Jesus' Precious Little Lambs

The Image of Homeschool

A feeling like I am in an “elite”, very very private school washed over me today as the beauty of our surroundings here in homeschool overcame my senses. Classical music playing in the background, a mommy’s budding artistic skills upon the chalkboard, voices lifted up in beautiful worship to the Lord during Circle, little prodigies of God sitting all around me with bright shiny face listening intently to my heart’s tale of Noah’s Ark…… If you are doing Christian homeschool with your child, you have every right to feel the same way!! Please don’t let the world influence your image of homeschool, especially your homeschool. I think the Urban Dictionary encapsulates people’s stereotypical thoughts about homeschoolers pretty well:

Homeschool: If you know someone with a matter-of-fact attitude who regularly makes awkward jokes/statements out of turn, exhibits hyper-White characteristics, or simply possesses a number less-than-desirable eccentricities, this is likely the agency to blame.

Pretty funny actually, but no, not the image you want to carry in your heart of your homeschooling. I pray your mind will not be conformed to the thinking of this world that there is something off beat, odd, or socially unacceptable about your children or your methods. I pray that you will see how VERY SPECIAL, very set apart, very extraordinary, how hallowed and holy your homeschool is. The Bible says foolish things shame the wise and weak things shame the strong (isn’t “foolish” how many people view homeschool?). Not to snub people who make other educational decisions, but to encourage you who may have ever felt mislabeled as a homeschooler: have no shame, your children are part of a very very elite Christian private school (and yet tuition is nil!). So I looked up the definition of elite to see if it rightly defined what I was feeling, and it brought up the image of Daniel 1:4 (the scripture promise I stand on for my homeschoolers).

Elitism is the belief or attitude that some individuals, who form an elite — a select group of people with a certain ancestry, intrinsic quality or worth, higher intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern.^[1]

I hoped it doesn’t sound like snobbery to you, but rather the calling of Christianity: having wisdom to govern, holding views that ought to carry weight in this world, exhibiting actions that build up society. Lets find some more analogies that show how awesome it is to homeschool children in the context of Christianity:

Ancestry: Christians are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17

Intrinsic Quality: Christians are ruled by love

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

Intrinsic Worth: Christians are being transformed into the image of Christ

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corintians 3:18

Higher Intellect: Christians think God thoughts

For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

Wealth: Christian have all their needs met according to His riches

And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. Philippians 4:19

Specialized Training: Christians are trained by the Holy Spirit

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

The precious blood of Jesus paid the price for you to exalt in your inheritnance. The price was too high for us to cringe in these inherited robes of righteousness. Friend, see yourself as blessed— trained, intelligent, worthy to run a homeschool that matches the image stamped upon you.

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 1 Peter 1:18

What is your image of homeschool? The world’s or Christ’s? Burn into your heart the image of your inheritance in Christ as the image you carry of your homeschool. I hope your sights will continue to raise from glory to glory!

Atmosphere is 1/3 of an Education

Sometimes we forget just how noble and lovely homeschooling is when it feels like an enormous effort to do meals, laundry, spelling, handwriting, exercise, math, groceries, literature, and memory verses all in a morning. I want to encourage you with Charlotte Mason’s wise words that “atmosphere is 1/3 of a child’s education”. You are the absolute perfect person designed to educate your child through the Christian atmosphere of your home. And simply through exemplifying a Christ-like attitude hour by hour, before even pulling out a book, you have already achieved 1/3 of your child’s education for that day!

Our children are going to learn more by living with us day in and day out than they will by reading about ratios and proportions. What we are—the ideas that rule our lives, the attitudes that rule our hearts, the actions and words that stem from those attitudes—will have a bigger impact on them than what they learn about some historical figure.
Once again Charlotte gently reminded us that the atmosphere of our homes makes up one-third of our children’s education. What we are speaks so much louder than what we do or plan to do.
I want my children to be “hourly the better” for spending their days with me. It’s a tall order that can be accomplished only with much prayer. Let’s renew our commitment to put forth the effort—daily—of living devotedly, acting lovingly, thinking correctly, and speaking kindly before our children.
It bears repeating:
“To ‘endeavour ourselves’ to the daily effort of education, to live and act, think and speak before the children, so that they shall be hourly the better for all that we are, is harder, no doubt, than to make one enormous sacrifice” (Vol. 5, p. 156). (SimplyCharlotteMason.com)

Nothing beats the atmosphere of a Christian HOME for educating children!!! Your Christ-like example and the Christ-like image of your homeschool will make a beautiful atmosphere for education. Your homeschool is extraordinary and distinguished, remarkable and distinct! Carry that image in your heart always.

Angelic Protection is a Promise

Beautiful Fall Art

Watercolor paper, white crayon, and quality watercolors (like Faber Castell, or even Crayola) are all you need to make these wax resist paintings. Make sure not to use poor quality watercolors (like Rose Art), to push down really hard when drawing a leaf pattern on the paper (before painting), and it should turn out gorgeous!

Pattern Block Math

Its good to use both templates and no templates

Holding Hands on a Nature Day

Roll Again Math

See October Plans for instructions

Snack Ball Cooking Project

I think you will love these super healthy snack balls! Even though the ingredient list looks expensive, they are cost effective because they are very filling. They are as yummy as eating cookie dough to me. 🙂

Gluten-Free Trail Mix Bites