Hello Friends,
How are you all? As I write our green and pleasant land is looking somewhat brown and dry, but the clear blue skies and sunshine are very welcome, reminding me of those long hot summers days of my childhood.
We began the month with a girls’ trip to the New Forest with my mum. Lots of laughter and conversation, the opportunity to meet for tea with a much loved friend and to soak in the beautiful scenery. It’s one of my favourite places.
And then, after three fantastic years, our second son (Rhythm Dude for any who have been reading this a while) finished at university and we headed down to Exeter to pick him up and fill the van with the contents of his time there. I feel a lump in my throat as I write. It has been such a wholeheartedly good time for him. He has not only come away with an excellent degree, but has grown spiritually, emotionally and maybe even a smidgen of an inch physically (now well over six foot). He’s thrown himself into the work of the Christian Union and has been part of a great church, and subsequently a church plant from it. I’m immensely thankful to his minister for the solid teaching and pastoral oversight he has given. In fact, I listen to his sermons while I work in the garden early in the morning. I like to imagine our son there surrounded by friends and in such a nurturing and grounding environment. It’s hard to think he could ever have it as good elsewhere, but then that’s limiting God…so praying towards the next adventure and enjoying having him home for a few weeks.
I hope you are all able to enjoy the summer sunshine, blue skies and the occasional ice cream,
With love,
Molly x
Nature notes and homestead jottings
Everything in the garden and field is growing in abundance; weeds, brambles, grass, and amongst all that a good amount of fruit and veg. The bees are still with me and I had to put on an extra super (a top frame) as they have filled the first one with honey. We are taking a break from pigs this year, to regroup next year, but enjoyed a big roasting joint with last year’s successfully bottled apple sauce to celebrate Rhythm Dude’s home coming.
Peas and salad have been great, Broad beans not so much and beetroot and other root veg coming along well. Heaps of soft fruit in the freezer. Our little chick is now the size of a bantam and gets in the way all too often!
Homeschool journal
Having had many ups and downs in our home ed these last few years, out of nowhere this season has ended. And my heart weeps. It feels like time has slipped through my fingers and my little pony tailed, twirling and swirling dancing daughter is now a fairly self possessed young woman heading off to college. It’s bitter sweet. Sometimes when something is especially hard but we make it through, the victory is all the sweeter.
Although we are still meeting for socials, we’ve had our last official co op session; tears and hugs with our amazing dance teacher followed by gathering at ours for home made pizza and ice cream Sundae’s. The kids headed off to the woods and us adults chatted over tea and building more bee frames! I’m so thankful for this group, for the friendships and support, for the ability to share raw emotions and work our way through difficulties. I know I’ve grown as we’ve met together each week for nearly three years, and it’s been hugely significant for the girls.
We also had our last meet up with dear friends with whom we’ve been learning for the last six years or so. Again, we’ve shared life in all its rawness with them and although it’s exciting to know where their daughter is heading, it comes with sadness at a very good and special season ended.
And now my beautiful daughter is heading off to college. I’m so proud of her; of the hurdles she has overcome and the ones she still faces with courage, of the wisdom and insight she has beyond her years and of her incredible creativity and many other talents. She holds on with tenacity and fights fiercely. I’m so blessed to have her as our daughter and although I’ve no expectation the road ahead will be without its rocks and uphill climbs, I’m so thankful to our Heavenly Father for bringing us thus far.
Musings for our time
‘Issachar Eyes’ is now typeset and the launch campaign prep is well underway. As I’m reading through it yet again to pull quotes for the graphics (created by oldest daughter) I’m so excited about it. I can promote it with confidence as most of it has been written by others and is excellent and extremely timely. I believe the time is late, but God is always waiting for His people to ask and if we realise the condition our nation is in and cry out to Him in repentance and intercession, then we could indeed see a turning back to God of our nation. I’m praying that by His grace this will make its way into many hands to equip and resource our young people for what is indeed a mighty task ahead of them.
If you’d like to be a part of our launch team, I’d be super grateful. From mid July we’ll have new graphics landing each week into a drop box folder. These can be shared on social media, within churches/ministries and with friends and family. Please contact me and I’ll send you the link.
Feel free to share the two images here. They will also be in the drop box folder. Thank you!
Mothering through the seasons 