There are many different reasons people decide to homeschool their children. I would like to share with you today why our family homeschools. Being fully aware of our reasons propels us forward and it gives us purpose. Placing these reasons ever before us pushes us on toward our goal.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

This encompasses every aspect of life, at all times and in all things. I do not believe this can be fully accomplished if the responsibility is abdicated to others and children are put under the authority of those who disagree with the biblical approach to every aspect of life or are obligated to teach using a secular curriculum with a humanistic and atheistic approach. There truly is no real neutrality. Here is a quote from a book I have read recently, it gives a good summary. This is enough to propel me to move forward and count the rewards when I am feeling overwhelmed. It is what God has called me to do as a Christian mother.

The biblical mind is not compartmentalized into two distinct areas of though: secular and sacred. All of life is under the authority of God's revealed Word, and children were to be taught in terms of this comprehensive authority all the time.

from: Standing on the Promises by Doug Wilson

I acknowledge that all will not agree with my reasons for homeschooling. Many will have other reasons and some will just flat out disagree and that is ok. We have our reasons and they are grounded in the Word. These reasons as propel to continue on our homeschooling journey. When we have a frustrating day, they urge us forward and help to keep us focused.

Labels: Christianity, Conviction, Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, newsletter

I remember the very first day that I started homeschooling twelve and a half years ago. I was so excited! I had my curriculum picked out and all of the supplies I needed gathered and set out on the table the night before. Things went perfectly! After all, I had read and reread the lessons like twenty times already. I was going to be the perfect homeschool mom and things were always going to be sunshine and rainbows. What I didn't allow to enter my mind was the fact that in order to have a rainbow, there has to be rain! My perfect homeschool experience lasted three whole days and when day four hit I became, what I thought, was a total failure! I have grown a lot since then and realize that having unattainable goals will always leave me feeling like a failure. Why set myself up for that? Here is one thing that I have learned along the way and tried to apply to my life.

BE FLEXIBLE! Planning is a good thing, be prepared, but be flexible! Babies will cry, children will get sick, mom will get sick with 102 degree temperature, the dog will get sick, the bird will break free from its cage and the cats will go nuts! All of this will happen when hubby is out of town. Oh, did I mention mom is due in 3 weeks and always delivers early(can we say stress & fear?)?

YES, this is an actual week of my life. Guess what, no one can have a perfect school day when this is your week! Be flexible and remember things do not always go as planned. Remember your reason for being: to bring glory to God. Sometimes our plan is not His plan. During this week (several years ago), we did not get through our ABC's but we learned a much more valuable lesson, to lean upon the Lord. If we learn to lean upon the Lord we will find things flow more smoothly even as we ride along all the bumps in the road.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Labels: Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, newsletter

When we moved into this house we had to purchase a refrigerator. Now of course it didn't matter to my husband which refrigerator we bought; guys just do not seem to care about those types of things. I told him I had always wanted a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. So that is what we bought. I absolutely love it! Not only is the fridge, the part you utilize the most, on top and more accessible; it reminded me of when I was a small child. There were a few years when I was young that I lived with my grandparents. My grandmother had a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. I remember swiping ice cubes for snacks. This has become a scene in my home also. My little ones love to get ice cubes out for a snack, especially my 16 month old. It brings a smile to my face. As crazy as it sounds watching my little ones take ice cubes out of "the freezer on the bottom" lets me reminisce on one of the few good memories of my childhood. It also reminds me that my children will follow my footprints.

Today at lunch, I was sitting with my 3 year eating pizza. Daddy and all of the other children were in the other room. We chatted a bit and after a short silent moment a smile spread across her face. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a mommy just like you." Is that not enough to melt your heart?? It is also another reminder that my children will follow my footprints.

God provides so many opportunities to remind us that our children are watching us. That they are imitating us. It causes me to evaluate my life. Am I living in a way that I want my children to imitate? How would I react if my children did (my current action)? Would I approve?

I am not the perfect example, if left to myself, I will always fail. God is the one who allows any good to come of my life. If I want any good to come of my children's lives then I must point them to the Savior. I must imitate the one that I desire them to imitate. I must be like Christ so that they will want to be like Christ.

• 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

As my children follow in my footprints, these verses express my prayer.

• Job 23:11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
• Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Labels: Christianity, Family, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Preschoolers, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child

Every year we set up a nativity set. It sits upon our piano away from little fingers that could easily break the figurines. Our children do on occasion end up getting away with playing with it. It has almost become a tradition to do something to the set to see how long it takes for mom or dad to notice. That usually means the shepherds and wise men trade places or the donkey is turned around backwards. Some may say this is inappropriate but in our home this has become a way to make sure that we are focused on the correct thing at Christmas time, our Savior. Do we really notice the nativity set or is it just another decoration? Last year was one of the most creative and we even snapped a photo. I noticed standing between Mary and Joseph gazing down at the baby Jesus was a penguin. The phrase, "There is a visitor at the manger," was repeated over and over again. Do we visit the manger? Not just the sweetness of a newborn baby and the cute scene we display but the full picture? That day, even though glorious, showed the coldness of the world. Even in rejoicing that the Savior has come, we know He came only to die. Christmas is a time of wonder, joy, love, awe, and amazement. It should also be a time when we once again acknowledge our dependence upon a holy and just God. Let us not get caught up in the sparkling lights, pretty bows, ribbons, cookies, and presents. Let us make our main focus be the same as that which the little penguin upon my piano represented. Let us be a visitor at the manger and our focus be upon the Living Lord. Merry Christmas and may God bless you as you celebrate the risen Lord.

Labels: Christianity, Christmas, newsletter

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Scripture is clear in the fact that parents are responsible for the education of their children. As Christian parents we are to do this in a way that brings honor and glory to God. As homeschoolers we all tend to have different methods. Some, like myself, use the classical approach following the Trivium, others like workbooks, some prefer Charlotte Mason, while there are those who like the unschooling approach. As Christians, no matter what our schooling method is, our main goal should be to raise godly Christian adults. This can be a very daunting and often thankless task. Sometimes parents even wonder if they will ever see the fruit. Let me encourage you in the fact that God is sovereign! He is all-seeing! God sees the work you pour into the children He has blessed you with. Continue to press on; the fruit will come to bear! Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

The Westminster Catechism question #1 asks, What is the chief end of man?

The answer is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

(1 Corinthians 6:20, 10:31, Revelation 4:11)

In all you do focus on bringing glory to God. Be diligent in teaching and training your children according to God’s Word with prayer in every aspect of life; be that in math, science, church history, the Gospel, or ministering to the homeless. The fruit will spring forth in your life as well as in the lives of your children.

Labels: Homeschooling, newsletter

Noah Webster:
“In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed.”

Labels: Homeschooling, newsletter, Quotes

"You may speak but a word to a child, and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall stir the Christian Church in years to come." - Charles Spurgeon

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Quiverfull, Quotes

My husband and I currently have eight children and are a homeschooling family. I have been homeschooling for 11 years now. WOW! Has it really been that long? I often receive questions on homeschooling, the how tos, curriculum questions, scheduling questions, & questions concerning what are most important things to teach. This last one is what I want to discuss today.

What is our top priority?
These are things we desire to see come to fruition in our children's lives: that our children's main purpose in life is to know, love, serve, and glorify God; that their faith in God is of the highest importance. That they posses a "biblical worldview," that being in essence, that they believe absolute moral truth exists; and is defined in the Bible and that ALL things are to viewed in light of and according to the scriptures.

What christian would not desire this for their children. But how is this achieved? By the work of the Lord in their lives of course, but also by the work of the Lord in the lives of their parents. As parents we are called to teach and to train our children in the ways of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6

We must instill in them this Biblical Worldview. That is a term that is thrown around a lot these days and many will claim to have this worldview. This is something we need to deeply examine. Do we really see EVERYTHING from God's perspective? Do we check EVERYTHING against scripture? Are we open to God showing us where we are in error? Consistency is the key here as well, we MUST practice what we preach. We must be intentional in all we do.

Many of us are failing. Not one of us is perfect or is the perfect parent but we must be always striving to do things God's way. We must be willing to repent where we fail and rest upon Christ for His strength and wisdom.

Here are some places worth visiting:

Revolutionary Parenting

Nehemiah Institute Worldview Testing

May God grant you His wisdom as you seek to train the children He has entrusted to you for His service!

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Quiverfull

"Christian parents, brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no greater calling in our lives as Christians than to raise up the next generation of faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Surely within that calling, the most noble, the most necessary, the most foundational task is to ensure our children have been thoroughly trained to properly, earnestly, honestly, from the heart and soul and mind and strength, offer their reasonable service, their spiritual worhip to God the Father Almighty in the name of His only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!"

~ Craig & Barbara Smith Keystone Magazine July 2002, Vol. VIII No. 4

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Quiverfull, Quotes

"You are in the very center of His will as you embrace His little ones to your heart and raise them to be mighty arrows for God's kingdom. You are at the very heart of the kingdom of God. There is nothing more powerful that you could be doing in the whole of the world. Be encouraged. And may you be filled with the joy of the Lord as you fulfill this mighty task in your home today."

~ Nancy Campbell in Above Rubies

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, journal, newsletter, Quiverfull, Quotes

Psalm 127
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved {even in his} sleep.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.


This is one of my most favorite passages of scripture. It is very near and dear to my heart. The family that God ordained from creation is very important. God uses the christian family to build His kingdom. The Lord is the one who is to build the house or else we are laboring in vain. Who are you letting build your home? I pray it is the Lord.

This passage of scripture came to mind to me this morning as I played with my 6 month old. Even having 8 children, I am still awed and amazed at the little things that come with an infant. Her little fingers, the way her eyes light up with her smile, the cute little baby laugh as well as the excitement that she is becoming more mobile. You would think these things would be "old hat" kind of things, but it is new with every child.

I watch my teenagers and the children in the middle as they work on their school lessons and continue to learn and discover things and I think, "What a blessing!" The newness has not worn off only changed a little.

Children truly are a gift of the Lord and I am truly blessed to be having my quiver filled. I am blessed to have a husband that acknowledges God's sovereignty in this area.

As you go throughout your day, maybe a good day maybe a not so good day, whether you are amidst happy, funloving children today or are amist runny noses, fevers, and crying (like me today) I pray that you will see the great love that God has for you in bestowing His gift of children upon you.

Labels: Christianity, journal, newsletter, Quiverfull, Weekend Kindness