Today is day #2 at the Midwest Great Home School Convention. It will be a test in endurance as we will be exhibiting and selling the book from 9:30-6:45, and then presenting a workshop from 7:00-8:00. Centrum and coffee don’t fail us now!

All kidding aside, “We can do all things through Christ.”

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Deidre and I are together at the Midwest Great Home School Convention in Cincinnati for the next three days. It’s always good to share, reminisce, and catch up.

Recently Sue and I had a scheduled home school convention to attend together in Greenville, SC. However, as it turned out, Sue had a death in her husband’s family that would present a need for her to be elsewhere, thus leaving the Two Voices down to One.  When my husband and I finally arrived in Greenville, I began to prepare our sales and presentation table alone. While Sue had done this set-up part at book sales alone many times before, this was my first time and I felt anxious. I began to pray and I asked God, “How shall I let our audience know that the Two Voices are only One this time?” Then in that still small voice that God uses to speak to us, I felt Him press into my spirit, “You are never alone. I’ll speak through you as always, but for both of you this time. I am the other voice.” With that inspiration, I felt ready.

In addition, God sent more encouragement to me through three visitors, and all were very encouraging in various ways. One stood out, Beth, who gave me permission to use her name. When I questioned her about why she decided to begin home schooling, she shared that her daughter, Susan, had several problems at school that went unaddressed for a while, and her son, Ben, was struggling also due to typical reading problems. Her story had a happy ending as both children did well with homeschooling, graduated from college, and now have productive careers as adults.

As public school teachers, Sue and I had to learn another side to the education story:  that sometimes the best place for learning to happen continues to be the home with the loving tutorage of a parent. I asked Beth to give new or prospective home school parents some points to ponder when considering or doing homeschooling. She replied, “Embrace every season from the snotty nose, clinging ones who are too soon gone, to every moment that helps build relationships.” She also said “to travel, travel, travel with your children because it creates many teaching moments. They learn geography, you see life in action – reenactments, see the actual rain cycle as it falls on your windshield, and learn about different people and better ways to react to them through these experiences.”

I knew God had sent Beth and others to inspire me. It gave me the momentum to arrive at our workshop time with confidence and purpose. We opened with prayer and song, and I briefly told those in attendance about Sue’s absence. The rest of the session went well as things fell into place. No matter how frail, afraid, or alone you may feel, you are not alone. God is always there to support you and meet your every need. Acknowledge Him and look up – your Redeemer will draw near to you for He is the true “lifter of our heads.”

Deidre

As teachers, every time the news reports another school shooting, we mourn over the waste of lives. Whether students, teachers, administrators, or others die, are seriously injured, or experience the trauma of such an experience, life is never the same for them and their families.

Our prayers are with those at Maryland’s Great Mills High School.

Deidre and Sue

Forestwander.com

Despite having “sprung forward,” two Sundays ago, and the calendar saying that Spring is officially arriving today, I have my doubts about it! The weather is definitely having problems making up its mind, as evidenced by daffodils peering through a recent snowfall. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to warmer temperatures and all the activities that can bring. It’s been a difficult winter, as my husband’s family has experienced the medical emergencies and loss of a brother two weeks ago. Having the assurance that we will see Randy again because of his faith in Jesus helps in times like these, but he will be so missed.

What do you do when the troubles, stresses, and frustrations of this life occur? I hope you turn to the One who is there to support you through it all, our Heavenly Father – God. My favorite name for Him is Abba, which means “Papa God,” and I picture Him ready to hold me on that big lap of His and listen to my troubles. I can also turn to His word, the Bible, to help and encourage me through the storms of life, because some days are just HARD. Let me leave you with two scriptures that I hope will help when the difficult times come:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7

In Him . . . Sue – Voice II

                                            Hello to Mrs. Cash’s class in Orlando, FL !

Deidre and I met Mrs. Cash at the FACCS conference in Orlando last November. She bought our book and was kind enough to let us know how much she enjoyed it. One of her requests was that we could encourage her sixth graders to try their hands at writing also. So this blog post is a big “SHOUT OUT” to her class with a few suggestions to hopefully light the writing fire under these students, so they can begin creating their own work:

🖊 How about a daily journal or diary where you can write down important or everyday events that happen in your life? These entries could eventually lead to writing stories about them. (You’ll look back later and enjoy remembering!)

🖊 Are you interested in your roots? You could ask your family for names, dates, and past history concerning ancestors, and write stories about them. Put yourself back in their time period and tell the story from your perspective.

🖊 How about sports? You could write about your favorite team’s latest victory or loss, the Super Bowl game, or NBA playoff? Maybe hockey, tennis, golf, or something you saw from the recent Winter Olympics would be a good choice for you. (This could eventually lead to a commentator’s job on a TV or radio station as they have to write their own scripts.)

🖊 What about starting a class or individual newspaper that tells about weekly happenings at your school? If you enjoy drawing, you could sketch some pictures as well.

🖊 Do you like video games? How about writing a story based on one of them. Choose a character and get started on your very own imaginary adventure.

Any or all of these suggestions can get you started in writing. Someone once said, “Practice makes perfect.” Like anything else, the more you write, the easier it becomes. Maybe one day, you can begin your very own fiction or non-fiction book. Get those words down on paper!

We wish you well,

“The Voices” – Sue and Deidre

Deidre and I have been encouraged in learning about the Philadelphia Eagles focus on Jesus Christ this season. Several articles and pictures on social media have shown four or more teammates being baptized as other Eagles watched, their backup quarterback, Nick Foles, is an well-spoken Christian who contemplates becoming a pastor after his football career has ended, and the Eagles coach, Doug Pederson, gave glory to God for their Super Bowl win this past Sunday. To cap it all off, you can google a picture and video of the team kneeling in prayer on the field and in the locker room after their Super Bowl win.

Deidre and I have discussed several times during this controversial “anthem kneeling” season that there is only ONE reason to kneel, and that is to pray, give glory, or honor to God. It was so refreshing to actually see a football team do so.

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles – the 2018 Super Bowl champions! Members of this team have set their priorities on something that will last into eternity:  a relationship with Jesus Christ.