks of time seems to work best, and keeps their interest.
Taking breaks and doing puzzles, playing a game, taking a walk, or just hanging out and talking or telling jokes and laughing– All of these ease some of the anxiety kids and parents are experiencing right now. I know the schools will soon be getting online learning up and running and we will change our routine, once again, but for now we are being flexible and creative and waiting on the Lord to lead us one day at a time.
Blessings,
Nancy Finsaas
Happy Valley Elementary Small Groups Director
Nancy Finsaas
Happy Valley Elementary Small Groups Director