Tonight I sat at the kitchen table of one of the best examples of a homeschooling mother that I know. I sat there with three moms all just as different from me as they can be, and I soaked in the sheer wonderful that is Christian fellowship. And my heart thanked the God who created us, made us mothers, called us to home education and caused us to cross each other's paths.
How I hope and pray that you, my fellow home educator, are being supported. OCHEC exists to encourage, equip and support your efforts at home, but we can't come sit at your kitchen table. We can't fill a Sunday School room or fellowship hall and listen with you to a speaker who seems to somehow have been eavesdropping on our lives. We will do our best to answer your questions and point you toward resources that will facilitate the achievement of your family's goals, but we can't flip through worn copies of Grammar Songs or Writers Inc. extolling their virtues and warning their shortcomings.
Homeschooling is challenging. It is also rewarding. It is tough and terriffic, simple and difficult. I once answered the question, "What all does it take to home school?" with these words, "All it takes is all you've got." We all need support on this journey. Are YOU part of a support group? I hope so. Are you new to homeschooling? We all were, at one time. Go to your support group and ask those niggling questions so that you can receive encouragement. Have you been homeschooling a while? Please don't underestimate your value in the local support group. Get involved and shine a little light on this path.
If you believe, as we at OCHEC do, that the training of children at home is the work of eternity, then I pray that you would not deprive the support group near you of your fellowship, wisdom and enthusiasm. Do you need help locating a support group? Click here.
Dana Wilson, Trustee
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Happy Spring Time!
I hope you're all enjoying this fine spring weather, because the girl at the Braum's drive through told me it's supposed to snow by Friday. I'm not sure why I trust her, but I'm inclined to believe her prediction, and not just because she's my source for caramel sundaes. Okay, mostly because of the sundaes. But this IS Oklahoma, so snow by Friday is ALWAYS possible.
I hope you've checked out the new and improved OCHEC website. If not, why not click on over now? I'll wait here. While you're there, why not just go ahead and register to attend the convention? Come on, you know you want to!
In an obvious ploy to get a comment or two, I'd like to know what you're most looking forward to at the Convention. Is there a booth you're needing to visit? A speaker you're anxious to hear? A cinnamon-flavored, glaze-covered pastry you're hoping to consume? On the flip side, if you're NOT coming to the convention, why not?
Dana Wilson, Trustee
I hope you've checked out the new and improved OCHEC website. If not, why not click on over now? I'll wait here. While you're there, why not just go ahead and register to attend the convention? Come on, you know you want to!
In an obvious ploy to get a comment or two, I'd like to know what you're most looking forward to at the Convention. Is there a booth you're needing to visit? A speaker you're anxious to hear? A cinnamon-flavored, glaze-covered pastry you're hoping to consume? On the flip side, if you're NOT coming to the convention, why not?
Dana Wilson, Trustee
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Convention Q & A
This is an Encore Presentation of a post that originally appeared on March 15, 2008.
It's time for the Convention again, and I thought this would be a good time to do two things:
1) Write another blog post, now that I've had 5 months to rest up from the last one. :-)
2) Answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the annual Convention.
And now, I'll reach into the hopper and pull out a question from last year's comment forms.
Q: Why are the aisles in the Exhibit Hall so narrow?
A: The Exhibit Hall layout takes many things into consideration. Primarily, we are bound by the Fire Marshall regulations, so the layout has to first be approved by the Fire Marshall. Next, in order to offer premium value to our exhibitors and optimum shopping space for our attendees, the booth spaces are made as deep as possible, while keeping the walkways open enough for people to pass comfortably. While wider aisles would be nice, it seems that our purposes are better served with the wide variety and maximum space for our outstanding exhibitors to display their wares.
Q: It was too hot! Can we turn up the air?
and, alternately:
Q: It was so cold! Can we turn up the heat?
A: Our Convention Director is in constant contact with the Cox Business Center's facilities management throughout the event, and every effort is made to keep the environment comfortable for everyone. When the outside temperatures are significantly warmer or cooler than expected, it affects our inside temperatures. While adjustments are made, keeping the entire area at a strict 70ยบ is simply not possible. Personally, I make sure to wear short sleeves and bring a sweater, that way I can be comfortable no matter the temperature. If, for some reason, I end up being overly warm or uncomfortably cool, I choose to be grateful for being indoors, and having access to so many outstanding resources.
Now, go to HERE and get your family registered for the Convention!
It's time for the Convention again, and I thought this would be a good time to do two things:
1) Write another blog post, now that I've had 5 months to rest up from the last one. :-)
2) Answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the annual Convention.
And now, I'll reach into the hopper and pull out a question from last year's comment forms.
Q: Why are the aisles in the Exhibit Hall so narrow?
A: The Exhibit Hall layout takes many things into consideration. Primarily, we are bound by the Fire Marshall regulations, so the layout has to first be approved by the Fire Marshall. Next, in order to offer premium value to our exhibitors and optimum shopping space for our attendees, the booth spaces are made as deep as possible, while keeping the walkways open enough for people to pass comfortably. While wider aisles would be nice, it seems that our purposes are better served with the wide variety and maximum space for our outstanding exhibitors to display their wares.
Q: It was too hot! Can we turn up the air?
and, alternately:
Q: It was so cold! Can we turn up the heat?
A: Our Convention Director is in constant contact with the Cox Business Center's facilities management throughout the event, and every effort is made to keep the environment comfortable for everyone. When the outside temperatures are significantly warmer or cooler than expected, it affects our inside temperatures. While adjustments are made, keeping the entire area at a strict 70ยบ is simply not possible. Personally, I make sure to wear short sleeves and bring a sweater, that way I can be comfortable no matter the temperature. If, for some reason, I end up being overly warm or uncomfortably cool, I choose to be grateful for being indoors, and having access to so many outstanding resources.
Now, go to HERE and get your family registered for the Convention!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
It's Convention Time Again!
Greetings all!
Since August, I've been busy with a little man that thinks he needs my undivided attention at about 3 hour intervals around the clock. There's a little more information on my personal blog, if you're interested. I have all kinds of good intentions about keeping both of these blogs going. I also have intentions about things like clean bathrooms and neat cupboards and an empty ironing basket. Please tell me I'm not alone...
So, the OCHEC Trustees have been busy. We now have 10 couples serving on the board. We have a combined total of 49 children, ranging in age from 30's to infant. I'm not even kidding! I can't tell you how blessed I am to be serving on the OCHEC board with so many seasoned home educators and wise parents. Go here to meet the gang!
Capitol Day was a HUGE success. Check out the details here.
In other news, we've moved our website to a new host. I hope you'll check it out and let us know what you think. It's a work in progress, so your feedback will help us make it the best it can be. If it doesn't serve you well, then we need to know.
And now it's Convention time again! Please plan to attend, and encourage your homeschooling friends (and those just considering homeschooling) to attend. The pre-registration cost is just $35 and your spouse attends at no extra charge. Check the conventions in other states, and you'll quickly see what a bargain the OCHEC Convention is.
Abiding in Christ,
Dana Wilson, Trustee
Since August, I've been busy with a little man that thinks he needs my undivided attention at about 3 hour intervals around the clock. There's a little more information on my personal blog, if you're interested. I have all kinds of good intentions about keeping both of these blogs going. I also have intentions about things like clean bathrooms and neat cupboards and an empty ironing basket. Please tell me I'm not alone...
So, the OCHEC Trustees have been busy. We now have 10 couples serving on the board. We have a combined total of 49 children, ranging in age from 30's to infant. I'm not even kidding! I can't tell you how blessed I am to be serving on the OCHEC board with so many seasoned home educators and wise parents. Go here to meet the gang!
Capitol Day was a HUGE success. Check out the details here.
In other news, we've moved our website to a new host. I hope you'll check it out and let us know what you think. It's a work in progress, so your feedback will help us make it the best it can be. If it doesn't serve you well, then we need to know.
And now it's Convention time again! Please plan to attend, and encourage your homeschooling friends (and those just considering homeschooling) to attend. The pre-registration cost is just $35 and your spouse attends at no extra charge. Check the conventions in other states, and you'll quickly see what a bargain the OCHEC Convention is.
Abiding in Christ,
Dana Wilson, Trustee
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Most people would think I was talking about Christmas (which, don't get me wrong, IS wonderful), but I'm a goner for Back to School. I mean, come on, new packages of loose-leaf paper? Boxes of unsharpened pencils? Pink erasers and spiral notebooks? Now would probably be a good time for me to confess that I'm the girl who used to ask for hole reinforcers and staple-pullers in her stocking at that other Most Wonderful Time. The office supply store holds more fascination for me than any mall. Yep. I'm weird.
So, here we are in Back to School mode, which has me thinking about and looking forward to my homeschool support group meetings and wondering how many of you routinely participate in any kind of support group. If you do, I'd love to read about it in the comments (who am I kidding? I'd love to read anything in the comments). If you don't have a support group, and you'd be interested in finding one, click here for a list by region. I've found that there are many types of groups, from fairly formal to a coffee klatch and everything in between. I've participated in several different kinds over my years of homeschooling and found that each one has much to offer. The important thing is to connect with other parents who are traveling the path of home discipleship.
One thing I've found is that the longer some parents homeschool, the less inclined they are to participate in support groups. I'd like to encourage those who've been on this journey a while to consider praying about being a source of wisdom and encouragement to those who are just beginning. See if there is some way in which God would use you to build up and inspire the ones who are taking their first tentative steps in teaching their own children. Please don't underestimate your ability to be a valuable resource.
So, Happy Back to School everyone! Let us resolve to train our children with grateful diligence and let us serve one another in love.
So, here we are in Back to School mode, which has me thinking about and looking forward to my homeschool support group meetings and wondering how many of you routinely participate in any kind of support group. If you do, I'd love to read about it in the comments (who am I kidding? I'd love to read anything in the comments). If you don't have a support group, and you'd be interested in finding one, click here for a list by region. I've found that there are many types of groups, from fairly formal to a coffee klatch and everything in between. I've participated in several different kinds over my years of homeschooling and found that each one has much to offer. The important thing is to connect with other parents who are traveling the path of home discipleship.
One thing I've found is that the longer some parents homeschool, the less inclined they are to participate in support groups. I'd like to encourage those who've been on this journey a while to consider praying about being a source of wisdom and encouragement to those who are just beginning. See if there is some way in which God would use you to build up and inspire the ones who are taking their first tentative steps in teaching their own children. Please don't underestimate your ability to be a valuable resource.
So, Happy Back to School everyone! Let us resolve to train our children with grateful diligence and let us serve one another in love.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Good Morning, Class!
Today's word is haitus. As in: The OCHEC blog has been on haitus. Again. :-)
Please don't mistake the lack of activity here for a lack of activity in OCHEC. It's been a busy summer, and we're looking forward to the activities of the next school year. Three Trustee couples traveled to Denver, CO, in June to attend the Christian Home Educators of Colorado Family Conference. We heard some wonderful speakers, met some exciting exhibitors and received much encouragement from our co-laborers in the CHEC organization. It really got our wheels turning, so to speak, and gave us some new perspectives for the OCHEC Convention.
One of the Trustees traveled to Germany in July and had the opportunity to meet with an attorney there who defends homeschooling families. The stories she came home with made me grateful to be in Oklahoma, U.S.A, while my heart broke for the parents who are passionate about training their children at home. Look for an article on the subject in an upcoming issue of The OCHEC Informer. Get out your prayer list and your tissues.
As we all are getting back into the swing of schooling and sports and lessons and drama and choir and and and...please allow me to encourage you to keep the "home" in "homeschooling". Make sure that the things you and your children do away from home are worth the time, money and energy and that they are bearing much fruit as you disciple those whom God has entrusted to your care. Sometimes we have to let go of the "good" in order to take hold of the "best".
And now, go serve your King.
Please don't mistake the lack of activity here for a lack of activity in OCHEC. It's been a busy summer, and we're looking forward to the activities of the next school year. Three Trustee couples traveled to Denver, CO, in June to attend the Christian Home Educators of Colorado Family Conference. We heard some wonderful speakers, met some exciting exhibitors and received much encouragement from our co-laborers in the CHEC organization. It really got our wheels turning, so to speak, and gave us some new perspectives for the OCHEC Convention.
One of the Trustees traveled to Germany in July and had the opportunity to meet with an attorney there who defends homeschooling families. The stories she came home with made me grateful to be in Oklahoma, U.S.A, while my heart broke for the parents who are passionate about training their children at home. Look for an article on the subject in an upcoming issue of The OCHEC Informer. Get out your prayer list and your tissues.
As we all are getting back into the swing of schooling and sports and lessons and drama and choir and and and...please allow me to encourage you to keep the "home" in "homeschooling". Make sure that the things you and your children do away from home are worth the time, money and energy and that they are bearing much fruit as you disciple those whom God has entrusted to your care. Sometimes we have to let go of the "good" in order to take hold of the "best".
And now, go serve your King.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A Question for You
My friend Jeana is a frugal, homeschooling mom. She has been thinking along the lines of fiscal responsibility. She commented that, as income has shrunk somewhat and as expenses have increased, their family has had to make some very necessary adjustments in spending. (Can I get an AMEN?) She then brought up an idea which is such sheer brilliance that I had to share it with you and get your thoughts on it. She asks: "What is the next thing I would give up or do differently if I had to lower costs?" And then she tries to do that next thing now to put their family one step ahead of the next big squeeze.
In these days of high gas and grocery prices, what has your family done to lower expenses or increase income? C'mon! Inspire us all!
Oh, and if you enjoy well-written blogs, go see Jeana.
In these days of high gas and grocery prices, what has your family done to lower expenses or increase income? C'mon! Inspire us all!
Oh, and if you enjoy well-written blogs, go see Jeana.
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