Hi!  So much to say, so many non-functioning braincells to try to work with! 

Well, seriously, my eldest and I attended the state conference this last weekend and heard some powerful speakers.  Ken Ham was the highlight, although Jeff Myers had us laughing our heads off and making us think deeply about many important things.  (See, I was serious about the brain cell comment)

I also heard Shelley Noonan twice, what a DOLL she is!  What a treat! 

So back to Ken Ham.....you know, I first saw Mr. Ham back when he was doing videos called "Back to Genesis" and I think they were done by ICR----way back in the 80's I think.  I could be wrong, but once my husband and I rented one from the local Christian book store and took it to watch while we were being houseparents at a local ministry for unwed mothers-to-be.  I was really excited about the video, thinking it would be extremely high-tech and very professionally done, and was hoping it would really speak to our charge that weekend.  After all, if you were going to have a movie about Genesis, wouldn't it just be the neatest most awe-inspiring portrayal of the Creation that man could muster up?

We were sorely disappointed by the format of the video, which as I recall (barely) was just a young Ken Ham talking about getting our thinking back to the precepts laid down in the first book of the Bible.  I was looking for visual stimulation, and dynamic teaching.  As much as I don't like to say it, I was really bored with it!!!  Terribly "bummed out." But that was then, this is now.

Since then we have grown to appreciate and admire the ministry of Answers in Genesis AND love to watch Ken Ham on video!  (Or DVD, whatever.)  So when we heard he was going to be the keynote speaker, we were pretty excited.  But then I started thinking, "Oh, gee.  We have seen him on the telly so many times, it's bound to be the same thing...." 

Well, I was sorely mistaken!  Ken Ham is bigger than life, and has a tremendous speaking ability.  At the risk of using Christianese, he is an anointed speaker.  And the video clip "advertisement" for the Creation Museum is the most professional, state-or-the-art production imaginable.  I can't WAIT to go to the Creation Museum!!!  Mr. Ham and everyone at AIG, may the Lord continue to bless you and the message of getting us all back to Genesis!!!! 

~~~~~

Speaking of video presentations,  the state group that sponsored the event had a propaganda/promotional clip about the homeschooling climate here in our lovely state.  I have several different feelings and thoughts about it all.  First off I want to say that we do have to remain vigilant about our "homeschooling freedoms" but even though we have one of the most "lenient" laws, or "homeschool friendly" statutes, I still think that the law is invasive towards families, and towards home "education."  (The reason I put that word "education" in quotes is because I have a different philosophy for what education means to my family.)

In the promotional video, in addition to some scare tactics (references to the family in Germany whose daughter was taken away because of homeschooling) and other alarmist-sounding statements such as "Changes in the compulsory age; immunization tracking for all children, and the change in the definition of the family" (due to recent legislative activity) I found much that I didn't agree with.  Two families commented about why they homeschool and one family in particular said that they were against any kind of government intervention in their homeschooling (which I can agree with) although the wife said something to the effect that "as long as the children get high marks" then nobody should have any right to say or do anything about the homeschooling. 

 Well, I have a problem with that.  Whose high marks are the right "high marks."  Who decides what high marks we are shooting for?  I have always had a problem with "standardized testing" and for one reason, I am not in the process of standardizing my children.  Sure, I get excited when my children do "well" on something that they are focusing on.  But what if my children or your children aren't capable of getting "high marks?"  Who decides what really is a high mark for a child?  What about a "gifted child?"  (Aren't they all gifted?)  What about a child with exceptional talent in one area and not in another?  What about a child with auditory processing problems?  A child with a chronic disease?  A child who just plain isn't ready for academics yet?  What is going to happen when that child doesn't get the "high marks?" 

Can you tell I have a problem with that?   

One of the other speakers we heard mentioned that we must be educating our children for the right reasons, and I agree with that.  But whose right reason?  His?  Yours or mine?  Although I believe my home education journey is a God ordained journey, you might see it differently.  That is ok with me.  We all have to work it out on our own.....it is our journey to take and do as we see fit.  WE are the ones who will have to answer for our own families one day, and I don't mean to the local school district.

This particular speaker said that some of us turn to homeschooling out of rebellion.  He said that rebellion isn't going to carry us for very long, however.

Well, I suppose I might fit in that category.  Although my reason for homeschooling my kids tend towards more of the Deuteronomy mandated teaching style ~ all the time~ I also know that I am a rebel in that I never wanted my kids to go through what I went through in public school.  I wanted them to be individuals, not part of a herd.  I wanted them to not be bullied, not be sucked into popularity contests, not be treated disrespectfully by "teachers."  I wanted them to know what is important in life, and not be fooled by superfluous things like cheerleading, peer pressure, prom night, and dating.  I wanted to guide them through media choices and help them to choose the best, and not just the good, and to never acquire a tast for the worst.  I wanted to be the one (with my husband) to teach them about sex, drugs and rock and roll.  And you know what?  We are.  We are teaching them. 

Unfortunately, some of what we teach is "damage control" teaching, because we can't teach in a vacuum.  We not only have information coming at them from all sides because we aren't teaching them in a bubble, but we also have the information that was wired into us because we were both taught by the system we grew to hate so much.  And yes, that is a very strong word.  But if I say "I didn't like it very much" I wouldn't just be downplaying my disdain. I would be lying! 

There are many things that the Bible says that God hates, and I think that we have to look at what He did for us out of love and then we must know Him so intimately that we know exactly what He hates so that we can stear clear of it.

 Proverbs 6:16 says this:  These six things the LORD hates,  Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  A proud look,  A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,  A heart that devises wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies,  And one who sows discord among brethren. 

 I have to take a long hard look at my personal rebellion and make sure that it doesn't resemble any of this.  And I, only I will know in my heart if it does.  

So rebellion might not carry us for long, but it's a start.  Hopefully my rebellion might be seen by my kids as more of a passion.  Rebellion might be seen as a zealousness for what I believe is right for us.  Often rebellion is seen as a negative trait.  But if it weren't for a few rebellions in history we might still be under the yoke of bondage to the King of England. 

 Or we might just be still under the yoke of bondage to sin!  Rebellion is what Christ did for us.  He didn't rebel against His Father, but He certainly rebelled against the powers that ruled in His time.  He even rebelled against the idea that He was going to "win" his throne by the sword. The main difference was that He rebelled in a way that is mostly foreign to me.  He rebelled out of love. 

Most of the time, my rebellion tends to look like frustration, and that doesn't do much for my cause. I think the key to a rebellion that works is the peace of mind that comes from knowing the truth; and that truth is that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. Rebellion coupled with righteousness might just make a good combination, for us.

Well, I would love to hear your thoughts on "high marks,"  "rebellion" "love" and anything else that might have jumped out of you if you dared read this whole diatribe.  I am not asking anyone to join my cause, to dole out any funds for my conquest or even share in the fellowship of my prior suffering at the hands of a disgraceful public school education.  It is my personal journey, something nobody can take away from me.  And although by writing it here it seems like I might be looking for some kind of validation----I am not.  I have all the validation I need already, thank you. One glorious day I found it right here: 

Psalm 139  

  O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
  You know my sitting down and my rising up;
         You understand my thought afar off.
  You comprehend my path and my lying down,
         And are acquainted with all my ways.
  For there is not a word on my tongue,
         But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
  You have hedged me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is high, I cannot attain it. 
         
  Where can I go from Your Spirit?
         Or where can I flee from Your presence?
  If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
         If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
  If I take the wings of the morning,
         And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
  Even there Your hand shall lead me,
         And Your right hand shall hold me.
  If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
         Even the night shall be light about me;
  Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
         But the night shines as the day;
         The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
         
  For You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb.
  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
  My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them. 
         
  How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
         How great is the sum of them!
  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
         When I awake, I am still with You. 
         
  Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
         Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
  For they speak against You wickedly;
         Your enemies take Your name in vain.
  Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
         And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
  I hate them with perfect hatred;
         I count them my enemies. 
         
  Search me, O God, and know my heart;
         Try me, and know my anxieties;
  And see if there is any wicked way in me,
         And lead me in the way everlasting.

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy