HOPE is one of the loves of my life.

No, not that kind of hope. HOPE is our group of San Antonio homeschooling moms that is entering its eighth year together. I sometimes succumb, for lack of more descriptive terminology, to calling it a "support group," and although it is in many ways that, I dislike the term because it smells to me of weakness and a soft, victim mentality. HOPE, standing for Homes of Parent Educators (and a score of other interesting variations), is a group of more than 30 strong women, mothers whom God has inspired and equipped to take responsibility for the education of their children. But in our group, education is only a part: these gals give support and strength to each other in countless ways every week. The group represents several churches and is made up of large families, small families, single-parent families, both English- and Spanish-speaking families, young moms, older moms, moms-to-be, long-time San Antonio residents and military families who stay with us for a few years and then break our hearts...

Each fall, HOPE kicks off our school year with a family picnic. This year for the first time we had a combination cookout and swim party, and I haven't heard a single dissenting opinion: it was our most successful, satisfying, and fun picnic ever. Sixteen families gathered to enjoy a beautiful late September day and would have stayed into the night if it weren't for kids needing naps and teens sporting a little too much pink on the cheeks and shoulders. It was just one of those perfect days.

Wanna peek in?

I didn't get a good shot of the food when we started. By the time this one was taken we had pretty much demolished the setup.


I am not sure what the story is about Pete's handful of food here, and not sure I want to know...


...but whatever it was he had to wash it down with something.


The gals sat around in groups, enjoying the sun and each other's company...


...pairs of teens popped up here and there...


...the guys talked sports and...and...all those other things guys talk about. Theology. Yeah, that's it, theology.


I'm beginning to see this look often. Hollie was looking into the future and KNEW she was going to end up on my blog.


Even the big kids enjoyed the kid pool....


...and the littlest ones were having a good time, too!



CJ spent the afternoon conducting rigorous academic research for an upcoming paper on homeschooling...


...and Rowan led his dad around the pool several times.


Some of the little ones gave out early...


Some took a little longer...


...and you can't tell from this picture, but Tiff was nearly gone here.


It was a blessed day. These families truly enjoy being together and it shows. They dare to love, to serve, to put their lives and resources on the line for each other every day.

And THAT'S the audacity of HOPE :-)

Labels: Body of Christ, Fun, Homeschooling