Author: Anne
“Twelve” Days of Homeschool
This clever homeschool jingle has been around for a while now…and I’m not sure who wrote it. Whoever did seemed to capture so many typical and silly questions folks have about homeschooling. Try singing this to the tune of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Can you homeschool legally?”
On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”
On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”
On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”
On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”
On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”
On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?”
Eric Ludy~The Gospel
I’ve Done Angel’s Work Today
“I’ve done an angel’s work today. Yes, such an honor came my way. Real angel’s work. Lest you doubt it, I’m going to tell you all about it. Well, first I cooked. It was so nice to plan the pies, stewed fruit and rice. God sent His angel once to make cakes for a poor wayfarer’s sake. Just today He honored me and sent the task my way, you see.
Then while I tidied up the place, gave every knob a radiant face, back of my mind this thought would lurk-that I was still at angel’s work. Putting away coats and dresses and moving small, unsightly messes, for oh, ’tis such a lovesome thing, just straightening out and freshening. And after that, I washed a few small woolly garments, old, not new, things I had rubbed and rinsed before, quite forty times or even more. As I hung them on the line, I thought what Godlike work was mine-to cleanse, ah me, to wash out stains till not a single speck remains.
So later in the day, ’twas sweet to sit and rest my tired feet, mending the clothes and plan out, too, how to make old things into new. For surely it is an angel’s way to put things right from day to day, to find thin places and repair the glad rags and the sturdy wear. Since wear and tear must surely be on this side of eternity, I’m feeling very proud to say I’ve done an angel’s work today.”
Please Pray for the Romeike Family
I received this from HSLDA today and wanted to share with you.
In 2010, a federal immigration judge granted the Romeikes asylum. He recognized that, for this family, returning to Germany would mean certain persecution with outrageous fines, criminal prosecution, and—every parent’s worst nightmare—the physical seizure of their seven children just because they homeschool. This judge rightly said that America should be a refuge for those who are persecuted.
But the Obama Administration revoked their asylum protection in 2012. HSLDA appealed their case to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In April 2013 a three-judge panel upheld the administration’s ruling and told the Romeikes that America would not be a shelter for them.
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,
On November 26 the Supreme Court will decide whether or not to hear our German homeschool asylum appeal, Romeike v. Holder.
I am asking you to join me and thousands of others in a special day of prayer and fasting on November 17 to ask God for favor on behalf of this precious family.
In Romeike v. Holder, we are asking the Supreme Court to uphold America as a place of refuge for those who are persecuted for their faith. I feel good about our argument, but we must all recognize that the Supreme Court takes a very limited number of cases—so please pray that the Court will agree to hear our appeal.
The Gift of an Ordinary Day
This story written by Katrina Kenison makes my heart ache and my eyes weep because I can relate to so much of it as it’s message rings true for me…and probably for you too. We homeschool Moms who spend nearly every hour…. of every day…. with our beloved children….. for 18+ years often struggle the most with saying good-bye to our homeschooling lives…and to our precious children. I don’t want these days to end. I found this video at How to Homeschool Highschool.
Remembering On Veterens Day
I’m not proud of our current government or of our citizens who do not study their history or support the constitution. But I’m grateful to those men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. I honor them today….while at the same time weep because our freedoms which come from God, are being stolen by corrupt politicians. I pray that the American people will wake up, educate themselves, and elect men and women of integrity….for if they do not…our soldiers will die in vain.
Progressives
The High Calling of Motherhood~Hope for America
I visited the HomeMakers for America website today and came across this video about us. If you are a Mom…and especially a homeschool mom, you have a high calling that our society does not recognize or value at all. This short video encouraged and inspired me and reminded me once again how important my job of training, teaching and discipling is. Let’s keep our hands to the plow and never give up even during seasons of discouragement or fear. Even when we feel weary and question our abilities to do a good job. Remembering our calling will help us to continue on.
The Cookie Cutter Curriculum
Good thoughts from Bill Whittle on education and common core.
Adoption is a Blessing from God!
This sweet song touches my heart so deeply….Adoption…..and especially International adoption is such a wonderful blessing from the Lord.
Enjoy!
The Things That Haven’t Been Done Before
The things that haven’t been done before,
Those are the things to try;
Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore
At the rim of the far-flung sky,
And his heart was bold and his faith was strong
As he ventured in dangers new,
And he paid no heed to the jeering throng
Or the fears of the doubting crew.
The many will follow the beaten track
With guideposts on the way.
They live and have lived for ages back
With a chart for every day.
Someone has told them it’s safe to go
On the road he has traveled o’er,
And all that they ever strive to know
Are the things that were known before.
A few strike out without map or chart,
Where never a man has been,
From the beaten path they draw apart
To see what no man has seen.
There are deeds they hunger alone to do;
Though battered and bruised and sore,
They blaze the path for the many, who
Do nothing not done before.
The things that haven’t been done before
Are the tasks worthwhile today;
Are you one of the flock that follows, or
Are you one that shall lead the way?
Are you one of the timid souls that quail
At the jeers of a doubting crew,
Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
Strike out for a goal that’s new?
By Edgar Guest
www.sofinesjoyfulmoments.com
Who is to Blame for the Government Shutdown?
This short video was a surprise to me because it seems that most college age students…especially in liberal colleges…. march to the same beat and support the progressive point of view no matter what. Are these students actually daring to contradict their liberal professors, Hollywood and the media? Shocking!
Why Aren’t you at School?
Certain books seem to demand the reader to more closely examine one’s worldview or convictions. These are worthwhile reads to me and are not twaddle or a waste of time. Even though I do not read as much as I would like to, books that encourage lively discussions with my family and friends are something that I seek out and delight in. Although I don’t usually choose science fiction type books, reading Fahrenheit 451 caused me to ponder and analyze how I really felt about books…even evil ones. Should they be banned…or destroyed? The Lord tells us to think about those things which are lovely, and pure and good….to me this means to read about those good things as well. However, even the Bible reveals what evil and sin looks like. Fahrenheit 451 helped me realize that although I may not choose to read certain books, they should be allowed to be written and read…and exist. God has given us the freedom to exchange information and learn new things…this should never be denied by man. Fahrenheit 451 which is a distopian (rather than utopian) novel because of it’s frighting, futuristic, totalitarian setting , was so compelling because of the many parallels to our world today.
I was reminded of this book again while visiting The Blaze where I found the following quotes from this novel. Check out this conversation about school and socialization. Many of us homeschoolers have had to defend our choice to homeschool when folks have asked us over and over again about our children being socialized. Ironically, I find that most homeschoolers are highly sociable and well spoken just like this young girl in the story. Read on….you will be amazed.
A Walk For The President
A history lesson in less than 3 minutes! 😉
A Father’s Prayer
Lord, make me tolerant and wise;
Incline my ears to hear him through;
Let him not stand with downcast eyes,
Fearing to trust me and be true.
Instruct me so that I may know
The way my son and I should go.
When he shall err, as once did I,
Or boyhood folly bids him stray,
Let me not into anger fly
And drive the good in him away.
Teach me to win his trust, that he
Shall keep no secret hid from me.
Lord, strengthen me that I may be .
A fit example for my son.
Grant he may never hear or see
A shameful deed that I have done.
However sorely I am tried,
Let me not undermine his pride.
In spite of years and temples gray,
Still let my spirit beat with joy;
Teach me to share in all his play
And be a comrade with my boy.
Wherever we may chance to be,
Let him find happiness with me.
Lord, as his father, now I pray
For manhood’s strength and counsel wise;
Let me deal justly, day by day,
In all that fatherhood implies.
To be his father, keep me fit;
Let me not play the hypocrite!
Edgar Albert Guest
Eternal Vigilance
I found these quotes written down in an old journal….Sadly, I did not record who wrote them. They are probably from a book on child training. Do you not agree wholeheartedly with them?
Eternal Vigilance- “It means never to leave the outposts unguarded. It means to be so jealous of that child for God and for his future that you do not dare to leave the training of his mind and soul to the care of godless teachers.”
“The child’s brain and soul must be properly nourished with the best that music, literature, science, art, healthy pleasures and the Bread of Life can give. Great eternal things must crowd out base, low things.”
“From your obedience to God, a strength, a power will come. It will give you a driving force, an energy, an enthusiasm that can be gained nowhere else. It will give you a passion to save the soul of your child.”
“Are you taking time to teach your child reverence for God’s word and helping him to hide verses away in his heart so that when the storms of life and the temptations of youth come his faith cannot be shaken?”
Homeschooling Family’s Nightmare Becomes Reality
I received this in my email box today. Please Lord have mercy upon the homeschool families in Germany.
Please contact the German embassy.
Mike Farris is the founder and chairman of HSLDA and a homeschooling father of 10.
Read more >>
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
I am deeply troubled to report on the homeschooling nightmare of a family I know personally. I met the Wunderlich family and their four beautiful children last November at the first ever global homeschooling conference in Berlin. Since that time, every homeschooler’s worst fear has been realized in their home.
Just after the family had started their homeschool day, police invaded their home in a SWAT-style raid, threatening to batter in the door and swarming into their home after Mr. Wunderlich attempted to speak with them. The police seized all four children and transported them to unknown locations, threatening that the parents would “not see them soon.”
The Wunderlich family would have left Germany before this, but authorities had taken the children’s passports, essentially robbing them of their right to move and making them hostages in Germany. The Wunderlichs are now separated from their children, and they need our support.
Please, please read this article and call the German Embassy today at (202) 298-4000. The time has come for us to take sustained and vigorous action. HSLDA is working diligently on the next step in this fight for freedom, and we are counting on you to join with us in the battle!
