Its official – we have lived in Lincoln City for over a month now. It feels like a lifetime has passed since September 22nd when we told our friends we would be moving and left the next day to look for a new place to dwell.

Each day I get an email from Google Calendar that reads – “You have no events scheduled for Today”.  At first it was funny, as I was living by the calendar before. Then it made me thoughtful, then got sad, and now back to thoughtful. Questions of homeschooling swirling in my mind. Bringing up each phase of our journey to reflect and ponder.

What makes you a homeschooler? What makes you an Unschooler? A Home Educator? Delight Directed? What parts of your day do you reflect on, brag on, call the folks about and say – see – we are good parents and good homeschoolers. See- the children are involved, connected, learning, growing.  Is it because of AWANA? Good News Clubs? Geograpy Clubs? Choir? Sign Language? Robotics? Horse Riding? Ballet? Gymnastics? Language Classes? Co-Ops?  I fear that I had grown into a comfort zone that equated good learning with the groups and the people we were associated with. The activities that we had at our disposal. Our environment. When asked in recent years why we love to homeschool, I’m sure that my answer had one of the above activities attached to it, almost validating the never ending socialization question and the “How will they learn in a classroom” questions.

In January of 09, when we signed papers informing us that we would move most likely in 9-12 months, we let the worry and anxiety go to the Lord. We knew in our hearts that He had created the perfect friendships, environments, churches, groups, service opportunities for our family. We enjoyed the level of leadership we held at many functions, the level of being an attendee at others. If all of this had been built up in 5 years, to just wash away, what would be the Lord’s Plan? It must be greater? Better? More Growth?  Friends on the coast who didn’t under stand our first move liked to bring up the “Lord sent you to the desert, poor you” statements. I never felt like we were in a desert situation. It was lush luxurious growth all the way. With growth comes weeding, pruning, etc, so it wasn’t all easy, but we knew the Lord must have a purpose for our ministry there.

With joyful anticipation we looked for the groups to join here on the coast. Branched north and south for 25-30 miles looking. Nothing. Vacant. No Kids. To be found. Home/public or privately taught.  Darren gets 2-4 kids in the store a day. He has not been able to start a connection with any of the parents. We have visited several churches, without children. The library is closed, the Awana Club has ended, the Good News people are unreachable. We have not found a gathering spot in doors apart from the beach.

So we wait. And remember the months of praying and peace knowing that if the Lord removed us from the utopia that was Bend, that there was something, someone, some place who needed us, or that we needed of them.  Waiting patiently for the opportunities.

And in the midst of waiting and prayer – we come full circle to the time in Charleston, Oregon when we started homeschooling. Alone, in a small costal town of about 400 people. Our only contact was with one couple who became our mentors who had one teen age girl. The enormous drive laid on our hearts to keep the boys home, keep them boys and active and curious. Naturally learning about the world,  –  geographically , demographically, spiritually, historically, academically. Learning side by side with their parents, about the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Learning about their Savior – Christ – The Lord Jesus. Learning day by day with constant training and use how to walk with character, to lean on the Holy Spirit, to know peace and joy – to know what true contentment is. Daily living it out.

Some how, the focus of our learning – centered on the groups of which we took part. Nothing bad, or wrong with the activities, but I see how they drove us, always serving outside of the home, for someone else, at the request of someone outside of our home, always accountable to someone else. 30 days of living in a home cut off from people, activities, church.  Three meals and snacks to make by scratch.  Laundry, unpacking, and making a home from scratch. Reconnecting with being the sole helpmate of my spouse and he for me. The boys reconnecting as their only friends, best of friends.  As mentioned above, You have No Events Scheduled Today. And yet our days are full. Adventure. Learning. Growth. Rest.

My thoughts to go the hermit homeschoolers. That I often judged in my heart, that were not involved in the community co-ops and activities. I wonder if I will become one of them. Clinging to my family. Knowing the time is passing quickly, not wanting to be ruled by people not of our family. I feel a desire to quit looking for the groups here on the Central Oregon Coast, but to package what we have been experiencing for this short season.

Today we will visit another church, and I am praying that the boys will find a connection to friends.  I was tired, enjoying this rest, but they are in need of people to play with. Should it be the wonderful elders of the church we loved from last week? Should it be same age peers even if they live differently than us with public school influences? Should it be waiting for k-12’s and private school kids to finish with their studies so we can adventure together? What is this tingling of knowing that the Lord has something for us to start, build or rebuild here?  We will start today with a friend for each boy. And see where it goes from there. Leave it to the Lord’s will and direction of the age and how they spend their days. 

You have no scheduled Events today – leaves alot of time for a mind to wander and pray and remember and prioritize and come up with zany ways to cook a chicken.