| Leaving A Legacy |
Wholehearted Mother Conferences are coming up!*Click on "archives" in the right sidebar if you're looking for more!* Homeschooling is a difficult task. There, I said it. Some will try to convince you that it's easy. And it's true that there are many things one could consider easier about having one's children with them at home. However, I believe after eleven years of it that it's important to know that it takes *work* to be a homeschooling mom. Most of us begin the school year with excitement. We've collected school supplies over the summer, drooled over curriculum catalogs since the spring and ordered new books with glee. We've made out a schedule that is sure to work and just know the kids are going to love their new math program. The excitement of summer with its allure of endless unplanned days has faded, and we're ready to jump into our school year! But after a few months, the "new" has once again worn off (funny how that happens!) and we start to drag. It's time to prepare for the holidays and that's a distraction, and if you live anywhere that cold starts setting in, you're really set up for some trouble! By January and February you're wondering how on earth you can get through another day. Time for a Wholehearted Moms seminar! Sally Clarkson and her husband Clay had a vision years ago for a hotel conference that would encourage moms to stay the course. Former missionaries with a heart to advance God's kingdom by building up Christian families, the Clarkson family has been hosting these conferences alongside their writing, publishing and speaking ministries since 1998, though they were in ministry long before that. They are wise, gifted speakers who know the heart of God and also understand the family dynamics of homeschoolers, though the conferences are geared toward moms of all educational persuasions! There are four conferences scheduled right now; Colorado Springs, Colorado from January 16-17, Charlotte, NC from January 23-24, Irvine/OC, California from February 6-7, and finally the big one in Dallas, Texas from February 20-21st. You can read all about them at http://wholeheart.org/whevents.php . Sally has something new on the agenda this year; a network of mom's small groups which could someday be nationwide. She's starting to plan for this and will host mini-meetings before each seminar for people interested in coming alongside and helping WholeHeart in this area. I'm excited to attend one of these conferences (don't know which one, yet!) and being part of this new ministry. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Clarkson family, you've got to take my word for it and go grab one of their books! Educating the Wholehearted Child is a book I recommend to every new homeschooler. The Ministry of Motherhood is one of the best books I've ever read and really explains what's become my view of God's goal for moms. Sally's also working on videos to go along with a classic, Seasons of a Mother's Heart. We all need the example and encouragement of a mom who's been there. With twenty years of homeschooling experience, three children graduated, and one still at home, the Clarksons definitely fill that position well. Sitting and listening to Sally paint a vision for what your home can be can't fail to encourage you and send you home with a desire to love your children more than ever. Just bring several boxes of tissues. If you want a little glimpse of what's in store for you at a conference or in a book, please go see Sally's blog at http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/ . And if you decide to attend a conference, email me! I promise it will be worth it. 8:40 AM - Dec. 9, 2008 - post comment
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 Misty Krasawski is the overly-blessed mom of eight children whom she homeschools in sunshine-y Florida. She has been clinging ferociously to the hand of her Lord since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, homeschooling for the past thirteen years, and has eighteen more years ahead of her with the children who are glad she will have done most of her experimenting on those who went before. Her wonderful husband Rob has much treasure laid up for him in heaven for having been called to such a daunting task. Home User Profile Archives Recent Entries - Being "frugal" or . . . not - On Turning Forty - Day at the Corn Maze - Permission Slips for Moms--at Heart of the Matter! - The Timeline--Daddy's Version 
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