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1st Annual HEC International Writing CONTEST
.....Open to ALL Christian Home Schooled Students…..
…everywhere in the world…
The HEC International Writing Contest is designed to encourage students to write, with excellence, their own essays and stories.
Each year, we will sponsor a different theme or topic. Students will be able to have a chance to view other home educated student’s winning writing.
Contest began:
Monday, October 2, 2006
Contest Ends: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 deadline extended!
Family Entry Fee:
$10 (U.S. Dollars) Per Family!
Not per person!
Click here for Writing Contest Guidelines.
Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas
From Janet Straub………
It seems only yesterday that our family was just out picking raspberries in our field and enjoying the warm sunshine—I blinked and the children are now donning umbrellas (we live in the NW) and talking about Christmas. The holiday season definitely snuck up upon me.
When our family was young and few, my husband and I looked at each other and said, “Let’s do things differently. We need to remember them as holy days.” So in our quest to make them different we have done many things, each year refining the past ideas. We are using the holidays as an opportunity to celebrate God—what He has done and is doing. We have built traditions that reflect this purpose. What we get the most excited about is our outreach traditions. It is no mistake that as believers God has placed us in the neighborhoods we live in. We are God’s hands reaching out to those who live near us. So each holiday in the year, we pray for a way to celebrate God and show love to our neighbors. Here are some things that we have done that always include a note from us and a Scripture from God.
Gospel Story Cookies
We found cookie cutter shapes that we used to weave the story of the birth of Jesus and salvation around.We wrote the message on a 3x5 card and included it with the plate of baked cookies. We also invited neighborhood children over for a cookie-making party and we decorated them together while telling the gospel story.
Movie and Popcorn
We gave away the Jesus video with a bag of microwave popcorn to pop while watching the salvation story.
Homemade Bread
We gave a loaf of bread and our special raspberry jam with a message of Jesus satisfying our deepest need.The verse we included was John 6:35.We bought a lot of little bread pans at that time and baked fervently all morning since we do this outreach to about 30 homes. Since that time, whenever we make bread we always make a few extra to give away.
Bible
Our family has read through the One-Year Bible for our morning family worship for many years and has found it to be a blessing.One year we purchased a couple cases of them from the International Bible Society and included a personal note about how reading through the Bible has benefited our family and our desire to share it with them.We actually got a couple returned to us but also received many “thank you”s of enjoyment.
From the Garden
This year our garden was very prolific (we had 12 zucchini plants!) so we made zucchini relish for this year’s neighborhood Christmas gift. We will include a note about how much we enjoy being neighbors and include a verse that gives glory to God – we are still praying about how to tie it all together.Sometimes you just have to be creative! J
Lovely Decorated Candles
We decorated candles with a bow and greenery from evergreens in our yard with a message of Jesus being the Light of Truth.Along with the note, we included the verse John 8:12.
It is a sad reality that too often we drive into our garages and shut the door, living in our own world of computers, TV, video games, and self-absorbency. As people in a community, and especially as Christians, we are called to make a difference and leave a fingerprint of God by showing love and caring. This is what we hope to leave in our neighborhood by making a deliberate effort. We hold on to the truth that God’s Word does not return void and will accomplish His work through the moving of the Holy Spirit. The holidays give us a natural occasion to celebrate God, to share the message of the gospel, and to express our love to the neighbors that God has given us to bless.
We love being helpful….
from Vickie Wright…
Since our website went live July 2006 we have had over 4,000 visitors to our site. Whether new to home schooling or a veteran of many years, we all realize that home education has both its rewards and challenges. We are able to help people on many different levels and in many different areas. Our used curriculum section has had hundreds of visitors both listing and purchasing helpful books and resources. We have received prayer requests from various individuals across the United States and we consider it a privilege to pray for our sisters and brothers anywhere in the world.
Our topics for Consultations cover a wide range of subjects. We are able to advise newcomers about getting started and help veteran home educators through many of their unique challenges. Even Christians sometimes struggle with the same challenges that non-Christian families deal with. We know of families who are dealing with older children struggling with reading, grandparents home schooling grandchildren, families deciding if they are able to home school high school, home schooled sons who have had addictions to Internet pornography and daughters struggling with self-image and anorexia. Because of the geographical diversity of our Panelists, through our website clients have access to experienced and Christ-centered help that is not always locally available. We respect our client’s privacy and consult with the utmost confidentiality. We never sell or disclose any personal information about our clients.
Recently a father who has completed many years of home education for all of his children said, “I wish you were there when we were home schooling. There were several times when I wished we could have talked with someone experienced, who knew what we were going through.” We are here to come alongside you. Make an appointment with a Panelist of your choice. Select from the list of topics, or ask any question of your own. We look forward to helping you! |
Out and About: Christmas Family Traditions
by student Laura Straub...
“What are we going to do this year to celebrate the Christmas season?”This is the question that children inquire repeatedly the beginning of December. I interviewed many families from the Portland/Vancouver metro area, asking about their favorite traditions and ways to bring joy to others during the holiday season.The common thread amongst the answers that rang loud was that families like to do things for others, and the joy shared by the family as they work together at an effort bonds the family together and creates wonderful memories and traditions that continue on for years to come. Take a look at the different things that you could do with your family this season to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and reach outside of yourselves and touch others lives.The following are only a few ideas to get you thinking, and the events included are family-friendly, usually free activities that are real treasures that may be less known in your community.
Secret Angels
At the beginning of December, exchange names within your family. Each person is now a “Secret Angel” to the name that they drew—they are to secretly do random acts of kindness to that person.Making the bed, polishing shoes, doing their chore when the recipient is in bed… Everyone will have fun being creative!On Christmas day, everyone guesses who their Secret Angel was, and the Secret Angel then has to reveal themselves.This is a rendition from the true story, The Last Straw, by Paula McDonald.The Last Straw is a great story to read as a family one evening.It can be found at www.chickensoup.com/stories/christian/last_straw.html
Grocery Drop
When my mom and dad were newlyweds, they had a Christmas tradition of shopping.What was different about their Christmas shopping, though, was that they would select a needy family and anonymously grocery shop for them.After making sure the family was home, they would drop the groceries on the doorstep, ring the bell, and run!
Portland Christmas Celebration
Many families I know enjoy the spectacular concert events in their areas.Look for one with music and or drama with all ages participating.Our family loves music, and a concert helps us slow down during the busy Christmas season and remember what is truly important at Christmas, Jesus.
Angel Tree
Angel Tree programs provide families with a description of an item to buy as a Christmas gift for a child whose parent is in prison. Many churches, stores, and malls have Trees filled with slips of paper that have a name, age, and Christmas gift wish.
12 Days of Mysterious Blessing
Another family has created a tradition that’s all undercover.First they select a family or two that needs encouragement. Then they secretly deliver a gift each night of the twelve days before Christmas. Beginning December 13th, and ending on the last day before
Christmas, Christmas Eve.
Blessing Box
We have made up a box of wrapped objects that represent blessings that the Lord has given us.I made a list of things such as children, Holy Sprit, forgiveness, the Lord’s Supper, crown of life…..I then found scripture that spoke of that blessing, typed it on a slip of paper and wrapped it up with a small object that reminded me of the blessing.This could be a baby doll for children, a battery for the Holy Spirit or a honey bear for the Word of God.We take turns opening and reading these to remind ourselves of the Giver of good gifts.They could also be used for the “12 Days of Mysterious Blessing” (see above).
A battery gives a flashlight the power to produce light.Similarly, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live a Christian life and have the fruit of the Spirit.“But the fruit of the Spirit if love, joy, peace, self-control.Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)Thank you, God, for your gift of the Holy Spirit.
God’s Word is nourishing to our souls as honey is to our bodies. Not only does it nourish but it renews our spirits and energizes us.With worldly philosophies screaming at us, God’s “honey” is satisfying.How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)Thank you God for your gift of your Word.
Warmth for Homeless
Some families in our area collect gloves, hats, jackets, and other winter accessories then take them downtown and give them away to the homeless.They also bring large containers of hot water, instant soup cups, and instant drink mixes to warm the needy.
Family Caroling
Does your family enjoy singing or play any instruments?Make a list of the elderly and widows in your area then bring Christmas carols to their doorstep.Or call your local nursing home and arrange a time for your family to lead a Christmas sing-a-long.The lonely residents will be delighted to see your family.
Messiah Sing-along
Many of the families that I interviewed had a family tradition of attending a Messiah Sing-along either listening and or singing the choruses of Handel's masterpiece accompanied by a live chamber orchestra with professional soloists. Check the churches in your area or we found them on the Internet under Messiah sing-along.
Journey to Bethlehem [Bethlehem Walk]
This fun and interactive family event is an experiential journey into Bible times as a guide escorts you through the re-enacted town of Bethlehem. Submit to the callous Roman guards ruthlessly barking orders. Experience the shopkeepers’ pressure “sales” of their various goods. Hear the innkeepers’ mocking laughter. Smell the odors of Bethlehem. “Pay” your taxes to the pompous tax collector. Run with shepherds to worship the Christ. Over 150 villagers create an authentic feel to the city and help you to feel the oppression of the time period in which Christ was born.
We did a google search on this and found many all across the United States.Some places may call them a slightly different name, but look around; it is definitely worth the effort to take your family to.
A Missionary to My Child
from Lori Marinucci…
As many have said before me, home schooling merely offers a pressure cooker approach to our own reality of sin. Being together with our teens all day, every day has a way of revealing our own ugliness. Sin exposes our weaknesses. Doubts creep in such as "they act so much better for someone else than they do for me. Maybe they would be better off with another teacher?" Then we collect our thoughts and truly realize we have undertaken a greater calling and we must not abandon our task so easily. God is at work here with us and through us. No situation is not under His control. Here is where we need a missionaries' heart in attempting to mold, direct, and disciple our children for the Lord.
"A trap for homeschooling parents is that we begin to need our children to be what we want them to be, so we can feel a sense of achievement and success."
A missionary understands there is a battle afoot and it will not be easy. God is at work doing what He wills and promises to complete the work He began. As parents, we must come to the realization to expect hardship even from the enemy within our gates: SIN dwelling in us the parent. The first assignment is to be honest with ourselves, and humble before our children about our own battles with sin. There is nothing more powerful than our children observing God's grace within our own lives. We are not hiding anything from them if we try to cover our sins. They observe and live with our sins daily. However, the power and beauty is when they observe us fall, quickly repent then have opportunity to witness first hand the grace and restoration of the Lord. In our repentance, they witness the gospel in action! These are where the seeds of the gospel are planted. No longer can the subtle accusation of "hypocrite" creep in. They realize that we too are struggling with the formidable enemy of SIN. Everyone faces it. God has provided a way out and we can live this daily through the gospel. We are on the same playing field so we understand their plight. A healthy realization of sin allows us fight alongside each other, not against each other. A missionary relies on God for victory and fights on.
Secretly in our hearts, many of us want it easy. We demand the full grown, blooming plant without the process of tending and watering. We want instant satisfaction, compliant kids. We want our children to serve us, make us proud, and not embarrass us before others. We reason that for all our efforts we are entitled to have harmony, peace and respect. Granted, these goals are terrific goals but they are the prize, the fruit, at the finish line. They won't come instantly and they don't come easily. The ground will be hard. There will be battles with our children. We will get exasperated. Christ warns us to expect these trials and preserve through them. However, parents who are demanding immediate gratification will be ill equipped for the battle at hand. They will cave into frustration and fail to realize the true enemy. They will act out in frustration over their child's sin saying regrettable things and fight with their child instead of alongside their child. We are God's appointed ones for this particular child. Our job is not let sin go unchecked in our children. We are to hold them accountable, lovingly exhort and bring the Word to bear in their lives. We must tend these plants filling them with knowledge of the Lord and giving them strategies to avoid temptation. But let us not loose sight of Christ's ownership of our child. It's not my job to conform them to my ideal image. A missionary realizes that our own efforts will be in vain and accordingly, we must have a self-less faith that He will complete the good work he began, despite my child's failures.
Don't let the idol of successful children pave the way for your own identity. A trap for homeschooling parents is that we begin to need our children to be what we want them to be, so we can feel a sense of achievement and success. They become validation of all our hard work wherein we proudly display the "bouquet". Remember, they are not given to us to bring us glory, but to give Him glory. As missionaries we must have, our identity rooted so strongly in Christ and his call to us, that we seek His glory first, not our children's performance. We must plant; toil, and water but the success will be the Lord's and all for His Glory.
I am indebted to Paul David Tripp's book entitled Age of Opportunity for his clarity on raising Biblical Teens. I have understood and even taught most of these principles over the years. However, Mr. Tripp digs deep into the Biblical truths by imparting a concise expose for living true in day to day Godly wisdom with your teen. I highly recommend this book.
HEC Prayer Requests
Heather McAdow, our home school graduate Panelist, living in Belgium, is having complications with her second pregnancy. She is relegated to bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy. She is temporarily not available for any Consultations. Your prayers for her and her family are very much appreciated!
Merry Christmas from our Panelists and their families! May the celebration of His birth be a rich and memorable time for you and your family.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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