Idaho State Homeschooling Convention

Wow. We are weary and yet exhilarated by another year's homeschool convention. I am always needing and seeking encouragement for this journey called "homeschooling" and this year, as in every year, I was not disappointed. We spent the morning Thursday at our local "used curriculum sale" where hundreds of moms, dads, and kids walked through a room (many with lists in their hands) seeking to find what might work for their children. The kids and I sold two tables filled with books, games, learning manipulatives, and DVD's which we have now retired from our family's homeschool. I had the opportunity to talk to many new homeschoolers and share our philosophy as well as curriculum choices which worked for us. It was a blessing to see that homeschooling is thriving here in Idaho.

While Joe and the younger kids were home, Josiah and I headed out bright and early on Friday morning to begin our two day homeschool convention (they were later able to join us for several hours and listen in on two workshops on Saturday). Josiah participated in the teen track which was put on by Generation Joshua and was a government oriented program called iAmend. Look for another post all about this. Of course, he was in his element and LOVED living out life in a mock Congress! Once arrived, I headed to my table and had the opportunity to be in a helping role this year as I tried to fill my role as "Assistant Volunteer Coordinator". I was able to meet several new people and reconnect with many others living all over the state. What a blessed time of fellowship and connection!

Thankfully, my volunteering position did not hinder my ability to take in several astounding and wonderful workshops. Although it was my intention to attend and listen to a variety of subjects and speakers, I never got past sitting under the incredible speaking of one of homeschooling's founders -- Christopher Klicka. Chris has been afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis for 15 years and was obviously suffering during each and every one of his talks; however, it was amazing to watch the Spirit of God speak through him BECAUSE of this weakness. He was incredibly inspiring and his words were filled with grace, mercy, compassion, and wisdom as speech by speech he expounded on the Biblical mandate to fully parent our children -- right on down to their daily education (Deut. 6). Chris had massive amounts of the Bible memorized and was able to share literally moment by moment from his heart using the Word of God. It was a tremendous opportunity to hear the history of homeschooling from this HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) lawyer's perspective. His speeches had titles such as "The Future of Homeschooling: God is Already There" and "The Heart of Homeschooling: Living What Really Matters" and "Helping our Children Live Out their Homeschool Heritage" and "Keeping the Heart of Your Teenagers", etc.

I rarely take notes when speakers talk, but I filled 4 or 5 pages this time simply because Mr. Klicka had so much wisdom to share from his many years of homeschooling his 7 children as well as his experiences within the homeschool movement. Here are just a few gems from what he had to say:

"Homeschooling hasn't gotten where it is today because the Government has 'helped us'! It is God's faithfulness that has brought us this far."

"Let's not sell out (by joining Government 'home school' programs) and return to Egypt voluntarily... great censoring will be the result ... and it will secularize the homeschool movement ... don't think with your pocketbook, but instead with your principle... God is already here AS LONG as we keep Jesus first in the movement."

"When God saves us, He doesn't pray that we'll have it easy ... He just promises to be with us. God gives us more than healing, He gives us Himself." (Mr. Klicka spoke many times re: his fight with M.S. and what God has taught him through it)

"The Word of God is a book about priorities ... More than your busy-ness, God wants your heart and soul."

"Don't allow your homeschooling to isolate you ... our kids will be stronger for it (having opportunities to evangelize in the world) and will develop a love for the lost."

"It's one thing to start strong in our training, but we need to also finish strong."

"Don't love the rules more than you love the kids."

"We as parents don't use the Word of God enough in our training ... rather than using our words, use God's words which are more effective and are promised to 'not return void'... never underestimate the Word of God."

"The world is waiting to shape your teens into its image ... if Satan had his choice, where would he want your child to go to school? ... when you sow the wind, you reap a whirlwind ... the humanist worldview has won the day in the public school system ... the morality in the schools is fed by the curriculum our Government chooses."

"We can delegate the authority, but we cannot delegate the responsibility for the hearts and lives of our children ... our children are not the 'state's' -- they are God's ... allow the Christian public school teachers to be the missionaries in the government schools -- not our kids."

"The temptations will come to quit for a variety of 'healthy' reasons ... but in the end, I'd rather have my kids mad at me, then to have God mad at me."

"Heap love on your kids -- even when they don't deserve it ... the heart of homeschooling is relationship with God, with our family, and with our community."

"Over and over again, give them the Word of God ... hell is too long and this life is too short."