Favorite Verse

I've been battling some health issues that have been unresolved for several years now. I've been just barely hanging on to the basics in life, so this blog has been neglected. However I did want to post here something I saw today which is helping to bring new life and passion to my faith, which has been suffering along with my health.



I have been saying for years that Jeremiah 29:11 was my favorite verse. Years ago that verse used to be my comfort and my inspiration, but in recent years it has not given that same comfort. Then I saw this verse and it brought back those feelings of comfort, joy, and faith that I've been longing for. It actually excites me when I read it!

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

- Zephaniah 3:17

Thank you, God. I needed that today!

Homeschoolers and Socialization

My 15-year-old had three varsity volleyball games this week. Last night's game was against another homeschool team, held at a church gym nearby.

So, how was it attending a game with a gym full of "weird, unsocialized homeschoolers" and their families?

I suppose many people would think it would be awkward, quiet - filled with conservative family members wearing headdresses and other ultra modest clothing, clapping politely for both teams.

But you would be oh, so wrong.

Both stands were filled with people of all ages, cheering, yelling, and stomping on the bleachers for their respective teams. The gym was filled with laughter and excitement. Older children and parents were watching over the younger children, entertaining them during breaks in the games and helping them to stay off the court during the games. Parents of the "home" team were walking the stands during the breaks, hawking pizza by the slice to benefit a senior trip. Parents and siblings were loudly cheering on the girls by name. Groups of parents sitting together were catching up on each others' lives, sometimes watching the games and sometimes not.

What topped the cake was two teenage boys who took it upon themselves during the breaks to "work the crowd." They ran up and down the bleacher sections, encouraging everyone to do "the wave" and to cheer - for both teams! They were a riot.

Oh, yes. What a completely unsocialized group we homeschoolers are.

Homeschooling Article

Well, this rather slapped-together article has begun to spark some serious discussion in homeschooling.

College Students Fail Civics Test

This article points out some serious flaws in our best colleges.

If you go to the site referenced in this article, it's even worse to see how poorly elected officials did on this quiz.

My highest level of education is some college, with no degree; I scored 81.85%.

Next year my oldest will begin a 3-year in-depth study of government. I hope at the end she will score even better.

Tapestry of Grace, the curriculum I use, is one of the few I've seen that includes governmental studies as a key component.

Homeschooling from a Teacher's Viewpoint

It's nice to see a teacher fighting for homeschoolers' rights.

Article here.

Life Happens

The last three days have been a lesson to me in flexibility, patience, and honoring God's commandments.

A young couple in our church had a family member in California die. I could see she really wanted to be there, but with three young children on a 3rd class petty officer's salary, it was not likely to happen. I encouraged her to look into Space A MAC flights, and also offered to watch her kids if she wanted to go. Friday morning, her husband called mine and asked if we could take all three kids until Tuesday. He told us that we were the only ones they felt they could trust with their precious children - what a blessing to hear that!

Years ago *we* were blessed with wonderful people who would watch our young children on a moment's notice. This is certainly a blessing to a young military family far from home. These people have become our forever friends whom we will never forget.

All through Scripture God calls us to show our love for our neighbors in practical ways. Sometimes this isn't convenient or easy. I learned long ago that it is more important to be available for the new homeschool mom who needs to vent than to finish the lesson plan for the day. My kids have learned to be flexible, and to understand that people are more valuable than books. This is one of those life lessons they wouldn't have learned in school.

In this particular instance, it hasn't been at all easy to serve. I haven't watched a two-year-old for more than a few hours in a long, long time. In addition, he has a medical issue which requires me to watch everything he touches and puts in his mouth. Doable, but challenging.

To add to the challenge, we just got a new puppy whom we are working on housetraining. I haven't been able to keep as close an eye on him as I would like, so we've had lots of accidents. Plus, I've been so busy caring for two young ones, a puppy, and a house, that I didn't have time to put together lesson plans for homeschool today.

No worries, right? Well, I got up early after a sleepless night to get things going, only to find that my two youngest both have fevers. I've struggled all day to keep on top of things, but all my plans have gone awry.

Still, there have been moments of joy. There was genuine laughter from sharing old jokes with new kids. The two-year-old has entertained us hourly with his antics and impish smile. With two of my kids down, the oldest from both families stepped up to the plate with chores. The new puppy is too adorable for words. My dear husband has been home the whole time and is a great help. Still, I'll be glad when mommy and daddy come home tomorrow.

And if they asked me again tomorrow, I would would smile a sincerely genuine smile and say, from my heart, "Absolutely."

Cons of Homeschooling

Every once in awhile I'll come across an article or blog about the "cons of homeschooling." Unfortunately most of the time they aren't really cons but veiled digs at non homeschoolers.

That's why this article is so refreshing. These are thoughtful, real reasons why homeschooling is hard.

But, I still think it's worth it.