Friday, June 5, 2015

A Fork In The Road - A New Adventure


Believe it or not, I am not a risk taker.  My husband is the one willing to take risks.  I'm usually the one doing the risk calculations and voting NO to everything.  God is so gracious and knows that about me.  So when He needs me to do something, He usually has to put people pushing me from behind, encouraging me to step out into His calling and all but put neon signs up along the way, to make it clear enough.  That's exactly what He has done with starting a Schole' group this coming fall.  


WHEN GOD GIVES YOU RESTLESSNESS


This past school year, I was beginning to feel restless, like I was at a proverbial fork in the road.  I was feeling prompted to make a change.  We were at the end of our third cycle for CC and Wonderful Wednesdays, six years into CC.  Sarah would be getting her final Memory Master for all three cycles, and it seemed we had memorized and expanded upon the memory work to the point we were ready for a new challenge.  I just wasn't quite sure what that would look like.  As the stirrings in my heart continued and the restlessness gnawed at me, I continued to pray for direction and wisdom.  Jeremiah 6:16 was ruminating in my mind and heart, repeatedly:

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
I began to kick around changing Wonderful Wednesdays' up.  Maybe delving into Great Books and History more deeply and shifting our focus, expanding upon what we were doing.  I continued to pray, I spoke with a close friend about some change possibilities and prayed some more.  I still wasn't there, though.  I didn't feel that peace of knowing when you know you've arrived where you need to be.  You know what I mean...that feeling of rest, that you're right where you need to be. So I prayed some more.  Then God sent me the "King of Rest" - Dr. Perrin, from Classical Academic Press.  

WHEN GOD CHANGES YOUR DIRECTION


After a conversation with Dr. Perrin, I began to consider stopping my Wonderful Wednesday group and starting a pilot Schole' group in my area instead.  (You can read about Schole' from the Schole' Sisters!)  My close friend and Mentor, encouraged me to consider it and pray about it.  She really became a cheerleader for my moving forward with the idea.  I was unsure and torn though and... given my history with risk analysis, I told you about previously, I was going to say no. Then as God so faithfully works, I just so happened to watch a video that was recommended for Schole' groups by Jenny Rallens and that changed my world...and my mind.  After watching it, I had an overwhelming peace that this was the right direction for my daughter and myself and something I wanted to share with others.  It's my natural bend in teaching children and where my heart lies in education.  I love the liturgical classroom - it's what Wonderful Wednesday's was all about!  Finally, I saw a way to expand what I was doing with excellence.


WHAT NEXT?


This Schole' group was the "good way" for me, the way I was to walk in - the "rest" (which ironically, Schole' means restful learning).  The peace returned to my heart and I knew I had found the direction God was calling me in for this season of our educational journey.  So, I have prayed diligently and dependently for wisdom to set this new pilot group into motion. God has been very faithful to provide a super location, like minded teachers and support from Classical Academic Press.  So here is the result....


Click Here for Info

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS®

After all this, you are probably wondering if I won't be doing CC any longer...right?  Well, I will still be in CC this year.  I plan to do Essentials for the coming year.  I don't see it as an either-or proposition.  It's a pilot year.  I have decided not to tutor full time to make room in my schedule and mind, for making Sola Gratia Classical Academy something I want my own child and others to experience.  If you know me, or have looked around on my webpage, you know that means I am driven to do it with excellence!  I see this group as an expanded enrichment to what we have done and will be doing with CC this coming year.  So you will still see me post about CC throughout the year.  I will probably be posting more in the way of classical education philosophy, materials I really love and use, and Essentials type information, since that will become our focus this year.  


WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS


I will keep Wonderful Wednesdays up on my blog for others to glean ideas and gain inspiration for starting groups in their own communities and homes.  I still think it's a great place to start!  I will also continue to provide the Teaching Plans for Foundations.  They are a terrific way to go deeper in the memory work and explore with your children.  I have loved what was created through Wonderful Wednesdays - the deep friendships, the incredible learning experiences, the launching board to deeper thinking, it's all been very worth it.  


I look forward to sharing this journey with you all as I walk it out in the coming months! 



Add to Cart

       

6 comments:

  1. This is wonderful! I am praying for you as I know well the feeling of starting in a different direction when you strive to do everything with excellence :) Can't wait for you to share with us moms who are so inspired and educated by you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carlen - Thank you very much. I am very thankful for viewers like you, that are sharing this journey with me and praying for me. Blessings - Colleen

      Delete
  2. Well said Colleen!! Thanks for sharing your heart and articulating so well that time in life when decisions loom. Well said.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so thrilled for you, Colleen! I look forward to hearing more about your new path. I, too, have enjoyed reading The Liberal Arts Tradition, and I only wish we were closer so we could join your schole group! How fun and glorious! Blessings to you, Friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Brandy! I wish you were too! I appreciate your stopping by and your encouragement, friend. :)

      Delete