Is It That Time Already?

Since I know how crazy-busy May becomes, I thought I would get a head-start on all the reminiscing that one's senior year of high school brings.  Our senior is, of course, Micaiah ... Rachel Micaiah Lopez.  Here, in the middle of the summer before her senior year begins, I am anticipating already the many "lasts" that this year will bring.  Here, in the middle of Europe as we begin our final year of this tour, the number of "lasts" multiplies before my very eyes.  And yet, I am so thankful for the opportunity to look back and to remember all the blessings of being mom AND teacher to our eldest daughter.

The Lopez Family Homeschool officially opened its doors in August 2005 (with three students enrolled)...

and now as we begin our ninth year, our enrollment has increased 67 percent, and we will be graduating our first class this next May.  This encourages an even bigger dose of end-of-the-school-year questioning:  How close are we to our goals?  What areas do we need to improve and strengthen as we move forward?  Are there things we need to be doing differently?  What does this upcoming school year potentially hold as challenges?  There are no parents (I refrain from using any adjectives here) to evaluate the job I am doing as a teacher so the need for honest self-evaluation is crucial, and thankfully, our principal (Dad) provides great wisdom and guidance all throughout each school year.  As always, may we remember the command

"Hear, O Israel:  the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." --Deuteronomy 6:4-7

It will be much too soon and we will be doing this again ...