Top 5 Reasons I Home School?

Oftentimes I'm asked this question with such a grimace on the asking person's face,

"Why do you home school?"

Usually, the very sarcastic and 6-year old Ashley (what I call that inner me that chooses to be mean and unruly) begins to get excited for the upcoming battle in this conversation...but I've learned/learning to tame her! Because of the joy and excitement I have towards home schooling, I tend to ask the question, "Why DON'T you home school?".

I'm African American, and statistics show that of the over 1.5 million families homeschooling in America, Black folks make up a very small percentage of that! You can imagine what our extended families think! I'm usually bombarded with disapproving and sometimes rude statements. Besides the numerous statistics and research favoring home schooling over public schooling (as if that alone isn't enough), I've decided to tell the world why I choose to home school.


5. Public School...
I used to teach at a local public school...enough said.

4. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
We are so excited when our infants and toddlers reach certain milestones. When they crawl, walk, first word, the list goes on and it is so wonderful and exhilarating to watch our children grow. I can't explain the feeling I get when one of my children does something he or she has never done before! As our children grow, they still reach certain milestones that we often miss when we are not able to spend much time with them. I feel truly blessed that God has allowed me to be here with them every step of the way to explore life together. I get to wake up to this:

3. Freedom
I have three little ones all under the age of five! Imagine gathering them all together just to drop off the oldest in the mornings for only half a day of school? Three hours later, gather them all again just to pick him up? No thanks! I love that a lot of days look like this:

I have freedom to choose WHEN they will learn, HOW they will learn, WHERE they will learn, and WHAT they will learn...everyday! FREEDOM! It beats sitting in a desk all day. And we take advantage!

2. They WILL Learn
In our home it is not a case of IF our children learn, we focus on WHEN they learn. The purpose of schools is to prepare our children to become good American citizens. Schools are supposed to train our children how to behave in a democratic society, how to make good decisions, and how to think. The purpose of OUR schooling is to equip my children with the Word of God and to love the Lord! If I do that properly, their behavior, decision making, and thinking will be A-OK! In my house, it's not acceptable for anyone to fall between the cracks!

1. Transforming (God-Centered), not Conforming ("Socialization")
Socialization is still a huge argument against homeschooling. Again, research has shown that the differences in social skills between public schooled children and home schooled children is very small and, in my opinion, the good definitely outweighs the bad. Again, in my opinion, just because typical home schooled children have mastered being meek, humble, and quiet gentle spirits...is that such a bad thing? Maybe in this world, but in our home we teach our children to set their hearts and eyes on the things above (Matthew 6:19-21). Their number one goal should be to please God, not the world. One who is friends of this world is enmity to God (James 4:4)! We choose God!

I'm a nerd...always have been...always will be! It's fun sparking that same interest of learning in my children. I love every minute...the headaches, the chaos, the laughter, the crying (both children and mommy :))...It's AMAZING!

The Share Campaign Week 1: Live

My church is taking a month from its regular, but extraordinary, weekly bible studies to teach us how to share the gospel...The Share Campaign!

Interestingly enough, lately I have found myself in so many religious discussions/battles about what I believe versus what someone else believes versus what someone else believes. I am embarrassed to admit that when I feel as though I'm trying to share the good news, I'm actually doing more harm than good because these discussions sometimes become heated, offensive, and even belittling. Is that how Jesus envisioned it when he commissioned the disciples in Matthew 10? Not at all. The disciples cleansed people, made people whole, and freely gave (v. 8). If someone chose to not accept them, Jesus told them to go to dust off their feet and go elsewhere (v. 14). Jesus never forced himself on anyone.

What I have to remember is that it is about love. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:7-9). We must love our neighbors. If we love as we should, everything else will follow.

So in this Share Campaign, the first week about how to share the gospel is to simply LIVE. Do you have to TELL people you are a born again believer, or do people KNOW by the way you LIVE your life that something is different about you? Is there a light that shines in you that attracts those in darkness? Have you become a NEW creature in Christ, as Colossians 3 tells us. Before we even begin to talk about Jesus, The Bible, or God, we should simply LIVE a life that is acceptable to Him. Our Pastor shared last night, that if a husband has to SAY that he is the head of the house...
There is a negative and a positive way to begin sharing the gospel:

The Negative
Too many times, we try to share Jesus by telling someone how THEY have sinned, where THEY are wrong, and condemning them to hell. Sadly, we do this in our hearts before we even begin to speak the words. Have you given up on people? Thought there was no hope for someone? In case you didn't know, we don't own hell or heaven...and we certainly cannot control who goes where. A very wise man always tells me that, "...I don't have a heaven or a hell to put you in...". Don't forget Romans 3:23, we have all sinned and fallen short! Jesus died for EVERYONE! If he could save someone as lost as I was, I know he can do it for others! The way you live your live will draw so many to Christ because they should see Christ in you, not YOU!

The Positive
Our homework assignment this week to is to find someone to share our story with. Someone who already knows you, just for practice. We are to focus on why we love God. What makes me want to go to church? What makes me want to live for Christ? Why do I have joy? Focus on the goodness of your relationship with God through Christ.

My Story:

I grew up in a religious family. So I knew scriptures, I knew to go to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, I knew I should not sin...I knew RELIGION. It wasn't until a few years ago, with the help of my husband and children, that I found out what it means to have a RELATIONSHIP with God. Although I repented of my sins, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior many years ago, this is the beginning of my story because this was when I really decided to LIVE for God. My lifestyle changed according to the love I had. I no longer wanted to do those things that I used to because I found something so sweet, so beautiful, and it made me feel like nothing else could. GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD to me! Too many things have happened in my life that I cannot deny Him. The peace, joy, and love that I have, in spite of...I can't find that anywhere else. I am a child of God and He will take care of His children. 

What brought you to Christ?

Easter 

is about 

Jesus

After last year's Easter, I thought we were very clear in teaching Caleb that Easter celebrates the Resurrection of our Savior. To my surprise, a few weeks ago I asked him what Easter is about and his reply was "eggs and candy". I was not happy. So this year, we are taking a different approach of learning. 

As a teacher, sometimes I would prepare the best lesson. A lesson full of engaging activities  plenty of problems to practice, all the while having a great time. The students were happy and if you stopped by my classroom you would have been amazed. As the test approached, I knew all would be good because we reviewed and the students seemed to have known the content. Well, the test is given and majority of the students fail! What just happened? 

Like my experience with my son and in my classroom, often times we can teach our children a lesson until we are blue in the face...but are they getting it? Are they learning? How do you ensure they understand the knowledge?

This year, we are dedicating the month of March to learning about the life of Jesus. Easter is the last Sunday in this month, so each day we are reviewing the life of Jesus. I kicked it off with reading The Beginners Bible story of Easter last night. Caleb loved it! We talk so much about Jesus each and every day... Jesus loves us, we have to follow Jesus, Jesus is God's son... that when I got to the part that Jesus died on the cross, Caleb shouted in astonishment, "Jesus is DEAD?!". :) That actually made my day.

My goal is for my children to know Jesus. I want them to understand who he is and why he is so important in our lives.

Stay tuned for how this month goes...

Stop Procrastinating!

My wonderful husband of over six years, father of my three beautiful children, and my business partner has shared with me recently that I am a procrastinator! To my shock, he was right! :) Did it begin in college, when as a science major cramming the night before an exam? Studying nonstop with no sleep and lots of Starbucks! Or did this behavior begin earlier in my life...grade school, at home, in my extracurricular activities? Who knows, but I do know where to go to get the help I need. I opened my bible and read. So many proverbs about the lazy person...so many situations about what happens to the half-hearted individual. Yikes! Then I remembered the very familiar scripture in Colossians that reminds us that everything we do, we should do for The Lord.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to The Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)

I've been going about things the wrong way this entire time. When it literally takes me hitting snooze 20 times in the morning (I seriously set my alarm clock an hour early just so I can snooze for an hour. It's something about it that makes waking up so much easier...I apologize to my husband every time) I realized I do have a problem :). I am working for God! No matter what it is...it's for Him! When I wash dishes, when I bake, when I teach my children, even when I get myself ready for the day I am doing all of these things knowing God has a plan and He just wants me to be ready. When I am prepared, I am welcoming God in. I am more pleasant, more peaceful, and so much more happy when I'm prepared! It is much easier to allow God to use me when I'm prepared.

So here is my plan:

1. Start my day reciting Colossians 3:23 before my Daily Devotion. I have a very short memory these days (possibly due to my three kids under the age five, the youngest being a few days shy of 11 months now, running a business, completing my Master's, managing my home, being very active at church...the list goes on) and I must repeat things to myself to remember them. I'm not letting go of snooze just yet, but when I do get up I will remember and recognize who gave me another day and I should use it to glorify Him.
2. Start my weekly organizer. If I didn't write it, it didn't happen. There is always something running through my mind at all times of day...did I change diapers?, did I get I check inventory for work?, is the food prepared?, does baby have enough milk?, did I email...? Get my drift? So, I will actually WRITE my To Do lists and READ them daily! :)
3. Start using the word NO. In my attempt to work in God's vineyard, I tend to bite more than I can chew. I have a big heart and I want to help everyone, but there are only 24 hours in a day. The problem is when I'm not able to follow through with promises because of my underestimating how much available time I actually have. I end up letting people down, which I hate doing because I want to help so badly.
4. Finish projects. New rule: I can't start a new project until I've finished the one prior to it. With all of my sewing, knitting, gardening, homeschooling, etc., I oftentimes get carried away with the bright new ideas I have...which leads to me starting, but not finishing. (Just between me and you, I still have rooms in my house that I started painting five years ago that are not complete.) What does this have to do with procrasting? Well, I've found out that I'm a Jane of all trades and I can do all things through Christ (His Word is so true!), that I tend to want to try ALL things. Most of the time, it's just to see if I can do it. Once that challenge of IF I can do it is proven...I lose the passion to WANT to do it. This leads to more putting off of things. 

My prayer today:

My Father, which art in Heaven,

I give you all of the praise and glory for what you have done in my life.

You have blessed me in so many ways and I am undeserving of your mercy and grace.

You are God and God alone and I recognize your omnipotence and your righteousness.

Help me, God, with your unlimited power, to be more efficient in my daily doings.

Give me the strength and knowledge to exalt you in everything I do.

Give me wisdom to know when to say no and when to accept new things.

Use me, Lord, for the glory and edification of Your kingdom.

You bless me to be a blessing to someone else.

Use me and when it's feels I'm all used up, fill me up again, Lord, according to your riches and glory.

I thank you for your blessings and promises.

I thank you for keeping me and allowing me to let Your light shine through me. 

These things I pray and ask in Your son's name,

Amen!

And I will leave you with this:

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17)

It's another day's journey and I'm glad about it...

#amfb #afc