For This Day January 2017
Vol. 4, Issu. 4
Sitting at the feet of those who have done this well by Mandi Gerth It is a truth universally accepted that CDA moms get tired in February. All the gusto and gumption we had in August has fizzled and fried. We are pulling ourselves up by threadbare boot straps every crunch day. Some of us have even been known to break out in hives on the eve of crunch day. Being new to the CDA model last year, it didn’t occur to me that I should attend a homeschool convention. But, I had started listening to a podcast called, Read Aloud Revival. The host of that podcast, Sarah Mackenzie, was coming to the Great Homeschool Convention* in Fort Worth and I wanted to go listen. I needed a booster shot of motivation. I needed to be reminded why this work is so valuable and to have my vision recast. So, I went. And I’m so glad I did. I didn’t know a soul. And it was expensive. Don’t get me wrong it only cost $50, but it required my husband to take a day off of work to watch the kids. It required me to spend a few days digging out from laundry and dirty floors and groceries consumed with mechanical precision in my absence. But it was worth it. Here’s some of what I learned. I share this, hoping that you’ll be encouraged. I hope you will see the value in seeking advice and pursuing wisdom. There is something so valuable about sitting at the feet of those who have done this before and done it well.
For This Day
January 2017
Vol. 4, Issu. 4
I learned that it is important to remember each home day that my children are persons. With souls. They are not a project to be managed. They are not an assortment of assignment sheets arranged by grade or difficulty level. My children are souls in relationship with their Creator and my job is to facilitate that relationship and bring them closer to the One who made them. I learned that I needed to change my strategy from “to-do list” to “find beauty” and in doing so, I can dramatically transform our home days. This is simple stuff like starting the day in prayer and song, playing classical music in the background, seeing beyond workbooks My children are souls in relationship and worksheets to the ideas with their Creator and my job is to and concepts in their facilitate that relationship and bring assignments.
them closer to the One who made them.
I learned that not all of my children have the same type of intelligence, but they are all intelligent. This motivated me to consider the ways my kids are smart and to make small changes in our home days that will help them learn better. I learned that helping my kids complete their literature comprehension guides is only part of my job. What I really want is to have meaningful discussions with them about their assigned literature. To do this, I must read their books and learn how to ask good questions. I learned to ask myself, “What kind of school experience do you want your children to say they had?” and to make changes today that will get those answers. I learned to compare myself to the Israelites of Nehemiah’s generation who were tasked with rebuilding the walls. We are recovering a type of education that has been lost, even desecrated. I will experience joy, grief and frustration as I work to provide a type of education I did not receive myself. I learned that one of the most valuable things I can do is create a home environment that truly values learning. My home should physically and ideologically facilitate, encourage and promote constant learning. There are many great benefits to this, but the one most salient to me was that there will be times when I cannot teach my kids. I will be sick or caring for the sick or, for some of us, nursing a baby. This kind of environment will teach when we cannot. I learned that as a co-educator with my children’s teachers, I am preparing my child’s soul so that when Christ comes, he will receive him. There is an application of this truth beyond the obvious salvation one. Christ is Logos. He is Truth. When I partner to educate my children, I am teaching them to recognize truth and beauty, and to value them. I do this so that when Christ reveals himself daily, moment by moment,
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For This Day
January 2017
Vol. 4, Issu. 4
throughout their lives, they recognize Him and receive Him, learning from Him, what He wants them to learn. ___________________________________________________________ The Gerth’s are a M/W Flower Mound Campus family. Mandi Gerth is wife of Jerrod Gerth, mother to CDA students - Owen (13, 8th grade), Sam (11, 6th grade), Gabe (8, 3rd grade), Nora (6, 1st grade); and soon-to-be CDA student, Clara (4). She and her family moved to Roanoke, Texas from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, over two years ago in search of a better education for their tribe, and a new adventure for all.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
*The Great Homeschool Convention runs February 23-25, 2017 in Fort Worth. Learn more about the workshops and speakers coming to this year’s convention at their website: https://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/locations/fort-worth-tx/ -3-
For This Day
January 2017
Vol. 4, Issu. 4
Family Resources Moms in Prayer - meets Mondays and Tuesdays after drop-off M/W Contact: Leah Clark T/TH Contact: Michelle Collins P2P - mentoring new families Contact: Jacque Younger Straight Talk - for families of grades 5th to 12th Contact: Donna Rector Idea Exchange - for families of grades Pre-K t0 4th Contact: Jacque Younger Please check the CDA calendar and upcoming emails for additional information on these resources and events.
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