OCHEC

Back to the Real World

2011-09-21T10:45:00.003-05:00

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

2011-09-19T10:16:00.003-05:00

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!!

2010-04-20T13:29:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-27T01:24:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-03-25T16:30:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-22T22:14:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-03-21T00:43:00.003-05:00

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

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2008-08-20T16:37:00.003-05:00

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.

Good Morning, Class!

2008-08-19T00:07:00.003-05:00

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.

A Question for You

2008-07-11T08:10:00.005-05:00

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.

Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy...or is it?

2008-07-09T14:29:00.007-05:00

How does your family school during the summer months? Over the years, we've done it many different ways. One year, we did 3 days of core subjects and had 2 days off each week for swimming, play dates, family reunions and the $1 Summer Movies. One year, we did school for 3 weeks on and 1 week off so that we could camp in our travel trailer. Several summers we just got the books out when there wasn't anything more interesting to do.

One of the many benefits of home education is the ability to flex our schedules to fit our families' needs and activities. OCHEC encourages homeschooling parents to be creative when scheduling their 180 days of school, and to remember that the purpose of the schedule is to serve YOU, not the other way around. For your own peace of mind, and to be ready defend your school should that become necessary, we also recommend keeping a record of your instructional days. The newly revised OCHEC Handbook includes many useful blank forms which may be copied for your use. For more information on obtaining a Handbook, click here.

So, are you hearing the dreaded refrain, "I'm bOOOooored!"? As my mother used to tell me, "Smart people don't get bored. They get busy." Then she'd had me a broom or a toilet brush. Here are 101 things to do this summer. I think there's something on this list for everyone, and there's not a toilet brush anywhere!

Enjoy your summer, try to stay cool, and share your summer plans with us in the comments!

Now Here's Something I Think You'll REALLY Like

2008-07-08T09:50:00.002-05:00

(Bonus points to the one who can name the source of the above quote)

Check out this article. Then come back here and tell us your thoughts.

Home Schoolers Threaten Our Cultural Comfort

Now go swimming!

Look What the Cat Dragged In!

2008-07-06T21:09:00.002-05:00

ME!

It's been TWO MONTHS since I last updated our little blog. For those of you who continue to check in (all both of you), THANKS! I hope I haven't startled you too much what with this new post and all. :-)

OCHEC news you need: The Support Group Leaders' Retreat is NEXT WEEK! Are you the leader of a support group? Maybe you're thinking of starting a group and would like to network with other leaders. We are hoping for a phenomenal turnout as we have so very many wonderful things in store for everyone who comes. We're encouraging groups to send as many folks from their leadership team as possible. Make sure that everyone who leads YOUR group knows how much we'd love to have them there.

Also, did you know that your support group can host a You Can Homeschool seminar? OCHEC will send a Trustee couple with a Power Point presentation, handouts, and loads of practical wisdom to address folks in your community who would like more information about home education. There is no cost to your group. All we ask is that you provide the meeting location and publicize the seminar in your area (we'll help with publicity if needed). This is the time of year when many families consider teaching their children at home. Won't you partner with OCHEC and help us encourage these families to begin this rewarding journey? Just email us and let us know you're interested.

Is there some other way OCHEC can serve you as you teach your children at home? Let us know in the comments. We're always looking for ways to bless Oklahoma's homescooling families.

Whew!

2008-05-05T12:36:00.002-05:00

OCHEC Convention 2008 is now in the record books, and your OCHEC Trustees, Convention Committee and over 100 volunteers are a tired group. We are grateful for all 2,500+ of you that came, and for those who covered our efforts in prayer. As usual, we learned many things that we will use to make next year's convention even better.

Our next event is the Support Group Leaders' Retreat in July. If you belong to a support group, please make sure that your leadership team knows about the Retreat and encourage them to attend. We hope to have many couples there, though we realize that many support groups are led by homeschooling mothers. I'll be back in the next week or so with details, links and all manner of fun stuff on this subject, but I just wanted to put a little bee in your bonnet so you'd be thinking about it as this school year winds down.

Did YOU make it to the convention? Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share with the class? I look forward to your comments.

KNOCK KNOCK!!

2008-04-24T11:42:00.001-05:00

Who's there?

Anita.

Anita who?

Anita lot more Door Monitors!

How Do You DO It?

2008-04-21T22:56:00.002-05:00

Tonight the kids and I tackled this pit of despair that we call our home. We gave it 2.5 hours and it is considerably better, but by no means completely clean. I've come to the conclusion that I can either homeschool or keep the house clean, but I don't seem to be able to do both on a consistent basis. I'm wondering how YOU manage housekeeping and homeschooling.

Now, we do manage to basics of keeping the rooms picked up and the dishes done. Each child has daily household duties in addition to school work and music practice. We hardly ever get behind on laundry and usually manage to get three squares on the table. But getting to the real cleaning on anything like a regular basis just seems to elude us. Tonight I scrubbed the shower, tub, sinks and floors in the master bathroom. That master bath is now the cleanest room in the house. If you drop by tomorrow for a glass of tea, I can assure you that we'll be drinking it in the master bathroom. The rest of the house still needs a lot of TLC.

This Is a Recording

2008-04-20T21:39:00.003-05:00

::UPDATE:: SEE BELOW!

Are you coming to the Convention? Have you scheduled your volunteer time yet?

Is your neighbor, friend, Sunday School teacher, cousin's daughter's hairdresser's babysitter's mother coming? Have THEY volunteered?

In case it's not obvious, we still need volunteers.

What happens if we don't get all the volunteers we need? Well, let's see...

The lines at registration will be quite long since there aren't as many folks there to process the at-the-door registrations and distribute the pre-registration packets. 14 shifts are still available.

The entries into the exhibit hall will be congested as we are very short on door monitors to confirm that everyone entering is a registered convention attendee. 38 shifts are unfilled.

People needing to know the locations of the bathrooms, ATM machine, workshops, etc. will be on their own because the Convention Information Booth won't have an attendant most of the time. 8 seasoned convention veterans are still needed.

We also need 11 more workshop monitors to distribute handouts and count attendance in the workshops. This job is important to the on-time functioning of the workshops, and the attendance numbers tell the convention committee which types of workshops are most in demand.

If you haven't done so yet, please go here to see if any of our remaining needs fits with your convention schedule. Please consider sending this link along to those you know who might be willing to give an hour or two.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.

Update: 12 new volunteers came on board today! Thanks so much to each and every one!

Why Do You Homeschool?

2008-04-17T00:26:00.002-05:00

At church tonight, a mother of 3-year-old twins asked me why I homeschool. I asked her if she wanted the Clifs Notes version, or the unabridged. She smiled and said, "I don't know. I just wonder why you do it."

The short answer is that we began homeschooling because our oldest daughter has a mild to moderate disability so traditional classrooms weren't a good fit for her, and she didn't need special education, so that sort of left home schooling. That was in 1998, and that's why we started. Why do we keep doing it?

I read once where a homeschool dad said that his family chose homeschool because both he and his wife are too lazy to get their kids up, fed, dressed and to the bus stop by 7:30 am. I hadn't ever thought of it that way, but he has a point. I've also heard and read folks who say that their children deserve the highest quality education the parents can provide, so they homeschool. Many people have strong religious convictions that have brought them to the decision to homeschool. There are those who have high moral and social standards that they feel like are best met at home. More and more families are choosing home education because it is flexible and allows their student to pursue advanced training in music, the arts, sports or higher academics. I know one family that homeschools because the father is an over-the-road truck driver and it allows them to bend their schooling to meet his schedule and maximize their time with him when he's home. I'm sure you can think of several unique reasons that I haven't listed here. The list seems to be growing almost as fast as this "movement" we find ourselves in.

For me though, while I can identify shades of many of the above reasons (some more than others), one of the driving reasons is that I love being with my children. I can see their eyes light up when they "get it", I rub their backs when they're tense and sit up in the middle of my bed with them sprawled all over and on me while I read the latest literature selection. I can nip wrong attitudes in the bud, before they become wrong actions and pray with them on the spot when difficulties arise. I can declare a "PJ Day" where we pop popcorn and eat it on a blanket in the living room floor while we watch DK Eye Witness Videos from the Library and I'm suddenly the Coolest Mom Ever. I can watch them as they apply the Scriptures to their own and their siblings' situations and use godly wisdom to solve their problems.

Sometimes, homeschooling feels a little self-indulgent; I love it so much that I really can't imagine ever not teaching our children at home. Other times, it feels like the most impossible, overwhelming thing in the known universe, and I'm sure I'm ruining them for life and that they'll all grow up to be panhandlers. Isn't it a miracle that, while my moods and opinions change like the Oklahoma wind, God, His love and His mercies endure forever.

I'd love to read your comment (short or long) about why YOU homeschool.

It's Been a Busy Week!

2008-04-16T00:43:00.002-05:00

It's been quiet in our little corner of Blogdom, but things are hopping everywhere else! I've been processing literally tens of volunteer applications. Crazy, right? At this rate, we'll only need a hundred or so volunteers when the convention starts two weeks from tomorrow!

In other news, while we hope to have many homeschool graduates in the General Session on Saturday morning at the Convention, it looks like our parade is turning into more of a slide show. Seems those rascally homeschool grads are flung across the globe doing foreign missions, finishing grad school and, you know, living their lives. Go figure. So here's the thought: all of the graduates who are able to be there will be recognized and lauded with wild applause, and we'll show about a 6-minute slide show, set to music, of all the graduates (present or not), with their graduation year and current occupation. So, keep those emails coming, folks. I'm going to need more than the...hang on, let me count...um...ZERO photos I have so far. Really, we're in danger of 6 minutes worth of photos of my family's trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. You all deserve better than that.

Lastly, I'd like you to think back to when you were a bright-eyed, optimistic kid. Waaaay back. Before taxes. Before you were responsible for making sure there was always toilet paper on the roll. You had dreams, didn't you? Hopes? Aspirations? Sure you did. We all did. I think I can speak for, oh, about thirty-six of us when I speak fondly of our shared dreams of spending a portion of the first weekend in May warmly greeting attendees at a local conflagration of like-minded parents while scanning their outer attire for a name badge. Uncanny, isn't it, that we all have this shared dream, and that now, through the miracle of the Internet, all of our dreams can come true. Just by clicking this link and volunteering to be a Door Monitor at the upcoming OCHEC Convention.

In Case You Haven't Read Enough About California

2008-04-09T08:46:00.002-05:00

As home educators, we've been swimming in information and misinformation regarding the recent court case in California. This morning, I came across an article I hadn't seen before from the National Home Education Research Institute. It put the bits and pieces I've read and heard into a framework that is actually quite useful, making evidence-based statements of which homeschooling parents should be aware, especially if they are in circumstances where they feel they must defend their decision to train their children at home.

Click here to read the article. Then click around the NHERI site and learn all kinds of encouraging things.

Psst! Don't Look Now...

2008-04-08T18:25:00.002-05:00

...actually, please DO look now: I've put a poll on the right sidebar. Go ahead. Answer it. It'll be fun and it's guaranteed to cost you 20 seconds of your life that you'll never get back.

You're welcome.

Pardon Me, May I Pick Your Brain?

2008-04-08T17:11:00.005-05:00

If you're like me, you've borrowed or purchased many books about child rearing in general and home education in particular. You've followed web links that looked promising and ordered tapes (if you're old school) or downloaded podcasts (whippersnappers!) of speakers you thought might have something to say about your situation. We are blessed to live in a time when this information abounds, unlike the homeschoolers of 25 to 30 years ago who had to sort of make things up as they went along. Maybe, like me, you've found that some resources are relatively disposable. Perhaps there was some useful tidbit, but on the whole, nothing extraordinary. Then there are those dog-eared, highlighted, underlined, coffee-stained books that have become your own personal "classics", those squealy tapes with the labels worn off, those websites at the top of your Bookmarks folder. Those are what I want to ask you about.

What's the one resource you go to most often when you have questions about homeschooling? What book do you recommend when someone mentions that they're considering teaching their children at home? What's your favorite website for information and encouragement? Is there a podcast or audio resource you'd hate to have to live without? Tell us about them.

Or, to put it another way, if you were stranded on a desert island and had to homeschool your kids...nah...that'd never work. There's no Internet access on desert islands. But I think you get the idea.

Ready? Set. Comment away!

You Had to Know This Was Coming

2008-04-07T13:14:00.004-05:00

I was talking with one of the OCHEC Trustees this morning, and she asked how the Convention volunteers were coming along. "Not as well as I'd like," I told her, "but I don't worry about it because by the time the Convention gets here, we usually have most of the volunteers we need."

So, let this serve as an update. There are still 130 volunteer positions available. Which one would YOU like? Hm? Hm? Go ahead. Make my day. Really.

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the generous folks who have taken 66 volunteer jobs so far. Many of them are serving more than once, and watching the schedule fill up warms all both of the cockles of my heart. I kind of think I'm a little cockle deficient (it runs on my dad's side of the family), but it doesn't affect me much. affect me much. affect me much.

And now, here's something we think you'll really like (bonus points for naming the source of that quote):

Are You a Revolutionary Parent?

2008-04-05T22:41:00.003-05:00

Research Shows Parenting Approach Determines Whether Children Become Devoted Christians.

That is the headline of an Update from the Barna Research Group, dated April, 2007. Click on the title above to read the article. I'm not much of a fad-watcher or even a self-help-book reader, for that matter. I've found that the answers to my questions can be reliably found in Scripture. This one got my attention though. It really got me to thinking about how, particularly, we parent our children and, specifically, toward what end.

I have said before that if I send my children into the world able to factor quadratic equations but wearing paper armor, that I will have failed. They will not only be defenseless, but useless. The challenge for us, my homeschooling friends, is to direct our efforts purposefully and specifically, with the end in sight. Trust in God's timing, His provision, and His ability to speak to the hearts of our children. Then look critically at the different aspects of our parenting, and hold them up to the light of Scripture and determine to implement whatever changes are necessary to encourage our children to step out into adulthood as growing, devoted followers of Christ.

A prayer I often pray for our children comes from Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

That, and, "Lord, please keep me out of Your way." I pray that one a lot.

Ode to a Door Monitor

2008-04-03T19:37:00.002-05:00

To bring attention to the Door Monitor, the often overlooked but never under appreciated and very most needed of Convention Volunteers, I give you this ode:

Aching feet, welcome seat
Sit a spell and serve us well
Dear Monitor of Doors

Looking, checking, verifying
Name tags so easily a-spying
Observant Monitor of Doors

"Name tag? Do you have your name tag yet?"
"Thank you. Welcome. Enjoy!"
Helpful Monitor of Doors

Two short hours, gratitude showers
From the Convention Committee
Faithful Monitor of Doors

Volunteered yet? Get your feet wet!
Easy peasy lemon squeezy
Won't you be a Monitor of Doors?

Click here to sign up to be a Door Monitor, and sleep well tonight knowing that you have the undying love and affection of your Convention Planning Committee.

Calling All Graduates!

2008-04-02T09:33:00.004-05:00

At the convention on Saturday morning, OCHEC would like to recognize and honor homeschool graduates. ALL homeschool graduates. We would like to have a current photo and a brief description of what each graduate is currently doing (occupation, marital status, children), and we'd like to go as far back as possible.

Would you help us get the word out?

If you are, or have, or know a homeschool grad, and if they'd be willing to come to the convention on Saturday, May 3, please have them contact Dana Wilson at WilsonDana @ aol.com (remove the spaces).

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me?

2008-03-26T21:42:00.005-05:00

I just came across this book on the shelf and had fun re-reading parts of it with about 8 more years of perspective than I had when I bought it. It got me to thinking of the things I wish I'd known...

Like, that The Worksheet Police wouldn't knock down my door and confiscate my laminating machine if I didn't do every last blessed worksheet. For this a Type-A, list-making, box-checking fool that was truly a revelation.

Oh! And I wish someone would have mentioned the value of moderation in outside activities. I find that it really helps to be HOME to HOME school. There was a time when we belonged to a co-op, a play group, dance class, took violin lessons and went on a field trip every week. Maybe if gas had been over $3 a gallon then, I'd have had a little more sense about me. I've since learned the value of judiciously selecting activities and placing a high premium on time at home.

It would have been nice if I'd known that days (weeks, even) would go by when I'd swear that nothing of any academic value was accomplished, and that it would be okay. When everyone in our household is in a different place along the Stomach Flu Continuum, nary a verb shall be conjugated. When one child is hospitalized and the other three are at their grandparents' house, where gum is a food group and Disney movies are the order of the day, plumbing the depths of photosynthesis just has to wait. When the house looks like the Jolly Green Giant picked it up, turned it over and shook it like a snowglobe, a day of Home Economics is in order and no one will crack a book. Someone pointed out to me once that God knew when He instructed us to train our children at home that there would be all kinds of interruptions, postponements and distractions. And God is able to give us the wisdom to know when to push on, when to back off and when to take a Mental Health Day.

Thanks be to God for His mercies which are brand new every day.

Now, what do YOU wish YOU'D known as you began homeschooling?

Help Us Get the Word Out!

2008-03-25T17:51:00.005-05:00

I know that for those of us on the Convention Committee, it's hard to imagine that there's anyone in the state who doesn't know about it. The fact of the matter is, all of us know someone (maybe many people) who are considering home education and don't have a clue that there's a two-day convention with vendors and workshops and seasoned home educators to answer their questions. I KNOW! Amazing, isn't it?

Many young parents at least think about homeschooling as they begin visualizing putting their precious babies on that big, yellow bus and being separated from them for the majority of the child's waking hours. Folks who move to Oklahoma from a state that is less friendly to homeschooling might consider training their children at home in a climate as hospitable as our wonderful state. What about the child in your church who has been struggling socially or academically at school this year? Might that child's parents be grateful to know that there is an alternative to government schooling?

Won't you begin to pray about people you know who might be interested in attending the convention? Ask the Lord for an opportunity to share your family's homeschooling story and let Him use you to encourage some mom or dad to consider training their children at home. We all know that homeschooling is not something to jump into willy nilly, but it is a decision which should be made prayerfully, counting the cost and weighing the benefits of all educational options. Most people find the courage to homeschool because they know someone who's already doing it.

See if there's someone in your daily path who doesn't yet know about the homeschool convention, and invite them to come and check it out for themselves.

Question of the Day: What did you think of YOUR first convention experience?

We Want YOU!

2008-03-25T09:35:00.002-05:00

Are you planning to come to the convention? Would you consider volunteering a few hours of your time? Click here to visit our online volunteer database. We have positions available for students over age 13 through adults.

To quote my Gran, "Many hands make light work."

Spring Musings

2008-03-24T11:04:00.002-05:00

I trust that your families all enjoyed a blessed Resurrection Day. Isn't that the nicest part of springtime?

For today's post, I thought it would be good to hear from some of you about how your school year has gone so far. We're in the home stretch at our house, and summer break is on everyone's mind. How about you? Do you school year 'round and spread your time off throughout the year, or do you take a nice, long summer break?

Tell us about something your family accomplished this year. Maybe an academic goal was reached, maybe a character breakthrough was achieved. Tell us about it.

Testing...Testing...Is This Thing On?

2008-03-21T17:08:00.005-05:00

Through the magic that is SiteMeter, I see that we are getting visitors from many Oklahoma locations, and as far away as Denver and New Jersey. Because I'm curious to a fault, my mind has been occupied with but one consuming thought:

WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?

Ahem. Sorry for the outburst.

Anyway, If you happen to stop by and read this, it would be so great if you left a little comment. Because this blogging thing? It's a little like whistling Dixie in the wind. Or, you know, what I THINK it would be like, since I really can't whistle and I only know about 12 notes of Dixie. But we've got the wind, by golly!

I digress.

One of the reasons we started the OCHEC blog was to provide a means of 2-way communication with Oklahoma homeschooling families, so it would be a real kick to have a few comments just to liven things up around here.

On your mark! Get set! Type!

And now, the RAVES!

2008-03-20T17:38:00.006-05:00

One of the nicest things about the Convention Evaluation Forms is all of the wonderful things that you all say every year. The Convention Committee works year 'round on all of the little things that have to happen in order for the convention to take place. We don't do it for the money (HA!) or the fame and glory (HA! and HA!). We do it because we believe strongly in the purpose of the convention and we all remember being new to homeschooling and how important the convention was in giving us the "shot in the arm" we needed to keep going.

Well, our "shot in the arm" comes in the form of the wonderful, encouraging words so many of you write on your evaluation forms. Here are a few from Convention 2007:

Excellent Vendors! We need more!

The temperature was JUST right.

The volunteers are so nice and helpful.

I love the variety.

Great job on sound.

Roomy booths and aisles!

So clean and well organized.

Easy to get around.

Large and spacious, great layout.

And, by far, we got the most positive comments about our wonderful Nursing Mothers' Area. All credit is due to Anna Martin who took a small, curtained-off area and turned it into a haven by soliciting donations and sponsorships and using her own creativity to make it really special. If you have an infant, you'll want to spy out this little oasis for tending to your little one. If you don't have an infant, you might want to see if you can get one. It's really that good.

Thanks so much to each and every one of you who take the time to leave your comments and suggestions every year. This is YOUR convention, and while we can't cater to your every wish (much as we'd like to supply you with valet parking, vanilla lattes on demand and moist towelettes in the ladies' room, Mrs. R.!) we do care about what you think. Our goal is to serve and bless every person who attends the convention. We don't always achieve that goal but we ARE always trying, and we depend on your input to help us do better every year.

So, What About the Complaints?

2008-03-20T09:48:00.003-05:00

Are there ever any complaints? you ask. Not many, but we get a few. Today I'm going to respond to the most common complaints. And you know, we don't mind the complaints. We read every evaluation form and take all of the comments seriously because we want the Convention to be as close to OUTSTANDINGLY WONDERFUL as we can get.

Registration is too expensive!

As a 501c3 non-profit entity, OCHEC has no resources to subsidize the considerable cost of hosting the convention, renting facilities, equipment and supplies. Additionally, the convention is the sole source of revenue for OCHEC's activities all year. Capitol Day, the Leaders' Retreat, our part-time Office Manager, office rental and supplies, printing and mailing the Informer magazine and many other sources of information and encouragement for Oklahoma's home educating families are funded, for the most part, by convention proceeds (the cost of the Informer is partly defrayed by ad sales).

The monies collected from the Vendors for exhibit space covers the cost of the convention itself. Your convention registration dollars are the operating budget for the rest of the year.

I realize that none of this does anything to lower your cost to attend the convention. My hope is that this explanation will make the cost of registration seem commensurate with the year-round value Oklahoma families receive from our efforts.

There are not enough tables in the eating area! We need more tables!

It can be tough to find a place to sit at times. The considerations here are 1) the cost of renting the tables and chairs (see above), and 2) the requests from our attendees to have as many exhibitors as possible. Our family isn't bashful at all about asking to share a table that is already occupied if there are a few open seats. We've made some delightful new friends this way. We've also stood off to the side and eaten our baked potatoes, thanking God for all the moms and dads who are willing to give up their time and money in order to train their children at home, and praying His abundant blessings on each and every one.

It's too crowded!

Yes, it can get a little thick at times and in certain places. It's easy to get frustrated. We're all there trying to see as many vendors and hear as many workshops and consume as many cinnamon rolls as possible in a limited amount of time. I feel your pain. My only recommendation here is to decide to be grateful. You know, like we tell our kids when they're getting antsy: Count your blessings! Here's my list:

• Look at all these families who are training their children at home! These are the kids that my kids will be friends with, work for, employ, and marry. Bless them, Lord! Especially bless that one who just rolled over my foot with her plastic cart.

• I get to homeschool in the most homeschool-friendly state in the WORLD. I'm surrounded by people who make home education seem normal. I'm not being pursued by the government or homeschooling in secret or in fear or under unreasonable strictures. Bless the Lord, oh my soul!

Of course there's a crowd. I wouldn't have it any other way.

We can't bring our own food!

Well, technically, you can bring your own food. It's not permitted for us to bring outside food into the Cox Center, but a picnic in the Myriad Gardens is absolutely allowed.

This is a Cox Center regulation, not an OCHEC rule, so we have no jurisdiction over this area. As Christians, we are responsible for operating within all of the Cox Center's guidelines, including the ones we don't understand or agree with. We are renting THEIR facility, and in doing so, agree to THEIR terms. We insist that our children follow our instructions, even when they don't understand them, agree with them or find them convenient. We have this opportunity to set the example of compliance with gratitude as an act of submission to the Lord.

And here's your link o' the day: Creative Frugality has some great ideas for being better stewards of our resources. Check it out!

Ask and You Shall Receive

2008-03-19T11:04:00.002-05:00

Today, I'm going to tell you about some of the suggestions we've implemented for this year's convention. See if yours is here:

Suggestion: Could we have a bulletin board for networking?

Response: What a great idea! This year, look for the Support Groups booth on the Exhibit Hall floor. There you will find a large state map with Support Group locations, brochures and handouts for several groups, and sign up sheets for more information about groups in your area. The booth will be staffed by support group leaders and will be a great place to network and find other homeschooling families in your area.

Suggestion: Build a Lunch Break into the Schedule.

Response: You got it! There are no workshops scheduled between 11:00am and 1:00pm. Enjoy!

Suggestion: I think the nametags should give the city the person lives in, so we can meet people from our area.

Response: Sounds good! Look for the city on the name tags this year and make a new friend!

And now, your midweek chuckle:

Even More Convention Q's

2008-03-18T07:48:00.002-05:00

Today's questions:

Q: Can't we have more/cheaper/healthier food vendors?
A: The food vendors have contracts with the Cox Center, not with OCHEC. We have no control or influence over the variety, price or healthfulness of the food vendors. Suggestions and complaints about food vendors should be directed to the Cox Center.

I do have some good news, though. Jersey Mike's Subs, whose Oklahoma City franchises are owned by a homeschool family, has jumped through the Cox Center's hoops in order to provide delicious sub sandwich boxed lunches for convention attendees this year! Go to the OCHEC website to print the mail-in order form to pre-order your lunches from Jersey Mike's.

Q: I go to all the workshops, and I don't have time to shop!

A: It can be tough to get all the workshop time AND shopping time you need! A few strategies, planned in advance, may be helpful.

First, divide and conquer! Get together with your spouse or a friend and look over the Workshop Schedule. One of you go to the workshop and get handouts for both of you while the other spends the hour shopping in the less-crowded exhibit hall.

Second, rate the workshops according to how important it is to you to be there in person. For the less important workshops, place an order at the Rhino Technologies booth for a tape or CD to listen to later. An extra benefit of this is that you can "go back" to that workshop as often as needed!

Third, pray! Seek direction from the Lord on how to best use your time at the convention. Be flexible enough to make time for some "divine appointments" you don't know about yet, like that couple you haven't seen since high school who will want to talk to you for an hour about starting the homeschooling journey. Come expecting to be blessed, and to be a blessing! Trust that you will see, hear, and learn exactly what God has for you that weekend. Your Convention Committee has been praying this for you all year long.

Today's link is to Rhino Technologies. These incredible folks have workshop and keynote presentations from homeschool conventions all across the nation. Browse their selections and find a few nuggets of gold! Search by location, speaker or topic.

Convention Secrets REVEALED

2008-03-17T10:36:00.003-05:00

Q: Can you open the exhibits earlier and/or stay open later?

A: We want all of our attendees to have maximum shopping time. There are a few considerations, however. First, we have to accommodate our vendors who may need an hour or more to ready their booths for you. The earlier the hall opens, the earlier they have to be there. As it is, many arrive betweeen 7 and 7:30 am to be open for business by 9. Most of them were setting up for several hours on Thursday after driving who-knows-how-long to get to Oklahoma City, so 9am seems to be the earliest we can ask them to be ready.

As to staying later, remember, the wonderful, informative folks staffing the booths have been there since the early morning, with maybe one or two breaks that day. When the hall closes at 6:30 pm on Friday, they spend another hour closing up shop, then eat and rest and come back at the same early hour on Saturday to do it all again. On Saturday evening, it takes up to 4 hours for some of the vendors to pack up and load out their booths, and then they're back out on the road again.

All this to say that, while we appreciate our attendees wishing for more shopping time, we have to be aware of the needs of our vendors and create an event that they look forward to coming to year after year. They really do give you all the time they have for two very long days. If you think of it, why don't you just give 'em a big ol' hug when you see 'em this year?

Q: Why aren't the vendors in the same place every year?

A: At the close of the conference every year, all of the vendors have the opportunity to register for the next year. The booths are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and the vendors themselves choose, and sometimes opt to change, their locations. While we have many of the same outstanding vendors year after year, there are also those change from year to year, so the layout never looks the same twice.

And now, here's my favorite question. It comes up many times every year, and it cracks me up every time:

Q: Why do the bathrooms have to be so far away?

A: Well, that would be because they were built that way. And, since your Convention Committee is made up of homeschooling parents, we simply don't have time to remodel the Cox Center. Sad but true. We could ask if they'd mind if we brought in a row of Port-a-Johns, I suppose.

Today's great link is to the New York Times article about the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships. Go read it! You'll be glad you did.

Convention Q & A

2008-03-15T16:20:00.005-05:00

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!

Let the Planning Begin!

2007-10-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

The Capitol Day 2008 planning has begun! Have you been to Capitol Day? What did you like? What would you change?

We're looking forward to an informative event where you will have the opportunity to meet and influence your state representatives. Mark your calendar now: Capitol Day '08 will be Tuesday, February 12. More information will be available here, on the OCHEC website and in the next issue of The OCHEC Informer.

You can begin to prepare for this important day by finding out who your representatives are and praying for them by name. Here is a website with some helpful information about talking with legislators. Have your children write or draw something about YOUR unique school that you can leave with your representatives as a memento. If you begin these projects now (you know, rather than February 11 at 10pm -- not that I would know ANYTHING about that sort of thing. ahem.) you'll have time to revise, polish and perhaps make copies.

Need help finding out who your legislators are? Click here.

Did You Know?

2007-10-15T08:40:00.000-05:00

Did you know that your support group can host a "Homeschool How-To" meeting in your area?

If you're like me, when you mention to a new acquaintance that you teach your children at home you occasionally get a response of "Oh! I WISH I could homeschool! I just don't think I could do it." Well, you and I both know that, in many cases, he or she most certainly COULD do it. All that's lacking is accurate information and confidence. That's where your OCHEC Trustees come in! If you will secure a meeting place and invite people from your community who have questions about home education, one or two of us will bring a presentation explaining home education, Oklahoma laws, philosophies of education and record keeping. We end with a question and answer session. Does this sound like something that would be helpful where you live? Contact the OCHEC office (staff@ochec.com), tell us where you live and request a "Homeschool How-To" seminar. You will be contacted by a Trustee and the wheels will be in motion.

At OCHEC, we firmly believe that home-based, Biblical child training is one of the ways that we will see revival in our country and in the world. We are committed not just to serving Oklahoma's current home educating families, but to encouraging all families in our state (particularly Christian families) to give prayerful consideration to discipling their children in their own homes. One of our goals is to do all that we can do to remove real and perceived barriers to homeschooling. Won't you help us?

What Works For You?

2007-10-10T22:44:00.000-05:00

As I was thinking about ways that OCHEC could be of practical assistance and encouragement to Oklahoma home educators, I began to wonder what sorts of resources have been most useful to you. So, let's talk about it. What have you tried? What was a Godsend and what was a train wreck? What do you wish was available?

When our family began the journey of home education (way back in the 20th Century!), we lived in Lawton where there was a very active support group and a wonderful co-op. My first year, I had a first grader and a toddler and Fridays were the highlight of our week, as I got to sit in the nursery and visit with another sweet mom, then go assist in the high school science lab and then sit in the "teachers' lounge" with the other moms who had free time at the same time I did. I learned so much and had my resolve to home school set by the mentoring I received in that group.

We moved to Oklahoma City in 1999, when I was pregnant with our third child. It was springtime and the support groups were winding down. I found a contact number for OCHEC, so I called and left a couple of messages. By the time someone returned my call, the local support groups had shut down for the summer, so my plan of getting "plugged in" enough to have some friends for the girls and someone to drink iced tea with from time to time never came to be. In the fall, I joined a support group and began to get involved in a few activities which brought some much-needed companionship for me and for the girls.

So, that's our story. What's yours?

How Was YOUR First Week of School?

2007-09-11T13:03:00.000-05:00

I have a sweet friend who is beginning the journey of home education this year. Her sweet boy Johnny is 5 and very bright and inquisitive. When I emailed her and asked about their first full week of school, she responded,

Well...it was mostly up with a little down. The little person isn't used to this much structure and I could feel him straining against the leash at times. I did my best not to tie him to a chair, but tried to incorporate activity into each lesson. But, he has a tendency to want to clown around and, to be very honest, he does this to challenge my authority.

I'm really focusing mostly on reading and trying to bring the alphabet into everything we do. Craft projects were about the alphabet or about creation, the two things we've worked on.

My only concern is something I'm sure every homeschooling parent has wondered...am I doing this right? Then all sorts of questions begin pouring in, such as, "What if he doesn't learn to read? What if I am not able to teach him? What if we do this for 3 years and he doesn't learn and I fail?"

I think the hard thing is expectations. How do I know if my expectations are realistic? At what age should he be reading, etc. etc.?

Know what I mean?

Boy! Do I! Anyone who has home schooled for more than a week can identify with my friend. She found some encouragement in my response, so I've decided to post it here in case one of you could use a little lift. Here goes.

"Home education is about growing the whole child: his mind, yes, but also and primarily (first, foremost, above all else) his heart, soul and character - these are his real most fundamental (foundational, elementary) educational needs." - Marilyn Howshall

You have a framework you use to understand what you're trying to accomplish. The countdown to "school age" began in your mind at birth, if not at conception. I can guarantee if school has been on his radar at all, it is a relatively recent blip. Johnny has 5+ years in a loving, relaxed environment with a gentle, fun mom. It is possible (and necessary) to fuse those frameworks. It is foolish to try to do it in the course of a week, just because it happens to be September, 2007. This is as meaningless to him as if I were to begin to insist that you and I spend 1/4 of our time together in Judo.

"Judo? Really? Hmm, I don't recall our relationship having been based in any way on the martial arts," you might say.

Now, as analogies do, this one breaks down because I'm not your God-given authority, and therefore have no basis from which to insist that our friendship be anything other than what you and I BOTH agree to have it be. The idea that I might begin to have different, foreign expectations of our time together without any kind of preparatory work would surely test your affection for me, and cause you to question mine for you. See this whole thing through his bright, inquisitive eyes, and keep his heart engaged.

It may be that his first lesson is learning to submit to your authority willingly and cheerfully, and realizing the consequences of not doing so. Ordering your day around understanding concepts like submission, obedience, authority, order and so on will be a very useful foundation to your home education journey. He can learn letters any time. If he learns submission first, you'll have an easier time with academics. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of his capricious inclinations. "Maybe I'll sit still and write today. Maybe I'll talk funny and make a booger sculpture. Should be fun either way, right?" Not necessarily.

You asked if you were "doing it right." You're doing it right, because you're obediently following the leading of the Lord Who made Johnny and entrusted him to you. Be patient, be flexible and keep your boy's heart. Here's a little twist on a well-known Scripture:

If I speak Latin and German, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of phonics and can fathom homophones and gerunds, and if I can factor quadratic equations, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all the right answers and surrender my mind to the standardized tests, but have not love, I gain nothing.

What does the Lord require of Johnny? Let's ask Him. According to Micah 6:8, "To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with his God."

Johnny will learn to read, and it may be because you teach him. It may be because at some point the light "comes on" and written language makes sense. It will most likely be a combination of these two. Humans were created to relate to each other and to God. He chose to reveal Himself to humankind through the written word. Johnny will learn to read because he was DESIGNED to read. Maybe this year. Maybe when he's 10. Doesn't matter. Let me say that again: IT DOESN'T MATTER. If you strain his trust in your love and affection over the 9 English pronunciations of the alphabet symbol "a", THAT will matter.

"Will he learn?" you ask. However long you teach him at home, he WILL learn. He will learn that he is loved, accepted, accountable for his actions, able to fathom the mysteries of God's creation and to contribute to your family and to society in a meaningful way. Or, he will learn that school is hard, Mama is stressed, and when he falls short in some unexpected way, he loses value. Read to him. Count with him. Delight with him in the wonder of the world God has made. Be content with your planting and watering role, and rest in God's promise to provide the increase. I read once that "If you succumb to the temptation to worry, what you're really doing is borrowing tomorrow's troubles without access to tomorrow's grace."

May the grace sufficient for today and the peace that goes beyond human understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

The '07-'08 School Year Has Begun!

2007-08-30T09:06:00.000-05:00

We are off and running on the new school year, and we're excited to have this new way of communicating with Oklahoma's home educating families. You will find OCHEC news here, as well as other items of interest so add this site to your feed reader, Bloglines, or what have you.

Your OCHEC Trustees are excited about the opportunities and challenges of this new school year, and about seeing God at work in the homeschool community. Please leave us comments here so that we can know how to serve, pray for and encourage you.

We're already in the throes of planning Capitol Day, Convention and next summers Leaders' Retreat. You will find updated information here and we will do our best to promptly answer any questions you may have. Just leave us a comment and you will get a response.

It's going to be a great year of teaching, learning, growing and serving, and we're grateful to have your family along for the journey.

Oklahoma Homeschool Leaders' Retreat

2007-06-18T13:52:00.000-05:00

July 20-21, 2007
Friday, 3:30-9:30pm & Saturday, 8:30am-3:30pm
Crossings Community Church
14600 N. Portland Ave., Oklahoma City

Join others from across Oklahoma for a weekend of encouragement and equipping. You and
your leadership team will profoundly benefit from the exchange of ideas and the encouragement at this retreat.

Keynote Speaker: Greg Gunn

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a dynamic speaker during our Friday evening banquet. Greg Gunn of Family Vision will be an inspiration to all of us. Greg and Rhonda Gunn have seven children who have all been home educated. The Gunns are members of LifeChurch/Edmond Campus where Greg has served as an elder for several years, and teaches a class titled, “Developing Your Family Vision/Mission.” Greg’s ministry, Family Vision, Inc., purposes to teach families to createand implement the unique family vision, mission, and values that promote a multi-generational godly heritage. Greg is currently writing a book titled Your Family Vision/Mission. His message is a timely one and very relevant to homeschool leaders, for strong families are a key to strong leadership.

Schedule
Friday Afternoon
3:30 Registration
4:00 General Session & Town Hall
6:00 Dinner & Keynote; Entertainment

Saturday
8:30am Town Hall & Sessions
Noon Lunch
1:00pm Afternoon Sessions
3:30 Closing

Topics
• How to Grow a Support Group
• What Do I Do with All These Moms?
• Field Trip Ideas
• Balancing Leadership with Life
• How to Develop a Handbook & Bylaws
• Guest Speaker Recommendations for Groups
• Ministering to Families of Children with Special Needs
• and more!

Click here for a printable brochure and registration form.

Welcome to the OCHEC Blog!

2007-06-17T17:16:00.000-05:00

Greetings, Home Educators!

The OCHEC Trustees would like to welcome you to our blog. Our goal is to create a forum where you will not only find up-to-date information about homeschooling in Oklahoma, but you will also be able to communicate with us and each other about topics that concern us all. Please add our blog to your feed reader and check back often as we begin this new venture in service to our goal of equipping and encouraging home educating families in Oklahoma.

We will be adding resource buttons, links and calendar features so that you are always only a mouse-click away from the news and information that matter to your homeschool. We look forward to your feedback and hope that this blog will be a source of information and encouragement to your family.

OCHEC

Back to the Real World

LIVE from Roach, Missouri

It's Convention Time Again!!

Support! Now in Groups, For Your Convenience

Happy Spring Time!

Convention Q & A

It's Convention Time Again!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Good Morning, Class!

A Question for You

Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy...or is it?

Now Here's Something I Think You'll REALLY Like

Look What the Cat Dragged In!

Whew!

KNOCK KNOCK!!

How Do You DO It?

This Is a Recording

Why Do You Homeschool?

It's Been a Busy Week!

In Case You Haven't Read Enough About California

Psst! Don't Look Now...

Pardon Me, May I Pick Your Brain?

You Had to Know This Was Coming

Are You a Revolutionary Parent?

Ode to a Door Monitor

Calling All Graduates!

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me?

Help Us Get the Word Out!

We Want YOU!

Spring Musings

Testing...Testing...Is This Thing On?

And now, the RAVES!

So, What About the Complaints?

Ask and You Shall Receive

Even More Convention Q's

Convention Secrets REVEALED

More Convention Questions

Convention Q & A

Let the Planning Begin!

Did You Know?

What Works For You?

How Was YOUR First Week of School?

The '07-'08 School Year Has Begun!

Oklahoma Homeschool Leaders' Retreat

Welcome to the OCHEC Blog!