"Helloooooo __________ Family!!!

Sharon here:

I know.  It's been for.ev.er. since I wrote anything on this blog.  But I just have to share with you my little (recent) brainstorm.

We -- meaning my kiddos and I -- are coming to your house.  That's right.  This is your "heads up."  If we know where you live, expect that in the next several weeks, we're going to show up at your door.  And while I don't have a megaphone like Ty Pennington, (hm, where could I find one of those?), we'll have video camera rolling and plenty of enthusiasm.

Now, with that said, if we know where you live, and you wish we didn't, please let us know right away!  If you would seriously be mortified to have us show up at your door at any moment, tell us.  We'll respectfully make a note of that and pray a prayer of blessing over your family each time we're in your neighborhood, without intruding in your space.

Or, if we don't know where you live, and you wish we did, please let us know right away!  We'll make a note... and see you soon!

Why on earth are we doing this?  Good question.  Wellllll...  you are amazing.  And this incredible mission you're called to... parenting, educating, discipling your children...  well, we want you to know you're appreciated and loved.  Your contribution to this world as you train up the next generation of leaders is absolutely vital.  We need you!  This world needs you!  And you give so much everyday -- we'd like to bring you a little token of appreciation. 

We'll show up with a care package of some sort... dinner or a family home movie night... you get the idea. 

We'll ask how we can specifically serve your family... can our family love your kiddos for an evening so that you can get a night out with your spouse?  Or if you're flying solo while your spouse is deployed, can we love your little ones for a morning or afternoon while you get some time to take care of yourself?  Would you like help with yard work?  Would you like us to help you clean your house from top to bottom or maybe a specific area? 

We'll also pray over you... specifically praying for the miracle that you need God to do in your life. 

Finally, we're going to ask something of you, (you knew there had to be some string attached, right?).  We want to know what's going well for you in your family.  What are your strengths... in your marriage, family life, home education, living out lives filled with purpose and passion?  We'd like permission to share that with the rest of the home school community -- any advice and words of wisdom we can glean from your experience!

*If there are any families in our home school community that you would like to nominate for the Olson Crew to intrude on visit -- please send us their information.  We'd love it if you'd share any special likes or dislikes you know about this family, too!

Alright... we're making our schedule.  We've already visited two families, (though we'll have to re-visit since refining our idea... smile), and it was an absolute joy!!  Fortunately, although they didn't have any warning, they were super gracious to us! phew! 

See you soon!

Sharon & Crew 

Home School Mom's Evening Out

Has a week gone by already?  Where does the time fly?  Last Monday was wonderful!  I so enjoyed having moms and their precious children in my home.  And to meet a few new mothers... what joy!  Thank you for sharing yourselves with me and the other moms present.

Many of you know Jeri -- mom renowned for her passion, her talents, her generosity, and yes, her eight children. smile.  A couple of weeks ago she suggested that we get together as moms to plan out the remaining school months; and maybe even a few summer activities?  Her e-mail to me read,

"I know I mentioned having an oral presentation day. We also mentioned a History fair and/or Science fair. Ummm...we have talked bowling in the past few weeks, gym days, field trips and probably some other stuff..."  She went on to say, "Maybe a meeting at Khul Beanz?  Nothing long maybe an hour? An evening? I'm thinking March????  I'm okay with moms bringing kids, especially if husbands are deployed, they can sit and color if you think it wouldn't be too distracting."

Fabulous idea, Jeri!!  Thank you for initiating this!

Eifel Homeschool Planning Meeting

Kuhl Beanz, Bldg. 42 on Spangdahlem Base

(same building as the Chinese Dragon Restaurant)

Thursday, March 10, 6:15 PM

*Bring your calendars and brilliant ideas for what you

would like to implement and run!

We'll rally together
and make this an amazing home school group!

I hope to see you this Thursday!

Sharon Olson

Do I Know You?

I counted.  There are 30 families in our Eifel Homeschool group.  I've met 17 of you.  I feel I know 11 of you.  

Recently, I saw one of our dear homeschool moms... one of the moms I've only met -- but had the privilege of gleaning profound wisdom as a mother and homeschool mom during our brief interactions.  I'm sure she has no idea that her life is an inspiration -- at least not beyond her four walls at home.  But she is.  I spoke with another friend a couple of days later, told her enthusiastically, "You know who I saw?  I got to talk to her for a few minutes, hear a small update," I sighed whimsically, "went away inspired by her... just like the other two times I've spoken with her."  And I wished all over again that I could be this mama's friend.  That she would spend more time with the homeschool moms in our group settings -- I know her wisdom and insights are desperately needed.  (At least I know that I need those insights!)  

Do you know you're needed?  Of course, we all know our mission is to love and serve the people within our four walls first and foremost!  But do you know that the wisdom and experiences of your everyday-ness are exactly what minister to another mom in the trenches?  And I don't mean formal, "Oh, tell me your homemaking and homeschool woes so that I can counsel you and shame you and pour information into your head so that you go home feeling more overwhelmed and inept than ever before."  I mean the kind of ministry that happens naturally in friendships.  The holistic free-flow of give and take where encouragement just happens without it ever being offered as advice but instead through conversations in which we pour (in) courage into one another.  Those conversations when we ask one another questions that cause us to dig deep in search of hard-truth answers.  The ideas for how to be more efficient and organized, (which, for me, translates to cheerful instead of overwhelmed).  The vision for discipleship of our children.  The dream to live fully everyday, grateful, enthusiastic, eager to learn.  

When was the last time you lost sleep over something that so burdened you that you lay awake trying to figure out how you could affect the situation -- how you could make a difference?  Perhaps it was a situation in your marriage or with a child or regarding homeschool.  Maybe it was something in regards to the journey your family or one of your children is on.  Was it a subject that was local or global?  Is it a subject that breaks your heart or excites you?  

And when was the last time you shared that something -- that burden -- with a friend?  Another mom?  Someone who listens and then pours fuel on that passion, that dream?  Someone who knows you?  

To those of you in this homeschool group who I know, THANK YOU a thousand times for sharing your life with me.  You have given me far more than I can tell you.  I am rich because I count you as one of my friends.

To those of you whom I've met but not had the opportunity to get to know... I hope that I get to know you better.  You are a treasure... perhaps just waiting to be discovered.

And to those of you whose names and e-mail addresses are entered in this group but I've never had the privilege of meeting...  Well, sometimes I lay awake at night wondering what kind of beautiful friendships I might be missing out on.  I would love to meet you!

Don't worry, I'm not so unrealistic that I think that every woman I meet is going to be my best friend.  I know myself well enough to know that I'm intense and can be "too much" for people.  But will you give me a chance to listen to you... to your story... to hear your passion and dreams... and to encourage you in your journey?

Can I get to know you?

Blessings,

Sharon Olson

**Inspired by another homeschool mom who opened her home to the entire homeschool group several times, (thank you, Dina!), I am extending an invitation to come have a cuppa' with me here in my home this Monday.  Come anytime between the hours of 1:00 and 3:30.  Our children can play together while we visit, (and, of course, the children are more than welcome to engage in conversation with us moms -- something I'm pretty passionate about!).  I'll put my address on the yahoo group site or you can e-mail me for directions.  My e-mail address is:  olsonls7@msn.com.  

The Legacy of Eifel Homeschool Families

"You mean there's an actual homeschool group?"  This from one of the moms standing across from me.  Self-consciously, I giggle even as I affirm that, yes, indeed, there is an "actual" group.

Another mom asks, "Is there someone leading the group?" 

I smile shy, "Um, that would be me."  Their eyes meet mine.  "And another mom."

What to say.  I'm standing there with my right hand on my heart as though I'm about to pledge allegiance. 

Allegiance is what I committed when I took over leadership.  That was two and a half years ago. 

Hm.

I must say, I've met some remarkable and thoroughly inspiring home school families since arriving in Germany!  So incredible were these families that, (admittedly), I stepped into the leadership role enthusiastically.  Albeit, naively. 

I am so thankful for all the knowledgeable enthusiasm that families contributed over the last couple of years.  It was Claudine who got our yahoo online group up and running.  Another mom negotiated with the Bowling Alley resulting in over a year of bowling afternoons twice a month, (free shoe rental and 50 cent games), for the homeschool families.  This gave the moms a chance to network and encourage one another while the children enjoyed relationships with other homeschool children.  There's been the art classes, the library/research and writing class, and even, (more recently), swimming lessons!  And who knew we'd have the privilege of having an author in residence who would share her writing and publishing expertise with us... thanks a million, Jeri!! 

We began InJoy during a conversation at the Bowling Alley when the mamas agreed that an evening out without children would be encouraging and helpful to discuss matters of the heart without the tug of tending to little one's needs.  Some of you will remember the evening we spent in Claudine's loft, laughing and crying, talking and praying, until the wee hours of the morning.

Now we are meeting for InJoy during one short afternoon once a month while our children play in the room nearby.  Lisa's passion for marriage has led her to lead us in nurturing our romances with our husband, using encouragement from the book, The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance: nurturing your marriage through the homeschool years by Heidi St. John.

Honestly, I have no idea what a Homeschool group is "supposed" to look like.  I've stepped into this leadership role with a few ideas of what I thought a group like this is supposed to look like.  But I'm constantly impressed by the passion and initiative that the moms in this group display.  I'm inspired when one of you has a passion, a burden, something you can't possibly keep to yourself, and you organize a class, outing, play date, or opportunity for the rest of the group. 

Thank you.

I'm excited about this new year.  I anticipate great things. 

Our family has a year and (about) five months left here in Germany.  Every day has a sense of urgency to it.  But I got to thinking isn't this the way every day -- no matter what -- can be lived?  This sense of urgency that every day can be the best day ever?  That every day we are living our legacy?

And, on that note, I wonder... what is the legacy the Eifel Homeschool Group is leaving? 

Any thoughts?

Grace,

Sharon Olson

Bible Study Information

Hello everyone-


I hope you all had a wonderful celebration of Jesus’ birthday, and I wish you all a Happy new Year!

I am sorry this has taken me so long to get posted. I am praying the crazy months are now behind me 

This is the plan for the Bible/book study. The book is The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Romance; Nurturing Your Marriage During the Homeschool Years, by Heidi St John. I have order ten books because I received an incredible price on them. They will be $8.00 a piece including shipping, wow huh! Normally, they are $10.00 without shipping. (I ordered ten books, so this will be on a first come first serve basis.)We will be reading through the book together, paring it with the Bible, and we will also have some monthly challenges as well.

I have talked with the chaplain and he has given his blessing for our group to use the Chapel as a meeting place. The plan is to meet once a month (from January until April) on the third Thursday from 1:30-2:30. We may have to bump it back to May if we do not receive our books in time to do a little reading before our January meeting.

The question was brought up about older kids. We are hoping that some of the older kids would pitch in to help watch the younger ones during this hour. We see this as a great opportunity for them to lead and show off their mentoring skills to the littler kids. But, if your children are not interested in helping it is not a requirement. They are more than welcome to come anyway.

As far as younger kids… the plan is to have older ones there to watch them, splitting them into two rooms a toddle/baby room and an elementary room. I do have two older children who will volunteer to babysit. Michaela has taken the babysitting course, and also has a weekly job watching little ones, so I would feel completely comfortable leaving her in the toddler room. Chance is great with elementary age kids, and also is in a mentoring/watching situation (but volunteer) on a weekly basis so I would feel completely comfortable leaving him in that room.

I am hoping that we will have a couple more of the older kids who would also volunteer their time to help Chance and Michaela.

So a quick breakdown

Book: The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Romance; Nurturing Your Marriage During the Homeschool Years, by Heidi St John

Cost: $8.00

Place: Spangdahlem Chapel (room to be announced) Jan 20th from 1:30-2:30

RSVP: If you plan to participate to lkrkmkck10@gmail.com

***On a side note, this is a wonderful book and does not have to be done in a book study format. If you are interested in purchasing a book but cannot commit to thesStudy part please e-mail me. The cost for the book is the same no matter what.



Jerri- we are so in on all of this... matter-of-fact it is on my calendar :) I am so excited about this, and so inspired by all your great ideas lately :) Way to tike the initiative!

InJoy August 14th

It is that time of year again. Soon, the adventure will begin as we start our homeschool year. Are you ready? Are you organized? Do you need help?

If so, come to our InJoy meeting this Saturday August 14^th. I will be teaching on organization and giving tips on how to organize your homeschool. We will also share any successful ideas we have used in our homeschools.

Where: Lisa’s house

When: August 14^th

Time: 2:00- 4:30

Information: eifel.homeschools@ yahoo.com

What to bring: notebook to take notes

Strawberry Picking... June 16th

Strawberry Picking

Where: Wittlich
When: June 16th @ 1:00

Follow the autobahn to Wittlich, and take the Wittlich exit. Turn left off the autobahn and you will see the fields off to the right hand side about a mile up or so.