This blog post has been graciously contributed by Amy. I loved reading how God worked out a plan for her school year that she’d never previously considered. Find more information about Amy at the bottom of the post.

The alarm labeled “Its Co-op Day!” goes off at 6:00 am. Thankfully, the coffee pot also automatically starts at 6:00am. I’m not a morning person, so, in all honesty, the next step in my morning routine is hitting the snooze button. Lunches have been packed the night before and the kids are old enough to get themselves breakfast, so as I grab that first cup of coffee I take a moment to sit in the dark, pray over the day ahead, get snuggles from my dog and let my brain wake up a bit.

Then we hit the day running. Everyone out the door by 7:35 am to be on time.

Sometimes we have everything all planned out for our school year and we are certain "this" will happen and "that" won't. But sometimes God intervenes and has an ever better plan than you could have imagined. If you're walking through unplanned chang…

If previously you had told me this would be my norm this year, I would have scoffed. I love sleeping in and cozy mornings reading on the couch with my kids. It’s why I homeschool. The packing of lunches, the hustle to get out the door, the stress over “did you remember this or that” is something I have avoided like the plague.

But each year has looked different from the last and that’s part of what I love about homeschooling. You can do what works best for your family and take it one year at a time (which sometimes looks and feels like one day at a time!).

This school year is especially unique. Homeschooling is like a puzzle. The pieces of education have to fit carefully with the pieces of life. We have found the need for structure and outsourcing increase as the kids get older. This doesn’t lessen my desire to remain as hands-on as long as possible though, and God has orchestrated the most beautiful blend for us this year.

Another family, dear to our hearts and kindred in so many ways, has blessed us with the desire to co-op. We use the same public charter school, but have independent studies through them which gives us the flexibility to pick and choose classes they offer that fit into our schedule. A local church (that neither of our families attend) has a heart for Christian education and has been so gracious to let us use a classroom during the week. They have high speed internet which makes it possible for us to access online classes to supplement our learning as well.

Do you see how these pieces are fitting so perfectly? That’s because God is a God of details. The care, support, and peace I felt as our school year was taking shape all pointed directly to His provision. God, in His wisdom, provided in ways I didn’t know I needed.

By teaching a class I love (writing and literature), by only being the classroom mom two days a week, and by having Fridays at home to finish work and have our down-time, we are more able to maintain a focus on excellence in our schooling.

My year doesn’t look like I thought it would, but by leaning into what my children needed, by embracing beautiful friendships, and by trusting that His ways are better than my own, we have come to a place of peace.

Amy is a homeschool mom of three. They joyfully co-op at the base of the beautiful Mount Shasta in California. Her husband is a nurse and a pastor. Together they love spending time outdoors, reading good books, laughing and making memories with their kids. Amy loves all things homemaking and blogs at spergerswoman.blogspot.com.

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