Integrity, A School of Character

Today, something beautiful happened at our first ever “Tea with the Teachers”. 🫖

We set aside time for our 13 year old students who are wrapping up their final year in regular programming, by inviting them to tea with every teacher that has poured into them during their time at Integrity.

During this time we read aloud letters we wrote to each student, highlighting the growth we have seen develop in them over time, their spiritual giftings, and the way they have been a blessing to this community and school.

It just happened to be two boys for our first year, and we had one of our 14 year old Professional Communication Program Students who has been something of a mentor to them this year join us.

After praying he opened our time but looking at each young man directly in the eye and telling them one word that he thought represented them.

LEADERSHIP & KINDNESS were spoken over these young men, and then we went around the table and read our letters and those words showed up over and over again.

We ended our time together praying over each student, their talents, faith, and future’s. Each teacher that had taught them during a span of ages, stages, and years prayed over the success of these men, and it was a moment that will live with me for a very long time.

The school days fly by sometimes, and that is often because we are having so much fun together, but I’m eternally grateful for these beautiful moments where God shows us the power of slowing down, being present, and intentionally pouring into the next generation.

Homeschoolers don’t always get the same “rites of passage” that their parents or grandparents may have had and for some, that can feel like a loss.

But here, there are rites of passage they will experience with their peers and we think having words of life spoken over them at such an age will run deeper and last longer than something like an 8th grade graduation ceremony or dance.

Let them find deep purpose, investing their lives in ways that bring implications of your heavenly Kingdom to bear in this world-by their words and witness, by their love for others, and by the many works of their hands, minds, and hearts.

Psalm 78:72 reads: So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

That’s what this team does weekly with the students of Integrity. They shepherd their students with both integrity of heart and skillful hands and it is making an impact on so many families in our community.

They lead our children to greener pastures by spreading an abundant “feast” and just as a feast of food nourishes the body, we believe a rich curriculum of living ideas nourishes the mind.

By finding the shade of a “tree” for them to rest, they create an environment where children can assimilate knowledge in a way that is meaningful and engaging, allowing them to take what nourishes them and grow from it.

The most important role they play in their roles as shepherds, is pointing them towards to Jesus, over and over again.

I feel beyond grateful and excessively privileged for the opportunity to shepherd alongside all of these amazing women that God has inspired and equipped for this exact moment in time. 🐑🐏🐑

Whenever life feels overwhelming, step outside; nature has a way of restoring peace and communicating God’s greatness without words.

We felt that at the farm today, and wanted to share it with you too. 🌲 🌧️ 🐎

Check out the nature swing the kids made today out of baling twine and a stick and the fort they have all worked on progressively each week.

An atmosphere that is unhurried and free, yet full of life, makes a world of difference to us all. ✨

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of one of our students, Scarlett Dooley.

Many of you have prayed with us for her healing over the past year and God has answered those prayers.

This Saturday we will be celebrating her life at one of her favorite places, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and in April, our annual Art Gala will be dedicated to her memory and the proceeds from that event will go directly to her family to help offset the medical expenses they have incurred over the past almost 7 years of her battle with cancer.

Moving forward our annual Art Gala will fund the Scarlett Dooley Memorial Scholarship, created to help support families in our community who have a financial need in a tough season of life.

If you would like to join us in supporting the Dooley family during this time, you can donate via the Integrity Venmo with a note labeled Scarlett Dooley Scholarship, or Dooley Family Fund and all of that money will be given directly to the family.

Comfort us in the meantime Lord, for the ache of these days is real.

We ask that you join us in continued prayer over the Dooley family as they reckon with the sorrow of death that is felt on this side of Heaven. 💔

One of my favorite things about our Farm School program is how many opportunities our students get to do hard things.

Whether that be walking a long distance, dealing with bugs, adapting to the changing weather, collaborating with peers, basically any time they push themselves out of their comfort zones it can get overwhelming and their little souls are often so used to crying out for help and having their needs met, they truly don’t know what they are actually capable of.

But at the farm, I can’t control the how hot or cold it is, if the animals show up or participate, if everybody is going to be in a good mood and play how they want to, if the bugs will be curious about us, or if it’s so windy that the papers blow away or the dirt blows in their eyes.

The first few days are often quite an adjustment but over time you start to see them begin to understand all of these circumstances as things outside of their control, and because we are seeking God in His creation and extending gratitude for His gifts, complaining *mostly* dies a quick death and we all move on with our day.

I have the privilege of watching these kids test themselves at the farm each week. I see their tiny steps forward and sometimes their falls backward too and I know that the next time they come up against something hard, they are going to be more likely to try because of the confidence that came from having done something hard before.

This growing is different for each child. But I get to see where they start, what it looks like in the messy middle, and where they finish, and they ALWAYS make me so proud. ♥️

So here’s your reminder that you can do hard things and so can your kids. There is no equation, it’s not a quick fix, but the moment you see a child realize how strong and capable they truly are, your life will become infinitely more beautiful.

We have made prayer a priority since before day one.

Several people prayed over this dream, the people becoming the hands and feet that made it come to life, the meetings and courage that went into starting something new and of course over our students. We’ve prayed over our buildings, our lessons, our families and this community and we have structured our school day around starting our time together in chapel, which is always ended in prayer.

The prayer time that marks then end of chapel has always been one of my favorite parts of the day, because it’s not just me up there praying, or one teacher as she finishes up a lesson. Instead, each of our lead teachers prays aloud so that all of the students from ages 4-14 can hear different voices praying for them and the world and different ways to connect with what a prayer life could look like.

I’ve known the impact this would have, but I felt it deeply today as I saw the 50+ students in front of me bow their heads and start their first day of school together in prayer.

The words that are modeled for these children are LIFE GIVING words, and that means a lot to me and I know it will mean a lot to many of you too.

Integrity Families, you can trust that your children are cared for, prayed for, and encouraged to turn to prayer at any point in life, whether that be need, gratitude, worship, or strife. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey of nurturing your children as they grow. 🌲

♥️ Krystal

I don’t typically ask God for “signs”, not because I don’t think he can provide them, but because I don’t need to test him, or have him prove himself to me.

I do however make an intentional effort to notice the moments in life that drip with his sovereignty. Many people call these different things, and as I have grown closer to the Lord, my eyes have been opened to more of these “Holy Spirit moments” in my life.

Lately I have been well aware of how human I am, where my strength ends and his begins, because he has been stretching me as we work together (with an amazing team of people he has called and equipped) to grow this community and business in new and exciting ways.

Through this growth we have been able to invite older kids (12 and 13 year olds) to join us, include an entrepreneurial/communications class for 14 year olds that provides them hands on training for their first jobs, create more jobs for more families, and grow the community as a whole, so that more lives are impacted by this endeavor.

It’s been a beautiful season, and I’ve cried tears of joy at the beauty of it all unfolding, I know it’s good, because it’s been his project all along, I’m just the vehicle moving this thing along. But, sometimes I run out of gas, not because I don’t believe in my work, or the people around me but because I’m human and I so often let the world and all of the complexities of life overwhelm me.

But yesterday morning, I prayed for eyes to see the beauty in what Integrity does. I know them in my head, but I need that constant reminder tucked into my heart, because it reminds me that when I stall, He will restore me because this work is life changing and I have my own role to fill in those stories.

This little hand grabbing mine was one of many moments that tucked into my heart yesterday, restoring and strengthening me for the work ahead.

A tiny hand, pink overalls, little boots, seeking direction, needing confidence, and always deserving of love.

❤️Krystal

This will be a year full of……I can’t wait to see!

Here’s a sneak peek of what our cottage school classrooms looked like before they were filled with families. ❤️

2025-2026 school year, here we come! 🎉

Yesterday, my 8 year old walked up to me while I was working and asked me why I chose the tree design for the logo of this business and it sort of took me by surprise.

I don’t think I was ready for him to be interested in those parts of the work I do, but he was, so I proceeded to tell him why this mighty tree with its deep roots visible, brought my hopes for Integrity to life as a visual representation of what we were trying to cultivate and grow, together as a community.

So, in honor of that moment, here are the very words I wrote when I first shared this logo with the world.👇

“These beautiful roots, the ones that provide all of the nourishment to the tree, represent all of you, the parents.

The roots of all plants serve to anchor the plant, and absorb water and nutrients. That’s you guys, the anchor for your children, absorbing all of the good from the world and giving it directly to your little saplings.

The top 6 – 18 inches of soil is where the water and nutrients are. That’s where Integrity is placed, as reinforcement, we provide support and encouragement to you and your children, equipping you with opportunities to edify Christ-like character.

The children, who start out as seeds or acorns in this instance, with proper nourishment and protection, may grow to withstand storms of all kinds because their character is rooted deeply, ensuring they continue to grow into the mighty oak, pictured here.

This oak has shown strength and endurance in order to flourish like this and will continue to do so as the years go by, providing shade, shelter, and sustenance for so many others along the way.”

I pray that you feel equipped to anchor your children this year. I hope that you can see the ways you are nourishing your children, sifting through all of the chaos, and noise the world offers, and gently laying a beautiful feast before their eyes. I am eager to see how you endure through this year, modeling what strength in a storm can look like.

May this year be a journey that’s worth preparing for. One worth savoring and recognizing the goodness that is cultivated along the way. Integrity is available to us all.

✨Krystal