Embracing Change: Homeschooling, Community, and the Joy of Growth

Show notes

About This Episode Aaron and Jennifer Smith catch up and share reflections from a full and meaningful summer. They talk about their sixth baby, starting homeschool early because the kids asked for it, their soon-to-be 13-year-old doing independent junior-high work and teaching himself Japanese, and the encouragement they received at a recent homeschool conference. They explain why they still make physical photo albums, and open up about the bittersweet decision to step away from their home church of about ten years, six of which they spent pastoring it. They also share honestly about a hard moment in their marriage when they reached out to friends for counsel, and how gardening has become a picture of patient, consistent growth.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode Family updates — Life with baby number six and a full, meaningful summer. Homeschooling early — Why they started the school year early because the kids asked for it. Homeschool encouragement — What they took away from a recent homeschool conference. Tangible memories — Why printed photo albums still matter in a digital age. Leaving a home church — The emotional decision to step away from the church they pastored for six years. Reaching out for help — Why prayer and support from friends matter in hard seasons. Gardening and growth — What tending a garden teaches about patient, consistent effort. The prayer challenge — Ask your spouse and a few friends, “How can I pray for you today?” and pray right then.

Scripture Referenced Isaiah 55 — “Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle.” God is not done growing us.

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