Homeschool Inspiration: Keep Going!

Happy Election Day!

Sporting our voting stickers! We had a homeschool park meetup today as well! 

Happy Election Day! Did you vote today? We were out bright and early, allowing our voices to be heard! It was also a great time to teach the kids about the electoral process. Every election is important, but I feel that this particular election is even more crucial! There are so many things at stake, that we take for granted.

Homeschool Inspiration: Leadership 101

One of the most important lessons that I try to teach our kids on this homeschooling journey is how to become Godly leaders. We have taken the eagle as our homeschool mascot and Isaiah 40:31 is the scripture that we base our school on. I believe that leadership skills could be one of the most important subjects that I will ever teach. Why? I believe that being a leader can take you as far as you want to go in life, and it can also save you from following the wrong crowds. Being a leader means that you know who you are, and you don't need a set of worldly standards or people to define you. A leader is one who can follow their life's path even if it is not popular and not care about the opinions of others. A true leader can accept the assignment that God gives them and carries it through, no matter what. Even if it means that your assignment may not be as "important" by society's standards. Regardless, you can still hold your head up, knowing that there isn't anyone in the world that could be a better you than you! A leader isn't a person that gets others to follow them, but goes through life not caring if anyone else is watching. As long as you are giving your purpose all that you have, it always produces results, and attracts others along the way.  The best definition of being a leader that I have read, comes from John Holt's book, Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling (that I have read more times that I care to share).

“Leaders are not, as we are often led to think, people who go along with huge crowds following them. Leaders are people who go their own way without caring, or even looking to see, whether anyone is following them. "Leadership qualities" are not the qualities that enable people to attract followers, but those that enable them to do without them. They include, at the very least, courage, endurance, patience, humor, flexibility, resourcefulness, stubbornness, a keen sense of reality, and the ability to keep a cool and clear head, even when things are going badly. True leaders, in short, do not make people into followers, but into other leaders.” 
― John Holt, Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book Of Homeschooling

So, what's so special about the eagle? The following characteristics give you an amazing look into why an eagle is the epitome of a leader. 

The Characteristics of  an Eagle:

1. Eagles have vision.

2. Eagles are fearless.

3. Eagles are tenacious.

4. Eagles are high flyers.

5. Eagles never eat dead meat.

6. Eagles possess vitality.

7. Eagles nurture their young.

To read more about this lesson on eagles go to: http://www.nairaland.com/1145749/7-characteristics-eagle-why-lessons

Pinterest Sunday! 11/16/14

Today is Pinterest Sunday at Homeschooling is my Super Power! My favorite Pin for today comes from Crosswalk.com and their Homeschool Online Devotion!

The Cure for the Discouraged Homeschool Mom by Maribeth Spangenberg:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/565905509401654083/

How to Overcome the Yelling Mom!

After having a day yesterday when I truly questioned why I am even homeschooling, I needed God's guidance and direction more than ever. I think that we all have days when no one wants to learn, everyone is tired, and overwhelmed. After losing my cool, I decided to pray and to discover what things I can do differently so that I can discipline while maintaining a quiet spirit. Well, I came across this article, and it was right on time! Today, my homeschool inspiration comes from www.thebettermom.com. Read and Enjoy!

5 Ways to Overcome the Yelling Mom:

http://www.thebettermom.com/2012/07/25/5-ways-to-overcome-the-yelling-mom/

How Will Your Homeschooler Do Once They Leave the Nest?

Well, there is a lot of research that says that homeschoolers excel in every area of their lives once they leave for college. The most recent article that I read shows that homeschoolers stand out (and in a good way) in college classrooms. So, for my homeschool inspiration, I am posting this article. Enjoy this journey, they will be just fine!

Click below and enjoy!
http://blog.drwile.com/?p=12810

Homeschooling Inspiration

Be Anxious For Nothing.....

Philippians 4:6-8 tells us to not worry about life, however this is an area of my life that I am still working on. Recently, I have been considering traditionally homeschooling my 7 year old and almost 5 year old next year, but the anxiety of it all is holding me back. Right now, with the K12 program, everything is completely laid out for me and I don't have to worry about him graduating and getting into a great school. With K12 being fully accredited, he is considered a regular public school student. So, the stress of trying to get him scholarships and into a great school is lessened. I am just getting bored with the demands of the program and I feel like we could make school so much more enjoyable (yet effective) doing it on our own.

Well, as I tuned in to listen to a homeschool podcast the other day, I found the answer! Out of all of the many groups that I have found, I love, "Christian Homeschool Moms" and Lee Binz, "The HomeScholar". It just so happened that the podcast was an interview with Lee about getting kids into college. She is an experienced homeschool mom, who has kids who have gone to their first choice schools and are succeeding! I must admit that after listening to her interview, I could breathe a little easier. I know that I have a little time before I have to think about college for them, but it is never far from my mind. Lee Binz put things into perspective and assured me that it is possible. Today's inspiration is from "Christian Homeschool Moms and Lee Binz". I pray that this podcast will be a helpful, blessing to your homeschooling journey!  

Clink link below to listen to the podcast....

http://christianhomeschoolmoms.com/homeschooling-high-school-college-scholarships-lee-binz/

Homeschool Inspiration from Josh Dugger

This week's homeschool inspiration comes from non other than Josh Dugger. Whether you agree with the lifestyle of his family or not, this video really helps you realize why you took this journey in the first place. Are you feeling burnt out, feeling alone on this journey, or questioning why you decided to do this in the first place? If you answered yes, then this video is for you! Enjoy and be encouraged!

Combating the Homeschool Blahs with Inspiration!

Today, our inspiration comes from hiphomeschoolmoms.com! We are half way through the school year, and for most the "blahs" have set in. Read this post on how we can overcome "homeschool burnout". Go on, get inspired....

Click the link below:
http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2013/01/combating-the-homeschool-blahs-with-inspiration/

Homeschool Quote

Letter Thanking Homeschooling Mom...

Homeschool Inspirations

Dear Mom,

I've come a very long way since the day you decided to pull me out of high school and homeschool me along with my six younger sisters and brother. I have to admit that at first, homeschooling felt like a punishment. However, it didn't take me long to realize that you felt called by God to homeschool your children for an eternal purpose, and that out of love, you didn't want me to miss out on that blessing.

I had no idea how important your obedience to God would become to me as an adult, as a wife, and now as mother to my daughters. Although it was just two years, my homeschooling experience had a major impact on the direction I took and the decisions I made in life. Looking back, I can see that I was headed down a wide, self-centered path before you began to homeschool me; now I’m on a narrow road less traveled, letting God light my way. I have you to thank for helping me find my way and for being my example.

You set an example of courage to follow God’s calling.

You had so many detractors when you decided to homeschool, and I listened while you defended yourself time and time again. You were willing to step out of the box with boldness, and when challenged, you maintained the courage of your convictions. Even though I wasn’t yet sure I agreed with homeschooling, I was influenced by your faith to follow God’s leading to a completely unknown and difficult path.

I may have been the responsible eldest child with leadership ability, but until we began homeschooling, I was a follower. I was a chameleon taking on the colors of my surroundings so I could be accepted socially, letting my friends lead the way. Whether it was the cheerleading squad, the jocks on the swim team, the brains in the academic clubs, or the popular kids in student government, I was so concerned with being everything to everyone that I didn’t have an impact on anyone.

The last thing I wanted was to be different, and homeschooling made us very different. My former school friends never let me forget that. It didn’t take long to discover how superficial my high school experience had been. You reminded me that life would go on even if my social life came crumbling down, that God had bigger plans for me, and you were right.

I began to spend more time with friends who shared my faith, and I finally stepped out of my comfort zone, going on missions trips, counseling at summer camp, and inviting former school friends to church and retreats. I became more bold about sharing my faith, and I was starting to follow Jesus on my own. I wasn’t afraid to leave the best universities in California behind to attend a small Christian college in Oklahoma, where I would later meet my husband. Your courageous decision gave me the opportunity to see my life outside the box and to find my own strength to stand when I would later face similar choices.

You taught me to seek God’s wisdom while gaining knowledge.

It was fun learning French from you, reading history books I’d never heard of (and now recognize as “living” books), and using a computer at home everyday instead of a limited school computer lab. I am so thankful that you let me edit the screenplays you were writing and publish my own newspaper from scratch. The hands-on lessons we worked on together gave me a lot of confidence, and the knowledge you shared with me clearly shaped my future pursuits.

However, I will never forget the lectures at Carl’s Jr. while the little ones played on the outdoor playground, when you scribbled on napkins and drew stick figures for as long as you could keep my attention. But we weren’t reviewing history or practicing French: We were talking about Godly character. I know I wasn’t always the best student and I probably demonstrated more interest in the Western Bacon Cheeseburger bribe than our discussion. But I want you to know that I was listening — and I remembered what you taught me.

I didn’t always make the best choices in college, but your lessons were never far from my mind, and the Scriptures we studied were still hidden in my heart. God did use the wisdom you shared to draw me back to Him during some of the most difficult times I faced. I now understand this to be “discipling” — and it’s your discipling that made the biggest impact on me. It’s the reason I now homeschool my precious girls.

You showed me that God uses imperfect people for His perfect plan.

One of the most important lessons I took away from our homeschooling experience is that you don’t have to be perfect to take on God’s assignments: You simply have to be obedient. In fact, the more I live my own life with Christ, the more I see how gloriously God shines in and through our weaknesses when we let Him.

While we were homeschooling, I judged you unfairly because I didn’t think you were “doing it right.” I didn’t understand why school only took a few hours, why I didn’t have a fat textbook for every subject, and how household chores or teaching my siblings fit in. The house was messy, sibling rivalry was high, and you had little to no support. As I watched you struggle to juggle it all, I wondered why God would call us to this chaotic mess when things seemed “fine” before.

I can’t thank you enough for not giving up, for persevering through many ongoing challenges to continue to obey God’s calling. It was never perfect: In fact, it was mostly messy and difficult. But you didn’t give up, and God blessed us all because of your obedience.

Although I later struggled with my own decision to homeschool because I didn’t think I was equipped or ready, I didn’t forget your example — I just needed to be humbled. I had to let go of the perfection and let God use me as a lump of clay, just like He used you. And guess what, homeschooling is still messy and difficult. But I’m OK with that, because I know God has called me to it and He will use me just like He used you to accomplish His purposes.

I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to say thank you, but I am so grateful for the time you spent homeschooling me. Thank you for being an example of courage in Christ, for teaching me to seek His wisdom first, and for proving to me that you don’t have to be perfect to be exactly where God wants you to be. Thank you for obeying God’s voice and never giving up. You now have three daughters passing along the legacy of homeschooling to our children. See what you started? From the bottom of my heart, 

THANK YOU!

Read of the Week!

Whenever I find a good article, I love to pass it along. Well, I recently read a post
by a FB friend of mine on the Value of a Stay-at-Home Mom. I thought this was great! I needed to read this and so might some of you:-)

http://www.holyspiritledhomeschooling.net/2012/01/the-value-of-a-stay-at-home-mom/

Make Your OWN Way!

credit: http://www.squidoo.com/homeschoolquotes#module13197576

Anxiety

In Touch - Jan. 11, 2011

January 11

All Our Anxiety

1 Peter 5:6-7
Isn't it interesting that Satan prowling like a roaring lion is mentioned in a passage dealing with anxious thoughts? Worry can feel like an attack—we get torn up on the inside by fears, frustration, and helplessness. Anxiety is a tormenting emotion, and the Devil wields it very well.
We don't have to live with worry, because the Lord closes the mouths of lions that threaten His followers (Dan. 6:22). Peter described how to keep clear of anxiety's jaws. First, we humble ourselves before God. What causes worry is a sense of helplessness in a given situation, so the best response is yielding yourself to God—submitting to Him with the confidence that He has the power to control your life. Another thing that builds trust is the realization that God is always engineering circumstances for your good and His glory (Rom 8:28).
Remember, prayer is a declaration of dependence. When we humble ourselves, we're kneeling before an omnipotent God. Nothing is a challenge for His power, which brings us to the second step of casting cares upon Him: the simple exercise of telling the Lord your troubles and then trusting Him to deal with them. He assumes responsibility for meeting believers' needs (Matt. 6:31-32). Your part is to prioritize obeying Him and living a righteous life (v. 33).
There's one more step: Resist Satan by remaining firm in faith. In other words, don't snatch those concerns out of God's hands to worry over them anew. When the Devil's ways make you tremble with anxiety, reject His lie and affirm that the Lord is adequate to handle the situation.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Watch Online Videos of Dr. Charles Stanley and In Touch Ministries at LightSource.com
and
Listen to Dr. Charles Stanley Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.

Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

Running on Empty....

I haven't posted in a while, but I am back! As a stay-at-home mom, I really have days when I am running off of fumes. I think that being with your kids all day, everyday is wonderful, but it can become overwhelming at times.So, what do you when you are simply worn out? (I am taking my own advice here, by the way)

• Find some time for yourself. Whether it is a brisk walk, a knitting class, or a bubble bath, find the time to spend with yourself.
• Remember why it is that you stay at home. Being a mommy is not easy and when you are at home with them 24/7 it can take a toll. Remember why you decided to be at home with your kids and what positive impact you are having on them.
• Pat yourself on the back. Being a mommy is a "thankless" job. It is your responsibility to care and nurture your kids, but everyone needs a high-five every now and then. If you have kids like mine, not only do you seldom get a "thank you", but you get a lot of complaints. Learn how to see the value in what you are doing now and for their future and give yourself a big "pat on the back"!
• Ask for help. Now, this is the one I  have a problem with. Being a stay-at-home mom, you feel that it is your JOB to do it all. Since, I do not work outside the home, shouldn't I be the one who does all of the household tasks and take care of all of the kids needs? This is a good way to run yourself into the ground. Yes, it is your job to complete most of the day to day household tasks, but it is okay to ask for help with the dishes, laundry, and the kids when you are exhausted or feeling a stressed.
• Take a break. Sometimes, it is okay to just let things go. Let the mopping go for another day, have a day of rest from household chores and spend that time with your family. When I am cleaning, I cannot give my kids my full attention, so instead of taking the time to clean the house from top to bottom, I can spend it playing a game or doing a puzzle with my kids.
• Make a Date... with your significant other or yourself! Find a babysitter and go on a date with your husband or boyfriend. Some days it is even good to plan a date with yourself....go for a stroll in the park, listen to some classical music, have lunch by yourself, go see a movie alone. Just do something fun away from the kids.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, we all have the job of being a mom first. So, an important lesson that I am learning is, "If you don't take care of yourself, how can you take care of others"?

A letter of encouragement

My husband sent this to me and I thought that I would share:

Dear Child:

I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful you are because there is a father of lies who will try to deceive you. He will try to tell you that you are not good enough, not attractive enough, not thin enough, not strong enough, not smart enough, not righteous enough, and that you are simply unimportant to Me.

He will try to tell you that you have broken one too many promises, that you have fallen one too many times, that you have lived one too many lies, and that you’ve been going in the wrong direction so long that it is pointless to turn back now. But guess what? YOU DO NOT BELONG TO HIM. HE IS NOT YOUR father. I AM.

You see, you are My creation. My workmanship. You have been borne of My thought, every part of you placed together by My hands. You have My thumbprint upon you. You are a princess, did you know that? You are My child, the child of THE King!

I look at you and see a precious, priceless pearl. There is no ocean I would not swim, no mountain I would not climb, no price. I would not pay to have you and to be with you and call you my own. I already have. I have done all that I could, given all that there is. I desire to be with you every moment of every day. How I long for you to talk to Me every day.

My love for you never grows cold. My promises are never broken (contrary to what he might lead you to believe). My character never changes. And you, my child have been made in My image.

I love you dearly, unconditionally and completely. I understand every emotion that you have. I’ve been there. I count every tear that you cry. I know every hair on your head.

And do you know what? I even know your weaknesses and your failures and your fears. I know those hidden parts of you that you wish would go away. Those dark corners of your world that you stuff deep down, praying that no one will ever see. I have already seen them and they will not change my love for you....Nothing will.

I love your heart and I desire all of it. I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful you are and how precious
you are to Me.


With Unmeasurable Love,
Your Heavenly Father

Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart


"Congestive Heart Failure"! These words have changed my life forever. I received a call from my dad about 3 weeks ago, telling me that he had been diagnosed with having this disease. I can't even begin to explain the thoughts and emotions that flowed through me, all at the same time. The one that overshadowed them all was FEAR. At one time or another, every child has to experience or think about life without their parents. My dad has always been my anchor, my hero, and a place of rest for me. Ever since I was a little girl, I would find relief in his arms. I think all little girls see their daddy as strong and invincible. My dad is ex-military, has never had a weight problem, has always been athletic, but he doesn't eat very well and has smoked since he was 15. Nevertheless, the thought of him being very ill was unthinkable to me. I did the only thing I know to do, I called out to God and began to pray. "God, I am not ready, yet!" "God, I know that one day, (more than likely) I will have to lose him, but not now...not now!" I said this over and over. "God, how can I explain death to my son and how will he begin to understand where his Poppy is?!" Then the most amazing thing happened. I felt in my heart a voice say, "Why are you speaking words of defeat?" "It's not time, yet!"

From the moment I heard from the Holy Spirit, miracles began to happen. My dad's test came back with some great results. Within a week and a half, he was cleared to go back to work (with moderate duties), and everything had returned to normal. Yes, he will always have this disease, because it is incurable, but what a blessing to have him with me. This disease has not only changed my dad's life, but mine, as well. With his diagnosis came a 50% chance of me also getting CHF. However, I now have the knowledge and resources to help lessen my chances. More than anything, I have God, the ultimate physician! With the right diet, exercise, and prayer, I am defeating even the possibility of this disease.

Well, my dad is eating healthy, staying active, and he has stopped smoking. He says, he feels like he has a second chance and I agree. I am so glad that showing and telling my dad just how much I love him has never been a problem. If I ever see the day that I do have to lose him, I take solace in knowing that I never left any stone unturned and beyond the shadow of a doubt, I know where my dad will be spending eternity. Ask anyone who knows him...he touches the lives of everyone he encounters for the better. I also, know that God has given me a husband who is my strength and is everything I could have ever wanted in a man...so I am taken care of. So, if anything should ever happen, I have absolutely NO REGRETS. That is such an amazing feeling. I also have the assurance that we will be reunited once again. So, I am thankful that I have my dad and I pray that I have him with me for many, many years to come.

What lesson have I learned from all of this? I have learned that when we receive bad news, instead of imagining the worst or even letting the worse case scenario play out in your mind, I have learned to speak words of victory, to fill my mind and mouth with God's Word, which tells me that I have already won every battle that I will ever have to fight. Nothing is over until God says so! Not even death can separate us from God or those that we love.

For more information on Congestive Heart Failure and what you can do to prevent this disease visit "The American Heart Association" at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585