Welcome to the reality that it is time to start school! Hopefully, you have found refreshment by having a little time off this summer and hopefully you are enthused about starting a new year with some new ideas too. I'd like to encourage you with the following thoughts:

#1 Don't Forget the Vision - Do you have a vision for the future? Can you see the Bigger Picture? Do you believe there will be a harvest one day? "Let us not grow become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

# 2 Why we are homeschooling anyway? Each household will homeschool for a variety of reasons, but probably at the root, is a deep spiritual conviction that the Lord has called us to do this. We know that homeschooling encompasses far more than merely academics. Don't forget the vision - and that is the harvest that will come one day because of your efforts to raise godly children. And though we all hit some bumps in the road from time to time, the Bible promises that God's Word will not return void...so keep on keepin' on!

#3 Let us renew our commitment in our hearts to our children. Don't start out this year feeling like "Here we go with another year. We will plod through the material and hope to learn something." Instead, gladly embrace the opportunities you have been given. Since my oldest daughter is engaged, I now see my young children with new eyes. Time passes so quickly and I want to redeem all the moments with each of them. I now appreciate those peanut butter and jelly faces. I love the laughter and the patter of feet on the floor. I look forward to teaching them and reading to them. I love to walk to the mailbox, hold hands and pick wildflowers on the way.

Moms, our attitudes can make or break our day. Your home / school will be a new place if you see your responsibilities as opportunities, not burdens.

#4 Fine tune your child training efforts. Remember, YOU parents are the authority. Grumbling students wear down the teacher. Be firm and follow your heart. Don't compare and look around at what other parents and kids are doing.

#5 Work together as a well oiled engine. One thing I hear ALL the time is, "I don't know how you do it!" Well, the truth of the matter is "I" don't do it. We all have to work together. One thing I tell my kids is "Life is work and work is good!" Repeat after me!!! God's Word is full of directives about work. In all labor there is profit. II Thes. 3 : 10 Children need to accept this truth. Work never goes away. Laziness = selfishness.

When we work together, things get done and we all have more time for other interests. By this your family can become a "fruitful family" ...one that is productive and those who are watching, notice there is a difference! Next they'll want to know "WHY?"