One of things I love about homeschooling is the flexibility it provides for my family with scheduling the school year. Previously, I have tried following the local school year calendar and year-round homeschooling. This year, we are doing year-round schooling since this schedule will allow us to continue to homeschool throughout the year with intermittent breaks and to take breaks during my husband's work travel. I find this schedule to be more family focused and it gives us more time to spend with each other and with Him. "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" Ephesians 5:15-16.

This schedule works best for us since it accommodates my children’s extracurricular activities, including our church’s Wednesday nights and Bible studies. Also, the schedule aligns with my husband’s travel commitments and family travel plans. Currently, my husband has returned from his two-week work trip to Texas. We are planning to go as a family to visit Texas and New Mexico on his future work trip. My family and I are watching the TV series, "The Chosen" so we are genuinely excited to see the setting of this show, which is filmed in Texas. While in Texas, my husband went on a hike and sent us photos of his hike. I will tell you this, our God is amazing! The photos are stunning, and no man can replicate this. I have shared with you three photos below. I truly can't wait what God has stored for us in our upcoming trip. "How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small" Psalm 104:24-25.

Additionally, the schedule will allow my husband and I to meet this ambitious goal of visiting all 50 states with our children. I love traveling and experiencing various parts of the country and world. I grew up as a military brat, so I travelled to various places and met different people. Homeschooling gives us the opportunity to travel more since we are in control of our schedule. This is a great benefit for our children because they will experience different people, with different lifestyles and perspectives, from various parts of the country. Not only do they get to read about the climate of New Mexico or about the underground railroad from their textbooks, but they will have a chance to see it and experience in person, so their learning will go beyond from what’s in their textbooks. This school year, my children had the opportunity to explore caves and the panoramic views of the rolling hills and deep, wide lakes in Branson, Missouri. Also, they had the opportunity to experience interactive science fun at Putnam Museum in Iowa. In addition, we are planning to visit Cahokia Mounds (currently, my children are reading about Native Americans, so this trip will enrich their learning) and the beaches in East Coast soon.

One the other hand, I believe following the school year calendar has its advantages also. I find this schedule useful since it follows most co-ops and bible studies/school calendar year, it aligns with most school year curriculum teachings, makes planning the school year straightforward, and it allows you and your children to have a generous summer break.

Overall, the most important thing is to find what works best for your family, and most importantly what honors God. It is important as that Christians that we live in a way that honors and glorifies Him. Homeschooling allows us to focus on Him as a family more than if our children went to public school. Homeschooling slows us down and allows us to consume His word daily in the mornings through our Bible readings, through our teachings (many curriculums have successfully implemented His Word and Biblical teachings in their coursework), weekly church and or outside community Bible classes, and nighttime family Bible readings. As a result of this habit, my children love reading the Bible and they take it wherever we go. They have encouraged one of their cousins to read the Bible and brought a Bible for her. Most importantly, we as parents can serve as role models to our children as we continue our walk with Him. What a blessing it is to be able to slow down and to spend time with Him daily! “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” Proverbs 16:3.

As always, we at PAACH, are here to serve you and your family, so please reach out to us and let us know how we can serve your needs. I pray God will guide you and your family on the right path. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Psalms 119:105.

Yvonne Wendt
PAACH Board Newsletter Editor