TooManyFlowers

Well this year is evolving into a new adventure in our school world

Master J  is turning 17 this year and is embarking on Year 11, wow this was a little intimidating for me personally but we were facing it bravely……I felt strongly that I was not going to sacrifice his education for my “ideal”  (please take what I am saying in the spirit It was intended) so I was constantly looking for alternatives and extensions to MY offered  school experience

Master J  has had a desire to design ever since he began to play with Lego, and scribble things and plans down ranging from “battle plans” to Sim City type games on the computer……he loved the order and the system and the geometry and the design mixed with creativity too…it is interesting he is a first born with great organisational abilities but balenced with a huge creative slant (I was exactly the same as a teen too had a great prepensity to the creative arts BUT could not bear to spend all of my to time doing it like an artist would, so decided that a teaching degree would be a great and PRACTICAL second) I was and AM such a firstborn!! So is Josh!!

So Master J set his aim on Tertiary Education and an Engineering/Design course….my course was set too….I have to facilitate with him to achieve his goal, this was something that I was NOT going to fail him in!

In my thinking it was clear,  what a shame we do all this hard work for years and not get him to an academic or social/emotional/spiritual standard to achieve and not sink in the BIG world…….that was not an option in my mind. I would find a way, I would not cease until I found something that suited my standards and family situation.

Our family situation was complicated too, missions and travel has become a big part of our lives, to me Moscow and Edinburgh Tattoos are vital and immeasurable LIFE experiences that will imprint my kids forever…..as for Manila everyone who has followed my blogs KNOW the impact that experience has had on my kids, I would not change that for a million bucks!! So school had to FIT this family choice we had made…….seemed like a toooooooo hard call……but I think that we had some help from the eye that never sleeps and loves us endlessly, His hand was in everything we did and do

Psalm 37:23-24 (New King James Version)

²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

Anyway……………..

We actually ended up looking Open Access College (like long distance ed through the phone and internet hook ups)

We were initially looking for Design and Technology courses (CAD programmes etc, ) but once I saw what they offered and the flexibility that actually FITTED into my ideal (and J’s for that matter) I WAS SOLD!

WEEEELLLL was I impressed from the outset, the friendly staff and non-judgemental attitudes was only the start!

Our counsellor we saw was open and excited, she saw the work that J had achieved just from what we discussed (the Moscow Tattoo, the trip to Manila and the upcoming Tattoo in Edinburgh) she immediately began to explain that we could get credit for these LIFE EXPERIENCES that go towards his SACE score…….that excites me. Finally a “school” that was open and flexible enough to see with eyes that go beyond the 3R’s……that experiences matter, and life skills are vital to achievement in the future.

So as we were winding up with some work/books this year I decided to bite the bullet and enroll him in subjects that will give him points towards his SACE.  How exciting!! I also have the flexibility to keep plodding with the things I WANT him to learn still…….now that is what I have always wanted also.

Now Master J will relate to 4 teachers as well as me…great preparation for tertiary, but we still have a certain amount of control over the “environment” through the telephone he can still be at home in my care……how neat is that!

He will work over 3 years (maybe more) in his SACE…….and will streamline down to subjects that give him a TER score for entrance into Uni…..all with someone who KNOWS the system and can work it better than I ever could! Why 3 years and not the traditional 2, I guess why NOT?? Why the rush? Why the push? When kids like Master J have a multitude of commitments outside school the extra time is a boon……no rush and pressure either. No problem if he wants to do more mission trips either…all achievable. Besides I am convinced boys and lads are NOT ready at 17ish to make impacting life changing decisions why not leave it till later???

So he will embark on 4 subjects this semester and 2 next (coinciding with a self study unit on The Edinburgh Tattoo) which will all sow points into his SACE score……….I am relieved to tell you all the truth and encouraged that God saw my need and supplied……

Only believe homeschoolers, He is interested in the least and greatest things we attempt………

I say I am a blessed Mum and Teacher!

I have just read this article on CurricClick and Evonne kindly allowed me to repost it on my blog……if you need a laugh and an insight into the CYCLES OF HOMESCHOOL…have a read!!!

Homeschool Makeover

Does your homeschool need a “Makeover?” Are you like me in need of an “Intervention?” Can you relate to my experience?

In Preschool the “world was our oyster.”  We would homeschool when we wanted to and where we wanted.  We even homeschooled at Starbuck’s over a 2 shot soy latte, and a child’s Frappucino.  Life was good!

Then age 4 came around with a cold chill; and we decided it was time to bunker down.  Expensive DVDs were ordered; and Mom’s frown became her accessory of choice- because it was time to get serious! And serious he got.  No playgroup in the morning any more.  Baby sister had to be kept away for serious kindergarten work was occurring.  The musty storage room was turned into a school with creaky desk and all.

It went on like this for a year, until I realized “this was no fun!” The breaking point for me was when my child said to me, “you’re not my teacher, Mrs. _____ (the Video Teacher) is my teacher.” No more! I was going to be the creative Supermommy Homeschool Star that I knew was buried inside of me.  We were going to have a HOMESCHOOL MAKEOVER!

Out went the creaky desk, and in came the butterflies.  Out went the workbooks, and in came the “Magic School Bus.”  If it wasn’t hands-on, I was hands-off.  If it didn’t require a field trip, I left it out in left field.  However, in our homeschool bliss one major problem occurred.  That same child that could sit for 4 hours through a school completely on DVD, was now climbing on the walls and thought he was a butterfly when it was needed to sit and learn.  There is only so many field trips one can take to teach a kid to write his name! And this creative Homeschool Diva was ready to hang up her boa, and call the Insane Asylum.  I was so sure there was a special unit for homeschool moms who thought they could do it all!

Well, after being told I could not afford the padded walls on one income, I had to find another solution.  I needed to give our family another “Homeschool Makeover!” It was time to make a change- but how- I wanted structure back.. but I wanted creativity too. Aha! My grand solution- structure for the core classes- and creativity in all the electives.

Ah! My golden moment of clarity! All it took was a little soul searching, and my Makeover Moment happened.  Yours Can Too! It is never too late to have a Homeschool Makeover! And hey, maybe I’ll see you over a latte with your new homeschool accessory- a smile on your lips!

Evonne Mandella is the author of the “Read Hebrew Today” Series which teaches families to read the Biblical Languages in Minutes.  She is also the author of the  the Hands-on Bible Curriculum “Wholesome Learning”- a Multi-Level Bible Curriculum with a Biblical Language Focus.
Her series of Curriculum are available for instant download at currclick.com
She also can be found at www.wholesomelearning.com

To my dear Homeschooling friends today I sit on a balcony in another part of the world Baseco Manila, I am struck by the awesome privileged and freedom we have as Homeschoolers…… ultimately we have control over our kids direction and heart direction, very rarely do kids have the freedom or flexibility to see other cultures and hear other culture sounds and smells we have all in front of us.

Sweet families see the freedom and embrace the freedom we have, to serve God and our communities in a way some people could only dream of. I am full of encouragement today as I see the awesome opportunity we have to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!! To impact our kids for life and the community around us.

Sisters and Brothers think BIG, we have such a BIG God and He promised that we would do greater things than even he did on earth…….WOW, tea, coffee and cakes are good (Amen!!!!) but this let me tell you is BETTER, this is life an we are living it.

We have money, we have freedom and we have God what more could we need!!

The world is our footstool………….literally

Make a way, find a way to do something radical and different

WHY

Because we can!

Love Cath

This Article really encouraged me

Sourced from

www.curriclick.com

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY

“My child wants to go to public school,” said one mom with an exasperated expression.  “My daughter cried herself to sleep last night because she says she has no friends,” said yet another. Why are we hearing things like this so often within so many homeschool settings?

We are using all the right curriculum.  We are creative, biblical, high-tech.  We have homeschooled in the woods, and climbed through ear canals under our kitchen tables.  How could our kids want to go to a traditional school?  What went wrong?

I believe the one crucial element many of us have missed in our homeschool journey is the value of community.  Every homeschool parent I know is “so busy!”  Many of us wonder,  how we could possibly get out for play dates, or attend a homeschool co-op? Many of us are secretly stay up to 10 pm, just trying to make sure our 8th grader’s math is finished. We have pizza boxes overflowing out of our garbage pails.  And, we can’t remember the last time we made a home cooked meal, unless you count macaroni and cheese!

Have you ever noticed that all of us are soooo behind in our curriculum?  May I share a realization I have had that I hope may help you?  There is good news.  The problem is not that we are so behind! The problem is our own perspective!  Many of us have gotten stuck trying to keep up with the “Joneses,” while the “Joneses” are trying to keep with us!  And, the result is- we are all getting burned out.  And, our children, for all our good intentions, are missing out.

So, how can we have a different perspective?  First, if our homeschool (the academic side) is taking over our lives, we are stuck in a homeschool rut!  We must retrain ourselves to look at our homeschool from a more holistic approach.    Let’s try telling ourselves (and try to really believe it) that we do not need to do every assignment our curriculum offers.
Second, if our curriculum consistently requires us to stay up to 10 o’clock every night,  perhaps it is time to try an inexpensive alternative.

Finally, we must decide what is truly valuable.  To do this, think back with me to when you were a child.  What was most important to you?  If you are like me- the most important things were friends, family, and candy! Well, guess what is valuable to your kids too?  Let’s keep that childlike spirit in mind when we make plans for your homeschool.  As a believer, I also want to instill in my children a love for Christ, and make Him the cornerstone of our day.

So let’s start a revolution against the “I’m too busy mentality!”  Maybe it is time we join that co-op?  Let’s choose activities that the whole family can do together.  Let’s go to that extra church event!  Let’s organize a group of homeschool kids for a trip to a nursing home, or homeless shelter.  Our kids will be doing good deeds, and getting the interaction they crave!  Everybody wins!

And, next time the yellow bus goes by, our children just might be having too much fun with their new friends to even notice!

Evonne Mandella is a Jewish Christian and teaches the Currclick Live Class “Learn to Read New Testament Greek Today.” She is also the author of the “Read Hebrew Today,” “Read New Testament Greek Today,” series, and “Wholesome Learning” (a Multilevel Bible Curriculum with a focus on the Biblical Languages.  She lives with her husband and her two children in Dothan, Alabama.

“A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.”
~Author Unknown

“To teach is to learn twice.”
- Joseph Joubert

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”
- John Cotton Dana

This post is from a dear fellow homeschooler  Susan, who inspires me greatly…….you will find some more inspiring and thought provoking posts on her blog, take sometime to look around….it is worth your time!!

http://kerugma.net/

Did you know that I’m not much different to a biker? My husband was a biker, not just rode a bike but was a biker, in every true sense of the word. He lived by a code. I wasn’t not a biker by any stretch of the imagination. But I still lived by a code- a different code to that of my husband but a code nevertheless. We can all tend to live by a code if we’re not careful. Just because we stick a Jesus or fish sticker on the code, doesn’t make it right.

Thankfully God revealed Himself to us and He poured His grace upon us. Ah, the freedom, the liberty, the absolute peace that living under grace was all about was astounding. The Holy Spirit moved through us as we ministered to others and He also ministered to us directly. I was young in the faith but my love for God and His word, my passion and zeal was strong. I knew I had things to learn but I also knew where I’d come from and how much God had taught me in a relatively short time. I knew He would continue to teach me- and then I would know it was truly His work in me- not a work of the flesh.

Early on in our marriage, John and I were in ministry and had learned something of the ‘cows that Christians hold sacred’. What a Christian is supposed to do and not supposed to do- according to Scripture…supposedly. Our sacred cows are often nothing more than filthy rags…an outworking of the flesh.  We have always fought against sacred cows both in Church life and personal Christian life.

When our children came along we wanted the best for them. We wanted to train them in the ways of the Lord and build solid relationships with them- encouraging them always toward God. We wanted to help them to discover their God-given gifts and talents. We wanted to encourage them to serve the Lord with their whole heart. To serve man, as serving the Lord.

With great enthusiasm we entered the wide world of home education. It was exciting and everything we wanted for our family. I started to see better ways of homeschooling. Better ways of training our children. More godly ways of teaching our children. More godly forms of dress, of eating, of playing, of work.

Sacred Cows.

I have lived through the ‘Thief in the Night’ era, the scare of the New Age movement, the Christian Rock era, the laughing spirit, the gold dust, gold teeth, spiritual barking in the aisles, spiritual dancing era and much more. Fads fall in and out of fashion, even within Christianity, sadly. These  teachings all have a place but we can tend to take them to extremes and become unbalanced.

I see a danger.

We live on the super information highway. We have so much information available to us that it’s just plain scary. It’s confusing. Daunting. Overwhelming. Constantly, we are told by the media what to think, what to wear, what to eat, how to spend money, etc. As believers who are slaves of Christ and not the world, let us not conform to man made traditions…we shouldn’t check our brains at the church door just because it is church. Or just because a book/teacher/lovely woman said so.

As a Christian who sees the danger in this modern world it is easy to embrace the sacred cows of homeschooling. And one thing I have learned is that homeschooling is often extreme. Sure it’s extreme in many ways and I actually love and appreciate that. But the extreme baggage that comes with it is something I do not appreciate.  Maybe you didn’t know it beforehand, but the homeschooling lifestyle often has its own CODE. Just like bikers have their code, so can we.

After all, I desired to serve God with my whole heart. I want nothing more than to dedicate my life to serving Him. I want my children to know Him as I know Him. I desire that they love Him as I love Him. But in this day, how can I be sure that will happen? By living according to the code. I’ve often seen it applied and lived out as a formula, but another term is ‘a code’. Regardless, it’s a trap, it’s wrong. It’s an idol.The code takes biblical principles and makes a law out of them. The code replaces grace. The code is cleverly disguised. The code is upheld as being better, more godly, more spiritual, etc but it is simply another system. Another law. Another set of standards in which to live by. There is no grace involved in the practical sense, only in the words.

What is this code? What exactly is in this code that so many start to innocently and genuinely embrace? The homeschool code may have started with God’s commands but it has added to it. It has complete doctrines built around it. It is putting words into the mouth of Scripture that simply are not there. But there is a feeling of safety in the code. It’s easier to look toward a code for how to live than to trust in God for every step.

I believe that much of the homeschool code is a knee-jerk reaction. We don’t want to be worldly so the opposite of that must be …The Code! Matters of preference and liberty are made into Law. We replace God’s actual Law and principles with our own interpretation of what we believe God’s principles OUGHT to be. Replacing God’s word (and grace, freedom, liberty, relationship) with a code robs us of our freedom and our joy in Christ. What? Does our freedom in Christ mean we can wear pants, buy store-bought bread and not head cover? True Christian freedom comes from having the freedom not to sin. That’s it. Anything more and it becomes the code.

The Law

Okay so what does this Homeschool Code look like?
Homeschool, homebirth, anti-vaccination, home-made cooking, home made bread, grinding own wheat, dresses only, plain dresses only, no pants, head-covering, training girls to only be SAHM, no university for girls, home business, homesteading, country life, father-centred homes, quiverfull,courtship, no tv…oh boy, the list just goes on and on. It’s all preference, not mandated. Now these are not bad or wrong. In themselves they’re good issues seriously and prayerfully consider. But they are not law. They are not a formula for success. Adhering to them will not achieve salvation or be pleasing to God. Salvation is made possible because of the fullness of Christ and the work on the Cross. These issues are not wrong in and of themselves but they can become idolatrous. Idolatry begins in our heart- anything that takes the place of God.

Funny thing I’ve noticed is that despite all the teaching to the contrary it is often the homeschool mums who are striving for for this type of life…often it is she who read, studies and decides ( or puts the matter convincingly before her husband) upon this lifestyle. There’s an ideal lifestyle. That ideal looks pretty much perfect. And many strive for it. The result? Burnout, frustration, feeling of failure, feeling of guilt or sin…

I know. I was guilty of it. I read the books. I developed the vision. I strove toward it. My husband’s view of most issues hasn’t changed since the day we met. My ideals changed as I read books that purported the Christian Homeschool Code.

I believe God wants more from us than that. He wants more than His people living out a code. He wants relationship. He wants to lead us- daily. He wants us to go to Him, not man. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the shows we watch, the books we read. He will give us His direction for our family. In fact, He did give my husband direction…but it wasn’t the same as what the Homeschool Code suggested and I tried to change our direction.

It’s a danger. It’s reactive. Why do you do the things you do? Where do you hope it will get you?

I don’t know if I have made any sense here. These are unprocessed thoughts I’ve had tumbling through my mind. I wrestled with the thought of not even publishing this post as I don’t wish to discourage anyone but after leaving it as a draft for some time I do believe need to speak it. I don’t know if anyone else but me needs to hear it, but I need to speak it. if none of this makes any sense to you, just put it out of your mind. If it bugs you, then feel free to ask me to clarify or feel free to comment and disagree. But most of all, pray about it and seek the Scriptures. Not a writer or a book but God’s word.

What sacred cows do you hold? Who or what do you serve? Really?

“Just as eating against one’s will is injurious to health, so studying without a liking for it

spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in.”

Leonardo Da Vinci