August 31, 2006 - Starting off the new Year |
Hi, Sweet Moms!
I have spent the last several weeks speaking at conferences. I constantly meet moms who are trying to homeschool the best way and be sure that their children get it "all". How blessed your children are to have you as their moms. However, I want to encourage each of you to relax. Homes have been the place where genius has been birthed, leaders have been made for thousands of years. It was because of the faithful mothers who have trained their children in character, given them chores to do, had discussions over the dinner meal, and read the Bible to their children. I feel so strongly that parents are so intent on getting the "best" experience in education, while not understanding that the most important aspect in a child's education is the mentoring and directing of the parents over the personality, influences, peer relationships, and character development.
So many moms have asked me, "Do you know about this or that two day a week school and how it works and if it will help my child educationally?" I have lived through three of my children graduating and I have seen amazing results in their lives even though we didn't have perfect schol days or have consistent schedules. (Seventeen moves, six times internationally, car accidents, illnesses, etc.) Yet, my children have scored at the top on their SAT's, received scholarships or pursued other areas in the arts and ministry where they were able to excell. What is the most important to me, though, is that, by God's grace, our children still love us and listen to us and love the Lord and are seeking Him.
I have been to several national and international leadership conferences in the past year and am sick to find out the statistics of the youth culture---79% of children who grew up in Christian homes leave their Christian faith when they go to college. The appalling statistics of youth who are still virgins by the age of 17 is beyond comprehension. These were just statistics to me until they started turning up in my basement--our kids rec room--friends of my children who had grown up in church and some in homeschool groups who were in tears, confessing to my boys that they were sleeping with their Christian girlfriends and didn't know how to stop and feeling guilty. With the rampant sexuality on tv and on the web and the immoral standards of movies, and the leisure time that children have with other children who are not monitored in their homes--and in your neighborhood, I must say---puts pressure on your children to want to conform and places temptation in their pathway. So the question of schools or not depends on what peers they will become heart connected to--what morals the people in the school have, how emotionally attatched they become to those in the school that could lead their heart astray.
In other words, focussing on educational classes primarily is, as I have said in my conferences, "straightening the picture on a wall of a house that is burning down."
Your goal in education is reaching their heart, filling their emotional cup, teaching them moral foundations, capturing their vision for life for the kingdom of God, teaching them what it looks like to walk through difficult times while holding tight to the hand of God. May God grant you understanding and faith to follow these paths and to raise up a strong generation for Him.
I will be adding more to my blog soon, but have been busy with my own children, seeking to build them into Godly leaders! (Besides moving to a new home and speaking in three conferences and finishing the edit on my book!) My precious children seem to need me as much now at 22, 20, 17 and 11 as they ever have, but I love seeing them growing and I love being the one to help inform their hearts in this time of adult making!
Blessings to each of you today as you plan your year.
Sally |
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August 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by gal51 |
WoW! I REALLY needed to read this today as I have been struggling with my 6-year-old daughter (who is just like me!!). Thank you so much for all the work that you & Clay do spreading the word about reaching our children's hearts ... it has changed my life so much. I am looking forward to hearing you and Clay next weekend in Atlanta.
Blessings!!
~Heather |
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September 1, 2006 - Fresh Air |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Hi Sally,
Your words of encouragement are always like a breath of fresh air; thank you! My kids are 11 & 9 and we've always homeschooled them. As they grow, I am more and more thankful that they are not being bombarded daily with the world's system of thought. As you said, we have also seen many teens in our churches that from all outward appearances are being squeezed into the world's mold. Many of them are even homeschooled. It saddens me but also sobers me to the fact that I must be diligent to teach my children, pray for them and protect them while they are still vulnerable.
As my kids near adolescence and I see what is happening to "christian" teens all around us, I have an even greater burden to protect them from harmful influences and instill them with wisdom and discernment. And, it seems that it is getting tougher by the day to live in this godless culture and train up children who love the Lord. That is why I so appreciate your insights, Sally. I look forward to reading more as you have time to share.
I would love to attend one of your conferences. I pray the Lord will bring you up to New England sometime!!
Blessings,
Silvana |
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September 1, 2006 - Fighting in the Battle |
| Posted by EEEEMommy |
These words are an encouragement to me as I am currently battling for my kids' hearts as they have been hit in the face by the sin of my little sister. We've gone from the warm fuzzy Scripture passages to the serious ones that reveal how God feels about sin, so that in their excitement and joy, their consciences are not seered to think that sin is okay. It is a battle, but it's much more important that I fight it now than wait for another day, after the Math lessons are completed.
Thanks for your encouragement! |
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September 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Canadagirl |
I am soooooooo glad you are posting agian. Even if it is spiratic. I am so glad your news letter introduced me to HSB. I am a regular now (0: Met a world of friends ( literally from around the world ) Thank you sooooo much for this. It gives hope in what we are doing and where our focus should REALLY be. God Bless,
In Him,
 |
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September 6, 2006 - Thank you Sally |
| Posted by LoneStarMama |
| As always you are a source of inspiration and support : ) |
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September 6, 2006 - Great reminder... |
| Posted by gabalot |
As we are getting back into our schooling, as we started in July, had four weeks, then two off, and now back again, I need to hear that your schedule wasn't perfect. Why I need to hear it again and again, I don't know, but I do. I know they are learning, I am still after six plus years, concerned when someone would ask me what we do each day. They are bright children, so once again, I will breathe in and breathe out, in, out. Sally, your words are always a breathe of fresh air, thank you and God Bless!
Jennifer |
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September 6, 2006 - A blessing |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Just wanted to let you know I've read your books "The Ministry of Motherhood" and "The Mission of Motherhood", and found them to be great helps.
I've also loved receiving your email newsletters, and am happy to see you've started a blog. I've already added you to my blogroll. :-)
Keep on keeping on!
In Christ,
Rachael
www.astrowombat.wordpress.com |
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September 8, 2006 - Thank You |
| Posted by coveredwifeoftim |
| I really appreciate your encouraging email newsletters and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the California moms conference. |
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September 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by CTdittmar |
| Such encouraging words! thank you, Sally, for taking the time to articulate that wonderful reminder. I needed it so much tonight! Our family has come down with lice....eeek! And I feel like the school year has had one roadblock after another to getting "on track" and off to a hearty, consistent start. I need to remember that just getting through this trial in a godly fashion will be the most important lesson of the week in my children's lives, not what history or math they're missing because of the craziness! I have read all of your books and always appreciate how you bring a spiritual insight to the "normal" things of a day. Warmly in Christ, Christa |
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September 15, 2006 - Thanks, Sally |
| Posted by MomsBookNook |
This is something I'm really praying through now for our own homeschooling. My kids are 11 and 13 and we're working on making sure we have God as our focus, not SAT's. It's a hard shift to keep in society, isn't it? I love the writings of Marilyn Howshall of "Lifestyle of Learning". I keep reading her booklets in the hope that that mindset will rub off.
Thanks for your ministry!
Darlene Hull
http://www.mom-defrazzler.com |
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September 16, 2006 - So glad you are blogging again |
| Posted by Brenda |
I enjoy your e-mail letters, books, and now your blog.
We've also gone through many moves in the past few years, sometimes wondering if we'd heard God correctly or not! I know He is in control.
I've read your books and then given them to my daughter. She has three future homeschoolers.
Brenda
http://coffeeteabooksandme.blogspot.com/ |
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September 26, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by doehillhomeschool |
| Thank you for this post. My little ones are still little and home. Your books and newsletters are so appreciated around here. Thank you and God bless! --Gin |
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September 30, 2006 - Thank you! |
| Posted by Anonymous |
I really needed to read this just now. It seems like our household is always off balance in some way. I recently tried to get us on a strict (not tight, just strict) schedule so we could try to accomplish some things. We have several challenges and it has been very difficult and I have become very discouraged. So much for the schedule! Then the LORD impressed upon my heart that it's about their hearts, not their high school transcripts. While the transcripts are important, all is for naught if their souls are embittered and lost in the end.
Thanks again!
Mrs. Nicklebee
http://mydogsrule.wordpress.com |
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December 21, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by OurHomeSweetHomeschool |
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Theresa |
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December 27, 2006 - Please keep posting! |
| Posted by kindredspiritMom |
Thanks so much for sharing this ~ I keep coming back to read it. If only God could write it on my heart....now, that's a thought!!!
Much love,
Michele in Michigan |
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July 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by H0MEFree |
Oh, please keep the blog going!
You have so much to offer! Mentor us!!! Pretty please? |
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August 15, 2007 - Hi |
| Posted by momofsix |
| I hope you don't mind me adding you to my friends link as a quick way to come back and visit. It looks like you have some great posts which I want to come back and read. Have a blessed day. |
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September 9, 2007 - Sally's new blog.... |
| Posted by Anonymous |
http://whmoms.wordpress.com/
Sally's new blog can be found here. |
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February 21, 2008 - Just found out about you |
| Posted by Connie |
Hi Sally,
Last Thursday I was traveling to a Christian Ladies Conference in Hot Springs AR. When in Memphis for a connecting flight I was informed that it was cancelled and a charter bus was being offered to Little Rock.As can happen I met and / or noticed other travelers in the same delema. The following Monday at the Little Rock airport I saw one of the travelers and started talking with her about sharing the bus ride the previous Thursday. She was a homeschool mom of 9 that had met up with friends in Little Rock to travel to Dallas to hear you speak... we ended up having lunch together and sharing home school mom stories. .When I asked about emailing each other she said she wasn't interested and I replied that with 9 children who has time for one more relationship!...I gave her a hug and said "the Lord bless you " and we went to our separate ways....Thought you would enjoy a "God story" with your name attached.
Connie Beckley
Dillsboro, Indiana |
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February 29, 2008 - kind words |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Hi Sally,
You don't know me personally, but my family is also a part of High Country. We enjoyed the wonderful ski trip today with the group. You stopped in the hall and paid me a very sweet and cherished compliment. You told me that I looked like I could be a model for ski wear and another kind comment on my appearance. What you did not know was that I just turned forty, I have gained at least fifteen pounds over the last year, had a massive cystic zit in the middle of my cheek and several others trying to heal as well on top of my wrinkled skin. I have been stressed and stretched to my limits with HOA's and cruel neighbors and trying to keep from becoming ugly in my actions and thoughts. I also have had to stretch our family budget to the point that my pennies scream. I have not had a manicure for years and my hair line is beginning to resemble a skunk. You'r kind words meant more to me than you know. One of my friend's favorite quotes is "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". Thank you again for your very kind words. They meant so much to me. |
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About Me
Welcome! I'm Sally Clarkson, mother of four wholehearted homeschooled children, and partner with my DH Clay in our family ministry to parents, Whole Heart Ministries. I'll be sharing thoughts about my homeschooling experience, and hope to encourage you as a homeschooling parent. Thanks for stopping by.
Links
• Home
• View my profile
• Archives
• Email Me
• My Blog's RSS
My Books
• Educating the WholeHearted Child (with Clay)
• Seasons of a Mother's Heart
• The Mission of Motherhood
• The Ministry of Motherhood
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