It is clear that a major shift has occurred in the American way of life in the last two years. For over 230 years we were involved in the question of how we could best make our mark in the world. Much more than mere foreign policy we had to “let our light” shine because the entire world was watching.

Few Americans in today’s political and moral climate have any doubt that our light has seriously dimmed. At no time in our history more than now does it appear that we have brought on an administration that seems to think that it has been given a mandate to make its mark on America. More than a “change” we can believe in, this has become a change we can hardly endure.

We have taken to reeling instead of standing as an example to the rest of the world. This administration is spending like a drunk out on the town all the while blaming the former administration for the deficits it is incurring. Liberal’s dimmest minds have conspired to advance their long awaited agenda on a citizenry that was always suspicious of it and of late has begun to cringe at its application.

Missouri has emphatically declared that being forced to buy insurance coverage from the fed under Obamacare is an idea whose time must not be allowed to come. Arizona remains defiant under the brave leadership of Jan Brewer even as that state is nearly under siege from a foreign power. Seven million people in California have been upstaged by one homosexual judge who thinks their carefully placed votes have no voice at all in the will of the people.  Read more...

I felt discouraged this week because the voters in California were dismissed and ignored again.

I remember voting on upholding the definition of marriage to be between a man and a woman twice in California.

It shouldn’t  surprise me though, our leaders are corrupt and our citizens are mostly  apathetic and uninformed…..unless they are a part of the  militant minority who are bound and determined to win whether they have the support of the majority or not.  Even if they have to ignore what the voters decided, they will pursue their agenda and continue to  undermine public opinion.

I feel like they will eventually win,  and marriage will never be the same.  Perhaps “groups”  will be able to marry;  polygamists as well.  Perhaps folks could one day marry their sister,  or child or their cat.  What?  Cats should have all of the rights that humans have shouldn’t they? I’m sure that Cass Sunstein, Obama’s Science Czar would agree with that.  After all he believes that animals should be able to sue their owners.  Oh, and trees should be allowed to sue their owners as well.  Perhaps one day we will be able to marry our favorite tree?  Read more...

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) is known for his opposition to antisemitism, and his writings on theology and ethics. He was a German Lutheran Pastor and  who stood up for truth and worked to stop Nazism.  Sadly, he was  hanged by the Nazis on April 6, 1945 in the Flossenburg concentration camp.  I hope you will appreciate some of his most famous quotes and use them to empower and encourage you during these insecure days in our America.

“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”

“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”

“Music… will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you”

“In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship, least of all a marriage, can survive. Don’t insist on your rights, don’t blame each other, don’t judge or condemn each other, don’t find fault with each other, but accept each other as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts…”  Read more...

At times I struggle to remind myself of why we chose to homeschool in the first place. What Biblical principles led us here? I want to catch that vision again.

Oh yes… I remember… I look back to our little “Mission Statement” that we wrote up so many years ago. I am so glad I took the time to write down our thoughts, as they now encourage me and help direct our steps, influence our choices, bring clarity to our vision for our family and our children.

Here is a portion of it: “… We consider homeschooling a means to an end… the end being a family that loves and serves the Lord, and a Country that can continue to be free to do these things. We are practicing Biblical homeschooling rather than Government homeschooling, because we believe that the government schools do not share our vision for our family or our country. We are deliberate about choosing to disciple and train up our children without any interference or ”help” from the public schools. We believe that God commands us to train up our children and disciple them in the ways of the Lord and to protect and shelter them, understanding that we are the ”gate-keepers” for our family…. “  Read more...

Margaret E. Sangster was born Margaret Munson on February 22, 1838, in New Rochelle, New York. She gave up an early career in writing when she married George Sangster in 1858. When he died in 1871, she began writing again. She became an associate editor of Hearth and Home. In 1875, she edited “Christian at Work” and then the “Christian Intelligencer,”. She was a prolific writer of fiction and verse, famous for such poems as “Are the Children at Home?” A member of the Dutch Reformed Church, she died blind on June 4, 1912, in South Orange, New Jersey.

It isn’t the thing you do, dear,
Its the thing you leave undone
That gives you a bit of a heartache
At setting of the sun.
The tender work forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flowers you did not send, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother’s way;
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle, winning tone
Which you had no time nor thought for
With troubles enough of your own.

Those little acts of kindness
So easily out of mind,
Those chances to be angels
Which we poor mortals find
They come in night and silence,
Each sad, reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a chill has fallen on faith.  Read more...

Even though I’m still enjoying  summer with my boys, I know the weeks are flying by and I must begin thinking about our fall schedule.  I’m resisting though,  because I want to   have  experienced an old fashioned summer break before I do my planning.  We have not taken a vacation like so many families do because of lack of funds, and  we’ve only gone to the beach once.  We have had quite a few swim days though, and have been enjoying having friends over for lunch and summer fun.

Each year  I write up a “schedule”,  and post it on our bulletin board. Perhaps  I should call it a routine,  to be more accurate, but we  refer to it during the day in order to stay on task. Eventually, we settle into a groove and this  plan becomes the new “normal”  for our days,  and we do not need to refer to it as much.

This summer as I contemplate the next school year,  I can tell I’m changing a bit.  I’m not sure if it is because I am getting older,  or because my boys are growing so fast, but I’m re-thinking my homeschooling goals.

I’m really enjoying this season of our lives,  and my boys are such a delight for my husband and I.  I know that times could get harder,  and I won’t be smug,  because the teen years often bring new challenges for parents,   but 10 and 12 have sure been  a pleasure for us.  My boys are changing, becoming more self-governed and independent,  but are still so sweet and kind…funny and pleasant to be with.  We feel so blessed. I don’t want these days to end.  Read more...