Freedom. Makes one's heart swell. Maybe make the pulse beat a little quicker. Think of the "Freedom speech" from the movie Braveheart. Or the "Band of Brothers" speech from Henry V, Act IV Scene 3.

John Adams wrote, "The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing." He also wrote, "Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom."

With all the bills proposed in Congress currently, I think we need to open our eyes and become even more involved in the political process and involve our children. Hopefully it's not too late.

As you can read in another column today, Heather wrote concerning The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and the dangers it holds. A signed treaty becomes the supreme law of the land, superseding all federal and state laws. (Check out ParentalRights.org  for more information.)

There's a bill about to be voted on next week (last I heard it would be on Monday, July 6th) called "Cap and Trade." If passed, this bill will require every homeowner who wishes to sell their home to obtain a federal inspector to conduct an energy audit on their home. The cost of the audit will be paid by the homeowner. Before the house is allowed to sell, it will have to have upgrades (windows, hot water heater, furnace, insulation, air-conditioner, roof, etc.) to bring it up to "green standards."

Health care is about to go through some major changes. Although for some things, social medicine may sound like a great idea, but the media doesn't mention the long wait patients have to endure before being seen or getting particular treatments. Those who are aged or those who have any disabilities are prime to be not treated due to the government's decision on how to spend its money for health care to the masses. If one's quality of life won't be deemed "good enough" or if one has lived a long and happy life, someone could determine who should or shouldn't have treatment to prolong their lives.

There are times I think we as a nation have become the frog in the pot over slow heat. Its freedom has been taken away and at first the warming water is pleasant. But before long, it's boiling and he's no more. I hope America has a revival from the Lord and wakes up to what is going on politically. Benjamin Franklin is attributed to this quote, we all need to remember:

They who can give up essential liberty [freedom] to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Current affairs may mean we need to have "another revolution" of some sort. John Adams wrote, “What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations…This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.”

Happy 4th of July ~ Independence Day. Remember those who've came before us and who fought & died for our liberty...for our freedom. Let's not let their sacrifices be in vain. 

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. Her website is at  http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2009 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

summer

The topic this week is summer.

I sit here in the heat. (It’s over 80° F inside and daytime highs are over 100° F.) There is just nothing exciting or helpful that comes to mind. I’m a cloud, storm-loving gal. I get energized when there are storms and feel totally sapped when “nothing but blue skies do I see.” I think the best weather would be comprised of temperatures in the upper 60s° F with lots of clouds.

For our last 12 years of our homeschooling journey, we went year-round. When one book was finished, we just started the next one. When one year was completed, we just started the next one. Texas summers are known for their heat, so staying inside and being educational is a good thing. It’s definitely a good thing to take vacations and/or breaks when we need them and in seasons where getting out into the weather is pleasant.

So if by chance you are like me, know you’re not alone. We’ll get through this summer eventually…maybe if we’re fortunate, by the end of September, but since I’m in Texas, it will most likely be the end of October before we start to see 60° or 70° F. And if you thrive in hot weather, blue skies, sunshine, and heat—more power to you. Enjoy for those of us who are depleted by such things.

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can visit her website at  http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2009 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

I really believe that homeschool fathers are in a difficult position. We, as their wives and the mothers of their children, have to make purposeful efforts to make sure we do not take our husbands and our children’s fathers for granted.

In this week’s The Homeschool Minute, Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries (http://www.familymanweb.com/) wrote the following:

As I talk to dads about their teenagers who are giving them fits, their wives who don't seem to think like them, and the deceptively deadly pull of success that beckons to them everyday, I see tiredness in their eyes and hear emotion in their voices.
I listen to them talk and nod my head in understanding until they finish. Then in a gentle but firm voice I say, "Man, I know exactly how you feel, but . . . you 'da dad. You may feel like giving up, but your family is counting on you. You can't give up on them. Get back in there, because although they may say harsh things . . . they still need you."
They sigh, stiffen their chin in determination, and nod in agreement. "You're right, Todd," they say. "Thanks for the reminder."

… [Your husband] gets pummeled, whomped on, yelled at, and spit on but . . . he's just too committed (or too stupid) to give up. He loves you, your family, and his role as dad (even though sometimes he doesn't act like it).

Todd expressed what dads have to go through very realistically. They definitely have a harder path to walk, the “stronger vessel,” I believe. It is tough, but they have been given the inner strength to lead their families, to make sure their family has all their material needs met (food, shelter, clothing, etc.). Some dads are active in their homeschools, while others aren't; some are the bread-winners while others are the teachers at home; regardless, they still are the head of the household and are responsible before God to make sure their families are being cared for.

I hope that you can make this “Greeting-Card Day” special so they know that you do understand and sympathize the road they travel so as to help us continue to home educate your… their children.

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can visit her website at  http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2009 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

Last month, Nancy Carter wrote the following in The Homeschool Minute.

One question that all homeschool parents will encounter is, "Why do you homeschool?" Your answer to that question will not only reflect on you and your confidence in your decision, but you never know what kind of seeds you may be planting for others. I can still remember when I was the one asking those questions and I'm so thankful for the kindness veteran homeschoolers showed in answering my questions. They definitely planted seeds for me!

I think that sometimes it's hard to answer, "Why?" because there are so many reasons why, but here are a few of my family's answers:

1. To tailor our sons' educations to best meet their needs.

2. To take advantage of everyday hands-on opportunities for learning in the "real world."

3. To spend more time together as a family--learning more about what it means to follow God and how to be a family.

How do you answer people when they ask why your family homeschools?

For a lot of families, their homeschool year has ended. And right after the school year has ended can be a good time to reflect your own “whys.” It helps when people ask if you have a fairly-ready answer. If you haven’t already written an “Educational Philosophy,” Consider writing something for your files. It helps when you hit tough spots in your homeschooling journey to remember exactly why you think homeschooling is the way to go for your family. An educational philosophy will move beyond what kind of homeschooler you are, otherwise one would only have to say “I’m a Relaxed Homeschooler” or “I go with Classical,” or you would only have to mention a name:  Montessori, Charlotte Mason, and so forth. A philosophy is going to be a bit different than the method one uses to homeschool, yet they will go together in the implementation like hand-in-glove.

On HomeschoolingPreschoolRock.com I found this quote: “...your values, convictions, and beliefs about education will ultimately influence all your homeschool decisions. What you believe about how learning happens is vital because education determines how an individual views the world and how s/he approaches life. You already have the basis of an educational philosophy, even if you have not put it into words. These consist of the values, ideas, and convictions that led you to consider homeschooling. “ 

Examples of educational philosophies can be found here:

Homeschooling Aspergers on Blogspot has a well-written first draft. (She was asking for input on hers.)

Bending the Twigs (also on Blogspot) has a well-thought out philosophy.

Marjorie writes about her educational philosophy as an unschooler. She found hers from a simple phrase "Get a Life!" from an anonymous poster on her blog.

At Homeschool Marketplace, read the article, The 10 Rules of Thumb for Choosing Teaching Materials, as it can be beneficial as you form your own philosophy. Even though this article concerns choosing the right curriculum for your situation, it can help you with your philosophy since the materials you buy will be based on a foundation. Your foundation is your educational philosophy.

Here is the Educational Philosophy that my husband and I wrote in 1995:

We believe that life is fulfilling, purposeful, directed by and surrounded by God.

We believe that there is a sin nature that must be overcome (man is not basically good). To overcome  that sin nature, one needs to have a personal relationship established and continued with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that our children belong to God and are loaned to us to equip them for their own unique purpose. That purpose is that they will use their talents and abilities to the glory of God, directed by His purpose for their lives.

We believe that as Christians (believers and disciples of Jesus Christ) we have been called by God to participate in the spiritual battles as they are being played out in this life. It is, therefore, imperative that we equip our children to reason from the /biblical worldview. This means that they would understand the flow of thought through history as seen through the interweaving of art, music, philosophy, science, and government, as well as recognize the significance of the spiritual dimension of reality in which there is great conflict between good and evil.

We believe the culture that we are surrounded by has become and is becoming increasingly hostile towards Christianity. Our children must be able to stand independent of the thoughts and ideas of our age. Christianity (the relationship between God and man solely through God’s only Son, Jesus Christ) is a system of thought that applies to all aspects of life.

We want our children to be educated to be a generation that will vigorously ;resist anti-Godly values and infringement on their rights.

We believe Homeschooling is self-evident in pursuing these goals.

This was written about a month before we actually began our first year of homeschooling (Kindergarten). Our methodology has changed somewhat over the years, always on the eclectic side. It started more traditionally, mutated to a more relaxed style, and finally ended with a mixture of relaxed and classical with a strong emphasis on evaluating world views. But even with the methodology changing, all was firmly based on this foundation—our educational philosophy.

So you see, my family's philosophy doesn’t mention methods at all. There is no one correct way to write an Educational Philosophy; it may include methods (as some of the examples above) or it may not. Remember it is laying a foundation of why you homeschool, something for you to share with others (or not), something that is the foundation for material buying. Something that is very specific to your own family.

So, how do you go about writing such a document? Do what Nancy did above. Write down the basic answer to “Why You Homeschool” and how you see it should be accomplished. Consider your own world view. Think of the “big picture” of homeschooling, beyond the everyday routines. It’s not as hard as you may think. Your Educational Philosophy (as PreSchool Rock.com shared above), “consist(s) of the values, ideas, and convictions that led you to consider homeschooling” in the first place.

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can visit her website at  http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2009 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

The End of School.

Do you remember when you were a child and those were the happiest words? I don't know if anyone ever forgets that feeling--no more school: for the summer, after thirteen years of Kindergarten through High School, or after undergraduate or graduate school... Is it true, though? Is there ever an "end" to "school"?

This week’s topic here on the Front Porch is “the end of school.” This makes me laugh. To me, school and education are synonymous, and education...learning never ends! Even as an adult, I’ve learned new things—I bet most homeschool moms are still in the category of learning computer skills as an adult. (Pretty soon, they will become the minority as homeschool moms become younger and younger and they will have learned computer skills either in public or private school, or as homeschooled students themselves.)

There are whole categories of homeschoolers who fall into various “camps” when it comes to determining the beginning and end of each of their “school years.”  Some will follow the public school format:  when the school down the street is open, they’ll have school; when it is closed, their school will be out also. They take snow days just like the public school also. Others may go year round, feeling that learning happens all year round and in no other segment of the population (other than children and teachers) is there a two to three month break from work. They may take a week of vacation here or there, to be decided as the material ends or gives natural breaks. Or they may take time off when it’s too hot to be outside or too cold. Some will do a modified four semester schedule, while others do a trimester format, varying when they take their breaks. Some will just work three weeks a month and skip the last week, or go for as long as they can, then take a week or two break, starting back up where they left off. It really is up to YOU, the parent, to determine if and when there will be an “end of school.” Sometimes we all have to be reminded that we indeed are the experts and we are in charge of our own homeschools. We may have some requirements placed upon us by the state, and so we may have to modify what we do, but the responsibility lies upon us in what and how we educate our children.

Even with the ultimate “end of school” when our child is finishing their high school studies, even then, we have the responsibility and right to determine what constitutes a high school diploma. For most, it means they check out what their particular state requires for graduation, or what a sampling of colleges and universities expect a high school senior to have taken. For others, they may see the bent of their own child and determine if they are or should be college-bound, or if they need to be an intern or be apprenticed, or if they ought to learn a trade (welding, auto mechanics, aviation mechanics, etc.). The high school curricula for those not attending college might easily look different than those who will be attending a trade school. It is decided by the parents (with their high school junior’s or senior’s input). So the end of homeschooling is determined by the parent also.

So it’s not that simple a topic, this topic of the “end of school.” May there never be a mentality that there is indeed an end of school, for learning happens every day for a lifetime.

I found a wonderful site that gives you the history of Memorial Day as well as how to observe the holiday, giving other links about Memorial Day, poetry, images, and prayers, and helpful links pertaining to grief and healing. Presidents' remarks along with speeches and essays are also given.

Other than enjoying a day off and enjoying sales at the mall, one can observe Memorial Day by visiting memorials and cemeteries, flying the national flag, by participating in a “moment of observance” at 3pm on Memorial Day itself, or by pledging, or renewing a pledge, to aid widows, widowers, & orphans of our fallen dead as well as aiding disabled veterans.

Expressing my own thanks to those who served has always seemed to be appreciated. There have been times where I have stopped behind a car getting gas and have noticed their license plate proclaiming their status as a purple heart recipient. I have turned off my engine and walked to the person, giving them plenty of "personal space" (don't want anyone to think I'm some crazed lunatic, don'cha know), and told them that I was grateful for their service. It almost always has brought tears to my eyes, but I feel it's important that they realize, whether they are the spouse or child of the actual recipient, that they are appreciated.

Be sure to voice your appreciation for the sacrifice that our veterans have given and that our current soldiers give.

My own philosophy of testing is that when there is one-to-one tutoring going on, the need for constant or even yearly testing is nil. If a teacher has 25-30 students, then there is a great need to know where each of those students are in their studies. It would be easy for a teacher to not have a good handle on the specifics of an individual student. He might have a general idea, but with so many, he would need a method to help him know for certain if a child were failing in a particular area or not. When there is only one student and the teacher is intimately aware of that student’s relationship with the curricula, testing only serves to confirm where a student is. And confirm it normally does. Most tutors in this situation already know if Johnny is not doing well in math and is ahead of the game in science, for example, the test only validates what they already know.

There are plenty of reasons why some homeschoolers may choose to test; however, and there is nothing wrong with testing regularly. Some wish to show the grandparents that yes, indeed, homeschooling is working. Some need to test because of their state requirements. Some are just used to this as part of the protocol of teaching and feel more comfortable doing so. Although I feel that testing is not all that necessary, that does not negate the reasons or feelings of those who do.

There are several options in testing. Some tests require someone with a bachelor degree administer the test, while others do not. Here is a list with some options so you may do your own research.

* Stanford Achievement Test from Pearson

* PASS tests from Hewitt Homeschooling Resources

* California Achievement Test (CAT) from Christian Liberty Academy (CLASS)

* “Do it Yourself” Standardized Tests from Bayside School Services

* Iowa Tests of Basic Skills—BJU Press

* Several kinds of assessment including portfolio—Home Education & Family Services

I chose to test my son when he was in the sixth grade with the Iowa. A homeschool group hired a teacher and then opened the testing up to other groups and other homeschoolers. The tests did nothing but confirm his status so I chose not to continue testing. The next test he took was his SAT and ACT for his college entrance.

When your child is in 10th and 11th grade, they ought to take the PSAT. The test taken in the junior year is the one that counts for determining if your child might be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. It’s also good practice for taking college level/entrance tests. 

You may choose to test three times (4th, 7th, and 10th grades) before starting the college tests (PSAT, SAT, ACT). The SAT and ACT are relatively the same type of test and it’s a good idea to contact the schools you think your student is interested in and see which test they require. There are courses and tutoring geared just for the SAT and ACT. They may be helpful to you. There are several books available also that you can use as a course unto itself in prepping for the test, specifically encouraging good scores in both vocabulary and with the essay question. Many junior and community colleges offer classes and tests to score out of some of the entrance level classes, as well as helping a student get a start with their college credits with dual enrollment during high school.

Testing won’t always show you how well your student is doing or how much your student knows. Some children do not test well due to learning challenges. Some just don’t test well but know the information. They do much better with oral exams that ask them what they do know instead of regurgitating basic facts, which they may not be able to retain well.

Remember that you are your own child’s expert. There is no need to seek a “higher authority” or one with more education than you have, unless your child presents to you with problems and issues which you can not help them (i.e. dyslexia, dysgraphia, autism, etc.). If your child does not have these issues, you most likely already know if they are not where you feel they ought to be in language arts or math. A test will not necessarily help you, although it can give you some peace of mind that you do indeed know your own child. Remember also that some children bloom late and there are numerous cases of children learning to read the year they are 10 or 12 and within one year, they are reading and understanding at a college level. Most parents are usually able to tell if their child is blooming late or needs some sort of intervention. Trust your gut! Pray and ask the Lord to guide you and direct your steps as you direct the nurture and education of your child. Don’t test just because it’s expected but use tests as a tool. Just as you don’t let the textbook dictate what you teach, don’t allow peer pressure or some internal worry to dictate to you to test. (You’re the teacher not the textbook! You’re the teacher, not the test! You may let either one guide you but you do not have to become a slave of the textbook or the test.) Teaching to a test might help some children, but by and large, most children will not necessarily remember the information that is pushed just so they can pass a particular test.

On April 14th, my husband's mother died. It was truly a time too soon. This may still be too early yet to write as fluently as I'd like about Carlene. I'm still in that phase of realization that she is no longer just a phone call or short trip in the car away.

I could never have asked for a better "mother-in-love"... She was always so supportive. As Glenn is very much like his father, she understood my situation better than any other. Never bashing her husband or her son, it was enough to know she understood my side of things. Very few times did I see her without a kind look or a smile on her face. Both she and my father-in-law never attached strings to any help they offered. They both were available to supply advice when asked, but never gave us any grief if we happened to follow a different path than the one they advised.

 The following I compressed from the newspaper obituary and the funeral program:

Carlene was born July 13, 1928, in Fairfield, Oklahoma, the fourth of six children. She grew up on a farm in Mangum, Oklahoma, where everybody knew where you lived by the name of the owner of the farm. She heard her first gospel quartet at church in the early 1930's. This was probably the beginning of her love for Southern Gospel music. She moved to Mesquite, Texas, with her family in 1944 and graduated from Mesquite High School as Salutatorian in 1946.

Carlene met her future husband, J. C., on a blind date in 1950, and they were married six months later. Their marriage lasted over 58 years. All of these years were spent as active members of First Assembly of God in Garland where they raised their children. She was a great example of a true Christian to everyone who knew her. Carlene touched the lives of many children over the years through her ministry in the church nursery. Carlene sent out countless cards to both family and church members, for all occasions. She also shared herself for many years working with the Girl Scouts, first as a leader and later at the administration office from which she retired in 1997. Carlene touched the lives of everyone she knew for the better.

She finished her race on April 14, 2009, at the age of 80. Carlene is survived by her husband, her four children, her three sisters and seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother and a sister, as well as a grandson and a granddaughter.

I have a few years yet to become a mother-in-law, but I had the ideal model her life before me. I hope I can do her proud.

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can visit her website at  http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2009 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

Oh, how I love a field trip! They can be just plain fun with very little educational value or can be chock-full of educational material, and might even be on the boring side (for those who are more hands-on in their homeschooling approach). But I love ‘em all! 

I love a good road trip, too, and even when it’s just me and a girlfriend, I’m constantly scanning the road, the little town, the countryside for anything of possible interest. My favorite road trip is when we can take the time to stop at every historical marker along the route. It’s icing on the cake when I can stop at an old cemetery. Think of the history in those places!

Any time you leave the house can be considered a field trip. Having a fresh outlook whenever you leave your home can help you see possibilities where you might normally only see mundane chores or errands. A trip to the grocery store can be all about supply & demand, economics, or unit price vs. price per ounce, and for the younger crowd, colors, shapes, or foods by geography. (Where were those particular bananas grown? What about the kiwi?) 

For the vast majority, especially if they love their job, men and women in various careers are pleased to share their love with your child. There are some establishments that need a minimum number for an actual field trip, but there are many businesses who would be happy to share some time with the next generation, even if it is just one mom and her child. Think about the place that makes hearing aids, the corner bakery, the fire station, police department, post office, or telephone company. Be sure to call ahead and ask if they could give you a little time explaining their job to your child. Explain how many children you have, their ages, and that you will be accompanying them. Some families have been greatly surprised at the willingness of some to go the second mile and provide coloring books or hand-outs, and sometimes samples or give-aways. What is the worse thing that they can say? A simple no, we can’t accommodate you, really is the only thing and all you’ve done is lost a little time either talking to them in person or over the phone. 

If you plan to go to the fire station, the police department, or other service organization, think about bringing a dozen or two of cookies with a big thank you card that your child created. I’m sure it will give them a big smile while they are so busy serving their community. For any organization sending a thank you note specifically to those who gave you the tour and/or their supervisor, putting in names of all the people you came in contact with, is a big thing! In this day and age, thank you notes are starting to be an uncommon thing. When you are out and about in the community, you are representing homeschooling to all who come in contact with you. Give these businesses and organizations see that homeschoolers are different and are appreciative. (Take notes or request business cards from those who are taking you on your tour.)

So get out there and find some uncommon field trips—don’t forget to share either here or on your own blog so others can get some great ideas on where to go! Have fun! 

Our educational choices have little to do specifically with the joy of the Resurrection, even though the Resurrection may be a very key issue in our lives, touching every aspect. So I’m not going to even try and write a “one student spin” on today’s column. I wrote the following for my website a few years ago, as I feel it is important to have a statement of faith on one’s website. Considering today is Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday is the day after tomorrow, I thought this would be appropriate to share today.

What makes Christianity different from all other religions?

We have the Empty Tomb….

Paul wrote: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.”          I Corinthians 15:14-15)

Without the Resurrection of Jesus, our message has no meaning… Why believe in a “good teacher” or a “good man” if he were a liar? Or worse… if he were a madman? If he were a liar, then why should we say he was a good teacher—do not the two contradict themselves? Yet learned people will say that’s all he was — a great moral teacher. Someone moral and ethical, teaching honesty and love, and yet lying about who he was? It doesn’t make sense. And madman? His debates with the religious leaders, all highly learned men, left them in the dust, wanting to stone him—not for his “good teaching” but for putting himself on the same level of being the Son of God Himself.

C.S. Lewis wrote in his book Mere Christianity, “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him, ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God!’. That is one thing we must not say. For a man who was merely man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would be the Devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a mad man or something worse.”

Lewis went on to say, "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

If he were a liar, knowing what he said about his relationship with God the Father were lies, then why would he willingly go to the cross? If he were a madman, it’s vaguely possible that he would be willing to be martyred. The fruit of that martyrdom, however, is the followers themselves… At his death, they were all like scared rabbits—not one of them willing to go and steal his body out from under Roman soldiers’ noses. No Jew or Roman produced the body after his supposed resurrection to disprove the claims that the then-confident and bold disciples preached, and that’s all it would have taken to dispel them. The Jewish authorities bribed the soldiers (who must have accepted a very large bribe to lie to their superiors) about the stealing of his body. But the disciples & followers of Jesus’ change of heart really proves the truth of his claims. They went to martyrdom themselves with singing and praise. If any of them had stolen the body, why would they perpetuate the lie for nothing but death and persecution? They knew it was true… Jesus’ half-brothers James and Jude, neither believed him during his lifetime, but they did after the resurrection. Saul the militant persecutor of Christians turned into Paul, the great missionary, spreading the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.

Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ, wrote: "I met people who said they were Jesus on a fairly regular basis," he said. "But anyone can claim to be God. The question is whether they can back that up. That's why the resurrection is so crucial for Christians."

So, to me the bottom line is the Empty Tomb… all religions have a tomb you can go to see their “great prophets’” bones or dust—for Christians, there are tombs of the saints who have gone on before us, but our prophet is alive. Our prophet is God’s Son, Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah. We have communion with God the Father thru the Son; we have been reconciled to His fellowship thru the sacrifice of the True Passover Lamb, and by His blood we are redeemed. There is truly only one way to Heaven, and that way is through relationship with Jesus the Son.

This is my testimony… that I believe Jesus was and is the Messiah. I have honestly felt His presence every day. I know that I know that He is. If you are searching, please consider picking up any of C.S. Lewis’ books, or Josh McDowell’s More Than a Carpenter or Evidences that Demand a Verdict, or Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ. If you are searching more about Christianity online, please go to the website:  All About God and if you are interested in becoming a Christian, please go to this page in their website..  

Prayers are appreciated as this past Sunday our family suffered a trauma. My mother-in-law was getting ready for church, and 5 minutes or less of being away from the room, my father-in-law found her unconscious, no pulse, and not breathing. Thankfully, the fire department is less than 2 minutes around the corner and they live about 7 minutes from a hospital. She was shocked back and is in ICU now, on a ventilator. Each day has been better than the day before, with her color better and she’s moving her limbs (involuntarily and upon stimulus, not on command). So I’m writing my column this week in the ICU waiting room. Thank you for your prayers.

As I sit here, the sun is shining bright in a brilliant blue sky. There’s a courtyard downstairs that I can look down upon from this second floor window. Spring is a great time for nature walks and working on a nature notebook. It doesn’t really matter where you find yourself. I could walk down into the courtyard and sketch a flower, tree, or even some grass. Later I could look it up online to find out the species and note that on my sketch, as well as the date, time, and the weather conditions. You don’t need a park or a vast space of outdoors to walk into nature. Even if you live in an apartment, there are green spaces available even if they are just beside the parking places.

Nature notebooks don’t require any artistic abilities, you just need to copy what you see. A handy tip I have found is to turn the subject upside down and just copy it. When upside down, the item is usually a bit unfamiliar and one can sometimes do a better job of copying it. Nature notebooks were advocated by Charlotte Mason in the mid-nineteenth century. Drawing from nature was a way to get children out into the open air as well as considered a virtue for both young men and women. Getting past the idea of this being an “art class” is a good idea. As Miss Mason encouraged copy work of good literature to encourage good grammar and content writing, copying from nature helps one to become observant which is an important attribute whether one is artistically inclined or not.

This is definitely a subject that doesn’t require a “classroom” of children. I always brought my own notebook along with my son’s when we would do a nature walk—sometimes in the front or back yard, or even at the zoo. It’s good not to dictate to your child in what to draw. Being able to have control over what they choose to draw will open your own eyes on what they see as important. (It can even show you when they make a “statement” with their choice. One time I sent my son out on his own to the backyard to draw whatever, but to draw something in his notebook. He came back with a great picture of a stick. I believe he wasn’t that thrilled to draw anything that day, but he did do a great job on that little branch.) Even giving a child a camera can help them frame a view of their world, surprising you in what they felt was important enough to have a record thereof. Helping your child to slow down and observe the world around them is important and keeping and/or developing a nature notebook is one good way to do it.

So, where ever you find yourself, get yourself and your children outside and copy what you see (small items like a leaf or large items like a hillside). It’ll do you (and them) some good!

Cloudy days and rain energize me. A sunny, clear-skied day drains me. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been this way. Scientifically speaking, it might have something to do with the ions released during thunderstorms, but it doesn’t really matter if I know the reason the way I am or not.

Even though I’m an only child myself, some of my best memories are connected with rain. I can vividly paint a picture of the time I was 10 or 12, laying on my bed staring out the window. It was raining and I could smell the warm, inviting smell of baking chocolate chip cookies from the kitchen. Another memory reminds me of elementary school where we were stuck in our classroom playing games because we couldn’t go outside for P.E. Those games were more fun to me than walking/running around the large field outside our temporary buildings by a long shot. Rainy days at home meant curling up with a good book and lap blanket on the couch. 

I even have a family legacy concerning rain and storms. My maternal grandmother was extremely terrified whenever there was a thunderstorm. She said she’d be happiest crawling under her bed than being even remotely near a window or a door looking out into the storm. However, she was determined that her children would not be so afflicted with fear concerning storms. She would gather all six of her children in front of her (so they would not see her shaking in her boots) at their front door, looking through the storm door and she would oooh and ahh at the lightning display outside, along with the sheets of rain blowing violently across the yard. All six of her children, as well as all twelve of her grandchildren all adore stormy weather. She kept that fear from becoming generational (or if it had been, she broke the cycle). What a heritage she gave us…in fact is still giving us, as my son, her great-grandchild is ecstatic over storms.

I loved the picture Tia painted in words earlier this week describing her boys swimming in a mud puddle. Rain and stormy weather should engender good memories and if possible, never any fear. Spring is definitely here and stormy weather has already started. As I write this, we have storms forecasted for tomorrow and it’s very windy today. If you are being inundated with rainy weather and cabin fever is becoming a real thing to you & yours, mix it up a bit. Have your child draw or paint a picture of what they see outside their window. Bring out a board game instead of doing some dry math facts drilling. Be like Tia and (if there is no danger of a lightning strike*) allow your children to go out and just be kids in the puddles. Stuck inside on a rainy day shouldn’t be a depressive memory for the future. Let loose a bit and enjoy the gray day—make hot chocolate and cuddle on the couch for some reading.

If you happen to be someone who is fearful when it comes to storms, brace yourself and grit your teeth, because although it’s an old saying, April Showers  do bring the May flowers (even if the showers come in March and the flowers arrive in April). When the stormy season arrives, Spring can’t be too far away.

Here’s what I’m already seeing in my driveway:

I hope you enjoy your stormy weather and know that whether you love it or hate it; if you wait long enough, the weather will be changing soon enough.

*Lightning strikes can happen after the storm is gone, even with clear skies. So if you hear thunder, be safe: stay indoors with your book and hot chocolate! 

I had a bit of a shock this week, a sadness . . . it just brought to the forefront the fact that our days are numbered and we truly do not know what tomorrow (or next week) will hold.

A dear Internet friend died this past Sunday. I'd never met her in person, but her personality, her heart . . . her love shone thru all of the email posts I read from her. She was a member of an email list that I've been on since around 1997--eleven years. She was a vibrant, active lady--a mother and a grandmother.

Just last week, she was dealing with the flu, or so she thought. She wasn't that much older than I am, had children and grandchildren, was vibrant and doing fine . . .  the last words she wrote on her Facebook were on Thursday, saying she was "slowly recovering from the flu. I have not had the flu for at least 10 years! What gives here???" On Friday, her dh found her unresponsive in her chair and got her to the hospital . . . after lots of tests, they found out it wasn't the flu, but bacterial meningitis. They felt that she would recover (even though her temp was 104) . . . then she had a major heart attack and she slipped into a coma. Her brain started swelling and then "after many tests, tears, and prayers it was decided that it was time to let her body go as her spirit was already with Jesus. She passed away Sunday evening with her family and friends around her."

She just had the "flu" last week!! She lived up in Indianapolis, so no way to go the funeral or anything . . . I hadn't met her in person, but she was definitely one of those people that I sure wanted to . . .  I guess it'll have to wait until Heaven.

Anyway, lift up her dh, children, and grandchildren if you think of it . . . and realize that our days are truly numbered and we don't know what next week will bring.