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Perhaps you should consider homeschooling?

This speech was given  by Margarat Thatcher; former Prime Minister of Great Britain.  I heard Margaret Thatcher speak years ago during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.  I did not know who she was at that time but I remember being so impressed with her.  She spoke with such authority and clearly had much wisdom and  fear of the Lord.  Here she examines how the Judeo-Christian tradition has provided the moral foundations of American and other nations in the West.

History has taught us that freedom cannot long survive unless it is based on moral foundations. The American founding bears ample witness to this fact. America has become the most powerful nation in history, yet she uses her power not for territorial expansion but to perpetuate freedom and justice throughout the world.

For over two centuries, Americans have held fast to their belief in freedom for all men—a belief that springs from their spiritual heritage. John Adams, second president of the United States, wrote in 1789, “Our Constitution was designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” That was an astonishing thing to say, but it was true.

What kind of people built America and thus prompted Adams to make such a statement? Sadly, too many people, especially young people, have a hard time answering that question. They know little of their own history (This is also true in Great Britain.) But America’s is a very distinguished history, nonetheless, and it has important lessons to teach us regarding the necessity of moral foundations.  Read more...

I must admit that our family;  including my own siblings and extended family,  are not very organized or super good planners.  We don’t have a ton of great traditions that we  are consistent with from year to year, although we are beginning to repeat a few for several years now.  One thing we always make time for though is music.  Our family…most of us…loves to sing!! Each Christmas after dinner is over,  gifts are opened and we are all sitting around,  we will break out the guitars, lyric sheets,  and begin singing.  I’m usually the one to get the singing  started and I’ve learned over the years to simply pass out the music,  get my guitar, and begin singing.  Most of the time everyone is in a good mood and wants to sing carols.  If I made it into a big deal and asked “Who would like to sing?”, perhaps enthusiasm would be absent.  I make a point to be  very informal and casual about it and just begin singing.  Usually my brother or sister will join in first and then the children and others will chime in.  I encourage my boys to sing and tell them, “This is what our family does at Christmas.” I would never ask them, “Would you like to sing?” unless I wanted a “No, not really” answer.  Children naturally love to sing once it has started and they see the adults having fun. I believe that  adults need to model and mentor their children in this area if they want their children to have a love  and appreciation for music. My boys especially enjoy singing  childrens favorites….like The twelve days of Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. There is something about families singing together that just makes Christmas complete .  Read more...

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.  Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.  May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.  Amen

Robert Lewis Stevenson

There was once in a faraway country where few people have ever traveled, a wonderful church. It stood on a high hill in the midst of a great city; and every Sunday, as well as on sacred days like Christmas, thousands of people climbed the hill to its great archways, looking like lines of ants all moving in the same direction.

When you came to the building itself, you found stone columns and dark passages, and a grand entrance leading to the main room of the church. This room was so long that one standing at the doorway could scarcely see to the other end, where the choir stood by the marble altar. In the farthest corner was the organ; and this organ was so loud, that sometimes when it played, the people for miles around would close their shutters and prepare for a great thunderstorm. Altogether, no such church as this was ever seen before, especially when it was lighted up for some festival, and crowded with people, young and old. But the strangest thing about the whole building was the wonderful chime of bells.

At one corner of the church was a great gray tower, with ivy growing over it as far up as one could see. I say as far as one could see, because the tower was quite great enough to fit the great church, and it rose so far into the sky that it was only in very fair weather that any one claimed to be able to see the top. Even then one could not be certain that it was in sight. Up, and up, and up climbed the stones and the ivy; and as the men who built the church had been dead for hundreds of years, every one had forgotten how high the tower was supposed to be.  Read more...

Recently our local grocery stores have been selling Betty Crocker cake mixes for a dollar or less a box. When the cake mixes go on sale, I usually buy a few extra boxes to use during the year for Birthday cakes or even cookies. Do you have any boxed cake mixes in your pantry? If you are in the mood for delicious cookies instead of cake use your cake mix as a cookie mix. It’s super easy and you can be creative and experiment using different ingredients to make your cookies extra special. You can add nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips….or anything you have on hand that sounds good. Today I’m making a spice cake mix cookie and I will probably add walnuts…maybe chocolate chips or raisins.
Any kind of cake mix
2 Tbsp. water
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp. extract
1/2 cup pecans/walnuts/other

To fancy up the cookies you can Drop batter into bowl of confectioners sugar (about a tsp of batter per cookie, depending on size of cookie you want). Roll in sugar until it is in approximate shape of a ball. Cook at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Devils Food Cake is good with a small amount of almond extract. Yellow Cake Mix goes well with vanilla or lemon extract. Possibly White Cake Mix with almond extract.  For more recipes please visit  recipes and reflections.

The Christmas season makes me even more sentimental than I usually am. During this time of year usually unexpectedly, like while walking down an isle at Walmart,  I think about my Mom or Dad and the tears flow as I quickly wipe them away before anyone notices. How silly to be crying while looking at candles or Christmas napkins. I miss them so…. especially during this season. I also think about those family members and friends, dear to my heart who we are not able to see during the holidays for various reasons. I remember my neighbors and local friends and acquaintances that I wanted to be kind to during the year but for what ever reason, I neglected a visit, a call,  or a plate of cookies. My heart goes out to those who are fighting disease or are very ill right now. I have a friend in the City of Hope fighting Leukemia and a dear family friend who is fighting cancer. My prayers are that they would recover and grow spiritually and physically again. I think about my own family and want to make Christmas special for them. My husband….my dear Mother-in-law, my boys and my siblings. What about the friends at my husbands work? I can’t forget about his co-worker or his new supervisor. As the mail arrives, I receive lots of requests for Christmas gifts….the local rescue mission, Samaritans Purse, Missionary friends, food banks, World Vision, The disabled Veterans, and The American Bible Society. I feel overwhelmed each year as I work through all of these emotions and what I should do.  Read more...

I‘m not sure who wrote this but it rings true to me for sure. Let’s shout “Merry Christmas” before we are forbidden to do so. ~Anne

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas – no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears

You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Feingold, Now Durbin, Now Schumer, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter  Read more...

Why is it that we like to receive grades?   In our early homeschooling years we took spelling tests each week.  My boys delighted in their grades and tried to get all of their words correct.  I felt sort of silly about the whole thing though because my younger son who is not a natural speller, would often forget many of the  spelling words the next day. He sure felt good about his “A” though and the cute sticker on his paper.  I questioned myself,  should our education be about us feeling good?

I have several homeschool friends who are overwhelmed grading their children’ s work.  This was something I never understood.  Grading papers for our family seems like busy work to me for the most part.   It sure reminds me of  public school.  While I was in public school  my teachers would grade my paper, give me a final score,  and then pass me on to the next level or chapter.  Did they ever care that I did not understand the concepts?   Was I ever held back in order to learn?  Never.

My algebra teacher told me that I was such a nice girl but that I could not do algebra.   While in college I began to understand and actually enjoy solving equations. I made  frequent visits to the tutoring center…but to my delight, I did end up passing Algebra 2.  Read more...

It was a warm and pleasant Saturday–that twenty-third of December, 1620. The winter wind had blown itself away in the storm of the day before, and the air was clear and balmy. The people on board the Mayflower were glad of the pleasant day. It was three long months since they had started from Plymouth, in England, to seek a home across the ocean. Now they had come into a harbour that they named New Plymouth, in the country of New England.

Other people called these voyagers Pilgrims, which means wanderers. A long while before, the Pilgrims had lived in England; later they made their home with the Dutch in Holland; finally they had said goodbye to their friends in Holland and in England, and had sailed away to America.

There were only one hundred and two of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, but they were brave and strong and full of hope. Now the Mayflower was the only home they had; yet if this weather lasted they might soon have warm log-cabins to live in. This very afternoon the men had gone ashore to cut down the large trees.

The women of the Mayflower were busy, too. Some were spinning, some knitting, some sewing. It was so bright and pleasant that Mistress Rose Standish had taken out her knitting and had gone to sit a little while on deck. She was too weak to face rough weather, and she wanted to enjoy the warm sunshine and the clear salt air. By her side was Mistress Brewster, the minister’s wife. Everybody loved Mistress Standish and Mistress Brewster, for neither of them ever spoke unkindly.  Read more...

¹ And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,^[a] who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold,^[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”^[c]  Read more...

One can never fully realize  the impact they will have in this world for the glory of God.  Compared to Bach, Handel wrote his music for the secular market rather than the churches.  Still today, his most famous song from the Messiah, The Hallelujah Chorus is sung all over the world especially during Easter and Christmas.  Sadly, these days,  public displays of religion are often considered criminal.  The Ten Commandments are removed from schools and courtrooms.  Nativity scenes are not allowed in public buildings.  Children are forbidden to pray at school or during graduation ceremonies.  We are not allowed to publicly give glory to God in our America anymore.

Hallelujah means “Praise Jehovah”…Praise God!  This chorus is sung in  concert halls, colleges, and even malls!  God is using Handel today, right here in our America.  I’m not sure how Handel would feel about this version of his song.  But I’m happy that folks are singing “And He shall reign for ever and ever” in our malls!

“What a wonderful thing it is to be sure of one’s faith How wonderful to be a member of the evangelical church, which preaches the free grace of God through Christ as the hope of sinners If we were to rely on our works–my God, what would become of us”

“Whether I was in my body or out of my body as I wrote it I know not. God knows.”  Read more...

Our family has been homeschooling for over 8 years now.  The longer I homeschool, the more I encounter  friends who have returned  to the government school in some form or another (public school at home program, charter etc.)  My homeschool mentor warned me that one day I would feel alone.  She said that one day I would feel  as though I was walking a narrow road…within a narrow road.  She was right.  I do feel alone these days in my homeschool journey.  I only know of three or four families who are still planning to homeschool through Jr. High and highschool.   Perhaps they will jump ship as well…but my decision to homeschool will remain strong as long as I am physically able.   Those few families who are continuing to school through highschool  are probably the ones who are homeschooling because they are convicted to do so.  They are not homeschooling for academic reasons, or because they thought they’d try something new.  They are not homeschooling because their children asked to be homeschooled or because they are irritated with their child’s public schoolteacher.  For the true Biblical homeschooler,  it is a calling. We  are called to teach, mentor,  and disciple our children; and this calling is from the Lord.

I thought I’d list my top 50 reasons for homeschooling…. for my benefit and maybe yours.  I love lists, and enjoy making them up.  This list will help remind me and perhaps renew me when I feel unmotivated. This list is for fun but  My # 1 reason to homeschool really is all I need to remember.  Read more...

I really enjoyed reading this letter written by James W. Alexander (1804-1859) to his younger brother. James was a Presbyterian minister and the eldest son of Archibald Alexander (1772-1851).  James gives his brother excellent advice that we can still use today.

My dear brother,

You must not suppose, from what I said in my last letter, that the school is the only place where you can acquire knowledge. I would by no means have you to play all the time, which you are not employed at your tasks. There are a great many hours, especially in these long winter evenings, in which you may be filling your mind with something useful. For this purpose you should always have some instructive book at hand. Your parents have many such books, and are always glad to give you the use of them.

It makes me sorry to see that you read so much in mere story-books. Some of these, indeed, are useful, and they are liked by all young people. But most of them are foolish, if not injurious. Boys often become so fond of this sort of reading that they never look into anything but tales, stories and novels. And in this way they weaken their minds, and lose all the advantage they might gain from books of instruction.  Read more...

As the months pass, it  seems to me that there is  a consensus among many  that we are indeed  headed for some difficult times. Perhaps we will come out of this darkness as stronger and better people. Perhaps God will use this time to bring folks back to Him. Maybe there will be a great awakening again. Abigail Adams thought that these trials and tribulations were really a good thing and the only way we could form good character qualities…and perhaps grow up a bit. May the Lord give us guidance and direction in the days ahead. I pray for our husbands that they will lead our families and that God will speak to their hearts. I pray that we will be sober minded and concentrate on the eternal rather than the temporal.

“These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman.” ~Abigail Adams to her son John Quincy Adams, 1780

Many years ago….when I was younger and full of energy, I was a pre-school teacher. I  used a teaching method that was in direct contrast to what I was taught in my child development classes.  My college professors put much emphases on developing self esteem in pre-school children.  In order to help develop this they told me I had to give the children many choices…all the time. I was taught that the classroom should be “Child-Centered. ”  I needed to to say something like,  “Johnny, would you like to work a puzzle, play at the kitchen, read a book in the library corner, or play at the playdough table?” Often times, I would ignore this rule and with a smile on my face,  enthusiastically announce  “Playdough Time!”  Usually the children would come running to the table.  I’d arrange soft balls of colorful homemade playdough with a variety of  cookie cutters, rolling pins, and even a tortilla press for them to play with.  On some especially hectic days wholesome playdough was a blessing from the Lord to me.  Children were happy, stayed at a table and worked creating playdough creatures or bakery treats for quite a while.  I would sit down with them and actually enjoyed it as well.  There’s just something about dough that is soothing and even therapeutic at times.  I hope you will find some use for this playdough recipe with your children. ~Anne

1 cup flour                                                                
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Food coloring by drops  Read more...

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.