Hello Friends!
I wonder whereabouts you dwell in this beautiful world of ours? If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re in the middle of autumn, with all its rich colours, enticing fragrances and comforting tastes. In our little patch of England, I’ve been appreciating some warm sunshine alongside the mists and gentle rain, the hues of the leaves as they turn from green to golden, a vanilla scented candle with my morning mug of tea and Bible time and delicious pumpkin soups and apple and blackberry crumbles shared with my family. In this most turbulent time, these are some of the things which keep me rooted as I endeavour to pray for the world beyond and stay faithful to that to which God has called me.
I hope you too can find beauty in the mundane and peace amidst the clamour this month.
Molly x
Nature notes and homestead jottings
It’s been another busy month on the home front, but I have enjoyed the shift in focus. We’ve picked all our pumpkins (three barrowfuls of them!), we’re getting to the end of our apples (which haven’t done well this year) and are snaffling the last of the blackberries. Sparkly Eyes and myself spent a morning chopping up and drying conkers to make into liquid detergent. I’ve not tried it yet, but will let you know how it works. I’ve also had a go at making rose hip syrup (rich in vitamin C) and fire cider (above) a traditional immune boost for when coughs and colds loom. I made myself a “flu cure”, a mix of apple cider vinegar (home made), chilli, garlic and honey. It didn’t taste too bad but I was conscious I must have smelled of garlic for several days! Whether due to this, or simply to an immune system that has seen a lot of viruses in the past and so saw this one off, I was the only one who didn’t go down with the cold. I’ll keep downing it!
Homeschool journal
We’ve just finished another half of term, in our third full term of a home ed co op. (Homeschool co op for our friends across the pond). It feels both like an achievement as we have continued to find our way through this relatively new venture and a great blessing from God as He clearly brought many threads together at the right time to start the group and we rely on Him to guide us and bring in new families as we continue. I’ve been very taken with the strong friendships which have developed between the young people (10- 15 years, with a few younger siblings). I guess they are at at the age when they look for a tribe to which they can belong, and it seems as if they have found one within this group.
The term began with some sunny days, where we ate our picnic lunches outside; a lovely start. We meet up once a week, and this term our days include dance, logic (The Fallacy Detective), maths, some outdoor time and drama. We are working towards a play which we will perform in December.
I’m so thankful for this group of children and parents with whom we can share our challenges and celebrations as we all undertake to bring up our children in God’s good ways.
Musings for our time
Way back in that extraordinary year of 2020 when many aspects of our lives seemed to be lived out via a screen, I sensed God prompting me of the importance of local community. This may sound obvious and indeed it is; but it is remarkable how even the obvious can subtly become eroded and replaced by a new normal which we are told is superior.
So, as I end this month’s missive, I’m thankful for the community we have around us; neighbours, church and our home ed co op spring to mind. It is something I’ve prayed about consistently for our boys too as they have launched out, and I am so hugely thankful for the good churches and friends among whom they have settled. We don’t know what the future holds for any of us, but to have those with whom we can share our lives, both practically and spiritually is a blessing. I continue to pray that these networks of friendship would both expand and deepen according to God’s purposes.
Mothering through the seasons 