Hello Friends!  Today I have the pleasure of sharing a wonderful article with you by a "new" friend of mine who recently relocated to my lovely state.  She shared this with our homeschool group and I jumped at the chance to share it with you.  So without further adeau, (ado?) I want to introduce you to Jodi Renae, who is my guest columnist for this week!

May you all find JOY in your HOME Learning Today!

I know we all have probably had moments when we aren't feeling like
that "perfect" home educator or feel discouraged.

Today I just want to remind you this is a time to really, really be sooooo thankful and feel so blessed that our children are home with us.

I want to thank each one of you for educating your children at home
as this is not only a blessing to you. This blesses me and those
around us and it will bless our future generation and mostly it truly
is a blessing to GOD. It truly is HIS GLORY to see HIS children being
raised up in HIS truth.

There are so, so many benefits today in home learning but I just
wanted to reming you again of a few:

1. When mommy is sick our children learn the gift of service,
patience, and love to sick ones (and daddy learns to appreciate mommy
too). They learn the world doens't revolve around them but around
loving others even in times of sickness.

2. That CREATION is TRUTH not a "choice" in science. That we were
CREATED by a MASTER BUILDER and CREATOR for HIS GLORY!

WE get to talk about GOD all day long, in every subject, and get to show our
children how HE is in involved in every part of our life not just on
Sunday morning in a Sunday School. We get to walk, talk, sit, stand
etc. just like HE teaches in the bible to do with our children.

3. Staying home allows our children bonds with eachother in unique
relationships that public schooled children miss out on. Yes, even in
moments of stress and discord these bonds with their siblings are
being built up with eachother and these bonds will carry them through
their adult life as best friends. Friends may come and go but family
is around for life.

4. Treasure the bonds in your parent/child relationship. We get
to "KNOW" our children unlike parents whose children spend most of
their time away from home. We know our children's personality in such
unique ways and they get to know us.

5. Most of our kids are healthy. They aren't exposed to so many sick
children, so our kids have healthier years than most other children.

6. Learning can take place any time of the day, anytime of the year,
and any place. We can take family vacations anytime of the year (and
avoid the large crowds) without worry of pulling our children out of
school... as learning takes place 24/7.

7. Ok, maybe they do lack something by being at home. School fashion
is what we at our home can lack. We don't have to have the "name"
brand clothes and mommy can teach in her pj's with no bra -sshhh shh.
No public school teacher can do that. (grin)

8. Our children have no "AGE" limits in their friend relationships
either as many of my children have friends who are in Nursing Homes
or are retired. Our oldsest son loves to sit and listen to stories
from older men and would rather spend time out doing activities with
an older experienced man learning from his skills and knowledge than
hanging out eating frozen pizza's with his peers (not that he doesn't
love his moments of this too - he actually would love anything where
you feed him).

9. FREE Internships! Our children can go work along side anyone as
they aren't limited to "after-school" hours. Our sons have had
opportunities to work along side a professional photographers, work
with a contractor - saving and making very good money for their
future, taking middle of the year mission trips to Mexico, work with
Professional Chefs, work at a Animal Shelters, etc. Their
opportunities are endless!

10. NUMBER ONE REASON: Jesus should always be our center in all we do
and all other things will come together. HE is the REASON and HE will
give us all we need when we seek HIM with all our heart.

Just take time today to be thankful for the opportunity and blessing
of having your children at home. Climb into bed tonight to read with
them or play that extra game before finishing the laundry or dishes
and take time to truly see the JOY in having children at home.

I recently heard a man say how "CHILDREN" were meant to be a "joy" to
us and how in other countries, where they dont' have all the
entertainment issues to distract them, that their joy is in the
watching of their children. Take time today to see the "JOY" in your
children as GOD intended. They truly are our rewards as HE said in
the Bible. This is truth.

Psalm 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from HIM!

Blessings on your Home learning journey,
Jodi Renae

A little bit about Jodi:  She and another lovely lady I know are serving God not only through their families, but through ministering His Word to women who are in prison.  Please pray for them! You can check out their website here: http://prisonministry.net/roc

Jodi says: "I am a homeschool mom of six: five boys and one beautiful rose.  I will be
starting my 11th year of homeschooling ... wow, the time flys when you're
having fun."

Thanks for stopping by the porch!  Be sure to visit me over at my other blog: Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy