Educators At Home

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...

Years ago our family enjoyed the “Considering God’s Creation” curriculum by Eagel’s wings.  One thing we really liked was that there were songs to reinforce some of the concepts we learned.  There were songs about the planets, the weather, the water cycle, reptiles and even mold. There was one song though that I wish I could sing to you.  It was basically the prayer of a mother’s heart.

The melody is simple, and the lyrics are very basic,  but it has become a theme song for me to remember while on my homeschooling journey.

A Man of God

I don’t care if you play football or play in the band,

I don’t care if you’re a doctor or a garbage man,

it doesn’t matter if you’re good in school or great at art,

there is just one thing I care with all my heart.

That you grow up to be a man of God,

That you use his word as a measuring rod,

that you love your neighbor as yourself,

that you do not trust in this world’s wealth,

that you grow up to be a man of God.

I don’t care if you’re a loner or have lots of friends,

I don’t care if your clothes are new or they have lots of mends,

it doesn’t matter if your tall and thin or short and round,

there’s just one important thing that I have found.  Read more...

I received this in my email today…I don’t know if it is true that a 15 year old boy from Arizona wrote it. But…I thought it did have quite a bit of truth in it.  Yes, it is the sad truth.

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all..
In silence alone we must meditate,
God’s name is prohibited by the state.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks…
They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the ‘unwed daddy,’ our Senior King.
It’s ‘inappropriate’ to teach right from wrong,
We’re taught that such ‘judgments’ do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles..
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.  Read more...

April, 2010,  U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional saying it violates the first Amendment prohibition against laws respecting an establishment of religion.  A group of atheists from Freedom from Religion Foundation brought this case to the courts and they were rejoicing at this major victory.   Shame on Barbara Crabb.  I’d like to ask her which religion was chosen for this day of prayer?  Did we all have to attend the First Baptist church in order to pray?  We’re we required to go to our local mosque on this day to pray?  Which denomination did we have to join in order to pray,  Ms. Crabb?  Which religion was established on the national day of prayer?

Perhaps Judge Crabb  did not read about our Founding Fathers.  Perhaps she does not know the heritage of our beloved country.  Perhaps she does not realize that 95% of our founders were religious and wanted free expression of religion in the public square and in our government. She must not know that 95% of the signers of the Declaration of Independence  were Christians and we have their own writings and many documents to prove this.  Our founders did not want any particular denomination to become the established religion of the land for sure.  But they did not want religious expressions to be hid under a bushel.  I know that John Hancock wanted true freedom of religion for America as well.  Read more...

This week in our civics lesson we learned that Congress with all its power, cannot pass any law interfering with the liberties of American citizens.  Personal safety and freedom, religious freedom, free speech, property, trial by jury, are all protected by what is often called the “Bill of Rights” in the Constitution.

Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III: No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.  Read more...

My younger sister and I came across this lovely picture of our dear Mom recently.  My husband did some photo restoration on it and removed years of damage and neglect with a photo editing program.  It looks so pretty now and as I gaze upon her beautiful face, I’m inspired to share a bit of her story.  My siblings and I do not have  many pictures of our dear mom but we  have  happy memories and countless humorous stories to talk about for hours. Most  importantly, we have her values and ideals  to cherish and pass on to our own children and grandchildren.

My Mother went to be with the Lord  over 8 years now; she would have been 90 this year if she was still on this earth. Oh how I long to kiss her cheek again and have a “nice” cup of tea with her. She always wanted to have a “nice” cup of tea and would offer a cup to anyone even though towards the end of her life she could not have prepared one herself.  By offering a “nice” cup, she meant for someone to get the water boiling and prepare a cup for them both and sit and visit with her. It seemed as though a nice cup of tea and perhaps some buttered or cinnamon toast sliced in strips or “fingers” as she would call them had what was needed to solve many of life’s problems.  Whether it was an upset tummy, or a bout of worry, a cup of tea would make it all better.   I wanted to have one more cup of tea with her before she passed but was never able to because she was so ill.  I placed a lovely tea cup at her memorial service among the flowers as a symbol of our tea time together. Any negative memories associated with my Mom or even Dad seem to be fading these days and the good memories linger on.   I especially  miss those very “down-to-earth” ordinary days when when Mom  would play and enjoy her family, share a cup of tea, go swim laps at the pool, or laugh and  joke around. I miss her smile. I miss the very  gentle touch of her fragile hands when she prayed for us.  She was the rock of our family and passed on a spiritual heritage to us all.

My dear Mom nicknamed “bunny”, was born in  Massachusetts in 1924.  She was raised by a Godly mom who also passed on a spiritual heritage to her. She came from a large family, grew up during difficult days,  and when she was still a school girl, with her older sister looking on, was hit by a car while she was standing next to a pole.  She was wedged between the car and the pole…her arm nearly severed.  The hospital doctors  insisted that her arm be amputated but her Mother said  “no,” and refused to sign the necessary paperwork.   She (my Grandmother)  believed strongly in the power of prayer and knew that her daughters arm could be saved. I don’t think  I would make this same decision if I were faced with it, but her arm was saved even though the doctor said that her arm would most likely develop  gangrene.   This occurred in  the 1930’s.  I don’t even think they had discovered antibiotics yet.  I give God the glory for this miracle and rejoice that my Mom’s arm was saved. God had plans for my Mom and did not allow her to lose her arm. I have my doubts that my dear dad would have married a woman with one arm….he could have I guess but I doubt it.  As a result of this accident the Dr. told my grandmother that my mom would never be able to have children.  She had 5 children.  I’m so glad my grandmothers prayers were answered and that her faith was so strong. Oh to have faith like this….it could be a Bible story.

The recovery was still long and difficult for her and she suffered much because of this accident.  When she was in her late 30’s she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She lived in pain and it became a way of life for her. Despite her physical suffering she was a light and a rock in our family in so many ways.

Looking back, I’m inclined to think that many things fell by the wayside for her because of the constant pain she had to deal with all the time.  She did not stress out about her house, about being super organized, about looking perfect, or being a super woman.  I believe in her own way she must have eliminated the peripheral, the superficial and petty details of life  in order to concentrate  on the eternal….on people…and on God.  Perhaps folks might have thought  that she did not care about a spotless kitchen floor….they were right.  She had other priorities and she recognized her own limitations.

She  took time to sew my sister and I dresses and crochet her  grandchildren  new vests. I remember lying in bed at night listening to the hum of the sewing machine.  If she was not sewing,  she’d be crocheting or doing the dishes late into the night while the rest of us slept.  She always  took time to play,  and instead of fussing over the house she’d spend the summer days swimming  in the pool with us kids.  She took time to talk with neighbors in our apartment building, cared for children in the neighborhood, and prepared soups and other dishes to share on a very regular basis. It amazes me that she did all of this with aching bones and a body that was quite broken.

When I would arrive home from school she almost always had something special for us to enjoy.  It was not anything fancy…just some muffins or an apple cake or cookies.  I’d sit down and she would tell me about her day. It sounded so  ordinary to me….what she cleaned….what she cooked….who she talked to in the neighborhood.  As a young teen, I remember thinking how boring her day seemed.  But now as a homeschool mom, I’m doing so many of the same things myself and I regret that I did not honor her like I should have. I did not value her role as a keeper at home.  Now I know that she had a high calling to raise up children and keep a home for my Dad……what a wonderful way to live a life that honors God and family.

One day I came from school and she did not tell me about her usual activities. While I expected to hear her discuss the regular events of her day,  She talked about how she read the Bible the evening before way into the night.  With tears in her eyes she recalled what she read in the Bible. She read the story of the sower and the seed in Matthew 13, and explained how she understood it in a new way.  She seemed to have a spiritual awakening and fell in love with Jesus.  You could say she was “Born Again.” Her mother, my grandmother always told her about  the story from John chapter 3.  My mother knew about Nicodemus and Jesus….about  being born again….our Grandmother shared this with us all.  My Mom believed in God and would often recite The Lord’s Prayer, and Psalm 23…… but there was something missing.  I believe my dear mom met the Savior in a personal way that night and now she was on fire for the Lord.  She had a new mission…. a new calling on her life and became more focused on sharing the gospel and the new life and peace she found in Christ.

During this time many of our family members also  became “Born-Again”. My older sister first, then my Mom, myself and my younger sister.  Later the  men in our family followed.  My dear Mom continued to pray for us all until she went to be with the Lord.

I can vividly recall seeing her sitting on the couch with her Bible, tears in her eyes, speaking of her love for the Lord…praising him for his goodness and kindness towards us all. She was happiest spending time with her Lord.  She seemed to  glow. Her greatest joy was sharing the Lord with others and when her children or grandchildren spoke of the Lord her joy was complete.  She understood that there is no greater joy than knowing that your children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4.

When my Mom passed,  she did not leave us many material things.  I’m enjoying her Bible  now, and we have a few pictures. I’m so happy we came across this beautiful photograph of our dear Mom and as I remember her and gaze upon her lovely face I realize that what she left us cannot really be  expressed in words.  She left us a legacy though for sure.  She left us  Jesus…the greatest gift of all. On this Mother’s Day I rejoice in this gift.  Thanks for reading my ramblings, I wish you could have met my Mother too.  ~Anne