2 c. water
3 TB. liquid Castile Soap
20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil

~Mix well in a spray bottle. 
~Squirt on everything from baby's bottom to the cutting board!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…”

Ever have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise?  When the kids are constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice just keeps getting higher and louder?  And then, dear Dad comes home to his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems.  But never fear…SU-permom is here!  She’ll just take over Dad’s role as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly giving it all over to her.  But…does that really bring peace to the situation?  Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?

There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role in God’s plan for the family.  Not accepting our roles is an expression of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.

As homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership role when our husband walks through the door.  All day long we’ve been giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver, peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge.  It’s hard to lay that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.

In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.”  He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles) each player plays.  “Take away the goal post and the play has no purpose.”  When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then make sense.  When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great disorder; disorder brings no glory to God.  If we see and participate in our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God.  God’s glory is our goal!

God has specific roles for each member of the family.  When women are willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the man they wish they had!  We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home.  This is NOT about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about restoring the household to its proper place.  My friend, Jami S., is one of the most godly women I know.  I once heard her say something that I have kept written in my day-timer:  “My humbleness will get me further than my pride.”  God is a loving God and wants us to understand true submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  (Eph. 5:21)  That’s reason enough for me!

Moreover, what is our example teaching our children?  Oh dear, I hear that old saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.”  What are my children “catching” from me?  Just as viruses have a tendency to work their way through a household this time of year, attitudes also work their way through.  What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?

As we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in prayer.  Remember, the man carries the heavier burden.  He is responsible before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us!  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…”  (Eph. 5:25)

I certainly realize that we homeschool moms have a lot on our plates already…but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and those loads might just become lighter.  Our attitudes will be turned to respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

Home of the brave BECAUSE of the free! Thank you, Veterans!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Prov. 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another.”

When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn’t a freak because he was having trouble with his nine times-tables?  Where was it that you could count on someone with experience to be there for you?

Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?

I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in summer-time…they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere.  And I say, “what a shame!”

It’s come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings.  Do they feel that they have out-grown them?

Look at it this way:  if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron – I have two pieces of rust, dull iron!  J  But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change.  They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier.  They become something usable.  Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two…they have to meet together.

As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually “been there, done that”!  You went home, tried her advice and it worked!

Now…think of this:  A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support group.  Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept and she’s at her wit’s end; and after coming to your support group she starts asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  Does she find it from you…OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t want to go tonight?  After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you’ve done it for so long?

Well, what if the reason you are to STILL attend your group has changed?  What if it’s now a ministry?  What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren’t there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?

Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers?  Isn’t it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd?  Isn’t that part of our Titus 2 duty?  Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates?  I don’t think so.

This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!

Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me” crowd…we’re past that.  Let’s be the Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams!  After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you.  Now it’s your turn.

Blessings,

Kim Wolf<><

A Quiet Sun, a Cold Winter

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a colder-than-normal winter. One contributing factor is sunspots—or the lack of them!

This year and next, sunspot activity will be very, very light. Whenever this phenomenon has occurred in the past, the result has been a cooling influence on Earth. Solar experts believe that the Sun will remain calm for another year.
See sunspot activity for 2009.

Robert B. Thomas, who founded this Almanac in 1792, believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots and solar radiation. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Click here to read “What Are Sunspots?”


To this day, the Almanac uses three disciplines to predict the weather: meteorology, climatology, and solar activity. (See How We Predict the Weather.)

If you’re interested in learning more about the Sun’s effect on our climate, read “The Influence of Solar Activity on the Weather.”

Or, join this forum: “Are Sunspots Disappearing?”

Seasons of the Sun

Learn about the discovery of the 11-year solar cycle and its importance in predicting the frequency of sun spots and the strength of solar storms.

       SUMMIT COUNTY HOMESCHOOL BEE

CHEC will host the local Homeschool Geographic Bee on Friday December 4, from 3-4 p.m. at The Chapel (Akron Campus).

The National Geographic Bee is a geographic competition open to all students in grades 4 to 8. Our local Bee is for homeschooled students who reside in Summit County and surrounding communities.  The winner of this Bee will take a written test to qualify for the State Bee. 

To register or get more information, contact Bob Mellen at robert.mellen@att.net.  Send the name, age, and grade of the child(ren) you wish to participate. You must register by December 2.

The cost of the Bee materials is provided by a gift from 4 Corners Maps, an on-line map store found at www.4cornersmaps.com.

Dear fellow homeschool leaders,

• David's passion for skateboarding and concern for children lead him to choose the SafeKids Central Ohio, a non-profit “coalition of public and private organizations working together to prevent injuries to children” to be the beneficiary of his project.

• Did you know that accidental childhood injuries are the leading cause of death in children 14 and under?  Did you know skateboarding injuries contribute to those statistics?

• David's project will generate a Safety Card to inform and educate parent and children on safe skate boarding procedures.  There are currently no educational resources for this sport available to central Ohio parents. 

How Can Volunteers Help:

1. Participate in a brainstorm meeting On November 3^rd, to gather ideas for the card's logo. 
2. Donate a snack/ treat for those participating in the brainstorm session.   
4. Work with him in determining what information is most essential and how to lay it out on the safety card.
5. Donate a ream of cardstock - the cards will be being printed on cardstock.
6. Participate  On November 21^st when the cards will be distributed to Nationwide Children's Hospital; Close To Home Centers; recreation centers; skate shops; etc.  He needs 
   •  Distribution Volunteers - these are those willing to take cards to a predetermined site.  
   •  Base Volunteers - those willing to help get the assignments to the Distribution volunteers.    
7. Donate cookies, or other snack foods for those participating in the  November 21^st distribution process. 
Seek out relevant websites and skateboard safety information that might be placed on the card and then e-mail your research finds to David at davidseagleproject@yahoo.com. 

We are excited about the impact this project will have on the safety of central Ohio children.  Together we can help educate parents and children; thus impacting their ability to choose to skate safe!  

Your help is greatly needed and appreciated! 

Please contact David today davidseagleproject@yahoo.com   Let him know how you are willing to help.

Thank You!! 

Kathy Lopez

As I write this, it is nearly 4p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 & I just received word that Chris Klicka - one of HSLDA's original lawyers & a great friend to millions of homeschoolers - lost his long, hard battle w/MS just over an hour ago.  Below is Tracy's (his wife) final CarePages entry, written mere moments after is passing...Blessings, Kim<><

PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS...

Dear praying friends,

There is a part of me that would have liked to keep this news to ourselves for a little while. Chris' journey toward home has been very public, which has been a blessing to us through your intercession and words of love and encouragement. Yet, at this moment, while his loss is so fresh, I had hoped to savor his last moments with us and his passing all to ourselves, but such is not the case.

So with great sadness and with a joy that we can barely contain, we announce that our husband/father Chris has gone home to be with the Lord. He slept peacefully lsat night, though his breathing was shallow and very rapid. Then this morning when the hospice nurse came to check him over, she commented specifically how low his blood pressure had gotten and that with the mottling around his knees and ankles, grayer skin tone and coldness in his face, that he didn't have much time left with us.

I had been sitting with Chris this morning telling him about Megan and her wedding dress and how kind God was to let all us girls be together when she found it. I told him I had so hoped he could see her in her dress before he went Home, and as I was talking two little tears trickled down his cheeks. I know he would have loved to see her! I know, too, he so wanted to be able to communicate with us at the end. It broke my heart to see his sadness. I imagine, though, too, that his tears were mingled with joy for Megan's future with Brendan.

After Anna (the hospice nurse) took Chris' vitals a second time, his blood pressure having dropped some more, she recommended that I get our kids down to see and talk to their dad.

I called them all from whereever they all were around the house, and when the last child came, Bethany announced, "Hey, Dad, we're all here. We love you!" Chris took one more breath and was gone.

I know to try and describe our sadness--the longing and aching in our hearts right now--would be impossible, so I won't try. I will share a picture the Lord gave within minutes after Chris' departure.

I saw him with his old western boots and jeans on (like he used to wear at Grove City College when he would run over to see me at my dorm--he was a senior and I was a freshman when we met there), running at top speed in Heaven. I pictured a huge smile (the one I love best) on his face and fellow saints yelling out greetings of welcome to him, some even asking him to stop and visit with them, and heard his reply, "I've got to run for the Lord up here. I'm making up for lost time down on Earth. I'm praising God and have to use my legs to do it. Stop me in about 100 years, and we'll sit down and have a nice long visit!"

Two days before God brought Chris home the Lord gave me this short verse to encourage me:

"No longer cloaked in frail humanity,
His spirit soars to gain Celestial joys,
Unimpeded by death's dark night
And free from the weight of sin's alloys.

My beloved sings! The object of his song
Is the One who bled and died for him,
No sweeter name did e'er he speak
Or treasure in his inner man."

Thank you, for both grieving AND rejoicing with us, and for your continued prayers for us these next weeks and months!

Looking forward to that day, when we too, shall see our beloved Jesus face to face,
Tracy, for Chris (one last time) and the whole Klickaclan

Anonymous Tip Results in Visit From…The Dog Warden

A dog warden showed up at the Jones (name changed to protect privacy) family home in Northern Ohio after receiving a tip from neighbor. She demanded entry into the family’s home, because she wanted to “see if their dog was healthy.”

Mrs. Jones, a homeschooling mother of 10, responded respectfully to this surprise intrusion by politely informing the dog warden that she had a Fourth Amendment right under the Constitution protecting her from warrantless searches and seizures. Mrs. Jones politely explained that her dog was healthy and that unless the dog warden had a search warrant, she would not allow her to come into the house or see the dog.

The dog warden became annoyed and threatened to call the police if Mrs. Jones did not allow her to see the dog. Mrs. Jones politely stood her ground, calmly stating that she would explain her right to the police officer if necessary. The dog warden spitefully called the police. When an officer arrived and asked the mother why she was giving the warden a hard time, Mrs. Jones simply explained she was unwilling to give up her Fourth Amendment right. As she explained this to the police officer, the dog warden rudely interrupted, “What is the Fourth Amendment?” Incredibly, as Mrs. Jones continued, the police officer stated that “The Fourth Amendment has nothing to do with searches and seizures.”

When one of the children opened the door, the mother quickly closed it to protect her children from this unnecessarily ugly intrusion. “You almost shut the door on his fingers,” stated the dog warden, and turning to the officer she stated, “She homeschools, too.” The officer began to criticize the mother for homeschooling, stating that she was being a poor example to her children, questioning the accuracy of her teaching, and asserting that the children had to swallow whatever she told them. Mrs. Jones was thankful for her membership in HSLDA, which has helped to educate her about her rights to be free from unreasonable searches in her home.

Unfortunately, this incident is representative of the attitude that some government officials have regarding the Fourth Amendment. Such unprofessional conduct should not be expected from public servants, especially police officers. It is incredible that a police officer would be ignorant of the constitutional right of citizens under the Fourth Amendment. The Constitution is the “law of the land”, and police officers should be expected to know its key provisions.

Perhaps if the dog warden had politely requested to see the family’s pet rather than demand entry to the home, Mrs. Jones would have responded differently. But in the face of such discourteous and ignorant behavior, and in light of their hostility towards homeschooling, we think Mrs. Jones was well within her rights to refuse to cooperate with these government workers under these circumstances.

For those in HEART who have not heard yet, this is an e-mail from former homeschooler, Zachariah Szabo - please read below for further information concerning this sad event...

HEART Homeschool Group
homeschoolheart@juno.com
www.hearthomeschool.webs.com

----
Subject: Janice Szabo, homeschool mom and educator
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:34:17 -0700 (PDT)

Quick & easy...

~1/2 c. baking soda

~Liquid Castile Soap

1)  In a bowl, add Castile Soap to baking soda until mixture is creamy & thick.

2)  Dip dampened cleaning cloth (or homemade dish cloth) as needed into mixture, wash dirty surface, rinse.  Leaves no grit!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Have you ever stopped to take the time to thank the person(s) who first educated you on the subject of homeschooling?

Where would we (and our families) be without them and the concern they showed us by taking the time to explain this godly plan of education?

Think of all the things you would have missed in your children’s lives.  Wasn’t it wonderful to watch that light come on in their eyes when they finally realized that the numeral 3 represented three things?  Wasn’t it exciting when she was so inspired by a book she had just read to sit down and write a story of fiction herself?...And it was good!  Wasn’t it incredible when he found that cicada shell on the tree, got out his magnifying glass and really got excited about pointing our that he knew where the head, thorax and abdomen were without being asked?  Wasn’t it thrilling when your family went to the beach for the first time (remember, I’m from Ohio!) and your kids couldn’t collect enough seashells because they finally, fully realized that God made each and every one of them and that there were no two alike?  Oh, the things we would have missed if not for these faithful friends who told us that our kids could stay home for school!

Think of the relationship you have with each child that you would not have if they had spent 6-8 hours a day, over 24,000 hours, away from you each day during their school career.  Aren’t you grateful that you could instill your values and the teachings of Scripture to them instead of “de-programming” them every night?  Or that they are not caught “between the rock and the hard place” of having to “divide allegiances”?  By that I mean that they don’t have to be seduced  by the pressure of believing that “cool” socialist Humanities teacher or that smug, self-assured atheistic Biology teacher vs. Dad, Mom and the Bible.  Think of the heartache, and possible harassment, they have been spared so that they can be nurtured in the Truth of the Gospel and taught to defend their faith in the proper time.  (I can find  no place in Scripture where God sent a child out to evangelize.)  By the time they complete their home education, by God’s grace, they will be mature and secure enough in their faith that they can defend themselves against the “cool” socialist and the smug, self-assured atheist.  I must be frank and tell you that I know very few Christian kids in public schools who are secure enough in their faith that they can properly defend it.  Thanks to God’s faithfulness and those dear friends who told us about homeschooling, you and I have had the opportunity to instruct our  children “in the way they should go.”  (Prov. 22:6 & Deut. 6:4-9)

Titus 2:7 says, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and  soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose  you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about you.”  Now it’s our turn.  If you have a year or more of homeschooling under your belt, then welcome to The Example Club!  Just as those who blazed the trails ahead of us, just as those who lovingly mentored us, just as those who set that godly example for us to follow…let us not miss the chance to encourage a nervous mom full of questions, hopes and dreams.  Don’t be afraid to be used by God!...If God used Balaam’s donkey, I KNOW He can use me…and you, too!  Someone is watching and wants what you have, just as you watched someone else at one time.

Thank the dear ones who God used to get you on the road to homeschooling and don’t be afraid for Him to use you in the same way.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

P.S.  Thanks Sono and Gregg!!

On May 28, 2009 USA Today published a story based on a report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which is part of the Federal Department of Education, titled “The Condition of Education 2009.” The headline of the USA Today story was “Profound shift in kind of families who are homeschooling their children.” A few days later the title was changed to “More higher-income families are homeschooling their children.”

Regrettably, among other problems with the article, USA Today made one blatant error and one very misleading claim. The blatant error is USA Today’s statement that homeschoolers are increasingly white. We do not understand how USA Today can reach this conclusion. Simply by reading the NCES report you will discover that the estimates for white homeschoolers, as a percentage of the entire homeschool population, were 75.3% in 1999, 77% in 2003 and 76.8% in 2007. The obvious conclusion is that for the years 1999–2007 white homeschoolers consistently represented just over three-quarters of the homeschool population.

HSLDA asked the NCES to comment on the USA Today article. Below is a statement from JoAnn Webb, a spokesman for the NCES, “The percentage of all homeschoolers who are White, non-Hispanic has not changed over this period (in the mid-70 percent range).”

Another misleading claim, as the revised title for the story states, is that more higher-income families are homeschooling their children. Again, USA Today failed to correctly read the report. In order to make their point, USA Today defines “higher-income” as families whose household income is over $50,000. How many people really consider $50,000 in household income “higher-income?” For comparison, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2006 married-couple families with one or more related children under age 18, the median nationwide income was $74,049. It is very misleading for USA Today to boldly assert that more “higher-income” families are homeschooling when out of the 60% of families they cite as being “higher-income” — (26.8% in the $50,001–$75,000 bracket and 33.2% in the $75,001 or more bracket) the 26.8% that USA Today believes to be “higher-income” actually have below average incomes.

Also, as has been confirmed by the NCES, the income figures between 1999 and 2007 were not adjusted for inflation. This means that the same type of person answering the NCES survey in 1999 that fell in the $25,001–$50,000 income bracket could easily find themselves in the $50,001–$75,000 bracket in 2007 since an income of $45,000 in 1999 becomes $55,518.63 in 2007 after adjusting for inflation.

It’s a shame that in an era when hundreds of diverse media outlets are able to accurately report on the homeschool movement a major newspaper has made such simple errors.

Perhaps the writer was just in a rush to be first, since his story was published on the day the NCES report was released online, or perhaps he has an agenda to falsely paint homeschoolers as rich and white, thereby dismissing the full range of people who are making tremendous sacrifices on limited budgets to ensure that the next generation receives the best education and upbringing available. Either way USA Today should make additional corrections to their factually inaccurate story.

Many homeschoolers garden...especially this year...so, here are some interesting garden facts from my latest installment of The Old Farmer's Almanac newsletter...

Combating Critters
Do you have any critters in your garden—rabbits, moles, slugs? Here is some advice to help:

• To keep rabbits out of your garden, surround it with fencing at least 3 feet high and 8 inches below the surface.

• Plant rue to keep cats out of your garden.

• To see a mole “run out, astonished” (according to 16th-century herbalist John Gerard), put a bulb of garlic in its hole.

• To deter deer and raccoons, tie old sneakers and clothes that smell of human perspiration to garden posts.

• Scatter garlic around your garden to deter many a pest—such as deer, woodchucks, and raccoons.

• Sprinkle ground red pepper in entrances to mole tunnels.

• If your neighbors don’t mind, play a radio at low volume.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><