Deborah and I are looking forward to another NHS get-together.

Anne and I are working on securing the Monday May 9th date for our meeting.

To be sure, we are happy to see you all getting together and embracing our ideas about Homeschooling especially in regards to the Raymond Moore and Charlotte Mason approach.

These are sensible and work. Don’t get caught up [...]]]> Hello Moms,

Anne and I are working on securing the Monday May 9th date for our meeting.

To be sure, we are happy to see you all getting together and embracing our ideas about Homeschooling especially in regards to the Raymond Moore and Charlotte Mason approach.

These are sensible and work. Don’t get caught up in the fads on curriculum.

REMEMBER today:

Honor your husbands

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:23-24

Be Content in your home -

….I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 11b – 13, NIV

Be Thankful in your circumstances always

Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you,

Deborah

No doubt, some of the things Deborah talked about are challenging to us all. Our culture’s picture of “family” is considerably different than scriptural principles, and I, too, often struggle with doing what is right – honoring my [...]]]> Hi, NHS friends! It was great getting together to fellowship and encourage each other earlier this week.

No doubt, some of the things Deborah talked about are challenging to us all. Our culture’s picture of “family” is considerably different than scriptural principles, and I, too, often struggle with doing what is right – honoring my husband and respecting his leadership.

Take a deep breath before you read Deborah’s recap of her lesson…don’t be overwhelmed, rather, be encouraged, because 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence….”

Anne

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Anne and I appreciate the quiet respectful intent that you show to us as we endeavor to teach you in our monthly meetings.

I don’t think I can remember every word – mostly spoken from the heart – but will recap the biblical directives for sure.

Anne and I have prayed and been strongly led to take seriously the command of scripture in Titus 2 in your lives.

Titus 2:4-5 ” …admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

Admonish – in the original Noah Webster Dictionary (which you must own as homeschoolers!) defines admonish:

1. to warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness.

2. to counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise.

3. to direct and instruct.

In our years of homeschooling our children (Anne and I each have 3) for a cumulative total of 43 years, we are able to see the big picture of homeschooling.

We are no longer too close to the forest to see the trees. 

As such, we admonish you to avoid making the mistakes that we have most certainly made (and still make as sinners) but the Lord hasshown us (despite it all) His overwhelming mercy and grace, time and again – His mercies are NEW every morning and His lovingkindness is from everlasting to everlasting. Amen. Without such, Anne and I would not be standing in the place where we stand at this time entrusted with teaching the younger women among us.

 As new homeschooling MOMS, you came to our meetings expecting to hear all the tips on teaching your children.  As we have seen the greatest majority of homeschooling MOMS become “dropouts” over the years, we heard the Lord tell us that without a firm biblical foundation in place for your homes, your homeschooling will surely fail.

We are leading you to a life commitment in your homeschool experience – it is a lifestyle choice. Please get the book “Better Late Than Early” by Dr. Raymond Moore – in the library according to Beth?? – and read it.

Also, get the book, Power of the Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartian – and make yourself read the first prayer each and every day – it’s the prayer for the wife – the toughest prayer in the book.

As you get more repentant (you will as you read that prayer more and more) you can move to the other prayers in the book for your husband.

When my children were in the home growing up, we prayed each morning for DAD – and thanked the Lord for him – that he had a job, and waswilling to go out into the world every day to provide a home for us to be safe and warm in – with love and food – and because of that MOMMY could have the ability to stay with the children. (I know some MOMS have jobs that are flexible enough to include children and/or Grandmoms in townto help out – so this is not to say that you may not, under any circumstances work jobs outside the home).

As long as you understand that the HOME is your main priority – if your job interferes with that, you should discuss it with your husband and ask his wishes and wise advice.Oh yes, that is a “dangerous” thing to do indeed and some of you may now be in fear and trembling. Yes, I say ask your husband his opinion on things. That is what you must start doing.

At first, he will look at you like you have flipped. He might not have an opinion. But over time, as you ask him things, one by one, and let himknow that you looking to him to be the head of your home (AND PRAYING FOR HIM AND FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR FAMILY EACH DAY), get ready for the slow and steady transformation.

Women want power in this life. That is the feminist Mantra. Empowerment of women (i.e. without men and children). When I was a student in college, the feminist teacher exhorted, “women take your proper place in the world and rise up – do not throw your talents on the disposable heap pile by getting married and having children!”

You know. We are women, made by God to be wives and mothers. That is how we utilize our talents the most. That is when we are truly women.

But the feminist mantra has permeated our society. We have created masculine, overbearing women and feminized, passive men. We are Christians and we must recognize the wiles of the devil and purge them from our lives and homes.

end of part I

Part II (from lesson on March 28th to NHS)

Women want power. We have power. More power than we can believe. We have the power to make or break a home – a marriage – children’s lives – ultimately the future of our civilized and Christian society (get and read MEN AND MARRIAGE!!!)

Look at Muslims having all the children they can – and raising them for Islam. If they have all the children and raise them for Islam and we have few or no children and don’t raise them to be Godly, then who is going to control the future?? I can do THAT math. We already see what’s happening in that regard.

SO women – a call to arms. You are raising the next generation of Christian thinkers, warriors, theologians, presidents, mayors. You are exhorted in Malachi 2:15 to raise Godly offspring. THAT Is the purpose that God desired and created marriage!!!

Malachi 2:15-16 (New King James Version)

15 But did He not make them one,

Having a remnant of the Spirit?

And why one?

He seeks godly offspring.

Therefore take heed to your spirit,

And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.

16 “ For the LORD God of Israel says

That He hates divorce,

For it covers one’s garment with violence,”

Says the LORD of hosts.

“ Therefore take heed to your spirit,

That you do not deal treacherously.”

These are strong words I think you would all agree and he repeats the “deal treacherously” part. Ouch.

Now you notice that he is speaking to the husband here. YES indeed. And that is where you come in.

You have the power to pray and to become the wife that he needs, so that your husband can become the husband and father that you need him to be to lead your home and your children to be Godly.

When you have this concept down – you are beginning to have a firm foundation for success for your homeschool. You will see that character building and Godly training supercedes the training of academics.

Now we live in the world and the world’s law says we must teach certain subjects to our children starting at age 6. And we can do those things. And we must. But they are secondary – if I ready the scripture correctly – raise GODLY OFFSPRING.

When your child cries over his or her lesson plan, consider that you should teach him or her about the fruits of the spirit which include self-control.

When they do not want to do their lessons or their chores, remind them that they are a part of a family and each one is required to participate and carry out their proper role. I would tell my children, now you do your work, and I will do my work, as God has designed and as DAD has asked of us to do today.

Anne and I urge you to not get yourselves caught up in the things that also distract us from being wives and mothers at home:

Curriculum wars – remember KISS – keep it simple stupid – if not, you won’t have time and energy for the character training – and remember you must get to KNOW your child before you can determine a learning style and invest in books. My husband insisted that we use paces – they are self-paced workbooks (schooloftomorrow.com) because he knew that I would not have the discipline to use traditional textbooks with children of different ages AND he believes that we should act as “overseers of our children’s academic learning” and not spoon feed them. That way they “learn how to learn” on their own.

Curriculum fads – I promise, if you let your husband truly lead in the area of curriculum choices, you will never get caught up in what is the latest, greatest.

Activity frenzy – ladies I see the children of ballet in the schools where I teach who are always frazzled, sick, tired, cranky, and talk about where they are going on the weekend! NO HOME LIFE for these children. It is non-existent. Children need and love home – to get up and know they have breakfast and a mom who will pray with them for their dad and be easy and gentle with their vulnerabilities – that they are safe and loved and understood and NOT forced out into the world when they are tired, sick, emotionally fragile and like young plants.

We put young plants in a greenhouse until they are strong enough to be planted out in the elements. We stabalize young trees so they won’t be blown over in the wind until their trunk grows strong. But we drag children around and ship them off to institutions and 6 flags and wear them out (and ourselves). Then we wonder why our marriage and family is weak or suffering??

Thank you,

Deborah Korpi

I’m delighted that we are having such wonderful comments and questions sent our way on the NHS loop.

It’s such a good thing to help each other think through the things that come up in the course of teaching our kids at home.

One question several of you have asked is if [...]]]> Dear NHS friends,

I’m delighted that we are having such wonderful comments and questions sent our way on the NHS loop.

It’s such a good thing to help each other think through the things that come up in the course of teaching our kids at home.

One question several of you have asked is if we would plan one of our meetings to talk about curriculum, books, and learning styles. That is such a great question, and I remember being “in the trenches” with my three kids, wondering if my little ones would ever learn to read or if my teens would ever be able to grasp algebra principles…and hoping, maybe, there might be that one math program I could buy that would make it all click.

Remember, Texas laws don’t require formal education until age 6, and the requirements are minimal. Homeschooling is considered “private school” under Texas laws, and we are given a lot of freedom in that regard.

Let me assure you – no one knows your child better than you! It’s a good thing to read up on what’s out there, to talk to others who have kids your kids’ ages, and to attend meetings, when you can, that address learning styles and curriculum topics. I have every confidence that you can choose something that will work for your kids – - and keep it within your own family’s budget.

For our NHS group meetings this year, Deborah and I want to keep encouraging you as wives, moms, and teachers of your own children. We want to encourage you not to give up – that what you are doing is worthwhile for raising your children.It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to create academic geniuses, but sometimes in the course of pursuing that, we lose focus on the really important things…family relationships, character training and raising our kids to know the Lord. This is our primary focus.

Just quickly, though, for those of you who are starting out and need some direction on “how-to’s” for the academics, let me point you to some resources already in place that can answer your questions:

There are already excellent resources for helping you choose curriculum and understand learning styles.

1. Keep your eye on the GWCHE website for those helpful monthly meetings.

2. Look online for some chat threads on homeschooling.

3.Take time to run over to the GWCHE library to see what books you can borrow.

4. If you have time, attend a bookfair – - I used to go to the GWCHE used curriculum bookfair to see what

others had used and ask them how well they did or didn’t like it!

- Arlington bookfair is coming up in early May. The guest speakers are usually top-notch and very helpful.

-Plano bookfair is usually in August. A much smaller fair than Arlington, they also have excellent speakers.

-then, there’s Austin & San Antonio, too.

5. Get together with friends and talk about what they use/what you use for school…Park Days and play dates are a good time to brainstorm while watching the kids play. Talk about what’s available and the strengths/weaknesses of those programs, if you’re interested in them – - but remember, most children will succeed in education with an attentive parent teaching them –it’s not necessary to spend a lot of $$ or even spend a lot of time on doing workbooks in the elementary school years.

**Caution** Always be careful and prayerful that you don’t compare your kids to someone else’s…children are as individual as snowflakes, and we don’t want to assume that what “works” for one child will “work” for all the others. That sure wasn’t my experience with my own three children!!!

 Let’s continue to help and encourage each other. I know you are wanting the best for your children.

Keep on praying for them and remember to give thanks that we have the freedom to teach them at home.

blessings, anne

Save the date: our next NHS meeting is March 28

Announcing our March meeting for NHS:

Monday, March 28th

Children Are A Gift From God Bible Verses

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is [...]]]> It was a true honor to share my heart with you precious young wives and mothers.

Children Are A Gift From God Bible Verses

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

My trip with my oldest son was a blessing and he continues to bless me as he freely talks to me and shares his heart which I am grateful that the Lord allows me to have. Our children are so forgiving and want to love us and to be loved. They don’t remember our failures and they stand with us as arrows – ready to face our enemies at the gate!!

Thank you, Amy. I am blessed that you have taken my advice to heart. Our husbands (God-given leaders) are the first in command – and we second lieutenants – responsible for carrying out the “orders” of the first in command. I was telling my husband about our talk and he wanted me to remind you that if your reaction is to think, “my husband never voices an opinion about anything,so I have to do it and make decisions,” it is because he has not been given the opportunity to rise to that position of leadership in your home.

 If you begin to ask his opinion in the small things and tell him that you desire for him to be the one making the decisions, he will slowly begin to shed his passive nature and you will see a bold and holy man of God unfold before your eyes. My husband wanted me to advise you that this could take some time. Andyou should be patient. He remembers being very passive as he followed his ownfather as a role model – his mother was dominant and father passive – and I followedmy own mother as dominant wife and my father was passive – we had to work at and STILL have to work daily at reversing that tendency to model our own parents.

But our homeschool would NEVER have worked and survived for 24 years without my husband beingthe head so I praise GOD that HE graciously and oftentimes reminded me of that truth and gave me many chances to correct my wrong attitudes and actions toward my husband.

The many, many, many familiesI have seen quit homeschooling over the years, have been because the roles of the husband and wife were reversed with the wife making all the decisions. Remember the two-headed monster… I recommend Power of the Praying Wife – read the prayers each day and each daystart the day with your children praying for DAD – who is out working hard to providea home for you to be safe and secure in. Your position as wife and mother is oneof privilege and if you let your children know that DAD is “king” as one of the moms shared with me, you will be giving your children the greatest gift in the world. And you will also become a very, very happy woman.

Ann~ I am very sorry about your mother-in-law. What a blessing she has in you. We missed you at the meeting too!

I was very encouraged about what Deborah had to say. God has really been teaching me a lot about the importance or respecting my husband, and has used Deborah in many ways to teach me this lately. One thing that stands out in particular is that she reminded us not to be traitors. Because our husbands are our God-given leader, any time we go a different direction than he is leading, we have become traitors. Anyone knows things can’t run smoothly that way, whether we are talking about a country, or a home.

And of course – I love having a break from my little ones, a chance to visit with friends, and my children love the diversion too!

Thank you for all you do.

~Amy

 Hi, NHS’ers!

 Thanks for your prayers for our family. My sweet mother-in-law had a stroke last weekend, and we’ve been in the process of making the necessary adjustments to our new “normal.” We are grateful that she didn’t experience the paralysis that often comes with a stroke, but some of her thinking skills have been compromised. I’m glad we live near Ron’s folks – it is a privilege to be able to walk through this with them. They’ve “been there” for us many times when we were in crisis.

I’m sad that I had to miss our meeting last Monday. Sure would love it if some of you would post on our Loop what encouraged you at the meeting. I know Deborah had some good things to say. What spoke to you? Was it something in her “talk” to the group? Was it just getting together with others and comparing experiences in parenting and homeschooling? -or, was it knowing that your children were being cared for so that you could have a little break?

Looking forward to hearing from you. There were quite a few from our group who weren’t able to come on Monday, so now is your turn to encourage them by sharing what helped you.

We are praying for you and your families as you begin the new week!

blessings, anne