After 4 yrs of Homeschooling, although I have been HSing since Bailey was born, we went to a HS convention. We weren't sure what to expect and Jeff wasn't crazy about the idea. But it turned out that we both loved it!! We each went to different workshops and were able to share with each other what we had learned. They also had times where everyone gathered to hear a speaker.
I went to only 2 different speakers. The workshops that interested me most, were hosted by Jeannie Fulbright.
She not only gave great school info, but also all areas of life. She talked about what it means to be a wife who builds up her house, the power of prayer, that our goal isn't for academics at the cost of godly character, and real life stories that make you realize we all have our days. I was really encouraged.
I am excited that we will be doing her, "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day" book this year. All the kids are interested in birds and will love to explore them more. I will need to do my homework on what we will be doing and how often.
They also had a huge exhibit hall filled with curriculum and hallways with tables and tables of books. I have to say it was a bit overwhelming. I am glad I have an idea on what I want to teach and what I wanted to learn more about. Many of the creators or direct workers of the curriculum were there to explain and talk you through what you were looking at. I didn't buy too many books. I mostly looked around.
Later on the ride home, Jeff and I talked about what we had heard and taken away from the conference. We even had some similar things that we had gleaned from the speakers.
As I listened through out the day and saw so much I was reminded about what the Lord had put on my heart last year. I am re-posting it as a reminder to me as I pray and consider our upcoming year. I pray that each year I am teaching we are all more Spirit led in our home and school time. Here is that entry.
September 2008
As the new year of school arrives, so many thoughts, worries, ideas, and wonders begin to mill around in my head. I tend to get insecure and wonder if my kids know enough or what this person's kids know, why don't my kids love to read like so and so's kid, when will what I am teaching click, .....and more lies and not of God thoughts begin to linger in my mind. I really think WAY too much. And the more I consider them, the more discouraged I become. I went to the Lord in prayer and one of the verses He gave me was Phil. 4:8
Whatever is True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, if anything is Excellent or Praiseworthy think about such things.
He also began to remind me of some things.
He reminded me that He called me to Homeschool our kids
He reminded me that they are His children
He reminded me that my children love Him
He reminded me that my kids love to pray and worship in song
He reminded me that when I am weak (or shall I say realize and admit) then I am strong in Him.
He reminded me that I can do all things through Him.
A friend who just began Homeschooling began asking the Moms she knew that HSed what worked for them. She asked questions and suggestions from each of them and was amazed at all the different answers there were about what is "important" or "unimportant". She received so many different "ways" to homeschool. One stressed this and the other thought that was vital. She was told not to bother with that and others said make sure you do that. And she said rather than feel overwhelmed by all the make sure and be sures, she knew that there was no "one way" to do it.
After this conversation, which was weeks ago, God began to speak to me. He reminded me that He intentionally chooses the parents for His children. The things that God puts on my heart to teach my kids and those things that I see as important are the things that God planned. That as I submit to Him, He is able to use me to train them for His work. I don't know what plans God has for them, I don't know where He will send them, what they will do for Him, their careers, their future friends or families etc... Yet God does.
I am continuously praying and asking the Lord, "teach me to teach them". I seek Him on what He wants them to know, for direction, and guidance. And though I may not be doing the things other Mom's are, the public school is, or the private school is, that is not what God has called me to do or planned for them at this time. Realizing this is truly setting me free and keeping me from getting discouraged and overwhelmed.
I just thought I would share one on the things God has been doing with me in my walk with Him.
:>Michelle
What a great post. My heart is in unison with yours in that prayer, "teach me to teach them". We homeschool in a time that there is more to choose than any other time. There are also more homeschoolers now than ever before. With this can come confusion. Different moms will have different passions according to how God created them. They will also have different strengths, weaknesses, and teaching styles. God created everything in such a manner that we would have to learn to be on our knees to be successful. There is no curriculum or teaching method that will be the answer. It is all about God giving the successes as we learn to yield, humble ourselves before him, and follow Him. I have also learned this as I continue to stay on my face before Him. What a great prayer.
I really love the conferences. My husband and I found them to be so encouraging, drawing us closer to Christ and each other. I also highly recommend sacrificing to put them as a priority. There is good fruit that comes from them. I enjoyed bookmarking your speaker which has some great reads on her website. Some of my favorite homeschool speakers is Norm Wakefield, Voddie Bauchman, Diane Waring, Doug Phillips,....(okay, too many to list). I am so glad that you were blessed at the conference. How exciting.
I'm so glad you re-posted last fall's post! What a great reminder!! It is good to dwell on such truth as this!
I haven't heard Jeannie Fulbright speak, but I've loved her blog, her newsletter, and her books. She has a beautiful heart for the Lord, and such practical wisdom to share!
I'm glad you were able to go to the convention and enjoyed it!
I still feel like I am reading my own blog when I ready yours. Funny, I just had that conversation with a friend on Tuesday. I guess we all feel like that. It takes some real doing to get over that. Pray is the answer. I would have love to hear Jeannie F. in person. I love her books. I was not taught science this way, so it is difficult for me to put God in it the way she does. I am thankful for her. We are also doing "Flying Creatures..." this year. It is going to be great. We will have to compare notes.
I am so in love with Jesus and am seeking to know Him more each day. I am a wife to Jeff and Mommy to 6 children (Bailey 9, Cameron & Collin 8, Kiley 5, Carter 3 and Brayden born 9/30/09). My house is often crazy, but always full of love. This blog is a story of my adventures, God's mercy and grace in my life, and funny days that aren't always very funny at first.
, we went to a HS convention. We weren't sure what to expect and Jeff wasn't crazy about the idea. But it turned out that we both loved it!! We each went to different workshops and were able to share with each other what we had learned. They also had times where everyone gathered to hear a speaker. 
