July - A Month of Trials

I often write about the ups and downs of homeschooling. Today's post will be of that nature. I feel it is important to share all aspects of home education and family life in order to put things in perspective...

If you read my personal blog, then you know both of my grandparents on my dad's side passed away in June within 10 days of each other. That has been a trial for me even though I have a strong belief in life after death and eternal families. I still miss them. I did not get to go back to their funerals and feel sadness about that. Now, my father has been very sick and in the hospital and my mother's health is failing rapidly. My mother has either severe Alzheimer Disease or dementia. They are not sure which, but in the last 3 months she has lost the ability to speak almost completely, making communication with her non-existent.

With all of these family trials, it has been very hard for me to focus on our education right now. My personal studies have almost completely stopped for the time being. I'm thankful that we had already planned our annual break for the month of July. It seems perfectly timed with all that is going on. I leave that in the hands of providence and recognize that this decision was made without prior knowledge of how our lives would be right now, but I know the Lord's hand is in it all.

We did take a day to enjoy nature in our favorite nature conservation center (see picture). It had rained and cooled off considerably and we seized the opportunity! What a happy day!

I hope to resume some semblance of our regular routine in August as planned. The kids feel my sadness. They are doing well with everything really and everyone is relieved that we have this break.