A Little About a Christian Hero

A little note: I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because even we grandmoms have been affected by this texting generation. :)

Most folks who know me know that Sunday School is close to my heart. I love teaching and always develop a special affection for the children who are in my class. Do your children like to go to Sunday school? If you’re in a church which, for whatever reason, has decided not to have one that’s certainly not a sin. Nowhere in Scriptures are we commanded to do so. But many Christians feel it does bring a wealth of benefits to the young and so do I.

Many people don’t know how, where, or when the first Sunday school came into existence. It’s quite a story, born in the heart of a man named Robert Raikes who was concerned about poor ragged children in his native England. At first, these children were taught to read and write as well as given spiritual training because it was the only school these particular children attended. When others heard of the success of this school held on Sundays, many more such schools cropped up all over England and the movement's eventual spread throughout the world is history. 

Read more about Mr. Raikes at The Church History for Kids site. Incorporate this article into the history studies of your school at home. Tell your sons and daughters about this man who believed the world marches forth on the feet of little children. I agree with him.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Topsy-Turvy

In the midst of finishing up the income taxes and scrambling to get our third quarter school work in, we had to take hubby to the ER Monday afternoon whereupon they kept him overnight and took forever releasing him late yesterday. (He was feeling some discomfort in the chest for a week or so, and the doctor didn't want to play around with that. However, all tests revealed that it's not his heart, but probably a digestive issue, so we're thankful for that.) So, we hopefully also have some car issues straightened out as well and life is going on? A bit on the topsy-turvy side, but going on anyway.

Please forgive me for not checking in on all of you more often, but I'll try to get by later today. No matter what's going on in our lives, Jesus reigns.

Hobbling Along

"He who limps is still walking." ~ Stanislaw J. Lec

I ran across this quote a few weeks ago and took note of it then. I don't know who this fellow is that said it, but I said to myself "Now that's the right attitude to have." Then, a couple of days ago, I saw it again and it had an even greater impact. You see, when I got up on Monday morning, I realized that my right big toe was hurting when I walk. I have no idea why; it's almost as if it was injured, but when and how who knows? Well, it still hurts to walk on it, but thankfully I am walking, even if it's not a very pretty walk.

Even worse than that is my husband. He went for an MRI on his hip Monday (it gives him trouble off and on) and since then, he's been in a lot of pain, probably because of lying in an uncomfortable position for that long. At least I only hurt when I walk, he hurts all the time right now, and getting into a comfortable position lying down is quite a challenge!

I talked to our daughter Bev earlier and she has this sciatic type pain from time to time and is having it pretty big time today! So we're quite a crew, aren't we?

Neesie has to work extra days this week so Chuck and I are needing to take her back and forth to work more days than usual, so that has added to the fun. At least, driving isn't painful for me, and for him I guess it's no worse than lying down.

So that's where we are with things right now. Thought I better check in. The taxes are done; third quarter grades were mailed in on Tuesday; and we've started putting our new products online. Go check them out when you get a chance! And please pray for us!

Thursday Already

Well, hi dear friends. I have been neglecting my poor little blog here, I know. Can you believe it's Thursday already? Where in the world has the time gone?

In this household, it's the usual. Poor Neesie is bogged down under with schoolwork, and me? For one thing, I have started the income taxes and wonder of wonders, have remained sane so far! But then, I've only gotten ten percent through it, so that's not saying much. Seriously, though, since we switched to the H & R Block online tax service, it has been far far better than the old days. So much of the info is saved from previous years, and they do help guide you through the process. For us, it is worth the $29.95, so this is a little plug for the H & R online. Also, my sanity has remained more intact since I start it a bit "earlier" (that is, late March instead of early April!), and only do a small segment at a time. Somehow, it's seems less painful that way. I guess you can tell, there is not a lot of love for the IRS around here, and we don't even usually have to pay them anything! Unfortunately, it must be an area of besetting sin which should be given over to the Lord. That's not a joke.

Also, we're in the middle of developing new products at Speakable Gifts, some which are wedding related, so please pray for my daughter Bev and me as we seek God's help and direction in this. I'll let you know when we have it pretty much all together.

But we're still looking to Jesus in our little corner of the world. I know many of you are too. I'm going to try to "steal" some moments here and there through the course of the day to check on some of you to see what you're up to!

A Needed Lighter Moment

In honor of geometry, which is trying to drive me batty:

What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?

Answer: Pumpkin pi.

Now that was funny, unless you have no clue what a circumference or a diameter is, and if that's the case, you may be better off. Maybe it's me, maybe I'm too old for this,maybe it's just that I would rather be doing about ten other things, but trying to work through and understand geometry with Neesie is getting. . .Well, let's just say I'll be glad when it's over. At first I liked it, if you remember my post a while back, but I think I've joined the ranks of countless others, especially girls, who consider it something that exists to make life just a bit more difficult. One book said that geometry is "a giant puzzle with interlocking pieces that you must snap together." Sorry to say, but it's not quite as enjoyable as those jigsaw puzzles that I have sitting in the other room that are so relaxing to work through. And who were all those people who figured all of this out anyway? That Euclid must have been quite a guy. I'm glad not to know him, lol. Oh well, this too will pass.

And on top of that, I need to get to the income taxes. That's another post, though. It would not be early spring without my talking about the taxes.

Please excuse the autumn picture in the springtime. Wish I had a piece of pumpkin pie right now.

Proving Myself

I've recently made a rather strange discovery: I like geometry. In fact, I really like it--a lot. When my older daughter Bev was going through this unpleasant experience (for her), we had folks in our life who were available and willing to help her get through it, but Neesie's situation is different and there is really no one convenient to help, other than the teachers at ABeka.There are times when that may be useful, but you can just imagine how needful it is to have someone right on the spot to work with any student. Unfortunately, her dad and I never had the subject when we were in school. Well, at this late stage in my life, I am trying to learn it as best I can so that I can better talk to her about why the answers are what they are in my teacher key. And I am learning! And wow, is it ever fascinating! (I think my daughters view me as a bit odd that I enjoy it so much, but they shouldn't be surprised considering their mom is one of those weird people who likes to do logic puzzles while sitting in waiting rooms and riding in the car.)

Neesie says it has helped that I can talk to her about things and make some sort of sense when I couldn't before. I'm still behind where they are in class, but pray I can keep up enough to help her with the many ins and outs of angles, quads, triangles, and the rest. At least now I know what S.A.S. means and what a transversal is ! (Okay, I'm showing off.) Now if I learn to do a proof all by myself without looking in the teacher's book, I will really have proved myself! I'm getting a lot of help from Geometry for Dummies (appropriate for me), so by and by, maybe I'll get there.

Anyway, I can't spend my days doing geometry. I have to cook, clean, drive the mom taxi, grocery shop, and all that boring stuff. So. . . . blogging is being pushed aside again. But I'll be back! And I'll sneak in to see you my dear friends every little chance I get. That is, when I'm not doing geometry!

Will Rogers' Reflections

Will Rogers died in 1935. I sure wish he was around today so that he could make some more observations. He would have a field day. But then, what he saw then was not too different from what he would see now. Only now it's a lot worse. Well, here are a few of his amusing quotes from my daughter's lit book. I'll probably be coming from time to time with other nuggets from either her literature or history books. Thank God, ABeka is still teaching solid American History and may I say, teaching it quite well. They also do a great job of giving the students thoughts from the hearts and minds of many of the great Americans (of all races) who made this country unlike any other.

Now a few chuckles from Will. That is, if you're still able to laugh about these things. Which quote is your favorite?

• I am going to Washington as a delegation of one from the American Comedians' Association to get us some aid. No industry has been hit worse than us professional humorists. There is just too much unconscious amateur talent among our elected officials.
• 
  Say, can't you just see a Cabinet meeting? The secretary of war reports: "Sir, wars--none; peace--none; average: 50 percent." The postmaster general reports: "Sir, so many letters sent, so many letters received, so many letters lost."; The secretary of agriculture reports: "Sir, farms in the U.S.--eleven million; farms mortgaged--eleven million; farms carrying second mortgages--10,998,634. The department reports progress." The secretary of labor reports: "Sir, number of people laboring--ten million; people living off people laboring--ninety eight million, including twenty-three million government employees."
• 
  If you want to know when a war might be coming, you just watch the U.S. and see when it starts cutting down on its defenses. It's the surest barometer in the world.
• 
  Well, I'll tell you, the country is doing fine, if we can just keep some prominent man from getting up and crab it by saying: "We have reached the bottom."
• 
  A fool that knows he is a fool, is one that knows he don't know all about anything. But the fool that don't know he is a fool, is the one that thinks he knows all about anything.
• I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

School's In Session

That's right! We just completed our fourth day of the new school year. I can barely believe I have a Junior in high school now. I can barely believe that we have survived ten years of homeschooling and have now started the eleventh year! Only the Lord could have brought us this far--we never could have done it without Him. In the beginning of it all I said I would take a year at a time, and each year we decided to do it again! At first,we lovingly called ourselves the "Solid Rock Christian School", but the fact of it is that we are a satellite school of ABeka Academy in Florida. We've been in the video/dvd program almost the entire way, and for high school we've been doing it for credit with the school, which means papers have to be sent in by a certain date. Keeps me on my toes! Otherwise, I would be forever dragging my feet grading quizzes and papers and keeping up the grading sheets.

I wasn't happy about having to get back into the school routine, but now I've settled in. Got all our books where they should be. Got all the tests and quizzes put in the place where they should be. Doing my assignment sheets every other day, and enjoying the sound of the the video teachers (and often the chuckles from my daughter over goings on in the video classroom). Actually, I like the sound of the teachers as they instruct the kids in the classroom, and their often remarks to "you who are listening at home..." Especially Mr. McBride. He's a favorite around here and Neesie has him for TWO subjects this year: Bible and American History. The latest of his was filmed in 2007, so I often wonder what Mr. McBride would be saying about the things going on in government today. Neesie will have him again next year when he's her teacher for American Government. I wish you could hear this guy when he teaches--he is something else. All the young people LOVE his class. Btw, he's a staunch conservative politically.

And all week the weather has been GORGEOUS here. A little cool for some people's liking, but I could keep it all year. How's it in your neck of the woods?

Spelling Bee

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the National Spelling Bee tonight, while wondering how these kids can be so smart! In the entire two hour plus program, there was only one word that I've seen before and I wouldn't have been able to spell that if my life depended upon it. This young lady was the winner in a hard fought battle. Her name is Kavya Shivashankar (she got a head start early on by learning to spell her own name), and she seems like a sweet young thing. It's always a blessing to see something good in the news and to see young people achieving something worthwhile. So this was a nice break from all of the bad news we have to read and hear about every day.

Well, no spelling bees here. Believe it or not, today was the last day of regular classes on our home school dvd's and after a study/work day tomorrow, next week is finals. I CANNOT believe the year is almost over! We are so excited. Pray for my student if you think of it. She's had a good sophomore year, so pray that she ends well.

Done!

April wouldn't be April if I didn't make at least one post about income taxes. You see, this has traditionally been a stressful time for me. But for the past couple of years, it's been getting better and better. All because of H & R Block online service! It has made all the difference, as I have been doing just a little bit at the computer, for a half hour or so in the mornings, and slowly but surely the taxes have been getting done. You plug in the figures, they do all the computations, as well as telling you whether or not you should itemize, what credits you can or can't take, and other helps. Today I did the last segment; I paid the $50 (not that cheap maybe, but cheaper than a tax preparer); and all I have to do now is print the return, sign and mail it. All done, and it's only the 2nd of the month. Anyone who knew me in the early days of blogging knows that I've been usually at the last minute, like say the 12-14th of the month finishing up, so this is quite an achievement. I'll take whatever pats on the back you want to give!

Now if we can get Neesie's third quarter grades and work in the mail by the middle of next I may just be able to keep my sanity after all. No more work tonight, though. Tonight I'm going to relax for a while, maybe read a few blogs.

Tuesday Tips

I don't know why I'm having so much trouble of late getting to making blog posts. There seems to be one "pressing need" after another that needs my attention. For instance, the gift I ordered for my granddaughter coming in with half of it missing, whereupon when I call the vendor I find out that they don't automatically send in the missing part but you have to return the whole thing, wait for them to issue the return slip, or whatever it is, before you send it back for credit, etc.etc. After bragging about how I do most of my shopping online, this doesn't say too much for me as to how well I checked out the return policy at this place. So now I've been online trying to find it somewhere else because I'm afraid to order from this place again. Whew!

Next, I've had a health insurance situation needing attention, and you know how it is to get on the phone with automated systems and the like, and that took forever.

Now, I've somehow (only me) lost the map activity book and key which was supposedly included in our curriculum materials which came in July, but I can't for the life of me remember where I put it. So Neesie's been assigned map activities by the video teacher, but this scatterbrained home teacher can't find the materials she needs!

I wanted to make this post this morning, but every time I want to make a post, these are the type of things that happen. These mixed in, of course, with the normal duties. Then, I have to confess that lately I've gotten distracted with some things that perhaps I shouldn't let take up my time, but being one of those curious types, I've been keeping up with certain happenings which I really have found intriguing, and that too has kept me from blogging as much.

I got this bright idea. I thought about passing on some of the helpful info I get from some friends who send me forwards, many containing humorous tidbits or helpful hints. So that's what this post is really all about. I'm starting a new category and calling it "Tuesday Tips" ( I don't know if anyone else is doing anything like this, but if so, please forgive me as I'm not being a copycat on purpose). Not always, but on some Tuesdays I'll pass along some of the information or even lighthearted nuggets I get from my friends. I'm thinking most of it will be helpful to folks who come here, even if just to give them a chuckle in their day. So here's the first one. It's a note that may be copied by all of my pet owning blog friends.

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - pet nose height:


Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food.
The other dishes are mine and contain my food.
Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.
Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.
It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible.
I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom.
If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.
I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not required.
The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's back parts. I cannot stress this enough!

The Media

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8

Neesie has to do current events for her history class, and I hadn't noticed this before, but the following words were in the teacher's manual under the current events' description:

". . . You will greatly influence the opinions your students form. Some of your responsibilities in this area will be guiding your students thinking, helping them to review the news in the light of the Word of God, and pointing out to them that what they read in newspapers or hear on newscasts is not necessarily the pure, unbiased truth. Newspapers adopt editorial viewpoints and slant their interpretation of current happenings to reflect editors' opinions. . . ."

My goodness! The copyright date on this manual is 1998--ten years ago. See how mildly and sweetly put it is? I wonder what the people who wrote this are saying now? I wanted to say quite a few things about the media, folks, but I don't think I can get the words down properly, I am so disgusted and frustrated with what I have been seeing happening during this presidential campaign. With but a few exceptions, I have been offended, repulsed, annoyed, and a few other verbs which you might think of, including nauseated. It's almost reached the point where I am having difficulty turning the radio or TV on or reading what the Associated Press and all those other guys are feeding the public. It's as if all sense of fairness and truthfulness in reporting has died. So the American public is suffering. Many are being fed a steady diet of slop and swallowing it, wherein those seeking the bare facts are struggling across a desert, simply wanting to find just a sip of truth. We have to look here and go there, trying to get at the root (the truth) of what's being reported.

Where does this leave us? How do we fight so gigantic a foe as the media, and the world of entertainment? Prayer. Pray to our God, friends. If you'd like to see integrity return, ask Him to help us and direct us. Maybe He'll show us what we can do. Pray that He will defeat whoever the enemies may be of truth, especially where it affects the future of our country. Pray that all reporting that is founded on lies, bias, and partiality will be turned back upon the heads of the ones who are responsible. God is able to do this.

Yesterday our pastor mentioned in prayer that we must not fret and worry over this election. We must remember Who is in charge of all things. I need to be reminded of this over and over again.

Here is a site where I have found reports which don't seem to be quite as slanted. If I run into any others, I'll let you know. If you know of any, please let the rest of us know. The site is Politico. com.

Update: Even though I have found some pretty balanced news reports on Politico, something came up today that caused me to suspect that they too need to be carefully monitored for fairness. I don't want to lead anyone astray!

Note: See the first post in this series for the ground rules on comments.

I think I should mention here that while I want to stay away from accusations against others in comments, I feel that since this is my blog and series, my making this accusation of unfairness by the media is legitimate and it definitely impacts this election. But feel free to respectfully disagree with me if you think my contention is unfounded. Basically, this post is one of many calls to prayer which you will see in this series. Thanks for understanding!

Returning to Normal

We're back in school at this house! It's our tradition to begin BEFORE September, so we can get a head start on things. One lesson down, with approximately 179 to go! These lessons are usually spread out between the end of August and the beginning of June, so we're on our way! Tenth grade is going to be a rough one, with six courses and six heavy workloads from ABeka Academy. PLEASE remember us in your prayers, if our family comes to mind.

Our busy summer is just about over -- it seems as if there were so many things going on all the time. We're settling down now (sort of), and other than awaiting the birth of another grandchild in a couple of months, with her big sister turning two in a week or so, life is hopefully returning to "normal," whatever that is. Oh, btw, the "In the Beginning" production at Sight and Sound Theaters is fantastic!

Over the next day or so, I hope to get around to visiting friends, whom I've neglected horribly. Thanks for understanding, guys!

A Day in the Life

Oh my goodness. It's April 15th. I forgot to do the income taxes. Just kidding. Actually, I'm showing off because we mailed them exactly one week ago. I think that's a record. You could view this as an ad for H & R Block TaxCut Online because since we've started filing our taxes through them, I have been doing so much better with the whole thing. This year it was completely stress free, and if anyone remembers my post from last year, you'll be able to tell that each year it's been a little better. I am SO thankful.

Today is also our dog Frodo's fifth birthday. Happy Birthday, Fro! Mama's going to check in a bit to see if I can dig out a bone from somewhere in the freezer. I think in people years Fro is about thirty-five. Somehow that just doesn't fit. Those who know him will know what I mean. I don't imagine him ever being an adult--I think he's forever locked into puppyhood.

The best part of today is that I'm wrapping up the third quarter papers to be sent to ABeka Academy. Do you believe that? It seems just a few weeks ago that I made that post on the first day of school. After tying up a couple of loose ends today, we will actually be mailing in the third quarter work. That translates into Neesie's freshman year being three-fourths complete! Unbelievable. Please give us a pat on the back, folks. But actually, we can only give credit to our kind and compassionate God. We could not have gotten this far without His mercies and will not get through this final quarter without Him.

And that brings me to one final thought for the day. See those flowers up above? A sweet and caring sister in the Lord (and sister homeschooling mom) sent those to Neesie and me last week as an encouragement on our homeschool journey. She also sent us CDs with messages to cheer us on our way. One of these CDs was a truly inspiring one entitled "Mothers, This is War", which had been taped at a homeschool convention and it helped set me even more firmly on the course. I wasn't familiar with the speaker, Shelley Hendry, but I'd recommend her to any of you out there who could use a little motivation as moms. Anyway, these flowers and the various messages that ministered to my heart are all to be included in the mercies given by the Lord to me lately. Thanks to my dear sister, whom I've only known a short while, and thanks to my Heavenly Father for sending her encouragements.

And a good day to all of you!

Get Up

I got my latest Nutrition Action newsletter yesterday and the cover story is "Chair Today-Gone Tomorrow." From that title, you can guess what's being primarily discussed this month. The subtitle for this article is "Why you need to move from your seat to your feet." Well, this article really put me in action today. According to the article, "we're a nation that sits," and is that ever true. We sit at the computer; at desks; at ball games; in cars, trains, and airplanes; and of course, for TV watching. I could give loads of other examples. The invention of remote control gadgets has not helped any either. As is brought out in this article, how do you think this affects your weight, heart and blood sugar levels?

I was thinking about those of us who are housewives. Surely this isn't true of us, is it? Now maybe this is not as true of us as it is of the office worker, but we probably sit a lot more than our grandmothers did. With all of the latest inventions that we have in our homes--dishwashers, microwaves, automatic washers and dryers, etc. it gives more time to...well, sit. For me, this article has stirred me to more activity around my house and I hope it lasts beyond today. Here are some of the ways that I've resolved to be more active carrying out my normal household, teaching, and business duties:

• When I'm at the computer (such as now), I'll try to make sure I get up every fifteen, twenty minutes or so to do something. There's always something that I can get up to do: there are so many little odds and ends that need doing around here. If nothing else, I can just walk into the sunroom and look out at the birds for a few minutes, a favorite hobby.


• When I'm grading papers or doing lesson plans, instead of piling books up on my desk and spending a longer length of time there, I'll start the practice of leaving the teacher books and notebooks on the bookcase so that I have to get up and get each one as needed. And I'll try to be peppy about it!


• How about being more energetic about normal duties, such as going from the bedroom to the laundry room? Or sweeping the floor with more gusto? Or going out to sweep the front porch even if it doesn't really need it? Or dusting more in between some of the sitting sessions? Now that spring's here, using the clothesline more will be another help.


• And here's a biggy: Sometimes in the evening after devotions, we relax together as a family and look at a video or CD episode of the Waltons, Hawaii Five-O, Mission Impossible, or one of the other older classics. This is a favorite time of day for us and I get all settled on the couch. It's so enjoyable and so cozy. Sometimes, I'm so settled and comfy that I ask my fifteen year old to go get me the pillow, tissue, glass of water, or whatever it is that I want. From now on, I'LL GET IT MYSELF.

I hope this post has moved some of you other folks out there too. . .up from your seats.

This and That

Here are some of the things that I've been doing this week: Working on the income taxes (one of my most hated jobs as many of you know from last year) - it's halfway done; Doing some desperately needed renovation work at the business website (none of the changes are published yet, so don't go look yet) - they're almost done; going with husband to his doctor's appointment for his glaucoma (why do doctors' offices make you wait an eternity to be seen for five minutes?) - the aftermath being looking up eye drop medicine prices on the internet; having our granddaughter over to spend the day (the best part of the week) - also having daily phone conversations with her where I don't understand a word she's saying; making up lesson plans and grading papers for our little homeschool (also trying to study and refresh my algebra) - and now preparing for another set of nine weeks exams; then cooking, cleaning (well, a little), washing, grocery shopping, etc. etc. Now do you understand better why I don't have much time to blog? But I'll be back, if God so allows, when it calms down a bit! I do love you all and try to get to see you here and there, and it'll get better, I promise! Hope to see you Friday or Saturday with an Easter hymn.

A Cute Little Visitor

Okay. This morning we're struggling with a science project that isn't working. My daughter has left me behind in algebra and I'm struggling to figure out whether a particular quiz problem is wrong or right. Certain financial papers are at various locations around the house, after paying the monthly bills. Oh yes, I need to start thinking about the income tax preparation. My nice clean house from the weekend is starting to get dirty--the back yard is muddy from yesterday's rain and my dog does not wipe his feet! The second quarter grading sheets need to be finished so they can be sent to A Beka in the time allotted. Laundry is behind.

My dishwasher (my husband), is a bit under the weather, so I'm doing the breakfast dishes--a lot of them because I made muffins. By the way, in case you're wondering, our automatic dishwasher hasn't worked in ages. Anyway, here comes Frustration trying to creep up on me. He hasn't been around in a while. Sad Heart has come by a bit of late, but not Frustration. So, as I was trying to deal with that old friend from the past, I saw it. It was in the bush outside the kitchen window. It was a Carolina wren, one of those little guys who don't frequent this part of the country too often. As always, it was cute as it could be, but that wasn't all. It started singing. That was all that was needed to turn Frustration on his heels and send him out of my house. The song was strong and determined from that little guy in my bush. I think the Lord sent him.

School Days, School Days

Shown above is a picture of my student, Miss Neesie. Today is the first day of classes at our little homeschool. The student and teacher are not jumping up and down with excitement over the commencement of another year, but we're "sort of" glad to have begun. Our official name here is Solid Rock Christian School of [our town name], but in reality we're an official campus of A Beka Academy, enrolled in their video program. It's the most-expensive-yet-easiest-on-the-home teacher-route to take for home educators.

My younger daughter is now a high schooler and that is exciting. She has never gone to regular school, and all but two of her nine (counting kindergarten) years of schooling at home have been as a student in this video program. It's not what I'd recommend for every family, but it's definitely best for us for many reasons. Now that she's in high school, we are enrolled in Program 1, which is their "fully accredited college preparatory program." This is the same program we did with her sister Bev, and it worked out well. A Beka is well known in homeschooling circles for giving quite a bit of work and having a lot of requirements. They work the student hard and expect what some parents consider to be too much. I've heard many complaints about them along these lines. Through the years, I learned to "cut corners" in certain areas, but now that we're doing the work for credit, needing to send much of the work in to them while attesting to the fact that this and that has been completed, we're going to have to really dig in and do what's expected of us. Let's hope it builds character in both of us.

If you complete the work that A Beka gives you and apply yourself, you end up with a good solid education along with your high school diploma. And most importantly, in each and every subject Christ is honored in the textbook and in the teaching. Neesie has a dream of going down to Pensacola Christian College in Florida and graduating with the other students of the A Beka homeschool class of 2011 and getting to meet some of her video teachers. I hope her dream comes true.

Pray for my student, please, and especially pray for her home teacher.