Lovin' and Livin'

One thing about homeschool is the excitement that your children are becoming all that they can be rather than more of the common statistics. You can clearly see that all your children are all so very different. It's their very uniquely different personalities.

The way children learn is individual. They way they express is individual. Home is the best environment for learning. No matter the choice a parent makes, learning at home is pure livin'.

Children who attend public schools or Christian schools still need their parents help at home. Your children spend hours in the classroom to come home with work that is to include 'parent' involvement. Parents go to teacher/parent meetings to hear, 'getting involved in your children's education will help your children'. For all parents, education is 'all' the same. Parental involvement makes the difference. Why wouldn't it? The Lord has given your children into your hands for your nurture and care. A parent hears this from their church as well. So often you will hear coming from leaders in your church located in every community, "We only have your children one or two services a week, you need to teach your children at home God's word."

Not only that, it is expressed by many that "you are the example" to your children. So, the emphasis is always on our children and it is never off the parent. We as parents are to be involved in our children's lives. As for many, they have chosen homeschooling because being involved in every aspect is rewarding. Through experiencing 'life' with your children it is truly a Godly path and a wonder-filled plan of 'lovin' and livin'.

lovin' homegrown abundance,
Pastor Kim

Homeschooling?

Homeschooling? Absolutely! What is a home school about anyway? It's simply about learning in a loving family environment. The one thing I can encourage to know is that when it comes to homeschooling your children, it's not as hard as you would think. The hesitation to home school is really about the 'confidence' of whether you believe you can do it or not. Most mothers prior to stepping out to home school, wonder if it will benefit their children or hinder them. Really, this is the most challenging part of the process. That is, to believe that you 'can' do it. 'You will  never hinder your children in learning when you simply teach them'.

I want to take the time to encourage you. God has created in every child the ability to learn! Not only that, they have a real desire to experience the world around them and they are sponges to learning and applying what they gain. Just take a look at their pretend play and dress up fun.

When you realize that within your children is this God given gift, something begins to happen on the inside of you. You find within every child there is a God given ability to go after knowledge and grow with it and you see how you can inspire them as the parent. That leaves you to know that learning isn't really about you, it's about them.

Putting children in an atmosphere where they can draw from their Godly environment and inspiring them to go after what interests them, is rewarding to you as a parent. It's a parent who knows their child the best. The commitment isn't really for your children, they are willing and ready, the commitment really lies within you. 

Go for it! The blessing goes beyond all that you can ask or think!

'lovin home abundance',
Pastor Kim

Shared by Homeschool Mom! Pass it on!

What's in a Home School?

What's in a home school? Most importantly, you, your children, and your faith! 

I looked up the many dictionary results on home and school and want to break it down for you. As home school parents, seeing these defined will inspire you in your home educating endeavors.

Home: a residence for a family where one's domestic affections are centered and a dwelling place for retreat, a refuge, a place where something is in common, holds destination and goals, a principle place of operations or activities, a place that pertains to your products as a principle main office or 'center of operations, deep to the heart and is a driving point as when something hits home, hits 'home' is reaching a mark, like home base, reaching a desired position, in proper stowed position as an anchor, provision, setting towards a home base, where something is clarified and brought home to understanding, having safely reached a goal as in 'home free' as likened to; finishing, accomplishing, succeeding, and secured.

Wow, what home means to our lives and our children's lives with the light of God's word and His ways in the center of it, is amazing. Our responsibility and honor is to train our children in the center of our affections in that place of refuge where great accomplishments and successes are secured.

School: an institution where instruction is given, even in a particular skill or field, a regular course of meetings with students for instruction, the activity or process of learning under instruction, one's formal education, a building housing a school, "any place, situation, etc., tending to teach anything", pupils who are taught to master a system, method, "a group of artists, as painters, writers, or musicians, whose works reflect a common conceptual, regional, or personal influence", "any group of persons having common attitudes or beliefs", "to educate in or as if in a school; teach; train"

Wow, what home and school mean together for our children can be seen and defined richly. As we develop our schools to teach our children at home, we find our school is to be filled with common attitudes and beliefs at the very center. Isn't that the reason we as parents have chosen 'home and school' as a combination? Absolutely! 

Our affections are set at the heart of what we believe and as we teach our children, we can train them not only in the excellence of academics, but keep everything centered around our faith. That in itself is the value of every home school and nothing compares to the value of our children!

lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim

Families that Stick Together

European Home "Dutch Village",  Holland, Michigan

European families have always held high interest for me. Living in Germany for many years and traveling through Europe has given some interesting and unique influence in taste, decorating. One thing interesting is the history of European families.

In the 18th century, these families consisted of grandparents, their children and grandchildren living in one home. These families consisted of five or more children. These families consider their children 'assets' in their lives.

Father and Son at the "Dutch Village", Holland, Michigan

Rick Brainard states on his website, "The family was the social security then". As in history past, the poor usually missed education and were trained for work. Although according to Brainard times weren't so good for the children with the poor, the upper class families had tutors to teach them.

How amazing if families during those times would have understood the principle of 'home education'. Teaching their own children to read and write as well as the basic concepts of math. If in a family line just 'one' person learned the principles of education, how wonderful to have also passed this along to their children.

Windmill at "Dutch Village, Holland, Michigan

Just as many of these 18th century families could have learned from our 'home education' concepts in the 21st century, we can learn from their family concepts. The importance of families sticking together was obvious. They could actually live together throughout the years and enjoy each other. They could pass their trades along, and be friends for a lifetime.


The Lord refers to Himself as the God of "Abraham, Issac, and Jacob".  You can see in Genesis 12:2-3 the blessing He gave Abraham and His family. Not only did He bless this family, He stood behind them calling Himself the God of Abraham and His sons. The Lord shows us in His word that He takes families seriously.

To tie your family together with the word and the blessing is what the Lord would have us to do. He calls families and He designs them. Let's follow the design He has destined for our families. Embrace His ideals and the clear vision the Lord has for the families of the earth. To bless them and make them a blessing. Not only through out the earth, but within the home itself. 

 "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].    And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]." Genesis 12"2-3 AMP 

lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim


RESEARCH LOCATION:
by Rick Brainard
http://www.history1700s.com/articles/article1015.shtml
"Rick Brainard, is an independent scholar and a past member of the American Historical Association. His main historical area of interest is 18th century history with a special emphasis on Colonial America"

Sybil Ludington

Micah Morgan plays Sybil.

I love history and my kids love history! Researching about American history and sharing it with your kids can have great advantage and can be fun. We as a ministry produced a movie I wrote and directed about the 'female Paul Revere' Sybil Ludington. I loved doing this with  my kids and now, my kids are excited about history too.

Did you ever think about making your own documentary with your kids? Well, simply take out your home video and have your kids act it out :) Research some historical characters and learn about them with your kids. Write a story and put it to film. It'll make a great home school project! Have fun!!!


You can check out more about our family movie at our web site, www.sybilludingtonmovie.com. It's also being shown at the Kids First Film Festivals this summer, www.kidsfirst.org. Here's a link for a review on the movie. Click on it and scroll down until you find "Sybil Ludington", http://www.kidsfirst.org/ages/8-12.html

lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim

"May is Over and June is Coming"

'Yeah for May and Fun in June'. Many homeschool families are heading for summer fun. Why not incorporate it into learning? Now you can head for nature parks and bug studies, animal fun at the zoo, and even water studies with chlorine and salt water. Just because summer break may be here for many of you, just remember, your kids never stop learning. They are always soaking in what's around them. Take advantage of it, especially with God's word. Don't let any day or any moment be without your impartation. Your children are always looking to you and as you share the simple things in life, especially God's word and prayer, and what you believe about the Lord and His ways, filling everyday with information about the simple things around them and how they work, you are teaching your children in relational ways. That's the best part of learning and the best part of it all~

God bless you in all you do with your kids!


lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim

Home Schooling is Worth It!

If you haven't noticed, home schooling your children is worth it. Your children will find themselves advanced and informed and 'loving' to learn. There is a difference with learning and having an interest in learning. Have you ever watched a child before entering in school? Your pre-schoolers and toddlers are always gaining and processing information everyday of their lives. They watch, they listen, they process, and before you know it, they are talking, walking, and following your lead. As parents, if you can take that process and continue with it, realizing that children learn from all these various different areas of their environment, you can gain an revelation of education from the Lord's perspective. That's why the Lord tells us in the book of Deuteronomy 11:19 to teach His ways and His word to our children with specific instruction. He says,

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

The Lord knows that your children are always gathering and gaining information at all times and in every part of their day. He wants us to realize that we are to teach them His ways and live them before them every moment of every day. You can see, children are obtaining information and processing it at all times. Take this opportunity to see them as sponges that retain, not only the water of His word but all the things you put before them, even in your home schooling curriculum.

To simplify it, what you put before them is what they will learn. Watch what you put before your children. That's why many parents have chosen home schooling. They want their children to have excellent things put before them that they may gain greatness and achieve their highest potential as individuals.

As you move forward with your home schooling plans, and as you fulfill the requirements to fill a certain amount of hours each day with teaching, remember, your children never stop learning. Learning doesn't turn off when school is over, so take advantage of every moment. Don't just teach your children at one scheduled time. Rather impart to them God's word and live a gracious example before them. Not just a Godly example, but also an example of a Godly and quality education.

lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim

Foggy?

Here's a great home-school idea for you. Do a study on fog. As you study fog you can count it as science. But, one part of your studies can be studying the fog of God. What is the 'fog' of God? One thing, the F.O.G.is, The Favor Of God! The scripture base for your fog studies?

"For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield." Psalm 5:12 (NKJ)

Let your kids learn about how fog is a fallen cloud and all the details. Then connect those details with the Creator of the Universe Himself! Talk to them that God has caused His favor to fall on us like a cloud!

First, through Jesus coming from Heaven to earth. He is the fog.

Secondly, then after He raised Him from the dead and into Heaven, Jesus has come by the power of His spirit to pour out on us, His fog again. To pour out His power and His healing in the F.O.G.

Thirdly, the blessing of the Lord, who has made us righteous, has poured out His favor on us and surrounded us. Surrounded us so much that His favor has become a shield. A shield of His good unmerited favor in our lives. His favor, meaning His love, joy, peace, and wonder-filled outpouring of Himself to us. His favor is for all us, is a cloud that touches life after life, after lives after lives! The favor of God!

“My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant."

Genesis 18:3 (NKJ)

God's favor is for your children! Teach them about it in your school! Use it with science studies and Bible. Use it for your literature too. The greatest lit piece ever written- The Bible! As your kids study the verses in the Bible, as they read it, teach them how God has poured out His promises to us like a fog and that we are free to be who we are in Him, through Him, and by His fog! Use it for spelling as you make a test of spelling words from your fun studies about fog Your children will grow in stature and in favor!

"And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men. " 1 Samuel 2:26 (NKJ)

God bless, and remember, "We've got the F.O.G."

lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim

Continuing my thougths on wisdom!

I talked sometime ago on the importance of wisdom. Again, simply put, wisdom is the ability to take the things you know and apply them. That is a great way to understand wisdom. We can teach our children so many things everyday of their lives but... if we do not teach them wisdom then we have taught them nothing that they can apply in their lives. If our children cannot take what they have learned and apply it, then we have done an injustice. You can teach your children about God's word, and if they never act on the wisdom of God to apply it to their lives and receive what the Lord has for them, then... we have not completed the training.

The Bible tells us that Jesus has been made unto us wisdom! He is the Wisdom of the ages, the spoken word of God that became flesh, and has become the absolute in our lives. When we realize and believe that it is He that brings to pass those absolutes then we release His wisdom working on our behalf in a very special and powerful way. First and foremost we must again remember that the Bible tells us that "the fear of the Lord, which means to HATE ALL EVIL, is the beginning of wisdom!" In that our children can learn to apply wisdom by simply walking away from evil! It's one thing to know that stealing is wrong But it is wisdom to know it is wrong and walk away from doing it!

I watched 2 movies this last evening in order to do reviews on them for families. These two were in the genre for young adults. "They were so awful!" Watching something that goes against God's word and His character goes against the grain of what I believe in and stand for and I very much dislike it! I actually HATE the evil that is set before me such as; murder, sex, swearing, bitterness, hate, debauchery, and the more! Right here is a great place to start teaching your children wisdom! Don't put evil before them letting it get in their eyes, their ears, their hearts! Then don't just tell them no you can't but, teach them "why" your are telling me this and why you want them to do what you are saying! Show them what's wrong, what is evil and tell them how one should not follow it! Keep these movies and TV stuff that supports things contrary to God's word and Jesus off! Keep them away from what is ungodly and goes against His word and ways in every area of their lives! Teach your children to hate evil and not allow it to grace their lives in anyway! Then wisdom will begin to work highly in their lives and "He" Jesus will do great things for them in honor of their faithfulness and obedience to His word!

Charles Spurgeon said,

"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is wisdom."

lovin' home abundance,
Pastor Kim