Well...our girl started a new school year yesterday. She is now a 7th grader!
This year we are continuing to homeschool Brianna. She is going to a tutoring program called "Classical Conversations" on Tuesdays and is home the other four days. The program gives her the opportunity to practice class discussion as well as public speaking. She will be learning Geography (she will learn to free hand the world including political boundaries, bodies of water, terrain, etc.), Latin, Pre-Algebra, Writing, Literature, Rhetoric, and Natural Science. In addition to this, she has been taking an online keyboarding class for the last month, and will continue on with that for a few more weeks.
Our girl has grown so much this summer, both physically and spiritually. We were looking at pictures of her from the first of June compared to this past week...What a difference! Not only is she taller, but her face is looking so much more mature. Sniff, sniff, our baby is growing up!
Brianna has also seemed to deepen in her relationship with Christ this summer. More and more she brings me her journal to let me read what she has poured out onto the page. The Lord has been SO faithful to remind her of who she is in Him, and how her focus needs to be on His will and not her own. That's a big deal for any of us...but particularly for a 12 year old!
Brianna's focus has made a shift from self to others, and her heart to serve her family - and others - is evident! She doesn't do her chores in drugery, but is really seeking to do a good job for the glory of God and the blessing of those she loves. What a blessing!
Another area we see a tremendous change is in Brianna's sense of humor! She is SO FUNNY! She has David's wit down to a science it seems. (Speaking of a sense of humor...God has one too! He gave Brianna Tony's face and David's jokes...oh, okay, and my flare for the dramatic. We're just all rolled into that girl! Only God could do that!)
Let's see...what else...Brianna's love for horses abounds. We had the privilege of staying with our friends, Rodney and Susan, this past weekend while we were in Alabama. Rodney is working on his own petting zoo. He's up to 2 llamas, 2 horses, 2 roosters, 1 mule, 1 cat and 1 dog. Brianna got to ride some both on Saturday as well as Sunday. And, despite the fact that her horse (Pilgrim) decide to take off when Rodney was looking the other way for his camera and she ended up falling off, she still wants to get back on next trip. (You will notice what looks like a smudge on Brianna's forehead...and maybe what looks like a shadow on her cheek...those are her battle sores from the fall.)
Oh, and the other fun activity at Rodney and Susan's house is that Brianna gets to drive around the pasture - BY HERSELF - in a golf cart. Well, except for when the dog, Brody, jumps up in there with her. She's feeling mighty grown up these days! =D
And, lest you think the only fun thing at Rodney and Susan's is their "stuff", let me just tell you that Brianna ADORES both Rodney AND Susan. If you know our daughter at all, you know she is very standoff-ish when it comes to men...But she walks boldly up to Rodney and hugs him hello, good-bye and good-night. And, she said "Aunt Susan" is always on the tip of her tongue...she has to remind herself that it's "just" Miss Susan.
Side note: Rodney and Susan have been a tremendous blessing to our little family. They are a constant source of encouragement, as well as a constant source of Truth. They know and love God's Word, and are so faithful to impart wisdom to us. Not to mention, they spoil us rotten while we're up there! lol We always have so much fun staying with them! And what a joy to come away feeling refreshed in our spirits!
Well...that about sums things up for the start of 7th grade.
Brianna, we are SO proud of the young woman of God that you are, and that you are becoming. Your care for our hearts and our souls blows us away. Thank you for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and for stepping out in faith as the Lord leads you to. You are such an example to us! We love you, Princess!
