Summer School

We want to begin this newsletter with praises to God for the first-round victory with HB2827. Although the chips seemed to be stacked against us, little with God is much and much without God is little. God gave us record-breaking numbers in both attendance at the Capitol and in the number of witness slips. These numbers gave all the legislators- but a few extremist— pause to consider the will of the people. Finally, God raised up key legislators to stand with us at just the right time. As we sought God in prayer, now let us respond with appropriate thanksgiving.

I mentioned in a recent video what a wonderful opportunity our homeschooling children had in going to the Capitol in Springfield during our fight with HB2827. They got to see, firsthand, what politics in Illinois looked like. While other children were stuck in brick and mortar classrooms, reading a five-year-old textbooks that is full of revisionist history and progressive political philosophy, our children learned their civics lesson in real time in real life. Unique experiences like these prepare homeschoolers for the real world. It is no wonder they launch so well into life.

Ironically, many people assume homeschoolers live in a bubble, isolated from culture and oblivious to current events. Unlike the great majority of their public-school peers who seldom get to participate in unique opportunities and, if they do get the rare chance to go somewhere, they must jump through all sorts of logistical hoops to make it happen. Their scheduling process is exhausting; no wonder they seldom do field trips. Homeschoolers? Although there may be a few logistics to work out, for all practical purposes, we just get in our cars and go. This freedom gives our children a well-rounded education. This is the glory of homeschooling!

As summer begins, schooling may stop but education does not. I would go so far as to say some of your best education will occur in the next few months. When we are relaxed and not pushing to get school and other household chores done, true learning can happen organically, more joyfully, and almost imperceptibly. Better yet, these lessons usually are centered on life, and that is our focus for this month’s prayer and fast requests.

While our children have all done very well academically in college, every single one of them has commented that general life skills have opened more doors than their academic success has. Additionally, although we haven’t been the best at it, we have tried to incorporate outside activities into our homeschool journey. For instance, one of my daughters started selling puppies at twelve -years of age. This caused her to do math and finances, communication skills with customers (I initially listened quietly on another phone to give her feedback), biology (giving shots and helping the birthing process), and technology with advertising. It is one thing to get an “A” it is another to get $750! That’s motivation!

Obviously, the afore mentioned is not meant to minimize academic performance but rather to prioritize it. This life-integrated vision needs to be trumpeted time and again to offset the suffocating voices of commercialization that can drown out the importance of simply doing life together.

Join us on the second Tuesday of the month or throughout the month as we pray the following:

1. Pray that we parents will recognize the life-lessons opportunities that quietly come our way throughout the week.
   1. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. –John 14:26
   2. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. –Exodus 35:34
2. Pray that our children will be generous in thought, deed, and encouragement, especially in celebrating the successes of others without being threatened by them.
   1. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. –Proverbs 11:25
   2. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. –Phil 2:4
3. Pray that we parents will see opportunities to teach our children not to be small-minded, thinking the world revolves around them.
   1. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth … For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. –-James 3:14, 16
   2. but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. –Romans 2:8
4. Pray that we parents will see unique possibilities to help teach our children the importance of perseverance and diligence.
   1. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. –Hebrews 10:36
   2. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. –Proverbs 12:24
5. Pray that parents will be extra sensitive to teaching their children good people skills including initiating conversations, handling small talk, exhibiting good, non-verbal communication skills, speaking with correct grammar, learning how to ask good questions, listening, etc.
   1. And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. –Matthew 7:27
   2. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. –Acts 6:10
6. Pray that our children will learn that God’s timing is perfect. As important as the what and how are, the when is every bit as important. Pray that our children will rest in God’s timing.
   1. He has made everything beautiful in its time… –Ecc. 3:11
   2. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.–Romans 5:6
7. When everyone else is running away from problems, pray that our children will run toward them, seeing it for what it is, an opportunity!
   1. When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. –1 Samuel 17:48
   2. 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
8. Pray that our children will become increasingly self-aware of their strengths-using them appropriately-and of their weaknesses—so they can look for balance and help.
   1. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. –1 Cor. 11:28
   2. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? –Jer. 17:9
9. In an age of self-promotion, pray that our children will learn the importance of God exalting them and not their own devices.
   1. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. –Proverbs 27:2
   2. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,–1 Peter 5:6
10. Pray that our children will learn to walk by faith and not be intimidated by the numbers or circumstances against them.
    1. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. –Psalms 91:7
    2. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? –Romans 8:21
11. Pray that our children will truly understand that God never loses us regarding His timing or His will.
    1. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. –Matthew 10:31