I've been evaluating this past year and starting to think about what changes I'd like to make, etc.  One thing that keeps nagging me is this sense that this year could have been more productive, more fun, more interesting.  Now this isn't my old perfectionism rearing it's ugly head.  I am quick to step on it when it tries to ressurrect itself.  There is something else ....  

My challenge this year was that I never stuck with one program, one plan this year.  I was blessed with some great borrowed curriculum and resources to , but I never followed one path for longer than a month.  Why is that???   Then it hit me - I have "fear of curriculum committment"!    I feared being tied to a curriculum, having to follow through with a unit or study because ---- I didn't want to put forth the discipline?  I didn't want to be controlled by the curriculum?  I didn't want the accountability?  Hmmm.....

My oldest will be 10 in October.  Although he is a free thinker, lately he has been asking for more structure, for a plan to his days.  He wants to know what to expect and what is expected.  I guess part of the flexibility of home education is knowing when it is time to add more structure.     With God's grace I pray I can overcome my fear of curriculum and give me and my son some of the discipline and progress I think we both need.

Well, here's what's going on in my corner of the world:

For the past two years I seem to have this anxiety crisis right after the holidays.  You know the "am I doing enough" questions really start to harrass me.  When I started this school year, I had a plan, a philosophy in mind, but I've had moments (days) of doubting  myself.

I call my learning philosophy " A Season for Everything".   When my ds1 was 6 I tried to teach him to read.  He wasn't interested or ready.  So we waited.  Last year as he was 7, turning 8, he was ready.  So our main "school" focus was phonics.  We did a litle handwriting, and a little math, and those were our priorities, in that order.  By the end of the year he was reading Level 2 readers . Now he loves to read and his skill is increasing by leaps and bounds, without much direct instruction from me.  I have no idea how it happened.  It was just the right season.  But last year I had severe anxiety over math. For two months I agonized over how much math we weren't doing.  It was hard to remind myself that it wasn't the right season.

So this year is the season for math.  If we do no other "table time" work, I try to do math 3-4 days a week.  He is progressing solidly.  We take our time to understand concepts and computation.  IT feels natural.  I hold myself back from rushing through subjects so he won't be "behind".  I remind myself that some seasons last longer than others, but they all have a purpose.  He told the cashier at the grocery store the other day that math was his favorite subject, and that he's good at it!  No math anxiety here!  It is the right season.  You can't plant bulbs in the winter and expect tulips in the spring.  The ground has to be ready to receive the seed.   I know this in my heart, I really do.  But now, I am anxious over his writing/grammar. 

School-aged kids at his age are writing papers and essays.  My son still needs help spelling!  He labors at copywork.  Now verbally, he can tell you a 20 page story, but he struggles to write one.   I try to calm myself by reminding myself that next year will be the season for writing/spelling/composition. 

Thankfully, I have some wonderful internet friends (like Home-Grown Kids) who have travelled this road long enough to assure me that me and my kids will be okay.  That Solomon knew what he was talking about, there is a season for reading, math, writing.  But buidling relationships, sharing God's word with your children, sowing into their hearts and minds,  creating strong family ties,  tending their character and attitudes - those things are always in season.  That's what I'm trying to learn today. 

Well, I thought that our break from our homeschooling schedule was going to be a short one.  But it turned out to be a couple of weeks.  For days I kept trying to get back on track with our math lessons, and history  and handwriting.  But something kept getting in the way - field trips, or the kids wanted to work longer on their Bible activities, or they got really into a math (what??) activity, or they were just having so much fun in imaginative play that I hated to break it up.  They were arguing less, cooperating more.  It was to good to be true.  My plans had gone awry, I had lost control, lost control to the Holy Spirit, and it was a good thing!

This week, we're back into our regular flow, and to my surprise the kids are less resistant, and I am less pushy.  I am praying daily that God will show me His plans for our days, and help me to be obedient to follow it.  I sat down Sunday night and wrote out our weekly plan and goals, and then I prayerfully surrendered it to God.  He is trying to teach me something, I am trying to be a good student.  I think it has something to do with surrendering, and submitting.  Not two of my favorite subjects, but definitely ones I desire to learn.     I pray I earn a passing grade!

For those who have never been tickled, or wrestled to the ground - you cry uncle when you just can't take the torture/pain/gigles any longer. 

For about a month everyone in my home has been in various stages of getting over and catching colds.  So for several weeks, I was sleep deprived, yet determined to stay the course in my homeschooling efforts.  For once, we actually started in mid-August, allowing us to gently ease into our weekly schedule.  And for once in 3 years I was consistenly following my plan, being disciplined, and seeing some results (from the kids and myself!).

But one morning a couple of weeks ago, I woke feeling tired and drained.  I prayed - Lord, give me strength today, and show me your plan, because I'm to wiped to carry out mine. - The phrase that came to mind was - "know when to cry uncle".  I didn't know what that meant, until my 2yo came to me mid-morning, as I was trying to move from phonics to math and get my second load of laundry in.  He was begging me to sit down and watch a video with him.  And I heard it again - know when to say uncle.  So mildly frustrated that "my plan" was interrupted, I sat and watched the video.  And I felt the Lord smile.  So, every since that day, I have been listening for the Holy Spirit to tell me, when to let go of my plan, pay attention to what my children really need at that moment, and NOT worry about detouring.

I feel that for the next two weeks or so, we are going to relax a little on our daily table time, and do a little more field trips and outside activities to enjoy the coming of Fall.  Yes, it is a detour in my plan.  I wasn't planning on taking a break until the end of the month.  But I feel it's what the kids need right now, and me too!

I just wanted to report back on our TV fast.  It didn't turn out as perfect as I would have liked, but it did produce some desired changes.

My mom came to visit for 2 weeks in August, so that made the fast a little more challenging because Grandma has her favorite television shows.  We didn't want to impose on her, so the television was on more than I would have liked.  Suprisingly, the kids often chose to play rather than sit and watch.  When grandma left I decided to go from a fast to a limited television vieiwing schedule.  Lately I have found that the kids don't whine as much when I tell them no tv watching, and they often chose to play together more, or find some other activity before they ask to watch tv.  I think I will try the fast again in a few months and see if I can wean them a little more.   

I became much more conscious of my own viewing habits and have greatly reduced my tv time.  In fact, I'm down to about less than 1 hour a day.  My weakness is cable reality tv shows, (I confess).  I have no idea when they come on, but if I turn the tv on in the middle of one, I can get stuck there until the show is over! 

But there are some days I'm getting into bed and realize that I haven't watched tv at all.  

Keep praying for us!

Today was one of those "I love homeschooling days!", one of those days when what you believe in theory begins to happen in practice. 

We've homeschooled for 3 yrs and every since I was introduced to the philosphy of "relaxed learning", "identity-directed" or "lifestyle of learning" homeschooling, I have known in my heart that this is what is right for my children and family.  Yet, it has taken me these three years to really start to release some of my old thinking and embrace this new way of thinking about learning.  Well, today, I saw some of the fruit. 

My oldest son (almost 9yo), asked me to buy him a small notebook.  When I gave it to him today and asked him what he was going to use it for, he said he wanted to take notes, like a reporter.  I casually mentioned that if he wanted to, we could work on a family newsletter.  He has watched me do a newsletter for a moms group I belong to.  His eyes lit up!  He immediately began to interview his brother (5yo) about his first Pee-Wee football practice tonite.  I watched him carefully write out a few more questions (with very neat handwriting and working very diligently on spelling), then preceed to write out ideas for a couple of stories.  This is the kid who can't seem to come up with one sentence on his own for captions for his own drawings!   I went about my own business, only giving direction when asked (which is very hard for me!).  It was so exciting to see how his interest in a project or topic motivated him to work on skills or knowledge by his own choosing, not mom's pushing. 

While all of this was going on, my 5yods was using the Cuisnaire Rods to build a model of our downtown skyline, complete with all the major sports arena's (he's an avid sports person).  After building it, he commented that he had to move the stadium away from the rest of downtown because it was closer to the lake, not close to some other buildings.  I laughed to myself as I was just contemplating using some worksheet activity to introduce him to maps and instructs the child to draw a map of his room, or his neighborhood.  Here my son was doing it on his own, in 3-d no less! 

They happily engaged in their activities for over an hour.  I was encouraged and inspired to keep believing in this relaxed learning/delight-directed way of learning.  As of today, I have just relaxed a little bit more.

Week of our partial tv fast.  The (original) rules: No tv until after 6pm.

So we began our television fast the hottest week of summer!  Ninety degree temperatures plus high humidity gave us days that felt like 104 degreees for 3-4 days in a row! 

Yet, we did better than I expected.   It was so hot that no one wanted to do anything but lay around and be still.  I allowed 30 minutes in the afternoon, and they always picked DVDs' to watch over regular television.  I noticed the kids played more together, and when tempers did flare, it was easier to calm them down.  I felt alot more productive as well, but tired at the end of the day.  I promised myself that I would try to be available whenever the kids wanted to do something that needed my inclusion.  So I was more active.  But this is helping me rethink my own routines and how I can take care of my to-do list during the kids "off hours".   After dinner we only watched tv about half of the time. 

Now Saturday and Sunday were challenging because dad was home, and it was the NFL Hall of Fame Weekend, which is the official start of football season in my home.  So ESPN was on alot.  But I got the kids to go out with me Satuday morning in place of their cartoons, and we listened to "Down Giliad Lane" and Adventures in Odyssey" while running errands.  And dad joined us for an afternoon trip to the library. 

I am noticing how the kids are asking to watch television less, and they are watching less tv programming and more videos.  My prayer is that after a month of this, this fast will become our regular viewing habits.  Check back to see how week 2 went!

I am always amazed how God uses my children to convict or confirm something that He has already told me.  It happened again today. 

Last weekend I was browsing through one of my favorite books - The Read Aloud Handbook - and I read the section about the effects of television on children and their reading.  For about a month the Holy Spirit had been whispering to me that I had let the tv viewing get out of control (again!).  After reading the section I knew that I really need to reign in the kids time with the tube, and mine as well, and my husband could use some trimming down as well (but that's another matter!).  So I started contemplating the how's and when's and what would be the replacement.  Then the very next week 2 of my favorite Christian radio programs aired programs about going on a TV fast for the month of August.  I knew the Holy Spirit was really talking to me then!  So I kind of decided that while we weren't ready (ok, I'm not ready!) for a full fast, we could definitely establish some set times for no TV.   I mentioned it to my oldest son, who is eight (and a half).   I explained it wasn't as a punishment, but I felt God was telling me that we needed to turn off the tv, and I asked him to pray about it. His reaction was compliant but not enthusiastic.  So I continued to pray that God would give us all strength! 

Today, my son said two things that has confirmed that we're going to do a "partial" tv fast.  First he pointed out to me that he had been spending more time drawing and reading and looking for other things to do besides watch tv.  Then as he finished some extra chores around the house to earn money, his comment was ..."you know, it feels good to do some work.  And since we're going on a TV fast, I'll have more time to work and help around the house." 

So, that's it!  Starting August 1 we are going to significantly reduce our TV time.  Right now I'm thinking no tv until after dinner.  Later I'll confess how much tv I've been letting my kids watch (maybe), and how things are going!

I don't know who will have learned more by the time all my boys leave home, them or me!  I am truly being homeschooled as I disciple and train and love on them.  This school year, here are the top 10 things I have learned (so far!)

1. I CAN teach a child to read!

2. When a child is ready, the learning occurs.

3. Relaxed learning does not mean no structure or routine.

4. Boys need structure and routine (and so does mommy!).

5. The only "right" educational or teaching philosophy is the one that helps you reach God's goals for your children and family and produces real fruit.

6. Just because you bought the book, doesn't mean you have to use it the way the instructions say.

7.  Mom needs field trips too!

8.  Without obedience and respect, it is hard to teach a child anything.

9. I must engage in  "continuing education" to find the most effective, creative ways to help my children learn.

10.  The Holy Spirit is the best and only teacher's aide you'll ever need.

11 (okay, this is a bonus)  His grace is sufficient, for in my weakness, His strength is made perfect. 

I've been absent from blogging for awhile.  I got sick in April, actually the end of March.  It started off as a cold with a "touch" of bronchitis and moved into a sinus infection.  My doctor preferred not to give me antibiotics, she wanted me to just rest and let it run it's course.  It took a month!  How does a homeschooling mother with 3 boys ages 8, 5 and 2 rest enough to let an illness run it's course??!!  I love my doctor, but I was quite angry with her this time.

So we took the entire month of May to try to get back to normal, and for me to decide how I was going to redeem the month of April (I'm not!) and figure out how to spend the summer.  So, I hope to be back blogging more frequently!

It seems like my last post seems to have been widely misunderstood!  So I will try to clarify.  I did not stop homeschooling, I do not ever want to stop homeschooling (unless Jesus tells me otherwise), I love my boys and I love this life.  But, I do have my moments when it all seems like insanity!

I thought that my blog was a space where I could be real and honest, to talk about the good, the great the glorious, and the bad and ugly moments of my life.  Well that post was about one of my bad and ugly weeks!  I was trying to express what happens when you have "one of those days, or weeks, , when the calling of homeschooling and all that goes with it just gets overwhelming.    Am I the only person that has been there?   

Anyway, I wanted to show that when those times come, it is especially important to have a friend who you can feel free to express your frustrations to.  One who will encourage you on the journey, and not tell you to pack it in!  Because I find a lot of homeschooling moms are so busy trying to justify to themselves, family, community, etc that homeschooling is the right way, that they paint a picture that everyday is perfect.  And when things are not perfect, or you have those moments of doubt or frustration, or whatever,  you have no one you can talk to.  Sometimes we don't even want to admit it to ourselves.  I don't think that's healthy for ourselves or our kids.  And I've seen with my own eyes that those moms are also usually the ones who end up putting their kids and school (and still feel guilty) or homeschool without any joy and peace.  

So, I hope that clears some things up.

Be blessed.

I want to tell you about what is turning out to be my favorite teaching tool.  It's actually 3 books in a series by Ruth Beechik, titled The 3 R's, a Stong Start in Reading, Math and Langauge Arts.

I bought these little books 2 years ago.  At that time I was drawn to the idea of relaxed learning and knew I wanted to teach the basics in a stress-free, non textbook way.  These books seemed to offer that and they fit my budget!   I read through them and began to use the methods for teaching phonics and math with my 6yo almost 7yo son.   When this school year started I abandoned these little books for a little more structured curriculum.  Something about my son getting older made me feel that I needed more "substance".  But when January came, I found myself returning to these books and Mrs. Beechik's methods once more.  For the early elementary child, she offers all the instruction you need to give your child a strong foundation in the basics, yet in a natural and relaxed way.  For instance, in teaching phonics, she provides activities to practice blending, which I find is a great warm up before my son begins his read aloud time with me.  For handwriting, he may spend the first day of the week writing a new letter.  But by mid-week we turn to Beechik's copywork exercises with her sample sentences provided right in the book.   And the excellent scope and sequence in the math book reminds me to cover those math concepts that are easy to forget, like measuring.  Her discussion on the different modes of thinking (concrete, manipulative, abstract) also ground me and remind me what is reasonable to expect from my son as he is learning math. 

These books can stand alone as a curriculum, as well as offer practical supplemental activities if you are using a more structured curriculum.  What I love most about these books is the discussion Mrs. Beechik provides on the way children learn math, reading and language arts, and why the natural way works.  After reading her books I can see that my son is progressing naturally and it assures me that we are doing fine.   

I love these books so much that I am going to purchase a few copies and give them to every newbie homeschooling mom with young children.  I hope they will save her from spending to much money or time on curriculm that she won't need.   

My newest friend Dawne also has some great things to say about this series and how she uses them with the Christian Classical approach to homeschooling.  Please hop over and read her input as well.  Her weblog is www. homeschoolblogger.com/ClassicalHomeSchool.

Well, a couple weeks ago when I had my meltdown (see previous post), I was actually just 2 days away from going to our church's annual womens retreat.  For 2 days and 2 nights I got to sleep in a big fluffy bed, eat breakfast and dinner (with no dishes to clean) hang out with some awesome women and be spiritually challenged, encouraged and renewed.  Can you tell, it was awesome!

I was privileged to work on the planning committee this year, so I had the extra pleasure of serving the ladies in a couple of ways.  That was great to know God could use me in some small part to minister to other women.  We were from all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds, but all with a heart to draw closer to God.   God continued to reaffirm the where He wanted me to focus right now, and gave me an extra shove down that path.   And I was able to come home rested and refreshed and ready to face the joys and challenges of this crazy life of mine.

I pray that every mom who needs a break will get one, even if it's just for one nite, this year!

A few weeks ago, I quit homeschooling. I had decided to enroll the 5yo and 8yo in school (they're trying to pass another school levy, the 3rd one in 7 yrs, so I might as well get my money's worth!) and the 2 yo and I would just hang out.   I was tired.

Tired of trying to motivate my children, tired of trying to motivate myself.  Tired of the financial stress of a one income family.  I was tired. 

Fortunately, I have a buddy.  I learned when I first came home to be a full-time mom that a buddy is important. You need someone else who can understand the insanity of your life, and help you feel sane.  This is even more necessary when you are homeschooling.  A buddy is someone who you can be totally honest with, no pretenses, no fear of judgement or condemnation.  You can just let it all hang out.  The Lord put me and my buddy together 3 years ago.  And I am grateful. 

Instead of walking around talking to myself, I called her.  I told her what I was thinking and feeling. I told her how inadequate I had been feeling as a teacher and mom, how the financial stress was really getting to me.  I told her that the school district wasn't looking to bad right now.  She talked me away from the ledge.  She encouraged me, she pointed out how well my kids were doing in all areas, but especially in their relationship with Jesus.  She told me to take a few days off, or weeks even.  She helped me refocus and see where I needed to make some adjustments.  She saved me from the waves of doubt and despair and helped me make it back to the shore.

If you are homeschooling without a buddy, you won't last long.  You and your kids will suffer.  So find one quickly!  And if you already have a buddy, thank God for her, and then, pray that He sends you someone that you can be a buddy to as well.

Thanks Buddy!

Today is going to be a "take it easy" day.  The 2 older boys (ds8 and ds4.5) participated in our church's annual Pinewood Derby Race.  This is the third yr for ds1 and second year for ds2.  It has become a special project that they do with their grandfather, well actually, Grandpa does most of the work, with Grandma's assistance, my dh is the backup and I show up in time to do a little painting and apply the decals.  This year ds1 did his first woodcutting, a lot of the sanding and actually most of the painting. 

The boys placed first in craftsmanship in their respective age divisions (ds1 had a Batmobile car and ds2's car was "The Avenger"), and ds2 came in second place in the race, and 2nd in overall speed. 

Regardless on the medals, it has become a wonderful "family" project and creates wonderful memories with their grandparents.  If it were not for their grandfather they wouldn't have a chance. Dh and I are clueless when it comes to tools and woodworking!  My fil claims this is his last year of doing the work, he will supervise dh and I next year.  We'll see!!

Anyway, we;ve had some late nights the past few weeks working out the kinks on the car and last nite we didn't get back from church until after 9:00pm.  So, I'm being lazy today.  We may make it to the library, we may work on putting more of the kids notebooks together, I'll probably let the kids watch to much television, maybe I'll get some laundry done.  Who knows.  Ahhh, the joy of homeschooling!

I have a confession to make, I am suffering from envy.  For weeks I have tried to call it something else, but this morning as I met with God, the truth had to be told.  I am envious.  I am envious of all the women who are doing and accomplishing and achieving goals that are very similar to my own, but which seem to be on hold for the moment. 

Maybe it's part of the "5 year itch" that I hear happens to women who have left the workplace to be stay at home moms.  It will be 5 years for me in September.  Maybe it's just my sinful flesh trying to get me to step outside, or ahead of, God's will for my life.  It's not that I am unhappy being home, I love how our family and homelife is developing and all that I am learning as a homeschooling mom.  And just this year the Lord opened the door for me to be involved in a workshop on purity for "tween girls" (and this is one of my heart passions) and I was invited to be a part of the planning committee for our annual Womens Retreat.  You would think I would be satisfied.  Instead it has increased my desire to do more. 

I have already seen that when the time is right, God makes all things possible.  When the time is not right, I am courting disaster.  But in the past 3 months I've met someone who has written and self-published a book  ( a dream of mine), a mother of five who is a completing her studies at our church's Bible School (a dream of mine), a friend of mine has started a support group for women (similar to a dream of mine), and I feel like I am standing on the sidelines, wondering when it's going to be my turn. But as I whined to God this morning, he brought this verse to me:

   "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:..." Phil 4:11

When I am busy complaining and whining, that means I am not thanking and praising.  You can't do both.  Being envious of others robs me of enjoying the blessings God has given me.  Learning to be content allows me to focus on His goodness and faithfulness and fulfilled promises in my life. 

Forgive me Father for being envious of others and forgetting how you continually bless my life.  Teach me to be content in all things, and to keep a grateful heart.  Remind me that you make all things beautiful in your time, and your timing is perfect.

I have to admit that when I first realized God was calling me to homeschool, I got really, really excited.  See, I was the kid who hated to see the school year end.  I loved learning, and was blessed with really great teachers in my early elementary years.  I lived at the library during the summer, I would check out a stack of books and before the week was up I was ready for more.  So my initial thought was "cool, think of all the great books I can read and all the stuff I can now learn that we never had time to learn about in school, and that I couldn't afford to take the classes in college!"  And it is true, as I live and learn with my kids, I am learning more history and science and reading good literature that all seems new to me. 

But most of my learning these days is not with my kids, but learning about my kids.  Each of my 3 boys are so uniquely different.  Just trying to figure out how they learn and how they process information can be frustrating and invigorating at the same time. 

My oldest has not only a different learning style from me, but just THINKS differently than me, he sees the world from a different perspective.  So I often have to present information a couple of different ways, and a couple of different times for it to connect with him.  My almost 5 year old is more logical and concrete.  Closer to my style of learning, but he's also strongwilled and very independent.  You can't teach him anything unless he wants to learn it!  And he's not interested in the same things his brother was at his age.  So, again, I am continually testing ideas, strategies, activities to see what interests him.  And I can't wait to discover more about this almost 2 year old I have!   And as I write this I learning something new also.  I am not just learning how to "teach" my children things, just to transmit information.  My goal is to see that "spark", that twinkle in their eyes that says I've touched their mind and their heart.  Have you seen it in your child?  Either when he realizes that he's now reading, for real!  Or when that math problem finally made sense, or the LEGO tower he built doesn't fall down, or he remembers the Bible verse we learned last week and it helps him decide the appropriate behaviour. 

Yeah, that's what I'm searching for.  That's the high I get from homeschooling. 

Nothing went today as I had planned.  Ordinarily that would make me crazy, but today, I was okay with it, and that's a MAJOR accomplishment.  See, flexibility is not my strong point.  Now, 3 or 4 years ago I never would have admitted that.  But since I've been a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, I continue to learn things about myself I never knew, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

So, as I said, today was an exercise in flexibility.  I was going to serve cold cereal, the kids were in the mood for grilled cheese and chicken nuggets and milk.  So, I helped my 8yo make a grilled cheese sandwhich and made nuggets for the younger 2.  We were supposed to start our solar system notebook pages and mobile after chores.  But the boys seemed so wiggly.  They needed to blow off some energy.  It was 27 degrees today.  So -- we put on the Tae Bo tape and did a short work out.   Then, we went to work on the mobile and I couldn't find the library book with the instructions on how to measure out the planets to scale.  Now I was really ticked!  I searched for that book for 15 minutes when finally my oldest said - "mom, can't we just make it the way we want?"  Hum, what a novel idea! (the perfectionist in me would never think of doing something without directions!).  But my son improvises all the time.  So together with our compass we drew the circles based on the information I found on some of the science websites.  All he cared about was that we started on the project, and that we had fun. 

Well, I ended up changing dinner plans at 5:00 because we were out of bread crumbs, and a few other things required me to be flexible.  Usually I would be exhausted from all the "disruptions" to my plans.  But tonite, I am feeling really good.  Because I am learning not to sweat the small stuff, and how to be flexible. 

I really don't know who will benefit the most from this homeschooling thing, me or my kiddo's.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says:

18 “ Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
       19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth;
 Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness
      And rivers in the desert.  - NKJ

18"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.

    19 Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.

    It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.  – The Message

Chris Davis from the Elijah Company says on one of his homeschooling tapes something to this affect – the homeschooling movement is starting to grow again, because God is up to something.  Either He is up to something so good, or so bad, that HE needs Christians who think differently, live differently than Christians now, and those Christians are the children we are homeschooling now.  That was the first time I had heard a “homeschooling authority” verbalize what I had been feeling as I studied and interacted with Christian homeschoolers.  But over the past year, I feel God has been making that thought more personal and bringing it closer to home.   

As a member of the African-American community, and the mother of 3 boys, I sense an even greater need for “something new” in our community, especially among our men.    The statistics of fatherless children, crime, drug use, unemployment and inadequate education among our males is staggering.  The number of African-American children who are growing up without a godly foundation, across socio-economic levels, is even more frightening. My husband says that as a culture we are on our way to becoming morally bankrupt.  To me, we are on our way to being God-less.     And while our micro-culture may just be indicative of the larger culture, because it is roots, it troubles me more

Yet in the midst of this I see something interesting happening.   In the past year God has led me to and connected me with a few other special homeschooling families. Families who are Christians, African-Americans, most who have sons. And although we are all proud of our ethnic heritage, we are more proud to be identified with Christ.   And, we all are committed to raising a new generation of Godly men.  Our hearts desire is not that our children are the next Garret Morgan, Ben Carson or Colin Powel.  Our desire is to raise men who are God-loving, God-honoring and people-serving.  We desire to raise young men who can defend their faith and boldy proclaim the good news of Jesus, men who will impact their families, their communities and their world for Jesus Christ.  

The task seems overwhelming at times.  The everyday models of what we are trying to build are few and far between.  So we must remember, God is doing a new thing, and the model is Jesus Christ, and His grace is sufficient.