Do you ever feel alone in your homeschool days? Do you feel like no one understands? I certainly have! In fact, there was one season when my children were young that I thought even Jesus couldn't understand what it's like to be a homeschool mom.TODAY'S ONE STEP: Read, meditate, pray through Psalm 23. Do you really believe Jesus is your Shepherd? Do you receive all that He offers you? Do you live your homeschool days with an awareness of His presence?----------- Scripture in today's episode: Hebrews 4:15-16, Jesus understands our weaknessMatthew 9:36, Jesus saw the crowd like sheep without a shepherdJohn 10:11, Jesus is the Good ShepherdPsalm 23Isaiah 40:11, Jesus has a special place in His heart for moms---------- Looking for more homeschool encouragement? Find my BOOK on Amazon: The Restful Homeschool Resolution: 21 Days to Transform Your HomeschoolFollow me on INSTAGRAM: Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench.

Have you ever read the Odyssey? It's the ancient story of Odysseus tring to return home after the Trojan War. In this epic poem, Homer shares numerous adventures that Odysseus encounters along the way, many of which reflect our own stories if we slow down long enough to notice. Today, I want to share with you some thoughts I've been contemplating recently about one moment in Homer's Odyssey.TODAY'S ONE STEP: Do you need to tell your story and allow yourself to be seen and heard? Or does someone else need you to see them, to hear them, and to invite them to share their story?----------- Scripture in today's episode: Genesis 16, specifically verses 11 and 13Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8 "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever."Genesis 1:27, We are created "in the image of God."---------- Looking for more homeschool encouragement? Find my BOOK on Amazon: The Restful Homeschool Resolution: 21 Days to Transform Your HomeschoolFollow me on INSTAGRAM: Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench.

SURVEY - What would you like to hear on the podcast this year? I would love to hear from you! Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this quick survey. ---------- I've been thinking recently about the reality of our homeschool days and the frustrations we often face. We feel frustrated when the day doesn't go like we want, but we face an even deeper frustration when we (the moms!) don't act and speak like we want. How can we get to a place where our homeschool days are fruitful and productive? Let's look at how staying attached to Jesus as the True Vine can be reality in our daily lives. QUESTIONS to consider: 1. Jesus, am I bearing fruit? 2. Jesus, am I abiding in You? 3. Jesus, am I obeying You? 4. Jesus, am I abiding in Your love? TODAY'S ONE STEP: Choose your one step: 1. Search John 15:1-11. Can you find the verses that inspired these questions? 2. Ask yourself these questions and choose one to focus on today as you choose to abide in Jesus. ----------- Scripture in today's episode: John 15:1-11 ---------- Looking for more homeschool encouragement? Find my BOOK on Amazon: The Restful Homeschool Resolution: 21 Days to Transform Your Homeschool Follow me on INSTAGRAM: Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench.

SURVEY - What would you like to hear on the podcast this year? I would love to hear from you! Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this quick survey.----------Welcome back, homeschool mommas! Once upon a time, the day after Labor Day was the first day of school. Not anymore. If you're like me, you have already been in school for weeks. Perhaps you're already weary and wondering how you will make it through the year.Even this early in the year, we know that we are not enough for our homeschools. We need help from someone greater than ourselves. We need Jesus. "From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." - Psalm 61:2 (NASB)We need a Rock: a Rock of STABILITY, a Rock of REFUGE, a Rock of PERSPECTIVE. But what does this look like in the life of a homeschool mom?Before we get to that questions, I want to give you some updates. First, I'll share a personal update of our family life this summer, including several near-catastrophes during our trip to Yellowship. Then, I'll share an update on the podcast, including why I thought I might close it just a month ago.As we start Season 4 of the Rest in the Homeschool Trench podcast, I'm filled with more vision than ever. Let's start our homeschool year by crying out with King David, "Lead me to the Rock."3:45 : Personal update - including a grizzly bear story11:40 : Podcast update - and why the podcast is still here17:20 : Lead me to the Rock - stability, refuge, and perspectiveTODAY'S ONE STEP: Which aspect of a Rock do you need in Jesus today? Take a moment to pray and ask God to lead you to the Rock.-----------Scripture in today's episode:Psalm 61:2Exodus 33:15Isaiah 50:4Matthew 7:24-25II Samuel 22:2-3----------Looking for more homeschool encouragement?Find my BOOK on Amazon: The Restful Homeschool Resolution: 21 Days to Transform Your HomeschoolFollow me on INSTAGRAM: Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench.

How will your family spend this summer? Maybe you're already on a break. Maybe you're pressing on a little bit longer. Maybe you school year-round. Today, I want to share a few ideas for a summer where you can truly rest, refresh, and replenish so you're ready for a strong start in fall.

At the end of April, homeschool life can be very busy. So I have a very simple reminder for us today.

Do your homeschool days end up being a constant tug-of-war to get your child to complete assignments? It's a common issue for homeschool families. Let's think about some ways to release the tension and approach lessons without so much struggle.

I don't usually like to say that you should do something. But today is my second recent episode that starts with "why you should do" something. It's not that you should do this particular thing, but I want to share an idea of something that I've been doing in my life that's brought a lot of rest to my life. So today, let's talk about why you should watch some birds.

If you're homeschooling with chronic illness, you probably have a long list of things you just can't do the way you want to, and you probably struggle with the effects your illness has on your family. Let's look at some practical strategies for homeschooling with chronic illness.

Gardening advice is not what you want from me; but today I want to suggest you should plant some daffodil bulbs. Why do you need some daffodils? It is not just about gardening. It's a reminder for your heart. 

If you're homeschooling with chronic illness, you're probably struggling with a wide variety of issues. They tend to swirl in your mind. It's hard to discern what to do when you can't even figure out what is going on. So let's start unswirling those struggles so you can think of your next practical step to take.

What do you do first in the morning? How do you prepare yourself for the day? There are many things we put on ever day, mostly on the outside. Let's think about some things we need to out on inside ourselves as we begin each homeschool day.

If you don't like the reality of how you speak and act during your homeschool days, it might be wise to ask yourself if you have any underlying doubts about your faith. Today, I'm sharing parts of my story, of my doubts, and how I came to this place of complete confidence.

Do you know that you know that you know? Is God really real? Is the Bible really true? Is your salvation a true reality? If you're not completely confident, fully assured, of your relationship with Jesus, you might not like the reality of how you act and speak with your family on a daily basis.

On your average homeschool day, would you say your homeschool is united in love? It's easy to focus on changing outer behavior, but it's really a matter of our hearts. Let's look at two ways we can practically pursue a more loving homeschool.

One of the hardest parts of being a mom is letting go of our children. It's one thing to trust God with our own lives. It's another layer of faith to trust Him with our children. Let's talk about letting go and trusting that God's got them.

A few weeks ago, I unintentionally made a misleading promise in Episode 57 (Redefining Homeschool Success). So today, I want to go back and clarify a few ideas. 

Are you feeling the dreariness of January? This might be a season of cold, dark, dreary days, but spring is coming! Every day right now, I'm looking for the first glimpse of yellow from the daffodils in my front yard. They're our yearly reminder that God is always ready to do something new in our homeschools. PS - If you felt unsettled by last week's episode about redefining success in our homeschools, please listen to the first minute of this episode. 

What are you aiming for in your homeschool? Is there ever a nagging voice in the back of your head telling you you're failing? Maybe it's time to redefine what homeschool success really is.

Are you one of the many moms homeschooling with chronic illness? If so, you might wonder if you can still successfully homeschool. Maybe you even wonder if you should give up homeschooling so your children can have something better. I've been there. So today, I want to share with you part of my story of homeschooling with chronic illness.