Back to School in the Time of Corona

Katie

So I officially registered my kids for our district’s virtual learning program for this school year.

Virginia

Congrats on making a decision! I think one hard part for me was just pulling the trigger.

Katie

Yes! I agonized about it, too! But once I actually made the decision, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Virginia

I’m happy you have peace about it. How’d you decide?

Katie

Lots of factors. I have the flexibility to make home instruction work, so I’d like to minimize my family’s exposure to COVID where possible. We also feel the necessary safety restrictions at school will take away our favorite social aspects of school. And with virtual learning, our kids will still be connected with great teachers.

Virginia

It’s good that you were able to hone in on your priorities. 

We decided to send our kids back to school. H will be in our church preschool and my son, C, will be in public school. It took me a while to get there, though. We all want to make the “right” decision.

Katie

I think there are many benefits to being in the school building, too! I don’t think there is a right or wrong decision about school this year. So many uncertainties and no easy solutions.

Virginia

Yeah, you and I are in the same circumstance in that we are fortunate to have the ability to stay home. But, my daughter (preschooler) needs the attention that she missed when I was hustling to homeschool back in the spring.

Katie

I can totally understand that!

Virginia

And on the flipside, since my schedule will involve driving her to and from her school that may conflict with a potential virtual school schedule for her older brother.

Katie

Each family’s circumstances are different, so it makes sense we sometimes make different choices. Once I made the decision to keep our kids home and stopped worrying about what other people might choose (or how they may feel about my decision), I’ve felt more free to get excited about this coming school year and focus on making the most of it.

Virginia

So I’m starting to imagine some very cute Pinterest-y work stations at your house….:)

Katie

Hahaha … or some humorous Pinterest fail moments to remember at least.😂

Virginia

Lol! Please post pics. 

It’s impressive to me that you’re taking your child’s preferences into the equation. It can be easy to dismiss those. I remember you mentioning your two middles don’t want to go back to school.

Katie

Yes – and my oldest only wants to go back once he can play football with 30 of his classmates every day during lunch recess.😜🏉

Virginia

Well, I hope he doesn’t have to wait much longer for that.  

What I find funny is we’re both former teachers and I don’t want to homeschool and you do.

Katie

Yes! And that’s totally okay. You know, I never planned to homeschool. I’ve always been a public school advocate and active volunteer at my kids’ schools. So, I had to take a moment to grieve that “loss” as I made the decision to keep our kids home this year.

Virginia

And it’s okay to acknowledge that. God doesn’t expect us to instantly don a smile and prance around a flowery field when we learn that life isn’t meeting our expectations. We’re allowed our feelings.

Katie

Prance around a flowery field.😆😍😂

Virginia

Remember when Lazarus was really sick and Mary and Martha sent for Jesus? He took his time to return and Lazarus died. Jesus didn’t pop in and say, “Why are you ladies so upset? I’m going to bring him back to life!” He wept with them because his friends were in pain.

Katie

Jesus knows our pain and grieves with us.

Virginia

Yes, and He also shows us another strategy to get through tough times. In Genesis 1, we see him creating, then stopping. Then some more creating, and then stopping. It’s not like He needed a chance to take a nap. He is showing us how to move forward, whether the road is rocky or smooth.

Katie

That is so true! God could have created everything in one instant, but instead He showed us how to take it slow and value the process. 

I’m praying God will give me the strength and patience and wisdom to make the most of this challenging year. And just to be faithful with what He wants me to do one day at a time.

Virginia

Perfectionism will try to get us to question ourselves and our choices if we don’t hit the ground running and have everything smooth sailing by day 2 of this school year….

Katie

Here’s to letting go of perfect and just pouring our hearts into whatever God lays in our paths this year!

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23, NIV)
  • “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5, NIV)
  • “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV).
  • “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:4, NIV)
  • “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” (Genesis 1:3-5, NIV)
  • “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother (Lazarus) would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied. Jesus wept.” (John 11:32-35, NIV)

Music to inspire you:

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

Living Out the Truth 

Ideas to try:

  • Focus on the priorities of your family and move forward without guilt. Remember to take your own personality and desire into consideration as well. We’re not all cut out to be teachers and that’s okay too. Don’t try to keep up with anyone else. 
  • Please also remember that we may doubt our decisions from time to time and this is normal. Make sure you talk out loud to your trusted friends and family about these thoughts. Bottling the emotions up will not be helpful. 
  • Pray: Ask God for wisdom. Be honest with Him; He already knows what you’re feeling.
  • Ask Him to multiply your talents to give your children the best year possible. If He can feed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes, He can surely help you in any situation.
  • Whether learning at home or school, stay engaged with what your kids are learning. The partnership between home and school really makes kids feel important, and teachers love to know you are involved and willing to help. 
  • If your children are going to school, consider giving them a binder clip to attach their mask on their shirt during lunchtime so it does not sit on the desk or fall on the floor. 
  • If you send goodies to school, make sure they are pre packaged.  Also, include the front office, bus driver, custodians, and administration. 
  • If schooling at home this year, here are some trusted sources and ideas from the Spring: Generic “Just for Fun” Educational Ideas.

Treasured Products we love: 

  • For school at home, it might be helpful to have younger kids get a handwriting book.
  • Especially if they are riding a bus to school, students may benefit from K-N95 masks.
  • Students might like to have hand sanitizer they can attach to their backpacks. 
  • In place of using school water fountains, stock up on personal water bottles that close over the mouthpiece, like this one. 
  • You can spoil teachers even if they are virtual. The Teacher Care Crate is an easy monthly subscription for elementary age students who have one primary teacher. 

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more.  In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

Before you leave us for the day, please take a moment to complete our reader survey. We are planning for our new writing cycles and want to put forth the best content possible. Thanks for giving us some feedback here: https://bit.ly/textingthetruth2020

Where do we go from here? What is saving you right now?

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Am I the only one who bounces between feeling super grateful for God grounding us to being outraged at the state of the world?  How did we go from staying home and baking to fussing with each other over masks?  There’s so much unrest around racism, politics, and police.  As moms, we most likely bear the burden of summer activity planning.  And then there is the anxiety of the new school year unknowns. Just naming all of this makes me take a deep breath. 

With all the turmoil swirling around us, within us, and maybe even in our homes, we want to come alongside you and collectively pray, Lord, where do we go from here?  To continue the conversation, we want to give thanks for the good parts of these uncertain times.  And so, our big question for you, readers, is this: What is saving you right now?  We have made a Texting the Truth Reader Survey here: https://bit.ly/textingthetruth2020.  Give us all your feedback and share honestly what’s saving you right now.

What is saving me is the sunshine, my family and friends, reading in general, and most of all, God’s word.  No matter what, the Bible is always a steadfast place to turn and unlock the Holy Spirit in my life.  There is so much spinning out of control, but I believe we can center ourselves and save this season with coming back to our Bibles.  

Regardless of what the future holds, as moms we have no choice but to endure.  Matthew 24:12 says, “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”  We can do this, Mamas.  TtT is right here with you. 

In my desperation to be a “fixer” as I power through (does anyone else prefer this endurance stance?), I sometimes cry out to God for help in unproductive ways.  To be real, sometimes I pray like God is a genie in a bottle.  I need a reminder that He cannot magically erase pain and grant wishes.  He is not the cause of it, either.  But, we know He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).  For example, I am so glad we have a focus for social justice during the quarantine. Racism, oppression, and broken systems are not new to the world.  They are just being spotlighted right now.  I had to remind myself not to just “rub the genie bottle” for world peace and instead do the hard work starting at home and in my sphere of influence.  I pray you have ordered some new books and had some quality conversations with your families on it all, that you have taken some action steps.  

In addition, we want to pray with you, Mamas.  We have had quite a few health scares in our TtT community — surgeries, heart attacks, bad scans and waiting in limbo for results, Coronavirus exposure, family member deaths, and the list continues.  Our DMs are always open to you, but most of all, I want to encourage you to cry out to God in prayer in whatever way makes you feel most connected.  Prayer is a pure way to share your vulnerability and lay down your burden.  “Cast your cares because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  I feel nearest to God and connected with my family in nature — quite literally, I feel led most beside still waters (Psalm 23:2).  I close my eyes and sometimes lift my hand toward heaven when I pray in nature.  I like to blog or physically journal.  I love to highlight my Bible and underline with music playing in the background.  How do you connect with the Lord best? Add a comment below. 

Whatever we do, all I know is now is not the time to be shy about our walk with God.  I am trying to proclaim faith, even when it is weird.  As long as our motives are in love and not to be wise in our own opinions, what’s the worst that could happen?  God wants moms to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).  He wants us to follow Isaiah 58:9-12 (CSB): 

When you call, the Lord will answer. When you cry out, He will say, “Here I am.”  IF you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live. 

I often have to remind myself that doing more won’t help God work any faster; sometimes I need to speak the verse in Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”  I cannot be all struggle and no snuggle.  I have to find a balance with truth and grace, salt and light.  I don’t want to lose my saltiness (metaphor for purpose & vigor) by avoiding diving deeper into truthful conversations, but those require energy and subsequent self care to recover after.  And they take extra courage when you are exhausted or feel like you have something to lose.  But, I ultimately come back to this mantra of “cut the excuses.” Here’s why:  raising our kids encompasses who we spend time with and how we spend our time as adults in the home.  They always watch what we do, not what we say, don’t they?  I want to give them something good to watch (and emulate).   

For some practicals, check out the “Truth to Inhale” and “Truth to Exhale” sections of this post.  I spent time curating resources to help live out our faith together (we do that for every post!). Do you have any new ideas to share with our community? Drop them in the comments, and don’t forget to complete our survey. 

Let’s pray: Lord, please show us where we go from here.  Above all the fray, You are in control.  We pray blessings over our homes and our Texting the Truth community.  We thank you for all the many things and people that are saving us right now.  Multiply salt and light through your children, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

With love and virtual hugs, 

Jo

#summer2020 #textingthetruth #graceformoms #realmoms #loveinthetimeofcorona

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NIV). 
  • “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:14, NKJV). 
  • “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:14, NLT).  
  • “He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2, ESV). 
  • “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:12, CSB). 
  • “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV).  
  • “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery]” (Matthew 5:13, AMP).  
  • “When you call, the Lord will answer. When you cry out, He will say, ‘Here I am.’  IF you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live” (Isaiah 58:9-12, CSB). 

Music to inspire you:

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

Living Out the Truth 

Ideas to try / Resources to Come Alongside You:

  • Anxiety Help for Kids from ParentCue 
  • Boredom Is Good for kids : Let Your Kids Be Bored  on ParentCue  
  • Pizza Hut’s Book It Program:  All you have to do is have your kiddo read 20 minutes a day — and log 20 days out of a month… it is all an honor system… and then you get a certificate for a free personal pan pizza.  I loved this growing up, and I am excited to get it started for summer reading with my son! 
  • Disney Plus! I don’t know about you, but I am getting to the point that I do not trust Netflix or YouTube kids for my almost first grader.  I just added classics and some new ones we need to watch again on this app.  With Verizon cell service, you get a free subscription for a year. 
  • Theolaby is launching from Jennie Allen as a subscription approach to sharing the Lord with your children. She has had this on her heart for years, and now that her ministry has expanded and her kids are older, she has the capacity to share her wisdom with moms. 
  • Fun Fiction for Moms: some of my faves are Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, and any of Jenna Bush Hager’s Read with Jenna book club picks 

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}