Back to the Real World

As we're packing up to depart this lovely, lakeside setting, I find myself very excited to see what lies ahead for homeschooling families in Oklahoma. It has been a great few days of making new friends, sharing struggles and triumphs, and hearing over and over again about what God is doing across North America in this little movement we call Homeschooling.

It makes me grateful for the people that make up my own circle of homeschooling compatriots: the ones that walk the path with me, hold me up when I'm weak, and fill my freezer when I'm completely laid out (thank you Tracy, Tina and Susan); the ones who play with my toddlers so I can teach the older ones (thank you Valerie, Hannah, Aunt Karen). Isn't it kind of God to call us to this mission, and then, through His own precious children, meet the needs we have along the way? Who meets YOUR needs along the way? Stick a note of thanks in the mail today.

So, as we leave this conference, we move forward in God's grace and with His guidance to answer His call to reach, equip, encourage, sustain and defend Oklahoma's current and prospective home educating families. And also, to do a small truckload of laundry.

Abiding in Christ,

Dana Wilson, Trustee

LIVE from Roach, Missouri

9 OCHEC Trustees have traveled to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks for the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership annual conference. We are here with the leaders of state homeschool organizations from across the country, Mexico and Canada. It's been a great time to connect, refocus and cast vision for our organization and for homeschooling in Oklahoma.

One of the things that has stood out so far is how blessed we are in Oklahoma to have the parental and educational liberties that we have, and now important it is to be proactive in preserving those liberties.

Another area of interest is that our quarterly magazine, The OCHEC Informer, is a standout among state publications. This makes me wonder two things: first, do YOU get the magazine? If not, go to the website and sign up now. It's provided free of charge and it is a great resource for your homeschool. Second, would your business benefit from advertising in the Informer? Advertising information is available here. Ad revenue covers much of the cost of producing the magazine (we would like to see it cover the entire cost), and we are always on the lookout for likeminded businesses to advertise.

And then, there's the inspiration for this post to our dusty old blog...electronic communication with local homeschoolers is being encouraged over and over again. I hope to begin posting here more regularly. Time will tell, my friends. :-)

Abiding in Christ,

Dana Wilson

It's Convention Time Again!!

Do you educate your children at home?

Have you considered homeschooling for one or more of your children?

Would you like to know more about the "why's" and "how's" of home education?

Make plans to attend one of Oklahoma Christian Home Educators' Consociation's (OCHEC) Home School Conventions!

April 27 & 28 at the Spirit Bank Event Center, 10441 S Regal Blvd, Tulsa

April 30 & May 1 at the Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City

Keynote Speaker Todd Wilson, author of Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom and The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons, is a dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd's humor and gut-honest realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions across the country and a guest on Focus on the Family. Todd will be speaking at BOTH Conventions; Dads, don't miss this opportunity!

Featured Speaker Carol Barnier aims to have the wit of Erma Bombeck crossed with the depth of C. S. Lewis, but admits that, truth be told, most days she only achieves a solid Lucy Ricardo with a bit of Bob the Tomato. Carol will be with us in Oklahoma City; you won't want to miss this amazing, encouraging speaker!

With 70+ workshops, HUNDREDS of exhibitors, jam-packed exhibit halls, and wise, experienced homeschool mentors waiting to provide counsel and encouragement, the OCHEC Homeschool Conventions are Oklahoma's premier home education events. See our website for more information and to register online.

Support! Now in Groups, For Your Convenience

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

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

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 70º 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 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