you know from the last issue, this year has been a bit more challenging than usual for us. Not just us, but also our beloved columnist Durenda Wilson who is walking her way through a cancer diagnosis. In an introduction to her Mom to Mom column, I have provided a website where you can learn more about what’s going on and consider offering support if possible.

Homeschool rhythms are quite a bit different than the rhythms of the world around us. We tend to stay home when the rest of the world is getting out, and vice versa. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to create our own unique schedules based on what works best for our families, the season of life we’re in, and where we’re located.

For the past few years, we’ve followed a seasonal publishing schedule with the magazine. It just seemed like it made sense. We’ve been wanting to break away from it though, and with this year’s delayed Autumn Issue, that has in turn made the Winter Issue come out later than we wanted, we’re taking the opportunity to switch things up.

Volume 1: May/June/July

These months are a time for refreshing and fun, for thinking about the next school year while enjoying a break from the current one. And for year-round homeschoolers, school and life continue with some summer fun thrown in.

Volume 2: August/September/October

School time rhythms grow as we get back to a more normal routine and the rest of the world returns to their routine.

Volume 3: November/December/January

Family gatherings take place as we slow down to enjoy the surrounding opportunities while finding the right balance between life and learning.

Volume 4: February/March/April

This is when the rubber meets the road of the homeschool year. You need refreshment and encouragement and we’ll make sure this issue is packed with plenty to get you through!

The topics we choose to address are not usually tied to the traditional seasons anyway. We’re often working on building a mindset that helps in all the areas of home life and homeschooling.

The upcoming theme that will begin with the next issue, is no different. Now that we’ve had a time of stepping in to faith, family, simplicity and with this issue, peace, we will be going deeper. That’s what I felt the Lord leading me toward. He wants to get to the center of it all, our hearts, our motivation, where we spend our mental and physical energy, and how we can protect and fortify ourselves to be the people He has made us to be. For the sake of our families, and also for the things He has for us to do in life.

But for now, our focus is on stepping into the final part of our previous theme, peace. I know it seems like this is a simple thing to say and, in reality, an enormous leap to take. How do we make such a leap with the very real people in our lives? Like anything else, peace happens as a layered process. We partner with heaven to view our lives from the top down and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead as to when and how to implement the changes that will produce lasting peace.