Year-End Thoughts
by Becky Wyand
1. Thoughts
i. As I write this, Mother’s Day is just over. As I reflected through Mother’s Day I had to think of the difference you are making for families of the future.
ii. You can be assured that your sacrifice and effort are not unnoticed by our Lord.
iii. And with your sacrifice comes His promise. He will not call you to do what He does not equip you to do.
iv. I’m so grateful for Gary’s gift to me years ago (’88) of My Utmost for His Highest. I recommend this for your moments of solitude. For May 9th Oswald Chambers includes a contrast of ideals (no moral inspiration) and vision (moral inspiration). He ends that devotional with these words.
v. I commend them to you.
vi. “Is our attitude today an attitude that springs from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever done? Is there a freshness and vigor in our spiritual outlook?”
2. Resources
i. As we look toward preparing for a new school year consider getting these catalogs. When choosing to purchase materials keep in mind books that help with skill building, especially thinking, research and writing skills.
ii. Beth gave me this number that she got from a friend, Home Training Tools: 1-800-860-6272. From this she ordered quail eggs to hatch. Just to have the catalog might be an inspiration for some real education.
iii. Lamplighter: 1-888-246-7735. They are always reprinting additional old books. Some titles have been life changing for me.
iv. Beautiful Feet Books Catalog: Order- 1-800-889-1978; Questions- 508-420-1600. This catalog lists age-appropriate books to use for history read-aloud. Also high school history read lists are included. To me this catalog is valuable because they have done so much of the work to show what to read at each age level.
v. Christian Book Distributions: 1-800-247-4784. They have many catalogs but there is a particular home school one in which curriculum is presented by grade and subject with explanation.
vi. Prufrock Press: 1-800-998-2208. This is a non-Christian publisher claiming to present material for the academic gifted. I used it for ideas and workbooks of thinking skills. Please be selective.
vii. Voice of the Martyrs: 877-337-0302. While this is not a publishing company, they do have “The Link” which can be used to help families understand what God is doing and where specific prayer is needed for the persecuted. I would make it a part of my curriculum.
ii. Also there are many library and Internet resources that I hope we can share through the next year. Please be prepared to share resources that you have found helpful.
3. Warnings & Reminders
i. Corrie Ten Boom has written a devotional style-book, Not I, But Christ. As I through this excellent book and thought of her life, I was reminded to warn you to look at the big picture. How would your life, your teaching, and your discipline ad your service change if you sincerely sought for an eternal perspective?
ii. Remember that your children are a work in progress. Think about this as you choose books to read aloud.
iii. Remember at Workshops I talked to you about action/reaction in disciplining your children. Here I want to remind you of the need to think through how you react. Your child does something wrong. Instead of re-acting, you act according to your previously thought-out plan. If there is no thought-out plan, admit that and promise the child that you are working on one and will carry out your plan when you have one. If you react to the child’s action, the child is in control of his own discipline. We can discuss this more when we get together.
4. Summer School
As you close this school year and more into summer school consider:
i. What goals would I list for each child, especially as I like at individual weaknesses. Remember these goals would include behavior, attitude as well as academics.
ii. Do I have a family reading plan for the summer?
iii. Have I scheduled math practices?
iv. Have I sat with each child (4th grade up) to discuss goals, interests, and schedule?
v. Should my child be tested to determine reading and math progress?
vi. Are my older children encouraged in Christian service to his family and beyond?
vii. What kind of report do other people give about my child? What am I doing about it?
Feel free to call with special needs or just to chat. I enjoy you!