Science Teaches Connection

Science Shows Us Our Need For Homeschool Connections

Don’t you love how as home educators, we’re always learning or being reminded of cool things? And isn’t it amazing how as Christian home educators, the Creator God often takes those things we learn “academically” and teaches us great things about Himself and His plan for His people through them. Honestly, those are some of the most remarkable perks of being a homeschool mom. Recently, I learned a little something about homeschool connections that I am dying to share with you!

I’m sure many of you find yourselves doing very similar things to me right now—getting ready to start a brand new school year. After graduating our oldest this spring, we will have a junior, sophomore, and sixth grader to homeschool this year. With my junior, that means my second adventure in Chemistry class in the last 3 years.

It was actually chemistry that God used to encourage my heart today, and I really wanted to tell you about it.

Homeschooling Science

Have you ever stopped to think about the 118 elements on the periodic table (which is WAY more than I had to learn in school, for what it’s worth!) and how much more useful and strong most of them are when they are in compounds rather than on their own. (There are even some that can’t even EXIST on their own!)

Additionally, if it weren’t for the creative ways God has put many of these elements together (think: H2O) or given mankind the creativity to do so, everything we know and see in the world would only be one of those 118 elements. How boring would our world be with only 118 elements making up everything? No trees, no water, no life! Instead, God created those atoms to bond together to create limitless chemical compounds filling our world with life, diversity, and useful things for us to enjoy. (Now would be a great time to stop and thank our Creator for His countless wonderful gifts to us!)  🙂

Some of these elements, though useful on their own, become much more valuable and effective when they are combined with other elements to create compounds. Think of how steel is created from iron, or how useful aluminum becomes when combined with other elements.

I’m sure that you already KNEW that, but had you ever stopped to marvel at it?

Homeschool Connections

Here is why that little chemistry lesson last night was such an encouragement to my heart. God has been impressing on me for about a year and a half about the importance of fellowship, community, and connections among believers. He has reinforced to me through opportunities, conversations, and Bible study the fact that we were never created to walk alone—we are much stronger and more useful to Him when we live in community. Seeing that very lesson displayed so powerfully in the 118 elements that make up all life was incredible.

We Need Homeschool Connections

What if we, as moms (and dads) were really dedicated to making those homeschool connections with one another, serving one another, sharing ideas and experiences with one another, bearing one another’s burdens, teaching one another, and generally supporting each other as we all passionately pursue the call God has placed on our lives?

That thought has driven much of the conversation in our home (and among our team) over the last year as we have evaluated all the resources and connections that God has placed in our hands through Teach Them Diligently and how we are to offer it back to Him as a means to further build the families He has called us to serve.

Excited doesn’t really encapsulate how I feel about how He has led as we have prayed that way.

Strengthen Your Homeschool Connections

In the next few days, we are going to introduce you to a brand new, re-designed Teach Them Diligently 365. This re-design is not only structured around adding resources, but we have also enhanced the community (ahem: Homeschool Connections!) element of the website.

God has opened the door for us to offer a community where families can have access to all the great things you love about TTD events—but that can be available to you 365 days a year. Through that community, I have already been encouraged, prayed for, lifted up, taught, and so much more, and I am so excited for you to join us there.

As Christian home educators, we “swim against the cultural current” most of our days, don’t we, but there is no need to do it alone! If you are reading this, you already have access to an amazing group of families who are actually going the same direction you are. Just think of how much more effective and successful we could all be if we lock arms and commit to joining each other in the journey!

In the days ahead, we plan to tell you more about the newly remodeled community outlet we are so excited about, and I am praying that all of you will join with us there. I get very excited when I think of the impact that a group of families who are passionately committed to raising their children to love God and others and to prepare them to walk confidently through whatever doors God may open can have on our world—today and for generations to come!

PSST–> Many times, within those chemical compounds we discussed earlier,  we find that the elements involved compensate for each other’s weaknesses. For example, neither concrete nor steel have the essential properties on their own to be perfectly useful for a foundation in large construction. Yet steel reinforced concrete provides a building block strong and yet flexible enough to hold up a tall skyscraper. We can all use a little strength or flexibility help in our lives, can’t we? I wonder if that’s part of the reason God told us in Ecclesiastes 4 that two are better than one…? Making solid homeschool connections can really make your journey a lot more enjoyable and effective!

 

Rethink Home EducationWe have a special ebook that we would like to send to you. It’s entitled “RETHINK EDUCATION, Turning Scary Questions About Home Education Into Exciting Possibilities.” This book is about turning the Scary Questions about Home Education into Exciting Possibilities. It was written after countless conversations with moms who are either considering homeschooling or struggling with doubt. My heart in writing it is to offer hopeful answers to some of the questions moms tend to be asking… and you might be surprised at which ones didn’t make the list. I would love for it to become a resource you could share with your friends who are considering home education, or who are wondering if they’ll keep going. So, grab your copy today!