Christian Home Educators Fellowship—Faithfully honoring God, equipping generations, and serving the homeschooling community for the past 29 years! www.chef-missouri.com

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME April 2013 Information

I.      CHEF Information and Activities

         1.     CHEF/Generations with Vision 2013 Family Economics Conference, May 8-11

         2.     Linda Koenig’s Workshops

         3.     CHEF Used Curriculum Sale, May 29

         4.     Special Opportunities-Missouri Association for Creation Homeschool Day at the Zoo, May 2

II.     There’s No Place Like Home Articles

         1.     Weblog

                 a.      Dominoes Party

                 b.      Strawberries in the Garden

         2.     A Note from a Subscriber

         3.     Casting a Vision for Multigenerational Family Business-Jacob Bromwell

         4.     Economy-Incurs No Waste

         5.     Summers Signature-Spring Decorations for Our Dining Room

         6.     Summers at Home

         7.     Family Outings-The Great River Road

CHEF INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES

CHEF/Generations with Vision 2013 Family Economics Conference, Wednesday-Saturday, May 8-11

St. Charles Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, MO 63303

$299 Family (includes immediate family)/$109 Individual

To register:

http://chef-missouri.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=1:25th-annual-christian-home-educators-fellowship&id=26:2009-registration&Itemid=4

(Please make sure to mark that you heard about this event through CHEF.)

Candy and I are so excited to see how God is moving amongst His people by giving them a vision and a hope for their families and their posterity through the family covenant. There is nothing as wonderful as working together as a family with the same vision towards the same goals. Our desire is for your family to grab hold of the overarching plan God has for you through family economics where you invest your time, labor, and monies in building your own family dynasty.

Please allow me to reiterate the end of our book’s introduction: Where eating, reading, studying, worshipping, working, playing, fellowshipping, and ministering are all done together. Where you set your own goals, your own schedule, and your own hours. Where you love what you do because you have chosen what you love with those you love best. Where no limits are placed on success, other than how hard you are willing to work. Where you are building your own family’s wealth and legacy by using your gifts and talents to work for your family. Where you all forge ahead with the same vision, the same purpose, same goals, as you work together to transform the culture for God’s glory.

This is our family’s hope and prayer for your family! For you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

How gracious God has been to us these past 29 years in laying such a firm foundation for our CHEF families. He has blessed us with the most magnificent opportunities. As the homeschooling community continues to degenerate into a public school subculture, leaders across the country see God’s Hand upon our young men and women as He forges a Holy people for Himself. God is doing a great and marvelous work here. Let us give thanks to Him for His special favor on our body.

As of several weeks ago, we had families coming from 34 states and 4 countries to this extraordinary conference. Praise God!

Love, Jon and Candy

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The Conference begins the morning of Wednesday, May 8 and will conclude on Saturday evening, May 11. A brief overview of the content of each day as well as a tentative schedule of times and sessions is placed below to help you as you plan for attending the Family Economics Conference.

There will be a large vendor hall on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for homeschool families to buy curriculum and other worldview and education related resources. There will also be many inspiring sessions on education, discipleship, work and dominion, history, and family vision.

The last two days – Friday and Saturday – will focus in on the practical aspects of family-based economics. Get ready for a massive infusion of vision into your family’s understanding of what it means to work, give, learn, and live together in a unified household economy. You can expect 5-10 panels with folks from around the country who will share practical advice from their experience within a family economy.

Here is the workshop schedule, which is also now online at https://www.familyeconomics.com/schedule/.

Wednesday Schedule, May 8

8:00-9:00am– Registration

9:00-10:30am– Keynote Session: Conference Introduction Kevin Swanson and The Biblical Calling for a Family Leader Geoff Botkin

10:30-11:00am– Break

11:00am-12:00pm– Breakout Sessions: The Blessed Life of Honor-At Work and Home Doug Phillips, Seven Rules I Kept to Train My Son for Marriage Scott Brown, The Keys to a Successful Homeschool and a Well-Ordered Home Linda Koenig

11:00am-2:30pm – Homeschooling 101 Candy Summers

12:00-1:30pm– Lunch Break

12:00-6:30pm – Vendor Hall Open

1:30-2:30pm– Breakout Sessions: Raising a Mighty Man of God Kevin Swanson, Discipling the Hearts and Hands of Older Children Geoff and Victoria Botkin, Biblical Dominion and the Family from the Reformation to the Founding of Our Nation Dan Ford

2:30-3:00pm– Break

3:00-4:00pm– Breakout Sessions:How to Love and Lead Your Children Doug Phillips, The Secrets of Success Eric Weir, The Key to Instilling God’s Principles into the Heart of Young Children-Christ Centered Curriculum Linda Koenig, Grow Up! How to Engage Life for the Glory of God Danny Craig

4:00-5:00pm– Break/Shopping Time

5:00-6:30pm– Dinner Break

6:30-7:45pm– Keynote Session: Be Fruitful and Multiply R.C. Sproul, Jr.

7:45-8:15pm – Break

8:15-10:15pm – Family International Ball and Family Movie Night

Thursday Schedule, May 9

9:00-10:30am– Keynote Session: The Earth is the Lord’s Doug Phillips

10:30-11:00am– Break

10:30am-7:00pm – Vendor Hall Open

11:00am-12:00pm– Breakout Sessions: When You Rise Up R.C. Sproul, Jr., The Core of Homeschool High School Kevin Swanson, Joyfully Helping Your Husband Victoria Botkin, History of Technology Isaac Botkin

12:00-1:30pm– Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm– Breakout Sessions: Working with Your Children so They Will Want to Work with You Joel Salatin, Inheritance and Heritage in the Family Economy Doug Phillips, Training Sons to be Independent in Business The Botkin Family, Mentorship-Hope for the Future Danny Craig

2:30-3:00pm– Break

3:00-4:00pm– Breakout Sessions: Debt-Free Living Kevin Swanson, Local Food to the Rescue Joel Salatin, Evolution of Economics R.C. Sproul, Jr., Developing Your Gifts within the Family Economy Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

4:00-4:30pm– Break

4:30-5:30pm– Keynote Session: The Family That Works Together Scott Brown

5:30-7:00pm– Dinner Break

7:00-9:00pm– Keynote Session and Audience Response Event: Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal Joel Salatin, Audience Response

Friday Schedule, May 10

9:00-10:30am – Keynote Session: The Family Economy-The Hope of the 21st Century Kevin Swanson

10:30-11:00am – Break

10:30am-7:00pm – Vendor Hall Open

11:00am-12:00pm– Breakout Sessions: Going Full Time with Your Part-Time Farm Joel Salatin, How to Choose a Business for Your Family Dave Tucker, Taking Care of Aging Parents-Panel Speaker Panel, Excellence-The Ultimate Customer Magnet Gary Powers

12:00-1:30pm– Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm– Breakout Sessions: Relationship Marketing Joel Salatin, The Role of Daughters in the Family Economy-Panel Speaker Panel, Becoming Excellent in Sales Steve Ridell, ObamaCare vs. FamilyCare James Lansberry

2:30-3:00pm– Break

3:00-4:00pm– Breakout Sessions: A Family That Serves Together R.C. Sproul, Jr., Sales, Marketing, and Advertising-Panel Speaker Panel, Family Ministry and Hospitality-Panel Speaker Panel, Business in a Box: How to Start and Maintain a Lawn Care Business Dave Tucker

4:00-4:30pm– Break

4:30-5:30pm– Keynote Session: Dad or CEO? Leading with Love and Faith Erik Weir

5:30-7:00pm– Dinner Break

7:00-9:00pm– Evening Liberty Day Celebration, History and Freedom Quiz Contest

Saturday Schedule, May 11

9:00-10:30am– Keynote Session: Speaker Panel

10:30-11:00am– Break

11:00am-12:00pm – Breakout Sessions: Brainstorming Business Ideas for Your Family-Panel Speaker Panel, Young Entrepreneurs-Panel Speaker Panel, How to Find the Perfect Opportunity Gary Powers, Profiles on Family Economies-Panel Speaker Panel

12:00-1:30pm – Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm – Breakout Sessions: Managing Money Wisely Erik Weir, Jobs, Work, and Growing Up-A Call to Young Men Dave Tucker, Jumping Ship-Advice on How to Transition into a Family Economy with Care and Grace-Panel Speaker Panel, How to Coach and Train your Family’s Skills Steve Ridell

2:30-3:00pm – Break

3:00-4:00pm– Closing Keynote Session: TBD Kevin Swanson

4:00-8:00pm – Fellowship at the Park

Sunday Schedule, May 12

9:45 am – Church Service hosted by Reformation Church (Castle Rock, Colorado, Kevin Swanson and Mike Chapa, elders) at the Junior Ballroom in the St. Charles Convention Center

WORKSHOP SELECTIONS You will NOT turn in your workshop selections this year. You may just go to whichever workshops you choose.

There are no descriptions for the workshops this year, except for Linda Koenig’s, which we have printed below.

REGISTRATION At the registration table, you will receive name badges that loop around your neck. These must be worn throughout the entire conference.

THE BALL on Wednesday night is for Conference attendees only. Make certain that you have your name badges when you arrive at the door.

Optional-Come in costume on Wednesday in preparation for our International Ball on Wednesday night: Dress up in costume to represent those who have taken dominion for God’s glory throughout history such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Esther, Hannah, David, the Prophets, Mary (Jesus’ mother), Apostles, Mary or Martha, Lydia, Dorcas, Augustine, Alfred the Great, Wycliffe, Christopher Columbus, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, Katherina von Bora, John Calvin, John Knox, Oliver Cromwell, John Owen, Johannes Kepler, John Robinson, John Smith, William Bradford, William Brewster, John Winthrop, Cotton Mather, John Witherspoon, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Abigail Adams, Mary Ball Washington, George Washington, Martha Washington, Isaac Watts, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee…Do your research so that you can give the life history of your character to those who ask.

BALL COSTUMESare optional. You are not limited to the characters that we suggested. You may pick anyone who has taken dominion for the glory of God, or you may wear costumes that you have worn in the past, or you may come in your Sunday Best attire.

CURRICULUM FAIR ONLY $15 per family for a three-day pass (Wednesday-Friday). You may preregister for the curriculum fair this year by going to the link above.

CHILDREN must stay with their parents.

ESCALATORPlaying on the escalator is absolutely forbidden, so please inform your children of this before the conference.

LINDA KOENIG’S WORKSHOPS

The Keys to a Successful Homeschool and a Well-Ordered Home

The demands of maintaining a home and homeschooling can be quite challenging. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, unorganized, inefficient or unproductive. Linda Koenig, the mother of ten children, ages 15-22, shares how she resolved many of these challenges and brought efficiency and order to her home and school day. You will be inspired and challenged as you hear her story. Mrs. Koenig presents the keys to home management in a unique, practical manner that will give clear direction in solving the many challenges of homeschooling while maintaining a joyful and efficient home.

Keys to Instilling God’s Principles into the Heart of Young Children-Christ Centered Curriculum

If you have young children, you cannot afford to miss this critical session! Your nurturing, compassionate example is so important during those formative years from birth to age 6. During that vital time, most of your child’s personality, character, habits and intellectual makeup is established.

Being a good example is only the start. I challenge you to prepare yourself for this vital role, to learn how to educate your child biblically. You can be ready right from the very start. From your child’s earliest days, you can instill in your child a God-centered perspective of life.

Linda Koenig, veteran homeschooler and mother of ten children will share a solid plan for instilling in very young children godly character, the foundation skills necessary to relate the principles of God’s Word to all of life, and the academic skills necessary to fulfill God’s calling for their life and to live for His glory. Linda can testify to the life changing nature of these ideas both on herself and her children.

CHEF Used Curriculum Sale (NEW LOCATION) Wednesday, May 29, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon at Westminster Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Centre Dr., Town and Country, MO 63017 www.wcastl.org. Both buyers and sellers have told us that this one is the best! We have people come from all over the state and other states. Sellers may begin setting up at 8:00 a.m. Tables are $13 for an 8-ft. table. To register for a table, send your check payable to CHEF, Sonia Summers, 236 St. Louis Avenue, Ferguson, MO 63135 or contact her at 314-521-8487. Directions: From Hwy. 270 go west on Hwy 40. Get off at the Maryville Centre exit. Make an immediate left over Hwy. 40 going south. This goes directly into their campus.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

[This information is communicated to you only as a service to our families. The information contained herein is not screened or verified by CHEF. Please be discerning at all times.]

Paul Weiland shares:The Missouri Association for Creation is hosting a Homeschool Day at the St. Louis Zoo. Due to the outstanding response last fall with this tour, we are holding a repeat performance on Thursday, May 2 from 9:30 a.m.-Noon or 1:00-3:30 p.m. This will be the exact same tour as last time to allow other homeschoolers to participate who were unable to attend last fall. If the event is cancelled due to rain, it will be rescheduled on Friday, May 3 with the same schedule. Space is limited, so sign up soon! RSVP by April 25 by emailing Paul Weiland at mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We need to know the number of students (greater than age 4) and the number of parents attending, your preferred time slot, and if you can make the alternate session if your preferred one is full. Learn about the amazing design features of God’s creatures from MAC speakers, while seeing those animals up close. Special presentations on animals including giraffes, zebras, camels, kangaroos, birds, apes and reptiles. Ask the speakers questions about these animals, or anything else about how God created our world and us. At each animal location, a speaker will give a 10-minute presentation about that animal. Then you and your guide will advance to the next station, viewing other animals on the way.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME-Celebrating 27 years of inspiration, encouragement, and biblical instruction

www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com

WEBLOG-my latest blogs

Dominoes Party

http://www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=11&Itemid=64

Strawberries in the Garden

http://www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1160:april-8th-2013&catid=58:blog&Itemid=64

http://www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=907:strawberry-pie-a-wonderful-pie-dough&catid=71:desserts&Itemid=60

A NOTE FROM A SUBSCRIBER

“There is nothing I love better than to start the week off with your newsletter! So many good things this month and as always, I praise God for your enduring faithfulness.” –South Korea

CASTING A VISION FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS

If you check the name on your grater and sifter, chances are that it is an American made Bromwell! Further investigation of your mother’s and grandmother’s kitchenware will probably reveal the same. Praise God that there are still companies that take pride in their American roots. Here again is another company that has maintained family continuity for 19 decades.

Known for Quality, Jacob Bromwell is America’s Oldest Kitchenwares Manufacturer, Marketer, and Retailer. Loyal to our American roots, our company is entirely U.S. based and continues to manufacture all of our products right here in the USA. It’s the way we’ve done it for over 193 years.

When you’ve been around as long as Jacob Bromwell, you see a lot of trends come and go. Founded by Bromwell himself in 1819, our renowned housewares company has been producing the highest quality cooking, baking, and food preparation products since the U.S. was a mere 22 states.

Key Distinctions as Unique as Our Name

As one of America’s early manufacturing pioneers, our company holds many unique distinctions of which we are very proud:

• Oldest housewares company in North America (founded in 1819 and incorporated in 1883)
• Oldest manufacturer of tin and stainless steel products in the United States
• 34th oldest continuously owned and operated company in the United States
• Patented, manufactured, and marketed many of the world’s first housewares products, including the Wonder Shredders, Flour Sifters, and Popcorn Poppers. Still today, the designs, manufacturing processes, and materials of these products remain virtually unchanged
• In the early 1900s, Bromwell operated 7 factories and had upwards of 1000 employees in multiple states. As the largest business of its kind in the United States, it billed itself as having “the largest capacity in the country”
• By 1910, Bromwell boasted over 1,000 products in its catalog, many of which won awards
• Entirely U.S. based and all products continue to be manufactured in the USA
• All products are non-electric and have no moving parts
• Family owned and operated for over 19 decades
• Diverse customer base includes homesteaders and environmentalists, hunters, fishers, cabin dwellers, the “chronically nostalgic,” celebrities, and even Hollywood set designers looking for period-correct pieces

We Still Use the Same Authentic Materials from the Early Days of America

All Jacob Bromwell products are made with authentic materials such as tin, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper, with the help of elbow grease and some pretty darned old machinery (which works just as well as the day it was built)! By using these materials, Jacob Bromwell products remain 100% authentic from the day they were created. Sure, there are updated materials that could be used, but America’s frontiersmen wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither should you!

Our History

The rich history of Jacob Bromwell began in 1819, well before the invention of the light bulb, the telephone, or the automobile. Jacob Bromwell was born during the era when James Monroe was President of the United States and only 30 years had passed since the United States Constitution was accepted. There were only 22 states in the Union at this time, and the first open-land run of the territory of Oklahoma was still a projected 70 years away.

During this period, Jacob Bromwell first emigrated from Baltimore, Maryland to a quaint hamlet in Ohio coined Cincinnati, which was just being carved out of the virgin frontier forest. Jacob Bromwell, a veteran of the War of 1812, drifted down the Ohio River on a flatboat with a handful of wire looms where he was prudently able to jumpstart his entrepreneurship during the “Panic of 1819” - America’s first major financial crisis.

The Birth of Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati developed to become the “Queen City of the West,” and as Cincinnati flourished, so did Jacob Bromwell’s wire-goods business. Covered wagons, flatboats, and steamboats embarked on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers delivering goods in a rapidly growing new nation.

The California Gold Rush began in 1848. During this pristine era, Americans caravanned to the West with their Jacob Bromwell tin cups, popcorn poppers, and frying pans. Just two short years later, pioneers started their migration across America. Again, a variety of Jacob Bromwell’s products were included as part of the necessities needed to carve out an existence on an unknown frontier. These products included flour sifters, cheese graters, and pans, as well as buckets and popcorn poppers. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Jacob Bromwell products continued to be a vital part of the pioneers’ daily living. The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, and Jacob Bromwell was there through it all.

The Move to Michigan City, IN

In the early 1900s, Jacob Bromwell moved to Michigan City, Indiana where the company rejoiced in the Roaring 1920s and the heartbreak of the Great Depression. During this time, the company operated just three days per week, while unconditionally supporting as many hard-working Americans as possible.

Jacob Bromwell survived the daunting times by loyally adhering to its mission statement, which was to produce the highest quality cooking, baking, and campfire products for American families. Jacob Bromwell was founded with this mission in mind and remains committed to it today.

The Future Remains Bright

It falls to but a few companies to celebrate nearly two centuries of business. If Jacob Bromwell could be transformed from a little wood-frame building into one of America’s leading housewares companies in almost 200 years, what might the next century bring?

http://www.jacobbromwell.com/morgans-famous-grater

ECONOMY

Primarily, the management, regulation, and government of a family or the concerns of a household. A frugal and judicious use of money; the management which expends money to advantage, and incurs no waste. Economy includes also a prudent management of all the means by which property is saved or accumulated; a judicious application of time, of labor, and of the instruments of labor.

Incurs No Waste

-When we make cream cheese celery sticks, I always keep the tip of the stalks with the leaves for our salad or soup.

-The children pulled all the nails out of our old floorboards from our deck to be used as replacement boards for footbridges. All good nails are kept for future use.

-Some of the ash from burning rotted logs will be spread over the fields and gardens.

-When the boys clean out our fishponds, they always gently remove any frog eggs from the submerged twigs and place them back into the pond.

SUMMERS SIGNATURE

Spring Decorations for Our Dining Room

Personally, I think the beginning of the spring season is highly overrated, not because it is usually overcast (because I love overcast winter days) and not because it rains so much (because I love rainy days), but when it comes to walking outside I much prefer traipsing over hard frozen ground rather than sloshing through a muddy mess. Yes, it is true that I jumped in all the puddles with the kids when they were younger, but nevertheless, as far as the weather goes, if I had my druthers, we would go right from winter into late spring. With that said, though, let me make it perfectly clear that I would not want to give up all the little perks that brighten those otherwise in-between muddy days like little stuffed bunnies, ceramic bunnies, buttercup yellow chicks, pastel colored eggs, foil wrapped chocolate eggs, spring colored tulips, and of course, more bunnies.

So I usually start the season off thinking, oh, yeah, spring—I have to take down my winter decorations. But then spring cleaning begins to work on my scrubby Dutch background to create an anticipation of something fresh, which helps, yet it isn’t until I begin unwrapping all of our bunnies and chickens and eggs and spring silk flowers that I actually think that this season isn’t so bad after all.

As I always make the most of our seasonal decorations, I begin our spring pilgrimage by tucking silk floral picks in amongst the grapevines that hang over our dining room table. Once in place, I suspend colored eggs, glass blown birdhouses, tiny rabbits and chicks from the vines. On one of our side tables, I often prop one of the stuffed bunnies next to a vase of silk spring flowers. Tucked in around the floral arrangement is pink tulle, which I poof over the rim to soften the linear look.

On the other side table, we often gather tulle around twinkle lights to create another source of subdued lighting that works hand in hand with the twinkle lights above the table for an enchanting ambiance for dinner. For the past two years, Sonia intertwined ribbon amongst the tulle to form a base to which she could clip old-fashioned spring postcards.

Throughout spring we often use our Battenberg lace tablecloth, pink and white flowered china, and spring napkin ring holders—little metal flowering cans. Down the center of the table, we place crystal bowls of eggs, ceramic bunnies, and crystal bowls of fresh flowers. These are usually pink roses to match the china. To top it all off, I add Rice Krispie treat nests that Josiah and I always make each year, filled with jelly beans or foiled covered chocolate eggs, and topped with yellow chicks. Then when I look across our table, I think, what’s there not to like about spring? This is beautiful!

SUMMERS AT HOME

We recently replaced our old leaky sliding door with Pella French doors. I love the doors, but greatly dislike the UE glass. Before we gave our assent to this feature, I questioned the Lowe’s representative about how the UE protection affects visibility. He told me we would not even notice the difference. Well, we do. It is terribly darker than our other windows and greatly restricts the light coming into our room, so we are going to see if they will allow us to return it for regular glass.

Instead of a heat pump, we selected a propane gas furnace because they will heat up our home much more quickly when we arrive. Heat pumps are only suitable in homes where you keep a consistent temperature. Apparently, it would take hours to reach a comfortable degree of heat.

FAMILY OUTINGS

The Great River Road

For part of Sonia’s birthday celebration, we took her for lunch and shopping at Josephine’s in Godfrey, Illinois. Afterwards, we took a long drive over Hwy 100, past Pere Marquette to 16 to Eldred Road to 350E to Haypress and back again to Pere Marquette for dinner. The ride was particularly fascinating after we passed Pere Marquette because of all the migrating fowl and groups of deer we saw. Hundreds of ducks floated along on the river’s inlets, while hundreds and hundreds of other birds ascended on the fields. We also saw about eight different groups of deer up close either crossing the road in front of us or prancing through the woods along the road. If you are able to travel along a river or through a bird wildlife refuge, this is the time of year to enjoy the plentiful waterfowl.

Jon and Candy Summers share:

Christian Home Educators Fellowship—Faithfully honoring God, equipping generations, and serving the homeschooling community for the past 29 years! www.chef-missouri.com

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME April 2013 Information

I.      CHEF Information and Activities

         1.     Choose Your Conference Carefully!

         2.     A Note from a 2012 Conference Attendee

         3.     CHEF 29th Annual Conference Workshop Listing Coming Soon

         4.     Family Economics Business Plan Competition

         5.     Conference Speakers Bios

         6.     Conference Schedule and Registration

         7.     Hotel Update

         8.     CHEF Used Curriculum Sale, May 29

         9.     Math Competition Results

         10.   Special Opportunities

        a.      Missouri Association of Creation Homeschool Day at the Zoo, May 2

        b.      Friends of Missouri Midwives (FoMM) meetings

II.     There’s No Place Like Home Articles

         1.     Weblog-Spring Table Decorations for Our Dining Room

         2.     Covenantal Families-Multigenerational Family Business, Part III

                 a.      God Places Children with Parents

                 b.      Do You Keep a Home or a Boarding House?

                 c.      It Takes a Village to Educate a Child

                 d.     A Singular Path

                 e.      Do You Love Your Calling?

                 f.      Planning for Our Family’s Destination

                 g.      Whom Do You Follow?

                 h.      A Message of Hope

                 i.       Consider God’s Great Love for Us and the Plans He Has for Us

                 j.       Our Exodus from Paganism and Slavery

                 k.      Homeschoolers’ Disconnect-Family Solidarity and Economy

         3.     Delightful Surprises-Spring Forth

         4.     In the Garden

CHEF INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES

CHOOSE YOUR CONFERENCE CAREFULLY!

The World or the Promised Land-What Do You Want for Your Family?

Each year we decline ten to twenty vendors’ requests for booths because they do not fit within a biblical paradigm. Examples would include colleges, universities, learning centers, secular curriculum, evolution-based science books, materials that are counterproductive to our vision and speakers’ messages, and such.

For instance, a ministry, headed by a youth pastor who operates camps for preparing Christian teenagers for the spiritual and intellectual challenges they will face in the real world, especially college, contacted us last year for a booth. This mission statement alone was enough for me to realize that this ministry was geared towards public school students, not homeschoolers. The first page of the website began with this statement. “Teens spend a lot of time preparing for tests. It seems their entire academic career has taught them the value of preparing for tests. However, most Christian teens spend very little time preparing for perhaps the most important test they will ever take; the test their beliefs will be subjected to when they leave home.”

Upon further investigation I found these questions for parents as part of the registration process for students who wished to attend camp. Has your student stayed away from home overnight before? Are you confident that your student is willing and ready to stay overnight with us? Is your student active in a youth ministry or youth group? Does you student suffer from any mental or emotional conditions that would make it difficult for them to quietly sit through a 1-hour lecture? Does your student make friends easily? If no our staff will work intentionally but discreetly to help your student make friends and feel welcome.

Followed by the ministry’s goals: To show you (not just tell you) that God is real, that the Bible is His word, that Jesus is His Son, and that Christianity is true.

To capture our nation’s youth for God, we must do it God’s way. God designed families to do the job. If churches would just encourage their parents to be fruitful and multiply, fathers to disciple their own children, mothers to be keepers at home, and children to work within a family covenant, scripture testifies to the fact that we would see a prospering church based on prospering families. The floundering we witness today is due to our rejection of God’s Word, not to the enemy’s overriding power.

Convincing someone of this foundational doctrine is not easy when they have never heard it preached in their secularized church or Bible college, much less to someone who spent their education training to reach the culture through youth. Yet for the most part, by the time children reach their teens, it is too late.

While I recognized that this youth pastor’s desire was to help young people, his approach was not God’s strategy for transforming our culture. I attempted to explain that homeschooling is a family covenant where parents disciple their own children in the Word of God, so that by the time they reach their teens, they are solidly founded on scripture. Unlike public school or Christian school students, our children do live in the real world. As follows, contrary to the cultural norm, we do not endorse universities founded by pagans for the purpose of destroying our children’s faith, but instead encourage family continuity through family businesses or at least through long distance learning.

After relaying these thoughts as to why I was declining his request, I invited him to our conference, as our guest, in hope that he would grasp the vision for what his ministry should be—that of having his own children and discipling them in God’s Word.

At the conference, I asked him what he thought. Sadly, out of all the workshops on the family covenant—workshops presented by the greatest speakers of our time, workshops that these speakers touted as the most important they ever presented, a conference that these speakers described as making history—he attended only two workshops, one of which was a vendor’s presentation. Yet this young man wanted to teach our young people that God is real, that the Bible is His word, that Jesus is His Son, and that Christianity is true.

So what sets our conference apart, and why is it considered by leaders to be one of the top two in the nation? Because we remain steadfast to God’s Word in our vision and mission to equip families, not youth, but fathers, mothers, children and grandparents. In fact, it is not uncommon to find three and four generations at our conference.

As conferences around the country segregate their families by providing children’s programs, youth tracks, and entertainment, while promoting worldliness through academic, learning center driven workshops for college bound students, our focus has remained the same for the past 27 years as we strive to lay a biblical foundation for our families through workshops on marriage, patriarchy, keepers at home, discipleship, shepherding the heart, family solidarity, family economics, family business, courtship, and multigenerational living.

If the church had remained faithful to God’s Word, we would not be where we are today. After generations of apostasy, you would think that the church would wake up to the fact that their approach is antithetical to God’s Word, because if it was in accordance with His way, we would be advancing the Kingdom, not retreating.

Recently someone pointed us to look at a new conference, which defines itself as a Christian convention focused on Christian home education, discipleship, and Christian parenting. We certainly need more of these across the country, but upon further investigation, we noticed that the proceeds from the conference went towards building a preschool. How double minded! Yet many conferences across the country still call themselves Christian conventions, while they segregate the family and then train parents on how to improve their academic instruction so that their children can successfully transition into secular universities whose representatives await them in their vendor hall.

Charles Spurgeon hit it on the head when he said, “Discernment is not so much knowing the difference between right and wrong. It’s knowing the difference between right and almost right.” With this in view, let us realize that if we fail to discern between right and almost right, we will lose our children in the end, no matter what our intent is. The course we set for our children in their youth will be the course they pursue in adulthood.

************************

A Note from a 2012 Conference Attendee

I want to give a hearty thanks and our sincere appreciation for a Christ exalting, God glorifying conference that truly strikes at the heart of what home education (discipleship) is to be about. Our family traveled from Minnesota to attend, and it was well worth the effort. Our favorite part of the conference was that the speakers did not hold back in their firm, resolute and clear understanding of the times we live in as the church of Christ in America and a nation. It was refreshing to see people accept and ponder what was said without dismissing it as being over-the-top. This is our first exposure to CHEF, and I found it very beneficial in instruction and content. We are placing next year’s conference on our calendars now. –Blooming Prairie, MN

CHEF 29^th Annual Conference in Partnership with Generations with Vision

We hope to send a list of all the workshops sometime next week!

Family Economics Business Plan Competition-Enter for a chance to win $3,000! Your family is invited to enter our first ever Family Business Plan Competition in conjunction with our Family Mega-Economics Conferences. Submit your best family Business Plan to be judged by a panel of experienced business owners. If your plan is selected as a finalist, you will be given the opportunity to present your business plan to judges in person for a chance to win 1st, 2nd & 3rd place cash prizes totaling more than $5,000. The purpose of the Family Economics Business Plan Competition is to motivate your family to take the first practical step in establishing your own family economy by encouraging you to develop your family business ideas into a viable plan of action. We hope to help you start your own successful businesses by getting you to document your business plan and enter it into the competition. Our goal is to encourage the creation of Christian family businesses that are Christ honoring and family oriented. By awarding prize money, financial investment and a period of mentorship to families with winning business plans, we are prepared to help your family actually establish your business in a practical way. So, how do you enter? Follow the steps below to enter the competition. Entry deadline is April 15.

1. Download and read the Competition Rulebook.

2. Download, print, and fill out a Competition Registration Form.

3. Scan and then email or mail in your Family Business Plan Entry before April 15. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text20051 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Or Mail: Family Economics Competition, 5205 SE Golden Rd., Hillsboro, OR 97123.

Geoffrey and Victoria Botkin and Family Geoffrey Botkin has been a public advocate of home education since 1981, when he produced America’s first nationally televised special on the topic. That year Victoria gave birth to the first of their seven children, none of whom have ever been enrolled in the government system. Today the children are grown, and the entire family works together, adventures together and fights together in the critical culture wars of our generation. At The Western Conservatory of the Arts and Sciences, they and their colleagues produce and publish books, articles, audio recordings, and video resources about the practical application of biblical wisdom to the modern challenges of self-government, family, church, business, media, and the state. They are currently studying the strategies and tactics of comprehensive reformation. See www.westernconservatory.com. Geoffrey Botkin believes the Great Commission is the most misunderstood command in Scripture and is working to help all families understand what a far-reaching impact they can have on building nations, beginning right where they live. The entire Botkin family will be speaking on matters of urgent concern to fathers, mothers, single young women, young men, young fathers, entrepreneurs, and aspiring soldiers of the Cross.

Scott Brownis the director of the National Center for Family Integrated Churches and an elder at Hope Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Scott has worked with his family as an entrepreneur in the manufacturing, auto, real estate, and the HVAC/plumbing industries. He has been married to Deborah for thirty-one years, and they have four children.

Dan Fordis a researcher, author, and speaker on the subjects of liberty and constitutional government between the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. For the past twenty years, he has been a collector of original artifacts and documents from English and American history with an emphasis on the influence of Christianity in public policy. As an avid student of the subject, he has compiled a considerable archive of contemporary source materials that speak firsthand to the worldview and governing precepts of America’s colonial forebearers and national framers. These artifacts range from pamphlets, maps, and broadsheets to books, private letters, and official documents. For the last fifteen years, Mr. Ford has taught history from God’s providential perspective to schools, churches, and conference groups as well as guided historical tours. He has written several articles on the subject of the cultural influence of the Christian faith, and he is the author of two illustrated books: In the Name of God, Amen; Rediscovering Biblical and Historic Covenants and The Legacy of Liberty and Property in the Story of American Colonization and the Founding of a Nation. In both his writing and his teaching, Mr. Ford recalls the foundational contribution of Christianity in the historic struggle for constitutional government as well as the cause of religious and civil liberty. His objective is to unfold America’s genuine cultural inheritance and to demonstrate by way of facts and artifacts that modern caricatures of our nation’s history often prove to be misrepresentations that run counter to a rich, robust, and well-documented past.

Linda Koenig has a passion for teaching. Before being a mother to ten children, she traveled extensively throughout the country teaching at military bases and businesses. She has taught business and computer courses at several colleges as well as ran her own computer consulting business where she developed numerous custom software packages for various companies and military bases. In 1993, after learning from Dr. Paul Jehle America’s true Christian history and what education really is, it lit a fire in Linda that has never gone out. Following God’s call for her life, she came home from the workforce to homeschool and raise at that time her two daughters. Through the years many more children were added until Linda and her husband, Randy, now have adopted a total of ten children. It truly is a wonderful life. Never a dull moment! Linda continues to use the talents the Lord has given her by speaking and training others to teach from a biblical perspective making God and the Bible the center of everything that is taught. She shares insights as to the critical nature of child training, the importance of memorizing scripture and much more. When asked about whether she enjoys this call of being a wife and a mother, Linda replies, “There is nothing more important I could be doing than training my children to be mighty warriors for the Lord.” Four years ago the Lord opened up another very exciting ministry for the Koenig family in Branson, Missouri—the opportunity to have their own live show. They are quite delighted to have this opportunity to share the message of Jesus through their songs, testimonies and stories of how God miraculously brought all twelve of them together as one family. As they sang and told their stories in Branson, this soon opened up another opportunity to share this message across the country as they travel and sing in churches and other venues across the United States. Two years ago the Lord blessed them with the exciting opportunity to manage and run their own theater in Branson where they present their two-hour show reaching the hearts of the people with the life changing message of Jesus. It has been a wonderful learning experience as the Koenigs have worked together as a family, running and managing all the many aspects of a theater and a two-hour live production. What a valuable hands-on experience they have had running the box office, taking reservations, working with tour companies, managing the gift shop, running the concession stand, developing graphic design skills, learning advertising strategies, dealing with city government, obtaining permits and licenses, having regular opportunities for public speaking, designing and sewing over a hundred costumes for the show, and creating and managing a professional two-hour production. www.twiceadopted.org

Doug Phillip’s father personally discipled Doug for much of his life, as he took Doug with him around the country, faithfully read both Old and New Testament to him at the dinner table, taught him constitutional law and public policy, and communicated to Doug a remarkable passion for history. Because of his father’s work as a statesman, Doug had the opportunity to learn from many of the great Christian leaders of the last 30 years. It was during this time, however, that Doug came to realize that the greatest witness a man could offer for Jesus Christ was not what he knew, but how he lived his life as a father and a husband. It was at this time that God began to build a vision in Doug’s life for seeing the restoration of biblical manhood, godly femininity, and the Christian home. Doug graduated from George Mason School of Law and then served for six years at the Home School Legal Defense Association. Doug is the founder of Vision Forum Ministries designed to communicate a vision for the restoration of the Christian family and the rebuilding of culture for the glory of God. In addition to editing and writing numerous books, Doug founded the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy, the Christian Boys’ & Men’s Titanic Society, the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches, the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, the All-American Boy’s Adventure Catalog, the Beautiful Girlhood Collection catalog, and the Vision Forum Family Books and Media catalog. Doug has spoken at more than 100 homeschool conferences. He is also the featured speaker at the Back to Genesis conferences hosted by the Institute for Creation Research, where he holds the title of Professor of Apologetics with their adjunct faculty. Doug is a committed homeschooling father to his own eight children. He also pastors Boerne Christian Assembly, a local church work that boldly proclaims the sufficiency of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, the continuing relevance of the entire Word of God to all of life, distinctively Christian education, and the importance of family-reinforcing local churches. The greatest joys in Doug’s life are his wife Beall and the eight children that God has graciously given to them. www.visionforum.com www.visionforumministries.org

Gary Powersis an elder at Geneva Lakes Church in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the CEO of Ortho Molecular Products, Inc., one of the fastest growing dietary supplement companies in America, and a leading proponent of Lifestyle Medicine. Besides founding Ortho Molecular Products in 1989, Mr. Powers has recently started several new businesses with his oldest children. Each of these endeavors is centered in the natural products and organic farming industries. Gary and his wife Patti have been married for 27 years and have 10 children.

Joel Salatinis a third generation full-time farmer in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, author of nine books, speaker, and businessman. “Polyface Farm” services more than 3,000 families, 10 retail outlets, and 50 restaurants; all sales built using relationship marketing. His mother, wife, daughter, son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren all work full-time together on the family farm. Joel speaks to the issues of running a successful family business in the area of agriculture with humor and conviction. www.polyfacefarms.com

Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr.is a Teaching Fellow at Ligonier Ministries and professor and lecturer at Ligonier Academy in both the Bible College and D.Min. Programs. He is also founder of Highlands Ministries, which seeks to help Christians live more simple, separate, and deliberate lives to the glory of God and for the building of His kingdom. Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. travels extensively as a conference speaker and has written several books including Tearing Down Strongholds, When You Rise Up, Bound for Glory, Biblical Economics, and Believing God.

Kevin Swanson Homeschooled himself in the 1960s and ‘70s, Kevin Swanson and his wife, Brenda, are now homeschooling their five children. Since graduating from his homeschool and then serving as student body president of a large West Coast university, he has gone on to other leadership positions in corporate management, church, and other non-profits. Kevin has 35 years of experience in the homeschooling movement and serves as the founding director of Generations with Vision – a ministry he founded to strengthen homeschool families around the country. As a father who wants to leave a godly heritage for his own five children, Kevin’s passion is to strengthen and encourage the homeschooling movement all over the world and to cast a vision for generations to come. For the last 7 years Kevin has hosted a daily radio program – Generations Radio – the world’s largest homeschooling and biblical worldview radio program that reaches families across the US and in over 80 countries. Kevin also served as the Executive Director of Christian Home Educators of Colorado from 1998-2009 and still works actively with CHEC in his work with Generations with Vision. He has also authored several popular books for homeschoolers including Upgrade: 10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child, Second Mayflower, the Family Bible Study Guide Series, Christian Classics Study Guide, and others. Serving as a passionate supporter of home education, he has been interviewed on hundreds of media outlets including Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family and the Fox News Network. Kevin Swanson may be contacted through his website at www.GenerationsWithVision.com.

Dave Tucker, raised in Mexico by missionary parents, is more than just a Christian businessman and father. With over 20 years of experience in IT, he created his own software that is now in use by over 12,000 companies throughout the world. Dave is also a board member of the homeschool organization that serves all over Latin America, and he at the same time helps to integrate biblical principles through local Mexican politicians. Dave and his wife and 5 children are active in ministry and helping Christian businessmen in Mexico, bringing the Word of God to bear all over Latin America.

Erik Weiris founder of Weir Capital Management, a company that has been ranked as one of South Carolina’s 25 fastest growing companies for 2009 and 2010 by the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce. Formerly a senior vice president with a publicly traded New York investment banking firm, Erik now owns his own wealth management firm and has brought his son to walk beside him in the business. Erik and his wife, Robin, homeschool their four children at their family farm in the Greenville, South Carolina area. www.weircapital.com

PLUS Panelists!

SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION

Wednesday Schedule

8:00-9:00am– Registration

9:00-10:30am– Morning Keynote Session

10:30-11:00am– Break

11:00am-12:00pm– Breakout Sessions

12:00-1:30pm– Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm– Breakout Sessions

2:30-3:00pm– Break

3:00-4:00pm– Breakout Sessions

4:00-5:00pm– Dedicated Shopping Time

5:00-6:30pm– Dinner Break

6:30-9:00pm– Evening Keynote and Festivities

Optional-Come in costume on Wednesday in preparation for our International Ball on Wednesday night: Dress up in costume to represent those who have taken dominion for God’s glory throughout history such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Esther, Hannah, David, the Prophets, Mary (Jesus’ mother), Apostles, Mary or Martha, Lydia, Dorcas, Augustine, Alfred the Great, Wycliffe, Christopher Columbus, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, Katherina von Bora, John Calvin, John Knox, Oliver Cromwell, John Owen, Johannes Kepler, John Robinson, John Smith, William Bradford, William Brewster, John Winthrop, Cotton Mather, John Witherspoon, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Abigail Adams, Mary Ball Washington, George Washington, Martha Washington, Isaac Watts, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee…Do your research so that you can give the life history of your character to those who ask.

Thursday Schedule

9:00-10:30am– Morning Keynote Session

10:30-11:00am– Break

11:00am-12:00pm– Breakout Sessions

12:00-1:30pm– Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm– Breakout Sessions

2:30-3:00pm– Break

3:00-4:00pm– Breakout Sessions

4:00-4:30pm– Break

4:30-5:30pm– Keynote Session

5:30-7:00pm– Dinner Break

7:00-9:00pm– Evening Keynote and Festivities

Friday Schedule

9:00-10:30am – Morning Keynote Session

10:30-11:00am – Break

11:00am-12:00pm– Breakout Sessions

12:00-1:30pm– Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm– Breakout Sessions

2:30-3:00pm– Break

3:00-4:00pm– Breakout Sessions

4:00-4:30pm– Break

4:30-5:30pm– Keynote Session

5:30-7:00pm– Dinner Break

7:00-9:00pm– Evening Keynote and Festivities

Saturday Schedule

9:00-10:30am– Morning Keynote Session

10:30-11:00am– Break

11:00am-12:00pm – Breakout Sessions

12:00-1:30pm – Lunch Break

1:30-2:30pm – Breakout Sessions

2:30-3:00pm – Break

3:00-4:00pm– Closing Keynote Session

4:00-8:00pm – Picnic in the Park

CURRICULUM FAIR ONLY-$15 per family for a three day pass.

CHEF/Generations with Vision 2013 Family Economics Conference, Wednesday-Saturday, May 8-11

$299 Family (includes immediate family)/$109 Individual

To register:

http://chef-missouri.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=1:25th-annual-christian-home-educators-fellowship&id=26:2009-registration&Itemid=4

Please make sure to mark that you heard about this event through CHEF.

HOTEL UPDATE

Embassy Suites and Comfort Suites have been completely full for some time, so this is a reminder that if you have not already booked your rooms, you should do so soon, as Fairfield’s discounted room block will expire on April 14.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott St. Louis/St. Charles,801 Veterans Memorial Parkway, St. Charles, MO 63303

Reservations: Reserve online here (Group code: chechea) or call 636-946-1900 or 888-236-2427 and mention “CHEF/Family Economics.”

Rate:CHEF and Family Economics Conference attendees can reserve their room at the special conference rate of $89/night. Rooms at this discounted room block rate are available from Tuesday, May 7-Sunday, May 12. Reservations may be made by clicking here or by phone at 636-946-1900 and by mentioning “CHEF.” Conveniently located at Interstate 70, the Fairfield Inn St. Charles is just steps from the St. Charles Convention Center, a few minutes from historic St. Charles, and close to everything St. Louis has to offer.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stlsc-fairfield-inn-st-louis-st-charles/?toDate=5/12/13&groupCode=chechea&stop_mobi=yes&fromDate=5/7/13&app=resvlink

CHEF Used Curriculum Sale (NEW LOCATION) Wednesday, May 29, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon at Westminster Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Centre Dr., Town and Country, MO 63017 www.wcastl.org. Both buyers and sellers have told us that this one is the best! We have people come from all over the state and other states. Sellers may begin setting up at 8:00 a.m. Tables are $13 for an 8-ft. table. To register for a table, send your check payable to CHEF, Sonia Summers, 236 St. Louis Avenue, Ferguson, MO 63135 or contact her at 314-521-8487. Directions: From Hwy. 270 go west on Hwy 40. Get off at the Maryville Centre exit. Make an immediate left over Hwy. 40 going south. This goes directly into their campus.

Math Competition Results Alison Bush shares the results of the Excellence in Mathematics Middle School Competition on March 16 sponsored by the Math Educators of Greater St. Louis. CHEF participants compete in the division of small schools.

Team Placement in the Estimation Golf Competition:

First Place for the 6th grade team of Daniel Becker, Noah Bus, and Amanda Toth

Team Placements in the Written Exam:

Second Place for the 6th grade team of Daniel Becker, Noah Bush, Frank Griesbauer, and Amanda Toth

Third Place for the 8th grade team of Caroline Griesbauer, Deborah Walker, Joshua Walker, and Rebekah Walker

Individual Placements in the Written Exam:

6th Grade: Noah Bush-Third Place and Daniel Becker-Fourth Place

8th Grade: Rebekah Walker-Sixth Place and Joshua Walker-Tenth Place

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

[This information is communicated to you only as a service to our families. The information contained herein is not screened or verified by CHEF. Please be discerning at all times.]

Paul Weiland shares:The Missouri Association for Creation is hosting a Homeschool Day at the St. Louis Zoo. Due to the outstanding response last fall with this tour, we are holding a repeat performance on Thursday, May 2 from 9:30 a.m.-Noon or 1:00-3:30 p.m. This will be the exact same tour as last time to allow other homeschoolers to participate who were unable to attend last fall. If the event is cancelled due to rain, it will be rescheduled on Friday, May 3 with the same schedule. Space is limited, so sign up soon! RSVP by April 25 by emailing Paul Weiland at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text40733 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We need to know the number of students (greater than age 4) and the number of parents attending, your preferred time slot, and if you can make the alternate session if your preferred one is full. Learn about the amazing design features of God’s creatures from MAC speakers, while seeing those animals up close. Special presentations on animals including giraffes, zebras, camels, kangaroos, birds, apes and reptiles. Ask the speakers questions about these animals, or anything else about how God created our world and us. At each animal location, a speaker will give a 10-minute presentation about that animal. Then you and your guide will advance to the next station, viewing other animals on the way.

Contact info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text45786 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 636-541-2869

Cary Peel, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text71818 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 314-971-0807

Aletha Claussen-Schulz, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text10913 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 314-846-7344

La Leche League Meetings provide education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Each La Leche League group maintains a lending library of books and resources on childbirth, breastfeeding, parenting, and nutrition. La Leche League’s own publication, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, is available for loan or purchase. There are numerous meeting locations in the St. Louis Area and surrounding. For locations and times, see http://www.lllstl.org/phone-numbers/.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME-Celebrating 27 years of inspiration, encouragement, and biblical instruction

www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com

WEBLOG-Candy’s latest blog

Spring Table Decorations for Our Dining Room

http://www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1158:march-30th-2013&catid=58:blog&Itemid=64

COVENANTAL FAMILIES

MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS, Part III

Our 500-page book on the family covenant is finally finished. Actually half of the book, which is devoted to family business, has been done for a long time, but since family business is just one component of the covenant, it is necessary to lay a firm foundation of the other components prior to beginning a business because without a clear understanding of the family covenant, and without laying a firm foundation based on that covenant, your business is doomed to fail, perhaps not in your lifetime, but most certainly by the second or third generation. For “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1

This has been our impetus for getting the book done now. Unfortunately, the editing and rewrites will not be finished before the conference. Therefore, we will continue to place excerpts from our book in the upcoming newsletters in hopes that it will help you lay that foundation.

THIS IS THE INTRODUCTION TO OUR BOOK

Before God drew His people out of Egypt, they had to fully understand their depravity, their servile bondage to sin, the character of their harsh taskmaster, and their inability to save themselves apart from God’s merciful grace. Similarly, before the life saving antidote can be applied to our own family’s infirmity, we must realize the deadliness of our condition and the need for God’s grace to restore His perfect state of covenant.

Granted, since you are reading this book, you probably are not totally immersed in the world’s system of rebellious independence, but vestiges of the affliction probably exist nonetheless, as most families are not totally immune to the continual wiles of the prevailing culture’s peer pressure. Therefore, let us begin by encouraging you to carefully examine the present condition of your family by asking the following questions. Keep in mind as you consider your answers that evil times require drastic measures!

If given a choice of any activity, what would your children choose, and with whom would they desire to share the experience? Are they content to stay at home without visiting with their friends? Are you, your wife, and their siblings their primary source of happiness and contentment, or are you nothing more than chauffeurs? If the latter, remember that God says that we are to walk with our children, not drive them to their activities.

Continuing in this vein of thought, ask yourself if your home is primarily empty or occupied? Are you guilty of programming your children to think that the world revolves around them? Is their education more about academics or about discipleship?

Instead of inculcating their children’s minds with the Word of God and spending their time working together as a family, parents often shape their children into idols and then pander to the ravenous egos they created by feeding their exorbitant appetites with artificial stimulation and superficial relationships, relegating the home’s divinity to nothing more than boarding houses. Yet to satisfy self is the vanity of life, making it pointless, ineffectual, futile, and empty. Though tragic, this glaring rebellion to God’s design for families is reaping immensely serious consequences, the likes of which our generation has never seen.

Unfortunately, many of our families have fallen into this mindset because of their church’s focus on the individual rather than the covenanted family, resulting in activity-driven programs that segregate children from their parents. Regrettably, children accustomed to continuous age segregated activities are only content when involved in activities with children near their own age. Thus, periods of inaction, with no place to go, naturally cause great discontentment for those who have become dependent on others and a whirlwind of activity for their happiness. Even sadder still is that many parents rendered their own children incapable of appreciating and enjoying the wonderful relationship God intended for them to have with their parents, their siblings, and ultimately with Him.

To illustrate the vast implications of this deceivingly subtle takeover of sound reason, a young convert to home education nearly walked out of her first conference because she thought it was teaching blasphemy. Ironically, what the conference was teaching was according to God’s Word, for it centered on covenant, family, discipleship, and home. Yet she had been so unaccustomed to hearing truth she thought it was a lie, and not only a lie, but one also diabolically opposed to the doctrine of individualism, which her church had propounded throughout her life.

So how often does your pastor speak on the importance of the family and home? How often does he encourage family solidarity by exhorting fathers to disciple their children, wives to be keepers at home, children to be about their father’s business? Does he consistently teach on family covenant? What a revelation this is to those who have never considered the far reaching implications of this negligent void!

God Places Children with Parents

Think about it for a moment. God forms us in our mother’s womb, and then places each of us in a specific family, whose members all share the same parents, the same name, the same home, a common DNA, a common heritage, a common culture, similar personalities, common goals, common foes, common interests, common experiences and an affection for each other peculiar only to them. Yet, in spite of this miraculous design, segregation of these divinely connected members by schools, learning centers, liberal arts centers, and churches reduces the function of the family unit to the lowest common denominator of strangers lodging together in the same structure.

What other end could we expect from those completely devoid of a unified purpose and commitment, but a covey of quail who spread in all directions in accordance with the pattern parents set in their formative years, where friends and other strangers take precedence over the parents and siblings God gave them?

Carefully consider the fact that God predisposes children to favor their parents in affection and admiration, in instruction and dependence, giving parents a tremendous advantage for impacting their children, and subsequent generations, if they keep their children by their side, at home, as God commanded. If, however, children are constantly bombarded with outside stimuli by a multitude of other people, the parental influence is no longer singular or superior, but of little consequence.

So are you devoted to God’s superior design? Do not fool yourself—a family is not a body of members brought together by birth who spend the remainder of their days running in different directions. Although the deluge of propaganda has coerced some to think that incessant activity is normal, it is not! It is absurd and self-destructive! This becomes apparent in the light of scripture and in the face of the vast amount of problems we witness daily in our own country due to this new phenomena. In truth, afamily is actually one that lives, worships, and works together for their common good.

Conversely, surrendered souls to a humanistic religion that allows no other allegiance but to self are incompatible with the family structure. Throughout God’s Word and His history, God clearly demonstrates that churches and nations are firmly planted on the foundation of families. Thus, we can see the goal of that counterfeit savior who aims to destroy the family by isolating the individual from his family and from his home, fracturing home life by enticements of self-interest found only in formalized institutions and organizations.

Do You Keep a Home or a Boarding House?

As we would expect, there is a vast difference between a home and a boarding house. One is warm and cozy, orderly, beautiful, inviting, comfortable, and relaxing where books are read and discussed, where wonderful conversations are shared over lovely meals, where children work and play alongside their parents throughout their waking hours, where backs are rubbed and prayers are shared, while biblical instruction and application is imparted throughout the day. A boarding house, on the other hand, is nothing more than a base for dressing, hurried meals, and sleeping— more like a motel that everyone is running away from—not running to. Is your home really a home or just a boarding house? Does most of your living take place there or somewhere else? Is home where your heart is?

After a November support group meeting where Candy expounded on all of our family’s Christmas traditions, a mother of young children came up to her to share how much she appreciated all the ideas Candy had shared because she had always dreamed of holidays like those described. It all sounded so wonderful, yet she had no time to do any of those things for her family. Candy felt terrible about her dilemma but could not imagine what responsibility kept her from enjoying the holidays with her family. Surprisingly, her inquiry led to the awful truth that the mother was so preoccupied with her daughter’s learning center’s Christmas production, she did not have time to do anything special for her family. Not only that, but the long evenings of practices and rehearsals left the entire family frazzled and weary. So much for holiday cheer! But beyond even this, the most disturbing aspect of the discussion was this mother’s fixed mindset that she did not possess the power to change the direction of her family, even though she truly desired a different lifestyle and longed for the kind of home God ordained. This is the detrimental influence peer pressure exerts!

It Takes a Village to Educate a Child

Why do parents think that their children need other children when God says that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child? Why would parents desire for their children to have a multitude of “friends” when God says that a man of many friends comes to ruin? Why would parents give their children to someone else to instruct when God placed those children with them to instruct? It is quite audacious for strangers to think that parents need help educating their own children, but even more preposterous and grievous is parents’ complicity in the entire affair. It is somewhat similar to bringing concubines into the home to increase the family fold. And in light of this thought, consider how Solomon’s foreign wives turned his heart from God. Do these parents think that passing their children around from one teacher to the next is any less harmful?

Homeschoolers may abhor Hillary Clinton’s philosophy, yet an ever-increasing number of them are living out the reality of Hillary’s dream that it takes a village to raise a child. Instead of leading our children home to become leaders and keepers of their homes, parents are setting their posterity on the path of ruin and damnation.

So let us stop for a moment to further consider the frightening reality that we will soon be standing before God to give an account of how well we performed as stewards of God’s most valuable possessions. In accordance to this reality, we must ask ourselves if we are one of those families that allow others to train our children, or are we like John the Baptist’s parents, “both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (Luke 1:6)? Will we be a part of those who are “…blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” (Philippians 2:15,16)?

Of course, there will always be those Esaus who bring grief to their parents regardless of their godly training, for fathers and mothers can no more save their children than the government can save its people, as all are at enmity with God and drawn to the world with all its vices until regenerated with God’s saving grace. However, as stewards of God’s covenant, we will stand before God to give an account of our faithfulness or lack thereof; for whether we realize it or not, everything we say and everything we do is leading our children somewhere—either to God or away from Him.

God says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.” Proverbs 15:7 “The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.” Proverbs 15:14 “Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge.” Proverbs 14:7 In short, the wise builds their house while the foolish tears it down with their own hands. Proverbs 14:1

Throughout time, parents have passed their beliefs, values, doctrine, and morality on to their children, and those children to their children. As families shape the destiny of nations, we must ask ourselves where our nation will be in 25 years if it continues on its perilous course. Let’s face the stark reality that we will all soon be dead and forever silent, so what needs accomplishing must be done speedily! As eternal creatures, our lives ultimately lay the foundation for future generations. Considering the vast importance of this role, we must remember above all else that our children are eternal creatures who will either be forever with God or forever apart from God.

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’; … The conclusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:1,13,14

Seeing that God’s Word clearly shows that parents are divinely appointed to disciple their children, let us encourage you once again to examine your course. Are you raising your children for God’s throne room or the world’s playroom? Are you preparing your children for their noble station in the King’s court, or are you bending their necks toward the world?

“For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice…” Genesis 18:19

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God; the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth…For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Psalm 78:1,2,5-8

“My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” Numbers 14:24

A Singular Path

A frenzied whirlwind of activity is not a virtue; it is a hideous vice—an enemy to eternity! And since it is our duty to be sanctified (set apart for God), we are not to look like the world or even slightly resemble it. We are to be a peculiar people set apart for the Lord. Therefore, a stark difference should be evident between the world and us, between its goals and subsequent activities and ours.

We cannot lead if we are following. We cannot bring others to the cross if we are taking the same path to destruction as the world. Repentance by its very definition means to turn from sin and toward God—from the world and its vanities—to God. It is clearly impossible to lead someone in the right direction if headed in the wrong one. Therefore, only the deluded think that they can live like the world and still lead others to Christ.

Home education is not about choices; it is about educating at home. “Home” being the key word. It is not a generic term encompassing some home, some learning centers, some sports, some of everything. It is home and schooling at home—period! How pathetic that we need to make a concerted effort to place “home” back into homeschooling so we can legitimately call ourselves homeschoolers.

Be honest! We cannot call ourselves Christians and live like the world because even the world calls those people hypocrites. And you know what? The world can spot a hypocrite a mile away, so why can’t we? God calls them liars and is going to vomit them out of His mouth. Let us reiterate: we cannot call ourselves Christians and live like the world any more than we can call ourselves homeschoolers and do schooling away from home. It is lying all the same.

So let us be true to what we call ourselves, both as Christians and homeschoolers. Let us take our duty seriously. Let us stop justifying our sinful actions by placing the blame on our children that they need socialization and, instead, shoulder the blame by taking full responsibility for our actions. Because if the truth were known, most of us just do not trust God to provide everything that we need, but, instead, place our trust in others to make our children a success in the world’s eyes because we fear man more than God.

Lest we further deceive ourselves, all choices do not constitute homeschooling any more than all roads lead to God. It is a singular path, a narrow road far less traveled—a road of responsibility, commitment, trust, faith, and contentment.

To ascertain the condition of your own family, it often helps to set aside a month for calculation of the time you spent at home; away from home; spent with the family; with others away from the family; in the Word; imparting God’s truth to your children; studying and discussing history; preparing your children for becoming godly fathers and mothers; serving your family; and how much time you spent on the computer. While recording these activities, place an asterisk by those things you most enjoyed and two asterisks by those that were according to God’s Word.

Do You Love Your Calling?

Several years ago, as Candy sat encouraging a mother to remain steadfast in her decision to keep her child at home with her instead of running him around to learning centers and weekly activities, another mother (who was obviously quite peeved with her counsel) very emphatically interjected her approval of learning centers by sharing that she would have gone crazy at home had she not gotten involved in her local learning center.

How sad! How incredibly sad! This mother would have gone crazy because she did not have an outlet away from her home and her children because at this learning center, she was able to spend time with her peers without the distraction of her little ones.

She then proceeded to assure Candy and this mother that her learning center was an excellent learning center. Yet this mother’s children were extremely rude, disrespectful children. Following that discussion, several other mothers have shared that they removed their children from that very “excellent” learning center because of the effect the other unruly and disrespectful children were having on their children.

Shortly thereafter, another homeschooling mom who Candy was counseling to refrain from pursuing a career outside her home and subsequent placement of her children in a learning center finally divulged the impetus for this sudden change in course when she said, “Quite frankly, Candy, I would be bored to stay at home all day.”

And where, may I ask, are the fathers in these love affairs with the world? More than likely, unobtrusively away from home working their way towards full retirement so they can enjoy their golden years in peace, satisfied that they fulfilled their perception of their duty. After all they provided a comfortable living for their families and gave their approval of their wives’ desires. They said yes to homeschooling, and then yes to learning centers, and then yes to employment away from home. Yet it is a grievous sin to give over our holy mission to someone else and a grievous sin to immerse our most valuable possession in worldly activities while neglecting the fellowship of our own household.

Please listen carefully. Attending to our children reflects the holiest service of worship that we can offer God, for family is a divine institution, which God created for preparation of eternity. Our duty to this mission then is of the greatest import, for our lives are living epistles that offer others either a foretaste of heaven or a foretaste of hell. If we, however, labor at our own pursuits instead of His, we labor in vain. In vain is to live without purpose, with no meaning, to waste one’s time for nothing, to be worthless—these immeasurable consequences call for careful consideration; therefore, consider carefully if your life’s work is pleasing to God, or if your life is being spent in vain—like pouring sand in a sieve or having everything we have labored for burned up in the end. That would truly be catastrophic!

Whom do we serve, God or Satan? There is no dual employment here because if we are not serving God, then we are most certainly serving Satan. So who is our master? This can be easily ascertained by examining how we spend our time. Are we living our lives in such a way that our children see our obedience to God through witnessing our service to them as committed managers of our homes? Are we giving Him our best, our first, our all, or are we hypocrites talking the talk without walking the walk? For God says that “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.” Luke 11:23

Are we blaspheming the Word of God? Are we like those Isaiah prophesied about who honor God with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him? “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” Matthew 15:8,9

Is our service of worship blemished and spoiled because others get the best we have to offer? “‘But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?’ says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 1:8

Do we worship God in vain? Do we invalidate the Word of God by living according to our way of thinking instead of living as God commanded? When we call ourselves “Christian,” do we seriously consider that we are saying that we are like Christ? How did Christ spend His time? Actually, when He was not teaching His Father’s Word, He was in communion with Him. Is our time emulating Christ’s time spent on earth? If not, let us cast aside all useless preoccupations and determine to use our time wisely, so as to represent Him faithfully. But we cannot discover our duty to our Sovereign unless we apply ourselves to searching out His mind presented forth in Holy Writ. Indeed, it is our manifest duty to search the scriptures, diligently applying ourselves with all our hearts, minds, and strength, not only to reading and meditating on it, but to applying it to every facet of our lives. If we spend time reading and listening to expositions on the Word, but do not put it into practice in all that we do, we become like the man who forgets what he looks like once he turns from his looking glass. The genuine Christian, on the other hand, not only hears Christ’s Words, but also lives by them.

Planning for Our Family’s Destination

Before launching on a long trip, most of us prudently research our destination, map out our path, and examine our vehicles to make certain that they are prepared for the journey, and when necessary, make the proper repairs and adjustments to assure the safe arrival of our families to the planned destination. Yet how ironic that we spend so much time preparing for a trip that lasts but a moment in time when compared to how negligently we attend to the well-being of our family’s destination, which is unalterable once they pass on into eternity. In light of eternity, then, what are we doing to prepare our family?

Candy and I are constantly reminding our children that every single thing that they do is either righteous or unrighteous, prudent or imprudent, valuable or worthless, followed by a loving exhortation to make the most of their fleeting time on this earth. Again, it is most certainly true that we do not possess the power to save our own children, but God has certainly charged us with the duty to lead our children on the path of righteousness. Equally true is that there will be those who do not continue to follow our course, but our responsibility remains the same, regardless of the outcome.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.’” John 14:23,24

Since we are also told that we will be engaged in constant spiritual warfare, as soldiers of the Cross, it is our duty to set our sights on our heavenly Commander-in-Chief who provides the only way for victory. And as any soldier knows, without a vision, our destiny is sealed because wandering aimlessly on the battlefield makes destruction eminent. So what’s the battle plan for victory?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 “Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD.” Lamentations 3:40 “I considered my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” Psalm 119:59,60

Before we make resolutions, each of us must examine our own lives in relation to our families to ascertain what resolutions are necessary to keep us on course. Where are our families, and how are they spending their time? In what pastures are their minds grazing, and from which watering holes are they drinking? Are we protecting our families from the influences of this world? Are we spending time each day leading our children into the green pasture of God’s Word and to the river of living water?

Are we spending most of our time together as a family, or are peers and other adults influencing our children more than we are? Are we making the most of our time to glorify God and to serve Him through taking dominion through our families? Are we building up our own family dynasty or someone else’s?

Whom Do You Follow?

Relationships wield a lot of power over our minds and actions; thus, it is imperative that we examine this area of our lives as well. So let us ask ourselves: Are our relationships outside our family honoring God? Can we concur with David that all our companions fear God and keep His Word? Psalm 119:63

To reinforce this point, let me share that each of our relationships should be one of discipling, being discipled, or a combination thereof as iron sharpening iron. In light of this, we must ask ourselves these questions: Are our friends directing us to walk closer with the Lord? Are our friends daily exhorting and encouraging us to sacrifice our selfish desires so as to serve God and our families? Are they pointing us toward our homes and toward our biblical responsibility of being leaders of our families and keepers of our homes, or are they constantly encouraging us to do more and more away from our homes? For Amos 3:3 (KJV) rightly asks, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Furthermore, are our children’s friends leading them to be obedient to us or into foolishness? In view of the fact that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, it is far better for our children to be around us than it is for them to be in the company of other fools.

On the other hand, these truths apply to us as well. Can our friends say that we fear God and keep His Word? If we truly believe that every moment of our lives belongs to our Savior, then every moment with others should be in some way advancing His kingdom. So are we fulfilling our responsibility to others? Are we impacting those around us with God’s own Words even though it may not be politically expedient? Or are we ashamed of the Gospel?

By God’s grace, our lives should demonstrate God’s Spirit and power “so that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 “…be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9,10

Finally, we must ask ourselves if we are training our children to lead or to follow; to be God-dependent or peer-dependent; Christ-conscious or self-conscious; to serve or be served; to be a working member of our family or selfish pigs who demand entertainment?

Towards this end, do all our activities benefit the entire family or particular individuals within the family? Are our activities of eternal value? Are they preparing our sons and daughters for covenantal families?

In essence, if we died today, would we be satisfied with how we spent our time? Would our sons and daughters be prepared for their roles as fathers and mothers? Would our household economy prepare them to continue to provide for the rest of the family?

In conclusion, since God requires an exact account of every precious moment He allots us, let us thoroughly evaluate how we spend each of our waking moments. For we do not want to wait until we stand before the Lord to be told that we have been unrighteous stewards. “For He who is faithful in little things is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in little things is unrighteous also in much.” Luke 16:1-13

A Message of Hope

Recently a woman from our church excitedly expressed her joy to us because of the continual emphasis Candy and I place on families as God’s strategy for transforming culture. She then went on to let us know that she finally realized why her former church was so unsuccessful in its outreach to the community. Apparently, although they genuinely sought to reach the lost, they had not followed God’s strategy for taking dominion of the culture through strengthening their families, but instead placed their trust in church programs, which in turn continually segregated and weakened their own families, until every one of them lost their own children, and in some cases, their spouses, in the process.

Our culture’s degeneration into the abysmal depth of depravity clearly reveals the breach in the covenant our forefathers adhered to for nearly two hundred years. It also reveals our generation’s lack of understanding of the solemnity and significance of God’s covenant with Abraham and the subsequent American covenant. In fact, churches continue to plunge deeper and deeper into paganism as they propagate polytheism by propounding the antithesis they perceive between the harsh god of the Old Testament with the “luving” god of the New. But as Rousas John Rushdoony says, “The alternative to law is not grace but lawlessness. There can be no arbitrary separation of the law from the gospel: one God means one word. To divide the word is to deny God.”

As a result of their rejection of the Bible’s foundation, churches miss the design and purpose for the family, so while they grope in the darkness to give direction to a fallen world, the heathen continue to sacrifice their unborn children, which in fact is the imminent result of rejecting God’s paradigm for the family. Yet the church abets the enemy’s illegal trafficking of stolen goods by charging young people with the task of leading the way, when they know nothing about God’s covenant for biblical family.

To transform our culture for the glory of God, we must turn back to the covenant because it is our only hope for the future. That is why we are specifically emphasizing the importance of multi-generational covenantal faithfulness—for the family is God’s strategy for victory, the very heart and soul of His covenant, the key to life, and the core to the Gospel. It is what forged Christian civilizations and the bedrock on which they rest. And it is only our fidelity to God’s covenant that can alter our perilous course.

Consider God’s Great Love for Us and the Plans He Has for Us

Yet in spite of the casualties, when we consider our past, and that of most homeschooling fathers and mothers, we marvel at God’s awesome plan and gratefully acknowledge His mercy in calling us and drawing us, in imparting a vision and enabling us to fulfill His will. For even though most of us were not raised in homes that were conformed to God’s Word, whose parents had no understanding of discipleship, who in many cases had fathers who did not know how to lead and mothers who worked outside their homes, who sent us to public schools that filled our brains with all that was antithetical to God’s Word—God raised us up to reclaim His plan for redemption—to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children and the children back to the fathers to prepare a people for the Lord and repossess the land for His glory!

Though headed down the path of destruction like the rest of the world, God mercifully lifted us up and set us on the course to life. “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory…to all generations, forever and ever.” Ephesians 3:20,21

Our Exodus from Paganism and Slavery

As I have been preaching each Sunday on the Hebrews’ Exodus from Egypt, I am continually reminded of God’s profound faithfulness to my family, and to those of other CHEF families, for bringing us out of the land of paganism and out of the house of bondage from our sinful past.

Indeed, I personally spent the first half of my life in abject slavery to sin as a wicked, rebellious young man. Oh, I did good deeds from time to time, but in truth, just as the scripture states, my kindest acts were cruel because they were done with selfish motives. In fact, I was so enslaved to my self-centeredness, and so completely fettered by the bonds of my sin, that not only was I totally incapable of saving myself, but also I did not even possess enough sense to know that I needed to be saved, that is, until God broke those chains and redeemed me with His precious blood.

This is why I continually impart to my children God’s miraculous deliverance of my soul from slavery and death, and why I continually impart to our families, particularly fathers, the vast importance of teaching their children the Word of God and His providence throughout history because it is history that teaches us to hope.

As heirs with Abraham, God has chosen us to command our children, and our children’s children, to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that He may bring the blessings of the covenant that He promised to Abraham and his seed to a thousand generations.

I don’t know about you, but that is what Candy and I want for our children and what we work for daily. And because of this covenant, we know that our desire will not be buried with us, but will continue in the hearts of our children’s children, all because of the covenant that God made with our father Abraham.

“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Genesis 17:7

“You shall tell your son… ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.” Exodus 13:8-10

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6,7

“Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” Psalm 78:1-7

“He hath remembered His covenant forever, and the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.” Psalm 105:8

In the final analysis, God is taking back what rightfully belongs to Him. He is reconciling those of His who are in the world (Egypt) to Himself. He is turning the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children back to their fathers. And this is the blessing of the covenant, and this is what will turn our country back from destruction.

In accordance with His Word, then, instead of sending our children out like quail to be picked off one by one, God is drawing families back to Him, as one body, as one phalanx, to become mighty nations under His sovereign control. For multiple generations of families walking in covenant with God by faithfully executing their covenantal duty to disciple their children in the Word and Way of the LORD is absolutely the most powerful force on earth!

America was the freest and most prosperous nation the world had ever known because of our forefathers’ family covenantal faithfulness, which God wrought through His divine power working through them. So if you are discouraged with the increasing wickedness of our culture, be encouraged by what God is doing through His families as you learn the importance and blessings of covenantal faithfulness.

Multigenerational, covenant-keeping families are what this book is all about and what our family prays for all the time. For we have been raised up for such a time as this!

“Conduct yourself worthy of the gospel…that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27

Homeschoolers’ Disconnect-Family Solidarity and Economy

While some homeschooling parents are fully complicit in their rejection of the family covenant, others unknowingly follow the present cultural norm without realizing that they have disconnected themselves from God’s purpose. Interestingly, though, as the next generation moves off to do their own thing, many parents are expressing their dissatisfaction with the results of their efforts, even though they are reaping what they sowed. The fact is, they did not fully realize what their sowing would bring, but after spending so much time with their children, they end up feeling totally empty and bewildered as to what their purpose should be now that their primary occupation has ceased.

Years ago we read a very sad letter that looked at this disturbing quandary from the other side, by a man lamenting his departure from his family, his home, and his father’s business to pursue a job working for another man. After years of investing in this stranger’s company, he realized that he had missed out on spending the best years of his life with his other family members who had remained working together for their father’s construction company. Sadly, not only had he missed out on this fellowship, but more importantly, he had set his children on a course that led them away from the biblical paradigm of family covenant. Naturally, they, too, left their family to pursue careers a long way from home.

To change this destructive course of missing out on life’s most valuable asset by investing all your time, labor, and monies in another man’s family dynasty, we desire to equip you to enrich your own life, and benefit your own posterity, by spending your time building your own family dynasty where you have the time to forge intimate relationships with God and with one another. Where eating, reading, studying, worshipping, working, playing, fellowshipping, and ministering are all done together. Where you set your own goals, your own schedule, and your own hours. Where you love what you do because you have chosen what you love with those you love best. Where no limits are placed on success, other than how hard you are willing to work. Where you are building your own family’s wealth and legacy by using your gifts and talents to work for your family. Where you all forge ahead with the same vision, the same purpose, same goals, as you work together to transform the culture for God’s glory.

This is our family’s hope and prayer for your family! For you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

DELIGHTFUL SURPRISES

Spring Forth To help your family spring forth into this delightful season, plan some fun and delightful activities for them.

* Have a contest to see who can find the most signs of spring. Post a listing on the refrigerator.

* Give everyone a scrapbook for keeping pictures, drawings, and paintings of all your spring activities.

* Plan some delightful picnic dinners at your favorite parks.

* Have a scavenger hunt at the park using plastic farm animals.

* Visit Purina Farms and Suson Park to see all the newborn farm animals.

* Get out the blocks and plastic farm animals and spend an afternoon building a farm and playing with the animals.

* Read Charlotte’s Web and then watch the video.

* Go to Shaw’s Garden and have the children sketch spring flowers in a scrap or sketch book designated for Spring. Color in with colored pencils. Take poster board, brushes, watercolors, and several jars of water and also have them do some beautiful spring watercolors.

* Using Sculpey clay, have the children form bird’s nests and colored eggs, rabbits, little ducklings, piglets, chickens, and lambs.

* Line a pretty basket with plastic, fill with potting soil, and plant with grass. Place in sunny window. When grown add your Sculpey clay creatures.

* Blow out eggs, color in pastel colors, and with satin ribbon, hang from grapevines, chandeliers, and in your windows.

* Take a shoebox and place it on its side. Fill with budding branches, grass, and tiny plastic woodland animals or clay animals.

* Place some paperwhite bulbs in pretty shallow dishes and fill in with colored pebbles or driveway gravel. I also like just placing a bulb in each of our narrow throated vases of water.

* Using construction paper, cut out large tulips and daffodils and place in your windows.

* Fill window boxes with pansies or herbs and place on your windowsill.

* Using spring colored tissue paper, scrunch large and small pieces for blossoms and place on green markered stems drawn on poster board.

* Purchase little decorative wooden birdhouses and outdoor wooden birdhouses at a craft store. Paint them. Hang the decorative ones in your windows or from grapevines. Hang the outdoor ones in strategic places outdoors so that the children can see all the activity from inside.

* Make your own birdbath from a clay saucer placed on post near a window. Fill with water and watch the birds as they sip, dip, and bathe.

* Turn up the soil for a little spring garden and plant pansies and Johnny jump ups.

* Fill pretty baskets with pink and yellow tulips.

* Hot glue tiny, silk spring blossoms on miniature straw hats and a satin ribbon loop on the underside of the brim for hanging on grapevines or chandeliers or on branches of forsythia or pussy willow. Also use these as napkin ring holders.

* Using cardstock, scalloped scissors, markers, and spring stickers, make a place card for everyone in your family.

* Press spring blossoms. When dry, glue on cardstock. Cover with contact paper for bookmarks.

* Make spring baskets for elderly family members and neighbors. Fill with a potted spring flower, pretty spring napkins, herbal tea, spring colored candies, a little pastel colored candle, spring colored stationery, a flowered pen, garden seeds, flowered garden gloves, gardening tools….

* Paint flowerpots and fill with spring flowers.

IN THE GARDEN

From every window throughout the summer, I see flowers blooming—honeysuckle, streptocarpella, double bloomed impatiens, petunias, celosia, catnip, salvia, lythrum, roses, roses, and more roses! This pleasurable experience serves as direction for landscaping with flowers so that blooms are visible from each of your own windows. That way even when you are confined indoors, you are still able to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors from every room. Careful planning now will ensure a marvelous view this season. So take note of what you like and what you don’t like, and then make alterations to your landscaping so that you and your family are able to enjoy the garden from inside.

Since we all love roses, we planted a variety of bushes to keep our vases filled with blossoms all season. Early spring is the most ideal time to plant rosebushes, so consider planting some new varieties this year.

Jon and Candy Summers share:

Christian Home Educators Fellowship—Faithfully honoring God, equipping generations, and serving the homeschooling community for the past 29 years! www.chef-missouri.com

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME March 2013 Information

CHEF INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES

I.      CHEF Information and Activities

         1.     CHEF 29th Annual Conference

a.      May 8-11 Mega Conference

b.      Note from a 2012 Conference Attendee

c.      Note from a 2012 Vendor

         2.     RSVP ASAP! CHEF 15th Annual Heart to Heart Tea-Our Hope-Covenantal Families, March 21

         3.     CHEF 29th Annual Graduation

         4.     Thank You for Art Festival

         5.     CHEF’s Attorney and Lobbyist

         6.     Special Opportunities

        a.      Sight and Sound Theatre

        b.      YMCA Camp Lakewood

        c.      The Movie Remember

II. There’s No Place Like Home Articles

         1.     Weblog-Tea and Dessert: A Winter Tradition

         2.     Covenantal Families-Multigenerational Business, Part II

a.      Children About Their Father’s Business-God’s Strategy for Taking Dominion

b.      God’s Method for Accomplishing This Mandate

c.      Children Derive Their Identity from Their Father

d.     Hebrew Education

e.      The World When God Sent His Son

f.      God’s Strategy for Victory

g.      Great Reformation

h.      The Foundation of All Free Government Is Laid in Families

i.       Puritan Reformation and Subsequent Abandonment

j.       Another Great Reformation

k.      Will We Be Faithful or Apostate to the Divine Covenant?

         3.     Casting a Vision for Multigenerational Family Business-Peace River Packing Company

         4.     Economy

a.      Timber

b.      Squash Seeds

c.      Scrap Paper

         5.     Safely Home-Dina Croy shares a poem by her daughter Mackenna

         6.     Delightful Surprises

a.      Supplies for Scrapbooking

b.      A Game of The Price is Right

         7.     Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!-Fun Ideas for Using Plastic Animals

         8.     Summers Signature

a.      After the Holiday Decorations

b.      Houseplants

c.      Dining Car-Fish and Chips, Scotland Yard, Mystery Movie

         9.     In the Garden

a.      Landscaping for Birds’ Melodious Songs of Praise

b.      Cleveland Pear Trees

         10.   Summers at Home

                 a.      St. Louis County Inspection

                 b.      Our Projects

                 c.      Get an Inspection

         11.   Family Outings-Bristol’s New Orleans Seafood Sunday Brunch

         12.   Come Gather at Our Table

a.      Caramelized Pears

b.      Breading

c.      Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushrooms and Rice

CHEF INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES

CHEF 29th Annual Conference

CHEF/Generations with Vision 2013 Family Economics Conference May 8-11

$259 Family/$99 Individual TO REGISTER:

http://chef-missouri.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=1:25th-annual-christian-home-educators-fellowship&id=26:2009-registration&Itemid=4

Please make sure to mark that you heard about this event through CHEF.

A Note from a 2012 Conference Attendee

“This was a divinely orchestrated conference! Dr. Paul Jehle’s message/sermon, ‘The Relationship Between the Old and New Covenants’ was powerful preaching, so essential and so needed. God’s fingerprints are and were on this conference. This is a reformation for the remnant to the Glory of God! I believe He will bring much fruit through it! Lord willing, we will be here next year and with friends. We came from Wisconsin!”–Baraboo, WI

A Note from a 2012 Conference Vendor

“Dear Sonia, Thank you so much for sending the information! It was a pleasure visiting with you over the phone yesterday. We are excited about the CHEF event, as well as the opportunity to join in the vendor hall. It wasn’t a hard decision. :-) And, I must add that our family is overjoyed to see a distinctly Christian homeschool convention that proclaims God’s sovereignty... even down to the vendor information packet. May our Lord richly bless you.” –Vendor, IN

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RSVP ASAP! CHEF 15th Annual Heart to Heart Mother and Daughter Tea: Our Hope-Covenantal Families Thursday, March 21, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Hawken House Barn, 1155 S. Rock Hill Road , St. Louis , MO 63119 . Cost is $10 per person (to defray cost of room rental, food, and paper goods). Please mail your check payable to CHEF, c/o Sonia Summers , 236 St. Louis Ave. , Ferguson, MO 63135 by March 18 to reserve your place or call 314-521-8487 to make a reservation. Mothers without daughters are welcome to come. Come and enjoy tea and delectable pastries with other homeschooling moms.

Our hope lies in the covenant. Be encouraged as I share God’s magnificent plan for our lives—a promise to a thousand generations. Bring questions on any topic that you would like me to answer.

Directions:If you take Hwy. 270 south, exit at Big Bend Road . Go east on Big Bend approximately 4 miles to S. Rock Hill Road . Go right on Rock Hill for 2 blocks. The house is just past Hawken Condominiums on the right. Barn is on right in back of Hawken House. There is no Big Bend exit if you are going north on Hwy. 270. Therefore, if you take Hwy. 270 north, go east on Hwy. 44. Exit at Big Bend Road and go east for approximately 1.5 miles to S. Rock Hill Road . Then follow above directions.

CHEF 29th Annual Graduation If you have a 2013 graduate, please call to let us know so that we may send you a graduation packet, as this is the last month in which you can sign up for participation. Provide your graduate’s name, parents’ names, address, phone, and email address on our answering machine at 314-521-8487.

CHEF Annual Art Festival and Photography Contest Our thanks to the Belley family and the Burns family for all their hard work towards organizing and hosting this event. It is a lovely evening and one that brings honor to God through displaying our children’s gifts in creating beauty and loveliness. Our family is always so impressed with all the talent that is evident in the pieces and appreciative of the effort and precision that goes into each work of art. We also appreciate Anne and Adrienne’s diligence in taking notes during the judging, so that each child knows how he can improve his work.

CHEF’s Attorney and Lobbyist As Jon and I go over weekly Legislative reports from CHEF’s lobbyist, we are reminded of just how blessed Missouri homeschoolers are for having such a highly respected and competent attorney working on their behalf, and for free, all these years! We know of no other state that has been so singularly blessed with such a tremendous service. Please consider replying to this email with a note of gratitude to David Klarich for his faithful service, and we will forward it on to him.

Mr. Klarich is a homeschooling father of five and serves as CHEF’s attorney and lobbyist. David John Klarich was elected to the Missouri Senate (1994-2002) where he served as the Chairman of Judiciary; Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions & Ethics; and member of Judicial Resources; Ways and Means; Pensions and General Laws; and Local Government and Economic Development. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives (1990-1994).

Mr. Klarich drafted, sponsored, and passed legislation relating to virtually all subjects. Included among his legislative accomplishments are the creation of the Child Custody, Abuse and Neglect Commission; created and/or protected the Uncompensated Tort Victims fund, Crime Victims Fund, and Unemployment Compensation Fund; passed a law that prohibits frivolous lawsuits by making inmates pay for their own legal fees; created a state program to put “at-risk” youth to work instead of turning to crime; created the first expedited capital crimes procedure; banned the death penalty for the mentally retarded; drafted and passed the first Violent Sexual Predators law, the Predator Registry, and Predator Civil Commitment procedure; defined and defended marriage; drafted and co-sponsored the “Safe Schools Act”; drafted significant civil, corporate, and judicial reform legislation; secured additional resources for education and transportation; and reformed property tax laws.

He also worked in private law practice with the Clayton law firm of Riezman Berger, P.C. In 2002, Mr. Klarich created and now manages a company known as Citizens for Policy Reform, LLC, which provides government relations services before the United States Congress, Missouri General Assembly, and administrative agencies. He holds an A.B. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an M.A. in Public Policy, and Juris Doctor from Regent University, Virginia.

David Klarich is in Jefferson City each day of the legislative session diligently working on our behalf both for us as homeschoolers and as families. Therefore, we are deeply grateful to God for providing us with such an experienced attorney who has served as both Missouri Representative and Missouri Senator for many years. David also handles our DFS cases and has been instrumental in helping our families in past years with issues concerning admission to technical schools, universities, and the armed services and acquisition of work permits.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

[This information is communicated to you only as a service to our families. The information contained herein is not screened or verified by CHEF. Please be discerning at all times.]

Sight and Sound Theatres-Where the Bible Comes to Life! Special discount off exclusive to homeschool families from March 15-April 30. Mention code: BR13SC. Online reservations atwww.sight-sound.comor call 800-377-1277. Adult $25; Teen (13-18) $15; Child (3-12 yrs) $10. Joseph’s epic story presents a powerful example of character and forgiveness. Behind the Scenes Tour-Professional cast members are the guides for this interactive experience. Explore our stage, set shop, animal dressing rooms, and much more…for only $5.

YMCA Camp Lakewoodis offering an exciting program for homeschooled groups. Join us for a 3-day/2-night fun-filled educational experience this spring. We have put together a package you won’t be able to resist. For only $85 per person for the entire event (children under 5 are free), you and your family will enjoy 2 nights lodging, 6 meals and numerous activities to keep everyone busy. Activities will be both educational and fun. If you are looking for a particular educational experience, we will be able to adapt to your needs. What a great opportunity to meet other parents, share ideas and have a fun time. March 20-22 has been designated for this exciting event. For more information, check out our website at ymcaoftheozarks.org. Look under Outdoor Education to find the Homeschooler’s brochure and registration form. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Greg Lammiman with MovieMakers.cashares: “Remember”–A Must-Watch Filmfor Homeschool Parents and Teens Recently, more than one homeschool family has taken up storytelling through film, in order to have a godly influence on our culture. One powerful example is Remember, which warns of increasing government encroachment into the God-given jurisdictions of the family. Lee Duigon of The Chalcedon Foundation wrote, “Remember outclasses many a Hollywood production... The story is compelling; the acting is professional in quality, even without a single big name in the cast; the camera-work is superb; the music is just right - and, best of all, Remember is artistically daring and full of surprises. Fulfilling a dream as old as Plato, the state has finally abolished the family. Children are given up at birth and raised by the government. Their parents’ awareness that they’ve even had these children is wiped out by a drug called MemRelief. But Remember has a Christian message, so the story has much more to offer than just a visit to a dreary future.” http://tinyurl.com/RemReview

If you want a thought provoking, discussion starting Christian film to share with your family, this film is it. Remember was a feature finalist at San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, was named Best International Narrative Feature at the San Diego Christian Film Festival and won a Platinum Pixie Award from the American Pixel Academy for its visual effects. You can view a trailer and order at www.TheRememberMovie.com. Enter the code “homeschooler” at checkout for limited time free shipping. It is also available from Vision Forum at http://tinyurl.com/vfRem.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME-Celebrating 27 years of inspiration, encouragement, and biblical instruction

www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com

WEBLOG-Candy’s latest blog

Tea and Dessert-A Winter Tradition

http://www.theresnoplacelikehome-summers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1155:february-14th-2013&catid=58:blog&Itemid=64

COVENANTAL FAMILIES

MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS, Part II (This excerpt is taken from our book, which we hope to have finished in time to be published by the conference. Your prayers towards that end would be much appreciated.)

Children About Their Father’s Business: God’s Strategy for Taking Dominion

This past spring, two families that we know attended a homeschool graduation ceremony. Both were overwhelmed by the long list of the graduates’ accomplishments, but for very different reasons. One was overwhelmed by all the time the children had spent away from their families to emulate the world, while the other was overwhelmed because they felt that their children were not doing enough compared to these students. One grieved over the fragmented families and prayed, while the other stressed out over their children’s lack of worldly achievements and so ramped up their out-of-home activities to come into conformity with the level of activity these students had pursued.

Quite revealing, isn’t it? So let us ask you, where is the treasure of your heart? What do you envision for your family, say, twenty years from now? Is your daily walk working towards that goal?

The significance to these questions is revealed in the following conversations that took place years ago at one of our dinners for our CHEF conference speakers. After getting to know one another better, Jon got down to business when he asked the speakers if they grieved over what we saw happening to the homeschooling community, as graduates were flying the coop to pursue their own agenda. Instead of building up their own family dynasties by becoming the foundation (and subsequent catalyst) for reform, they were further weakening the foundation of our country.

In response, one of the speakers immediately piped up that since God calls children to take different directions, we must allow them to pursue their own callings. After he was finished, another speaker, an historian of great renown, spoke up to concur with Jon that strong families do indeed form the foundation of strong countries, and then went on to confirm the importance of families living and working together to strengthen their churches, their communities, their states, and in turn, their nations.

Shortly after this speaker’s final comments, everyone went back to eating, while the first speaker turned to the man on his left to share how excited he was that his son was returning home after being away for some time. Unashamedly, he went on to say how much he had missed him and how distressed he had been over his son’s departure because he believed that he belonged home with him.

At that moment, you can just imagine what we were thinking! Well as soon as he finished, we asked him if he had told his son that he wanted him to stay home or at least nearby and if he had conveyed to him the importance of family solidarity. When this speaker stated his obvious failure to do so, we went on to impart the significance of Jon’s initial question by stating the importance of fathers and mothers casting that vision to their children.

You see almost everyone we have ever met, in some manner or another, reveals their desire for their children’s presence near them, but in fear of falling under condemnation from an apostate culture by espousing something contrary to the cultural mandate for independence, they remain silent, or in many cases, advocate the very thing that is in opposition to what they know to be true deep in their hearts.

The consequence of betrayal to what we know to be true, in favor of the cultural mandate, clearly manifests itself in the following story. Several years ago at a wedding reception, as Candy and Sonia approached a woman, they noticed that she became tearful. After introducing Sonia and herself, Candy asked the woman why she was crying and if there was anything she could do for her. In turn, the woman identified herself, acknowledging that she actually recognized Candy because they had homeschooled in Missouri for many years. And then she went on to explain the reason for her tears.

Apparently, seeing Sonia and Candy arm in arm reminded her of the days when she had been with her children, which she went on to conclude were the best years of her life—something far different from her present situation. In response, Candy asked how many children she had homeschooled and if those children were homeschooling their own children. This mother then proceeded to share a very heart-wrenching story that clearly reveals the present battle over the vast disparity between God’s will and Satan’s will for families.

Early on this mother had been given a book entitled Give Them Wings, in which the author directed her readers to give their children wings by training them to be independent, so that once they turned eighteen, they could fly from the coop in every direction but home.

Consequently, due to this propaganda, although this particular mother had considered the years with her children the best years of her life, once her daughters were able to fly, they did. And presently, one daughter was working to support the baby she had conceived out of wedlock, while the other worked because she made too much money to justify quitting her job in favor of staying home with her own children. Thus those children were in daycare and public school.

After baring her heart, Candy expressed her deep grief over this mother’s sorrow, but then went on to denounce the world’s philosophy of independence, by telling her that it was antithetical to God’s Word, and in fact, an act of high treason towards God, since independence means “not subject to God’s authority.” She then went on to emphasize that there is never a time in one’s life when independence is appropriate, no matter what the circumstances.

After listening to Candy’s lengthy discourse refuting this worldly notion, the mother looked at her as if a light bulb had gone on in both her heart and mind, and thus proceeded to share how ironic she thought it was that the author of the book cried after each of her children flew the coop. She went on to tell Candy how she knew in her heart that it was not right to prepare her children to scatter, yet thought she must follow what this author, and many others in the homeschooling community and in her church, had encouraged her to do.

While Candy was having this conversation with this particular woman, unbeknownst to either of us, Jon was nearby having a very similar conversation with her husband. It was not until we compared our conversations on the way home that we realized the burden they bore and thus lamented that they had not been a part of our workshops and gatherings through the years, as they would have known God’s design for families, which would have most certainly altered their present situation.

You see, for the past 27 years we have been refuting this heresy by instructing our families that sending children out like quail is not following the biblical mandate to take dominion. It is not setting the course for multi-generational family businesses and communities. Quite to the contrary, it is the enemy’s plan for dividing and conquering.

So let us ask you, what is your most valuable possession—the one thing on this earth that you prize more than anything else? For “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45,46

Several years ago at a support group meeting, as Candy and I were expounding on our vision of working with our children in our family business, living with our children and their children on the same land, and growing a community of our family of families, a father spoke up and said that he was raising his quiver full of arrows to be shot out in every direction. Immediately, I pointed out the foolishness of this thinking by relaying to him that no warrior wastes his arrows by haphazardly shooting them in all directions. To hit the mark, the arrows must all be aimed in the same direction.

Most importantly, what this father failed to realize is that if an arrow were off by just one degree at 50m, it would miss the mark by 0.873m, and the further the target, the greater deflection, so that at 100m it would miss by 1.7m. In the same way, the following passages clearly delineate the battle that rages upon earth and specifically lays out the battle plan for victory.

“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5

“Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.” Genesis 22:17

“May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May He give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.” Genesis 28:3,4,14

The first covenant God made with man was marriage for the purpose of filling the earth with God’s glory by taking dominion through covenanted families as proclaimed in Genesis 1:28 when God clearly sets forth this mandate as He blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over…every living thing that moves on the earth.”

He reiterates this mandate of taking dominion through families in Genesis 18:19, “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him,” again, that through his offspring all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4

Accordingly, as heirs with Abraham, it is the sacred duty of each generation to train up the next generation to keep the way of the LORD. As a result, when children stand with their father in the gate, the family can face any foe. History bears testimony to this fact as men throughout history have refrained from coming up against families defending their family fortresses. This is where our strength lies and why the Communists set out to abolish the family.

God’s Method for Accomplishing This Mandate

God’s method for accomplishing this mandate is clearly through parental discipleship, and family solidarity, which He points to throughout His entire Word. First by the very essence of God’s triune Being—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—working in unison to accomplish His will. Secondly, God sets the example by walking with Adam in the garden. Furthermore, He sets the course by personally instructing His children—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. He dwelt among His children in the wilderness as He went everywhere with them. He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a fire by night. He fed them manna from heaven. He instructed them with His Word and protected them from their enemies.

God continues to reiterate this doctrine throughout Proverbs. In point of fact, these scriptures make known that it is the sole responsibility of parents to instruct their children. “Hear my son your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Proverbs 1 “My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you…” Proverbs 3 “Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding. Hear my son, accept my saying and the years of your life will be many…My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my saying…For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body…” Proverbs 4 “My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart…for the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life…” Proverbs 6 “Listen, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Give me your heart, my sons, and let your eyes delight in my ways.” Proverbs 23 These are just a few of the verses from these and other chapters in Proverbs that prove this point.

So what is our covenantal duty? Psalm 78:1,5-7 says, “Listen, O my people, to my instruction; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”

And what does God require of us as parents? “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and grandsons.” Deuteronomy 4:9 “You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 11:19

Children Derive Their Identity from Their Father

Most importantly, we must look to the Son of our Father to see what He did when He became of age. So let us ask ourselves, did the Son’s duty to His Father change when Christ turned 18? Had He magically become an independent man who no longer subjected Himself to His Father? Contrary to the world’s rebellious notion that a son must find his identity apart from his father, Christ at thirty years of age sets the course for His children by stating that He came to do the will of His Father and that He could do nothing apart from His Father. John 6:38; John 5:19

Indeed it was the Father who established the Son’s identity when He revealed to the world that Christ was His beloved Son. “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Luke 3:22

God continues this foundational truth in verse 23: “When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, the son of...the son of...the son of…” all the way down to verse 38, “the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”

God’s instruction was emphasizing the vast magnitude of this father/child relationship, as children receive their life, their identity, their purpose, their wisdom, their sustenance, their reputation, their power, their inheritance, and their blessings from their Father/father.

This in turn places the child in submission to both his earthly father and heavenly Father as is commanded in Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” And again in Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” And in Ephesians 6:2,3: “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”

The tremendous blessings that children receive for their ardent obedience is revealed in the story of the Rechabites in Jeremiah 35, who were still obeying the voice of their forefather 300 years later. They state, “We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons or our daughters, nor to build ourselves houses to dwell in; and we do not have vineyard or field or seed. We have only dwelt in tents, and have obeyed and have done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, that God of Israel, “Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commandments and done according to all that he commanded you; therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always.’”

In contrast to these faithful children, when I asked my neighbor why her son was not accompanying them on their vacation, she told me that he did not want to go, so she had no recourse except to let him stay, even though he was only 12 years of age at the time. Sadly, unbeknownst to her, she and her husband had raised her son for failure in every facet of life because even employers won’t tolerate disobedience!

This understanding is extremely significant to family businesses, as their successful operation rests firmly on parents’ training of their children to honor and obey them. In fact we will tell you quite frankly, that without this in place, a family business will never work. For the plain and simple reason is that if children are not taught to listen to their parents, they will not be able to follow through with instructions. Furthermore, if children are not taught to honor their parents by surrendering their will to them, they cannot be trusted to faithfully execute directions, nor will God bless the work of their hands. It is a matter of dying to self and following God’s will for life rather than running headlong towards destruction.

As Christ makes clear when He said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and lose or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My word, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26

Hebrew Education

The Hebrew forefathers clearly understood their covenantal duty to train their children to serve God, not only for this life, but also for the eternal life hereafter. In point of fact, the driving philosophy of the Hebrew education system was obedience to God’s Word. In their minds, recognition of their depravity clearly justified their Holy God’s condemnation and punishment, making redemption necessary for salvation. Thus their emphasis was on reverence for God, obedience to Him, and reverence for parents and obedience to them through multi-generational family relationships in covenant with Him.

In view of God’s Word, children were considered essential to the success of the family, and thus were integrated into every area of life. Consequently, parents faithfully discipled children in God’s Word as they worked together to serve the family and the community.

Children in turn were devoted to their parents and worked alongside them as they invested into the welfare of the entire family, thus forming strong families—the foundation of both the church and civil government.

Sadly, however, after 1800 years of faithfulness to this covenant, out of fear, the Jews invited the Greek conqueror, Alexander the Great to take over Jerusalem. Trusting in man instead of their God, fathers abandoned their divine duty to disciple their own children and instead adopted the Greek’s education system. Antithetical to God’s mandate for education, the driving philosophy of the Greek’s education system was the worship of man, who was by their standard, the measure of all things.

Believing that man was born with a clean slate, the emphasis was placed on the individual through self-realization and self-fulfillment, human reasoning and physical ability, making the cornerstone of this system academic and athletic competition.

The child, then, was the one who created his own world based on his own desires. He set his own goals, made his own decisions, and thus became sovereign by determining his own destiny. Free from both God and family, the independent man felt no obligation to anyone but himself and his pursuit of his own interests for the advancement of his own success.

In accordance with Plato’s ideas as outlined in his Republic, “As long as children are doing work at home and under the authority of parents, we cannot make them creatures of the state. To mold the children into the man of the state we desperately need to get rid of the family.”

It comes as no surprise, then, why our country has run amuck when we realize that our public school system is based on this Greek model of education. Indeed our country is in violation of God’s mandate as it embraced the antithesis to the biblical approach to discipleship.

The World When God Sent His Son

Again, let us briefly look at other aspects of the world when God sent His Son to reconcile His people to Himself and reflect on the similarities between the Roman Empire at that time and our own country now. Rome’s despotic rulers cloaked their ruthless lust for power in charitable acts of welfare and public projects. Subsequently, Rome’s burgeoning State necessitated heavy taxation, which in turn caused rampant inflation. Compare this with the fact that one out of every six Americans now receives some form of government assistance. http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/07/one-in-six-americans-receives-government-assistance/

Consequently, America’s taxpayers work nearly six months of each year to pay taxes to the State who in turn rewards the indigent. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/americans-will-work-more-6-months-pay-cost-govt-2012

Unbridled immorality prevailed through the Roman Empire as rampant immodesty, fornication, adultery, divorce, infanticide, and homosexuality pervaded society. Ultimately not only did this wickedness lead to their demise, but also their rejection of God’s mandate to be fruitful and multiply led to the decline of the Roman population to the extent that one-third of their populace in the first century were slaves.

Again, let us compare this with American’s unbridled immorality. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, fifty percent of all couples live together, and forty percent of births are to unwed mothers. The Census Bureau projected that if our present decline in births, coupled with the number of foreigners who continue to pour over our borders, continues, by 2042 Caucasian Protestant Christians will become America’s minority.

Consider also that Rome’s entertainment consisted of 45,000 bloodthirsty spectators lustfully cheering the horrific brutality of Christians being torn to pieces by wild beasts, beheaded, crucified, and burned at the stake. This was nothing less than an unleashing of cruelty, the like ferocity that we have yet to see in our arenas, but which exists nonetheless, and actually in a far greater degree, as these virtual acts of cruelty are brought into millions of America’s homes via cable television.

Often glorified by historians and lay people alike, Rome in all its pagan splendor was nothing but hideously wicked as slavery, torture, and human sacrifice permeated their pagan culture of death.

With this historical revelation, it is hard to imagine why many claim that our American liberties were founded on Roman philosophy and principles, because a thorough study of Rome clearly displays the utter deficiency of human rights and liberty. In fact, no society can be called civilized unless it rests on Christ. For God says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”

God’s Strategy for Victory

It was in this horrifically wicked setting that God sent His Son to reconcile the world to Himself. Yet how did He purpose to do it? Interestingly, He reiterated His dominion mandate before the coming of Christ in Malachi 4:5,6 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

Then as promised God sent John the Baptist as the forerunner to the One Jesus Christ who would turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the children back to their fathers. Luke 1:17 “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

So what is God’s plan for victory? Discipleship is the very heart and soul of His covenant, the key to life, and the core of the Gospel. Indeed the heavenly Father-Son relationship clearly exemplified these principles.

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.’” John 4:34

“Therefore Jesus…said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing…I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me…the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify…that the Father has sent Me.” John 5:19,20,30,36

“So Jesus said…I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me…I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” John 8:28,38

“Jesus spoke, ‘Father I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do…I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave me out of the world; for the words which You gave me I have given to them that they may be one even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:4,6,8,21

God’s strategy for victory, then, is clearly discipleship, family economics, and family solidarity, and if we miss this point, we have most definitely missed the mark.

This shows that the root of America’s problems is not our government’s lawlessness but America’s fathers’ lawlessness. Indeed it is fathers’ failure to disciple their own sons that leads to humanists’ control of the people through the State. As fathers abandon God, their sons take on a new one—the State—which gladly disciples them to secure allegiance in their burgeoning control through provision of education, employment, childcare, healthcare, and social security.

Voddie Baucham, in a workshop given at the men’s leadership training in Indianapolis, Indiana, stated, “14,000 hours of instruction takes place at school. If you only spent 4 hours a week in church, it would take you 70 years to get 14,000 instructional hours. If you only spent 2 hours a week in church, it would take you 140 years to get 14,000 instructional hours. And we treat church like it’s the only place to combat the secular teaching in our schools. Give me the 14,000 hours! I want the 14,000 hours! That’s where the discipleship is taking place.”

Where are we, men? If we are truly devoted to Christ, then our family should be seeing a maturity and sanctification in our own lives; and subsequently, through our discipleship, we should be seeing a similar maturity and sanctification in them. To help place the significance of our responsibility in proper perspective, multiply 365 days times the years you have been a father to calculate just how much time you should have been discipling your children in God’s Word. Then look at the fruit. Our task is serous, men, so please solemnly reflect upon your duty.

Great Reformation

“American Christian education was the foundation of our nation’s great growth, progress, and success…The colonists brought with them a tradition of biblical scholarship and the fruition of the Reformation…the Scriptures in English. And with their Bibles they brought a determination to continue the individual study and practice of the Christian verities contained therein.”–Rosalie Slater

Indeed our Colonial forefathers possessed a multi-generational eternal vision that expressed itself throughout the 1600 and 1700s when most children in America were home educated. This adherence to God’s Word produced a remarkably literate, intellectual, well-ordered, Christian nation.

The Foundation of All Free Government Is Laid in Families

When we studied the Founding Father of America’s Christian Scholarship and Education, Noah Webster, we could not help but be impressed with the vast impact he had upon our nation’s youth through the supplication of his Christian materials, yet for all he accomplished, his most profound thoughts emanate from his biblical presuppositions of the importance of biblical scholarship, which Webster believed not only began in the home, but also was best fostered there. Let us consider carefully the import of his statement that “all government originates in families, and if neglected there, it will hardly exist in society…The foundation of all free government and of all social order must be laid in families and in the discipline of youth…the Education of youth, an employment of more consequence than making laws and preaching the gospel, because it lays the foundation on which both law and gospel rests for success…”

Home is the first sphere of government where parents lay the foundation of self-government, family government, church government, and civil government. We cannot educate our children until we have corrected their tempers. Laying a foundation of solid obedience is crucial to the success of the family, their own marriage and their own family, the Church, their vocation, and the state.

Considered by many to be America’s greatest theologian and preacher, and certainly the foremost leader in the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards also addressed the vast importance of family government in his Farewell Sermon.

“We have had great disputes how the church ought to be regulated; and indeed the subject of these disputes was of great importance: but the due regulation of your families is of no less, and, in some respects, of much greater importance. Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by His rules. And family education and order are some of the chief means of grace. If these fail, all other means are likely to prove ineffectual. If these are duly maintained, all the means of grace will be likely to prosper and be successful.

Let me now therefore, once more, before I finally cease to speak to this congregation, repeat, and earnestly press the counsel which I have often urged on the heads of families, while I was their pastor, to great painfulness in teaching, warning, and directing their children; bringing them up in the training and admonition of the Lord; beginning early, where there is yet opportunity, and maintaining constant diligence in labors of this kind.

Remember that, as you would not have all your instructions and counsels ineffectual, there must be government as well as instructions, which must be maintained with an even hand, and steady resolution, as a guard to the religion and morals of your family, and the support of its good order. Take heed that it not be with any of you as it was with Eli of old, who reproved his children, but restrained them not; and that, by this means, you do not bring the like curse on your families as he did on his.” taken from The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. I, p. ccvi.

Washington so clearly understood the indissoluble bond between liberty and obedience to God’s laws, because he knew that in order for a nation to remain free, it must adhere to the requirements of the covenant outlined in Deuteronomy 28. Washington made the relationship between obedience to God’s eternal rules; and human ‘happiness’ most clear to the American people in his First Inaugural Address: ‘…the foundations of our National policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; and the pre-eminence of a free Government, be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its Citizens, and command the respect of the world. I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my Country can inspire since there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity. Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.’

Puritan Reformation and Subsequent Abandonment

Our Puritan fathers’ faithfulness led to the first Christian Republic. But then, by and large, America’s fathers abandoned their role to the state. Subsequently, churches abetted the enemy by leaving dead dogs lay while humanists educated their members’ children. Pastors and their staff went so far as to commend working mothers, and then followed the school’s direction by dividing the family into age-segregated groups, creating an entirely new segment of society called YOUTH, to whom they delegated evangelism, when God clearly commanded families to do the job.

Interestingly, after listening to all my sermons on God’s design for families, one of our members related that she finally realized why their old church had been so unsuccessful in reaching the lost. In spite of their great desire, and subsequent labor, to transform culture, they had no lasting converts because they had sent out individuals to do the job, instead of staying home and discipling their own families to take dominion. Consequently, not only had they no fruit to show for their labor, but they lost their own children in the process.

Another Great Reformation

Then over thirty years ago, God began another Reformation when parents fled the Greek institutions of humanism to disciple their children as God commanded to prepare a people for the Lord. But where is the homeschooling community today?

We believe that Exodus 12:38 defines the source of the problem. Since Satan, whom Pharaoh represents, failed to keep God’s people in the world, he accompanied them into Canaan as “a mixed multitude went up with them.” From this point onward, this “rabble” continued to be a snare to the Israelites and the source of their discontentment with God’s provision, which manifested itself in their desire to go back to Egypt, representing the world at large. (Numbers 11:4-6; Psalm 78:17-19; Psalm 106:13-15; Exodus 16:2,3; Exodus 17:3; Numbers 11:13; Numbers 14:1-11; Numbers 20:3-5; Numbers 32:1-5; Leviticus 24:10-16; Joshua 8:35; Nehemiah 5:17; Nehemiah 13:3; Nehemiah 13:23-29)

A. W. Pink in Gleanings in Exodus says, “And these things are recorded for our learning. This fellowshipping of believers with unbelievers, this sufferance of the ungodly among the congregation of the Lord, has been the great bane of God’s saints in every age, the source of their weakness, and the occasion of much of their failure. It is because of this the Spirit of God says, ‘Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate’ (2 Corinthians 6:17)” page 103

As homeschoolers fled the world’s institutions of learning, a “mixed multitude” followed. Consequently, those who failed to leave their gods behind caused others to crave the world, and thus instead of resting in God’s Providence and being satisfied with the Manna He provided, they craved after the meat back in Egypt, and thus recreated the same humanistic institutions for their children, all in the name of Christian homeschooling, of course. Only Christian homeschooling by its very definition requires compliance to Christ’s model.

Will We Be Faithful or Apostate to the Divine Covenant?

Presently we are facing the fiercest battle ever fought over the hearts and minds of our homeschooling families, as enemies to God tempt our families to abdicate their duty of discipling their own children. Will history testify of our faithfulness to the divine covenant of discipleship, or will it bear witness of an apostate people?

“…He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generations to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Psalm 78:5-8

The question remains to be answered. Will we choose Jesus, the Son of the Father, or will we, like the Hebrew fathers before us, cry out, “Give us Barabbas. Crucify Jesus! His blood shall be on us and our children”? Matthew 27:21,22,25

As stated earlier, since home shapes the destiny of nations, by laying the foundation for all other government, where will our church and nation be in a few short years? Admittedly, since most of us were not discipled according to God’s Word, it becomes imperative for us to enlighten our own understanding so that we are proficient to nurture the spiritual and intellectual acumen of our own children. For “…a blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?” Luke 6:39

So how can we teach our children to keep the way of the Lord when we are so biblically illiterate ourselves? Whereas our own education was completely antithetical to truth, in His faithfulness to the covenant and mercy towards us, He uses discipleship as the means by which He disciples us as well. Therefore, homeschooling is our second chance to get it right! With this in mind, it is accurate to say then that homeschooling begins first in parents’ own hearts and minds.

This concludes the end of Part II.

CASTING A VISION FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS

Peace River Packing CompanyFamily legacies are nothing new in citrus growing. Its traditions are often passed down from generation to generation, each family bringing its own set of values to its particular practice. Out in newly planted groves, among trees barely as tall as his young children, no one understands the honor of carrying on that tradition like Larry Black. He is a partner and serves as manager of the Peace River Packing Company, a citrus cooperative that provides caretaking, harvesting, and fresh fruit packing. As a member of the Florida’s Natural Growers cooperative, they also market a share of their fruit for orange juice.

Larry and his wife, Jenny, manage the business together, overseeing the administrative operations and working with grove caretakers to maintain the health of the citrus trees. With over 150 employees, Peace River Packing remains one of Fort Meade’s major employers, something Larry’s proud to say. “We treat everyone well,” he says. “They can build roots here and grow their families. It’s a nice way of life.”

Larry and Jenny have high hopes to one day pass that treasured way of life on to Varn and Julia. “I would be very excited to see them get into the business,” he says, laughing as Varn greets each of the tractors riding through the groves. Since both children are still under five years old, he acknowledges that there’s plenty of time to allow them to grow into the responsibilities of the family’s sixth generation of growers.

After more than 12 years in the family business, Larry can attest to a much different industry from when his great grandfather began growing in the Fort Meade area in 1928. Greening and canker epidemics have resulted in higher production costs, leading many farms to consolidate to stay efficient. His own groves have felt the impact of these diseases, prompting him to extend his research efforts. He has traveled to South America to research canker control programs and find new ways to protect the natural health of his fruit. He has also put in place aggressive greening control programs to contain the disease.

While such growing challenges have cost the industry some of its farmers, Larry is intent on remaining active in helping it move forward. His efforts include working with local schools to support agricultural programs that foster interest in the management opportunities offered by new industry dynamics. As a company, Peace River Packing sponsors a number of activities within the community, and he also serves on the Board of Directors for Florida Citrus Mutual, the largest citrus grower organization in the country. He and Jenny were recently recognized with a national achievement award from members of the agricultural industry, a positive indication of their future as leaders in a fully integrated citrus growing community.

“I am not afraid of change,” he says, viewing the challenges as an opportunity. “I feel citrus has a bright future in Florida.” An outlook so positive could only come from a man who’s gained not just a family business, but a heritage of integrity and conviction.

http://www.floridasnatural.com/co-op/meet-the-growers/peace-river-packing-company

ECONOMY

Primarily, the management, regulation, and government of a family or the concerns of a household. A frugal and judicious use of money; the management which expends money to advantage, and incurs no waste. Economy includes also a prudent management of all the means by which property is saved or accumulated; a judicious application of time, of labor, and of the instruments of labor.

Incurs No Waste

-As we are cutting our dead timber, Jedidiah measures the logs to be set aside for the sawyer, cuts the tops for firewood, and sets aside the branches for chipping paths and composting. Cedar trees are measured for fence posts, tops cut up for kindling, and chips used for closets.

-The seeds we scoop out of squash are washed, dried, coated with olive oil and salt, and then roasted for a snack.

-Once faxes and copies are no longer needed, they are flipped over and folded in half to be used for notes or as a score sheet for one of our Dutch Blitz rounds.

SAFELY HOME

Dina Croy shares: I wanted to share this poem Mackenna wrote. It is the result of the second lesson in A Young Lady’s writing course from Becky Morecraft by Vision Forum. This is the first draft, and it brought Chris and me to tears. I hope it blesses you as well! This poem is a prayer come to life. If you ever feel down about the farm [Dina is referring to us not living on a farm yet], please read this and know that you have made a difference for the kingdom of God. And God will provide.

Devotion by Mackenna Croy

A little house stood by itself

upon a field of white,

The windows shone their yellow glow

into the winter night.

Within the house a call went up

to all who lived inside,

to gather in the family room, for its devotion time.

Daddy grabbed his Bible, and mom her cup of tea,

and little feet ran down the stairs

to listen and to see.

Big sister laid her book aside, and brother boxed his toys,

then Dad began to teach his kids

about the Christians’ joy.

Torrid flames leaped high inside the red brick fireplace,

and warmed the room where family read

of finishing the race.

Devotion soon drew to an end,

and the family sang a song.

And they all knew that where they were 

was right where they belonged.

DELIGHTFUL SURPRISES

Supplies for Scrapbooking Sonia was not able to get in to our ophthalmologist to get contacts in time for our CHEF paintball game. Since this was the first year Sonia had not participated with her brothers, I decided to make a fun day for her at home. So while the boys were paintballing, Sonia and I read Victoria magazine, watched cooking shows, scrap booked, and played games. Some time ago I purchased specialty scrapbooking papers and adhesions as a surprise for Sonia. After retrieving our supplies, I laid the beautiful papers and stickers next to our stash of pictures, so she would see right away that I had thought of her. As we went through pictures together, I was struck by the vast amount of wonderful family celebrations we enjoy each year, year after year. It is these moments in time that bind us together, knitting our hearts one to another. When the boys arrived home at the end of the day, they found a lovely plate of fruit, cheese, and crackers waiting for them before their dinner.

A Game of The Price is Right For something different after dinner one evening, play The Price is Right where everyone guesses the retail value of common household items. Prior to the game, purchase items from the five and dime store and/or the grocery store that the children would like such as a bag of candy, lip gloss, stuffed animal, pack of gum, candle, package of markers, puzzle, pocket notebook, ribbon, bunch of bananas, package of raisins, box of cereal, jar of olives, can of sardines, 2-liter bottle of ginger ale, bag of chips, lotion… Place these down the center of the dining room table, along with play money and coins. After dinner begin the game. Depending on the age of the children, you can either have each of the children guess the prices of the items, with the closest receiving the item, or have them choose from several different prices that you have placed on index cards. Write the correct price on one of the cards, with higher and lower prices on the remaining cards. Have the children take turns guessing. The one that guesses correctly gets to keep that item.

LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS, OH MY!

I loved creating fun games for my children using our plastic and wooden animals. To this day, if I spy a plastic container of animals, I always look them over to see what adorable creatures they contain. Bags of these creatures make wonderful gifts, especially for a spring party. Here are some of the fun things that we did with ours.

-Have the children group according to wild (lions, tigers, bears…) and domestic (horses, cows, lambs…). Using a large map, locate where each might be found in the world.

-Classify the animals as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, or insects.

-Discuss how God designed each animal for its surroundings and its own protection—long legs for running, sharp teeth for tearing meat, claws for climbing, nostrils that close to keep out sand…

-Play charades by selecting one and then acting it out for all to guess.

-Match the animals with pictures of them from books or magazines.

-To make your own Animal Bingo, cut out pictures of your animals and glue on poster board. Use your plastic animals to cover the animals that are called out.

-Each child should pretend to be Noah and pair them to board the Ark.

-Using paint, crayons, moss, rocks and such, make dioramas out of shoe boxes by creating jungle scenes for jungle animals, forest scenes for forest animals, farm scenes for farm animals. If you have never made one of these, this is so much fun. Just create the scene inside the box turned on its side. Then place the animals where they look best against the background, and place on a shelf or table for all to enjoy.

-Use the animals to help the children understand mathematical concepts. Corral the horses by color. For instance, you can say, we have 6 white horses in this corral and 5 black horses in the other. How many horses do we have all together? Place 5 horses in each of your 4 corrals. So 4 groups of 5 is? And 20 divided into 4 groups is? We have 10 cows. If we take 4 to market how many cows will we have left?

-Take turns selecting an animal and walking and talking like that creature.

-Take turns making sounds of the animals and having the children select the appropriate animal.

-While singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” leave out the name of the animal, but make its sound and have the child pick out the animal that matches that sound.

-Hide the wild animals around the house and then go on a safari to find them.

-Take the animals with you to the Zoo. One by one draw them out of a bag and find a real live specimen for every one selected.

SUMMERS SIGNATURE

After the Holiday Decorations I am so thankful that we still have our Christmas trees and other winter decorations up, especially since we have had snow lately. It just would not seem right to have snow and no warm and cozy winter decorations. Yes, Jon has been very generous this year in allowing us to keep them up past Valentine’s Day, and for that I am thankful. It is so starkly bland after everything is removed, so I like to place a few houseplants around to make up for the emptiness. Since we are closer to spring, I will be adding potted tulips and hyacinths. Normally though, with the tree and other decorations coming down in the middle of February I decorate with bowls of fruit, vases of flowers, stacked books, dresser scarves, and decorative boxes. I would also place mirrors down the center of the dining room table topped with crystal bowls filled with votives and light blue pillar candles scattered around vases of silver glittered branches. However, when I take down our Christmas decorations this year, I am going to transform our dining room into a dining car and serve a typical English meal of fish and chips, play Scotland Yard, and then watch a mystery DVD.

IN THE GARDEN

Landscaping forBirds’ Melodious Songs of Praise All winter long we have enjoyed the melodious chirping of birds outside our windows because we have planned our landscaping to attract and keep these birds all winter. Of course we feed them, too, but they must have a haven for resting and nesting near the home to stay put all year. If you don’t already have trees, shrubs, and vines near your home, consider spacing these around your perimeter, along with birdbaths and feeders, so you too will be able to enjoy their melodious songs all year long.

Cleveland Pear TreesWe replaced the huge elm tree that died along our driveway with Cleveland Pear trees. Less prone to split than Bradford pears, these fast growing perfectly uniform symmetrical shaped trees make a great choice for lining a drive, a walk, or a fenced area. They are especially good if you want some privacy, as they quickly reach 30-40 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. Their size is not only manageable for small to medium yards, but also ideal for narrow spots. White flowers in spring and purplish red-orange leaves in fall also make an attractive choice for the drive. We spaced ours 10 feet apart with a burning bush in between each of them. Brilliant red fall foliage, fast growth, and a pleasing shape make these a great landscape addition as well.

SUMMERS AT HOME

St. Louis County Inspection Although we probably would have completed the following tasks on my parents’ home anyway, I was shocked that St. Louis County has the authority to demand that we replace soiled carpeting in our basement (it is just in an out-of-the-way walk area); fill in several cracks in a very long driveway (cracks that did not look bad to me); install additional smoke detectors to what my parents already had; replace our dead bolts with thumb latches; paint exterior where peeling; replace cracked storm windows; install hand rail on outside stairwell that we have been using for the past 47 years without one; replace kitchen, bathroom and other existing receptacles with GFI units; and replace a 3-inch hole in the basement ceiling. Between property taxes and this intrusive agency, we cannot really say that we own property free and clear because the government has their hands on it, too.

Our Projects In addition to completing these tasks, we have also replaced front septic tank, secured tiles on front stoop, painted front door, secured marble in foyer, painted bathrooms, replaced bathroom fixtures, painted kitchen, had kitchen flooring replaced, repaired leak in basement, and replaced damaged floor in basement. Our next projects include removing the dirt in the front yard from digging up the septic tank, seeding the lawn, and replacing basement carpeting. After more cleaning, I think it will be ready to put on the market.

Get an InspectionA homeschooling mother who would like to move told me that she is afraid that they would have so many things to repair that they would not be able to afford the projects. I told her that she should not fret over something she does not know and suggested that she call her city hall to see what they require. For instance, while only an exterior inspection is required in Ferguson, both an exterior and interior is required in St. Louis County. Hopefully her city only requires an exterior one! I also recommended that she have her husband set up an appointment for the inspector to come out and show them what needs to be done, so that if the work is extensive, they can begin working towards their projects as they are able. There is nothing worse than uncertainty! And once you know what lies ahead, you can plan to complete the task in stages, if need be.

FAMILY OUTINGS

Bristol’s New Orleans Sunday Brunch If you are looking for a nice gift to give to your parents for Easter or for Mother’s Day, consider the excellent brunch that Bristol’s New Orleans Seafood restaurant offers. This brunch is truly magnificent! You must make reservations in advance! OMELETTE STATION Eggs and omelets prepared to order. Assorted condiments to include cheddar & pepper jack, mushrooms, red onions, green & red peppers, spinach, tomato, apple wood smoked bacon. CARVING STATION Prime Rib with horseradish cream. COLD SEAFOOD DISPLAY Assorted smoked fish, bay scallops, mussels, oysters on the half shell, peel & eat shrimp with traditional garnishes. SUSHI & SASHIMI Ahi Tuna Sushi rolls, Vietnamese Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Char Crust Tuna served with Soy sauce, broken wasabi vinaigrette, wasabi paste, pickled ginger, sweet & sour sauce, cocktail sauce, dill spread, red onion, capers, Dijon mustard, creamy horseradish, pickled onion, lemon wedges. BELGIAN WAFFLES Made to order petite waffles with choice of topping: Chocolate chips, Strawberry topping, Pecans, Traditional-maple syrup. ON THE COLD SIDE Assorted Artisan Cheeses and Fresh Fruits, Greek Pasta Salad, Orzo Salad, Assorted Pastries, Bagels, Breakfast Breads ENTRÉES Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Country Style Hash Browns, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Links, Chicken Picatta, Seafood Cioppino, Seasonal Vegetables, Thai Chicken Wings, Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes, Lobster Mac-n-Cheese, Mesquite Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Chipotle Grilled Shrimp, Enchiladas. DESSERTS Bread Pudding with Rum Anglaise, Carrot Cake, Heaps of Cookies, Coffee cake, Assorted pastry, house made Donuts. Located at 11801 Olive Blvd in Creve Coeur, they are openSun 10am – 2pm, 4pm – 9pm; Mon – Thurs 11am – 10pm; Fri 11am – 10:30pm; and Sat 4:30pm – 10:30pm. The brunch is $24 for adults; $12 for children 12 and under; ages 4 and under are complimentary.

COME GATHER AT OUR TABLE

Caramelized Pears I am not very fond of pears, unless they are caramelized, and then I think that they are delicious. I simply peel and slice the pears into a sauce pot. Sprinkle sugar over them and let them cook on low heat until they turn a stunning plum caramel color. Of course I stir them now and again, but mostly just let them do their thing, which is remarkable, considering how beautiful they become. I prefer to caramelize Bosc pears, but do not recommend these for eating fresh as the skins are bitter.

BreadingI always add finely grated Parmesan cheese to my breadcrumbs before I bread anything.

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushrooms and Rice Except for Sonia, none of us are particularly fond of acorn squash. I make it because it is good for us, and prefer it as a soup, but it does not rank high on my list of regular fare. However, I really enjoyed the following recipe that Sonia made for us from Martha Stewart.

2 acorn squash, halved crosswise, seeded and bottoms trimmed to lie flat

Salt and pepper

3 T. olive oil

1/2 pound Cremini mushrooms, trimmed and diced small

1 medium onion, diced small

3/4 t. dried thyme

1 c. long-grain white rice

2 c. chicken broth

1/2 c. grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 450º. On a rimmed baking sheet, season, cut sides of squash with salt and pepper, drizzle with 1 T. of oil, and turn cut sides down. Cover sheet tightly with foil and roast until tender, about 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat remaining 2 t. of oil. Add mushrooms, onion, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Sauté until mushrooms are golden, 8 minutes. Add rice and broth and bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.

Remove squash from oven. Carefully scoop out 2 to 3 T. flesh from each squash half and stir into rice, season with salt and pepper, Divide rice mixture among squash halves, sprinkle with Parmesan, and broil until melted, 2 minutes.