Irving Homeschool

Enjoying the Seasons

2011-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

As summer fast approaches, many of our schoolbooks start to be put on the shelf and our thought turn to the outdoors and summer adventures. For many homeschool parents, we evaluate the past year and look forward to the coming year and all the new things we want our children to experience and learn.

If you’re like me, you may give way to thoughts like, “I could have done more. . . .” I sometimes look at other homeschooling moms and observe, “Look at all they’ve done! We didn’t do all that!” I compare myself to Sister Jones, who is so involved in volunteer work in the community, or Sister Smith, who is always serving another family and is always so “put together.” Then again there is Sister Clark, her house is always so clean...

I tend to get caught up in thinking my children and I should be doing as much as all of these other homeschool families put together.

Wait! Take a deep breath! Think about all the great things you did do. Enjoy the satisfaction of the accomplishments and memories you did make during the year.

As we evaluate the past year and make plans for the next, here are a few “Seasons of Life” suggestions to think about. Realizing each season of our lives has different priorities; the important thing is that we move forward, enjoying each season as it is here, that we make our plans based on that season and our individual mission, remembering to create memories as we go.

Enjoy the season. Enjoy each season to the fullest! Understand that each season is unique as to the experiences and opportunities it brings. The precious time you spend with a new baby in your arms, the days of the wonderful “twos,” and those teenage years with all the pain of sprouting wings. Don’t be anxious to have those days pass by.

When you have only small children, your challenges and demands are different than when teens come on the scene. Each season demands energy, just in different ways. Savor the joys and frustrations that come with each. “Give thanks.”

Create memories. Create memories for a lifetime. Time really does fly "on wings of lightning” (Hymns, no. 226). It is too precious to let slip away without enjoying the daily blessings that each season brings. Create memories with each season you are in. Before you get angry with a child who has just smeared Crisco all over himself and the kitchen, take a picture—then clean it up.

Look for adventures while your children are still mobile (no jobs or other obligations), building memories and finding new learning experiences that will mold their lives. Take pictures, ask them to write about it, talk about it—even the youngest can draw pictures in their journal of the memories they are building.

Resist comparisons. You don’t have to do more or be better than the family down the street. The talents and abilities that you have aren’t more or less valued because of what someone else does or doesn’t do. Use your talents and abilities to educate your children during each stage of their lives. Sharing experiences with other homeschooling families is great, but not when you share, then compare, then beat yourself up with feelings of inferiority because you perceive your family to be on the short end of the comparison.

Include service. Take time to serve where you can. It adds to the life experience we are seeking. But in serving, be respectful of where you are in life and what demands are being placed on you and your capacity to bear them.

This service is not always focused on the community; service begins at home and builds outward. The Lord builds what he needs at home. Take some time to reflect on the great service you provide your family right in the walls of your own home, and the service opportunities that can be learned from your children.

Service is something that has a place in every season of life and helps each season be more satisfying and meaningful. How much and where it is given varies with our life season and where we are.

Growth comes from stretching ourselves. The more we serve, the easier it becomes; not that the service becomes easier, but rather our ability increases.

Don’t “fly” faster than you are able. If we were all expected to be doing the same thing all the time, life would be very boring. Very little would get done. At different stages in our lives we have different energy levels. Like the geese that fly in a “V,” we change positions according to our energy levels, but we are all part of making the whole flight easier.

Just as each season in nature brings joys unique to its time, so do the seasons of our lives. The blessings of the homeschooling seasons give us unique opportunities. Enjoy them! Make the most of them! Treasure all that they offer.

Jolene Irving

Roses, Thorns, and Rosebuds

2011-04-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Several years ago during one of our evaluation meetings a new concept was introduced called “Roses, Thorns, and Rosebuds.” I found this drill extremely effective and insightful and have adopted this in most of my evaluation meetings since.

What is it? At the beginning of the evaluation, before details are discussed, I ask each attendee to name three things:

A rose: something good that came from the event being discussed.
A thorn: a struggle that was learned from.
A bud: something to look forward to next time.

As this is being done, only the person speaking has the floor. No interruptions or comments are allowed from anyone else.

I find this effective and insightful for many reasons. It helps give balance and perspective. It lets me know where each member is coming from and what affected her the most. It also points out the strengths before the weaknesses and gives balance and a place for both. It helps put everyone in a good frame of mind for deeper discussion of details.

When leading any kind of evaluation is it important for the leader to remain positive and keep comments about the event on the “event,” not on individuals. It is the event that is being evaluated, not the people themselves. If you can keep this perspective a lot of uncomfortable feelings will be saved and the evaluation can be powerful.

While on the subject of perspective, I once heard a story about a wise man that picked a long-stemmed rose from his garden. As he walked down the road with it he met three people along the way. The first person he met commented about the dirt hanging from the stem. The wise man removed some of the dirt and gave it to him. The next person he passed commented on the sharp thorns poking out from the stem, so the wise man removed a thorn and gave it to this person. The third person he met noticed the beautiful rose and took in a whiff of the sweet fragrance. Of course to this person the wise man gave the rose. Each person was given that which he noticed first: one seeing the dirt, another the thorns, and another the beautiful rose. They all saw the same long-stemmed rose, but each focused on different things.

Recognizing that a beautiful long-stemmed rose consists of all these parts (dirt, thorns, and roses) that together create the beauty of the rose is significant. Putting each in its proper perspective and drawing on the strengths of each is important.

When we go into any experience, project, or assignment, we will find that which we are looking for. The attitude with which we approach the event or the evaluation makes all the difference, not just for us but for those we work with. Keeping our eye on the rose (the good things that have happened), being aware that every beautiful rose has thorns (things struggled with), and always looking for the bud (a promise of great and exciting things ahead), will make the difference with seeing the success and feeling accomplished with what we have done and are doing.

Jolene Irving

Clutter

2011-02-01T09:00:00.001-08:00

As organizational leaders, we must deal with expectations—our own and those placed on us by others. If we are not careful to maintain perspective, those expectations can result in “leadership clutter.” We will get bogged down trying to meet everyone’s expectations, and then find that we cannot do the “true job” we were asked to do.

Here are five types of leadership clutter to avoid:

1. “I can’t say no” clutter. If you can’t say “no” to responsibilities that others should assume, your responsibilities will suffer. Finding a happy balance, knowing your limits, and setting boundaries regarding your time and effort will make the job easier for everyone. Just because someone makes a suggestion that might help the organization doesn’t mean that you have to do it. Try saying “That’s a great idea. Why don’t you put it together for us?” Being able to say “no” is a form of respect and avoids problems that can quickly turn into crises and burnout.

2. “I’ll do it myself” clutter. It is important to know the talents and strengths of your people. Let them serve where their strengths are, and build your program around those strengths. Keep in mind that if there is no one to do the job, maybe it doesn’t need to be done at this time. As a leader, there is much that you have to do yourself. Be careful not to hand over responsibilities that you need to do, even when you don’t enjoy doing them. At the same time, let others do what they can.

3. “I have to fix all the problems” clutter. As a leader, you may feel that you need to fix all the problems and do what everyone else thinks should be done. This is not so! You cannot be everything for everyone all the time. Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking that you have to fix everything. Keep your vision clear. Don’t be distracted. Some people mistakenly feel that those in leadership positions should have all the answers and solve all the problems. Wrong!

4. “They don’t understand” clutter. As a leader, you will occasionally feel that no one understands what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what you are going through. There is one alone that understands and can be your support. When you are feeling this way, quickly go to your knees and ask for His assurance, then get back to work. This feeling is a waste of time. Only when you don’t have His assurance do you need to question what you are doing. Keep your vision clear for what your purpose is, and then keep moving forward.

5. “Always on the job” clutter. Do you feel like you must be “on” all the time? This is the number one cause of burnout. Get better organized. Establish set times that you will spend on your leadership responsibilities so you don’t have to be thinking and doing “leadership stuff” all the time. You do have other responsibilities in life that are just as important, if not more so. They require time and energy as well. Remember the counsel in D&C 10:4, “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided. . . be diligent unto the end.”

Do the best you can; it is enough.

Jolene Irving

Preparing for the New Year

2011-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

As the end of the year approaches (even though it is not the end of our school year), it is a time for my family and I to re-evaluate where we are and if we are accomplishing the things we set out to do.

I have a bad habit of generating many lists. Lists of activities I would like to do, thinking I can do all of them, when in reality there really isn't enough time in the year. I even added activities our kids weren't really interested in or wanted to be a part of.

My lists tend to back fire on us. Why? Because we burn ourselves out. If we didn't do everything on those lists, I didn't feel like we accomplished anything. Ever fet that way?

I now make a list and a good calendar of what "has" to happen. I look at what time I have to fill. Then I quickly realize that everything I'd like to do fills a 2 - 4 year plan. Due to time, interests and funds - which are always changing - I often re-evaluate our plans at this time of year.

I personally like having an idea of what we would like to do over the year. I have learned to know the blessings of being flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities that pop up and are worth changing plans for.

It is important to involve your children in creating your yearly plans. Periodically check with them along the way to see if the subjects/activities still fit their interest or if that interest has already been met. You will then know that it is time to move on to something else. It is pretty amazing to see the kids come up with their own ideas, things you may have never have thought of on your own. Many times it will be things you haven't been interested in but if given a chance, you find a new interest along the way.

Academics are important, living life and dealing with changes are vital. We are always in a state of planning, executing, evaluating then planning again. It is part of life, a part of life worth embracing, because the only constant in life is change.

I also like to make it a priority to have time for myself. If I don't keep my well filled, I have nothing to give my family and consequently they will suffer. As you seek to fill your well, seek out a Homeschool Conference or two to attend. Go and you find answers, and encouragement. This is so needed. Interactions with like-minded people are always a plus.

Suggestions for your activities calendar:

FHE, YM/YM, Church activities
Holidays
Vacations
School schedule
Homeschool activities
Sports activities
Field trips
Conferences

Watch how fast the time fills in. Make sure you allow for the things that are most important to your family and try not to over schedule. Down time is as important as any other activity you might plan.

If a whole year is overwhelming for you, take it a month at a time or a season at a time. I have found that if I ‘fail to plan,' I can ‘plan to fail' or at best clumsily struggle along.

Jolene Irving

Christmas Talent Show

2010-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

For many years our support group has sponsored a Christmas Talent Show and Party the beginning of each December. This has become a much loved and looked forward to event for many families. In Houston, we are spread over about 150 mile area and have enjoyed formal events like this for a larger number of families to gather.

This seasonal party is a family event, especially loved by our younger children, but our teens have also enjoyed the gathering; more so as they participate. It is a time for something a little special to dress-up for and celebrate the season.

We have loved having the dads be able to join us so we usually plan this as an afternoon event where it might be easier for dads to take off work. We found evenings, especially in December, are too hard to find.

The one constant we have done over the years is the Talent Show. Any family, individual or group is welcome to perform. We have tried to keep the program more on the spiritual side of the holiday and ask that each performance be well prepared and rehearsed. This has not always happened but is encouraged. A good MC can bring this all together in a fun, uplifting and rewarding way.

A few times we have given participation awards for those who perform. We have never given awards for best song, etc. because that takes away from the joy of sharing our talents with each other. This is not a competitive event.

Some other things we have done around the Talent Show have included: doing a pot luck lunch, having a morning full of classes, a cooking exchange or book exchange and a nativity (with clothes for everyone to dress up in). Once in awhile we have had a special speaker.

Our support group has grown so large that it is getting harder to find a place to bring everyone together, but this same event done in smaller groups still gives the same experience on a more intimate level, allowing more time for everyone to participate.

This has been a great way to start the holiday season with friends and family, feeling the joy of this incredible season. Don’t forget to have those cameras on hand for the fun pictures that will surely be there.

Jolene Irving

Diplomacy in Leadership

2010-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Leaders should make those they lead feel successful. Leaders that have learned the art of diplomacy have a powerful tool in achieving that end. Making others feel successful is challenging, especially when emotions are high, but when situations are handled diplomatically, those emotions are respected, corrections are made, and learning is gained from each experience

Let’s explore some ways leaders can use diplomacy in helping others feel successful.

First, let others talk. Sit back and listen with an open mind. Be a safe place for ideas to flow. When people feel that they can talk and that they are heard, they feel accepted and valued. Help everyone feel heard by truly listening and trying to see where they are coming from.

Second, explore options in a non- threatening way. Remember that word choice and tone of voice can dramatically impact the discussion. Choose your words wisely and maintain a pleasant, non-accusatory tone of voice. Use words that won’t put people on the defensive, or make it “their” fault. Even when an event is a complete failure, something can be learned from it, and that is what should be pointed out.

Third, keep the focus on the issue and not on individual personalities. If leaders do not stay focused on the issue, those they lead may quickly fix on the personalities involved and not on the issues at hand.

Fourth, don’t criticize in public or during an event. In diplomacy, timing is crucial; it can make all the difference. Hold your comments for the right time and place. Leaders that are sensitive to timing quickly gain the respect of those they lead, who are then more willing to listen because they are not in fear of being put down in front of the whole group. Keep in mind, most of us are working in groups made up of volunteers; the service they give is from the heart.

Fifth, be quick to compliment. Note the good things that happen and make mention of them in a timely manner. Note the problems, too, but consider carefully how to handle them. Leaders can be pleasantly surprised at how fast problems will go away when attention is not given to them. If, after some time has elapsed, the problem needs to be handled, be considerate of the feelings involved and don’t dwell the entire time on what went wrong. Keep the focus on the event, not on the person.

Sixth, when evaluating an event, take care not to put down the previous event in trying to say how successful this one was. Each event can be equally successful with strengths of its own, not because it was better than another one. Though you may think you are talking about “events,” people feel ownership of the events they helped organize. Emphasize the success that has been experienced, and the personal growth that has been accomplished. When you recognize and point out success, confidence is built and respect is strengthened.

Finally, don’t take criticism personally or be defensive about it. If you feel like verbally attacking members of your group because they criticized you, don’t! If you feel defensive, hold your tongue until you can gain some perspective, which often comes with time. Decide from the start not to take anything personally. Taking offense is a choice. Make the choice not to be offended. No matter what, you can’t please everyone.

Diplomacy is the hardest of all leadership skills to master, but it is the most valuable tool in a leader’s talent inventory. It builds confidence and makes the volunteer work we do more rewarding and successful.

Jolene Irving

A Royal Generation

2010-10-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

We preach to our children that they are the Royal Generation; I think all too often we forget the we are part of that royal generation. We have been sent here for a specific purpose in this, the last, dispensation, the dispensation of the fullness of time. We were among the most valiant, chosen to come in this day and age, to help prepare for His coming. We are brothers and sisters with our children in this cause. As you read the following quote, read it as it applies to you, as well as your children:

“My dear friends, you are a royal Generation. You were preserved to come to this earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. If you do not prepare to do them, they will not be done. Your mission is unique and distinctive for you. Please don’t make another have to take your place. He or she can’t do it as well as you can. If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here.” (H. Burke Peterson, New Era, Oct. 2001, 34)

The charge that has been given to “raise the bar,” all too often is thought to only apply to our youth as measurement for serving missions. This charge also belongs to us, you and me, the mothers and fathers. We need to step up a little stronger, be a little bolder. How can the youth raise the bar if we are not willing to do the same and do our part, and remember who we are as well.

Edmund Burke said, “The only thing needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Good things don’t just happen from passive involvement. It takes willingness, work, and giving more of ourselves than we thought we had, to make good things happen for ourselves and our youth.

The fact that you are homeschooling speaks volumes of who you are. Now a little more is needed. Don’t be afraid to step out. He has need of you to fill the purpose that he has sent you here for!

The service that each one of us has to give is equally vital, equally as long-lasting and equally as far-reaching as any great service ever rendered. Don’t say, I’m not good enough, or I don’t have anything to give, orI can’t do what she/he does, so I won’t even try. The Lord will give you what you need as you prepare and desire to serve.

You are among the most valiant, saved for this day and age! “I plead with you to chose the hard way and use the full extent of your talents” (Thomas S. Monson, “Decisions Determine Destiny,” New Era, Nov. 1979, 4).

Don’t sell yourself short. The service, the influence you have is of eternal value. The work you do in your own home is of eternal importance and will be more far reaching than you know.

Jolene Irving

Sports and Homeschooling

2010-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Participating in sports has been a great benefit to our family. It has helped fill the void that I haven’t been able to give my children at home, such as being part of a team. For us, sports filled a need and to an astounding degree it has been about more than just athletics.

My area (Houston) is rich in opportunities for the homeschooling family! Our family was fortunate to have found the HCYA (Houston Christian Youth Association) that sponsors several sports teams, including girl’s basketball. The teams play other teams around the city including private school, public school, and homeschool teams as they develop.

When we started playing basketball, I had no idea the far reaching affect it would have on my girls. Our first experience was with my daughter, Sarah. At age 12, she decided she wanted to play basketball. She didn’t really know what she was doing; she just knew she wanted to be a part of it, so she joined the team. All the girls were very supportive of her and drew her right into the team. The coaches were incredible and cared more about building the character and personal confidence of the girls than having a winning team. Though winning is what they practiced for, and more often than not was accomplished, the goal was to “grow valiant women,” using basketball as the tool.

At the end of our first year, Sarah was asked to speak at the ending banquet. She was so scared she said no at first, then called back and said she would speak. The girls, coaches, and parents had witnessed the change in her that year, so they listened with understanding emotion. Her comments ended in a standing ovation and a complete sense of accomplishment and milestone of growth for her and her coaches.

As we talked about the love and acceptance she had been the recipient of that year, she realized that was what she would make sure to pass on to others she'd meet along her path.

One of the highlights of the basketball season is going to “Nationals.” In March of each year there is a National Homeschool Basketball Tournament, usually held in Oklahoma City, OK. Homeschoolers from all over the United States come together for a 5 day tournament. Families who come with additional children who haven’t played during the year, or don’t have a team to be on, can sign up for a “Team USA.” There are usually 2 of these teams per age group that end up forming that week. The whole tournament ends with a championship game and awards. There are over 2,000 students that participate in this event.

This has been a delight for us for several years. Though we have this opportunity at our finger tips, it wouldn’t take much to bring some aspect of this to your group if you have the need, desire and vision of what you would like to accomplish. Maybe some of you have already done this. The National LDS Homeschool Association would love to hear what your family or your support group is doing with sports and some of the positive experiences that have come from them.

FSA: Family Sponsored Activities

2010-09-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

As I have been homeschooling my 6 children over the years, I have enjoyed being involved in our local support group. We have participated in some amazing activities. Among the best that have happened have been those that were planned and carried out by the individual families in the group. Among our group they are known as Family Sponsored Activities (FSA).

1. Choose an activity that interests and is of benefit to your family and your homeschool needs. Pull your kids together; see what they want to do; then make it happen. If your family is the only one that shows up, it should still be successful for you. Others coming is just a bonus. Use your strengths, resources, and connections.

2. Set the boundaries and plan the details. Is the activity for specific ages or the whole family? What is the cost to each participant? When does the money have to be paid?

3. Network with local groups to let others know what you are doing and to invite them to participate.

4. Follow through. You are in charge of the details and letting those coming know what is happening and what to expect. You need to be there on time and see everything through. Don't cancel easily. If people can trust that what you do will happen, more will want to participate with you in the future. If you are quick to cancel, they will not be as quick to sign up.

5. Remember, a successful activity doesn't revolve around numbers. Those activities that do need a lot of participation should be coordinated with a network of families.

Activities a family might plan:

Get to know where you live, explore the heritage around you
Book reports
Science reports
Book club
Field trips
Build gingerbread houses
Picnic
Service opportunities

Offer a 6-week class on something you are strong with or that your children are interested in that would be more exciting if there were more children involved.

Hands-on classes like sewing, art, photography. or writing

The list is ever growing.

It is scary to step out and make things happen, but as homeschoolers I see these kinds of opportunities as one of our greatest strengths. If we didn't have it in us to step out of our comfort zone to make things happen instead of just sitting back waiting, none of us would be homeschooling. That very trait is what brought us to this place in life. Make use of that strength; make things happen for your children. Don't wait around for others to put something together for you. Be pro-active and plan an activity today. The greatest benefactor will be your family, and family is your most important responsibility.

Jolene Irving

Fitting the Curriculum to the Child

2010-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits and blessings of homeschooling is the opportunity to meet the needs of each of our children. The opportunity to teach the whole child, according to his or her individual God-given gifts is a great responsibility. The rewards are equally as great.

One of the tragedies of mass education is that the needs of the individual child have been abandoned for the sake of the curriculum. The public school's need to teach on a set time frame (whether the child understands the material or not), and teaching to achieve test results for increased funding are poor reasons to demand that a child 'get through' the material.

Don't make that same mistake in your home, when you have the opportunity to evaluate the needs of each child, take the time to see how your son learns, and understand what motivates your daughter, what brings a sparkle to his eyes and what subjects totally frustrate her. Once we understand these things, we can do something to truly improve our child's learning.

The struggle to find the perfect curriculum is constant! The 'perfect' curriculum changes for each child and season of life. Remember, what works today may not work tomorrow - it will change. Life (and homeschooling) is like a smorgasbord, sometimes you feel like eating mashed potatoes and gravy, another time fried potatoes. They all nourish the body. It's OK to be flexible in making your choices.

There is great wisdom in finding a basic curriculum that helps you make sure you have covered the basics. The joy of using a basic curriculum is that you don't have to change your educational philosophy to meet the ideas presented by each author. Taking what works for each individual child from a variety of sources, and adjusting for learning styles and multiple age levels can then become a melting pot of blended educational experiences, not a disjointed and confusing adventure.

Learning must carry personal meaning. Only when learning becomes personally satisfying will learning find a lasting place in one's soul. Isn't that our aim for each of our children? Can this be accomplished when we place more emphasis on the curriculum than on the child? I don't believe it can.

Remember -- the curriculum is made for the child-- not the child for the curriculum. Do not be afraid to be flexible to meet your child's needs. Learning is a process for all of us.

If the curriculum you are presently working with pushes your child's "boredom button," put it aside for awhile; move on, you will have time to come back to the subject later. This may be a good time to back up, to catch up on things that were missed before, or to focus on a special interest. And always remember: never, ever teach without the Spirit of the Lord present!

Choose the Better Part

2010-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

In today's fast-paced lifestyle, there are so many pulls on our time, so many different places to put our efforts, that our priorities are constantly challenged. Not so long ago, the world seemed black and white, and it wasn't as hard to choose the good things from the 'bad'. It's still fairly easy to see black and white, but there is much white out there, and many shades of grey. We must choose the "best" of all the "good" choices, when we plan our time. How and why we choose our options from the "best of the good" truly shows our priorities. This is the challenge of each day.

With regard to homeschooling, the challenge of verifying and living by our priorities continues. There are 100 curriculums out there, representing 100 different philosophies, 100 different ways to teach, and 100 different learning styles. Sometimes the world throws so much at us, trying to make us think we have to "do it all" to "keep up" -- and oh, how we are inclined to believe it. As we try to do it all, right now, at this time, we might miss out on the most important things we need to be doing at any given season of life.

In his patient way of teaching, the Lord gives us time to learn -- line upon line, a little here, a little there - - until in due season, we have a full understanding.

When a new little baby comes into the home, what could be more important at that season than a precious little baby, not just to mom, but to the whole family? When you have little toddlers around, what is more important than helping them explore the world and building a love, understanding and testimony of the world God made for them, and helping them to understand that they are His children? As children grow, the seasons change, priorities change, and experiences change.

In February 1999, the First Presidency wrote to the church membership:

"We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility.

"We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform."

Remembering how precious our families are, and what a short time we have with them will help us to choose the better part for each season of our life. That is our task.

Jolene Irving

Sacrifices of the Latter-Day Saints

2010-07-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

This week many will be celebrating the 24th of July. As a review for those of you who don't know the significance of the 24th of July, when the church as first restored, the saints went through much persecution! They were driven out of towns, even states at the threat of their lives (Boggs extermination order). In 1846 they were driven out of their beloved Nauvoo in the cold of winter. They made it as far as winter quarter in Nebraska. The following spring in 1847 the first pioneer company set out making the 1300 mile trek across the plains of Nebraska and Wyoming entering the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. It is a rich heritage that all of us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share.

Joseph Smith once said: "The Lord said he would raise up a pure people. There is still much to be done. We have to establish the kingdom of God on the earth so that the kingdom of heaven may come. That takes men and women who have iron faith and steel in their commitment to the Lord. And if the Lord has to take us through the fires to find enough metal to do the job, then I say, let the fires begin. I, for one, am ready."

There are powerful accounts of endurance, of faith refined by the fires of affliction that we treasure from our pioneer heritage.

In a Sunday School class there was sharp criticism of the ill-fated Martin and Willie Handcart Companies, which met with tragedy because of their late start in the trek to the Salt Lake Valley.

An elderly man arose and said: "I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts...give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife...too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but...we became acquainted with (God) in our extremities.

I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. ...I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my car, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No, neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company."

The faith it took to leave all of civilization to enter the wilderness, at first not knowing where they would end up, who they would encounter on the journey and then to come into a desert and told "This is the Place" to start with nothing after having already given up so much. As the first saint came over, they were met by John Bridger in Wyoming who laughed at them going to the Great Basin to settle, it was waste land, he told them he would give them 1,000 dollars for one ear of corn if they could make it grow there.

Many died from mob persecution and others while on the Mormon trail to Salt Lake City. This was brought back to me with vivid reality while our family was on the reenactment in 97, the boy scouts of Sheldon NB put together stakes with strips of cloth that represent every 10 people that died along the trail then stuck them in the ground along the trail we were on. It went for some distance. Another time we stopped to rededicate a child's grave, we were told that there wasn't a stretch of land we could see along the trail that someone had not given their life. As we stood there beside the grave, looking across the country side, it was a humbling experience.

Through it all they learned greater service, greater love, greater courage, and greater faith.

We must carry on this legacy of endurance, faith and sacrifice. The pioneer spirit is represented in us, the inheritors of their faith. We are their finest monument. Upon our shoulders rests the blessing of carrying on the work they started - to build on their faith.

There is evidence of this abiding faith every day as men and women accept calls to service. Therein lays a test of our faith as we demonstrate our obedience to the laws of the gospel and show our willingness to sacrifice by our acceptance of calls to serve, the quality of service we render, and the faithfulness we exhibit in living the gospel.

God will have a pure people, that purity comes from trials and sacrifice..so let the fires continue as we endure in faith and thanksgiving, carrying on this Legacy of Faith to our children.

Jolene Irving

The Lord’s Elect

2010-07-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

There are many who homeschool their children who think that homeschooling is the only way to educate all children, and that those who do not homeschool are not fulfilling their responsibility as parents in raising their children. I would warn all of us from this dangerous way of thinking.

The Lord’s elect are scattered across the world, each with specific missions. The Lord will train them according to His needs. He will use their experiences, their resources, and their environment to prepare each for their individual life’s mission.

As parents, we must pray and counsel with our Father in Heaven, seek divine guidance regarding each of our children, and do all we can to follow the inspiration that comes. We must not think that our families are better than families who do not homeschool. The Lord’s elect can be found in public schools, private schools, and home schools the world over. We will not all accomplish the same things in life. Nevertheless, we must all live in such a way as to be prepared for use in His service.

Homeschooling is not “the only way.” Every person, every family, every family situation is unique. But every family has the right and the responsibility to choose. It’s an opportunity to use our agency, that which we fought for in the pre-existence.

Our choices determine our course in life. Putting others down for their choices and trying to make us look better because of our choices will not accomplish anything positive. It will only antagonize.

By encouraging and developing our God-given gifts to the best of our ability and by taking every opportunity to learn and grow, we can become valuable instruments in the Lord’s hands. I do believe that a good home is the best place (but certainly not the only place) for a child to learn, to develop, and to prepare for his life’s mission. I also believe that those families who long to homeschool, but for extenuating circumstances can’t, will receive added strength and protection from the Lord as they seek to do what He needs from them.

It is not our place to judge families who don’t homeschool or families who choose to return their children to public school for whatever reason. Rather, we must seek His guidance continually as we educate our own children and ever pray for the strength and determination to follow what He asks of us. We must be ready to do His will before our own, allowing and supporting others to do the same.

No matter what educational choices each family makes, when decided after counsel with the Lord, He will help us meet the needs of our children and fill in any gaps our efforts may have inadvertently created. We are all His children; He wants us all to succeed and to return home.

Jolene Irving

You Might be a Homeschooler IF...

2010-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

You might be a homeschooler if all your classmates have the same last name as you do.
You might be a homeschooler if, when if you are asked what grade you are in, you respond 'in which subject?"
You might be a homeschooler if you get excited when an appliance breaks because you get to take it apart and see how it works.
You might be a homeschooler if all four walls in the living room are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
You might be a homeschooler if you ask a question about the Grand Canyon, and the next thing you know your family is in the car headed to see and explore it.

Share you idea of what might make a 'Homeschooler...'

Of Curious Workmanship

2010-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have been studying about Nephi being asked to build a ship. Nephi, knowing the Lord could do all things, could have said, "Give me the tools and I will build the ship." Instead, he responded, “Whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?” (1 Nephi 17:9) Then he went and got the ore and made bellows to blow the flames to make the ore into the tools he would need.

I have thought about this attitude and how it applies to me. When I knew that I was to home school my children, I was a little nervous. I looked for security and a sure path. I quickly found that that security could only come from the Lord’s guiding hand. Like Nephi who cried unto the lord (1 Nephi 17:7) and was shown after what manner to work the timbers of the ship (1 Nephi 18:1), the only way we can know how to raise our children in this day and age as we raise a generation of Saturday Warriors, is through the Lord.

Nephi was asked to make a ship unlike any ship that had been made by man. He built it after the manner which the Lord had shown him. (1 Nephi 18:2) There were ships built during Nephi’s times, but none like the one that Nephi was constructed to build for the Lords specific purpose.

We are being asked to raise a generation of youth unlike any that has been raised before: a generation of warriors to usher in the coming of our Savior. We are not to raise them after the manner of men, but after the manner which the Lord will show, us as we seek his direction. We too must find the ore and make the bellows to blow the flames to construct our ship of curious workmanship. The Lord is there to guide us, not do it for us, for it is not in the ship itself, but in the building process that the valuable lessons are learned that will help us and our children reach our destination.

I marvel at the amazing journey we are on. I value the lessons we learn as the Lord directs our path. I know he is there; he knows each of us and will guide us in the ways we each need to go to raise a righteous generation after the manner which the Lord required to accomplish His work. If God can instruct Nephi to build a ship he can surely instruct our willing hearts.

Jolene Irving

Establish a House of Learning

2010-05-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C 88:119)

As parents, it is our sincere desire to wisely and properly build a house for our family to occupy throughout eternity-even a house built "upon a rock," a house capable of withstanding the rains of adversity, the floods of opposition, and the winds of doubt that are everywhere present in our challenging world.

In the scriptures we read: "Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." There are so many books to spend our time reading, even narrowing it down to "good books," there are still too many to read. When we chose from the best books out there, the field is narrowed and our time is more wisely used as we build a solid house of learning.

The Lord has also counseled, "Come learn of me and ye shall find rest unto your souls." No other quest for learning promises such a profound reward. All learning should build testimony, if it doesn't s it worth it?

Elder Craig C. Christensen wrote: "Although the process of seeking includes prayer and supplication, it goes much deeper than that. Seeking is more of a journey than a single event. I compare it to taking a long, cross-country vacation. Although we know what our ultimate destination is, the rich experiences and real learning come day by day, as we progress toward our goal."

Life and learning are a journey, not a destination.

President Marion G. Romney said: "There has never been a day such as now in all of earthly history, when secular learning was so far advanced and widespread as it is today. Yet so many of those around us do not enjoy the truths and the freedom brought by those truths which the Master taught. Rather, to so many people, it seems that truth and true freedom elude their grasp." Because we homeschool, we have the opportunity to teach many truths to our children in all their learning.

The central core of the Father's plan of salvation is that to obtain these truths and the peace, happiness, security, and freedom these truths bring to their righteous adherents, we must draw upon a source of knowledge that lies above and beyond the reach of ordinary learning processes.

The road to this sure knowledge is a sincere and honest desire to obtain truth from God, seeking such truth through sustained prayer, through devoted study of God's scriptures, and through righteous, charitable behavior in our daily lives.

May we all be blessed as we seek to build an eternal house of learning that is capable of withstanding the rains of adversity, the floods of opposition, and the winds of doubt everywhere present in our challenging world, as we teach our children the truths of the kingdom, both of heaven and earth.

The Beginning

2010-02-22T21:52:00.000-08:00

Hi,
I have been homeschooling since 1995. I have graduated 5 out of 6 children and have been very active in both a local LDS homeschool support group as well as the National LDS Homeschool Association. During that time I have written a few articles that I will again publish here and I have been asked to share more personal experiences of my time with the support groups as well as my family's homeschool experiences. The one drawback doing this on my own is not having 1 - 3 editors going over my work before you read it. :)

Please sign-up as a follower, I will not be blogging every week but at least once or twice a month.

During my years with the National LDS Homeschool Association I was privileged to work with some wonderful people. Many of them have blogs or websites of their own that I would encourage you to read. I am listing them here and also on the link to the side of this blog page:

Marji Meyer: School of Abraham
Doreen Blanding: Washington State Latter-day Saints Family Educators (WALDSFE)
Michelle Everett: LDS Homeschooling in California—and Everywhere!
Danna Wood: Latter-day Saint National Home Educators
Jolene Irving: Irving Homeschool
Melanie Skelton: Utah Families
Max Bertola: Maeser Acadey