August Fireside Helps Newsletter

MATCH match at match-inc.org
Tue Aug 5 14:30:22 GMT 2008


*/Fireside Helps
MATCH Newsletter/*


*From your Directors
*

/Dear Homeschool Friends,
    Wow, it is hard to believe that summer is just about over and school 
is just about start!  Are you ready?
    Have you been able to attend a homeschool convention this year?  
This is a wonderful place to be able to renew your gas gage for the 
coming school year and also see vendors and what they have to offer.  
This past weekend I was able to attend the first virtual online 
homeschool convention held by Heart of the Matter 
<http://heartofthematteronline.com/>.  The conference began on Wednesday 
and went through Sunday, yes it was a long one but I got to be at home 
with my children and listen and gain a lot of valuable help and 
encouragement to start my year off with.  Now one more big event and 
then I think I will be ready!
    Another event?  Yes, Friday and Saturday this week Cindy Rushton 
will be holding her annual Back to School Blast 
<http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=hsmom3&pid=3>.  Cindy has 
become a wonderful mentor and friend through her wonderful workshops 
that she gives.  This big event is also online and not only do you get 
to hear the workshops but you also get to ask questions and meet a 
wonderful group of other homeschool mothers online.  By the end of my 
first conference that I attended I felt like I had just gained new 
family members across the world (literally).  You can either pay for the 
event and be able to get the recordings afterwards and a bunch of 
freebies or you can join us for free just for the event.
    I hope you are watching our blog site!  I have been blogging several 
times lately and putting important information out there about upcoming 
events, etc.  Instead of sending out a bunch of emails all the time this 
has been easier for news that needs to go out to all homeschoolers and 
quicker.  //*SO MAKE SURE TO WHAT OUR BLOG*//!
    We would love to hear from you and what you think of the 
newsletter.  If I don't get feedback I don't know what people want.  Do 
you find the articles encouraging?  Do you find the reviews helpful?  
//*PLEASE*// give me some feedback <about:blank>!
    May each of you start this year off with God's blessing.
In the service for homeschoolers,
Michael & Orilla Crider, MATCH Directors/


	
*MATCH Homeschooling Helps*

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Hours of Instruction <http://www.match-inc.org/hours.html>
Sample Withdrawal Letter <http://www.match-inc.org/withdraw.html>
Homeschooling 101 (/workshop/) 
<http://www.match-inc.org/convention/lankford.html>
*Homeschool Helpful Articles

*
*Restoring Balance To Completely*
*Overloaded Lives!*
*/By Cindy Rushton/*


     Ever had an "unbalanced tire?"  Recently, I had a tire that was 
driving me crazy! It made the ride horribly rough.  I was wore-out just 
from trying to drive to town because it kept pulling me off the 
road---obviously in the wrong direction! Just a simple trip to town was 
completely stressful. My hands were blistered from trying to hold on to 
the steering wheel the whole way to town and back! I was certain that my 
car was about to blow up...that something was permanently wrong!  
Imagine my relief to find that my problem was from one tire that was out 
of balance! Easy to fix.  The smooth ride only took a few moments to 
restore.
     Ever had an "unbalanced life?"  Well, the similarities are 
unbelievable! Talk about a rough ride! Talk about a pull in the wrong 
direction! Talk about stress! Sure it is easy to fix---but, oh so hard 
to do! 
     We are overloaded! Every area of our lives suffers from overload: 
commitments... possessions... work... information...relationships!
     We are a culture that can be characterized as overloaded!  We are 
busy. Hurried. Overworked. Stressed. Rushed. We exceed our limits. We 
take on WAY TOO MUCH! As my pastor says, "We write checks that our body 
and mind cannot cash!"  Our productivity suffers. Our bodies suffer! Our 
vital relationships suffer. We no longer can hear God as He whispers 
direction, encouragement, and wisdom along our path. We miss the best! 
We wonder why we end our days empty and without meaning or accomplishment.
     We forget what is most important---or at minimum, put it off for 
another day.  The important seldom screams for attention, but the 
urgent, often insignificant, constantly screams for MORE and more! We 
get so busy and distracted doing the urgent and demanding in life that 
we lose the opportunity to impact the important, that in which we are 
given to leave a legacy!
     So, how on earth do we get out of this rat race? How are we to 
restore balance? If we could restore balance, how could we maintain 
balance?  How could we make life really count for something?  Here are 
some things that the Lord has been teaching me this year as He has 
pulled me back from so many GOOD things to restore balance and keep me 
on the path to leaving a legacy!

*SLOW DOWN!*


     Does that one hurt or what?  We are so fast paced! We live on the 
"fast track!"  Think of the rat race we live in:  one-hour 
print...ten-minute oil changes...instant cameras...instant 
potatoes...instant MICROWAVE meals! Our homes have dishwashers, 
slow-cookers (don't be fooled by the name---turn them on as you run out 
the door for work and have a healthy meal ready to serve at the end of 
the day!), microwaves, and computers!  Oh, and the computer thing! Yep, 
I am on my computer now (at our local coffee shop---yep, priorities are 
nice at times!) enjoying the benefits of my blessed computer complete 
with its battery, cd-writer, and all of the other MUSTS that I am so 
spoiled with!  BUT! For heavens' sake...think of how spoiled we REALLY 
are! The computer age has taken over sweet little country stores! We 
have the Internet (which has faced the demand to have MORE instant 
connections---remember all of those ads this summer?), E-mail (to 
instantly communicate!), E-books (to instantly receive our products so 
we don't have to wait for the dreaded postal service to deliver!!), 
E-zines, Auto-responders (didn't REALLY think those were REAL people 
there all hours of the day and night??!!), Auto-processing of 
orders/credit cards, and don't forget Instant Messenger---for those who 
find Email to be too slow! We have "Drive-Thru's" for EVERYTHING---food, 
cleaners, pharmacies, oil changes, and even (PLEASE GASP WITH ME!) 
funeral homes!  Well...that is where I drew the line! Drive-thru funeral 
homes!  Where are we as a culture? On the fast track!
     What do we do?  Why not Slllllooooowwwww DDDDoooooowwwnnnnn???  I 
am not advocating that we STOP using technology. Rather, we should use 
those tools to make life easier and to make the most of our time. 
HOWEVER, where it really matters---relationships, home, family, 
homeschooling, our witness, life...where it REALLY matters, we must slow 
down!  Restoring balance and eliminating overload is simply not possible 
without slowing down!
     Ephesians 5: 15-16 says, "Look carefully then how you walk! Live 
purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, 
but as the wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of 
the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil."  What 
does this look like? Well, let's go back to Genesis 33 for a look at the 
life of Jacob after he completely surrendered his entire life to the 
Lord.  "My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and 
herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, 
all the flock will die.  Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his 
servant: and I WILL LEAD ON SOFTLY, according as the cattle that goeth 
before me and the children BE ABLE TO ENDURE, until I come unto my lord 
at Seir." Want to slow down, but how? Where do we begin? What can really 
make a significant difference? Try these:

    --> Decide what is MOST important!  Think over life for a little 
while!  What is it that only YOU can do in this life? Why did God create 
YOU? What is your life purpose? What is it that God created YOU to do?  
What can go?  Just as our house cannot be cleaned without getting rid of 
the clutter---otherwise all we are doing is shuffling the clutter 
around---likewise, we must take an occasional inventory to de-clutter 
our life!  I find this to be a battle JUST as many of you probably do 
and trust me, this is a life principle that I really stick to! Long ago, 
God impressed upon my heart that if I were going to be able to truly 
fulfill my calling that He had for my life, I would HAVE to only do the 
things that *ONLY I* could do---if it were something that anyone else on 
earth could do, it would have to go!  Still, I will go through periods 
of my life and begin to get overloaded again only to find when I 
evaluate the value of all that I do, there are things that sneak into my 
schedule that vie for my focus and energy! Usually that requires that I 
take out those really tough pruning shears again to cut back---either by 
delegating the tasks to someone else so I can be more productive at what 
ONLY I can do---or even more difficult, get rid of what is overloading 
me! I know that this is hard, but it is SO key! Take a deep look now at 
what you are doing.  Is it really eternal? Is it the "main thing?" Is it 
essential?  Can anyone else do it?  Is it hindering you from the very 
best?  Decide what is most important. You won't be sorry!

    --> Examine Your Lifestyle! Take a little while to jot down a 
journal of what makes up your day? Your week? Your month? Your year?  
REALLY BE HONEST!  Do those things count?  What are the days filled 
with: things that are really important...or lots of fires to put out?  
Take a bit longer to write out what you would REALLY like to be 
accomplishing.  What do you think that a "perfect day," if it were 
possible, would look like? How can you change your day to really slow it 
down so your life really counts?

    --> Examine Your Motives! Motives will fool us in a heartbeat! 
Scripture is so very true as it warns us to beware of our heart. We 
simply cannot trust our hearts. They will lead us astray every time!  
What really motivates us? What drives us? If we can determine this, we 
can evaluate activities and obligations much more effectively!  So, what 
drives you?  Ambition? Your life call? The desire to be in control? 
Don't trust others to do things? Passion? Guilt? Ego? Insecurity (Can't 
say "no?" Afraid that you have no value unless you are "seen" busy?) 
Constantly trying to please others?  Revenge? Money? Oh, I could go on 
and on...motives are so very deceptive and there are so many. What is 
your motive? What drives you to do all you do?

     Busyness does not mean that we are accomplishing. Nor does busyness 
guarantee fulfillment.  Often, busyness is the very thing that keeps us 
from the very things that will bring us satisfaction, fulfillment, and 
contentment.  Busyness, given the chance, will keep us from fulfilling 
our life purpose!
     It is all up to us! We can choose which way to go! Enjoy the 
journey or wait to enjoy the brief delight of the destination? A wasted, 
bitter, defeated life or a life full of purpose and meaning? Burn out or 
real accomplishment? Deep, passionate relationships or very real regrets?
     Why not slow down?  Relax? Enjoy the whole journey---the process 
getting there AND the destination! Build deep relationships! Stick to 
those priorities! Simplify life so you reach for the very best!  Seize 
each moment!

*REDEEM THE TIME!*


     Time! Friend or foe? Have enough time in your day? Or are you a 
truly kindred spirit, asking God for just a few good 80-hour days and 
the energy to use them to the fullest? Ha!  I have a good feeling that 
if your prayer is for that one, that you will also find that God will 
whisper sweetly in your ear to say that the problem is not that we do 
not have enough time...or that we are using time to the fullest...or 
even that we waste time. Rather, He would say that we need to make it 
our ambition to redeem the time---each and every moment we are given! 
     A few months back, my pastor taught a series of messages entitled 
 >From Burnout to Balance.  In his series, he challenged us to look at 
time as a great big "bank account."  He said that this account is one 
that we are guaranteed to have daily deposits made on our behalf by God 
each and every day.  We each get our fair share.  No one gets more. No 
one gets less. 
     Think of this awesome gift! Each and every day we are given a gift 
that can impact all of eternity---or be squandered away into oblivion.  
Each day we are given this gift without any regard to our stewardship 
from the day before! TWENTY-FOUR HOURS! ONE-THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED, 
FORTY MINUTES! EIGHTY-SIX THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED SECONDS!  Deposited in 
our "account" each and every day!
     And...with this gift, we are free to use it in any way we choose.  
We can waste it or use it wisely.  We can make a difference---or misuse 
it!  But! One thing is guaranteed each day with all that is deposited on 
our behalf---it must be used up before the end of the day...it cannot be 
carried into tomorrow!
     We all have 24 hours put into our spending account each and every 
day.  What we do with that time is in our hands! Will we be faithful? 
Will we use it wisely? Will we make it count for eternity? Will we use 
our gift to the fullest? Will we use our gift for what really counts? 
     If we want to live a life of balance, we must guard this precious 
gift!  We must measure our time as one of our greatest resources we have 
to invest in this life!  This requires that we go back to our precious 
Giver and seek HIM for how we can most faithfully invest each moment! We 
must let Him be the Lord of our schedule, our to-do's, our calendar.  We 
must commit our way---ALL OF OUR WAY---to Him from our work to our 
studies that we pursue to our commitments to our books that we read to 
the activities that we participate. 
     We must be careful to set a guard on our time to be sure that we do 
not flippantly do without thinking or take on too much that we forfeit 
the best!  We need to purpose to really do those things that are 
"NEEDFUL" (remember Luke 10: 38-42?) and not just the "stuff" that we 
think MUST be done! We need to constantly evaluate our choices and weigh 
them to see if they are truly those things that help us to reach our 
life call. 
     Time...what do you think? Redeem this precious gift so our lives 
can be balanced? You bet!

*SELL OUT COMPLETELY TO GOD'S WILL!*


     Does this scare you to death? Are you seeing visions of little 
grass huts...no electricity...bugs...complete with the stench of 
underarm odor?
     Oh, beloved! My first image of total surrender to God admittedly 
envisioned life on a continent that was far, far away from all of the 
comforts of home. Still have no idea if there is a continent that could 
be as disgusting as my visions were.  Sure, I trusted God for eternity, 
but never thought of heaven in the same way that I thought of my life on 
earth totally surrendered to Him!
     Now, as we move into our 21th year as a ministry, I HAVE to tell 
you that God has a very, very good plan for us!  He does not call us, 
equip us, and then send us to an assignment that forfeits our trust and 
confidence in Him!  In fact, one thing that I am thrilled to say is that 
although there IS work in our calling, there is delight and fulfillment 
that cannot be found in anything else under the sun! Seeing His 
provision is unbelievable. Watching His anointing fall is 
indescribable!  Plus! No grass huts so far!
     Give your ALL to God!  Sell out! Don't hold anything in reserve!  
Abandon ALL for the call!
     Scared? Just give Him a try! Take a look at Jeremiah 29 in The 
Message Bible.  God says to us, "I know what I'm doing, I have it all 
planned out---plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give 
you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray 
to me, I'll listen.  When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, 
when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything 
else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."  Oh, beloved, not only 
will you never, ever be disappointed, but you will find that His GOOD 
plan will be truly good--satisfactory for you, satisfying, fullfilling, 
completely sufficient!
     Wonder JUST WHAT could YOU do?  Too young? Too old? Too poor? Not 
qualified---or so you think? Well, beloved! Know that God has called 
each and everyone of us to function in His Body.  We are the mouthpieces 
here on earth for Him. We are the feet for Him. We are the hands here in 
our community for Him! He has called and equipped each and every one of 
us to be a part of His Body here on earth! We each have talents, 
spiritual gifts, natural bents and interests, and experiences that can 
minister to those that are growing in the Body AND those that need to 
join the Body of Christ!  God needs ALL of us working and functioning 
properly if His Kingdom---His way of doing things---will come to earth!  
He needs for us to be that light that shines in the darkness to bring 
others to Him.  Just go into a dark, dark room... Light one candle... 
See what a difference YOU can make right where you are!
     Have no idea what His plan is for you?  Take a look at Romans 12: 
1-2.  He promises in verse two that YOU can know His good, perfect, and 
acceptable will for you!  Yes, YOU can know that plan!  How? Going back 
through this passage, we see how:

    --> Become a living sacrifice---EVERYDAY!  Completely yielded. 
Completely dedicated. Completely committed to Him and His Way!  Giving 
Him our ALL! All that we are: our plans...gifts...bents...talents... 
ambitions... ideas... methods... techniques... fears... 
delights...concerns... all presented to God as a living sacrifice EVERY 
SINGLE DAY! If we truly desire to know the good, acceptable, perfect 
will of God for ourselves or our children, we must first obediently 
present ourselves as a complete, living sacrifice.  There may be things 
in our lives (things that are very precious and difficult to get rid of) 
that must be burnt up as a sacrifice for us to be prepared to receive 
God's very best OR we may find that what we bring to sacrifice before 
the Lord is acceptable in His sight and can return home with us (like 
Abraham as he willingly prepared to sacrifice his beloved Isaac).  
However, the key is not in what God does with our sacrifice, it is in 
our heart coming before Him daily, presenting ourselves and all that we 
have before His throne!

    --> Don't not conform to the world; but conform to Christ!! Yep! We 
either conform to the world or to Christ! We cannot live for one without 
forsaking the other!  Want to know God's plan?  Let go of the world's 
standards, the world's ways, the world's requirements, the world's 
traditions, and the world's bondage. Let go of the lies of the world! We 
must stop serving the world at the expense of becoming ALL that God 
wants for us to become! If we want to live an abundant life---a balanced 
life---the world's way will never work!  Only God's way brings balance, 
freedom, and true, abundant LIFE that we are really searching for! As we 
grow in relationship with Christ, daily become LIKE HIM, we find 
security and LIFE! We find peace! We find hope! We find the direction 
that we have been looking for all along the way!  We find freedom to 
become ALL that God designed for us to become! Talk about LIFE! We move 
beyond balance to abundant life! 

    --> Be transformed by the daily renewal of your mind! The last key 
to getting to know God's plan!  However, this one is SO VITAL!  If we 
truly want to live a balanced, abundant life, we must sell out to God's 
will. BUT, however much we want to sell out, unless we truly let Him 
change our life, we will just spin our wheels in the same ruts, never 
becoming all that God wants for us to become! How is our mind 
transformed? Life changed? This life transformation begins as we sit at 
the feet of Jesus.  As we daily immerse ourselves in His Word, we will 
begin to be transformed.  Then, we will soon have different 
priorities... different beliefs... different ambitions... and soon, we 
will be able to prove what is good, acceptable, and perfectly in the 
will of God.  If we never experience this transformation, we will always 
find ourselves burdened under a yoke of bondage.  We will always find 
ourselves looking in all the wrong places for direction, approval, 
meaning, purpose, and rest!  We will constantly battle overload. We will 
find life bumpy and pulling us into life's "ditches!" 

     God has a precious plan EVEN for you! Surrender ALL to Him! Let Him 
have it all! Let Him do His work in you! Don't rush! Don't drag around! 
Don't run from it!  Live EACH day letting Him have your ALL in complete 
abandonment! Balance will come---but, beloved there is so much more that 
will rush into your life! Purpose, meaning, abundant life! Go for it!

*BUILD MARGIN---BREATHING ROOM---INTO YOUR LIFE!*


     Ever been at rock bottom?  We see many of our favorite Bible 
characters that we get to know during good times, but I think my 
favorites are those that we get to see when they are rock bottom, with 
NO breathing room, at the point that my mother would have said, "I've 
HAD IT!"  Ever just "HAD-IT?"
     Imagine for yourself the grief and utter pain that Job was 
experiencing as he cried out in Job 3:26, "I have NO peace, NO rest, NO 
quiet!"
     Drop into the conversation with Paul as he declared that he got to 
his "breaking point" in 2 Corinthians 1: 8-9, "For we do not want you to 
be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress 
which befell us in the province of Asia, how we were so utterly and 
unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life 
itself.  Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the very 
sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and 
depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead."
     Finally, journey back to 1 Samuel as we are first introduced to 
Hannah at the point of utter desperation---you probably know a bit about 
her story. Barren. Broken. Taunted (by her husband's other WIFE!! Who 
had NO problem bearing children!). Empty. Crushed in soul. Oh, let's 
join her at the point that she had "HAD IT!"... "Crushed in soul, Hannah 
prayed to God and cried and cried---inconsolably. Then, she made a vow: 
Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you'll take a good, hard look at my 
pain, if you'll quit neglecting me and go into action for me by giving 
me a son, I'll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I'll set him 
apart for a life of holy discipline..." As she was praying, she sunk 
even lower as she was completely misunderstood by the priest, who 
thought she was DRUNK!  We hear more of her heart in her reply to him... 
"Oh no, sir---please! I'm a woman hard used. I haven't been drinking. 
Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I've been pouring out is my 
heart, pouring it out to God.  Don't for a minute thing I'm a bad woman. 
It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've 
stayed here so long!"
     Relate?  I know that these precious vessels were crying out in the 
midst of trials and life events that were too much. However, I don't 
think that we find ourselves at the point of desperation without first 
pushing limits for quite some time!  We haven't got margin to deal with 
the daily-ness of life---much less those life struggles, crisis 
situations, losses, and persecutions that inevitably knock most of us 
off our "rocker" into despair!
      Think about it...if you are the average person in our society 
today, you live on fast-food, crazy hours, no sleep. You are chronically 
rushed (or late), overworked, exhausted, overloaded! What is the 
solution?  Build MARGIN! Build some BREATHING ROOM!  Simplify life so 
there is room for change...space for disruptions.  How?  Here are some 
suggestions that I am trying to implement in my own life:

    --> Accept HUMAN Limitations!  Can you sense how HARD that is for ME 
to type? Oh, here it where it gets harder, it is not MY idea, it is the 
Word of God too: "I have seen that EVERYTHING HUMAN has its limits and 
end no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent."  (Psalm 119: 96a)  
OUCH! If there is a battle for balance (and YOU KNOW there is!), this is 
one of the biggies! We ALL have limits! But, where we need more margin 
is that we don't say "NO" when we face limitations!  As I shared above, 
we "write checks our body and mind cannot cash!"  The world says, "You 
can have it ALL!"  "You can do it all!"  Even the church gives the 
illusion that "I can do ALL THINGS through Jesus Christ."  However,  the 
Bible is very clear that we can ONLY DO those things that are HIS 
THINGS---HIS WILL! WE have limits! We have space limits. We have body 
limits. We have emotional limits.  Jesus does not give us a blank check 
to do ALL THINGS. Much less, Jesus WILL NOT empower us to do ALL 
THINGS.  He only empowers us to do those things that HE CALLS us to do.  
He never gives us anything that is beyond our abilities  and resources 
to do.  One clear way to judge what we are called to do from those 
things that  we are not called to do is to look at our limitations: our 
red lights, shut downs, overloads, crashes.  We need to look at those 
warning signs: pain, fatigue, stress, irritability, frustrations.  Our 
human limitations are God's boundaries in our lives that help us to know 
that we are overextended and writing checks our bodies and minds cannot 
cash. Respecting human limitations will restore balance to even the most 
overloaded life!

    --> Expect Interruptions!  Proverbs 22:3 says, "A prudent man sees 
trouble coming and ducks---a simpleton walks in blindly and is 
clobbered!"  If there is one thing in life that is FOR SURE, we can be 
sure that life seldom goes as planned.  Life cannot be predicted.  Just 
think about it...what truly messes up your schedule?  Traffic? Car 
trouble? Delays? Crisis situations? Special needs along the way? We must 
plan for interruptions or our lives will constantly be out of balance, 
our schedules will never work, and much of life will be squandered!  
Expect interruptions and plan room for them into every day!

    --> Put SPACE Into Your Schedule!  Ever had your 
PDA/Planner/Calendar/ Briefcase complain about an overstuffed 
schedule?   Actually my planner looks so much more "professional" when 
it is PACKED OUT! Only I don't handle it so well! For the last few 
years, I have really evaluated what I was doing that was causing me to 
get off my schedule and not get around to all of my to-do's.  Now, 
granted, some days it is ME or my darling little ones!  But, overall, 
95% of my schedule woes are also the culprit behind life getting just 
way too busy---OVER-SCHEDULING!  Schedules, like daily life, only work 
when there is SPACE in each day! Just like we see with the life of 
Christ (see Matthew 5-10), our life is filled with distractions, 
interruptions, crisis situations. We can battle against these OR we can 
add margin (space) into our lives that gives us room to use these as THE 
MAIN THING---opportunities for ministry, opportunities for the very best 
lessons, teachable moments, hands-on discipleship!  Not only are we able 
to step up to the call as it beckons us, but we are less likely to spin 
out of balance constantly!

    --> Prune Life To Yield MORE Fruit!  Several years ago, one of my 
dearest friends bought her DREAM land.  Every time that I go to visit 
her, our family laughs because just driving up her driveway I begin to 
see a view that rivals that of the gorgeous view on The Sound of Music, 
thus tempting me to begin to sing---"The HILLS ARE ALIVE...with the 
sound of music..."  The land is gorgeous.  But it is more than that. It 
is also productive!   However, at first it wasn't.  Rhea bought the 
land, complete with an orchard.  Sound ready to go?  Well, not exactly! 
Needing a bit of help with her fruit trees, she called in a 
professional.  To her shock, she looked outside to find her precious 
orchard looking like a bunch of sticks in the dirt. Pruning began to 
have a whole new meaning! What looked like devastation actually was the 
key to those best fruit ever! Bigger fruit! Sweeter fruit! MORE fruit!  
I remember the year that Rhea was getting her first fruits after the 
pruning. It was a year that I needed that practical example of pruning 
just so I would have the nerve to let God loose with His pruning shears! 
I can't say it was easy! It was probably one of the most challenging 
times in my entire life. I had lived my life pretty much just without 
much thought. However, God was wanting for me to yield up EVERYTHING  so 
He could prune back all that was diseased...all that was broken...all 
that was zapping my strength...all that was causing double-vision...all 
that was keeping me from bearing the fruit He had planned from the 
foundation of the earth.  1 Corinthians 6: 12a says, "Everything is 
permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are 
helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered 
with other things)."  There are many GOOD things that God would not have 
a problem if I were to do them.  However, those good things can keep me 
from producing all of the fruit that I can bear. It becomes a choice 
thing for me.  I can choose whether I will allow Him total control of my 
entire life---even the schedule... commitments... my going... my doing.  
I am the ONE who can sit down, yield to the shears, and stay ready to 
bear more and more fruit. Likewise, I can also resist.  But...I don't 
really like that alternative!

     At the end? At your limit constantly? "HAD IT?"  Take a good look 
look at life! Check for margin! Not enough? Build margin! Create space! 
Watch what happens!

*DE-STRESS!*

     Yep! Gulp! De-stress!  This one got you out of whack before too?  
You are not alone, beloved!
     Want to know the #1 complaint in our culture?  What about among 
homeschool moms? The booger behind despair? The reason that most quit?  
The reason that many never begin?  You have got it! The stress! The 
chaos! The mess! The lack of organization or ability to "keep it 
together."  Want to battle for balance? This little devil will give you 
quite a challenge!
      Yep! If there is a need among the body of Christ, this JUST might 
be it!  But, how?  Here are some quick tips for restoring balance when 
it all gets bumpy from the stresses of life...

    --> Find Your Stressors! What throws YOU for a loop?  What takes you 
into a "nose-dive?"  What "stalls" your flight? What are your biggest 
stressors?  What causes YOUR stress?  Identify the REAL culprit---HINT: 
it is NOT your husband (!!) or your children (!!) or God (!!).  Look at 
your life honestly!  What REALLY stresses you out? Holding onto your 
stress? Carrying a burden you do not have to carry? Anxiousness? 
Discontent? Strife? Expectations? Willfulness instead of willingness and 
total surrender and total abandonment? Find YOUR stressors! Know what 
REALLY "punches" your buttons!

    --> PLAN! Plan ahead! Well in advance! One saying that always pops 
into my head when I think of the word plan is, "If we fail to plan, we 
really plan to fail!" Nothing brings MORE stress than living life 
without direction, without a plan, always under "crisis" management, 
making decisions on a moment-by-moment basis.  If this is stressing you 
out, try to plan ahead! Plan out your goals. Plan out your schedule. 
EVEN the mundane things---plan out those daily routines, even going so 
far as to write them out! How does this help? Well, decisions are made, 
saving those precious brain-cells for other uses! Trust me this works 
WONDERS! So, plan! Plan well! Don't wait until the last minute! 
Plan...then, you can settle in to go a slow pace!

    --> Write it DOWN! Give your brain a rest! Talk about stressing 
out---our brains will stress out if we are keeping all of our 
to-do's...plans...goals...heartbeats...EVERYTHING on our brain! Write it 
down! Not only will it help to keep things from slipping between the 
cracks, but it will also help us to evaluate where we have come from and 
where we have to go.  Plus, the best yet! We will have a sense of 
accomplishment when we look back!

    --> Watch that attitude! There are going to be some life-stresses 
that quite honestly cannot be changed! However, we need not walk in a 
life of defeat and stress! Instead, when we recognize life-stresses that 
cannot change, that is the time to sit right down at the feet of Jesus! 
Ask Him to show the purpose. At minimum, KNOW that victory is 
guaranteed! There is no temptation or trial that is original with any of 
us! Nor is there anything that we are allowed to walk in that is not 
first filtered through the loving hands of God. He always guarantees 
VICTORY!  So, watch that attitude! When things cannot change, change 
what can---that perspective...that attitude!!

    --> Delegate! What is it that makes it so hard for moms to get help? 
Our children LOVE to be Mommy's helpers! We really steal their blessings 
when we do not delegate to them.  Even toddlers can help fold a load of 
laundry! Don't try to do it all by yourself!  Delegate and you will find 
some of the stress dissipating!

    --> Get enough rest!  Oh! This one is soooo tough for me! But, let's 
honestly look at what happens in our families when we get tired:  don't 
get enough sleep>get cranky>don't enjoy life>not too great to be around> 
others get cranky> irritates you more>get more tired... Why not simply 
get that rest?? Sleep AND that rest in body, spirit, and soul!

    --> Self-control!  Hummmm... Such a challenge!  However, we will 
find ourselves constantly stressed out until we learn to say "NO" to 
those activities, commitments, all that stuff!  Bit-by-bit, they wear us 
down. Saying, "NO" eliminates the whole threat of stress from the onset!

    --> Keep it simple! Don't overload! We already KNOW we cannot do 
everything, but we have to remember this when choices are there to be 
made! Always look at anything new, whether an activity or a possession, 
judging its importance by what you are willing to swap for it.  This 
works for everything---shoes, books, activities, commitments. Keep it 
simple! You can't do or have everything, so go for the very best!

    --> Give yourself a break!  Don't pick yourself to death NOR let 
others pick you to death either!  It is so easy to focus on the 
negative, get overwhelmed by the weaknesses and inadequacies, and get 
frustrated about how far you have to go! Then, PEOPLE sure do not help! 
Let another person loose in your life with the license to critique you 
or your situation and you will be ready for the nut-farm!  Give yourself 
a break! See this thing as a process---you will not arrive until it is 
all over but the shoutin' so relax, enjoy life, and give yourself a break!

    --> Find ways to fill your cup!  We are each wired so very 
different. Certain things stress some of us that do not bother others. 
Likewise, certain things just fill our cup!  STOP! Step back! Shift into 
low gear --or reverse!  Do what it takes to DE-STRESS!  Rest! Relax! 
Rejuvenate! Renew! Refill! Whatever it takes, find those things that 
fill YOU back up! Oh! The benefits go beyond de-stressing and restoring 
balance---you finally have living water to pour forth into the lives of 
others!

    --> Make the most of EVERY minute!  Cherish this time! Make sweet 
memories! Take time for the most important---the best things! Your 
husband! Your children! Your family life!  Don't let life just slip by! 
Look at life and decide what you would do if this were your last 
year...last month...last week...last day?  Would you go to the park to 
enjoy watching them play?  Would you cuddle up and read a great book? 
Would you take off to the beach?  Why not make those things YOUR thing? 
Oh, and probably find that education can be EASY along the way too!

     De-stress!  Crawl up into the great big comfy arms of our loving 
Heavenly Father! Let Him hold you during the most turbulent or trivial 
stresses of life! Let Him restore your spirit! What you are doing is 
vital! Your enemy wants you stressed out, overloaded, out of balance!  
He is defeated! When he snarls, throws forth his darts, and lies to you, 
just snuggle up closer to your Lord! Give Him the struggles! Give Him 
expectations! Give Him every single burden! You won't be sorry!

*GET BACK TO THE MAIN THING! RELATIONSHIPS!*


     Remember Matthew 22: 37-40?  Jesus was asked, "What IS the most 
important thing? The bottom line? The main thing?"  I love Jesus' 
ability to summarize ALL of life in ONE response! He summed up the main 
thing in three commands: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and 
body...to love others as ourselves...and obviously, to love ourselves!  
Do you see this? The MAIN THING...the BOTTOM LINE..THE most important 
thing was relationships!  However, when we get overloaded, the very 
first thing that we skimp on is relationships!
     Want to restore balance and get rid of all of that overload?  Take 
a deep look at the MAIN THING!  Anytime things are out of balance, take 
a look to see how relationships are doing? Are they being "put off" 
until the pressures go away?  Are they quiet while the rest of the 
"stuff" screams, demands, and pulls you to pieces? 
     Ask God to constantly keep you attuned to relationships in which 
you are charged with ministry.  Ask God to show you ways that you can 
love and minister to Him.  Ask Him to quicken you all along the way with 
ideas and precious opportunities for ministering to those you are called 
to minister to---your husband, your children, your parents, your 
siblings, those that come within your sphere of influence. Cry out to 
Him to help you guard your time so moments do not slip away leaving a 
hole in this vital area of life!

*SO...WHAT DO YOU THINK???*


     Ready to get out of this rat race? Ready to restore balance? Make 
life really count?  Sit at the feet of Jesus! Snuggle up close! Listen 
for each beat of His heart! Let Him pull you back  from that "stuff." 
Let Him show you how to let go of those GOOD things and grab onto the 
very best!  Give Him a chance to restore balance and set us on the path 
to leaving a legacy!

********************************************************


/About Cindy Rushton...

Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Back to School Blast, her annual 
back to school fling for homeschool mothers around the world. She is 
recording Preview Chats for the Back to School Blast RIGHT NOW! Join her 
wonderful guests FREE for the next weeks as they count down to the Back 
to School Blast (August 8-9--BUT! NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE 
seminar!). Get your ticket NOW and receive her awesome A Quick Start for 
Notebooking Mini-Set FREE today! Check out all of the details here: BACK 
TO SCHOOL BLAST 
<http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=hsmom3&pid=3>./

/Reprinted with permission./

#############################

/*Online Homeschool Programs*//*
*/*by Michael Baker*

/
    Online homeschool programs are an excellent method in ensuring your 
children are learning what they need to know. I know the purpose of home 
schooling is to place your values into the hands of our children. We 
also like to teach our children what we believe they should know. But, 
sometimes we may need a little help. Online home school programs can 
accomplish this.What can you expect from an online home school 
program?1.    A well thought out and tried curriculum. This is not the 
same as taught in the public school systems. While you will always cover 
the main subjects, such as Language Arts, Math, History and Geography, 
and Science, you also have the Bible as a part of the core lesson plan. 
And, you can choose electives. So, if there is something you would like 
to teach your child, you can choose something from here. The electives 
can be anything from college prep courses to history on any of the 50 
states.2.    CD-ROM and software training. You can download all of the 
software needed for the education. You can make backups of your work, 
and also allow for projects. The program will actually ask you if you 
want to make a backup of your work. Always answer "yes". Another 
training method is to have your child do the presentation orally, which 
will also help them in their home school.3.    You can also customize 
the lesson plan according to what your child needs, or how they learn 
better. That is one of the many pluses of home schooling. You can base 
the curriculum around the needs of your child.Do not struggle with your 
home schooling program. And, do not think you can not do it. There are 
excellent companies out there offering an online homeschool program 
which can help you and your family.


/Michael Baker is a homeschool parent. Visit 
http://www.homeschool-facts.com <http://www.homeschool-facts.com/> to 
get a free catalog.

Reprinted with permission. Article Source: 
http://www.content.onlypunjab.com <http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/>

###############################################

*Teaching Colors To 3 And 4 Year Olds
/by Francine Larson/*

/
    /A couple of summers ago, my two granddaughters, six and eight years 
old, came for a week's visit.  I told them how great they both looked in 
their aqua tee shirts.  The six year old, Alayna replied, "aqua is only 
for people over 60 years old, so this is not aqua."  I got a color 
wake-up call that day on what to call different shades or hues.  
Evidently, the word "aqua" must be out of style. However, even at age 
six, Alayna definitely had ideas as to what colors she liked and 
disliked, especially with clothing.  When I took Alayna and Mikaela 
shopping, they would politely tell me when a color did or did not meet 
with their approval.  It was fun to see them modeling different colors 
and styles. One of their favorite matching outfits was a bright orange 
skirt and top, which they called their "cheerleading outfit."  I think 
that bright orange seemed like a "fun-energy" color for them.  They 
practiced cheerleading routines all week.Have you ever noticed how 
children are so happy when they are learning something new (which is all 
the time). They are learning every breath they take, every moment.  They 
are like sponges, absorbing concepts, behavior, environment and 
attitudes.  I could go on and on, but you get the picture.How do you 
teach a preschooler a concept about colors?  First, we have to punch 
their curious button, which shouldn't be hard.  For example, if they 
heard a story about a little girl who only liked yellow, they might 
wonder what does yellow look like?  One of my first rhyming stories that 
I wrote is about such a girl, "Louella, Who Only Liked Yellow."  The 
neat part about the story is that there are other colors that Louella 
soon became willing to try, such as "green jeans" or "black 
slacks."Louella Who Only Liked YellowThere was a little girl name 
Louella. She loved everything that was yellow.She wore yellow dresses 
And even had yellow tresses.She didn't like:Green Jeans Or Black Slacks 
Or White Tights Or  A Red Dress Or  Blue Shoes Or A Brown Gown Louella 
only wanted  To wear yellow.Louella liked only yellow food. Anything 
yellow put her in a good mood.She liked corn, bananas, and lemon pie. 
They all were yellow and that was why.Yellow made her feel sunny. Yellow 
made her feel funny.Her mother said "Louella, You can't just wear 
clothes that are yellow."Her father said "Louella, You can't just eat 
foods that are yellow."But Louella only wanted clothes that were yellow. 
Louella only wanted food that was yellow.Then one day, Louella Got tired 
of yellow.She announced to her parents, "I am going to wear:Green Jeans 
And  Black Slacks And White tights And  A Red Dress Blue Shoes And A 
Brown GownI am going to eat whatever you give me to eat. Because I know 
it will give me a delicious treat.However, if you ever see Louella, 
Maybe, just maybe, she may be wearing yellow.-Francine LarsonThis story 
is a great way to teach colors.  You can have the children draw the 
various clothing that Louella would not wear, such as "green jeans"  
Have fun with it.As I was surfing the internet for more information 
about colors, I found some great sites that would be helpful material 
for preschoolers. This site teaches colors and nutrition at the same 
time.  Children can color vegetables and fruits at 
http://www.5aday.org/html/kids/coloring.php I believe every child has a 
favorite color -- a color that makes them feel happy.  Why not ask each 
child to make a circle with a smile, (a happy face) and color it the 
color that makes the child feel happy.Enjoy and color me purple for my 
happy face!

/Reprinted with Permission. Article Source: 
http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/


	*
Sponsor/Partners
*

Check out our sponsor of the month. Some of them are partners of ours 
and offer discounts to our members.

<http://www.match-inc.org/sdc.html>

Check out the great deals that Silver Dollar City is giving 
homeschoolers! You won't want to miss out! Click on the graphic above to 
see this wonderful deal.  *Check out the Homeschool Day information, it 
is up and going now on our website.*

<http://www.match-inc.org/TTUAC_8.5x11BW_DoSchoolMama.pdf>

Check out this wonderful group by clicking on the graphic above. They 
have some wonderful publications they have to offer. See their specials 
they are offering in this ad. They are the sponsor for this months 
newsletter.

<http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/>

The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is the nation's largest purchasing 
cooperative for homeschooling families.

<http://www.homeschooldigest.com/>

MATCH Members receive $6.00 off ($18 regular) for Home School Digest. 
This is a wonderful magazine!!

<http://homeschooltoday.com/>

With a current MATCH membership, you will receive a $4 discount on a 
1-year subscription.

*Reviews

*
Be watching the blog site for reviews that will be posted ASAP. 
<http://www.match-inc.org/blogs>
	


*HSLDA Membership Save *$20* on HSLDA Membership! Use group *294050* 
<http://hslda.org/a/2294050>.*
*Missouri Laws for Homeschooling*


*Compulsory Attendance Ages*: "between the ages of 7 and 16 years." 
/Missouri Annotated Statutes §167.031. /

*Required Days of Instruction:* 1,000 hours of instruction. At least 600 
hours must be in the five Required Subjects: At least 400 hours of the 
600 must occur at "the regular home school location." Mo. Ann. Stat. 
/§167.031.2(2)(b)/.

*Required Subjects:* Reading, math, social studies, language arts, and 
science. /Mo. Ann. Stat. §167.031.2(2)(b)/.

*Home School Statute:* Mo. Ann. Stat. §167.031(2). Home schools must 
meet the following additional requirements:

   1. A home school is defined as a school that:
         1. "has as its primary purpose the provision of private or
            religious-based instruction;
         2. enrolls pupils between the ages of seven and sixteen years,
            of which no more than four are unrelated" (no limit on
            number of related students); and
         3. does not charge or receive tuition, fees or other
            remuneration. /§167.031.2(1)(a)-(c)/.
   2. Home schools must maintain the following records (there is no
      requirement to submit them):
         1. a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects
            taught and activities engaged in;
         2. and "a portfolio of samples of child's academic work";
         3. and "a record of evaluations of the child's academic progress
         4. or "other written, credible evidence equivalent to
            subparagraphs a) b) and c)." /§167.031.2(2)(a)/. This means
            parents have the option to follow: a) b) and c) or they can
            choose to follow only d) which permits more flexibility.
   3. "For the purpose of minimizing unnecessary investigations" parents
      "may provide to the recorder of deeds of the county where the
      child legally resides, a signed, written declaration of enrollment
      stating their intent" to home school within thirty days after
      establishment of the home school and on Sept. 1 each year
      thereafter. /§167.042/. However, home schools are not required to
      notify anyone.
   4. "Nothing in this section shall require a...home school to include
      in its curriculum any concept, topic, or practice in conflict with
      the school's religious doctrines..." /§167.031.3/.
   5. "The production by a parent of a daily log showing that a home
      school has a course of instruction which satisfies the
      requirements of this section (See I and 2 above) shall be a
      defense to any prosecution under this section and to any charge or
      action for educational neglect." /§167.031(5)/.
   6. This statute was passed as a result of the federal court decision
      /Ellis V. O'Hara, 612 F.Supp. 379 (D.C. Mo. 1985)/. The former law
      required home instruction to be "at least substantially
      equivalent" to instruction in the public schools. The court held:
      "This statute represents a prime example of legislation which
      yields an unacceptable amount of discretion to officials charged
      with enforcement. The statute, therefore, does not comply with due
      process requirements, and is unconstitutionally vague." Ellis at
      381. The court applied "stringent scrutiny" because this case
      involved "the constitutional right of parents to direct the
      upbringing of their children and inculcate religious and
      educational values in their offspring." Id.

Copyright 2007-2008, HSLDA, all rights reserved.
	
<http://angelfoodministries.com>


To find a location for this wonderful ministry in your area go to 
http://angelfoodministries.com/states.asp?state=MO. For this months menu 
go to http://angelfoodministries.com/menu.asp.

*Homeschool Events

**Silver Dollar City* <http://www.match-inc.org/sdc.html> *Homeschool 
Day* <http://www.match-inc.org/sdc.html>
October 4, 2008
Use code *78116* to reserve your discount tickets!

Curriculum Guide 
<http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/group-travel/curriculumguide.aspx>

2008 Scavenger Hunt 
<http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/group-travel/sdc_scavengerhunt08.pdf>

Scavenger Hunt Answers 
<http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/group-travel/sdc_scavengeranswers08.pdf>
**


    Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede-Branson

Description: 	Youth Show Pricing $15.99 + tax and gratuity

Please note these special prices apply on to times and dates listed and 
are available only to youth groups including schools, Scouts, DARE, 4H 
and like organizations. This offer available only for phone reservations 
at 800-520-5101, web site and third party reservations do not apply. 
Subject to availability and possible schedule changes. Price includes 
Carriage Room pre-show, main arena Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show with 
fabulous four-course feast. $200 deposit due 30-days prior to show. 
Balance and final count due 2-weeks prior to show date. Gratuity will be 
added to all youth ticket purchases. If your organization is tax exempt, 
appropriate documentation is required. Branson location only. No 
exceptions. For other show dates, times and prices, please contact our 
Group Sales Department.

Add the Souvenir Boot Mug & soft drink $3.00 Special group offer, 
advance purchase only.

Don't Be Late for Supper!  Call early for reservations, 1-800-520-5101
Date: 	Thursday, August 7, 2008
Time: 	10:40am


    EM August Used Curriculum Sale

Description: 	Cherry Street Baptist Church
1201 S. Oak Grove Avenue
Springfield, MO

Questions? email: lynshar9 at aol.com
phone: 417.862.5851

Admission is FREE to buyers. If your children attend, there will be a 
fee of $1 per child under 12 with the exception of nursing infants.

SELLER'S COST: $9 per 8' table or $6 per round table. You may bring one 
helper, preferably a family member.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Saturday, August 2, 2008. Registrations postmarked after the deadline 
will be $15 per table and accepted only on a case by case basis.

To register, send your name, address, phone number and email address 
along with your check payable to SHEM to:

Lynn Rohrer
2803 E. Monroe Terrace
Springfield, MO 65802

All sellers will be sent a confirmation of registration by August 6.
Date: 	Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Time: 	6:30pm-9:00pm


    Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede-Branson

Description: 	Youth Show Pricing
$15.99 + tax and gratuity

Please note these special prices apply on to times and dates listed and 
are available only to youth groups including schools, Scouts, DARE, 4H 
and like organizations. This offer available only for phone reservations 
at 800-520-5101, web site and third party reservations do not apply. 
Subject to availability and possible schedule changes. Price includes 
Carriage Room pre-show, main arena Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show with 
fabulous four-course feast. $200 deposit due 30-days prior to show. 
Balance and final count due 2-weeks prior to show date. Gratuity will be 
added to all youth ticket purchases. If your organization is tax exempt, 
appropriate documentation is required. Branson location only. No 
exceptions. For other show dates, times and prices, please contact our 
Group Sales Department.

Add the Souvenir Boot Mug & soft drink $3.00 Special group offer, 
advance purchase only.

Don't Be Late for Supper!  Call early for reservations, 1-800-520-5101

* Dedicated performances for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, so availability 
may be limited. Includes Horse Care & Handling presentation for Scout 
merit badges
Date: 	Saturday, August 16, 2008
Time: 	2:10pm


    Missouri History Museum in Forest Park

Description: 	Free admission. Special exhibits free on Tuesdays. 
Includes both permanent interactive exhibits as well as traveling 
exhibitions. Hours 10-6, except 10-8 on Tuesdays.

Email: info at mohistory.org
Date: 	Tuesday, August 19, 2008


*Rockin' Rockets

*
Description: 	Use rocketry to demonstrate Newton's three laws of motion. 
Learn about the parts of a rocket as you build your own rocket to take home!

Suggested follow-up activity: Visit the James S McDonnell Planetarium, 
where you can observe and touch other types of rockets.

For reservations, call 314-289-4424 or 800-456-7572, extension 4424

Classes are held at the Saint Louis Science Center (unless otherwise 
noted) on the Third Tuesday, 1-2:30 pm
COST $7.50 per person for everyone in attendance (including parents & 
siblings) Reservations required. Payments due at least 10 days prior to 
class date.
Date: 	Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Time: 	1:00pm-2:30pm


	
<http://www.HomeSchoolEStore.com/catalog/index.php?affiliate_id=28559>

homeschoolteacherbookbag.net
Teacher Book Bag <http://www.teacherbookbag.net>

http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com 
<http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com>

homeschoolradioshows.com <http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com/>

<http://www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com/>

Click here for free COLORING PAGES 
<http://ChristianAnswers.Net/kids/clr-indx.html>
*In the News
*

*Dudek Family Receives Formal Sentence*

German homeschool families continue to be persecuted and receive harsh 
treatment from government agencies in the Federal Republic of Germany 
while the European Union's Petitions Committee has promised to look into 
accusations against Germany for repressing homeschooling.

We told you recently about the Dudek family of in Archfeldt, Germany, 
who have just received their formal written sentence of three months 
each in prison because they homeschool. Although the family knew of the 
sentence after the hearing last month, the court took weeks to prepare 
its formal written opinion. The family now has four weeks to submit 
their written appeal of the judge's decision.

Unfortunately, it appears that the issue for this German judge, and too 
many others, is less about academic preparation and respecting the 
rights of parents and the family and more about asserting its autocratic 
will on families who wish to educate their children at home in 
accordance with their conscience. After reading the judges's opinion, 
Mr. Dudek said that he couldn't believe the hardline totalitarianism it 
represented. Mr. Dudek reported that this judge referred to the infamous 
/Konrad/ case decided by the German high court in 2006 that said that 
homeschooling could not be allowed because it would lead to the creation 
of "parallel societies."

If German judges and public policy makers took the time to look a few 
miles beyond their own borders they would be able to see the absurdity 
of this reasoning. This kind of dangerous legal reasoning, in support of 
a state policy that represses the rights of parents to direct the 
upbringing and education of their children, is a sobering example of 
what can happen when the courts, rather than parents, determine what is 
in the best interest of children. This demonstrates what could happen in 
the United States if the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child were 
ever ratified.

The Dudeks have been greatly encouraged by the letters they have 
received from homeschoolers from all over the world. They asked HSLDA to 
pass on their appreciation for your thoughts and especially your 
prayers. If you would like to send a note of encouragement to the 
Dudeks, please write them at:

    Friedrichstr. No. 6
    37293 Archfeldt Germany

The Dudeks take great comfort in knowing that there are homeschoolers 
and other freedom lovers all over the world who are with them in thought 
and prayer!



	
<http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=hsmom3&pid=3>


<http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=hsmom3&pid=1>


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