Hello friends!

Well, we're in Spokane!  After 11,000 miles and as many WalMart parking lots as we could stay in, we're on the final leg of our journey.  Tomorrow, after the laundry is done and we feel a little more "human" we will head to Seattle where we're speaking for the state homeschool conference there.  We love the heart behind the leadership of WATCH - which is to encourage those who attend to really find the LIFE that God has for them.  It's truly a wonderful event.

God has done some truly amazing things as we have traveled this incredible country ~ not only in the lives of those we have been privileged to meet, but in our own family - in our marriage (living in 27 linear feet for 10 weeks can really put you to the test!) - and in the lives of our children individually.

The Lord works through circumstances, people and even trials - and He is faithful to speak to us as we seek Him through His word in each situation we encounter.  This is one of the joys of walking with the Lord!

Another amazing thing about God is that He is not limited to the things that we often feel so limited by:finances, physical struggles and old RV's are no match for the God of the Universe!  When He is in something - there is no telling what will happen.

Following God can take us into uncharted waters.  Sometimes, it's just a matter of letting go of our fears and expectations and allowing God to lead and direct. (Remember when you started homeschooling?)

Letting go and serving the Lord in whatever He asks of us - no matter how difficult or "small" we may think of the role God has asked us to assume - has tremendous impact for the Kingdom when that service is done out of a heart that is yeilded to the Lord.

This summer, we have been blessed beyond measure to see the Lord show Himself faithful to our children, particularly the older ones, as they have served our family and others in a variety of ways.  As you will see in a moment, our nearly 18 yr old daughter, Savannah has grown in her own walk with God as she has poured out her own life, and often her own desires, to serve the Lord.

It's not always easy - but it's always worth it.  God's heart is found in serving others.

The following blog entry was written by Savannah.  I hope it encourages you as you raise your children up for the glory of God.  The true blessing of homeschooling can only be found at the end of the journey.  It's worth it.  Press on.

I love you, Savannah!  We're so proud to call you our daughter.  Thank you for serving us so faithfully this summer.  We know that watching little kids in an RV is not glamorous and can be VERY frustrating :D but you have done well.  Thanks for packing up books, talking with parents, watching the little ones, folding clothes in the rain, and encouraging us as we have driven from city to city.  I want to be like you when I grow up!

In serving your family, you have served the Lord.

(Photo right: Savannah and her younger sister Sierra in 1994)

Hello from Sheboygan, Wisconsin!

The past several days have been a whirlwind of ministry activity... a marriage conference in Michigan and a few more homeschool workshops.  We have so much to share - but before we do, I'd like to introduce you to a wonderful young man and a recent homeschool graduate - Trevor Uptain!

Trevor has been part of FCHM since it's beginning nearly ten years ago in Mount Vernon, Washington.  In fact, he was a student in Jay's very first FCHM web design class and now, he is designing websites for others!    We think a lot of Trevor and as you will see in a moment, he has quite a gift for writing and he loves the Lord deeply.

We had the privilege of hosting Trevor for about three weeks this summer on our trip.  I asked him if he would write for our blog and give us his perspective.  Both Jay and I were impressed and encouraged by what he wrote.  I know you will be, too.

Heidi

Writing about your experiences on a historic tour of the United States is much like trying to explain a new color to someone who’s never seen it. Where do you start? What do you compare it to? I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words over the past few years, but very few of those words have eluded me as much as those trying to describe the feeling you get when you walk through a Revolutionary War battlefield or touch a gravestone from the 17^th century. The more you see and experience the rich history of America, the more deeply you come to appreciate the men and women who sacrificed so much of their lives for our freedom – and to appreciate the God they allowed to mold their own lives and the destiny of our nation.

The past few weeks have been absolutely amazing in so many ways. The south and eastern parts of the United States are rich with history. Our trip around the United States has brought us many opportunities to talk about the advantages of homeschooling and about the importance of building a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ.

When we set out on June 2nd, we knew we would experience some amazing, even difficult things. While some things have been difficult, God has always shown Himself faithful. One of the best things about this trip is that God has provided us with more opportunities than we ever could have dreamed.

But then, God is like that, isn't He?

(photo left: St. John kids with the Suarez kids after the NACC Convention in Louisville, KY)

Hello! This is Heidi ~ and I'd like to introduce you to a very special member of our extended family. It seems fitting that Caylin would write to you about all the "other" family members we have met as we have traveled this amazing country we live in. She knows all about being adopted into God's family! :D And just like being adopted by God amazes me, meeting His people around the USA is heart-warming and encouraging too.

Caylin is 18 years old, and is a recent homeschool graduate. She is the best friend of our daughter Savannah and has recently joined our trip, flying into Louisville, KY. She will be with us for the remainder of the trip. Thanks for keeping us all in your prayers!

And now ~ Caylin's first entry into the St. John FAMILY blog:

It's been a very busy week for us ~ we knew it would be and I'm glad because we had a chance to sort of "gear up" for it. 

We started our week at the NACC conference in Louisville.  Our purpose in spending five fifteen hour days manning the FCHM booth on "homeschool row" (as we affectionately called it) was to reach pastors with the idea of supporting homeschooling through their church.

Pastors are becoming more receptive to the idea every year but this is by far and away the most difficult part of what we do: getting pastors to support homeschooling in a TANGIBLE way.  Most of them are totally supportive behind the scenes but when it comes to actually offering support for homeeschoolers, well, not so much.

The NACC conference was interesting because it was not a homeschool conference.  It was a conference for pastors and church leaders.  We were there in a joint effort with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and our friend Emil Messimer, who, at the age of 73, started the first FCHM co-op in Tennessee.

Together, we occupied three booths (thus the name "Homeschool Row) and together, we put a "face" on homeschooling for hundreds of people from Monday-Thursday.  We answered hundreds of questions, encouraging pastors to open their churches to homeschool co-ops.  As we expected, we also got some strange looks from people :D and also fielded some strange questions.  One of the more interesting moments came in the middle of the week when a man who had walked by our booth a few times finally stopped to talk.  Turned out that he was just against the idea of kids being home with their parents all the time ~ he thought they would all turn out unscocialized, uneducated, anti-government adults.  So we introduced him to a few of the kids.  He took a brochure. 

We also presented for Multnomah University and Family Academy ~ both of which are not widely known here in the eastern US, so it was excellent exposure for both of these awesome programs.

Good Morning!

I am writing this from the cozy home of our friends the Suarez's ... in the awesome AC.  Did I mention we like the AC?  We've had some great meals and fantastic fellowship as we've made our way to the north eastern corner of TN, and God has proven Himself faithful each step of the way.

Our band of merry men is growing, too!  We've added two neat teens to our trip (friends from the NW) and they have brought along with them a new sense of fun and adventure.  I keep saying that this little 27 foot RV is beginning to look a little like an ark with all the hands hanging out the windows!

We received a care package in the mail yesterday from dear friends in VANCOUVER.... thank you ... it was like Christmas in July!  It's been a week since most of our stuff was sold in a pawn shop in New Orleans :D and we have literally received donations, emails ... and prayers from brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world since that time!

These verses from Mark 10 were sent to us in an email yesterday.

29-30. "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."

A HUNDRED TIMES!!  Really?  Well, check this out...

Greetings from the mountains of Tennessee!  It's gorgeous here, and restful ~ and we have needed the rest.

We have spent the last several days "recovering" from our visit to New Orleans.

There are many things about this part of the country that are different from the Northwest, but one thing that is the same is the love that is shared between followers of Christ - wherever you go.

If you have been following our blog, then you know that the last entry I posted was written just before we left.  A lot has happened since then.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Hello!

Today's blog update is coming to you from Bayou Segnette State Park in New Orleans.  It's hotter than a pistol here, but we're doing just fine in our little RV.  As long as no one opens a window or needs to get out, (ha ha) we can keep it at a cool, NW 65 degrees!  Of course once we hit the road, it's a whole lot warmer in here so we're enjoying the brief respite from the heat!

The past week has been very fruitful in terms of family time and ministry opportunities.  We arrived in Houston six days ago, and presented workshops about 20 minutes after we go there.  The kids are wonderful at helping us get quickly set up and we're learning how to get into a really good routine as we go from town to town.

(picture to left is from our tables at Perryton, TX)

We have a lot to set up in each location - displays from sponsors, book racks, information about FCHM and a few other odds and ends.  The kids have gotten very creative (and fast) as we move from location to location.  They set up the displays while we get the presentations ready.  Skylar runs powerpoint ... we're sort of a cross between the VonTrapps and the Partridge Family ... only not.  :D

In case you are wondering how in the world we are able to do this ~ well it's simple:  Our trip has been sponsored by some wonderful Christian organizations - Multnomah University in Portland, OR (our alma-mater!), Family Academy, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and individual advocates of homeschooling who are partnering with us in this adventure.  The goal?  To encourage parents to raise their children to love, honor and serve the Lord with their lives.

We're blessed and encouraged along the way by every family that we meet, and God has shown Himself to us in miraculous ways at every stop.

June 17, 2009

Hello from Tomball, TX!  Those of you who have never been outside of the NW

Thanks for keeping up with us on our blog, and thanks to Polli Turner for helping us with updates as we motor across the United States.  Polli has been part of First Class since we started in 2000, and is a wonderful mentor mom as she has now graduated her children from homeschool!  Polli, you are one of my homeschool heroes!  :D

We have a map on the window of the RV and each time we cross a state line, the kids take turns putting the new state on the map.  This one is our almonst 12 yr old, Skylar, adding the great state of Texas to our map.

We are on facebook!  You can see more up-to-the-minute photos of our adventure by finding us there.

Hello from Denver, Colorado!  We have been traveling hard for several days and arrived in Denver last night about midnight.  Who knew that Lowe's parking lots could look so good?

The kids really enjoyed visiting with our friends the Youngs in Sacramento while we spoke in Folsom.  We could hardly drag them away.  :D

WELCOME TO THE ST.JOHN FAMILY TRAVEL BLOG! This is our first entry ~ we're looking forward to keeping everyone up on our travels, posting pictures of FCHM co-ops, and giving ya'll a peek into what life is like on the road for us this summer.  We're excited about all that God has in store and we hope you will leave lots of comments... we love to read them!