Seedling
Nurturing our children in the freedom of Christ
Issue #22, August 1, 2001
Sr. Editor & Publisher: Elissa Wahl
Assistant Editor: Teri Brown
Contributing Editor: Angel Dyke
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome from the Editor
2. Summer Teas by Sharon Hockenbury
3. Teachable moment by Deanna Baker
4. Christian Families Online Review by Teri Brown
5. 11th NATIONAL HOMESCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
6. Neat Link by Elissa Wahl
7. Closing letter from the editor
8. Subscription Information
9. Reprint Information
1. Welcome from the editor
Hi all, hope this newsletter is received in the manner it was
sent ... in love and through God!
Well, we survived July! Guess you all did too, if this is being read
I have no opening awe-inspiring words to delight you with this
month.....it is HOT here and I think brains are pretty much fried!
However, the following writings will more than make up for my current
quietness.
Please read on, and we pray you are blessed!
2. Summer Teas
by Sharon Hockenbury
The journey of renewing the mind and beginning to think "unschool"
can be a process. As a mother of 7 children learning at home, the
oldest being almost 19 and the youngest 2, my lessons are often
recycled. I find myself, occasionally slipping back into my
old "school at home" stinking thinking. I can attest, however, that
the backsliding is happening less and less and my confidence is
growing more and more as I see the natural process is yielding sweet
fruit. Natural Learning, unschooling, uncanned education does work,
I am seeing it right before my eyes!!
As my daughter was approaching her 16th birthday she was beginning to
get asked the common questions; Are you getting your driver's
license?, Do you have a job?, What are you going to do all summer?,
etc. In my heart, I wanted more for her than the "typical" teenage
experience. I wanted God to give her vision; He answered my prayer
when my daughter, Tori, made this statement to me in the Spring of
2000. "Mom, I would like to do outdoor Tea Parties this summer." We
have a beautiful view, over looking the water which makes the perfect
setting. She then began to tell me her dream.
She would put together flyers inviting those we knew to the teas.
These would be theme teas; Friendship Tea, Touch of Autumn Tea, Teddy
Bear Tea, etc. She planned each menu for the teas. She made fresh
scones with jam and apple butter she had made, fresh whipping cream
and served them with the customer's choice of tea. She then served
the main dish. She made wonderful dishes of pasta, various salads,
vegetable wraps. Each plate was decorated beautifully. She topped the
meal off by serving a three tier dessert tray, filled with
scrumptious treats she had made. Who could refuse a homemade
chocolate frango style mint, or jelly roll or white chocolate chip
mint cookies or, or or. . . The tables were beautifully set, outside
under umbrellas. She sewed chair covers, designed napkin rings and
flower arrangements. All of this just amazed me as I watched her
organize and use the skills she had learned over the years!! She
sewed darling mop caps to sell at the teas, and plans to expand her
tea shop this summer by including "too-toos", personally designed
skirts and top sets, pinafores and aprons.
The learning that has taken place during this adventure is limitless.
She has read a myriad of books, used all kinds of math and writing
skills, all born out of a heart felt motivation. I will note here
that she did not even read well until she was 11 1/2! It was not
burdensome to her like a typical "school at home" set up would be.
Children love to dream and learn. When we facilitate what God
orchestrates the fruit will be eternal.
Part of the vision of Tori is to someday own her own Bed and
Breakfast with a Tea Room. She sees herself fixing up an old
Victoria Style home and doing all the interior design herself. She
has gotten the information in the mail and plans to take Interior
Design school via correspondence, receiving her licensing. She will
practice interior design to finance the Bed and Breakfast. This Bed
and Breakfast will have a beautiful garden for outdoor weddings and
special events. She will do the cooking and get to totally use her
God given creative bent to exercise the "gift of hospitality" in an
ultimate setting. This will be a blessing in that, if God wills, she
could have a precious family and not have her "career" interfere with
her mothering and nurturing.
Not only was this born of God for my daughter, but the opportunity
for the family was also a blessing. We were all involved. Dad
enjoyed taking Tori antique and thrift store shopping to find cloth
napkins and tea cups. The boys helped set the tables out, the little
girls in bows and aprons helped serve. Mom got to be chief
dishwasher and chauffeur, much to my delight!! Our whole family grew
by learning to work together. By coming along side and serving my
daughter, facilitating her God given talents and vision, our hearts
were bonded together, while the average teenage daughter and mother
are at odds. But, that is God's way. He is interested in character
and a fruitful life for His glory. As an added blessing, we took a
suggested donation for the meal and my daughter ended up profiting
more than she could have by working a "normal" job.
Tori put together a beautiful notebook of her summer teas to
commemorate her accomplishment and is now planning teas for the
summer of 2001.
It is exciting to watch what the Lord will do when we look to do
things His way. Renew the mind, do not be afraid to boldly go where
very few have gone before. I just know that is where ultimate
education and fulfillment are found!!
If you desire to correspond with Tori regarding her Tea Parties, you
can mail her at:
Tori Hockenbury
31321 Pioneer Hwy.
Stanwood, Washington 98292
or email her at:
houseful9@worldnet.att.net
subject=TeaTime
3. Teachable moment
by Deanna Baker
While watching Masterpiece theater's version of Oliver Twist, the
son of the wicked abusive woman had multiple seizures. My second
born asked what was wrong and if it was from the obvious abuse. I
said he was having a seizure and gave a quick definition, She was
not to satisfied with my answer.
We got out the Worldbook. We had figure out how to spell the word,
then find the proper location. (It is under epilepsy) Still she was
not too impressed with the explanation.
She needed to feel the sudden electrical surge to understand the
severe affect on the brain/body. Sticking her finger in a light
socket was not an option. Holy Spirit gave the thought of how we
drag our stockinged feet on the carpet when searching for a victim to
shock. My literal second born was able to see, feel and understand
the concept.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good!
4. Christian Families Online Review
by Teri Brown
With so many Christian websites to choose from it is hard to find one
to call home, so to speak. Our time is limited and as homeschooling
parents we need to be wise with how we use that time. How often have
you found a promising site only to be disappointed by boring content
and dead links. Christian Families Online is a place worth spending
some time at.
Lisa Beamer has given us a site that both edifies and encourages.
This isn't a site for just homeschoolers, or unschoolers, or moms. As
its name implies, this is a site for families who worship Christ, a
place to get ideas to bring your family closer to one another and to
the one who created us.
The content here is rich in insights and boasts varied subject
matter. Navigating this site is easy and the nuggets you find are
almost always immediately applicable to your family. CFO features
video and movie reviews, marriage boosters and recommended reading.
So next time you have a little time for surfing and wish to be
uplifted, try Christian Families Online, it's never a waste of time.
christianfamiliesonline.com
5. 11th NATIONAL HOMESCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
3908 N. PENIEL AVE. SUITE 450, BETHANY, OK 73008
PHONE (405) 789-9700
FACSIMILE (405) 789-6823
E-MAIL home_school_nationals@hotmail.com
The 11th annual National Homeschool Basketball Championship will
return for the second time to Oklahoma City. Registration and
opening ceremonies will be held Tuesday March 5th, 2002, and the
championship games will be held Wednesday March 6th through
Saturday March 9th, 2002.
Formerly held in such cities as San Antonio, Texas, Santa Fe,
New Mexico, and Estes Park, Colorado, the National Homeschool
Basketball Championship has continued to grow. Last year
was the first year in Oklahoma City, in which the Championship grew
to include 122 team from 16 states ranging from Alaska to Texas.
This was an all time record for the championship. This year
the Championship is poised to expand even further to include
over 140 teams from every region of the continental United
States including Alaska.
The 11th Annual National Homeschool Basketball Championship also
hosts a family conference. This family orientated conference
includes dynamic speakers from across the nation, including
David Barton, Sam Davis and Richard Little Bear Whealer. This
year's speakers are to be announced in September.
The championship games will be hosted at gymnasiums throughout
the northwestern area of Oklahoma City. The Championship Finals
will be held at Southern Nazarene University's Sawyer Center,
which has been voted as the best small college gymnasium in
America. Varsity Boys' and Girls' Championship games, last
year, brought in over three thousand spectators in attendance.
In addition to family and friends in the stands, there are
numerous college scouts in attendance. Also, all of the
games were, and will be, free to attend.
For more information contact Caleb Krell at 405-789-9700.
6. Neat Link
by Elissa Wahl
I don't know about where you live, but here, we have some billboards
that I find just awesome!
What part of "you shall not" didn't you understand?
Will the road you're on get you to my place?
This site, GodSpeaks.net, lists a bunch of these cool saying, and
also delves into their meanings. You can purchase merchandise with
these sayings, you can ask for a billboard to be set up in your
town, there's even a fellowship forum and chat room!
Please check this site out!
7. Closing Letter
Well, we are still trying to make some waves with our book on
Christian Unschooling. Currently a few websites are running reviews
of it:
http://eho.org/reviews/christian_unschooling.htm
http://christianfamiliesonline.com/books27.html
and amazon.com of course! Amazon's is great because reviews can be
written on the site, by you, the everyday reader!
We are always accepting submissions, so send in anything and
everything!
Until next time,
Be blessed you all!
Elissa Wahl
Teri Brown
Angel Dyke
6. Subscription Information
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7. Reprint Information
Individual authors herein retain their own copyrights. You may
freely copy this entire newsletter or material from this newsletter
in other nonprofit publications (unless otherwise marked in the
article), but you MUST include the author's name and this entire
notice:
"Reprinted with permission of Elissa Wahl from Seedling, a
Christian Unschooling E-Zine. For a free subscription, send
any e-mail message to Seedling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit
URL: http://www.ChristianUnschooling.org"
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