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Theresa
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 8:48pm | IP Logged
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Hello (again). It has been a long time since I have visited the forums here and even longer since I have been a participant. I am looking forward to reading here again.
The last 3 years have been very hard for our family and although we are now on the other side of it all, I am struggling to re-gain joy in homeschooling that I once had. I long to have that back and to once again look forward to everyday as a new opportunity to learn with my kids. Right now it just seems to be do your work, get it done and there are no extras. Just check,, check, check… done.
Last year I hurt my back. I spent almost 9 months in daily pain and 4 of those months practically immobile. My older kids did almost everything for me including helping me out of bed and in. They cooked meals, cleaned the house and did their school work. My younger two children suffered not having mom around, especially my then 8 year old. We are getting it all done now but no one is enjoying it.
Could I please beg your prayers for us and I welcome any advice you might have after coming out of a hard year and getting back to it.
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Theresa
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kristinannie
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Sending prayers your way. 
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John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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joann10
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sending many prayers....
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Booksnbabes
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Praying.
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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guitarnan
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You have my prayers, and welcome back, Theresa!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 9:53pm | IP Logged
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Sending many prayers, Theresa!
Perhaps you could move to a 4 day school week and spend one day focused on extras (like art or science projects, creating a notebook for Lent/Easter Vigil, hands-on history)? We could start a thread in Living Learning if you wanted to brainstorm!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
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Theresa,
When I saw you post I was so thrilled! I thought, "There's one of our old friends!"  It's so wonderful to see you!
I am so sorry to hear that you've been shouldering such a heavy cross lately, and I'm so overjoyed that you came here and invited us, trusted us to pray for you and with you. And you know that we will!
I will absolutely pray for you and your family! And I will pray especially that the Holy Spirit will pour His gifts into your heart so that you have clarity of vision as you consider moving forward in home education, claiming moments of joy.
Joy is a gift that lives very quietly and contentedly alongside pain and suffering. It doesn't look very superficial, so it's sometimes hard to identify it or recognize it, but it can live there. In other words, it is not dependent on everything being rosy or "fixed" in order to illuminate your heart. About the only thing joy will not live with is fear. Be not afraid.
Don't be afraid to make some changes in your home education, changes that allow you and your children to joy and live in the small moments. Find yourself in the little moments, and delight in them.
I am praying for you, Theresa!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Theresa
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Thank you so much ladies! ((Jen)) Thank you for your excited welcome back.  That really made my night. I appreciate the prayers so much. I wasn't sure where to post, I wanted prayers but I am also looking for some ideas or advice on getting back to some of the things we seem to be skipping out on now.
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Theresa
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MaryM
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Theresa - like Jen, I was super excited to see you here again. I noticed your posts in a couple of the other threads before seeing this one. I am so sorry to hear that you are stuggling so much right now. I will definitely pray for you. 
Welcome back to 4 Real!
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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mariB
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Praying for you. I have been having those moments. Uniting your intentions with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May you and your family have abundant joy.
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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mariB
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Dear Theresa,
I came across this post this morning and it looks really refreshing. Using lots of picture books sounds so fun! My little girls and I will gather them all up today to see what fun we can have!
Blessings,
Marianne
http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2012/02/could-it-b e-a-storybook-year.html
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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Servant2theKing
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Praying for you Theresa! Welcome back! Joy may seem so elusive during times of difficulty or sorrow, but in truth, it always resides in the depths of our hearts and souls, waiting to be reawakened.
Praying in a special way that our Lord will rekindle the joy in your own heart and in the hearts of each and every member of your family.
One of my favorite "joy verses" came to me through a dear friend ~ Ps. 30:5 "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning!" The entire 30th Psalm seems tailor made for those anyone who has suffered.
If you have access to a concordance you might find great consolation in looking up various Scriptures that speak of joy, perhaps even sharing them as a family.
Here are a few personal favorites:
Tob. 13:9
Ps. 34:9
Ps. 51:12
Is. 49:13
Rom. 12:12
May the Lord anoint you with the oil of gladness until your cup overflows with immense joy and peace of heart, mind, body and soul. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Rom. 15:13
p.s. During a recent time of trial I purchased a purse-size zippered copy of the Ignatius Bible which has been a real blessing.
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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Angie Mc
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So good to see you, Theresa .
Something that has helped us from time to time is making a gratitude list. We brainstorm all the reasons why we are grateful to homeschool, write them down, and post them on our "Faith Board". Right now, we're especially grateful to have the flexibility to help friends who are in need and for my children to spend time with their grandparents while they visit. When we make these lists, sometimes they provide us with "rememberings" that help point us in the right direction. For example, when we are grateful for the flexibility, we can remember to take advantage of it!
Like any meaningful relationship and/or work, homeschooling can't always be fun and easy, but we can know that the hard times are purposeful . Praying you find relief, peace, and joy in ways that are perfect for you.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
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Theresa
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Thanks everyone. Its not that we aren't thankful so much but that the fun dailiness that used to be there has turned to a "get it done" sort of a thing. I like the faith board idea and I think your ideas Angie are very good. We need to get our eyes off "work" and on the benefits.
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Theresa
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SuzanneG
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Welcome back, Theresa!!!!! So great to see you here again!
I'm so sorry about your physical suffering. We'll certainly be praying for you as you find a "new normal."
sending many hugs......
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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KauaiCatholic
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adding my heartfelt prayers too.
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Viviane
Grateful mama of Jonah Augustine ('01), Sophia Marie ('05) and Luke Dominic ('10)
We can do no great things; only small things with great love. -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: Prayers for return to joy
