Benefits of Homeschooling

I was homeschooled from pre-k to graduation, and I'm here to write a post from the homeschooler's perspective! Okay, please stay calm, because I am not going to bash public school, or say that homeschooling is the only way to go. I know there are some bad homeschool situations, and there are some wonderful public schools (my husband teaches at a great one!). I was asked to talk about the benefits of homeschooling from my point of view, with the key words being, my point of view. Each homeschool experience is unique, and is one of the things I like about it. I plan on homeschooling my kids in the future, but I don't think you are doing it wrong if you don't. It's your decision!

So, benefits of homeschooling:
#1. Socialization: What! You thought that homeschoolers have no socialization skills or opportunaties?! Like I said before, every person's experience (and personality!) is different. I know a family that lives quite a ways from town, and only hangs out with people at church and at home with their immediate and extended family. I also know a family who homeschooled because they travel and sing at so many places, and this gives them the opportunity to get to know hundreds and hundreds of people. I wasn't involved in sports or anything (first, because I hated playing sports, and second, because my parents have 6 kids and driving 6 different kids to all different sports events can be a nightmare) but I have always been outgoing, and as a teenager was super involved with our local homeschool association group. I love the fact that I have friends that are 17 and friends who are 60, and that it was that way for me growing up. It didn't matter the age, and I never was intimidated (however, I was taught to respect my elders) by 'grown-ups'.

#2. Having curriculum that fit me:
When I was a teenager I loved, loved, loved to write. I would write poems, short stories and even start (only finished two) novels. My mom caught on to my love for writing and found an English curriculum that taught me everything an 11th grader need to learn while getting to write a novel! Math and I never saw eye to eye, but because Mom saw my love for literature and history, she allowed me to read biographies and historical literature, and only lightly use stuffy textbooks (My brother, on the other hand doesn't think textbooks are stuffy, and actually quite likes them, so another instance where we got curriculum that fit us!). Actually being able to read literature and biographies for history caused me to have a greater love for it, and I still enjoy watching documentaries and reading about history (and squeal when the doctor goes back in time!).

#3. The lack of bullies and negative socialization:
I have a friend who's son is dealing with teasing and bullying at school, and it makes me so thankful to have been homeschooled. I'm not saying that my life was perfect, because when I was a teenager I did go through the normal 'be friends with a group of girls who talk about you behind your back, or who love to create drama whenever possible' stage, but what I went through was pretty minor compared to some. I also heard the 'sex talk' from my mom, and not from young teenage girls who know way too much, and yet so little.

#4. Having God be the center of our schooling:
It was because of a homeschool Bible lesson at the age of 6 that I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and every morning we continued to study, learn and grow as a Christian.

These are just a few of the reasons I loved homeschooling. Like I said before, everyone has their own unique experiences and opinions. These are mine, and I hope it helped you perhaps see it in a different light, or be encouraged as a homeschool mom to know that hey, maybe this homeschooling thing will work out after all. Hope this helped and blessed!

Oh, and one of my favorite videos from Blimey Cow about homeschoolers!

Blog Post #30 and 2000 views!!

Actually it's about 1,900 views, but I figured it was close enough to do a special post! I want to first say thank you to all who have taken the time to read my blog. My goal in these blog posts is for your walk with God to become stronger and closer (and to perhaps help you with some recipe ideas from time to time)!

So...there is a surprise in this post. You decide the next topic! You can comment on my Facebook wall, or comment on this post any topic, or any question you may have. I will then randomly choose (put your questions/names in a hat or something) the topic and then blog about it in the next post.

I would prefer the questions or topics to be of a biblical nature, however, if you want to ask questions about what it's like being a youth pastor's wife, my life in Thailand, or even about daily routine, etc., ask away.

I can't wait to see what questions you may have!

Everything Rides on Hope Now

I've heard the song 'Hope Now' by Addison Road many, many times, but the other day something really stood out to me. My name is Hope, and I heard the phrase, 'everything rides on hope, now' and thought 'what if everything rode on me and what I did?' Basically that would be horrible. But thankfully I don't have to worry about going through life alone, because things aren't riding on my performance, my abilities, or my power. God is in control, and he will never make you or me face things alone. I know this post might be short, but my goal is for you to be encouraged and know that whatever you may be going through right now, if you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you don't have to go through it by yourself.

Here are some verses to take comfort from:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9  
Be bold and courageous to share the gospel with others, and do what God has called you to do, because God will be there with you and for you!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Be Courageous! Be Encouraged! Those who trust in Jesus Christ can gain comfort, a shield, and strength, because not only is He on your side, but He is with you!

Look what I did!

Facebook has given me a lot of inspiration for blog posts, and today is no exception. This month is pastor appreciation month, and I encourage you to do something for your pastor (and his wife!) to show how much they mean to you. Unfortunately the person on Facebook decided to do something for their pastor and to post in great detail what they were going to do. It really felt like they were saying 'Please! Look at me and see all the wonderful things I'm going to do, because, if I'm going to do a good deed, I would like to get as much praise from it as I can'.
Now I want to say first off, that doing good things for people is wonderful! It is also human nature to want a pat on the back when we get done, but it's not God's way of doing a good deed. You see, as a Christian, if we do a good deed for others to praise us, then we are doing it for all the wrong reasons! We are supposed to be doing everything for the honor and glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31)
Jesus talked about this in his 'Sermon on the Mount'. He was talking about a people group called the Pharisees, who looked religious on the outside, but were very evil on the inside. This is not saying that those who let people know of their good deeds are evil, actually they are probably doing it with good intentions, I am just stating the fact that it's not God's way of doing things. I must admit, I've told people what I've done a time or two, so I could get recognition, but when I did that, I was doing the good deed for the praise, and not for God anymore.

Jesus said:
'Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'

Jesus said that when we let others know what we have done, then we get our reward then and there. If we wait for a heavenly reward, how much sweeter will it be! So the next time you want to support a missionary, help your pastor, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or when you want to fast, or be in prayer, don't be quick to let everyone know what you are doing (I mean, if you are trying to raise awareness for a cause, I understand that you want to let people know about it, but it doesn't mean you have to have an attitude of 'look what I've done'). Do good for Christ, and let him be the reward-er! If it seems like you will never get your reward, remember this verse:
'And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.' 
Galatians 6:9