The Clifton Homeschool Encouragement Group met for their first official meeting of the school year on 8/25/09 in the Clifton Baptist Library.
The meeting began with announcements by new CHEG coordinator, Kathy Bloom.
Gretchen Wright, mom of 5 boys, shared devotions from Psalm 33. This Psalm is a great song of praise to God by King David in which he acknowledges that those who trust in Yahweh have a new song of praise because of GRACE! We too have access to grace and the Father who loves us - He has made a way for us to be right with God.
He has come near to us in Christ. Verses 4-5 say His Word is upright, His work is faithful, and He continually shows us His steadfast love.
As we consider our BIG God, Gretchen said that "His bigness puts our little problems in proper perspective." How true. Though our plans are weak, his plans never fail.
She shared how, from verses 13-15, this mighty, enthroned God looks down from heaven onto Earth, and he observes the deeds of us, whom HE fashioned. Nothing is hidden from Him. From a practical perspective, if we are trusting in earthly things, we must learn that His will always prevails. We must not trust in resources like aptitude, curriculum, or our homeschooling experience, but in Christ alone.
As an exercise, Gretchen asked everyone to pray for one thing on a card for another person near us in the room that evening - something that seemed 'impossible' to us at the moment. What a blessing to share these burdens with one another and with the Lord with Whom NOTHING is impossible.
Thank you, Gretchen for these good reminders of God's love and might, and care of us.
Our special presentation for the night was Panel Discussion by five veteran homeschooling moms from Clifton: Shelly Sigafoos, Michele Murray, Ana Kotter, Coco Briggs, and Beth Schakat. Between them, this group of moms have 22 children! They shared a wealth of knowledge, and experience, and encouragement! Questions for the Panel were written by Margaret Sexton, and she graciously moderated our panel discussion.
Topics discussed included:
- Differences in teaching boys versus girls - learning styles, tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of each gender, most helpful types of discipline and structure
- Teaching children of multiple ages - what subjects taught together/separately, keeping little ones content, incorporating older kids as 'teachers' of youngers.
- Preparing/organizing your school day - before the year starts, record-keeping, grading and attendance, maximizing naptimes, 'prime' teaching hours, etc.
- Managing household and homeschool tasks - chores, teaching children responsibility, 'tricks' to keep things tidy, staying focused while staying flexible
- Various: Realistic homecare-expectations, finding ways to make things work, having a school room versus meeting at the dining room table
- What's REALLY important?
In case you had to miss the panel discussion, notes from the group's discussion can be obtained from Kathy Bloom, email: futureandahope@insightbb.com.
