One Thing

                          One thing have I asked of the LORD, that I will seek after…(Ps. 27:4a)   In this crowded 21st century life, it’s hard to zero in on one thing to ask of the Lord. As a home educator, many things vie for attention: children, spouse, house, activities of all kinds, not the least
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Finally…it’s the end of the year! How did I do?

  The end of the academic school year comes with mixed emotions: relief, elation, excitement, bittersweetness, or perhaps a twinge of sadness if it’s the year my last child graduates. I label it “good” if my children make reasonable or exceptional academic progress. Perhaps one child overcame that math hang-up. I finished all but one
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The Tale of the Three-Legged Table: Being a Capable, Confident Educator

  Today began as every other day. I brewed a cup of coffee, refilled my water bottle, and headed into the den for a quiet time with the Lord. A time of meditation on God’s Word, prayers of praise and supplication, accompanied by morning joe. I sipped the warm elixir from a delicate, magnolia-decorated mug.
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Addicted to Righteousness

The promises in God’s Word of the benefits of being addicted to righteousness wash over me like a jubilant flood as I envision myself, my family, and my world immersed in it. Who wouldn’t? Righteousness… Provides escape from trouble (Prov. 12:13) Becomes a guide to his neighbors (family, friend, acquaintances, strangers) (Prov. 12:26) Is rewarded
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Your Best Curriculum Starts with YOU

“What curriculum do you use?” It’s the most common conversation starter in homeschool circles. Why not? We all want to know the best curriculum, and it’s a great way to break the ice when meeting a fellow home educator for the first time. It’s a topic of immediate common interest.  Choosing the best curriculum is,
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Oh, Lord! Who Am I? What Am I Doing?

  Who am I? What in the world am I doing? Those incessant, unanswerable questions reverberated through my consciousness like an endless ping-pong game. Every new homeschool day began with a question of conscience and disorientation: What am I supposed to be doing today? My first year of homeschooling, I set out to discover some
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Turning Oh-No! Days Into Ah-Yes!

  As a homeschool parent, teacher, and human being, I’ve experienced my share of oh-no! days. I imagine you have, too. In fact, yesterday was nearly an oh-no! day, but writing this blog turned it into an ah-yes! day. These all-too-familiar hallmarks point to that oh-no! day: Arguing Glaring, staring, yelling Silence, drooped heads Shut
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The Three Things Every Parent Should Know About Processing

  I want to set the record straight: you are NOT the cause of your child’s learning failures, inability to pay attention, or frequently inappropriate behaviors. Blame does not lie (100%) on your curriculum choices, daily schedule, or child-raising philosophy.  Rather the culprit is something involuntary and unintentional. No amount of scolding, yelling, crying, or
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