Our Homeschooling Adventures and Activities for Jan-Feb 2025.

Homeschooling Activities:

Homeschooling.

In January, we immediately started with homeschooling as we look forward to a year full of homeschooling adventures and activities.

It all began with us needing to get a good start this year, as we had lost time during late 2024, when we were moving to another farm. The children soon got back into their schoolwork, whilst spending the afternoons, either around the farm or with their horses.

Diary Reminders.

As we often have to change our goals, due to unforeseen circumstances, I find that I can get quite stressed about how much the children are actually achieving with their schooling, their sports and their life-skills.

However, thanks to the blog diary that I’ve kept for many years I see, just by looking back, how far we have actually come…

It’s a time consuming exercise keeping a diary of the children’s life and activities, but it is well worth it and I recommend it to everyone out there.

If I look at my children’s education, from a holistic point of view, I realise that they are both well rounded and confident, they have a love for life and an impressive work ethic.

Praying through Stress.

We are all trying to cope with the stress of not knowing what our future holds.

As a family we continue to pray together every night, asking God to show us the direction in which He would like us to go, whilst wondering which door He will open for us, – as and when the time is right.

Cape Town Visit.

At the end of January Paula Joy and I traveled to Cape Town to see my parents and extended family members.

Due to financial constraints Murray John remained in Zimbabwe, keeping his Dad company, whilst looking after the horses and enjoying playing golf with Dad and Uncle Lester.

Homeschooling Friends.

Sadly, with the move from one farm to the other, we no longer have all the pets we used to have. The cats, chickens, ducks and geese now live at our Harare home and we shall replace our other little furry friends, once we are more settled.

Horses.

January and February are always quiet months for our horses. As we do not have stables as yet, currently they live out in one big paddock, where they also get fed and brushed daily. Fortunately, as it is summer time, the horses seem happy to be outside.

Paula Joy continues to ride her two event horses, as well as schooling young Carlos, who she backed in December. She is now training daily for a few horse shows, to be held over the next few months.

All the horses were put back into work in February, with their 6 weeks pre polo season fitness exercises, which entails strong walking, for muscle building and tendon strengthening.

By the end of March we will, hopefully, have a plan as to whether all the horses will go into full polo season training, as it all depends upon whether we are able to get farming again.

Both children continue to trim all the horses feet and are now quite confident with their trimming skills. This a very useful skill for any horseman to have, as it saves employing others to do this essential task.

Homeschooling Sports.

Golf.

Throughout January the children continued to play golf. They have had some lessons and many 9 hole golf rounds. They have now both brought their handicaps down to plus/minus 10.

Paula Joy and Murray John had a great experience, when the Indiana Wesley University Golf Team visited Zimbabwe and hosted a two day golf clinic, followed by a tournament.

Both children loved interacting with the USA college students and Paula Joy played outstanding golf, scoring 39 on the front 9 and ending up coming 2nd overall. It was an awesome few days and so lovely to meet young people from another part of the world.

Tennis.

In February the kids started back on the tennis court. They needed some tennis lessons, to brush up on their skills, as it’s been many years since they last had lessons.

Cricket.

Towards the end of February they both decided to play a little cricket and had a few sessions in the nets.

We shall continue with the golf, tennis and cricket throughout the year.

However, if we are able to play polo, we shall drop these sports during the winter months.

Homeschooling Adventures:

Farm Life.

As we are no longer living on a very busy large farm, but on a much smaller tobacco farm, our lifestyle has changed considerably… Douglas is now working in Harare during the week and visiting us at weekends.

Fortunately, Murray John is still able to help out on the new farm, as and where he can. He has recently been learning how the tobacco curing tunnel works. It seems as though it is a science and one that takes some years to master.

Also, as we no longer have access to a huge workshop, with many skilled mechanics, Murray John has now become our little fix-it man. He is doing an awesome job of looking after all our motorbikes, generators, vehicles, and the lorry.

Zimbabwe Economics.

Every time we think this country’s economy is at its worst, things seem to continue to go further downhill. The start to this year has been extremely tough for all Zimbabweans.

Thankfully, with all the good rains in January and February, there will be crops to harvest, which should soften the economic challenges.

Travel.

Cape Town.

Paula Joy and I had a fantastic Cape Town trip over 12 days and we thoroughly enjoyed our time away in this lovely city.

We attended the Passion South Africa Christian Concert, with Louis Giglio and Tim Tebow, held at the huge DHL Cape Town sports stadium, which was truly awesome!

We also attended a Betway SA20 cricket match in the Cape Town Newlands stadium, where Paula Joy enthusiastically waved her MI Cape Town flag, as we all engaged in the festive atmosphere!

The rest of the time was spent shopping or enjoying time with family and friends. Paula Joy also thoroughly enjoyed swimming at Fish Hoek beach.

A highlight for her was when she went for a horse ride along Long Beach, Noordhoek, where she galloping her pony through the sand, next to the waves.

Cape Town is an amazing place, with so much to do. We always love visiting this beautiful city and spending time with family.

Our Future.

Well… the next few months are in God’s hands, as we continue to look for a new farming opportunity for us as a family. We pray daily for God to lead us in whatever direction He wants us to go. We shall certainly keep you posted as to what we’re doing and where we are going!

Enjoy the rest of 2025 and please be safe!”

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1