I feel as if I have been pushed into the deep end of the pool now that our family has been tossed into the world of homeschooling three. I was use to schooling ten and eight year old girls. Even with their special needs I had things worked out and running smoothly.

Then in a very short amount of time a little three year old boy came into our life. He just got thrown into the mix. As you can imagine things did not stay quite as organized. I started to stress.

Yet when God asks you to follow His word He means it! When He asks you to do something, He will also equip you to do it. None of it is about our glory but all for Him. As we obey His word we are transformed by Him. He works in our hearts through the person of the Holy Spirit that lives within us if we are truly His. He will never leave us the same. The goal is Christlikeness.

God uses our children as a big tool to teach us this. When He calls us to homeschooling this requires dying to self even more. But there is reward in obedience. God sees the challenge and knows it is hard. Yet He gives us all we need to accomplish it.

Our family has been filled with just two children for the past 8 years. Just these past few weeks we have acquired a three year old. I am looking at this situation and wondering how in the world am I going to homeschool them all now. This new addition has thrown us in a frenzy. It is messy because my neat organized world is looking quite different. How will I handle this?

After I went into freak out mode, I remembered that God provides. He equips. What I need to do is believe it. He will work all things out. It may need to look different now but God is still in control. Life comes with many interruptions. We all face them. I wonder what is going on in your life now? Can I just encourage you to relax? To trust God’s plan? All things will work themselves out in their proper time. And in that proper time we will all be a little more like Him.

“LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD— now and always.” ~Psalm 131 NLT

Angela Parsley, of the international ministry Refresh My Soul Ministries, is a wife and homeschooling mother to her 2 young daughters. Angela is also a contributing author to a devotional book entitled, “Standing on the Promises of God” and Radical Revolution, a devotional site for teen girls through Proverbs 31 Ministries.

As the year begins, my inbox is still glutted with “Happy New Year” messages. “It’s not too late to make your 2011 tax-deductible donation to …”

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I’ve been raised with this biblical maxim, and I spend the Christmas season trying to pound it into my 4yo daughter’s psyche as well. “Live generously,” I tell her. And she is glad to pass along cash, make gifts, or think of gifts others might like. Though for some reason, she’s convinced all her cousins, no matter the age or gender, would absolutely love a mermaid doll.

And yet, there is too much evidence that I am missing another important ingredient: the art of receiving graciously.

We’ve all seen the opposite – the child who opens a gift, then, with a disappointed look, tosses it to the ground and mumbles a half-hearted “thank you” without meeting the giver’s eye. Or worse, turns to Dad and in a clearly audible voice asks, “Why didn’t Auntie so-and-so get me something FUN?” Um, yeah.

Receiving graciously can be hard to do when you’re young. It gets even harder as you grow older. Think of Martha – busy doing doing doing for others. Not wanting to sit down and receive, not realizing that in receiving, she would be giving back the greater gift of herself.

Receiving means humbling yourself. No matter how freely given, receiving a gift means indebting yourself to the giver.

Think of Esau, looking upon the gifts his twin brother had sent to earn his favor (Genesis 33). Esau didn’t need them, didn’t necessarily want them. But Jacob’s gifts represented something more – God’s graciousness, repentance and forgiveness, the restoration of a relationship. And so Esau took.

Ultimately, receiving graciously means looking beyond the gift to the giver. It means acknowledging the value of the relationship.

So, how do I pass on the art of receiving graciously to my daughter?

#3. Assign it. Use thank-you cards as a regular writing assignment. This could be after a tangible gift is received, or an exercise in showing appreciation for things we often take for granted.

#2. Practice it. Role play how to act when receiving a gift. Discuss different types of gifts and what the giver might be feeling as he gives the gift. Analyze how giving thanks is in a way giving a gift back to the receiver.

#1. Be the example. She has to see it in me. She has to see me writing in my gratitude journal, reveling in the beauty around me, listening to God speak, and acknowledging my thanks to Him each day. And she has to see me loving others, valuing their gifts and in doing so, affirming their value in my life.

When she’s not battling too-sticky play dough and untangling herself from the hot-glue webs surrounding her too-cute felt ladybugs, Jane contemplates how to instill in her four-year-old daughter a heart to change the world for Jesus. Her family has circled the globe and landed in rural Oregon where the grass is green and the sky is blue, though not usually at the same time. Their eclectic homeschool adventures are chronicled at Mozi Esmé.

I’ve heard a few people say recently that they “don’t want to homeschool for the wrong reasons.”  I have trouble fully grasping that statement.  I mean really, what would be the wrong reasons to homeschool?  While I’m still racking my brain on this one, here are 15 right reasons to homeschool your children!

• The salvation of your children is important to you.  By homeschooling, your children will have the privilege of learning and growing in an atmosphere in which God is allowed!

• You care about your kids character.   It would be nice for them to actually know the meaning of the word {unlike a certain homeschool mom who is writing this article–that only learned this definition once she started homeschooling her own children…she’ll remain nameless.}

• You don’t want strangers teaching your child, let alone driving them on a big yellow bus.

• You understand that proper socialization does not occur in an age segregated/peer dependent environment.  Exposure to many age groups, in various configurations is true socialization.  Besides, who grows up and works with thirty 35-year olds–who all wear the same shoe brand?

• You want to enjoy the gift of time with your children.

• Choosing what and when your children learn certain subjects is important for you.  Want to teach your 8 year-old algebra, or your 12-year old needed a little more time to grasp a subject?

• Family values are vital to you, and you’d like your children to keep them!  Family ministry, meal times, giving, work ethic, compassion and mercy—these values raise up world changers!

• You believe that your child should have and enjoy childhood.  Reading a stack of books while laying on the trampoline, soaring on the tire swing, strollers full of baby dolls “doing school” beside your student; childhood doesn’t wait.  Sadly, many children in these days and times skip it all together.

• Your kids have unique desires and talents.  You want to hone their abilities and lead them to the path that God predestined for them. No cookie cutter academics or teaching only the test in homeschool.

• The world is your classroom and that formal education is just the beginning to life long learning!

• You desire your children to all grow in relationship with one another.  Siblings actually becoming each others best friends.  It’s beautiful.

• If you believe that God gave you these kids and you have to answer for your time as their parent.  Homeschooling is taking the high road.  Homeschooling is living out discipleship.

• Bullying, peer pressure, safe sex strategies, drug campaigns, and political propaganda are not lessons you need your 6-year old too learn.  And believe me, these are daily exposures outside of homeschool.

• You enjoy taking your children on stimulating outings like the orchestra, hiking, Creation Museum and more. Better yet, you call these activities just another day of homeschool.

• Modeling how to handle real life difficulties and disappointments, like if your van breaks down late at night, from a Godly preservative is important to you.

What are more RIGHT reasons that YOU would like to add?

Jamerrill Stewart is the daughter of the King, and wife to Travis of 13 years. They have five beautiful children so far, ages 6 months, 2, 5, 8, & 11. By dawn of the morning, she works out the joys, struggles, blessings and challenges while authoring Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling. When she’s not lost in a wonderful book with her children, taking them on a travel adventure or catching frogs by their pond, she likes to garden, write and collect stained glass windows.

Taking time to play

Right now, I’m struggling. Really struggling. I’m struggling with a pile of anniversary dates related to my son’s short life and his tragic death. I’m struggling to get up and start each day with any sort of schedule or plan or lesson. I’m struggling to keep my oldest daughter on task when she has learned how quickly I forget what I assigned her to do. I’m struggling with what to do about my son whose anger and frustration is increasingly being unleashed over simple assignments and daily chores. I’m struggling to find the energy to share in my younger daughters’ enthusiasm over all things school and give them the time they deserve and so desperately desire. I’m struggling with all the gaps I see in their education and feel like I should be doing more. So much more.

And I feel crippled under the weight of it all. I feel like we are falling apart and I find myself wondering more and more whether I am doing my children any favors by keeping them out of school.

So I think back to last year, trying to remind myself of how far we have come and just what we have accomplished. In some ways, last year was easier because I had no expectations. Getting through the day was the biggest goal I ever set for myself and very often, getting through the next fifteen minutes was challenge enough. Last January, we didn’t do anything at all.

Or did we? January was spent playing game after game after game. Cadoo, Apples to Apples, Dominoes, Chess, Othello, cards, Connect 4 . . . whatever games the children dragged off the shelf, we would play. I wanted only some bit of distraction to pass through each painful minute. The children wanted only to know that we were going to be OK.

My daughter’s math improved because I didn’t have the concentration to keep score. My son’s reading improved because there was no one to help him with the hard words if he didn’t want to give away his clues. And so we sat around the table and played and I didn’t even notice all that they were learning until the beginning of this school year.

Now I think maybe we need to go back to that. Maybe this feeling that we are falling part isn’t so much about me failing to keep everything together and on schedule so much as it is about me failing to bring everyone together so that we can enjoy just being together. I need to make a more concerted effort each day to set aside time to just play.

Dana Hanley is homeschooling her five children while moving to the country. You can follow her plans and adventures while seeking to live life more abundantly at Roscommon Acres.

December is my favorite month of the year because it includes my two favorite holidays: Jesus’ birthday and my birthday. I love the presents (giving as well as receiving), the wrapping, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the anticipation, the caroling, the baking, the planning, the partying—all of it. At least, December was my favorite month until I was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses that have left me overwhelmed and gasping for air with a regular schedule before even adding holiday duties. I hate that my favorite season has become a series of duties.

So, what’s a mom to do? Cancel Christmas? Not likely! Go full bore and pay a heavy health price in January? Not a good idea. How ’bout a balance that falls somewhere in the middle? The following measures can help us experience a more peaceful nativity.

Ten Steps to a dread-proof December, even with a chronic illness:

• Think about what really matters. What’s at the top of your list that you just can’t give up during the holidays?

• Make a list of the top five items on your what-really-matters list and brainstorm ways to make those happen this year.

• Let go of the rest. Yes, I know that’s the hardest part!

• Delegate everything possible. The cookies will be just as good if your 13-year-old makes them.

• Simplify the decorations, the baking, the gifts, and most of all your expectations.

• Be happy with what gets done and try not to focus on what’s left undone.

• Pace yourself. Don’t try to complete your entire list in one afternoon just because you start off feeling great.

• Take naps.

• Rest often.

• Remember the real reason for the season: Jesus. Nothing else really matters.

Now, all I have to do is follow my own advice, and I can return to enjoying my favorite season instead of dreading December!

Bethany LeBedz is a veteran homeschooler, professional editor, writer, and speaker. You can check out her business website at www.bethanylebedz.com. Bethany contributes regularly to Heart of the Matter Online, has a regular column in the Home School Enrichment magazine, and occasionally writes for other magazines, websites, and newsletters. She lives in North Carolina with her family and she enjoys music, reading, scrapbooking, sewing, genealogy, and keeping up with friends in her spare time. Be sure to follow her blog, Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom, at www.bethanylebedz.blogspot.com.

3 If you live by my decrees and obediently keep my commandments,… 9 I’ll give you my full attention: I’ll make sure you prosper, make sure you grow in numbers, and keep my covenant with you in good working order. 10 You’ll still be eating from last year’s harvest when you have to clean out the barns to make room for the new crops.11 I’ll set up my residence in your neighborhood; I won’t avoid or shun you; 12 I’ll stroll through your streets. I’ll be your God; you’ll be my people.
Leviticus 26: 3, 9-12 The Message translation

If this were just another New Year’s message, filled with on visions and resolutions, it might fall short of inspiring you. Undoubtedly, you have begun to think about what you want to see in 2012—for you, for your family, for your business and/or job, etc. Hopefully you have taken the time to write some plans down, even if they are not documented in a fashion that means anything to anyone besides you. But I believe there is at least one person like me, who has had visions and made declarations in 2011, only to see a very different reality thus far into the academic year. You might be a brand-new, fresh-out-of-the-box homeschoolers who has just completed your first semester, and you are now trying to recall the circumstances under which you made such a crazy decision. Maybe the events of your school year thus far happened very differently than you would have planned it. Maybe you are questioning your decision, whether that decision was to begin homeschooling, or to homeschool this year.

If you could summarize in one word what you want to see in your homeschool in this coming year, what would that word be? Might I offer a suggestion?

Fruitful: 1. yielding or producing fruit; conducive to an abundant yield    2. abundantly productive  (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruitful)

Feeling fruitful might be hard to fathom at this point in the homeschool year. Viewing nature, we see the majestic nature of God. His intricate artistry during each season is a wonder to behold. Even in the most unpredictable climate like coastal Texas, God still sends signs of change. The hours of daylight grow shorter. Leaves change colors, displaying magnificent shades of red, orange, and yellow. As the leaves die and fall, there is room for the new growth of spring. As the clock spins through the final months of our calendar year, we unconsciously associate fall, and even more so winter, with endings, with slowing down, with preparation and anticipation of what is to come.

God specializes in moving outside of what the season would dictate. Think about it. It was after the woman with the issue of blood had spent all her money and tapped into every resource she had that the Lord healed her. It was after the widow of Zarapheth had prepared her last meal that the prophet Elijah showed up with the secret to her continuous provision. It was well after Sarah had passed child-bearing age that the Lord blessed her with Isaac. It was after Lazarus had been dead three days that the Lord restored his life.

I challenge you to pull out those plans, even if they are just muddled thoughts swirling around the old “noodle,” and get excited again. Delay does not mean denial, and assuming that your overall plans did not center around certain calendar, you can still recapture the energy and the excitement with which you began. Even if you did commit certain plans to certain days, a lesson on thankfulness in November, as example, will be just as meaningful just before Resurrection Day. Acknowledging the contributions of our Armed Service members, is appropriate on any day, not just on Veterans’ Day. Finally, if you missed the opportunity to discuss the contributions of Latino-Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month, incorporate biographies into your studies in a different, yet still effective, way.

What is the big deal about being fruitful, anyway, realizing that your own personal “word” might be one that is totally different? Because of what the word implies, my friends: abundant productivity. No matter how you characterize your school and your vision for this year, you want to be productive. You want results for yourself, for your children, and for your witness to all of those around you. We are not called to mediocrity, nor should we take what we do lightly; too much is at stake. We are charged, with God’s help, to illuminate the darkness, which can include those ill-lighted areas of our children’s development. Furthermore, our children are not called to an average existence, but instead to ahead and not behind, above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). We need active leaders and accountable, responsible citizens. We need world changers. Operating in constant burnout and a whatever-will-be, will be attitude will not accomplish these results. Finally, when you are victorious, someone else will need to be reassured that they, too, can do this.

However you phrase it, and whatever it means for you personally, I challenge you to seek the Lord regarding abundant productivity this year. Realize as you define it for yourself that it does not mean running at 200% every day or accomplishing Herculean feats on a regular basis. It means committing each day to align your plans with the Lord’s plans for you, giving your focus and energy to the work of the day, and asking God to close the gap between His plans and your execution. Even if you fall short, the results could be tremendous.

Belinda Bullard is a wife and homeschooling mother of three, Belinda is an author and the owner of A Blessed Heritage Educational Resources, a literature-based historycurriculum featuring African-American presence in history, as well as the contributions of other races to American history. A chemical engineer by formal education, she also serves as adjunct faculty for college distance learning programs. Belinda blogs at Simply Belinda and Chronicles of a Blessed Heritage.

We teach our kids about the omniscience and omnipresence of our God. That is, we let them know that God knows everything, sees everything, is everywhere, and so on. We can’t hide from him. He is always by our side. He is always aware of what is going on with us. And this is a comfort.

That’s what we tell them.

That’s what I believe.

But since we’re all about honesty and fuel for thought around here I figure I better ‘fess up a bit about something. There is a verse that we have taught our kids which is meant to be a comfort when they are comparing themselves to others: Man looks at outward appearances but the Lord examines the heart.

So don’t worry if kids laugh at what you look like, it is what is on the inside that counts. Don’t worry if what you tried to do failed on the outside, the Lord knows what good intentions you had in your heart.

But….

I have always quaked with fear about that. I mean, really, isn’t it often so much easier to look good on the outside? To fake a happy heart when inside your heart is throwing a selfish hissy fit? (Someone say “amen”, please. Don’t leave me hanging!)

I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I don’t want to be a “white-washed tomb” looking nice on the outside, but actually being cold, hard and dead on the inside. I want to not shake in my boots when I think about the Lord examining my heart.

And here is the good news: I don’t have to quake. I don’t have to be afraid of what he’ll find. Because when I follow Christ, when I acknowledge his lordship over my life, when I submit to the Good News of Jesus, then it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.

Charles Spurgeon said: “Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted “in the beloved.” Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, “There is nothing acceptable here!” But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One.”

When God the Father, the holy judge, looks in at my heart he no longer sees my sin and my selfishness, but rather sees the righteousness, the goodness, the perfection, of his Son poured out over me and in me and through me.

Transparency has never felt so good.

Barbara Postma and her husband, as they homeschool their 7 children, are finding out that no two children are alike! Between lessons and lunches, Barbara blogs at Fuel by Barbara.

Happy 2012! It’s the beginning of a new year. It’s a great time to refocus on properly caring for yourself so you can be the best wife, mom, and homeschool teacher you can be!

Refocus your mornings

Those cold winter mornings making you want to hide in your warm bed? Depression and winter blahs making you want to oversleep? Determine what your ideal wake-up time is and take baby steps towards it. Try waking up 15 minutes earlier each day or week until you reach your goal. Then once you are up use your mornings wisely. Bible study. Exercise. Preparing for your day ahead. And when those little ones get up early and blow the plan out of the water, rejoice in the time you have for cuddles and snuggles without beating yourself up or focusing on what isn’t being accomplished.

Refocus your health

Have you set the typical lose weight resolution this year? Let’s focus instead on being healthy. Cut back on refined sugars and grains. Watch your portion sizes. Get active with your kids. Find an activity that you like doing so you won’t get burnt out on the idea of exercising and change it up as needed. Been putting off that yearly physical for way too long? Make that appointment today!

Refocus your heart

Been neglecting your own spiritual life lately? Putting more out than you’ve been taking in? Find a good Bible study or book to go through. As a mom of young boys and family of one car, I find that I’m not able to get out as often as I’d like. But, that doesn’t mean that I have to hide in my house alone. I’ve chosen to spend the next three months going through Ephesians with some online friends. Find some women you can connect with and support each other – in real life and/or online.

Refocus your family

Has your family been running too fast? Does something need to be cut out to make more time together? Maybe you need to cut an outside class or sport. Maybe you need to set a goal number of nights a week to eat dinner together. Try starting a family game or movie night. My family loves movies. They love our weekly pizza and movie night, even if it does have to be gluten-free and cheese-less pizza.

I’m praying that God gives you clarity as you refocus and jump into 2012!

Amanda is a former church communications director turned homeschooling mom. She’s now using her BA in Bible and MA in Old Testament Studies to nurture and disciple her two boys with the help and support of her high school sweetheart and husband, Josh. She’s venturing into the world of Kindergarten with her oldest son this year using Sonlight as her base curriculum. She blogs about life, motherhood, homeschooling, technology, faith, books, and more at ThePelsers.com. You can follow her on Twitter at @apelser.

Dear Homeschool Mama,

It’s been a long year.

2011 is almost over. You’ve spent much of it at home. You’ve taught math lessons (over and over and over …) and learned more about grammar than you ever wanted to know. You’ve worked on character training as you’ve helped little ones make beds and older ones clear tables. You’ve washed a veritable mountain of laundry and cooked boatloads of macaroni and cheese.

This year, you’ve wiped approximately 3,287 noses. You’ve changed 1,679 diapers. You’ve made at least 52 pots of coffee and washed the coffeepot at least 52 times. You’ve had eyes rolled at you 9,362 times, stressed over the SAT and the ACT once each, and said bedtime prayers more times than you can count (an hour or two earlier than usual on really bad days).

Your heart has been broken when your children weren’t nice to one another or when older ones chose paths you didn’t approve of. You’ve cried over spilled milk and shattered dreams. You’ve received non-glowing progress reports and unfavorable doctor’s prognoses. You’ve questioned yourself daily as you struggle down this path of educating your children at home.

You’ve also enjoyed some sunny days. You’ve held hands walking paths in the park and watched the sun glow golden through trees. You’ve watched understanding dawn on your little ones’ faces as they read their first words. You’ve lit birthday candles, wondered at giraffes and elephants at the zoo, and gathered freshly washed little ones into fluffy towels with a giggle. You’ve prayed together and laughed together and lived life together.

Not many people saw.

But I did.

And I want to thank you. For loving well, for laying your life down, for working hard at this task you’ve heard Me call you to.

No one else can do what you do. The world is counting on you.

And so am I.

Love,
Your Father

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12

“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Misty Krasawski is the overly-blessed mom of eight children whom she homeschools in sunshine-y Florida. She has been clinging ferociously to the hand of her Lord since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, homeschooling for the past thirteen years, and has eighteen more years ahead of her with the children who are glad she will have done most of her experimenting on those who went before. Her wonderful husband Rob has much treasure laid up for him in heaven for having been called to such a daunting task. After the house goes to sleep she can sometimes be found gathering her thoughts at www.encouragingheartsathome.com.

Thinking about Christmas brings to mind gifts. Well, this year I am thankful for the gift of homeschooling.

As I look back on this journey, I am realizing it is a gift that God presented to me six years ago, and I have slowly been peeling off the paper and bow, to reveal the beautiful gift that it truly is.

It is a gift that has given me more of my kids. Chances for relationships with them, time with them, and the opportunity to really get to know them on so many levels- being with them each day, teaching them.

It is a gift that has given me more of my beautiful Savior. I have grown closer to Him, seeing more and more glimpses of the other side, when I am drawn closer to Him each and every day.

It is a gift hat has given me friendships. I have been blessed beyond measure with the many friends I have made on this journey, and because of this journey. Kindred spirits, like minds, and sisters in Christ.

It is a gift that has taught me to lean on Him, and not my own understanding. To stay on His path, and the blessings are abundant.

It is a gift that is one I never even asked for.

Can you believe it?

An undeserved gift.

One that I didn’t even know that I wanted until it was given to me. And it has taken me awhile to unwrap it and appreciate how much I love this gift.

So this Christmas I thank you Lord for your gift of homeschooling…

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Karen DeBeus is married to the love of her life, Steve, and a homeschooling mom of 4 children ages 10-2. She was called to homeschool when her oldest was kindergarten age after thinking, “I could never do THAT!” Now she is passionate about encouraging others on their homeschool journey. She is also working on simplifying all areas of her life,including homeschool, and putting God first in all she does. Read more about her journey to simplify at www.simplylivingforhim.com.