I know you are wondering how my Thanksgiving with 6 public school teachers went. Well, I'll tell ya...One of the best in our family Thanksgiving history. My homeschooling sister did manage to offend my favorite ps teaching aunt and her ps teaching husband, though . I guess that's not bad considering there were 39 people other people there to offend.

I read an article on last week's Carnival of Homeschooling that talked about how we, as homeschoolers are being watched. The writer was referring to people who want to homeschool. I would like to go further and say that we are being watched by everyone. When I was a little girl, my Grandma used to say that your best witness is your life. That's how I feel about homeschooling. I need to homeschool with integrity, because people are watching. Another thing my Grandma used to tell me is that I can't get away with anything because Jesus is always watching me. Same thing with homeschooling. I was given a ministry to the children that God placed in my care for the next 18, or so years to teach and train them in the ways of the Lord. He has revealed to me that academics are really about Him. Therefore, I and my husband are the best suited to teach and train in academics, as well as "religious" stuff.

What kinds of things do I need to do in order to homeschool with integrity?
1. Pray. Every year around September, I begin to feel inadequate. Every year, without fail, the One Who is Faithhful has given me a message about vision. He reminds me that I am inadequate, but that He is fully able.
2. Organize. Some people are natuarals at this, others, like me, aspire to be, and others are, well...aren't. The internet is full of awesome free reaources to help the homeschool mom get organized. This includes your house, your time -hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.
3. Get rid of time wasters. This is the hardest for me. I love information. But the Bible says knowledge puffs up. I know my rear has certainly puffed up, sitting at the computer. Some time wasters may even be good things, serving at church for instance. We have to pray and examine our lives. Am I doing what God has asked me to do, or what man (including myself) has asked me to do? We may have to let go of hobbies, or even friendships.
(originally posted on my HSB blog 11-28-06)