April 2007 – The Welcome Home

Pray……..

bcz not everyone is going to bed in comfort tonight. Not everyone has a safe place to call home. Not everyone has had a meal today. Not everyone has a pair of shoes, a suit of clothes, a source of shelter and comfort. Not everyone has a drink of water. Not everyone will shut off the lights in the dry, secure and comfortable home… where they pull up the blankets, fluff up the pillow and lie down to rest in peace with a full stomach and and soft music to lull them to sleep.

Pray for the widows, of the three martyred in Turkey, pray for the Christians there — and surely, pray for the persecutors of Christians… they need Jesus.

VOM News and Prayer Update: May 1, 2007

“There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”(I Corinthians 12:5-7)

NIGERIA
Christians Fear New Muslim President Will Erode Religious Liberty – Compass Direct News
Christians worry persecution in mostly Islamic northern Nigeria will increase following the election of Musa Yar’ Adua, a Muslim, as president. Church leaders are concerned Yar’ Adua will aggravate existing problems for Christians in the region. “The election of Yar’ Adua will aggravate the problems of Christians in northern Nigeria. Our fear is that under a Muslim president, religious liberty will be eroded,” Rev. Polit told Compass. “As governor of Katsina state in northern Nigeria, Yar’Aduna imposed Shariah (Islamic) law and presided over a system of deliberate denial of land for building churches, as well as government agencies that arbitrarily closed some churches,” Compass reported. Pray God encourages Christians to continue standing for him in the midst of persecution and uncertainty. Psalm 32:7, Psalms 91:14

CHINA
Chinese and American Christian Leaders in Xinjiang – China Aid Association
On April 19, 2007, more than 30 house-church leaders and four American Christians were arrested in Xinjiang province. China Aid Association (CAA) reports the four Americans are still in an undisclosed hotel for questioning and the PSB confiscated their luggage. Eight Chinese pastors received criminal detention papers for 30 days detention and were accused of being “suspects involved in evil cult activities.” Eye witnesses told CAA that at least two of the arrested were seen with bleeding noses and bruises on their faces because of torture during interrogations. Pray for the pastors in prison and for their families. Ask God to protect them as they face pending charges. II Timothy 4: 16-18

TURKEY
UPDATE – Turkish church requests prayer after three Christians martyred in Malatya – VOM Sources
The Protestant Church in Smyrna is requesting Christians to pray for the families of the three believers killed on April 18, 2007, in Malatya, Turkey. According to a press release, the church urged Christians to pray that someday the perpetrators of the gruesome murders would receive Christ and for God to use the testimonies of the martyred brothers to draw others in the knowledge of Him. II Corinthians 1:3-7

INDIA
Christians Arrested and Beaten – VOM Sources

ORISSA – On April 17, four pastors were arrested by local police in the Cuttack district after Hindu extremists saw them distributing Christian literature and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. The pastors were released on bail the following day.
TAMIL NADU – On April 22, two pastors were beaten and jailed after more than 20 members of a Hindu extremist group disrupted a prayer meeting. The extremists surrounded the house where the Christians were meeting and verbally abused the pastors. When the police arrived the pastors were ordered to accompany them to the police station. On the way, the extremists attacked again, beating the pastors and four believers who accompanied them. The extremists accused the pastors of forced conversions and are being held in the central prison. Pray for God to speedily heal those who were injured and that Christians in India will trust Him in the midst of great persecution.

Psalm 103:1-3, Psalm 5: 11-12

Pray… Jesus *is* the only answer.

my new friend…

So I had my second night’s rest with my new inflexible friend: night-guard. Now, this little night-guard is a clear piece of plastic that is exactly fitted to my upper teeth. This little piece of plastic is to be faithfully worn at night to prevent bruxism (see Wiki’s) or teeth-grinding.

Now, I didn’t know that I had this problem… but as with most things in life, if you go in to see a doctor for any reason, you can almost assuredly come out with more problems than what you originally went into that doc’s office for. And if you have mouth pain, and /or facial or jaw pain, headaches and lots of dental problems, chances are: you clench or grind your teeth. And if you haven’t seen a dentist in awhile, well… take a tip: Go! So, I guess, I grind or clench my teeth and that’s the reason for all the other goodies I have in my mouth – O, along with my trusty little inflexible friend. Now, this little night guard is so insignificant that if I am not careful, it could easily be assimilated into the toy bin and would be lost forever – that, or it could easily be mistaken for dry chewed gum – well, lots of dry chewed gum shaped into a “U” sitting on the counter.I was standing in the kitchen this morning… heating water for my cup of morning tea and I was looking at the stove, inflexible friend in my mouth, and I marveled that my little friend cost more than my stove. It cost more than my mixer and its attachments. It cost more than my computer monitor, more than the Bosch, more than an iPod, and more than three full tanks of gas for the van and… perhaps about what a Seiko watch might cost.

So I decided that the best thing I could do (in addition to ALWAYS keeping the little friend in its case when I’m not wearing it!) is to gently guide one of the children into the dental biz. Now, I know some people think it’s best to allow a child to grow and fulfill the natural gifts and abilities, but I have suddenly become an advocate for steering a child into a particular area or field of study – sort of nurturing an interest.

Now, I am sort of tongue in cheek about all these comments — bcz I don’t really want to push our children into a particular area of study or vocation unless that’s what the LORD is doing and has created them to do. I know He creates each one with special talents and abilities and with nurturing, care and training, they will most assuredly glorify Him in whatever they do as they are led by Him. So… my comment that our sons could be dental techs… well, that’s just one of many things that would be beneficial – but nothing outside the will of the LORD would be worth a moment’s effort, comfort or anything else. I pray they, each one, will be led of the LORD to do whatever He’s created them to do… and not be tempted by the pretty lures of the world… lures for things that would draw them away from serving the Living Lord.

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
psalm 84.10

and to think this all started with the Ford Motor company…

So, I was reading mails that came through this afternoon…. more help for dysfunctions, more pharmaceuticals and diet aids and of course, today’s hurry-make-your-voice-vote-opinion-yada-yada-yada known! Hurry… the country’s going to hellinahandbasket if you don’t do something fast. A mouse click and your voice could save this nation.

So, today’s AFA report was in regard to Ford Motor Co’s support of the pflag national convention—sort of a pflag victory bcz in December, Ford Co had begun to respond to pressure from so-called, pro-family groups’ intended boycott of Ford products. But now, as could have been predicted, The Ford Co retracted the appeasement to family groups and will support the pflag group.

Dialectic praxis and yet another reason to stay the course and homeschool the children.
Earlier I wrote about school phobia or the perception of the NEA that those who oppose government school education are schoolphobic (my botched word) or somehow have “school phobia.” This sort of dialect is part and partner with other phobia labels… homophobic, notably. There’s a quote on the (unlinked on purpose) pflag site that says: “You can’t hate someone whose story you know.”

So, I’ve been mulling that over and over… “you can’t hate someone whose story you know.” (emphasis mine) That’s dialectic praxis. If I tell you that over and over, you will eventually accept and believe it and you will support me (and my story). And you’re going to meet someone who is just like me and they will defend me too and you will have to support them, too.

Never mind the *truth* and never mind that it’s not the person you love or hate, it is the moral behaviour that is either right or wrong – moral or sinful. But they won’t tell you that.

It goes more like this:
I am going to tell you my story and therefore, you cannot hate me… bcz you know my story. You only hate me bcz you don’t know my story [not because you know the Truth] … for if you knew my story, you ~~wouldn’t~~ couldn’t hate me. So, I will start telling this to your first grader and then your fourth grader and your eighth grader and your eleventh grader and all the while I will remind them [because they’ve heard my story and therefore cannot hate me] that there are no moral absolutes – only narrow minded, fundamental evangelicals will tell you that and so I will tell you that they are wrong for being narrow minded and phobic about my story. Remember, you like me because you know my story.

When the moral absolutes of the Bible are not taught, reinforced and lived out, then children are left to the whims of an immoral society to define their social and spiritual norms. And, when the church cannot decide whether to not be of the world but in it or whether to be of the world but not in it, children are left to the changing winds of society to define for them right and wrong -or- that there are no rights and no wrongs… (except moral absolutes).

These days we’re hanging around in Romans, chapter one. We’ve read it each day this week. And so I am (along with the grievous news of the day) mulling over:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”
Romans 1.16-24

The Word of God is powerful and wonderful and meets us right where we’re at!

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4.12

another day’s slice

What am I thinking about these days? Finding time. Finding time to write, to plan out some writing and some talks, to paint (not paint, paint… paint rooms in this house… no, I am not that creative), to work on some intense school drills with a few of the children, to iron the soon-to-be-a-mountain of shirts and dresses, to pull weeds around the raspberry bushes and about a gazillion more things.

Instead, today I spent quite a bit of time reclining… but first, I loved the long drive to Canada, marvelous conversations with Wes and the blessing to see all the beautiful trees, the evergreens and the spring leaves, and then, the beauty of the cherry blossoms fluttering everywhere as trucks and cars passed through tree lined streets.

So the reclining… I was receiving the kindest undivided attention and personal service. I was given such a pampering I don’t know why I ~~detest~~ resist such luxury! I was handed some special dark glasses so that I could rest, even headphones so that I could listen to soft music. A special pillow was placed under my neck and for a few minutes I enjoyed the pleasant conversation – well, that is, until my end of the conversation started to sound like the conversation of an inebriated person and then I began to drool and so decided that those pleasantries were finished – at least on my end of the conversation.

It seemed like hours… and it was – and then the pampering and relaxing time had come to an abrupt end. The rubber dam was removed, the block was removed, my cool glasses and headphones had to be set back and I had to somehow assume an upright position and not then walk like the aforementioned inebriated person. I thanked the doc for ~~the Ativan~~ another great visit, and I told him I see him when ~~he gets back from the 3 month cruise~~ I need to come back for a check-up or to have my new night-guard replaced… which the doc told me would need to happen. Hmmmm.

I think Wes was glad we won’t be going up there for such fun times again very soon. This has been a bit of a long haul… but I needed, in all, to have 18 teeth either filled, re-filled or crowned. It’s sort of a small kitchen remodel… in my mouth.

So next time I feel the need to have the kitchen remodeled (which is probably about every ~~30 minutes~~ few days), I think I’ll just go open my mouth and look in the mirror and thank Wes and thank the LORD for the blessing of much needed dental work. I’m still thinking of the kitchen, though.
It did cross my mind that for all this, I really ought to have had some of those procedures done that make me look like a college student… you know: hello…. my name is Sheeeeenah, let me look into your sunglasses while I smile and say helloooooooooo to you with my artificially straight, bright-white teeeeeth.

As it is, one would not notice all the goodies I have received. But I know… and I am thankful. Tonight I try out my new toy… a night-guard… a plastic “appliance” that has been molded to fit my teeth (and save all this dental work) so that I don’t grind them down (any more).

Got a great letter from Kathryn in Jinja, Uganda … you can read some of her letters here! She’s really doing well… and for that, we are so grateful to the Lord God. What a blessing she is.

About that “Thinking Blogger…”

I thought I would get to this earlier… but, alas, I did not. So tonight while Samuel was playing soccer and a few of the children went to cheer, a couple of left-behind’s were here finishing up their schoolwork… ooops!

I scurried around attempting to regain a bit of order here at home. Then some time here on the computer. O, for more minutes in the hours.

thinking blogger

For the “thinking blogger award” I’m to list five blogs that I regularly visit that make me think…

In an attempt to be concise about the five sites that are especially meaningful or thought provoking, I find that it appears I am excluding great sites. Sort of that conundrum one faces when naming meaningful friends or something—one does so at the risk of exclusion. It’s another of those unintended consequences of life. And so… I’ve decided that I’ll call the list *some* of the sites that really have me thinking and are, by no means, not the only five that do so.

First though, I want to say “thank you” to the three who’ve blessed me with their kind words, encouragement and inspiration to press on, to continue to share things the LORD is showing me and to continue to look for interesting articles, messages and links to share that will be… well, things to think about. So, to Keri Mae http://homeschoolblogger.com/AHappyHome I thank you and appreciate you, the life you’re living, the testimony of your home and family and for loving motherhood. To Cat at http://www.xanga.com/MrsCatherine I thank you and want you to know how grateful I am to you and to your husband for the challenge you have taken on to publish Making It Home magazine and for giving me the opportunity to be a columnist for you there. Thank you for the testimony of a life dedicated to the Lord and for striving for excellence. And to Kay, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/KayinMaine, I thank you for your encouragement as a younger mother who is seeking to obey, follow and trust in the LORD for your family, to bravely train them up at home and to be joyful in your high calling. Thank you all… and may the LORD bless you abundantly as you walk with Him and as other see your radiance and give Him glory.

So… thinking, thinking, thinking…

v So here’s one: http://www.carlalynne.blogspot.com/
I’m fairly certain that this blog has me thinking and thinking and thinking… how in the world could I begin to implement even a fraction of the things Carla talks about and, what’s more, could I ever make the sacrifices she makes to achieve the goals she and her husband have for their family and future? Well, if nothing ever comes of working to be more self-sufficient as far as sustainable homesteading goes, I’ll know one thing’s for sure: I love reading about it and seeing it through Carla’s eyes.

v Okay, here’s another:
And I’m gonna guess you’ll say this is a no-brainer. Of course this blog’s got me thinking and thinking and thinking – lots of the time and especially about what I need to be doing with our children, I might add. But it’s not just that and it’s not just that she’s another mother of many or that she’s not one of the “younger” bloggers… it’s more than that. So the blog? MommyLife. Yeah, yeah, but then, you knew that. Glad Barbara doesn’t critique grammar and writing style. At least not here. 😉

v How about another:
This one I love bcz I could write these things… I don’t mean I could write them as well, but many of the things she writes about, I could write, too. Her children are a bit younger and many things are really not all that similar to my life and home… but, somehow I relate. So, Melodee’s blog: http://shrinkingmom.clubmom.com/ is a favourite—I read from time to time… it’s as fun to read as it is convicting. Well, convicting, bcz you know me and my umpteenth-and-one diet. Which, by the way I still need to… ahem, but I digress.

v And then there is this one…
—far and away the least light-hearted and uplifting but probably the one I find really has me thinking – and praying not only for the specific topic being addressed, but also for “the church” in general! I have long appreciated the work and careful research of Slice of Laodicea which is now Christian Research Network. I also follow links from there and read some of those blogs fairly regularly. Those are the days I likely read up on what’s going on in the purpose driven world. (I know, that’s a registered couple of words) and those are the days I likely make a quick zip through Michelle Malkin’s blog, too.

v And then finally, but certainly not lastly, I sure like Coffee and a muffin. No… I really do. And with that coffee ~~and a~~ ~~muffin~~, I like Coffee and a Muffin – Kim’s site that has me thinking about homey stuff, good-for-you foods, family stuff and, well… it’s inspirational, too.

For more great reads… see the dear to me blogs in the left column and the etcetera stuff, too. However, even these are not the only marvels…

the thinking blogger award

I don’t get tagged for things very often and the times I have, I haven’t responded with a reply more than a couple of times. So, I’m a bit reluctant to reply or to make a list this time, but I sort of like the premise of the meme and so have decided to make a post regarding “blogs that make me think.” I received two of these Thinking Blogger awards and I do so appreciate the sweet vote of confidence by Catherine at Making it Home and then another by Kay: Bloom Where You’re Planted.

So I need to consider the five blogs that make me think or that have greatly inspired or influenced me. And it would be simple to just say the two that nominated me -and they do make me think, by the way, and so I will include them in my thanks.

Here’s the way this meme works: This, from
The Thinking Blog

The participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn’t fit your blog).

That was that! Please, remember to tag blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all – blogs that really get you thinking! It is the first time I am starting something with my blog so I hope it doesn’t come back to haunt me.
Happy link-love-sharing, whatever it is!

Okay… so I will work on this tomorrow.
I’m thinking, I’m thinking.
Gotta go… children and grand dears need me.
It’s time for ice cream right now—- i..i..it’s… it’s for the children, dontcha know. ;o)

school phobia?

The enemy’s tactics (to undermine and destroy families) are astonishing. I’ve paid attention to an ongoing story in Germany bcz of the implications here in the States. Young Melissa Busekros was removed from her home bcz her parents were homeschooling her (and her siblings). Consider: Fifteen officers were sent to her home for her removal, and the reason? – “school phobia.” The solution? institutionalize her and evaluate her condition—and another suggestion? remove the remaining five children from the home.

This ought to give great pause to those of us in the States who treasure our responsibilities as parents and the blessing to train them up and educate them at home. For our “right” to homeschool is often threatened by government officials who seek to follow after that pattern set in Germany and the socialist foundation of our own government schools. Think this is a stretch? The German Ministry of Education was instituted by Hitler for the purpose of socialist agenda and to avoid or eradicate parallel societies. Oooooo, could this happen in the States? Consider the foundation of the American public education system and you will have your answer.

Now, today, this brave girl has fled from the “foster home” and has returned to her family… see a Worldnet Daily article.

Wolfgang Drautz, consul general for the Federal Republic of Germany, has commented on the issue on a blog, noting the government “has a legitimate interest in countering the rise of parallel societies that are based on religion or motivated by different world views and in integrating minorities into the population as a whole.”

Drautz said homeschool students’ test results may be as good as for those in school, but “school teaches not only knowledge but also social conduct, encourages dialogue among people of different beliefs and cultures, and helps students to become responsible citizens.”

Remember… that’s in Germany. Isn’t that a description of the NEA’s goals here in the States? The same dialectic praxis occurs in classrooms around this nation every day. Consider text books that begin (say it with me, now): Millions of years ago… Think of the dialectic praxis of daily indoctrinating children against the Truth in history, in science, in social studies etc., etc. Consider a common practice utilized in schools: group studies, community thought – read: socialism. Consider the indoctrination of “diversity” or “feminism” or “choice.” Ooooooooooo, that’s legalistic… Consider that last week around the country, students at thousands of schools participated in the national “day of silence” (and wore t-shirts to prove it).

And by the way… our family doesn’t protest to have prayer or special privileges be mandated in government schools, or have special rights for Christians or what have you. No… we see those protests as sort of self defeating. Instead, we seek to have our rights as parents secure and maintain the right to home educate.

We believe this is the surest and best way for the liberty of Americans to remain secure. We see the fighting for “rights” in the government school as the door by which all the different “anti Christian” groups have entered along with others more salacious worldly teachings. It’s really why we started homeschooling in the first place, for we knew that there was no way to work around the vain philosophies and indoctrination/teaching of the government schools.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Colossians 2.8

Will it be long before homeschooling families fall under the same law and scrutiny label “School phobia” as is the case in Germany? As a family, in our 18th year of homeschooling, we’ve seen numerous times where homeschoolers were/have been/are being persecuted in this country and we’ve often commented that it is, in part, the NEA homeschool-phobia – that, and a threat to the agenda and a socialized workforce.

Could it be that they know the truth? In part, I believe so—and they hate it. For there is a pervasive rejection (or phobia, if you will) in this country for the things of the Word, the Truths it contains, for moral absolutes, for historical accuracy and for true faith in God and, more specifically, in the Lord Jesus Christ. But Jesus said this would happen, that the world would hate (believers) us. (John 7.7, 15.18, & 1John 3.13)

Homeschoolers have read The [nea] Emperor’s New Clothes.

O, boys…

Sometimes only a mama can tell when a boy’s been naughty. And as much as I regret that females are out doing the work of police officers, this clip is priceless: here you go.

Gardening & Browsing blogs today…

I had to come inside from doing yardwork. I’m pretty sure I might have died otherwise. I have aches in places I didn’t know I had muscles or in places I didn’t have muscles. I love to garden but bcz of having surgery last spring, I didn’t do any gardening last year. So… this year I am endeavoring to make up for lost time. I’m pretty sure I will make it…. but in case you don’t see an entry here for awhile, it will be bcz when I go to sleep tonight I may not be able to rise from my bed in the morning. Gardening, like parenting is not a sprint… it truly is a marathon… and I shouldn’t have been away from it so long!

So, I have this large cup of tea and have taken some time aside for some web dabbling. Periodically I take a couple of hours to browse blogs that are dear to me and blogs of those who have visited here. It’s always encouraging to read all the wonderful things families are doing together, memories they’re making and strides they’re taking to train up children in the Way of the Lord. I even watched a few very silly youtube videos by homeschooled boys. Those links originally started with a Cindy Rushton endorsed link: http://www.youtube.com/v/ydE9pEN2FsU for a homeschool conference -online!-

Then I looked through Technorati – Technorati Profile and a few other links. I decided, once again, to not allow myself the ~~luxury~~ ~~tickling itching ears~~ time to read the lengthy letters and blog entries regarding the battles going on between prominent family/homeschool leaders and families. I will just say that when there is a problem, what’s made known is usually only half of half the story. And that quarter is probably distorted a bit by emotion and misunderstanding and, in the end, probably both parties or, in this case many of the parties, are likely going to regret some of the upheaval. We all usually do.

We all usually regret, when a season or two has washed under the bridge, whatever we’ve said in pride and hurt feelings. And, as most scandals go… like house fires, after the spraying’s done and the rubble is sifted, the source of the fire and the cause of the fire is generally determined. Usually, though, when all that’s determined, the bystanders are still standing there saying, so what! that house burned down… that’s the problem!

So, when the fire is reduced to embers and then smoldering ashes, there may well be some leveled “houses” and perhaps some casualties. Sad… bcz the enemy dances when believers war against one another and all the dirty laundry is aired in the middle of town.

P.S.: The “homeschoolers” youtube.com videos were generally silly—and this is not an endorsement of them or anything else that may be on youtube.com. Just sos ya know.

adding to the thousands of reasons list…

Just when I stopped adding to this weeks entries on the Thousands of Reasons list… I have to add another. In fact, I was sort of considering that maybe I’d set up a page on the site where I would compile snips of articles or links. Maybe I’ll do it… yep, some other day.

So adding to this weeks’ entries (though this one doesn’t top an earlier entry of: murders by classmate), this is yet one more reason to home educate.

This so-called transgender student wants to be Prom King – I suppose this could actually become a few entries, really (on that page of “A Thousand Reasons to Home educate your children”):
1. No proms.
2. No gender confusion.
3. We teach that diversity is what we have in our weekly menus.

Breakfast, for example is one place where we have diversity. One day we have oatmeal, another day we have oatmeal with nuts and dried fruit – for diversity. Lunch, for example, is another place we have diversity. Peanut butter and jelly on wholewheat one day doesn’t mean we’re so closed minded that we might not have peanut butter and honey on wholewheat another day.

Diversity. We have diversity. We also do not have identity problems. We know who we are, what we are, how we are and why we are. We even promote gender identity expression. Seriously. Our g-i-r-l-s wear dresses and our b-o-y-s wear pants. It’s very simple and not at all confusing.

While the principal of the school seemed to commend the g-i-r-l, the principal originally planned to not allow the g-i-r-l to have h-e-r name on the Prom K-I-N-G ballot—but caved to the resistance and hid under the “law” wanting to “do the right thing…” Riiiight.

Tiffani Sanchez, a science teacher who advises the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, complained [about the original denying of the “prom King” ballot entry].

“Cinthia is still really learning who she is,” she said. “We want her to know that there’s a safe space for her here and we support her.” [code: we need more lesbians to bolster our own agenda]
On Wednesday, school officials shifted course, saying the district’s lawyers had recommended adding Covarrubias’ name to the ballot to comply with a state law protecting students’ ability to express their gender identity on campus.

“We always want to do the right thing by our students,” Vice Principal Sheila Uriarte said. “This is why we came to this decision.”

The law, passed in 2000, requires schools to protect students from discrimination on the basis of their sexuality, gender or “gender expression.”

As for our home school… “protecting students’ ability to express their gender identity…” ~~on campus~~ anywhere, we’re all for it. They know what it is and know that God created them uniquely -on purpose- for His glory.

Here’s more… links to sites that share this same passion for homeschooling and keeping children *out* of government schools.

A site that gives 101 reasons [and counting] to homeschool your children. And another one. And then one more. I threw in that last one just in case y’all thought I was totally having a bad day. Newp.

It’s a good day here. A really good day. The children are well, secure in their identities and childhood, too! Naomi (in a dress) just baked chocolate chip cookies – learning early that chocolate probably cures whatever ails ya and fresh cookies keep big brothers (in pants) very happy.

Prom king…