How am I Coping?

This well meant question was posed to me during an online chat recently. I kinda choked at the answer... How'm I coping? Well....

When I had four children and folks asked me how I managed, I'd just do a wild eyed look and say I don't! followed by a crazy cackle.

No. 4 is 3 yrs old now. When he was just born, in our homeschool household, we had a 6 yr old, a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. I remember thinking then, wow, I have 4 kids all with different needs. One who was doing sit down school time, one learning to read, one playing and one feeding all day. How are we going to cope?

Well, we did! With some help. That year, we sent no. 2 to pre-school to learn her phonics. (At the end of the year at Heritage, we brought her home to continue with reading, and school. It's a lot less teacher intensive since she already knows all the sounds of the letters.)

I remember we stopped school for a while, I had the luxury to since no. 1 was still going easy on school. I remember feeding baby no. 4 in the school room whilst doing Bible time. We managed, half bungled through that year, by the grace of God. No major mishaps. Shock, horror, no. 1 was still getting educated despite not doing school as most folks know it: teacher, textbook, lesson delivery down to a pat. Imagine, constant interruptions and a breast-feeding teacher. :OP 

Now, I stand at cusp of change- a whole new adventure: homeschooling with FIVE children.

I've given myself till this week (3 weeks) to recover from the birth. Kinda feeling restless. Thank God for the help they have rendered so generously at Heritage but starting next week, the older two (9 yrs and 7 yrs) will resume doing school at home.

I'll be re-working their time tables a bit to accommodate my having to catch up on sleep in the morning among other tricky bits. I have been talking to them a lot about how they need to be very disciplined to stick to their task even when mama is not able to be around as much. We're doing a lot of praying and asking God to help us re-adjust to the changes.

I've never been down this road before, homeschooling with five children: the older two with heavier school work, the younger two half schooling- half playing, and an infant. I don't have all the answers, but I do know that this is God's will for my life and my family and that's all I'm counting on for success.

Does that sound flimsy? Well, in God we trust. And with the strength and wisdom He gives, we will do.  :O)

And this sums up my present feelings so aptly:

 1 Corinthians 1:27-31  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

All Glory to God!
the very weak,
Suwei

Comments

[Annie]

Hi Suwei,
Wondering what I am doing at this unearthly time of the night? Usually, I am an "owl" on weekdys but will make it a point to sleep on Sat nite as I need to attend my church's svs on Sunday afternoon. However, I feel led by the LORD to read your blog tonight. I just want to share with you an extract from a poem which I find it very encouraging. The poem is about "The promises of God" & it says...God may not have promised us sun without rain,joy without sorrow, peace without pain but he has promised us strength for the day, rest for the labourer, grace for the trial & unfailing help from above...With this comforting promise, no matter what happens, we can keep things in God's perspective. Thank God for your faith in Him as it's important to have faith in God rather than in yourself.(Habakkuk 2:4). Surely, your prayer & faith will please the LORD & I truly believe that our God will do the impossible if it is in His will. Btw, I shall be invited to share abt the "joy of motherhood" in my church's web radio & I want to seek your permission to share with the listeners about an email you have received fr a missionary pastor's wife recently, can I? Alright,I have to pen off from now. Oops, before I do that, pls convey my msg to your little "gentlemen" that I'm touched by their thoughtfulness for their "Mom". May I take this opportunity to wish you a most blessed Mother's day filled with blessings of joy ;)

Thanking God for you,
Annie

[Suwei]

Dear Annie,
I am indeed grateful that you took the time to write a note! Thanks for your words of encouragement even in my moment of apprehension. He has not promised sunshine without rain, but He has promise strength for the day. :O)

Sure, you can quote from Mrs Ter's letter. :O) May you be a great blessing on that program! (What's the details of how to tune in?)

Will let my little gentlemen know.

See you real soon.

Love in Christ,
Suwei

[Annie]

Hi Suwei,
It's our Church's weekly Bible Witness Web Radio ladies' programme which is aired on Monday(8am); Thursdays(2pm);Friday(9:30pm) and Saturdays(10am). It's also available "on-demand". (Pls go to www.biblewitness.com/webradio and click "on-demand".) The broadcast is 24/7. Oftentimes, the night program is likened as my 'spiritual supper' & has blessed me in many areas of my life. Tune in & find out more for yourself! God bless.

Thanking God for our bond in Christ,
Annie