Sabbatical

Here are excerpts from a letter I wrote to our homeschool group:
For ten years or so, I have been one of the leaders of my homeschool group. In fact, I am the only founding member still on the leadership team. I have poured a great deal of love and time into the group and have enjoyed it immensely.

As many of you know, our family is experiencing some uncertainty and I am currently working full time. My husband and I are working together to educate our children at home. This leaves little time for me to devote to Seeds of Faith.

This situation makes it necessary for me to take a break from leadership. As of May 1, 2008, I will be taking a sabbatical for one year.

(A sabbatical (from Greek sabbatikos) is a prolonged hiatus, typically one year, in the career of an individual taken in order to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or traveling extensively for research.)

Bob and I hope that in the next year, we'll be able to make some firm plans for the next few years. We do hope and pray that God will allow us to continue homeschooling. My husband's workers compensation case comes up in court next week (April 9) and prayers are appreciated for our victory in this case.

I do plan to still be involved at co-op and attend field trips and the like, as much as I am able. My heart's desire is to return home and be with my family instead of working full time. I also hope to return to the leadership team in the spring of 2009. (or sooner, if things work out!) Please pray!

So, I am passing the baton to my able co-coordinator who has been skillfully leading co-op this year. I so appreciate being able to entrust the group to her willing and wonderful service. Assisting her will be a valuable team of leaders, some of who are new to us for the 2008-09 school year. Beginning May 1st, I won't be answering questions about the group or be in any decision-making capacity at that point.