Does Homeschooling Really Pay Off
By Zachary - A Homeschool Graduate

[Reaching]   [One of Those Days]   [Structured, Flexible and Having Fun Learning]
[Why We Homeschool]   [How's It Going]   [What We Miss In America]
[Taking A Stand]   [Celebrate Joy]   [Ten Commandments for Homeschoolers]
[Seeking The Truth]   [Home School Success Story]   [Are We Truly Willing]

Reaching

As home schoolers, we have taken on a huge responsibility. We have taken a stand that says the world is not going to raise my children, government is not going to raise my children and the church is not going to raise my children. Through my relationship with God and by His grace, we, as parents, are going to train up our children. We are going to start a walk across a raging river and with each new stepping stone, we are closer to the other side, the goal for which we are reaching.

But what does it mean to reach? To reach means that I must stretch and make an effort to get something. At times that reach may be short. At other times that jar on the top shelf of the cabinet will require a full stretch while standing on tip-toes. In each case, I reach.

But where do I reach? We are going to reach with each new stone, each lesson or concept, we step on as we cross the river. There will be other families crossing the same river, but maybe on different stones. If I see them slip, I need to reach to support them. If I see someone who has slipped into the river, I need to reach and attempt to pull them out of the river. That reach maybe in front of us or behind us, up or down, but it will be somewhere off of my stone. It is a natural reaction to reach. Do you stand by if you see your child falling? What about God's children?

As we strive to train up our children, we, as a family, need to reach out to those around us. How about those struggling as new home schoolers? How about missionaries on the mission field? How about a home school parent who is struggling through the day and just needs to talk to someone who will encourage them?

We have to be careful though. We can reach too far. Since God has burdened your heart concerning home schooling, satan is going to challenge you at every stone. If possible, satan will have you reach out until you fall into the river. It is a constant struggle to keep the goal in mind that we are home schooling our children and there are times to say "No". Do not be offended if the word "No" is used and do not be afraid to use the word "No" along with the "Word" to stay focused.

How do we provide support for home schoolers? By reaching. Reaching to help, reaching to support, reaching to calm, but most of all reaching to share. Reaching to share Jesus Christ and the Gospel. As Christ was willing to reach with His outstretched arms on the cross, so we should be willing to teach our children by reaching out to those around us, the homeschooler, those in other schools, the widow , those with new born children, the elderly, the single parent and those who are hurting. Are we willing to reach?

Copyright © August 1997 By Mark Chism

Special Blessings and Precious Time

My children and I recently had the opportunity to visit with my grandmother. She had a stroke and needed someone with her round the clock to care for her. The biggest blessing was being able to volunteer. My children and I have packed up school more than a few times to go with dad on a business trip but this was different. We packed up school and took it to great- Granny's house. Yes, we continued on with school and we were still able to care for her and she had the opportunity to get to know my children.

I was very close to my grandmother growing up, but since I've had children, I haven't had the opportunity (or should I say made the opportunity) to visit with her as often as I would like. She lives 2 1/2 hours from us. The week we were there my children took turns going into her room and reading and singing to her. We looked at pictures of relatives. The children will never forget the week, or weeks to come, that we spend with their great-granny. My grandmother has so much knowledge to share with my children that only she will be able to share. I nor my husband will be able to teach them the history that she knows of our family. Only she can tell them these things.

These are the special learning opportunities afforded to our children who are homeschooled. Time is so precious, for someday grandma may go home to her mansion and because I am able to take school with us, I can spend some special hours with my dear wonderful grandmother.

Do we forget about those who loved us so much when we were growing up? Do we hide behind our busy schedules or our kids and say: "I just can't go now . It is not a good time"?? When is a good time?

The Lord Blesses us now. Shouldn't we share that blessing with others as much as we can?? Our schools are mobile, take it with you and share the blessing with someone you love. They would probably love to hear your child read or sing or work those math flash cards. Don't hide the children show them off a little. They are our biggest blessing ever!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Copyright © November 1997 By Eujeana Chism

One of those days

Have you had one of those days recently when you felt like asking yourself, "Why on earth am I doing this?" I have wondered that more than my share this year. In our first full year of preschool, we have come face to face with complete dedication to homeschooling versus "maybe she would be better off in private school". I second guessed our decision every time she made a mistake, or we didn't accomplish everything on our list for that day. A husband that travels constantly, skeptical family members, and the never-ending housework have been a few of the obstacles we have jumped so far.

But the benefits have been tremendous as well. I am amazed by the closeness in our family after a day of school. Recently, Rachael sounded out two small, three-letter words for the first time. The satisfaction I felt was more than I had imagined. Each frustration had only been a step toward progress. And the nagging voices of doubt were immediately silenced. It was a blast of joy and affirmation in the face of uncertainty.

When someone asks, "Why are you homeschooling?" I usually stumble around trying to find the most impressive answer, rattling off statistics and jumping on my soapbox. But when I am frustrated and have to ask myself that same question, I am amazed at the real reason. It is simply because God has told us to. This makes every other reason seem trivial, and all the frustrations and anxieties disappear.

Copyright © December 1997 by Beth Fowler

Structured Flexible and Having Fun Learning

To explore a child's interests doesn't mean you have to unschool. We use a set curriculum as our guide to keep us on track, but we go beyond that curricula. We would be considered structured homeschoolers, simply because we have a school room and we have chosen to have a structured school setting. No, I don't do everything in the text. Does any Teacher??? We do venture beyond the textbooks and study birds, the life of Lincoln etc. But most of the time those ventures are when we are done with the stuctured learning for the day. In other words, we don't have school for just the 4 hours required. It goes way beyond that time frame. We finished school in May this last year, but my children have gone on without me to study birds. (We even got to see a pair of blue birds raise a family and teach their young to fly. That was a wonderful learning experience.) We haven't counted those experiences as school days, though. Those experiences are what we as parents enjoy doing with our kids anyway, whether they are enrolled in a public/private school or homeschooled. We have an advantage as homeschoolers, because we can choose to take a break from our school work for just those sort of experiences.

I think it is important to have that structure in learning. I also think that we should assign books and things to the children that may not be of interest to them. After all how many people want to read their loan papers? I sure didn't but I had to in order to make sure of what I was signing. We also have to take tests in life. Driving tests and job applications are tests. The children need to know how to do these things from the beginning. I have had some homeschoolers tell me that their children are not cows to be lined up and herded in somewhere. (This came about when on a field trip we couldn't get the children to form a line to make it easier for workers to get by us and to get in the dooorways without confusion.) It is embarrassing to go on a field trip and the children don't know what it means to form a line. What kind of testimony are we portraying to our host? I would say, one of disorganization and lack of discipline and structure. We stand in line every time we go to a grocery store or department store. We ought to teach the children to stand in line.

No, we are not trying to UNschool or take the classroom orderliness away from the children but we do explore their interest above and beyond school time. We try to think of it this way. We are homeschooling today, we don't know what our Lord intends for us tomorrow. I would like to think that if the Lord took me home or if I were disabled and not able to homeschool, that the transition for my children into a school, private or public, would be a smooth transition because they are used to the structure of the classroom and they know how to study things that do not necessarily interest them. Plus they have had the advantage of doing their own exploration and can research and find out the answer to their inner most questions. My child carries a pocket dictionary around (he is 8 now and has been doing this for a year now) that I found and told him he could keep in his desk for a quick reference. Next thing I knew he was taking it everywhere we went. I asked him why and he said so I can look up the words I don’t understand when I hear them. Well that sounds like a learning experience. Do I count it as school? I think not, but my child has learned a little extra and it is something he wants to know.

I don’t think some have a clear understanding of the term unschool. Unschool to me is when you have no structure and no real discipline to learn anything other than that which interests the child. Following the interests of the child is okay but they all need to learn how to read and write and do math whether it interests them or not. Now being relaxed and flexible is a whole different topic.

Copyright © June 1998 by Eujeana Chism

Why We Homeschool

Why have we chosen to homeschool? That is really a simple yet complicated question.

First and foremost is because God has given us the responsiblity to teach and train our children. In my opinion that does not mean that we have to homeschool our children. We are responsible for the education of our children and we have chosen to fullfill that responsibility by homeschooling. That does not mean that our friends and relatives that have not chosen homeschooling are sinful, wicked or irresponsible. It just means that they have chosen to educate their children differently. The responsibility relies on the time and involvement that the parents put into the training of their children. My advice to those that don't choose homeschool is to be involved in their child's school as much as possible. They need to know what is going on and to express concerns to the teachers and principals when they see something out of line. It is really no different than all the co-oping that is going on in the homeschool support groups -- it is others teaching children but the parents are involved, the way it should be. Most public and private schools encourage the parent to become involved. Homschooling is not for everyone.

We homeschool one year at a time with the attitude of, " Are we teaching our children in such a way that if they had to transfer to a traditional school setting would they be able to adjust easily?" In other words, if something happened to one of us and we didn't have a choice, would our kids represent being homeschooled as having good character and disipline to do school work and listen to lectures in a classroom setting or would they represent homeschool as "where is the couch for me to lay on while I do my work or this is boring can we just skip this and go outside. Or "I'm tired of this" and be a constant complainer of everything that is done. Part of the character that we are trying to instill is found in the discipline to do their school work neatly and in an acceptable manner. Scripture says "decently and in order..." If we can instill the character building traits in our children to represent our Lord, then we have accomplished the greatest task the Lord has given us for our children. See, we are in God's Army. Our children are on temporary loan. We are training them to serve Him and to tell others about Him. He has given us some wonderful precious little blessings, it is our responsibility to see that they stay a blessing to all those they meet.

Eujeana had surrendered to teach at a youth retreat when she was 12. She studied education through her christian college years, until a family tragedy forced her to switch colleges. In this secular college, fearing the training she would receive, she switched her major to business.

As a couple, we had several discussions about homeschooling and had made a decision to proceed in that direction, even before we were married. To make a long story short, when our first child was 3, we went to the Atlanta Curriculum Fair to check out curricula and make a decision about what we wanted to use for our homeschool. On the way back, it dawned on her that what the Lord was telling her back when she was at that camp is that He wanted her to teach our children and train them for Him. That is the direction that the Lord led us as a family. God won't give us more than we can handle.

Some have asked, "do people Homeschool mostly because they can't afford a private school?" That made us think. Eujeana went to private school from 5th grade on and Mark is the product of the public school system. We knew from experience that there was not a whole lot of difference between the two. Each new school considers itself better than the previous school and there are always setbacks and work to be "caught-up." Between us, we have 6 1/2 years of college and no degree. Never the less, God has blessed with the ability as well as the opportunity to homeschool our children. He has a mighty plan for each of them. Our six year old already says he is going to be a preacher and tell people about the Bible. He says he might build houses too but he really wants to preach the Bible. Our 4 year old comments that she is going to teach the ladies and girls the lessons. Those little comments are what keep us going. Each morning, one of the children is asked to pray. Their prayers are always so grown up and sweet that sometimes it makes us have to choke back the tears of blessing, because God has given us the opportunity to be with our children each and every day to train and love them every minute.

And GUESS what, we are learning all over again with the kids. We learn something new almost every day. Those of us that don't have a so called degree and are teaching several children, just think how many diplomas we will earn by the time our teaching carreer is over. And think about the knowledge that we will gain, too.

Homeschooling has been a blessing to us in so many ways. It has allowed us to be a family when dad's work schedule would have conflicted with the traditional school setting. We plan around his schedule and even take school out of town and go on business trips with dad. We do school in the hotel while he works and go see the sights when he returns. We have already had some ultimate field trips.

What ever choices one makes is between them and God, and we are not to judge but to encourage.

Copyright © October 1998 by Mark and Eujeana Chism

How's It Going

Do the goals you’ve set look unreachable??Are you Struggling with your schedule?? Are your children’s learning style totally different than you had planned? Are you about to pull your hair out and are you wondering why you chose this specific path in life?

Well we have all been there and we all fall in that same hole and have to climb back out again. Let me tell you first that God chose this path for us and His Word says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phillippians 4:13

My children and I have been learning a song in our school opening time. It has been a blessing and encouragement to me so I thought I would share the words with you.

Little by Little
by Ron Hamilton

When mountains tower rugged and high
Rise to the challenge look to the sky
Trust in the Lord and start out to climb
Reach for the goal one step at a time

(Chorus)
Little by little inch by inch
by the yard it’s hard by the inch what a cinch.
Never stare up the stairs, just step up the steps,
Little by little inch by inch.

Growing in Christ takes work everyday
Reading your Bible learning to pray
Build Godly Habits seek help divine,
Great things are done one step at a time.

Just Remember when you are struggling “inch by inch” is a cinch but “by the yard it’s hard”. Take one day at a time and pray daily for the strength needed to make it through those tough days. It will be worth it in the future.

Copyright © November 1998 by Eujeana Chism

What We Miss in America

In America, we have many great and wonderful things. These include personal freedoms to vote, to speak, and to worship. Though these freedoms have been modified from their original intent, they still exist. But in terms of our understanding the Bible, we have been missing something. We have never had a king.

Don't get me wrong, this is not all bad. But do we truly understand Paul's situation with Caesar, or David's dilemma when he was pursued by Saul and the army of Israel, or when the sin of David resulted in him having to make a decision which would effect a whole nation?

The United States became enthralled with Princess Diana and the pomp surrounding the royal wedding. We have fairy tales which talk about the prince and living happily ever after. We talk of being king of our castle and want our children to marry a prince or princess. This lack of royalty has had a profound effect upon our nation. This lack of a king has helped to build a nation where personal choice comes before any respect of government or leaders. In the last election, not even 30% of the eligible voters voted.

The Bible is quite clear in that we are to honour those in authority over us. The election of leaders lets us feel somewhat in control. On the other hand, those who are under the king are at the whim of the king, whether good or bad. We here in America are not used to a king's absolute rule. Are we willing to let Christ have absolute rule over our lives?

There are verses like Psalms 10:16 and 24:8 - 10, where we see Christ referred to as King and Lord, but is that the position He holds in our life?

I think of the old black and white movie with Eroll Flynn playing Robin Hood. In the movie, Robin performs his deeds in the name of the absent King Richard, and when confronted by a hooded Richard, he surrenders to his king. Have we surrendered all to Christ our King?

If not, I would urge you to surrender your heart and life today. If you have, then use the freedom you have to honour Him in your life and your home school.

Copyright © December 1998 by Mark Chism

Taking A Stand

In my article, What We Miss In America, in the December news letter, I talked about Robin Hood and his unwavering allegiance to King Richard and how we should apply this to our own life. I would like to take those thoughts to the next level.

Recently, in Ripley, TN there is the case of 2 homeschooling parents being jailed and, according to reports, a judge, who misinterpreted state laws, began to persecute homeschoolers. Some yielded and returned their children to public school fearing the authority of the judge. I do not condemn these folks. The jailed parents have become an example of what can and may happen here in Tennessee. (If you want more info about this situation, please feel free and contact us.) Are you willing to stand-up in the face of adversity and are you prepared to defend what you believe?

At our last family fellowship, we heard the testimonies of four homeschool graduates. All four of them testified to the faith and dedication of their parents, even in the face of hardships including a trial for homeschooling their children. We heard of a grandfather doing a shop class, a homeschooler running his own business, and how others dealt with the questions of the world concerning socialization and other topics. It was encouraging, but it reminded me of what the bible says in I Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" Are we always ready to give an answer for what we believe?

I believe God gave us the command to educate our children in the things of God according to Deuteronomy 4:9. This is in all things and all subjects. We are also to "Train up" our children according to Proverbs 22:6. This means in discipline and structure.

All this being said, I believe we also have a responsibility to society to produce a child who can function as a part of society being able to obey the rules of society which do not contradict God's law and being able to work and communicate with the people around them. Does this mean that the government should dictate my curriculum? Absolutely not. The government has no right to dictate my curriculum or any other aspect of how I educate my children, but it does mean that when asked about my homeschooling, I should be able to answer those officials with meaningful information and progress of my children. We are to answer in meekness, honestly and with humility, and in the fear of our Lord as representatives of Him.

The homeschooling movement has many hard days ahead and as Christians we know that the world is not getting any better. In my conversations with other homeschoolers, I hear the joys of homeschooling and the fear of tomorrow and what legislation and legal problems may be looming. We serve a great and powerful God who already knows what tomorrow will bring and is steering us in the direction we need to go, if we will but listen and follow.

Copyright © January 1999 by Mark Chism

****Celebrate Joy!!*****

C – Complete what you start
E -- Enlarge your interests
L – Laugh a lot
E -- Express gratitude
B -- Be kind thoughtful and caring
R – Read the Bible Daily
A – Accentuate the positive
T-- Tell a friend you love them
E -- Extend a helping hand

J -- Jot down Five reasons to be thankful daily
O -- Over look pettiness and envy
Y -- Yield your life to God

Author Unknown

Does Home Schooling Really Pay Off?

Will it really payoff in the long run? That is a question many home school parents may ask themselves, especially those who have just begun the long journey of home-educating their children. My name is Zachary Cannon and I am a senior this year. I have been home-educated for the past ten years and I can still say today, just as I did ten years ago, that I love home schooling!

Ten years ago, my family decided to move to Tennessee because we knew there was a wonderful church and we had heard they also had a great Christian school. So we began attending the church there and I started going to the school. I began there in the second grade. I really liked going there because I had the best teacher and most of the children in my class became good friends. Well sort of...

You see, my parents began noticing a change in me. Even then I was beginning to lose my identity. I was bringing home traits from the other boys and girls in the school. The bad thing was, I was bringing home their bad and not their good traits. So, my wise parents, decided to get me out of school and home-educate me.

I started off with mostly Abeka books and Bob Jones grammar and Bible. Then in forth grade I started Abeka video. I disliked Abeka Video because it seemed too much like being in Christian school. So, fifth grade was just a mixture of curriculum and then about the sixth grade we heard of this wonderful Christian curriculum that instead of taking each academic subject and then Bible as a subject, it takes the Bible and from scripture makes application to every academic subject. Si it takes everything straight from the Word of God and makes application directly to our lives. When we began in the Advanced Training Institute(A.T.I.) I knew it was going to be the best thing for my home schooling. I learned more about God's Word and how it directly relates to the world around us that any amount of academics could have taught me. And more importantly, it has instilled in me a love for God and His Word that otherwise would have been difficult to obtain. Through home schooling, I have had great and many opportunities. In a traditional school system they cultivate in you what your interests should be and then they teach you how to pursue those predetermined interests. Being home-educated has given me the ability to cultivate my own interests and to pursue those interests.

Since I began Home-education I have been a beekeeper, raised beef for my own family and others consumption. At fourteen years old I started my own home business raising Pastured Poultry, a type of naturally raised chicken, I have sold eggs from a flock of hens that I raised from chicks. On our little three acre farm we have had chicks, ducklings, kittens, puppies, kids(baby goats), calves, and foals(horses) born which has been a wonderful experience. Scripture also emphasizes the character that can be learned from animals and being around them allows children to cultivate character from the animals.

Also I have had the opportunity to take piano lessons for ten years, taught myself violin, guitar and accordion.

Opportunities abound for the home-educated!

You know, sometimes I hear people say, "well, I want my kids to be able to socialize." Socialization is parents biggest question and drawback when it comes to home-educating, but it is not such a big problem. Being Home-educated gives you such a greater opportunity to socialize than any traditional school. Socialization is not putting you in a school with a bunch of your peers, most of whom are having the same problems and struggles that you are facing, and expect the child to learn how to socialize. Socializing is being able to communicate with the world around you and the only way you can learn how to socialize is to be around people who are more mature and seeing how they socialize. That is how you learn. Parents get to teach their children how to socialize by how they socialize, instead of their children having to learn from peers. Being home-educated can help avoid a lot of social problems because you can really learn how to socialize. Most of the people I know and associate myself with are older and far wiser than I am and that is how I learn to socialize. That is how I learn to communicate with the world around me by being with the people. So, as for as socializing is concerned, home-educating definitely pays.

It takes really determined and dedicated parents to home-educate their children. I know that if it hadn't been for my parents dedication and determination I probably would not have made it through home schooling. I rejoice for each one of you parents who have decided to home-educate your children and are determined to stick with it no matter what trials or struggles may come your way. Home schooling does have its struggles, but the benefits of home-educating far out-weigh any struggle that might come along. And young people, it really makes it easier on parents if you are an obedient and willing pupil. If God has led them to home-educate you then you should accept that and be willing to follow your parents direction. I know that it would have made it hard on my parents if I had not been willing to stick to it too. It makes it easier on the parents to give up if we don't do our part in home-education. My experience as a home schooler has by far been so good because I have been willing to follow what my parents feel is right for me and so far they have been completely right. Having been through home schooling I would never, ever put my children in a traditional school, but home-educate them. Home-education definitely pays off. It has benefitted my life far greater than anything else other than my salvation.

The main thing that has continually kept me going in my home-education is that one day, when I stand before the Lord, I want to hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Thank you, and God Bless!

By Zachary

Copyright © March 1999 by Zachary

Ten Commandments For Homeschoolers
by Melanie A. Lippert

#1 Thou shalt love thy students with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, with all thy strength, and the Lord thy God above all.
#2 Thou shalt teach thy children, by example, to love thy neighbor as thyself.
#3 Thou shalt offer praise and encouragement to thy students daily.
#4 Thou shalt not do thy student's work, but teach them to work willingly with their own hands.
#5 Honour thy commitment to diligently instruct thy children so that they may excel in knowledge and in life.
#6 Thou shalt not allow outside interruptions during school hours.
#7 Thou shalt be organized and prepared for each week's lessons.
#8 Thou shalt not give homework.
#9 Thou shalt be patient and calm when progress is slow.
#10 Thou shalt not be weary in well-doing, for ye shall reap the good fruit of your labours in due season and thy family shall be blessed.

Copyright © March 1997 Printed with Permission

Seeking The Truth

In the business world, it is interesting to interview and work with folks today. I have been in meetings where what is the basic truth about a situation gets to be so blurred that fact and fiction run together. Marketing people have this way of constantly blurring the lines. But thank God, that we can know the Truth and have the opportunity to train our children in the Truth.

I always enjoy striking up a conversation related to Creation Science and Creationism. I listen to the half truths and outright lies which folks have been taught and attempt to show them the Truth thru the Word of God. They will go through theories which have been abandoned and ideas which are out of touch with the facts, yet when you show them the facts, they say "Well that is okay for you."

Situational ethics and the belief that each person has a right to their own set of beliefs (other than Christians) is the basis of today's society. Sanctity of life, morality, and honesty are no longer considered to be necessary nor are they desirable in the eyes of society.

I thank God that we have the opportunity to train our children and to teach them, not only about "The Way, The Truth, and the Life", but to bring them up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

I don't often recommend books, but The Evangelist in Chains available through Rod & Staff is an excellent resource that will make you think about the training and the preparation we are providing for our children.

Copyright © September 1999 by Mark Chism

Home School Success Story

I received a forwarded e-mail asking for adult homeschooling success stories and I feel that my husband and I have 4 such stories in my 4 daughters ages 25, 23, 21, and 20. I will briefly tell you something about them.

Leah, age 25, is our oldest daughter. We began our homeschooling experience with she and her sisters whenever she was in the 7th grade and continued with the girls for the next 12 years. When Leah graduated from the CLASS homeschool course, she went to Jon Nave Cosmetology University in Nashville, TN and received her license to be a hairdresser. She graduated at the top of her class and was soo well-liked and received by everyone in her particular class as well as all of her instructors even though she is a Christian. After graduation she was hired to work at Illusions, an elite salon/day spa, in Nashville, where such famous people from Reba McIntyre to Steve Green and Mark Lowry would come in for haircuts. She also at the age of 19 was able to get out on her own, move into her first apartment and fully support herself. For 3 years Leah was asked to do hair backstage at the Dove Awards. Her goal in life was to be a stay-at-home wife and mother and this became possible for her 2 years ago when she married a fine Christian man. She became a mother to their son a year ago on Sept. 17th and is living in Rockvale, TN. She continues to cut hair for friends and family from her home now and is extremely happy. It looks like homeschooling her son in the future will be part of her life also.

Annissa, daughter #2 and 23 years old, began homeschooling when she was in the 6th grade and continued until she graduated also from CLASS. She began working part-time for a urologist whenever she was 15 years old and continued this work through the year after she graduated. Then she attended 4 years of college majoring in business at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. During the time she was there she received yearly awards from Who's Who for her high grade point average that she managed to maintain for the entire 4 years. At her college graduation she received numerous awards for her grades also and was chosen by the college faculty as the outstanding senior girl in her graduating class. After graduation she took a job as one of the many secretaries and as the receptionist at Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone, MO, where she continues to work at this time. She recently was approved by the entire staff and the pastor's wife to become her pastor's personal secretary. She is a faithful worker and does a terrific job. The President of a large company in the area who knows Annissa says that she is perfectly capable of becoming an executive secretary if the Lord ever leads her in that direction. However, Annissa is very happy in the her position at this time and also enjoys working with the teen group in her church.

Charity, our 3rd daughter, entered into her homeschooling experience when she was in the 2nd grade and also continued until she graduated from high school. She began working part-time during high school for a print shop in the area. At 15 she started taking voice lessons from a voice professor at Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro. This professor was amazed at the quality and range of her voice and faithfully worked with her throughout high school and until she was accepted into a contemporary Christian group called WINGS based in Woodstock, GA. During Charity's first year with WINGS she was privileged to sing in many churches, schools, camps, and even in China. She met and married the sound technician in the group and they are continuing at this time traveling across the United States singing and ministering to teens. This year they were able to go to Russia where they sang and ministered to young sailors and in an orphanage. Charity has an outstandingly strong soprano voice and truly loves singing.

Tshanina, our youngest and last daughter, recently turned 20 years old. We began homeschooling her whenever she was a 1st grader and she also graduated using CLASS curriculum for her entire education. She went to school in Nashville to become a nail technician/manicurist/pedicurist and has built up a successful clientele in a salon/day spa in the Murfreesboro, TN, area. She has a personality and a warm smile and laugh that draws people to her. Her boss and clients praise her for the caliber of work that she does and for her willingness to work hard and to do her job well. She is getting married this November 12th and plans to continue working until she has a child.

These may not be the type of success stories that you are looking for, but as the mother of these 4 lovely girls, they are my greatest accomplishment in life. I wouldn't trade all of those 12 challenging years of homeschooling them for anything because they are all very happy in their lives and have all chosen to have an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ following His direction in their lives.

Thank you for the privilege of sharing my success stories with you!

Most sincerely,
Candy Feathers
rfeathers@cafes.net

Copyright © October 1999 by Candy Feathers

Are We Truly Willing

I heard an interesting statement on the radio, "There are investors in the stock market today who have not experienced a major depression or correction. They have seen nothing but a market moving in an upward direction." I thought about this in terms of how we are raising our children. How do we, as parents, prepare our children for the hard times to come?