We had an amazing array of speakers and topics for our HOTM Spring Fever Conference last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Our speakers, Debbie Strayer, Belinda Bullard, Cindy West, John Michael Lane, Amy Bayliss, Maggie Hogan, Karen DeBeus, Angela Parsley, Lori Lane, Lee Binz, Jamerrill Stewart, and Jenny Penton.   Thanks to all of them for taking the time to share their heart and their passion.

If you attended the conference, we would love to hear from you.  Let us know what you liked, what blessed you, what speaker you most related to, and what you walked away with from the conference.  You can comment on this post or stop by the HOTM facebook page.

Our next conference is scheduled for August 6th-10th.  What a great way to start the year.  The fall conference theme will be:  Begin With The End In Mind.  Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar.  More details will be available soon.

You can learn more about their workshops by visiting their speaker pages on the conference site.  The mp3′s of each workshop will be available shortly.

Along with the great conference speakers and content we had some amazing posts on the blog.

The Way They Should Go

Easy Spring Spider Craft

…..I Will Not Believe

Going Old School – Final Projects, Part I

Adoption and Homeschooling

Learning Basic Tracking

Have you heard about the summer HOTM retreats scheduled for June?  These are small retreats with the goal of providing rest, refreshment and the opportunity to refocus.  You can view the brochure here by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

We hope you have a great week and enjoy this week’s blog posts on HOTM and have a chance to check out last week’s as well!

Faith and Courage,

Lori

The 2012 Spring Fever Conference is just days away. 

Thursday – Saturday, April 12th-14th, 2012   10:30-4:00 each day. 

You can view the schedule, speakers and topics here!

How can you participate?

This is an online conference which means you can join us by computer or listen to mp3 recordings at a later date once they are posted. There are freebies and give aways for all who register.  BUT, you must register.

The cost for the conference is $9.95.

Register here and receiving the information necessary to join us live via your computer and/or receive access to the mp3′s later.  But you better hurry!  Time is running short!

Questions?  Contact conference@heartofthematteronline.com

Wondering if you won a free ticket during our recent contests?  Be sure to check here!

He is risen!  He is risen indeed! 

I hope this post finds you and your family rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What hope His death, burial and resurrection gives to each of us as we face each day knowing the unspeakable riches of His grace!

Spring Conference

But before you dive into the articles posted at HOTM this week, I want to just give you a quick reminder that we are less than a week away from our HOTM Spring Fever Conference.  The theme of the conference is Spring Fever:  Finishing Strong and with the line up of speakers and their topics, we are sure to be encouraged to finish our year well.

Our speakers include:  Amy Bayliss, Lee Binz, Belinda Bullard, Karen DeBeus, Maggie Hogan, Lori Lane (that’s me), Angela Parsley, Jenny Penton, Jamerrill Stewart, Debbie Strayer, Cindy West and John Michael Lane. Click on their names to see their workshop topics.  I am really looking forward to being personally encouraged in my homeschool journey.

Cost for the conference is $9.95 and you can join us live via computer or you can listen to an mp3 recording at a later time. www.heartofthematterconference.com

This Week’s Inspiring Articles

This week at Heart of the Matter has been rich in inspiration and encouragement, as well as advice and insight into some important areas.  You can see a list of this week’s blog post titles below.

How to Homeschool the Early Years 

Teachable Moments In Spanish 

Helping Your Children Listen in Church 

How a Homeschool Conference or Retreat Can Encourage You in Your Journey

Homeschool Co-op 

A Set of Experiences 

What’s In A Name 

It’s the Starting That’s Stopping Us

What Comes Next When A Home Schooler Graduates? 

The Foundation of Success with Debbie Strayer

Help My Child Is Smarter Than Me

Check Out Our HOTM Interviews with our Spring Fever Conference Speakers

Heart of the Matter Live – Interview with Karen DeBeus

Heart of the Matter Live – Interview with Maggie Hogan

Heart of the Matter Spring Conference:  Speaker Preview

Heart of the Matter Spring Conference:  Give Away Preview

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Newsletter Contest Winners

We had a newsletter sign up promotion and picked random winners each of the days, Monday – Friday, that the contest ran. Each winner receives a free “ticket” to the HOTM Spring Fever Conference. But, you must contact me at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com

Winners are:

3/21 – Monique Hernandez
3/22 – Angela Howey
3/23 – Shannon Kiser

3/26 – Jen Harpin
3/27 – N. Fuller
3/28 – Melissa Fritzsche

Last Thursday’s and Friday’s winners will be announced on Monday! : )

De-Lurking Contest Winners

The winners of our “de-lurking” contest are De-lurker Carrie, De-lurker Margaret, and De-lurker Sabrina. I responded to their comments at that post, to notify them as well. You must contact me at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com for details.

Congratulations!

It’s Party Day!

You can join us for a look back at Heart of the Matter, interviews with founders Amy Stults and Amy Bayliss, TONS of give-aways, interviews from contributing writers and of course, a look to the future.

You can join us by listening at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/heart-of-the-matter-live

You can join us on our facebook page: Heart of the Matter on Facebook

You join us by Twitter: @hotmonline  and our hashtag used for give aways is: #hotmparty

and you can call in by calling: (602) 753-1896

Look at the list of companies doing give aways at our FB, Twitter and BTR party this next Tuesday: Joyous Home, Journey Through Learning, The Home Scholar, Me and My House, Grapevine Studies, Shining Dawn Books, Hands of a Child, Raising Real Men, New Millennium Girl Books, and more. Don’t miss it!

Please join us as we discuss the vision behind Heart of the Matter, its development and growth and what lies ahead for Amy and HOTM.

Date:  Tuesday, March 6th

Time:  7:30 – 9:00 p.m. EST

You can join us in several ways….whatever fits your schedule best!

-You can join us live and ask questions via BlogTalk Radio by calling into (602) 753-1896.

-You can listen in live by visiting:  Heart Of The Matter Live!

-You can participate, leave messages and questions for the program by visiting:  the Heart of the matter Facebook page or by twittering us at hotmonline.

There will be lots of GIVE AWAYS and FREEBIES!

We can’t wait to meet you there!

If you have any questions, please contact us at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com

Faith and Courage,

Lori Lane

We are currently looking for hands-on projects, how-to’s, and learning support on the following topics for our Spring Edition digital magazine scheduled to publish in April. If you would like to contribute an article for consideration simply send your article to submissions@heartofthematteronline.com by January 14th. Any articles submitted after the deadline may be considered for future featured articles on our blog site, but will not be accepted for the digital magazine.

Heart of the Matter is looking for submissions on the following topics:

• Homeschool Organization
• Arts and Crafts
• Spring/Summer Projects
• Field Trips
• Recipes
• Book Reviews
• Subject Tips and Ideas: Math, Science, Language Arts, Reading, History, etc.!
• Special Needs and Struggling Learners in Homeschooling
• Techniques That Can Help Others
• Homeschool Methods
  

Please see our Submissions Guidelines before submitting any article to be reviewed.

My beloved friend Marsha Drews is expecting a little boy on February 22nd and we are throwing a cyber party to welcome Ian Kenneth into the Drews family.

There will be GAMES, PRIZES and lots of GIGGLES! Invite everyone you know! Even if you don’t currently know Marsha, I know you’ll fall in love with her once you get to know this super sweet and silly mom…and we know everyone loves babies – so please join in the fun on January 9th.

Marsha and her family are currently living on the island of Guam. Shipping to Guam is the same as shipping within the states, however it does take a bit longer for packages to arrive. Please email me at amy@milkandcookiesblog.com for Marsha’s address if you have a gift to
send her.

My co-host for the party is the lovely Darcy.  Games and giveaways will be open all day to give everyone a chance to participate and Marsha will be available off and on all day to check in to answer questions and get to know everyone. Be sure to visit the Facebook party page and sign up to received a reminder and updates.

Want a sneak peek at just some of the goodies you can win… 

• Five attendees will win a package of beauty care products from Mac Cosmetics worth $100 each! 
• One winner will receive a jar of TARTE D’AMANDE Soufflé Riche Pour Le Corps: ALMOND PIE Rich Soufflé Lotion for the Body 
• One winner will receive a $30 gift card to Chocolate.com

Heart of the Matter could not be what it is without the support of our wonderful sponsors. Please join us in thanking them for producing such amazing products and services to benefit the homeschooling community.

Welcome to My Child’s Bookshelf

We are a family owned business that offers new and used children’s books at reasonable prices. We believe there are few things more important than investing in your child’s future through books. That’s why getting our books in to the hands of children is our primary goal. The best way for us to achieve that goal is to provide you with great customer service. Every time we serve a customer well, a child is given the gift of books.

My Child’s Bookshelf offers free priority shipping on orders of $50 or more, a nice selection of books $1.00 or less, and $1.50 to $3.00.

Simple. Convenient. Easy…Thank You In a Box

Thank You In a Box makes it convenient and simple to send a note of appreciation by providing everything you need in one simple box………hence our ‘Thank You Boxes!

Our ‘Thank You’ Boxes includes:

• 20 Personalized Cards & Envelopes (w/ return address)
• 20 Forever Postage Stamps ($8.80 value)
• 2 Keeping Track Record Sheets
• 1 Black Ink Pen

These boxes make the perfect gifts because they make writing a note so simple! Instead of spending energy worrying if the stamps you have are the current first class rate, you will find yourself giddy anticipating the joy your note recipient will have as they find a personal note in their mailbox from YOU!

Our boxes have come to the aid of brides, grooms, graduates, new mommies, new daddies, children, and every other kind of thoughtful note writers.

Welcome to Maestro Classics

Maestro Classics produces Stories in Music™, a classical music CD series for children ages 5 to 12 and their parents. Entertaining and educational, these CDs have won over 45 national awards.

Our Mission: To cultivate a love of music through education and joyful performances.

Stories in Music™ is the award-winning audio CD series for family listening. These recordings for narrator and symphony orchestra introduce great music and classics stories and provide the opportunity to develop important listening skills.

Three Major Benefits:

• Expand listening horizons.
• Develop listening skills and accumulate musical memories.
• Encourage adults and children to listen to music together.

We are currently looking for hands-on projects, how-to’s, and learning support on the following topics for our Spring Edition digital magazine scheduled to publish in April. If you would like to contribute an article for consideration simply send your article to submissions@heartofthematteronline.com by January 14th. Any articles submitted after the deadline may be considered for future featured articles on our blog site, but will not be accepted for the digital magazine.

Heart of the Matter is looking for submissions on the following topics:

• Homeschool Organization
• Arts and Crafts
• Spring/Summer Projects
• Field Trips
• Recipes
• Book Reviews
• Subject Tips and Ideas: Math, Science, Language Arts, Reading, History, etc.!
• Special Needs and Struggling Learners in Homeschooling
• Techniques That Can Help Others
• Homeschool Methods
  

Please see our Submissions Guidelines before submitting any article to be reviewed.

Through all that, I have to say that THIS announcement is by far the most prayerfully considered, yet most exciting, that I’ve ever had to write. If I wasn’t 100% led by the Lord that this is His will, this notice would be a very difficult, bittersweet thing to write, however as I type, I am giddy inside. Heart of the Matter will forever be “my baby” however God has spoken to my heart and the time has come for her to be gently placed in new hands…permanently.

Those new hands belong to Mrs. Lori Lane and her family. I couldn’t hope for a more devoted and inspirational family to take over my baby and I know you are going to love them as much as I have grown to love them. The Lane family will be officially taking over in mid-January and they have great things in store for HOTM! Very little will change here at HOTM as they have expressed wishes for things to remain very much the same. The magazine will resume with the April edition and the next conference date will be determined soon. However, be sure to mark your calendars for August and visit me at my personal blog Milk and Cookies for the 4th Annual Not Back to School Blog Hop.

Now I wish to officially introduce the beloved Lane family…please give them a very warm welcome to HOTM.

The Lane family has a deep passion and commitment to family, discipleship, and Biblical living. These passions resonate with the mission of Heart of the Matter and they look forward to a seamless transition of leadership and a continuation and deepening of that mission as they expand their ministry to include Heart of the Matter.

 

John and Lori have been married for 28 years and live on a ranch in the central Rockies of Colorado about an hour southwest of Denver. They have been home educating their four boys since the fall of 1993 and three of their four boys have been home education graduates. They have worked with hundreds of families and their children through church, scouting, theater productions, and home education programs relating to academics and the arts.

 

John has a lifelong passion for the discipleship of young men and fathers in their role as leaders of their homes and community. Through 18 years of involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, outdoor education and his role in home education both within the home and in outside programs, he has had the privilege to work with dozens of young men. Most importantly, his leadership within his home and with his four sons is evident in the lives of his sons.

 

Lori is involved heavily with art and education and has taught and directed choirs and theater productions in SC, GA and now, CO. In 1999 she founded Artios Academies, an arts education program designed specifically for homeschoolers which has expanded to include an accredited academic program which Lori designed based on her experience as an educator and home school mom. She has been a speaker at various home education conferences and events and is the author of the book, Beginning With the End in Mind.

 

John Michael (26) is the eldest of the Lane boys and he and his wife Windy live in Atlanta, GA where they work and teach at Artios Academies of Gwinnett and Johns Creek. John Michael is passionate about his role in teaching Biblical Worldview classes as well as mentoring other young men and women throughout their formative years. He teaches classes in theater, economics and worldview as well as serving as the Director of Development for Artios Academies. His wife Windy teaches dance and works as a choreographer for the various theater production put on by the Atlanta area Artios Academies. John Michael will take an active role in the future development of HOTM.

 

Jeremy (24) and his wife Jessica, along with the Lane’s first grandchild, Emma, live in Santa Clarita, CA where Jeremy works with FinalWeb and SCVDATA in programming, tech support, web design and IT consulting. He and Jessica are active in Grace Community Church where John MacArthur is pastor and lead a Bible study group with college age young people. Jeremy continues to pursue a ministry through independent film in the Los Angeles area. Jeremy also works with computer programming needs of Artios Academies.

 

Jordan (18) desires to go into ranch and equine management and after spending a “gap” year in California being involved at Grace Community Church and working, he will begin college in Kansas working towards a degree in ranch management. Jordan graduated in May of 2011 and spent his summer working as a wrangler at a ranch in Kremmling, CO. He along with his two older brothers are Eagle Scouts.

 

Jared (13) is the last one at home and seems to enjoy his new found independence. He is currently in eighth grade where his favorites subjects are not math and English but are History and music. He spends his free time outside on his horse Tokie or working with his other animals on the ranch. He continues to work toward his rank of Eagle in BSA.

 

The Lane family believes in the mission and ministry of Heart of the Matter and have followed its progress for years. Lori was one of the speakers on the first HOTM online conference several years ago and was impressed by the organization and content of HOTM. HOTM and the Lane family share the same mission of assisting parents in raising children who are grounded in a Biblical worldview and can be future servant leaders of God’s kingdom. They, along with their staff, will be working to insure that shared vision through a seamless transition of leadership and a continued commitment to the mission of HOTM, its writers and readers. HOTM will be owned by True North, LLC and will be run by John, Lori, and John Michael Lane along with a talented editorial and marketing staff.

Lots of Love,
Amy

Amy is a devoted wife to her husband of 13 years, a Classical homeschooling mom to an nine-year-old Superhero and the co-founder of Heart of the Matter. She has a passion for genealogy and is aspiring to be a Proverbs 31 lady. Be sure to visit her blog at Milk and Cookies.