We are different. It's just a known fact that homeschoolers are a little odd - you might say different. Chances are if you are homeschooling it's not because you thought it would be a "neat" thing to do, after all it's hard work! Rather you do it because it is a deep conviction the Lord has laid on your heart. You have already realized that in order to do this you must reject the thinking of our society. You must "...not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,..." Romans 12:2 . We are sometimes questioned and challenged by others because of our "different" life-style - and I admit, our family is sort of hard to "miss"!

The Lord has called me to be a homemaker and whenever I fill out forms asking my occupation I could write "Curriculum Developer" or think up some important title, but the one that comes to mind first is "homemaker." Please don't think me proud, but we consider homeschooling a privilege and a blessing. Sometimes I joke about the fact that when my last leaves home, I will have homeschool (Lord willing) for some 32 years! But I often say, " What else was I going to do with my life?" I am a mother, then one day a grandmother. It is a grand life to be a homemaker.

Sound a bit too optimistic? I must be having a good day - I don't always feel this good, but the point of my article is that spending time with our children educating them is a worthwhile thing to be doing. We can teach them so many important things just by being together. A mom once asked me, "How did you teach Cacey to cook?" When I thought about it I realized I had never taught her to cook. She was just always alongside me in the kitchen cooking with me.

When most people think back to the best times they can remember from childhood, they usually say it was time spent together with family. It wasn't a trip to an amusement park but rather building a fort together and playing in it. Falling into piles of leaves, spraying dad with the hose etc. When you read together, take walks, garden, cook, and yes even clean the house, you are building up important, lifelong bonds. You are relaying a message, by your actions, that your children and family are a priority. You are building something strong and something that your children will take with them and pass on. Let us raise up the foundations of many Godly generations. "And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. Isaiah 61:4"

Sometimes it doesn't seem like you can make a difference in this anti-family world we live in, but I encourage you to continue to do the things that build a strong family. Strong families affect neighbors and friends and soon neighborhoods affect communities. Strong communities affect cities etc. etc.

If you haven't read the June issue of World magazine, try to get a copy, for the entire magazine is dedicated to "the family." We were blessed and encouraged by it and it helped us to strengthen our resolve to "keep on keepin on!" (We are going to try to purchase a bulk amount from the publisher,so you might contact us to obtain a copy).