We worked on our jewelry over several nights. And at least for me, it was very telling. I am definitely a people-pleaser, so the pressure of knowing others would look at what I was creating caused me to quake.

My designs changed significantly as the days went on. I became more aware of what I actually wanted in a necklace and what I would really wear. The final evening, Amy asked me to create matching designs for the three of us girls using beads she especially liked. Since Brittany is in a different color palette than Amy and me, I knew I’d need to add something different to hers. I decided that to truly create something we would all love I would need to use the same elements in three unique ways. I was nervous but pressed on anyway.

Necklaces I designed for the three of us: Amy, Brittany, and Me

Funny that something as simple as designing necklaces for family would cause me to stress out. I sometimes struggle with the fact that I desire to make things more beautiful. It is part of who God made me to want to be surrounded by beauty. C’mon God! Why not a wonderful ability to speak? Why not clear insight or a really good mind for languages or numbers so I could really be effective for your kingdom?

This past week, I mentioned to my husband Dave that it grieves my heart to know there are children who never hear that they are important. Who never heard that God loved them so much He sent His Son to die for their sins. Who may never know they can do what He has called them to do.

And I was struck: I don’t really believe that for me. When I look at myself I see all the shortcomings ... the fear of speaking, the lack of a mind for languages. I tend to view my abilities as somehow less than important. I scoff at the fact that a delight in beauty could have something to do with God. That an ability to see patterns and colors would have anything to do with serving Him.

Our church is doing a series on breakthrough. Realizing how little value I place on myself and who God has made me has brought that to front of mind. I want to break through my own self-talk and fears and be who God has designed me to be. Regardless of what others think or what I feel would be more “effective.” If I want to tell others they have value, I have to also recognize my own value. Even with something as simple as designing a necklace.

Until next time!
-Jonelle

In those times, it's me they come to. Not their parents. They wouldn't even think of telling their parents!

And part of that is, I'm pretty sure, a natural consequence of being a parent. I know my mom and dad always told me that I could come talk to them about anything, but there were things I decided not to share with them. It was more comfortable to confide in a more removed, third-party. But even though my parents didn't know everything going on in my life, they had a pretty clear picture of what I was going through.

The parents of the school children I know are far less in touch.

How could they be? Their kids are gone for the majority of the day. There are also other engagements. And it's often the case that the parents work, further distancing both parties.

As homeschoolers, we spend a ton of time together. Even without snooping, we can get a sense of what's going on. And the close proximity and general availability give us many opportunities to check in and see what's up. Also, because we're there, learning together, discussion and questions are already part of the relationship.

Do you have any tips for staying connected with your kids, whether while homeschooling or after they've "left the nest"?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

I haven't seen the movie. But based on my reaction to the one film by this group that I have seen, I'm guessing the comments are spot on. Plus, I've chatted with a few others who have seen the movie and had similar reactions.

But there's another side to this: God uses these movies to positively impact people.

As a filmmaker, that blows me away. Almost everything about these flicks is terrible. And yet God can use even them to change lives for the better.

What do I take from that?

A humbling reminder that God uses me as well.

God can (and does) use you too. Have you seen surprising examples of that lately?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

As I've been digesting all the training we experienced, I wondered just how many folks we would have the privilege of meeting this spring and summer. I've been working conventions for some 15+ years now, and it has saddened me to see event attendance slowly declining. I've heard all the reasons for *not* attending a convention (finances, travel time, child care, nothing new left for me to learn) ... most of which are legitimate. But I'd like to offer some reasons *for* attending a convention in 2012. Beyond the fact that my own passion for homeschooling was birthed and nurtured at conventions, I do think there are still legitimate reasons for making the effort/sacrifice to attend.

Virtual conferences are convenient and certainly have their place, but there is just something about meeting "skin-on" homeschoolers that makes a live convention worth the time and money. You cannot share tears and hugs when you're sitting alone in front of your computer. There is an "energy" that permeates a homeschool event that cannot be duplicated in any other venue. Even veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the renewal of energy that comes from spending time with like-minded families.

Did you know that new books have a unique smell and feel?! I can email or chat with you over the phone about one of my most favorite books (James Herriott's Treasury for Children), but it's just not the same as handing you the book and showing you the amazing illustrations while I share how much my children loved to have me read this title to them. I have a love affair with books ... touching and smelling the "new book" smell is all part of that love that can't be duplicated virtually.

When I converse with someone electronically, there is often a frustration over the inability to see facial expressions or read body language. Their voice may be agreeing with what I'm saying, but their face and slouched posture may be saying "You're overwhelming me!" I so enjoy talking with folks in person, helping them to create an education plan for their children, and then *seeing* their smiling faces as they leave my booth. I must admit, meeting folks in my booth also gives me the opportunity to see some of the most adorable babies!

Finally ... I am a firm believer that we are all *life-long* learners. I hope the day never comes when I believe I can't learn anything new. As a program coordinator for a state convention, I can tell you that we invest hours of research and prayer over the speakers we line up each year. The men and women who are investing their lives in travel and speaking on the topics that God has laid on their hearts have much to offer. You don't want to miss the opportunity to allow God to bless your heart ... or the opportunity to reach out (i.e. give back) and invest in the lives of other homeschoolers.

So here's my mission for you ... should you choose to accept it ...

1. Research - and find out where the closest homeschool convention is being held this year. A good place to begin is Sonlight's Convention page ... you don't want to miss the benefits of all that training our consultants just completed.
2. Prepare - by arranging child care early ... saving your pennies ... and studying Sonlight's "Convention Survivor's Guide" to be sure you get the most out of your convention experience.
3. Check out - our Sonlight Convention Forum. Consultants will be regularly posting information about upcoming events, and you can request that they bring specific product you would like to "touch and smell". You can also read about exciting give-aways and "specials" they may be offering.
4. Visit - our Facebook page. As the convention season begins, you'll find regular event updates there, as well as photos and feedback shared live from various locations around the country!

I look forward to seeing *you* at a convention this year ... and I know my fellow team members share that same desire. What better way to spend a couple of days than surrounded by fellow homeschoolers and a HUGE room full of books!

Still on the journey ...
~Judy
Sonlight Customer Champion

Her huge eyes, so akin to the anime she loves, begin to mist with tears. "It meant so much to her. I realize you probably don't know Sarita, but just the fact that you work at Sonlight means a lot to my mom."

"You know who Sarita is, right?" Inwardly, I'm giddy with the news I'm about to drop on her. "Sarita is my mom."

Instantly we have a bond, a connection, a point of reference that links this girl, her mom, and me. The other terms we've used--homeschooler, Christian, friend--none have sparked anything close to light that my family's name ignited.

Names allow us to connect. We like our labels, our terms, our groups. We also use names to create stereotypes. Depending on your affiliations, terms like homeschooler, Catholic, liberal, stay at home mom, modesty, and anti-vax conjure very different images. I think this is the foundation for the recent "What I Really Do" meme.

So what's in a name?

The opportunity to connect or distance yourself. Be it the Hatfields and the McCoys, the Capulets and Montagues, an alien "Bugger" race, or even the defense of one's name presented in The Crucible, which side you're on and what the other side thinks can have devastating results. That's why I appreciate Sonlight's commitment to helping you see all sides of an issue. When we better understand, we can connect and communicate even if we disagree.

And it's possible that when Brittany and I finally get to meet this girl's mom, she may decide we're not her favorite people. But, with the connection that we have and the opportunity to see her side of things, I think we'll be able to get along.

Do homeschoolers have a good name in your area? Are there any groups you're a part of that have a name from which you wish you could distance yourself?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

P.S. If you're interested in seeing what some homeschoolers really do, check out the 2012 Sonlight Scholarship Winners.

But I am going to blog about love, specifically in reference to our love of God and how it relates to intellect and education.

A man once asked Jesus, "which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36) Jesus replied: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV).

This response is interesting on many levels, but for our purposes what is truly fascinating is the call to use the mind in relation to our love of God. This is especially relevant at a time when Christianity is under attack by various critics. One false charge often made is that Christianity is anti-intellectual, relying on a leap of blind faith and emotions alone rather than any kind of sound reasoning.

Biblically speaking, this is quite a misunderstanding. Not only does Jesus value the use of the mind in relation to loving God, but God is also a reasonable being. In Isaiah 1:18, for example, God says, "Come, now, let us reason together ..." First Thessalonians 5:21, moreover, encourages us to "examine everything carefully" and "hold fast to that which is good" (NASB). Paul also emphasized the importance of reason in relation to faith when he said in response to a doubter, "What I am saying is true and reasonable" (Acts 26:25, NIV).

This doesn't mean that we're pure logical beings, called to love God only with our minds in some sort of detached, robotic way. There's room for intellect and emotion in the Christian life. God wants us to think and feel deeply, but we need to be careful about keeping the life of the mind and the life of the emotions in a healthy balance.

When creating curriculum for Sonlight, one of my goals is to always encourage and help children along so that they can use their God-given intellects to seek true understanding of the world around them. We are blessed with wonderful mental capabilities. In our lifelong pursuit of education and wisdom we should strive to love God with heart, soul, and mind.

For more on this topic see Love Your God with All Your Mind by J.P. Moreland and Habits of the Mind by James Sire.

Robert Velarde
Author/Educator/Philosopher

Sure, this is basic stuff. But so are John 3:16, the definitions of "trial," the number of laps that make up a mile (swimming and running), the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius, as well as the difference between the Mean, Median, and Mode... to name a few. In fact, libraries are packed with knowledge I haven't learned in my limited time.

So how do we determine "Core Knowledge?" What kinds of things will we decide belong on National Standards? What points of data are we certain everyone should know (and for how long)?

The answers to such questions are as interesting as they are important.

I focus on something else entirely. Rather than think about all the stuff I know, I prefer to focus on a much more important skill: learning. If I enjoy and am able to learn, I'll pick up the stuff I need to know. If I can make connections between the things I'm able to recall, I can build and grow from those lessons. And if I know where to find information and how to extract and hold on it, I can meet the challenges before me.

The stuff you know is important, to be sure, but the ability to learn is ever so much more essential.

Do you have a story of a time you didn't know something "everyone" knows?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

I've been thinking about, discussing, and working on Sonlight's Core programs, Instructor's Guides, Social Media, the Sonlight® Catalog, website, and more. Sweet updates and improvements are coming.

We just have much work to do to get there.

Please continue to pray for us that we would have wisdom and endurance as we continue to work toward April 2, 2012. Thank you!

What have you been up to?

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester

I think it is how to focus.

They need to learn other things as well, of course. But consider some ideas I recently read about: The hang-up in education used to be access to information. For example, if you lived in England in the year 1500, you'd be lucky to know how to read, let alone own a single book or live near a library.

But your children probably have more information at their fingertips than they could ever use. They have books and the internet at their disposal. A quick Google search can yield information about nearly anything. But many children today are unable to effectively use this information because they are not learning how to concentrate.

I know high school students who think they can do good scholarly work while texting constantly with friends and checking Facebook every two minutes. I don't believe that serves them well. Rather, I suggest we must help our kids learn how to purposely avoid constant interruptions, to stand against the barrage of information … and actually focus on the task at hand.

I read a fascinating article about this in The Wall Street Journal titled "Learning How to Focus on Focus." The subtitle says it all: "In an age of information overload, simply paying attention is the hardest thing." I wish I could let you read it all, but the full article, apparently, is only available to subscribers.

The author, Jonah Lehrer, refers to "executive function," which he defines as "a collection of cognitive skills that allow us to exert control over our thoughts and impulses." He cites studies that suggest that people who learned to regulate their impulses as children (e.g., sitting and focusing on homework instead of running over to watch TV), were far less likely to reach extremes such as becoming criminals or being addicted to drugs later in life. In fact, Lehrer says, "In many instances, the ability to utilize executive control was more predictive of adult outcomes than either IQ scores or socioeconomic status."

That's good news to me. Why? Because regardless of children's natural IQ or socioeconomic position, we can definitely help them increase their ability to concentrate. Parents can help children do this through activities that require them to focus. (And by turning off the TV, cell phone and computer while they concentrate.)

I love this quote from the article:

Given the age in which we live, it makes no sense to obsess over the memorization of facts that can be looked up on a smartphone. It's not enough to drill kids in arithmetic and hope that they develop delayed gratification by accident. We need to teach the skills of executive function directly and creatively.

The article suggests that activities like art, physical exercise, tae-kwon-do and difficult board games can all help children increase their ability to focus. I've seen 7-year-olds fall in love with chess and play games that last for hours. And let me tell you, when children become that engrossed in thinking, good things happen in their brains.

I'd also like to encourage you to limit the number of distractions your children regularly encounter. It is perfectly reasonable to ask your children to sit down and work without access to electronic distractions. That skill alone will help your children their entire lives.

So what do you think? Do parents today have to work harder to help their children learn delayed gratification and focus? What has helped your own children learn to block out distractions and concentrate?

Blessings,
Sarita

 ~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester