Submitted by Renae Warn 

Attending the first NACHS Planning Time, I came away very encouraged.  There were a handful of HS moms present ~12 or so. The tone was focused yet relaxed, and with foodJ.  We walked through some excellent tools to evaluate our last year of HS-ing and great tools for planning next HS year, but what captured me was the heart of encouragement WITH the tools to equip us.

Not only is there great merit in evaluating how things worked last year, but re-assessing my kids, where they are at developmentally, socially, and spiritually now. All this dovetails into why a curriculum does or does not work.  Gina gave us some thought provoking surveys to help us do an evaluation of each child, our home, our walk with the Lord, and even what we put in our freezers J.  That pretty much covers life!

The specific HS planning tools are wonderful!  Most of the time I just need a form to get my brain working in the right direction.  With the different categories presented, I am on the right track.  Categories presented were daily, weekly, and the whole year And what child is using what curriculum all on one sheet.  This is great for keeping records year to year. O I really like to be organized and these tools will be put to use!  I am planning on incorporating a few “project weeks” that will give my boys (and me) new opportunities. 

I have a major dietary restriction and meals can become "same-old, same-old" kind of thing.  I come away even encouraged in this!  Not because I came away with new recipes but with new courage to make it work for MY family.  (Just like HS---make it work for MY children)...This is not a cookie cutter world and I am so grateful!  I love the blank freezer list that I can use. J

Even for home-life in general, there were tools.  Although I am convicted by such evaluations, I know it is a very healthy thing to do. What is the tone I set, or the way I teach my children school and daily living (that would be chores J) and how I involve my husband were topics that were covered. My husband is the leader of our home.  This is so key...involving my husband and encouraging him to lead in the home even though I do 99.9% of the home schooling.  Thanks Gina for your clear godly thoughts and words on this!

There was good input from a variety of the Moms.  The way the answers were given to various real life HS questions was done with of a heart of encouragement.  I feel like these HS moms are my advocates for our family to succeed in HS-ing. 

Thanks Gina and Leadership Team for making this happen.  I am better equipped and encouraged to teach and train our children next year J!