The gift of one year

Good morning, sweet friends. (And friends is what you are--even if we've never met face to face...yet!)

I've had some thoughts swirling around in my head, had some questions from you, and have some time this morning to get it down on paper (or whatever this internet thing-y is actually made of) and process through some of it.

Today I'm going to finish up my last paper for the semester that's due on Monday. I'm going to do an oral presentation along with it--my chapel from the girls' school. I'm so excited to get to use that again. It was my professor's idea to use it as my creative presentation. So the mustache is coming back--for a few minutes, anyway.

Once that's done, I'll start studying for my Old Testament Prophets final on Friday. And then...the semester will be over. It has flown by.

I submitted a leave of absence to the seminary the other day. So I'm officially giving up seminary for the year we'll be in Phoenix. Yes, I could take on-line classes, but the experience of being in the classroom is one I value so much. I'd rather wait and come back to it in Fall 2010 when we return to Denver. After all, I'm not in hurry.

So. Phoenix.

I have to say that now that I'm over the shock (::ring, ring:: "Hey babe, we're moving to Phoenix for a year. Gotta run to a meeting now. Bye!") of it, I'm really seeing this as a gift.

One year. Set apart. To be intentional. To rethink some things. To dream about what we want to do, how we want life to be.

(And of course, I think about being led to the desert for a year and go all Old Testament, wondering what kind of preparation this year will involve and for what and all that good stuff. One thing I know for sure, there will be manna each day to gather!)

So here's some of what we're thinking:

Unplug. It was Toben's idea (shock, gasp, awe) to think about unplugging the television for a year. Not taking one with us at all. I love it!

Celebrate. Especially if we homeschool (see next item!), but even if we don't, we want to be intentional about celebrating biblical holidays. I have this amazing book and put all the dates for these holidays on my calendar earlier this morning. We love our Passover meal each year and want to experience the joy and learning of some of the others.

Homeschool. We're seriously considering homeschooling the girls. For numerous reasons. For the freedom it would give us. For the one-on-one opportunity to reinforce some difficult math concepts for Audrey, to grow Emma into an incredible reader. To pour into the girls. To build up their identity in Christ. To develop their friendship with each other. (If you homeschool and have some advice for me about what I really need to know, or a great link for me to check out, please leave a comment!)

Dream. This whole year feels like a new beginning, a chance to hit the "reset" button and determine what we want our family to be like. There are certain times of the year (New Year's, back to school) that are a chance to do this every year, and this feels like a chance to think long-term and big picture.

Explore. Because of our school schedule and the amount of homework to be done, our girls don't do extra-curricular activities for the most part. If we homeschool, we're excited for the girls to explore some of their interests. To have the time to pursue and learn something new.

Church. We'll be going to church here. We're not involved at our church here in Denver; we really see the girls' school as our place of ministry, the place where we volunteer and give. For this next year, we're excited to be at church as much as they'll let us. That means Sunday school for Toben and me while the girls go, and then sitting in the service each week as a family.

So naturally we've made a poster to keep track of our thoughts and ideas and so on. Cause that's just what we do around here! (See here and here.)

How can you pray?

For wisdom about school for the girls. We will be visiting a Christian school in a week or so when we're down in Phoenix as a family for some meetings. 

For peace and calm in Toben's anxiety (all that change causes some anxiety to surface for him). He's in the process of changing some of his meds and anxiety is troubling him.

For me to live one day at a time. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the big picture. So to do one thing at a time and then move on to the next thing.

For us to really live while we're in Phoenix and pour out our lives and energy, rather than feeling confined by it being temporary. For friendships and relationships to grow and flourish.

We do have place to live. No pool in the backyard, but an amazing community facility--pool, lake, gym, tennis courts, bike trails. But it's unfurnished. Not what we had planned. So wisdom about what to take and all that good stuff.

It looks like some friends will be living in our house here in Denver while we're gone. So wisdom and details surrounding that. It's definitely a God thing!

***

Okay, this is entirely long enough and Toben and the girls are headed to have a putting context at the driving range (free entertainment!). So I'm going to take advantage of the quiet and get my paper finished up. Enjoy your Saturday--and thank you for listening. I really do love you so much!

Comments

[gretchen]

Blessings on your new focus and your new year, Joanne.

[Teri H]

This is so awesome! I love your attitude! You are packing up for an adventure right about the same time we are! My baby graduates high school in 13 days... we are off to Mexico to celebrate, then do our "planning" for moving back to Texas!

I'll be in prayer for ya'll!

[Karen]

My family is also making a major move to an entirely different state due to a job transfer. We are seeing it as an adventure. We have no doubt this is the route God is taking us and look forward to our new "normal" in a new state. May your move and transitions be as smooth as possible!

Take care,
Karen

[Susan]

My first thoughts:
jealousy? no.
Envy? no.
Desire? maybe...yes, definitely desire.

I've spent the afternoon processing your post. NOT that it was anything about me at all, lol, but it go me thinkin'.

As I'm coming out of this...whatever it is I've been in...mourning? grief? fear? anger? sorrow? depression? all of the above...I realize I want change.

It would be, I think at this moment, heavenly to pack up my house and move. Or, better yet, to only pack up what I would take/need for a year, and leave the rest and/or get rid of the rest.

Going to ponder this for a bit and get back to you. I am SO excited for this new adventure for you, Jo! Love you. Me

[Michelle]

Wow...The Heim Family's EXCELLENT Adventure! What an amazing opportunity...it sounds wonderful. Refreshing. I will admit I'm a bit envious!

I'm all about the manna...God took me through a whole year showing me His provision...and I gathered it daily. He is so good.

I'm really happy for you guys...(not really envious!)

[Bobbi]

Wow...thanks for being so open with your "stuff" so that we can pray for you specifically...and I DO! So excited for what God has for ya'll!

[Dawn W]

We've made three major moves in our married life, too. I LOVE the attitude you've adopted. Trust me when I say from experience that having an attitude of anticipation, of intentional decision-making and living is the *ONLY* way to do it. It leaves your lives and hearts open to God's working and allows you to hear His quiet voice.

I am so excited for you and look forward to hearing all the details as you move forward. I'll be praying, too. I know (also from experience!) that even good moves can still produce stress and anxiety.

Blessings, my friend!

[Trish]

Sweetie, you know we began our homeschooling journey 14 years ago when Patrick started kindergarten. This is our last year homeschooling as next school year Sawyer will be attending the residential math & science high school in Hot Springs that Patrick graduated from. We've had 14 years of experience, and several moves in the process, so I can relate to how you're feeling.

You have my phone number. Feel free to call and ask any questions you have. I know several people who have homeschooled longer than I have, and I by no means have the answer to all of the questions, but I may be able to help if you need me. :)

What an adventure God is leading your family on!

Much love,
Trish

[Puva]

All the best for your new journey ahead, Joanne. I have not done this before, so I'm not sure what you've got to look out for and what to take note of. But I can definitely tell you that it's very important to stay focused. Know what your priorities are and work accordingly. Be it family, friends, housework...things like that. There will be ups and downs. But don't forget that, in the end, all will be well (:

I love you too!

[Marla Taviano]

Friend, this post makes me GIDDY. You can't imagine how excited I am for you!!

I mean it. I am LOVING this. Please don't unplug your computer. I want to live this with you guys!!

Prayed for you just now. Fought the urge to pray that God leads you to homeschool. I'm dying for you to be my guinea pig. :)

LOVE YOU!!

[Kim Feth]

Dear Friend,
I've have learned from the journey I'm still walking that only God can work out that level of details. One night my husband and I were praying and I was so anxious and overwhelmed that the only thing I could pray was, "God, be huge." My husband looked at me and asked, "Is there something you want to tell me while we're still on our knees?" I still laugh about that one.
I don't home school now but will home school through the summer because of learning difficulties my kiddo has. Lisa Welchel - remember her from Facts of Life? She has a website. It hasn't had a recent change, but the home schooling links are all still working.
And I vote for unplugging. We've done that for the summer months around here and LOVE it.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC

[Elizabeth]

This sounds AWESOME! Can I come with you? What a great year to reflect.

[Debra]

Love your idea to homeschool. After reading your blog for some time, I can tell you would be an awesome homeschooling mom.

[Chris Ashley]

What a wonderful adventure! I love your take on the whole thing. I homeschooled my daughter for one year before she went to a University Model School. We loved it. A homeschool suggestion ( some would agree and some not) would be to use Saxon Math. Lots of repetition and her standardized scores were excellent with it. At UMS, we used a different curriculum and have the grades to prove it. :( I can't wait to hear about your adventures as they unfold.

[Kimberly]

Saxon Math is very reccommended. I use Math U See...heard it is better for the younger grades. We like it. Don't get overwhelmed...there is so much curriculum out there. I justed started with reccommendations from friends and if it did not work...I switched.

Spelling Workout
First Language Lessons
Math U See
A Reason for Handwriting
Tapestry of Grace (History unit study...writing, vocabulary, church history, geography...etc.)

Will be praying Kimberly

[ann]

Don't buy any homeschooling books, Joanne...I have several really good ones you can HAVE! I can mail them to you this week for you to review. I will send an email to you with the titles before I mail it in case you have any of them already!

[Holly B.]

Praying right now for God to flood each of you with His wisdom and peace in all of these preparations! So excited for you!

[Wendy]

Joanne,
Do it! You will never regret homeschooling. I promise. You can hold me to it.
The curriculum you choose and the methods you embrace will not be nearly as important as the TIME you will cherish.
Do it.

[mindy webster]

Hi Joanne,

First off, I want to express my thanks to you for being there to answer my emails about Christianity..I have succesfully transitioned into it Praise all be to God and wonderful people like you!!!

I have always homeschooled our 4 children!!
Love it! have had moments of burn-out...but made it through! I LOVE Christian Light Education..www.clp.org The kids can get their diploma too!! It is easy to understand and VERY inexpensive AND the reviews are VERY high!!! Look at www.homeschoolreviews.com and type then in to see!!! It is a cirriculum..I also use FIAR (Five in a Row) for fun studies across the cirric with books! VERY FUN and EASY!!!
www.fiar.com

Good luck !
Mindy Webster in Utah

[willow]

I was a homeschooler and I am currently a teacher/tutor of homeschool students in the SoCal area. There are programs and curricula that can work really well for you. How about some units on the geography and history of AZ? I don't know how old your girls are (I came over here from your friend's blog post for FFF) but I highly recommend Sonlight Curriculum and IEW writing. My son and dil just moved from Phx last month and her whole family lives there.