{... or their birthday, or anniversary, or just because you really love them... }
From a second-generation homeschooler who grew up reading several different homeschool magazines, there is only one I subscribe to; Home School Enrichment is hands down the best magazine for homeschoolers and my favorite piece of mail to receive.
I get giddy when I see it lying in the mailbox in all its packaged glory. Of course, the wrapper never stays on for more then 5 seconds, but you get my drift.
I suppose I like Home School Enrichment better than some of the other magazines in its genre because these editors have the vision!
Home School Enrichment is not just a curriculum catalog (although it contains plenty of textbook and method reviews).
Home School Enrichment is not just a collection of tutorials (although it often contains some fantastic projects and instructions on how to do them with your own children).
Home School Enrichment is the boost you need when you feel like giving up. It ignites the fire when it's almost out.
It gives confidence to new homeschoolers...
... and reminds seasoned ones why they do what they do.
Home School Enrichment keeps you informed about our brothers and sisters around the world,
provides you with practical help and real life application,
reminds us of our history lest we forget it, and the battles that were fought on our behalf. Home School Enrichment is a Bible-based, Christian magazine I guarantee will uplift, encourage, inspire, and inform every family it reaches.
For $17.97 a year (that's 50% off!), you can't afford not to get it. It's a gift the whole family (yours or your homeschooling friends) will benefit from.
Best of all, the quality of Home School Enrichment is so fantastic, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like it for whatever reason, you get every penny back, no questions asked.
It's that good.
I am an affiliate for Home School Enrichment because it truly is my favorite magazine and I want to get it in the hands of everyone I meet! If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife
Last week, I wrote something in a Facebook status that shouldn't have been written. It was an attempt at humor, but ended up being more off-color than funny. An older, wiser, godly friend wrote me about it.
Initially, I felt hurt and offended. "It's none of her business what I write," I thought. I didn't want to respond in a reactionary way (it's a sure way to make an even bigger fool of myself, I've discovered), so I mulled over her words for a while before re-reading them again after I had cooled down.
Everything she had written was done in a spirit of love and gentleness. She presented the truth and offered it up with plenty of grace and forgiveness. Like a good Titus 2 mentor, she took the opportunity to teach me "to be discreet, chaste, good... that the word of God be not blasphemed." (v.5) She wrote be because she was taking her responsibility to "be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, teachers of good things" seriously (v.5).
It wasn't about picking a bone with me. In all the years I've known her, she's never been one to offer cutting, critical, or dissenting opinions, or insist on having the last word. It's out of character for her to be disagreeable or write to prove how much she knows. She is sweet, gracious, kind, wise, godly, and clothed with humility.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized how blessed I am to have someone in my life who, in an era where it's cool to scream "Intolerance!" to anyone who picks up on our sin, cares enough about my personal holiness and spiritual well-being to risk friendship, misunderstanding, criticism, gossip, and being falsely accused of judgementalism, legalism, and self-righteousness. I was floored when I realized what she put at stake out of genuine concern for my own reputation and well-being!
On the one hand we younger mothers often bemoan the lack of Titus 2 mentors; on the other, we get upset when they are courageous enough to do their job. Having a mentor isn't just about receiving practical help, advice, and words of encouragement; it's about desiring to live a holy life that's pleasing to God, which necessarily entails being confronted in our sin at some point or another. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11"It's just a phase they all go through," we explain as we reprimand our toddler for snapping "NO!" at us again.
"Sarcasm is my spiritual gift," we laugh in an attempt to soften the edges of our cutting words.
"I'm just sayin' it like it it," we confirm of an honest statement, not spoken in kindness.
"I'm not arguing; I'm enjoying a healthy debate," we justify of our need to always have the last word.
"I'm just sharing my concerns so we can pray for her more specifically," we gossip about the details of another's life during prayer meeting.
We are adept at wrapping up sin with pretty bows. Who can argue against a "natural progression" in childhood development, a joke, honesty, a healthy debate, or prayer without appearing to judge another's motives or reeking or self-righteousness? We feel so insured and justified by our ability to reason sin away, and few things are more painful then someone tugging at the end of our ribbons to reveal what's inside and call it by name.
Suddenly the Bible, which seemed to have nothing to say about the sin we cleverly concealed, comes alive with rebuttals to put our accusers in their place.
"Judge not that you been not judged," we quote perfectly.
"How about you worry about the plank in your own eye before pointing out the speck in mine," we ask, referencing Matthew 7:3.
"The Lord knows my heart," we say, as if that's supposed to be comforting.
Excusing our sin and taking offense to biblical reproof doesn't just categorize us as fools (Proverbs 28:13; 1:5; 12:1; 9:8), it stunts our spiritual growth, and eliminates opportunities to live out the Gospel for our children and all those we meet.
It's not until we begin to grasp God's holiness, our grave depravity, and His extraordinary grace and forgiveness that we can understand and appreciate the biblical institution of mentorship, and seek out a godly role model who is willing to address our unhealthy habits with Scripture and in Christian love so we can become more and more like the God we claim to serve.
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If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife
I wish I could say I wasn't writing from experience, but I can't. This post serves as a painful reminder about the pride in my own life that needs to be put to death. Praise God for providing redemption through Jesus Christ!
1. Make sure people know that you are a well-informed person. Scroll through your Facebook feed looking for links to articles you disagree with (vaccines, education, birth control, home births, and diets are great topics). Never miss an opportunity to correct the person who shared it. Emphasize your point by sharing an article on your own feed that supports your point of view. Be sure the article is better written, and contains more resources from qualified professionals.
2. Believe you have all the answers. Don't ask for advice from anybody. If someone shares a differing perspective, assume it's because they aren't as knowledgeable about the topic as you are. Smile, and as humbly as you can, tell them you'll take their view into consideration. Then roll your eyes and laugh at their suggestion when you're by yourself or with someone else who thinks exactly like you.
3. Perfect your fault-finding abilities. It's easier to focus on people's flaws in order make yourself look better without actually having to become a better person. If you're feeling bad about your weight, visit the mall and stare at all the people who are much bigger than you. If your kids are misbehaving, taking them to a place (such as the library or Wal-mart) where you know there will be children who act worse than yours. Pat yourself on the back for your excellent parenting skills.
4. Pretend to be the Holy Spirit. When someone in a prominent position falls into a public sin, humbly suggest that it must be because they thought too much of themselves were not walking closely with the Lord (as you do, of course, but there's no need to mention that part). Jump to conclusions and interpret motives. Presume who is saved and who is not. You can know for sure by whether or not they share your convictions and lead a lifestyle that looks just like yours.
5. Don't make mistakes. You don't want anyone thinking you're just an average human being. Never skip a day of homeschooling. You don't want your child to get behind and prove you're a failure as a homeschool mom. Don't ever order pizza, buy bread, or let your children have anything that contains sugar. Moms who truly care about their families wouldn't dream of feeding that kind of junk to their kids. Keep your house clean no matter how many children you have, so no one will think you're a poor homemaker if they visit unexpectedly visit. Yell at the kids to get crackin' if you need to.
6. Don't ask for help. You are super woman! If you happen to get behind on laundry, stay up late to get the job done. Drink lots of coffee if you need to. Run yourself ragged, but don't ask for help because you're too good for that.
7. Only serve in public positions. None of this behind-the-scenes kind of stuff where nobody notices just how much you do for other people. Try to get on the committees at church, in your homeschool group, or help organize major events. Get involved in places where you get to wear a badge or your name will appear in print. Don't worry if it requires being away from your family for extended periods of time. Nobody notices the work you do there anyway.
8. Try to stay updated on other people's successes. That way you can one-up them. If their child starts taking piano lessons, sign yours up for cello. If they take a one-week vacation to another state, take a two-week vacation to another country. If they can twenty quarts of applesauce in one day, let them know that it was tough work but somehow you managed to get thirty-six jars done. If their blog gains new followers, stalk their page so you know exactly how many people you have to recruit to stay a comfortable number ahead.
9. Cover-up. Outward appearances are all people care about anyway. Carry your Bible to Church. Try to keep it in a place where people notice it (i.e. in your arm, not in your purse). Scuff it up a little so it looks well used. Wear plenty of make-up and trendy clothes so no one confuses you with the frumpy homeschoolers that seem to ruin it for everyone else. Leave challenging books like A Christian's Reasonable Service by Wilhelmus a Brakel, Teaching The Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn, and At the Mercy of Tiberius by Augusta Jane Evans lying around when company is expected. They will make you look smart even if you've never actually read them. Memorize the back cover, in case anyone asks.
10. Place any guilt where it belongs: on someone else. It's your husband's fault supper is cold; he should've come home from work on time; it's the curriculum's fault your child just isn't "getting it,"; it's that other mother's lack of discipline with her own children when your son learns some choice words after hanging out with his peers; it's your kids fault your house is always messy; it's the church's lack of a Titus 2 ministry that leaves you without a mentor. Blame anyone but yourself. You don't need that kind of negativity.
11. Forget that it is by grace that you are saved, and not by your own works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Assume there's some sort of catch to the word "gift" when God says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6: 23). Build your own house; believe your labor is not in vain (Psalm 127). Doubt Jesus' sincerity when He invites you to cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Don't put too much stock into spending time with Him when you could be busy with more important things (Luke 40:11). You can do everything in your own strength (Philippians 4:13). Search for happiness outside of Jehovah (Psalm 144:15).
I am evil, born in sin;Thou desirest truth within.Thou alone my Saviour art,Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,Wash me whiter than the snow. Broken, humbled to the dustBy Thy wrath and judgment just,Let my contrite heart rejoiceAnd in gladness hear Thy voice;From my sins O hide Thy face,Blot them out in boundless grace. ~Psalter 140 : 3, 4 (based on Psalm 51)
{photo source}
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Photo source: Getty Images When we were on our honeymoon, I picked up a bacterial infection. I couldn't keep anything down and spent a day in the hospital on IV. The doctors gave me an antibiotic designed to kill the bacteria. I took it as prescribed, but the problem got worse. I sought the advice of a Doctor of Natural Medicine who suggested I take Black Walnut tincture. The infection was gone in two days.
A few months later, Brad lost thirty pounds in three months (and he didn't have a pound to spare in the first place). He saw multiple specialists and had every test under the sun. No one could make a diagnosis. He was eventually told, "Maybe this is your ideal weight. Not everyone is meant to be the same size." Another doctor recommended that he should start drinking Boost to gain weight.
We took a look at the ingredient list and were shocked to discover that the first three ingredients were water, sugar, and corn syrup which made up 47% of the actual serving! That's equivalent to swallowing your vitamins with a 237ml glass of water containing 7 teaspoons of sugar.
Brad wanted to gain the weight back but in a healthy way. He chose not to drink Boost. We quit going to doctors and started doing our own research. For two years, we tried various diets and eventually eliminated gluten, and limited corn, and cow's milk (we still love dairy, just not store milk itself). I started making smoothies full of good fat and kefir for breakfast and he started taking probiotics with his meals. We still have a long way to go, but he's slowly putting the weight back on.
When our then 18 month old son started getting chronic ear infections (at least one a month), we took him to a specialist. He said our son would eventually grow out of it, but in the mean time, we could either choose to have tubes put in his ears, or relieve the pain with Tylenol and Motrin. I knew Tylenol and Motrin would do nothing more than mask the real problem and was concerned with the toxic effect regular doses of ibuprofen would have on his liver and kidneys. A friend of mine recommended I take him to the chiropractor. After a series of four adjustments, he hasn't had an ear infection in over a year.
When our daughter was born 6 weeks premature, I was denied the right to breastfeed our daughter because the nurses said she would burn too many calories if I let her work for it instead of using the tube for feedings like they recommended. My midwife was happy to intervene on our behalf and when I finally got the chance to breastfeed our little girl, she gained four ounces overnight - more than she had gained on the tube since birth!
We were told our youngest baby's life was not "viable" (worth trying to save) until I reached 24 weeks; I hemorrhaged nine-days postpartum after a botched manual placenta removal; our ex-gynecologist had no problem delivering a child in one room and aborting another in the next.
Doctors are but men.
They have helped us on many occasions and to a large extent, we place a lot of faith in their expertise. However, we must be careful not to credit them with an infallibility they do not have, and remember that it's an individual's right and responsibility to choose who they trust with their healthcare.
We've been reminded many times over the past few years that the best men are men at best. Doctors make mistakes, just like everybody else. They don't have a solution to everything, and often their solutions are atomistic instead of holistic. If that's what you like, it's not a problem, but if your philosophy of healthcare has got you believing that we ought to focus on healing the root cause of a malady in addition to providing symptomatic relief, then it makes sense to investigate alternatives to conventional medicine.
It's odd to me that our advocating the use of natural means (which have proven to be effective and superior to conventional medicine several times in our experience) can bring out the worst in people. There seems to be some sort of understood rule that if you don't put all your money on a conventionally trained M.D. from the Mayo clinic, you must therefore be a fringe greenie who will drink herbal concoctions to the death!
We make our healthcare decisions based on a position somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. I'm not comfortable putting all my eggs in a basket I've seen break before, and I'm skeptical of advice that comes from a doctor who doesn't believe all of life is sacred, beginning at conception and ending with natural death.
I don't trust natural "medicine" doctors who believe the power to heal lies within yourself (this philosophy contradicts everything Scriptural), and I don't buy the lie that you can discredit diet, exercise, and proper hygiene so long as you take several handfuls of supplements and chug them down with a bottle of Pepsi. With conventional medicine now the third leading cause of death killing 225,000 people each and every year as recognized by the Journal of the American Medical Association and half of doctors routinely prescribing drugs they know won’t work, learning to stand up for yourself in any sort of medical situation and not take advice blindly can be a lifesaving skill. An informed patient is no doubt a doctor’s worst customer.~ The Healthy Home EconomistSo, who do we trust?
That's for you to decide, but these are a few principles our family tries to take into consideration when we have a decision to make regarding our health:
Find a Christian, pro-life doctor who respects your parental rights and invites inquisition. If your doctor ignores your questions, fails to give straight answers, or gets agitated when you don't immediately jump at his offer to write up a prescription, it's time to find someone who treats you like a human being instead of another cog in the wheel. Get a second opinion, and a third, and a fourth. I feel more confident of a diagnosis and prescription if multiple doctors are in agreement. If four doctors tell me four different things, I don't know who to believe and start seeking the counsel of others who have been in a similar situation. Seek counsel from seasoned mothers. Is there anything more sincere than a mother's love for child? Mothers who have dealt with a sick child are usually well-studied in all the different options available, and tend to have an empathetic heart to go along with it. Do your own research. By that I mean, don't believe everything you read online. Study reputable sources, consult with herbalists, chiropractors, nurses, nutritionists, doctors, and homeopaths. Self-educate and become well-rounded so you can make an informed decision. Trust your intuition. God gave that to you!
Pray! Too often I forget that the miracle worker of Nazareth is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God is not limited by time, space, medicine, or a diagnosis. He invites us to touch the hem of His garment when we've spent all our living searching for answers and finding none (Matthew 5:25-29). Remember that God has all our days planned. I can't explain the paradox of God's Sovereignty and man's responsibility, but it's a comfort, not a curse, to know that even though the responsibility of their healthcare falls into my lap, God entrusted them into our care after He had planned out all their days (Psalm 139:16). Not a hair can fall from their head without His permission (Luke 12:7). Recommended Resources:
Treating Fevers Naturally by Meagan Vissers, RN, FH. Meagan is a Christian friend of mine who has been trained in both conventional and herbal medicine. The information in her eBook was the answer to my concerns about Tylenol and Motrin's effect on our organs, and gave me a plethora of effective, natural solutions.
Treating Fevers Naturally taught meeverything the doctor didn't:what a fever is and why it’s a good thing; what’s going on with your child when they have a fever; what the difference is in “degrees” of fever; the concerns of fevers and how to deal with them appropriately; the difference in medical vs. natural treatment options; and natural treatments for bringing a fever down and making your child comfortable.
Treating Fevers Naturally sells for $14.97, but the education and confidence it gives a mother in charge of her child's health is priceless.
The Bulk Herb Store. The Bulk Herb Store is a Christian, family-run business that sells a vast collection of organic herbs and teaches people how to use them for practical and medicinal purposes.
I used their herbs to help a complicated pregnancy, and to make the post-partum herbal bath I enjoy after each child is born. Their book, Making Babies, taught me how to make my own herbal tinctures and salves and how and when to use them. I also use their spices and sea salt in my baking and cooking.
Other hugely informative books and videos they carry include:
Be Your Own Doctor by Rachel Weaver
Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, MMedSci(neurology), MMedSci(nutrition)
Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Herbal Antivirals by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
Practical Herbalism by Phil Fritchey
The Green Pharmacy by Dr. James A. Duke
The Herbal Drugstore by Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster.
Trust Your Intuition by Jenni Wilson, M. H., wife of an M.D. Trust Your Intuition is the combined work of several Christian medical experts (three of whom are my personal friends), and seeks to provide balanced, grace-filled, information regarding both conventional and alternative medicine.
It offers easy ways to protect yourself and family from synthetic medicine and it's negative side effects, help you avoid toxic treatments, and choose natural therapies that have proven to be effective in homes all across the country.
The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., N.M.D. We were thrilled to discover this book shortly after Brad's weight reached an all time low. Most diet books are designed to help people lose weight, but The Maker's Diet is the story of how Jordan Rubin, a once healthy young man in his prime, who experienced the same kind of weight loss as my husband and was eventually given up on for dead by several doctors.
He started patterning his diet and nutrition according to principles he discovered in the Bible, attained his ideal weight, and wrote about his journey in book that has helped people boost their immune systems, improve their physical appearance and digestion, regain their energy, and reduce their stress.
We don't follow The Maker's Diet explicitly, but it was the foundation for much of our diet change and investigation into holistic healthcare.
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(Our family in 1997) There are days when I struggle to be the 60-year-old mother of three active and involved young adults, aged 19, 19, and 21, but as my husband and I look back over what the Lord has done, we marvel at God's grace and mercy! We can't imagine life without these young people!
There is great joy in what the Lord has done for us... for you see, we were married for almost 19 years before we had the blessing of a child! The reason? We had not obeyed God's commands, and we suffered consequences that would reach over many years. In some ways, those consequences still continue today, though forgiven.
I will tell you the sad story.
The early 50s, when we grew up, saw increasing prosperity. After the terrors and hardships of WWII, families in the U.S. were focused on getting that new dishwasher, television, and maybe, even two cars. Women were leaving home for the job market in record numbers to have the extras.
(My family) Then in the 60s and 70s, rebellion and 'free love' on college campuses exploded onto the scene. Most parents were totally unprepared to deal with it all, and thus, by default, didn't. Busy with earning a living, many parents were out of touch with the social pressures their young people faced, the anti-God stance in schools, and the growing fractures between generations.
(We are in the couple in the middle; not too serious about life) My husband and I both had parents who loved us, but their generation generally did not find it easy (or were unaware of the need) to discuss deeper issues with their young people.
While on campus, we 'married' ourselves (without family or friends) in a chapel before 'God' on the I.U. Bloomington campus, and I lived in the frat house from Thursday to Sunday night. Life was all partying or studying. This was not at all abnormal during those years ('69-73) in the middle of the sexual revolution, the Vietnam War, Woodstock, and and the devaluation of life with the Roe V. Wade decision (1973).
Immediately out of nursing school, my boyfriend (now my husband of 38 years) and I lived together as did many, but certainly not all, of our classmates. We finally did get properly married, much to my mother's relief. We were 21 and 22.
Upon graduation as an RN, I worked in open-heart surgery at a large metropolitan hospital. Occasionally, when there was a need for extra personnel in the abortion area of that hospital, I would be called on to assist as were other surgical nurses. Even after being raised in a private Christian school environment (and calling myself a Christian), I was unable to apply the things I studied in my catechism class to real life decisions. I was for all practical purposes "dead in my trespasses and sins."
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—" ~Eph. 2: 1 I am ashamed to say that we had an abortion several years into our marriage. We had bought into the worldly view of living for ourselves, careers, money, and things.
Two decisions forever changed the direction of my life~ 1.) breaking God's protective commands regarding the sacredness of marriage (having sex before marriage) and 2.) disregarding the sanctity of life (participating in and having an abortion). I didn't know it would affect my health, my fertility in years to come, or undermine our own self-respect or our respect for each other.
Nevertheless, God faithfully lead us to a solid Bible-believing church, and I finally accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at 29. By this time, I was really suffering emotionally. The pain got my attention. You can't tell me that abortion doesn't mess you up! I had already had several miscarriages and knew there were other things wrong.
The worst were flashbacks to assisting in a surgical abortion one day at the hospital where I found a perfect, tiny hand less than the size of a dime stuck to the side of my gloved hand. It is terrible to remember it. I ran out of the OR and refused to go back. It has taken years for those scars to heal. I learned the value of human life in a split second. It wasn't tissue to me anymore; it was a baby!
Now slowly my perspective changed. My whole being desired to be a mother, to bring forth new life within our marriage and before God. And we could not! Years went by with several more miscarriages. We did two home-studies in order to adopt, one Korean, and one local, but the Lord chose to close the doors. These are stories in themselves... Many, many people at our church and other friends were praying for us.
After 8 years of pursuing medical help to conceive (Clomid and surgeries for endometriosis), and then 4 years off, I got a call from a surgeon I worked with who told me about a new procedure called GIFT (gamete intra-fallopian transfer). I was working nights, 7 days a week, to afford the earlier procedures since insurance wouldn't pay for infertility treatment. I felt the clock ticking the years off my life...
After much prayer and many tears, we decided to go ahead. The first GIFT produced 2 tiny heart beats seen on ultrasound at 4+ weeks. One was in the (wrong) fallopian tube... the damaged tube! We had a tubal pregnancy which is dangerous, but both babies failed to grow. It was so discouraging: over $11,000 and nothing to show for it, but stress and grief and high levels of drugs (Metrodin, Lupron, and Pergonal).
I was determined to continue since there was a 36% chance in those days of delivering a live baby. We were told there was no other way.
(I clung to the verses of Isaiah 54: 11-15, especially verse 13) The second attempt went perfectly in every way. Twins! We were SO excited! My middle quickly got big, but in the fourth month I realized I was not growing in measurement. I was getting smaller!
(Two babies) A hastily arranged ultrasound revealed that one of the little lives I carried had died several weeks before. We saw a separate sac with little bones, and were told our second baby might miscarry, too. We were crushed, and I was in anguish. I was guilty of all those earlier years, and just knew I was being punished.
I almost forgot about the life within me as I focused on the loss. "Why God?" Satan almost destroyed my joy, except that Jesus is greater! "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5: 8)
Later, even though our other baby would be fine, I felt such frustration because if we didn't want an only child, we would have to go through another of these uniquely stressful procedures with all the costs, shots, and stress leading up to it. Then once the procedure is over, there is the waiting for that determining ultrasound to give you the news, good or bad!
Having a baby can easily become an idol! I had to get over it so I could focus on having a joyful heart for my husband and new son. It was the will of a loving, sovereign God, and His comforting presence was very real. "... give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ~1 Thessalonians 5: 18
Finally, the day arrived, and the Lord in His mercy gave us a beautiful, healthy son. My aching arms were filled, and we dedicated him to the King of Kings for His glory!
I can't describe the joy and wonder of it all. We had been married 19 plus years!!
My doctor said I was 'jump-started' with all the hormones, so we did a third GIFT to give our new son a little brother or sister. We were blessed with adorable, healthy twins exactly two years later. We praise God for His abundant grace and mercy!
Now I value life!
It has been a long road to forgiving myself for assisting in and having an abortion, but I found the Lord has welcoming arms to forgive us when we come to Him in repentance. We are sinners, but by His grace, we have hope... and now can see His guiding hand in it all. Thank You, Lord, for birthing in us new life, spiritually and physically! "... I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." ~Deuteronomy 30: 19
The takeaway: We have been able to share with our children (appropriately, through time) the curses we had brought upon ourselves. That has protected them, to a large degree, from repeating the same mistakes which we made. It is a blessing to tell them of the mighty things that the LORD has done for us while we were yet in unbelief and of the restoring power found only in trusting Christ Jesus. Today we enjoy a rich relationship with each of our children by the grace of Almighty God. I share this with you to encourage and strengthen YOU that no matter where you find yourself, our gracious God is always at work. Never give up hope, dear one. ______________________________________________
For 38 years now, I have been first a wife, but also a teacher of our children in the home. Now a new season is here, and with the blessing of my husband, I write DeepRootsAtHome as an encouragement to myself and others. (Titus 2: 3-5) What I share will be varied and practical…focused on being a good steward at home, of our time, and our relationships…but I also love to do things that bring beauty and order to our hectic lives and reflect God’s creativity. Oh, may we learn how important our jobs are as we become older women of God to speak into the younger woman! The habits of the home in one generation become the morals of society in the next. As William Ross Wallace said: “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” 10 May, 1996 Washington Times.
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Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling, The Modest Mom, Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, A Mama's Story, Time-Warp Wife, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman,
When icy roads result in cancelled choir practice, swimming lessons, or co-op, we relish the opportunity to focus on important parts of an education that sometimes get brushed off to the side when we're gallivanting all over town, making sure our children are being well socialized (wink).
Snow days are fun days where the kids look forward to long periods of uninterrupted reading out loud on the couch, the opportunity to work on projects that are more time consuming, and the folder of fun things (a.k.a. Pinterest) Mommy reserves for days when it's too cold to play outside.
Our read-aloud list includes:
Wisdom and the Millers by Mildred Martin
Storytime with the Millers by Mildred Martin
Missionary Stories with the Millers by Mildred Martin
The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Christopher Churchmouse Treasury by Barbara Davoll
The Bronze Bow by Elisabeth George Speare
The Door In The Wall by Margaret De Angeli
The Tanglewood's Secret by Patricia St. John
Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John
Huguenot Garden by Douglas Jones
The Minstrel in The Tower by Gloria Skurzynski
The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by Scott O'Dell
Ink On His Fingers by Louise Vernon
The Answers Books for Kids by Ken Ham
The Way of the Master: Teaching Kids to Share Their Faith by Kirk Cameron
Our project list includes:
Crafts. Painting, beading, scrapbooking, card-making: these all take extra time and result in a big mess to clean up, but it's not so bad when you can devote several hours to creating something beautiful that will be appreciated and remembered for years to come.
Baking. The kids love to help me in the kitchen. They often slow the process down, but culinary skills are important and snowy days provide us with lots of time for everyone to take a turn measuring, pouring, stirring, rolling, and of course, licking the spatula.
Writing. One of my goals for our children's education is to instill in them a love for writing. I want them to be able to articulate their thoughts and express themselves in a way that serves others. Perhaps the earliest, most practical way they can do this is by mailing hand-written cards of encouragement.
Our 4-year-old learned how to form her letters using the 1777 New England Manuscript Printable Set and adores being able to write the letters I dictate to send a message to her grandparents. When she's finished writing, she gets to decorate her letter and address the envelope (another necessary skill). Few things are more rewarding than discovering that Grandpa and Grandma received her card and loved it! Our "FUN" list includes:
The January Printables by Kristy Howard. Our kids love Kristy's printables (She also has a set of Christmas themed printables that are a blast any time of the year)! They are just as educational as they are fun, and for $2.00, they provide many hours of productive enjoyment for kids between the ages of 4 and 6. The January set includes:
New Year’s Goals & Chart. Charity's resolution is to clean up more (I practically jumped with delight!) and she loves filling her chart with stickers each time she remembers to put something away.
Coloring pages
Scripture, Number, & Letter copy work
Thinking skills & math pages
Matching & recognition
Opposites, Number 1, Seasons & Months of the Year
Special January Days & People
Hot Chocolate Recipe
The ABC's For Godly Girls activities and crafts. We're working through Lindsey Stomberg's The ABC's For Godly Children Bible Curriculum this year (you can read my full review here), and snowy days are the perfect opportunity to work on the activities and crafts included with every lesson that we don't always get to otherwise.
If you need more fun, inspiring, educational ideas, Homeschool Enrichment Magazine always comes chock full of them. Among many other great ideas in the current issue, they suggest making it through the mid-winter "slump" by learning a handcraft, taking art classes with another family, hosting a games day, and operating on an alternative schedule.
Until the end of January, you can get a 1-year subscription for 58% off the cover price for a total of $14.95. In my completely biased opinion (it's the only homeschool magazine we subscribe to), that's a deal too good to pass up!
How do you like to spend your snow days? Do you dread or welcome them?
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. Thank you for your support. If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife
I love homeschooling. I loved it as a student for 13 years, I love it as a second-generation homeschool mama at the beginning of her own journey, I love writing about it, creating tools for it, and more recently, co-authoring a book about it!
Homeschooling consummates the passion and zeal we have to instruct the little souls God has entrusted us with. Nevertheless, it would be naive of me to dismiss homeschooling's challenges or pretend that my propensity to particular idols doesn't exist. The devil does what he can to transfer our worship from the One who gives life and purpose to our homeschool to that which turns us in toward ourselves and leaves us feeling empty, dry, and deflated.
The idols of one mother's heart might look different than the idols of another, but here are two common ones and how we can fight against them. Note that there is nothing inherently wrong with desiring well-behaved, intelligent children; our desire only becomes destructive when we give it more attention than it deserves. Idol #1: Well-behaved children .
Your child is shy? It must be because she's homeschooled.
Your child is hyper? It must be because he's homeschooled.
Your child has tempers, talks too much, dresses like a geek, and uses uber nerdy words? Obviously it's because he's homeschooled.
Truth is, I don't want my child labeled, or awkward, a misfit, or the odd one out and I certainly don't want to be the one to blame for their behavior. So sometimes I idolize what I want them to be and who I want them to become. Maybe if I can raise perfect, socially acceptable children (whatever that is), then I won't be "at fault" for keeping them home.
However, when I start believing that I am solely responsible for how my children behave, I forget that sin lives within each of their hearts and that only God's grace is powerful enough to overcome it. If I consider myself to be the solution, I have idolized both my children's behavior and my parenting abilities... and attempting to raise children outside of God's help is guaranteed failure.
Well-behaved children are solely the result of God's grace at work in their lives and His undeserved blessing on our weak and imperfect obedience to His promises and commands:
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul." Proverbs 29:17
"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother." Proverbs 22:15
I can't explain the dichotomy but it goes something like this: "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." ~ Augustine Idol #2: Smart children .
Similarly, we homeschool moms often fall into the trap of idolizing smart children - especially if we don't have a teaching degree.
Despite statistics that tell us a teaching degree makes no difference in the education of a homeschooled child, we still feel a need to "prove" ourselves to people who knock homeschooling without taking a look at its incomparable track record (see also here). If our kids are smart, then maybe people will believe we're intelligent enough to homeschool.
Ironically, we feel that the way to make others understand that we're not ripping our kids off on their education is to abide by the school's schedule, use the school's curriculum, adopt the school's teaching methodologies, and do everything opposed to the very reasons most folks homeschool in the first place!
If we are parenting according to God's promises, we ought to expect good behavior from our children; certainly teaching them to apply themselves to their studies so that they can use the gifts they've been given for God's glory is an eternally rewarding goal.
But the moment our desire becomes an idol, the moment the performance of our children and how it is viewed by the watching world holds more sway over our hearts than God's unique plan for their lives, the moment we make things about us, our pride, our reputation, our success - at that moment, we begin to erect a barrier between our homeschool and the God who demands the whole of our worship on one hand and offers everything we need for life and godliness (including the raising of our children) in the other (Exodus 20:3; 2 Peter 1:3).
If we make God play second fiddle in our homeschool, the music will cease. The noise of and stress of finding the perfect parenting methodology and curriculum, satisfying the standard of a culture whose worldview yours shouldn't resemble, and pressuring your children to meet the expectations of people who really don't care about them will drown out your vision and sap your joy.
How do we get rid of these idols?
Crowd out any room for them with God.
If we saturate ourselves in God's Word and clothe ourselves in prayer, not only is the foothold for idols removed, but we will be immersed in precious promises that give clarity, purpose, and vision to our homeschool. The desire for socially acceptable, smart kids will fade into the background when we understand that nothing is more important than their salvation and a humble and joyful obedience to the law of God, socially accepted or not.
What's drowning your vision and sapping your joy? Give it over to the Lord and let Him receive the worship your soul craves to give.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 ___________________________ Looking for more homeschool encouragement? Check out our brand new book, Homeschooling Day by Day which I was honored to co-author. It's 40 chapters of realism, practical advice, and plenty of grace from Moms on every stage of the journey. You can purchase your copy for $4.99 or read the Table of Contents here.
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.This post contains affiliate links. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman., Hip Homeschool Moms, Living and Learning at Home, Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom,
As a second-generation homeschooler at the beginning of our own journey and participants in coordinating our provincial homeschool convention, I sometimes get asked what it was like to be homeschooled and what things those new to the circuit can expect. Condensed, here are five expectations I have as we jump into the journey with both feet this Fall.
#1. Expect to make sacrifices. Money, time, your own interests - homeschooling requires a lifestyle of servitude in order to work.
Those extra dollars your husband has worked hard for may go towards curriculum before new outfit or a kitchen remodel.
The house you took so much pride in keeping clean and organized as a new wife may harbor cobwebs in corners and dust on the shelves because you're busy with read-alouds during the day and marking assignments at night.
When your girl friends want to snag you away for a morning coffee, you may have to decline because there are swimming lessons to attend and frogs to dissect.
The diploma you invested thousands of dollars in and worked 4 long years for may not bring an income while you voluntarily assume the role of wife, mother, teacher, guidance counselor, cafeteria lady, and on-site nurse at home instead.
When you spread yourself too thin, burn the candle from both ends, and collapse into your husband's arms one day crying, "I just can't do this anymore!", may you "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4 :16)"
#2. Expect to be sanctified. If the saying "familiarity breeds contempt" is true, homeschooling will provide you with countless opportunities to be sanctified and conformed to God's image.
You will be exposed to a disgusting amount of sin in your children and yourself. Tempers will flare, bad attitudes will develop, and misunderstandings will take place.
There will be no third party available to disciple your child in the heat of the moment. When a crisis happens (milk spilled on the carpet for the second time in an hour, or highschooler who believes you're the meanest mom in the world for making her stay home and finish her algebra before she's allowed to play volleyball with her friends), it'll be your responsibility to "train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)"
You can't escape the sin in your family when you live with each other all day, every day. This is a blessing as much as it is a curse. You can deal with it immediately and offer your child the glorious redemption and forgiveness to be found in Jesus Christ, or you can let it fester and reap the consequences.
#3. Expect to be challenged. If you're looking for a challenge greater than one you will ever find in university or a prestigious career, try homeschooling on for a size.
If impressing upon your children the necessity of their salvation, choosing curriculum that caters to the individual needs of each of your children, teaching multiple grade levels simultaneously, fitting in trips to the museum, soccer field, factories, music practice, the dentist and library, managing your home, and romancing your husband isn't difficult, nothing is.
Homeschooling is no easy task. In fact, it's probably the most difficult, yet most rewarding thing you will ever do.
#4. Expect to be misunderstood. If someone has never "caught the vision," sends their child to school, or homeschools for a different reason than you, you may have your motives judged, your children introspected, and your feelings hurt.
It's unfortunate, but even Christians can dislike the use of Scripture to explain your decision to homeschool. They may deem homeschooling as "just" another educational option and feel convicted or take offense when you homeschool because of principles you believe to be biblical.
However well-meaning you may be in your attempt to encourage fellow homeschooling parents, referring to homeschooling as your "God-given task," may not bode well with those using the school method. They may feel like they're being judged even though your comments aren't directed to them.
The sad reality is that the hardest part of homeschooling is not the teaching as much as it is defending the cause to those who want your ship to crash and burn simply because it is different.
#5. Expect it to be worth it.
How much would you give...
... to be there when your child stammers her way through her very first sentence?
... to witness the light go on when your son "gets" a concept you've been struggling to teach for weeks?
... to take a day off in the middle of the week and go tobogganing with friends?
... to make birthdays holidays?
... to watch your 13-year-old son tie his 6-year-old sister's shoe laces because he doesn't know that it's not "cool"?
... to count watching Grandpa's pigs be born as Science and hearing stories from World War II veterans in the nursing home as History?
... to stay up late, finding constellations in a starry sky, not worrying about what time they go to bed because they can sleep in the next morning?
... to let the kids run around the house 20 times to get their wiggles out before sitting down and trying again?
... to let your son stand up to do his math because he can think better when he's beside is chair instead of on it?
... to hear, "Just one more chapter! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, Mom?"
... to find a hand-written note under your pillow that reads, "I'm sorry for disobeying you today and not doing my Spelling. I'll try to be super good tomorrow and get all my questions right. Then are we allowed to go to the park? xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo"?
... to be taught something new again by a child who would have been labeled anywhere else?
... to be able to cry with a fellow homeschooler because she's going through it too?
... to be embraced by your husband and hear him whisper in your ear, "I'm taking you away for the weekend! Your Mom is coming to stay with the kids."?
... to know Who gave you that extra measure of grace when you couldn't take one more day?
Homeschooling is a heroic endeavor, full of ups and downs, challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows that will push you beyond your limits to Someone greater than yourself with a storehouse of grace much larger than you can imagine.
It'll humble, stretch, and strengthen you. It'll keep you on your toes when you're not on your knees.
It's not for the faint of heart. It's not for quitters. It's not for anyone who thinks they can do it on their own.
Homeschooling is for fathers and mothers who want to be there to disciple their children as they walk by the way, as the lay down, and as they rise up (Deut. 6:7).
Homeschooling is for fathers and mothers who believe that no one else in the world understands, loves, and recognizes the strengths and weaknesses in their children as much as they do.
Homeschooling is for parents who want to provide their child with a living education that reaches far beyond the confines of four walls and a desk.
Homeschooling is for Moms and Dads who need Jesus, because it won't work without Him. Looking for more practical homeschool encouragement? Our new eBook, Homeschooling Day by Day is available for $2.00 until January 17! It's 40 chapters of realism, practical advice, and plenty of grace from homeschooling Moms on every stage of the journey. You can read the Table of Contents here.
Homeschooling Day By Day: $2.00 40 Chapters (with Discussion Questions) PDF Version:
KINDLE version:
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, A Wise Woman., Hip Homeschool Moms, Living and Learning at Home, Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom
Yesterday Iwoke up overwhelmed - never a good sign. My to-do list for the day was longer than my arm. I wanted to crawl back under the covers and hibernate until the middle of January until after the Christmas dust had settled.
The schedule for the day included attending our Ladies Christmas Tea at Church - something I look forward to every year. Something I was supposed to bring homemade goodies along to as a gift to our Senior members and shut-ins.
I hadn't baked anything.
Also on the list was finishing an article for Free Homeschool Deals, picking up a car-seat swing for our new church, buying a birthday present for my brother, baking cookies for two separate exchanges, tackling seven loads of laundry, and replying to an overflowing inbox... after homeschooling and taking care of supper.
I wanted to cry. I felt stressed and irritable. When I'm stressed and irritable, I get snappy. I've learned that snapping at my kids doesn't make them work any faster or harder; it drags them down and puts a wedge in our relationship. Ain't Momma happy, ain't nobody happy.
I didn't want my kids to have another day with a snappy Mom. They had too many of those already this month. Something had to give, and I decided it wasn't going to be them. They had given me plenty of grace lately, more than I was worthy of.
I cancelled everything.
I didn't go to the Ladies Tea. I emailed the hosts of the cookie exchanges I had committed to and apologized for over-committing myself; I just couldn't do it this year. I turned off the computer and refused to check my email until the kids were in bed. I closed the door to the laundry room and put the "out of sight, out of mind" rule to the test. Picking up the swing and buying the birthday present could wait until tomorrow.
I cleared the schedule. I had a day free of commitments; a day where I could enjoy my children all to myself and they could enjoy a happy Mommy whose focus was on them and not the things she had to prepare or the places she had to go.
I started the morning with devotions, something I had skipped for a few days because I was "too busy." Ironic and shameful isn't it? The Christmas Season was too busy for me to spend time with the Reason for the Season.
I found my place in 1 Corinthians. "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends... " 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 "Oh, Lord," I prayed, "please help me to love the precious souls you've entrusted into our care with that kind of love today."
I woke up the kids by whispering "Mommy loves you! We're going to have a super fun day today!" They opened their eyes immediately and smiled. "We are? What are we going to do? Are we going somewhere?" "Nope. We're just going to stay home all day. Mommy's going to play with you, and read books, and we're going to have lots of fun doing school!"
"Okay! I'm excited about that, Mommy!" I didn't rush them to get dressed or scarf down their breakfast. There was no reason to hurry. They were in the best of moods and I found myself enjoying their chatter. How had I let those adorable giggles get on my nerves?
They laughed when I told them they could do three jumping jacks for every flashcard they got correct. They got more right then the day before when I told them how many they were getting wrong.
We baked cookies, seven dozen of them. I put away my perfectionist tendencies and let the kids help me roll the dough balls. They weren't uniform in size like they are when I roll them. There were small cookies, and big cookies; cookies that looked like snakes, and cookies that looked liked they were rolled by a two-year-old. They looked better than they ever had. Tasted better too.
We read books on the couch, one child leaning on my right shoulder, one child leaning on my left shoulder, and a baby on my lap trying to eat the pages. "Can we read another one?" they asked. "We like it when you read us books!"
They felt satisfied by the undivided attention and went off to play. I started tackling the mountain of dirty dishes in the sink and had the counters sparkling by dinner. We enjoyed the Cream of Broccoli Soup that the kids helped me make.
Not everything was picture perfect about our day. The potty-training child had more than one accident, the baby was teething, I burned the last batch of cookies, and the living room was far from spotless by the time Brad came home from work. Many times I had to remind myself, "love is patient and kind... love endures all things... "
But our day was happy, peaceful, and far more productive than I had imagined it would be. I enjoyed my kids and they enjoyed their Mom.
Quite possibly, I disappointed more than one person by cancelling all my plans, but I didn't disappoint our kids. You can't please everyone all the time; sometimes you have to pick and choose who gets your attention and who is going to feel slighted even if slight is never intended.
I'm no expert (as evidenced by the circumstances that led up to this day), but if you have to choose between your children or another thing, or place that needs your attention, choose the souls that have been entrusted to your care. Cookie exchanges and Christmas Teas are lovely but happy, peaceful children in a happy, peaceful home with a happy, peaceful mother are even lovelier.
If the busyness of the Christmas Season has you wound up tighter than an eight-day clock, consider making the following changes:
Just say "no." Practice with me, "Nooooooooo." That's it! You can also add "I've got too much on my plate right now," for clarification.
Ask your husband. This advice comes from my friend Stephanie at Who Can Stand. She says, "Andrew never minds if I want to "blame" him for having to turn something down. We got this wonderful idea from Gord and Paula, and it seems men are less likely to care what others think than we are. So if it is easier to say, "Oh, I just can't take that on - my husband thinks I've got too much already," then check with Brad and see if you can 'blame' him too!"
Spend time with the Christ of Christmas. You cannot survive without Him, but you can thrive within Him.
Subscribe to Homeschooling Enrichment. Seriously. I love curling up with this extraordinary Christian homeschooling magazine for inspiration and vision at the end of long days. It ignites the fire when it's almost out, helps me re-focus, and keep my priorities aligned as they should be (You can read more about why I love it here, or purchase it for 58% OFF the cover price here).
Clear your schedule. Wipe it clean. Commit to nothing but your kids. See if it's not the best day of the year, in their books and in yours.
Determine not to yell at your children to obey. Otherwise, you are actually training them not to obey until you shout. Call and instruct them in your regular voice. Correct them calmly, firmly, and consistently until they respond promptly to your first call.
Remember that a good education is life-integrated and not confined to a textbook. Make it fun! Reward correct answers with jumping jacks Count baking cookies as Home Ec. Sing carols around the neighborhood for Music. Read Luke 2 for Bible Time. Teach fractions with the clementines you're snacking on. Go tobogganing or skating for Phys Ed.
Take a break. Who says you can't?
Tell your kids you love them. It's hard to feel stressed or angry when you say those three uplifting words: "I love you."
What other homeschooling holiday stress-busting tips would you add to this list? I'd love to hear 'em!
Looking for more practical homeschool encouragement? Our new eBook, Homeschooling Day by Day is available for $2.00 until January 17! It's 40 chapters of realism, practical advice, and plenty of grace from homeschooling Moms on every stage of the journey. You can read the Table of Contents here.
Homeschooling Day By Day: $2.00 40 Chapters (with Discussion Questions) PDF Version:
KINDLE version:
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. This post contains affiliate links. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife
