I stumbled across a blog post the other day that offered 10 questions to help you reflect on 2019! I love stuff like this!
As I prepare for a new decade, I want to pause and remember this year.
It’s been a year of growth.
It’s been hard at times, but overall, so, so good.
What makes this year unforgettable?
So many things: our annual trip to the beach, taking Jackson to Disney World, the amazing progress Jackson has made in so many areas, realizing what a privilege it is to homeschool my son, finding a church home, deep friendships, watching Jackson ride his horse, watching him swim, many wonderful photography sessions, getting another doodle puppy, my trip to NYC, restored relationships, answered prayers, growing closer to God. The list goes on and on…
What did you enjoy doing this year?
I loved waking up when it was still dark and walking down to the beach to watch the sunrise. I spent the first hour of my day walking the shore in solitude. God showed off…He sent stingrays and crabs and blue heron. He blessed me with a sand dollar at my feet. Those mornings were a bright spot in my year.
What/Who is the one thing/person you’re grateful for?
This table is a picture of answered prayer.
Special needs parenting + homeschooling = often feeling lonely and isolated.
At the beginning of the year God gave me the word Expectant and an overwhelming desire to find community. I yearned to be known and accepted just as I am.
Enter the five women from my church IF Group.
They are an answer to many, many prayers. They are proof of God’s faithfulness.
We pray for each other. We laugh. We cry. I don’t have to worry about being judged or feeling shame. I let them know my struggles and they offer encouragement, prayers and suggestions.
They are such a gift.
What’s your biggest win this year?
Embracing homeschool.
Discovering that it’s a privilege and a calling.
This summer, Jackson and I finally found our groove for homeschool.
God has shown me that school doesn’t have to be worksheets and structured learning.
Jackson is learning all the time.
We’ve had a lot of cool experiences this year: watching caterpillars transform into butterflies, doing a summer-long marine biology study, followed by a trip to the ocean and visiting an apple orchard and strawberry farm.
Jackson has learned all about taking care of his horse at his weekly riding lessons.
He became an even better swimmer over the summer.
He participated in Kid’s Choir at church and rocked his solo.
He has overcome a lot of anxiety and conquered some big stuff this year!
He has made so much progress academically, in speech and in OT.
What did you read/watch/listen to that made the most impact this year?
There were two homeschooling books that really transformed me this year.
The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart and Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment
These books brought freedom to our homeschool days.
They gave me permission to ease up on myself.
They helped me to realize, “there are no educational emergencies” and “there’s no behind in homeschool.”
What did you worry about the most and how did it turn out?
I worried a lot about Jackson’s education – was I doing enough, did I have what it took to homeschool him, what if I failed him?
God has replaced those fears with faith.
He has shown me that homeschool is a privilege and a calling.
He has promised to equip me for the task.
He has asked me to be faithful and obedient.
He has given me the freedom to educate my son exactly the way he needs to be educated.
What was your biggest regret and why?
When my own anxiety causes me to be harder on Jackson than I need to be. Instead of guiding him, I try to control his behavior. I hate this about myself; but this year I have realized just how much anxiety I struggle with and I am determined to work on it in 2020!
What’s one thing that changed about yourself?
God completely transformed my heart about homeschooling!
I am embracing the calling instead of fighting it.
God has shown me that homeschooling Jackson is about being obedient and faithful; not successful.
What surprised you the most about this year?
How much growth has occurred in my own life and in Jackson’s.
This year has changed me.
As I scrolled through my Facebook feed a few nights ago, I was overcome with gratitude for all God has done this year. My word for 2019 was EXPECTANT and boy did God show off! He has been so faithful.
If you could go back to January 1, 2019, what suggestions would you give your past self?
The wilderness doesn’t last forever.
It’s okay to get mad at God; He can handle it.
Don’t give up, keep praying, be expectant.
This year will transform you!