Back In The Saddle!

Well, i owe you all an apology, i haven't forgotten to get back to my blog, i simply have had quite a bit on "my plate" so to speak! It's all good stuff just a lot of it since we came back from our time in Florida, Now THAT was nice! But this week i am committed to doing whatever I need to in order to get "back in the saddle" again!

One of the things that Ruthie and i (along with several other key "leader" types in our church) are truly thrilled about is an opportunity that we believe has been given to us to influence others families that are considering Homeschooling their children. We (more accurately Ruthie), have taught our kids at home for the past almost 13 years [doesn't seem that long] and as we began to talk about ministries that perhaps we could do as husband and wife, helping to encourage and "coach" if you will those families interested in (but intimidated by) Homeschooling seemed like a natural.

Interestingly enough on the heels of our discussion we received an email from HSLDA (The Home Schooling Legal Defense Association) that encouraged its members to consider hosting an open house for people we knew who might be interested in Homeschooling! They even offered to supply all sorts of informational material that we could give away to any families or individuals who want to Homeschool! How sweet is that!?!

So we began talking about it with a few other families who are currently Homeschooling their children as well and began to plan a Open House at our home. As we worked the "grapevine" and chatted this possibility up a little bit we began to see that there wasn't just a little interest but a lot of interest!

Just this past weekend we hosted this event in our home complete with curriculum displays from all different age groups, curriculum catalogues, Homeschool veterans whose children ranged in age from preschool through recent High school graduates. We had some great food and just let people get to ask questions and share their experiences... it was so very cool! We did an unofficial head count and had somewhere between 55 to 60 people participate in this event and i think they all had a great time! i loved it! My wife was such an incredible encourager as soon-to-be Homeschool parents and rookie Homeschool parents asked her all sorts of questions about what it takes to do this Homeschooling thing!

So what does the future hold for this new group of potential Homeschoolers at Westbrook? Well, based on who was at our home this past weekend and checking into it... i'd say the future is very, very bright!