Announcing the newest FCHM
Co-ops:
Welcome!
United States:
Lewis County, WA
Kitsap County, WA
Sandpoint, ID
Central, IN
Frederick, MD
Sturbridge, MA
Gaston, NC
Accomack, VA
Wagener, SC
Folsom, CA
Happy Valley, OR
|
You can personally help FCHM Grow!
Are you unable to
help FCHM out financially?
You can still help us grow! Spread the word by forwarding this ezine to your homeschooling friends and help our First Class network grow!
|
We grow through your giving.
Every gift you make to FCHM helps us plant homeschool co-ops around the world.
Thank you for supporting the ministry of FCHM.
|
Membership Benefits Update!
FCHM Membership cards will be processed after the last co-op registers for Fall term.
They will be mailed to your local co-op to distribute. If you are not yet part of a co-op, they will be mailed to you.
Expect FCHM Membership cards to arrive late October/early November!
|
New Member Benefit - the FCHM Event Registration System
The Event Registration System (ERS) is for local co-ops to use in organizing events.
Members will be able to sign up online for field trips & special events. There are multiple payment options, including paypal.
For the co-op event organizers you may customize the ERS to suit your needs!
Give it a spin and register for FCHM's Benefit Dessert online today!
|
|
 Homeschooling Q&A
Q: "What are the testing requirements for children in homeschool who are not affiliated with a public school?" -E. in Washington
A: Whether you are new to homeschooling or if you've been around awhile, this is definitely the time of year that new homeschooling parents wonder whether or not they have met state requirements, so this is a great question!
Each state has it's own requirements. That doesn't really answer your question specifically, but I know where to find your answer!
Go to: www.hslda.org/laws, click on YOUR state. They provide a summary of the homeschooling requirements in your state as well as standardized testing requirements.
Do you have a homeschooling question that you would like us to answer?
Email it to zindra@fchm.org. | |
|
 Teach Me, Lord
Our homeschool, God's Classroom
Do you ever notice how much you learn from teaching your children? I am always amazed at how the Lord has used homeschooling to teach me. Most of the parents we know who have chosen to homeschool do so because they know they were "called" to it. My dear friend Steve is always saying that homeschooling is a personal invitation from the Lord to us ~ and I believe that as we accept the invitation, and walk with the Lord through all the ups and downs, homeschooling becomes a tool that God uses to shape our lives for His glory. You see, homeschooling is about us grownups as much as it is about our children.
Most of the time, I am a student in God's classroom (our homeschool). Homeschooling presents us with a gazillion opportunities to grow. I thought about this last week when a particular lesson with one of the kids turned into a serious test for me. (Thank you, Lord, that you don't give up on me as easily as I give up on others.)
I'm learning that in order to be successful in "God's classroom", I need to be honest about the road I'm on. Truth is, character training never stops, toddlers interrupt, phones ring, email happens, lessons go overtime, cookies burn and relationships disappoint. (Thank you, Lord, for loving me even when I am impatient with the ones who I love the most.)
 There really is no such thing as "Super Mom"... and I'm glad! You see, my strengths are magnified right along with my weaknesses in the day-to-day happenings of our homeschooling. Just about the time I begin to take pride in my ability to keep the house clean while homeschooling five children and training a toddler, I'll hear an unexpected knock at the door and the obvious "life" that happens inside our home is is plainly seen in the form of a lipstick-clad toddler wearing grape juice and a smile. (Thank you Lord, that Your grace is sufficient for me, and Your mercies are new every morning!)
In ten years of homeschooling, I have passed some tests, and I have failed a few, too. God has used the lessons that come with homeschooling to teach me a few simple, yet profound truths that have blessed me and challenged me as I grow. For example:
When I am weak, (take algebra for example) He is strong
The only time I ever felt as if I couldn't homeschool was in the very beginning ~ and near the end. In the beginning, I was unsure that I could homeschool because I had never taught a child to read. I had to trust that God would provide the resources necessary for me to teach this skill to our daughter. The first time she sounded out word, I was nearly overcome with joy!
When our oldest daughter entered high school, I questioned my ability to give her what she needed to be ready to embrace all that God might call her to. The Lord gently showed me that my thinking was prideful, because after all, He would not call us to homeschool and then not equip us to do it well! We quickly discovered there was nothing to fear - and those subjects that I was concerned about have been taken care of through our co-op and a few wonderful resources God directed us to.
I've got too much invested to neglect God's Word
Years ago, I felt the Lord stirring me to have my "quiet time" with our children so that I could model for them what it looked like to read God's word and talk about it together. This is how we start our school day. Seeing our children grown in relationship with the Lord has been, by far and away, the most rewarding thing about homeschooling. When we make spending time in God's Word a daily priority, He blesses it tremendously! When we neglect God's Word, and do not take the time to talk to Him, we feel that, too.
His provision never fails
Following the Lord into full-time support-based ministry with First Class has been a school of it's own. We have had many opportunities to put God's promise to provide to the test. It doesn't matter what the need - God's timing is perfect and His provision never fails. Jay and I feel that we are finally earning our "masters" degree in the process.
It doesn't matter what the need - it is never too big (or small!) to bring it to the Lord. We have literally seen boxes of curriculum and books arrive on our doorstep in the nick of time. God has shown us that He delights in providing for His children! Right along with our children, we are learning to trust God in new ways every day.
God doesn't expect perfection
He already knows our weaknesses (intimately!) It was freeing for me to realize that I didn't have to live up to anyone else's idea of what our homeschool needed to look like. No two homeschooling families are alike, and that's because God made us that way. See yourself as God sees you - He has called you by [your individual] name! (Isaiah 43:1)
God created us for relationship
When we first started homeschooling, we were living in Wilsonville, Oregon. I realized how keenly alone I felt when my girlfriends coffee date on Tuesday mornings went on without me. I struggled to find friends who understood the unique pressures and joys of homeschooling. This just part of why we are so passionate about First Class co-ops: they provide wonderful places to build relationships with others.
 Several years ago, I heard a well-known speaker refer to parents who feel the need to participate in homeschool support groups and co-ops as giving in in to "fear-pressure". The point that was being made was that we should be content to "go it alone". I could not disagree more! We are were clearly designed for relationships - first with our Creator, and then with each other. When we love God and patiently serve others, we are doing what we were meant to do! "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew
22:37-39).
School's In!
Jay and Heidi St. John have been married for 19 years and are the homeschooling parents of six children who range in age from seventeen to three. Heidi speaks to mothers with humor and grace on many subjects dealing with homeschooling. If you are interested in having the St. Johns speak at your event, please contact them through FCHM.
|
2nd Annual FCHM Benefit Dessert
with Gregg Harris
Date: Friday, October 24th
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Come find out why we are so passionate about the ministry of FCHM and be encouraged in your role as a parent or grandparent!
Psalm 127
tells us that God has issued our children to us to be "as arrows in the
hand of warrior." That means we are supposed to make every shot count
in the battle against wickedness. But how can we aim our children for
life? What is the right target?
And how should we exert our influence?
The answers are both profound and simple.
This is the BIG ONE!
FCHM holds one major fundraising  event each year in an effort to raise funds to support the national ministry and FCHM co-ops as a whole. Join us on October 24th
for a beautiful, autumn celebration of the blessings God has poured out
on us as a ministry!
On October 24th, you will hear a message of encouragement in your
role as a parent or grandparent, and you will be given an opportunity to support
First Class Homeschool Ministries in our mission to connect and support
homeschooling families though their local church.
|
Homeschool Drive Thru is being launched!
Calling all Ebook writers!
Are you an ebook writer or aspire to be one?
Moms: What do you do with your own kids that others could benefit from? Ebook it!
 Teachers: What do you do in your co-op classrooms that other teachers could benefit from? Ebook it!
If you are interested, send your contact information as well as a short description of your ebook writing experience, ideas or plans. Email me at zindra@fchm.org, adding "ebook" to the subject line.
|
|
 12 Things I Would Not Change
By Mrs. Lorrie Flem, Publisher of TEACH Magazine
In the last year of my mom's life she wrote an article for the homemaking magazine we publish, TEACH Magazine. This article received so much mail that it brought to my realization that many moms focus so much on the mechanics of parenting that they lose site of the really important things that will help them reach their goal, of raising Godly children.
It's kind of like losing site of the forest because of all the trees in the way. It is so easy to spend all of our time teaching our children about how to overcome sinning like lying, whining, and dawdling. Or life skills like laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Or academics like reading, writing, and arithmetic. Or spiritual disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, and worship. Or personal fruitfulness like love, joy, and peace, that we forget that what we do often speaks louder than anything we say.
And sometimes what shouts the loudest is what we don't do. Here is my mama's list of 12 Things she wouldn't change.
By Nancy Nolan
 I've done a lot of things in my life that I'm glad about. But there are a lot of things I would change if I could go back and relive it again. Thankfully, there are more things that I would never change than things I regret. These are the things I would not change. I would like to share them with you as an encouragement.
1. I would not read my Bible any less nor shorten my time in prayer.
2. I would not love husband any less nor spend less time with him.
3. I would not have fewer children.
4. I would not read any fewer stories to my children.
5. I would not smile or laugh less.
6. I would not obtain any less slobbery kisses nor kiss fewer "owies."
7. I would not smile less or be fewer with my thanks you's for all the dandelions I got from those little ones of mine.
8. I would not accept so many pleadings to my no's so they would better understand that no means no.
9. I would not listen to them any less, even to the seventeenth version Mary Poppins I had already heard.
10. I would not make any fewer special dinners for my family.
11. I would not care about the dust bunnies or dirty dishes as much and I would give time to my children more. After all, I don't remember those dust bunnies very well, but today I have the pleasure of talking to my children frequently because of the time I spent yesterday.
12. I would not prepare any fewer summer picnics for them to share in the backyard.
Then mama said, "To sum it up, you will never have this day again, and your child will never be the same today as he will be tomorrow."
I hope mama's list is an encouragement to you. Spend your time on what is eternally profitable and count as important the things that won't burn in the end, our children.
Lorrie
Lorrie has loved being Randy's rib for 23 years. They have 8 precious and often precocious children from 21 to 5 years old. She is the publisher of TEACH Magazine, author of more than 30 books, speaks nationally, and is known for her fun and real-life encouragement. You can hear from her weekly through TEACH Talk, and get a FREE ebook too! Love being a mom, make your marriage thrive, get wonderful resources and look more like Jesus everyday at www.TEACHmagazine.com. | |
|
The ability to access your local First Class Co-op where you will get the support you need, no matter where you are on the road of homeschooling! 
