A couple weeks ago, [homeschool grad] Nathaniel Darnell posted a wonderful tribute to all the “P31” women who imbue their homes with grace and peace. I was reminded of it recently when talking with a teary homeschool mom who questioned her role in society and her impact on the world. I found his observations both encouraging and inspiring, and think that every homeschool mother and young woman would do well to read it! We are constantly bombarded with the feminism of our culture and the images of high-achieving career women, so it is important for us to be reminded of the blessed role of a godly woman who is whole-heartedly serving her family.
Win a Free Cookbook – Family Favorites From the Homeschool Kitchen
In this week’s update from HSLDA, they announced that the Homeschool Foundation will be giving away three of their Family Favorites cookbooks to names drawn from the subscriber list for their Foundation Report. From their website, “The Foundation’s vision is to be a tool increasingly used by God both to address the financial hardships that hinder families from homeschooling and to bless the homeschool community.”
We bought my Mom one of these cookbooks last year for her birthday. I think I’ve used it more than her – since I’m the one who usually does the experimental cooking around the house! – but we all enjoy it. We haven’t tried too many of the recipes yet…might have to pull that out again this week now that I’ve been reminded of it! Anyway, if you’re interested in winning a copy of the cookbook, just subscribe over at the newly redesigned Homeschool Foundation website.
Interview with Homeschool Grad Tiffany Hiebert
Can you tell us a little bit about your family and your homeschool experience growing up?
I am a 2004 homeschool graduate and have one younger brother, Tyler. As Deuteronomy 6:6-9 talks about, my parents wanted God’s commandments to be a daily part of our lives – including our educational upbringing. Because my Dad owns his own landscape business, GKI Groundskeepers, our family was able to integrate learning with his business. Some of my memories include handing my Dad flowers to plant, using the blower to clean sidewalks and even mowing a property once! In addition to our regular schoolwork, we were learning about business, about the importance of professionalism, and about working hard.
What aspects of homeschooling did you like the best?
One of the aspects I liked best about homeschooling was the flexibility it allowed us. In the fall/winter, my Dad is less busy with landscape work, so we’ve combined business trips with family vacations and have visited many places in the United States. Although living a flexible lifestyle isn’t always easy, I couldn’t describe how much I’ve enjoyed the benefits of homeschooling and self-employed life. After all, what better way to learn about history than to visit the actual place where it occurred!
When and how did you decide to launch your own design business?
After graduating from Wichita State University in 2008 with a Communication major and Graphic Design minor, I launched my own graphic design/marketing business, called TJ Design. However, I’ve wanted to own my own business for many years. My parents encouraged me to major in communication partly because it was a degree that would give me practical skills that I could use in a number of career areas.
While at WSU, I learned more about career options for communication majors – public relations, marketing, journalism, and more. I still desired to own my own business, but hoped I could work for an organization for several years first. After graduation, I interviewed for an entry-level marketing position for a non-profit. Although it seemed like the perfect job, God had something else for me. That summer, I prayed for direction and God led me to buy a new Mac computer and launch my business. I have already had many blessings from this decision!
What things have you learned from working with your Dad’s business that have been helpful in starting your own?
Flexibility is a key aspect of owning your own business. I’m continuing to develop this in my life, even after working for GKI Groundskeepers for many years!
Relationships are also a key aspect to an effective business. As a business owner, the trust relationship you have with your client is so important. Your job is to nurture that relationship – not in a false, demanding way, but in a genuine, caring way. My parents have modeled this in their client relationships for GKI Groundskeepers.
You are one of the most creative people I know! Do you have any secrets for developing creativity?
Always be a learner. To me, that’s both an important life skill and a vital key for developing creativity. By exposing yourself to new ideas/information, you can follow trends, develop new skills, and so much more. It takes a certain amount of vulnerability to develop creativity, because you must accept the fact that you’ll never be done growing. But isn’t that what our lives as Christians should be here on earth as well?
What are some ways to learn something new?
- Take a class – at a local college, county extension office, art museum, etc
- Visit your library or bookstore frequently
- Take a field trip to a local business
- Try a new restaurant
- Invite friends over and exchange ideas
- Get a notepad and invent your own company, product, and marketing plan
- Start a morgue file – a collection of your favorite ideas
- Research, research, research
Learning shouldn’t just stop at exposure, though. It should influence you and how you act or think – even if what you learn is how not to do something. I think that one of the things that most hinders creativity is fear of failure. It’s also something I can struggle with at times. But without trying – and learning – from your positive and negative experiences, you won’t learn anything new. Thomas Alva Edison once stated about his efforts on the light bulb, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward…”
What are your favorite kinds of projects to work on?
One of the things I enjoyed learning most about at WSU was the psychology of marketing. In other words, what is involved in a consumer’s purchase decision? What is it about the copy and/or design of a product/advertisement that makes people buy the product?
This has been a perfect segue to owning my own business. As a designer, I listen to a client’s needs and then work to find a design solution that meets those needs. In my job, I must not only have the design sensibility to solve the client’s need, but also to have the technical computer skills necessary to execute that solution. As I come up with design ideas, I’m constantly learning how to make that idea happen – how to make the final product (print or web) look the way I want it to. Brainstorming for ideas is probably my favorite part of any project. Finding the technical solution is something that’s exciting and challenging all at the same time…but that’s what keeps my job interesting!
Graphic design is a field that a lot of students seem interested in. What advice would you offer those who want to hone their skills in this area?
The most important thing you can do is to seek the Lord and His direction for your life. After all, He is the Creator of the universe – the original Designer. Exodus 35:30-33 has special meaning for me as a graphic designer. Moses is talking to the Israelites about the tabernacle and says, “…‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship…’ ” (NIV). Clearly, God was the one who gave this man the design skills he needed to help complete the tabernacle. And He can do the same for us today. Pray that God would give you His wisdom, knowledge and skill to use your talents and abilities for His kingdom. He will!!
Reading Lists Galore!
In HSLDA’s Weekly Update today, they included a link to a past issue of the Homeschooling Thru High School newsletter, The Pursuit and Pleasure of Reading. They recommend planning a summer reading program for your children to give them an incentive to read good books. The newsletter also contains links to a number of different reading lists that would serve as a great reference when looking for what books to include in the reading program.
In our house, Mom and Dad never needed to implement reading incentives. In fact, I was far more likely to get reprimanded for reading too much growing up (that’s why I had to hide behind the couch to do it!). My sister, Noelle, is the same way now. Even those in the family who are less obsessive readers still enjoy working their way through a good book. This was mostly passed down by example, I think, because Dad is an avid reader and is rarely to be found without a book or newsletter or magazine of some sort. Mom enjoys reading, too, but it has to be just the right book to keep her engaged long enough to finish it!
In the afore-mentioned Homeschooling Thru High School newsletter, this quote from Mark Twain especially resonated with me, “The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” I haven’t read nearly all the books that I wish I had, and I don’t read as much as I’d like to, but reading regularly is worth carving out time for, regardless of what other things fill my schedule.
A Right Perspective During Hard Times
February was a difficult month for me. There were a number of contributing factors, but ultimately God allowed me to experience some trials that tested my faith. A friend and I were recently discussing some similarities between what we experienced and she sent me an e-mail with some insightful, truth-filled thoughts that she gleaned from a conference she attended this week. She graciously gave me permission to share a paragraph of her comments here:
God doesn’t want the pain we feel in our trial to go away. It produces a “staying power.” This comes from the Greek word used for perseverance; to stay under pressure. We can’t quit, complain, run, lash out, or fold. We have to stay under pressure so we can become mature and complete. And God is ready to give us wisdom while going through the trial. The only problem is we have to get our eyes off the trial long enough to ask for it.
I was so challenged by these thoughts! Usually the substance of my prayer during difficult times is that God would take away the trial and the associated pain. The realization that it is the very pain and pressure of the situation itself that serves as the agency of spiritual maturity is sobering. It reminds me of a quote that I heard years ago to the effect that we should see to it that any pressure in our lives does not come between us and the Lord so that it might instead serve always to press us closer to the Lord. There is, indeed, a certain joy and sweetness that is experienced more fully during hard times than during times of ease and pleasant situations. That’s why we must learn to give thanks and rejoice in the midst of trials – however big or small they may seem.
An Anonymous Valentine
Our family received a beautiful anonymous letter for Valentine’s Day. Of course, being the insatiably curious person that I am, I had to investigate the matter and did eventually identify the unnamed benefactor! Nevertheless, the letter contained a short poem that has been etched in my mind for the past couple weeks. With a little bit of searching, I discovered that the words are actually from a lesser-known hymn. I hope that this encourages your heart as it has mine!
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain;
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Everything Your Child Needs to Know…
…and How to Teach it to Them.
That’s the facetious title of the workshop that I am scheduled to give at 10:00 this morning for the Heart of the Matter online homeschool conference. I’ve been preparing for the workshop now for several weeks with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I really love talking with and encouraging homeschooling families, but there’s always the gnawing fear that maybe I’ll say something dumb…or the presentation will be too random and lacking in substance…or someone won’t like my style of speaking…ad infinitum. Hmm. Kind of how I feel about my book, too. And the truth of the matter is that I have said dumb things…I have been random before…I have had people dislike my presentation style. But we cannot allow ourselves to be crippled by fear and insecurity.
In the familiar Psalm 23, we read that “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” In the ESV Study Bible notes for this verse, “want” is described as “to lack what one needs.” What a simple, but precious promise! If I need security, my Shepherd holds me in His arms; if I need guidance, my Shepherd leads me in paths of righteousness; if I need courage, my Shepherd makes His presence known; if I need refreshment, my Shepherd restores my soul; if I need hope, my Shepherd reminds me that I will dwell in His house for all eternity. What blessed contentedness may be found if we truly take this passage to heart!
If you’d like to download a copy of the handout for the workshop, just click here or on the image below.
Forbidden History: Dinosaurs and the Bible
Almost exactly a year ago, I was conversing with homeschool dad Jeff Jack at a music festival and found out that he was putting together a documentary on the topic of dinosaurs and the Bible. It sounded fascinating! Shortly after production on the DVD was complete, our family received a copy and watched it together during our Wednesday night study. Wow! Packed full of historical documentation, biblical references, and ancient artifacts, this is a film that will engage viewers of all ages. The accompanying soundtrack was masterfully composed by up-and-coming composer (and homeschool grad!) Jared Kraft. Jeff Jack graciously agreed to join us for an exclusive Pajama School Blog interview. I think you’ll enjoy hearing about this fabulous resource and finding out how you can receive your own free copy!
Can you give us a synopsis of the documentary you’ve put together: Forbidden History – Dinosaurs and the Bible?
Forbidden History: Dinosaurs and the Bible covers written history, archeology, and eyewitness accounts that prove dinosaurs and man have always existed together. It explains what happened that caused the recent extinction of most dinosaurs only a few thousand years ago and what happened to the surviving dinosaurs. Also, there is brief discussion of the accuracy and trustworthiness of the Bible followed by a look at the over thirty references to dinosaurs mentioned in this historical record. At the end, the viewer is presented with the fact that God is going to come again and judge the world. The law that leads to judgment is discussed and then salvation in Jesus Christ is presented as the only way to be saved from the judgment to come.
When did you first become interested in dinosaurs?
I think that most everyone has a bit of a fascination with dinosaurs, but I first became interested in how they fit in with human history when I listened to a lecture by creation scientist and educator, Dr. Kent Hovind. From a young age, I was taught that the dinosaurs died out millions of years ago, and I just assumed that this was really what happened.
What prompted you to investigate their connection to the Bible?
I really started looking into their connection with the Bible because of supposed “mythological” creatures mentioned in the King James Version, which is one of the oldest (1611) and most used versions of the Bible. The supposed “mythological” creatures mentioned are: Dragon, Behemoth, Leviathan, Cockatrice, and Fiery Flying Serpent. When I found out that the word “dinosaur” did not come into existence until 1841, I thought that it stood to reason that these words which all have to do with different types of ferocious reptile creatures could be references to now extinct creatures that we call dinosaurs.
You have documented some incredible findings in your DVD! In the course of your research, was there anything you learned that especially surprised you?
The thing that surprised me the most was the hundreds, if not thousands, of similar dragon stories, myths, and legends from around the entire globe that are routinely dismissed as primitive imagination. All of the cross-cultural stories carry the same thread – huge vicious reptile creatures that were usually considered a menace to man. My work of discovering more of these stories is far from over. The Forbidden History website will be an ongoing life work to chronicle each and every reasonable dragon story in history. The site is just beginning and is a work in progress.
Why do you think this is an important issue for people to understand?
Today, children in most schools are taught as plain fact that the earth is millions of years old and that the dinosaurs died off millions of years ago. They are taught this because it supports the theory of evolution, which is the predominantly held scientific view. They are not shown all of the evidence and therefore cannot make an unbiased decision about what they believe. Many of these children may never consider the Bible because they hear something like…”the Bible talks about dragons and cockatrices…see the Bible is just a book of myths and stories.” The Bible is the most important book that has ever been written; Satan knows this, and he wants to discredit the Bible.
What implications does it have?
The implications are very serious. First, everyone should be permitted to make unbiased, open-minded decisions about what they believe. If you don’t have all of the facts in front of you, this is not possible. I believe that when presented with all of the evidence (on both sides) one can easily come to the conclusion that the earth is only 6,000 years old, dinosaurs have always existed with man, there was a global world-wide flood that wiped out nearly all life, Darwinian evolution is absolutely impossible, and God created everything just as the Bible says. Ultimately, the scientific and educational system of the world hold onto evolution and deep time theories because the only other alternative is special (supernatural) creation as spoken of in the Bible.
How long have you and your wife been homeschooling your children? Was this DVD a family project?
We have been homeschooling our children from the very beginning, so that’s about 17 years. The DVD was not really a family project, however, my family offered me a lot of support in many ways. They watched many clips and edits throughout the process of producing the video. They helped me with editing and spell checking toward the end of the project, and they encouraged me greatly throughout the entire project.
How long did it take you to complete the project?
A total of 18 months. 7 months research, 3 months script writing, and 8 months video and audio editing.
What tips would you offer to other filmmakers who are interested in producing documentaries?
Lay out a step-by-step plan and then follow the plan. There are a lot of good tools (even free tools) out there for making simple video documentaries. Microsoft PhotoStory 3 is a great free beginner program for using still photos to develop a video. Audacity is a free open source audio recorder which is what I used for my documentary.
Start simple with a short 5-10 minute video and publish it on YouTube. Then try another with more content. After you have some experience, a program like Sony Vegas Movie Studio, which costs around $100, would be great tool.
The best tip that I can offer is: Don’t waste your life. We only have so much time here. Use it to the fullest for the Lord. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” Colossians 3:17.
How can interested families order a copy of the DVD?
At this time there are two ways that you can get the DVD. The first is to visit our website at: http://www.forbidden-history.com/dinosaur-movie.html. You can watch the film for free at this link. The second is to contact me directly. You can contact me by e-mail. If you send me an e-mail with your address, requesting a DVD, I will send you one free of charge. If you want multiple copies to give away, just let me know. Also, feel free to reproduce the DVD yourself. It is copyrighted, but permission is granted to make unedited duplicate copies to be given away without charge. In the near future, there will be an order page on the website as well.
Any additional comments?
A friend and I have a ministry for evangelizing the lost. We regularly give away a lot of our DVDs, gospel tracts, and booklets. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. Any donations go directly to the purchase of gospel tracts, booklets, and DVDs for free distribution.
I would encourage everyone to get the following text book: In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood. This book is a hardback science textbook which is one of the best resources available if you would like to have a deeper understanding of the evidence for creation.
Inspiring Unmotivated Kids
In his periodic e-newsletter, Jeff Myers always has valuable educational insights. In his latest newsletter, he included an article titled, Inspiring Unmotivated Kids: What to Do, and What to Not Do. Drawing on research from Daniel Pink’s book, Drive, he identifies several practical ideas that parents and/or educators can use to properly motivate children:
- Have a FedEx Day.
- Try DIY Report Cards.
- Give them an allowance and some chores–but don’t combine them.
- Offer praise…the right way.
- Help kids see the big picture.
Check out the article for details about each of these great ideas!
The Homeschool Channel is Live
The Homeschool Channel, after months of anticipation, went live this week! You can view live streaming broadcasts (check out the broadcast schedule here), manage your own page, and connect with others via the social network aspects of the site. I’m in the midst of perusing the site now, and it’s more extensive than I realized! According to the website, the goal of The Homeschool Channel is to “help re-establish the home as the center of instruction and discipleship by providing high-quality, biblically-based resources. We are committed to assisting fathers as family leaders and encouraging mothers as caretakers of the home. In short, our vision is to bring glory to God by equipping families to change the world.”
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