In each year of our homeschooling journey - our focus has become more and more refined.  We began with the simple, yet worthy purpose to protect our children from the cruelity of other children - and selfishly, to avoid long hours of homework during our precious evenings.  A good start I suppose, but from where we started - God had a long way to lead us to His final destination - a place on the map called "Obedience".  Who were those two selfish and immature Christians?  But, my mind could not have grasped Gods plan back then.  I've had to wander the desert following His Cloud and Smoke in order to understand His purpose.  I am saddened, yet so thankful - that through homeschooling, the truths of the Old Testament have been revealed to me so I can teach them to my children and perhaps their purposes will be discovered in their young lives so that they can be momentum in of the revival in America. 

This revelation of who we are as God's children has caused me to gradually dump my ideas of what home education looks like and turn to God for the truth.  In my seven years of homeschooling God's plan for teaching my children the truth has been shown to me in this order - sometimes gracefully and others with a thump on the head:

1. Textbooks, Workbooks and other "packages" are not God's plan for my family
2. Pagan holidays and other customs should not be part of our curriculum or a focus for our family.  Yes, we still celebrate Christmas - but Santa , the Easter Bunny and other holiday characters have been virtually erased from our home and school.
3. Government has no place in our homeschool or in raising our children.  After a two year stint in a homeshool Charter school - we went back out on our own, rejecting money and guidance.  This act was not painful because we lost financing or guidance - I was quite happy to be rid of both of those "monkies" around my neck.  What hurt tremendously about rejecting the Charter school was that it required me to step out on my own - withouth the support of my friends and social network.  My actions were controversial and considered by some as abandonment and even, fanatical.  Who knew I was a fanatic?
4. AWANA is not a substitute for Bible teaching in the home.  Shocking, I know. 
5. Bible Teaching must be the core of our school.
6. Bible Teaching must be the core of our school.  (It took me a couple of years to fully understand what this meant for our family and while I might understand it now - I'm still executing it.  No easy task!)
7. I love history and all the opportunities it offers our family to do "projects" - but these projects can (in some cases) be considered a celebration of things "not of God" - humanistic in nature.  I must carefully evaluate all we do - and ALWAYS tie it back to God's word.  If it does not reinforce what God is teaching us through our Bible training and education - then it is not a worthy project.  I must refine our History studies even further. 
8. Science has a bigger role in our school that I thought.  I confess, I hate science as it is presented in traditional school.  The focus our school systems places on science is a celebration of man's knowledge and I have found it disgusting and thus rejected it.  God has shown me that teaching Science from His perspective is worship and essential for us to understand who we are.  It is a key part of our Christian foundation, but in my home it must be taught entertwined with the Bible.  I must bring the study of science captive under God's word.  Having done that this year - with the help of Considering God's Creation, I am ready to jump in deeper.  This is a very exciting part of our school now.
9. Character Training is paramount.  This is the ONE that I am most disappointed I didn't learn first.  If I had understood how important this is and DONE it, my homeschool and home would be so much more peaceful and pleasant.  My one great consolation is that through my trials - I can teach young mothers "what not to do".  I was so anxious to start "school", that I neglected to shape their characters in that moldable time.  Granted, I have younger children and more chances to do it right - but bad parenting habits are hard to break.  I am not without hope - or God's grace.  I will press on with character training.
10. And the tenth thing God has brought into focus during these seven years is that education for educations' sake is not our purpose.  Our mission is to raise Christians of character who are obedient to Christ and His call to serve.  Certainly, as parents we must educate our children and prepare them to serve in whatever capacity He has for them. But their character and foundation is my priority. 

To be honest - I have no idea where exactly God is leading us as we prepare our children to be independent and self-sufficient.  I do know the promises God gives - for following Him - so that is what I will continue to do. Follow Him - eyes wide, ears open and hands lifted high.

When the world creeps in - with talk of college prep and credits and all that - I can begin to doubt.  Can I really train them God's way and prepare for them a transcript worthy of college application?  Yes. Yes.  I've seen it done - and He promises!  Not in so many words - but the verse that comes to mind first is "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11 

I recognize that while many people totally get what I'm saying and came to this conclusion long ago - many do not.  I would hope that by sharing the path God has lead me on I have not judged anyone else.  God reveals His plan to each of us according to His timing.  May you have peace if you are where God has led you - and if not - I pray that you seek out His will for your family and your homeschool.  This is a journey. 

How many times has this happened to you?  You go to the library and right there on the shelf for display is a book about whatever you are studying.  Or - You open the newspaper (after several weeks or days not having a chance to read - and there in the events section is an ad for a movie or exhibit that is about your topic of study.  OR - You start to plan a trip and the location turns out to be perfect for what you will be studying at that time.  I can't even count how many times this happens to our family.  I always point it out to the kids and they smile - but I don't think they understand how amazing it is that God cares about even the smallest of details and that HE is directing their education.  WONDERFUL!

Please comment if this happens to you.  I'd love to read examples of God's grace and goodness in your life!

H

In the Homeschool Minute Nancy Carter talks about working & homeschooling moms hearing the dreaded (she didn't say dreaded, I did) "I don't know how you do it all."  Just last week someone said that to me and I thought to myself - what you really mean to say is I don't think you really do - do it all.  I hear so much skepticism in some voices.  Oh well, I don't really mean to comment much except - I do secretly wonder how I do it all and Nancy's scripture summed it up perfectly.  "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect is weakness."  2 Corin. 2:9

This last week - I have been amazed at the progress my children have shown and questioned "how did this happen?"  Surely, I am not responsible.  And surely - I am not.  Praise the Lord - my almost (in two days) one year old is taking his first steps.  Praise the Lord, the reading lightbulb came on for my 5yo dd - granted, it is only cat and hat and mat and pat.  But she finally understood sounding out the word and now we are moving forward.  Praise the Lord, my 9yo ds worked on his writing assignment willingly and even went to use the thesaurus on his own.  Praise the Lord, my 12 yo dd is getting a A in math - a subject she has struggled with the last couple of years.  God's faithfulness was shown to me over and over, His promise delivered-on right before my eyes.  (Who says there are no modern miracles?  They obviously don't know how much my ds hates writing.)

All these praises are to the Lord - my strength and shield.   I was part of the process - a vessel used by God. But I didn't supply the power or the contents.  What a relief that is!  Who knows what foolishness they would be learning if it was left up to me. 

I know how these little victories make me feel - they spur me on for more.  I feel special that God even had a minute to address my tribulations.   I wonder how all these mini victories feel to God.  I hope they feel like praise, like songs of thankfulness - loud and clear, like tender caresses on the shoulder for a job well done.  So I say to Him, "Thank you, thank you, thank you - I am unworthy - yet You love me anyway.  And you have chosen to show me this love - this week - what a blessing!  I love you."

H

I juggle many things in my life.  Do you?  I have a rather old fashioned husband - juggling ball #1.  Add four children, spread out with different interests and needs, add homeschooling, and top it off with a growing business to help oversee.  A lot of balls in the air all the time. 

I admit it, I sometimes throw a pity party.  Why me?  But the truth is...I really don't want to have a different life, I really just want to do my life better and therein lies the problem.  All those "I"s in my thoughts and feelings. 

So today I'm thankful that God understands this about me because He created me.  He knows exactly how many balls to toss me and when.  He brings scriptures and people into my life to remind me often of HIS truth and plan for my life.

I started writing this entry a month ago when three balls were up in the air.  Now today, I have new balls and at least four tossed up there.  Is this how a Proverbs 31 woman felt?

I have so often felt in the middle.  On one side I have people saying, "You need to slow down, get rid of some of your responsiblities.  Why don't you hire a housekeeper or a nanny?"  and then I have others saying "You really should have your own ministry.  You need to support your church, AWANA, homeschool group, missionaries, political party, and stay in touch with current events."  Is this you - somewhere in the middle?  Just trying to make your family your "ministry"?  If so, take heart.  You are not alone.  My family is my ministry.  I declared that as the truth in my life two years ago and while the path of this ministry is never easy - it is clear and well defined.

Well, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.  My family is my ministry.  And whatever I have to do to grow them, train them, teach them, lead them and stretch them I will do!  Only if the activity supports that goal will I participate.  It has made my life so much easier and all those balls a lot simplier to handle - even when there is a lot of them.  We cannot serve two masters.  I'm pressing on...hope you are too!

I'm so pleased to hang out here with other somewhat "clueless" bloggers, no offense ladies.

I have no idea how to put the Nice award on my side bar.  I can't even figure out how my background on my entries turned gray. 

I'm considering taking a html class at the local community college in October, but I really don't have time, and if I did I would rather go scrapbooking. 

I think I'll just limp along here.  Sort of like having coffee with good friends at the kitchen table instead of going out for fancy starbucks.  It is the company that matters most.

Heidi

Yesterday, at our first homeschool support group meeting, I organized a ice-breaker called Got Fruit?  Each person was asked to think of the fruit of the spirit they NEED and find others with the same need.  My need is JOY!  I am faithful, loving, kind, occassionally good, sometimes self-controlled, peaceful most of the time, but JOYLESS way too much.  I just want to have fun - but I'm stuck in this "can't get out of my own way" mind.  I know the joy is a spirit thing.  I know that all the fruits of the spirit are just that - evidence of Christ's work in us, but I just can't seem to latch onto that JOY.  I'm not an unhappy person or sullen in any way.  In fact, I think most people who know me would say I am optimistic and encouraging, - but full of Joy?  That might be stretching it.  

Can anyone tell me about a time when Christ expressed JOY?  I've been racking my brain, and I can't really come up with anything.  Maybe it is when the little children came to Him?  Boy, isn't that ironic.  The one thing I want to be most joyful to and about, my children, are the maybe to one thing that truly made Jesus joyful. 

The good news is that after we did the fruit we need, we did the fruit we HAD.  My fruit is faithfulness.  And isn't that a blessing.  I am full of faith, that God is working this joy out in me- so that someday, it will overflow, bubble and spring forth like a hugh gusher.  Someday my joy will be unmistakable to anyone who sees me. 

You know what does makes me joyful?  Reading the Psalms.  But you know what - the overachiever in me says "don't read that, it is for wimps, you should be studying the hard stuff".  I know, can you believe I talk that way to myself?  So I'm signing off now, to go read the Psalms - just because it makes me be joyful in the Lord!

Hope you have a little joy in your life today!

It is that time of year in the moutains when the wind has its own unique FALL sound.  Fall isn't here, we all know that, but the air moving through the trees sounds different.  These must be what we call the winds of change.  I woke up to that beautiful sound and smiled.  Yeah! My favorite season is on its way.

The summertime going and coming we did so much of with three children seems like I'm moving through MUD with four.  I know it won't always be that way, but for now it is.  Fall means we must stay home.  At least more than we do in summer.  Fall means structure.  No more excuses for not completing chores.

I know there are amazing moms out there that just stay home if the chores aren't done.  But I think we wouldn't go anywhere if I did that.  I know...I would only have to do it a couple of times before they (my dear children) figured it out, but I turn soft in the summer.   And mildly desperate to get out to the lake or whatever it is we are trying to go do once a week.  Summer is a chance to do spur of the moment things which is good, but the chaos left behind, oh, that is bad.  As it is, we only get away from the house once a week for the beach and once a week for grocery shopping.  But sometimes even that one day seems better spent at home.

It always comes back to God's grace doesn't it?  How graceful He is with us!  He is so tolerant even when we know we are slacking.  He fills in our gaps, sometimes small, sometimes large. He lets us have our way, but not always without cost.  Do you feel you lay every decision before God to answer?  Even the most minute?  Like when your friends are headed to the beach, and you haven't been in two weeks, but there is laundry to do and those papers from the end of the year still need to be graded and you have't planned dinner yet - do you ask God to open the door or close it for you?  I wish I did that more.  Honestly, do you - consistently? 

I'd like to know how leaning on God works in your life.  It seems I stand on my own two feet until I load so much onto my shoulders that I am haunched over and then I decide to lean on God.  Instead I should say, "Okay God, I want to put this "whatever " on my shoulders, but since you are helping me with this load, I thoIught I should ask you first.  Will you help me carry this load?"

Bottom line, do you ask permission to "go play"?

Heidi