It wasn’t until I started homeschooling when we were introduced to Usborne Books. They were the books that held our children’s attention. I remember when my now grown homeschooled children would sit together after homeschool was done for the day and read and look at the pictures in the Usborne World History book. The pictures are facinating. They would sit and laugh at the old traditions and ways people used to do things. My youngest son said “Yeah, the world history book was pretty interesting… they do a good job of packaging the information in an engaging way.” It put that “jam” in history to make it more interesting for them. I know that when my youngest son was attending West Point, he told us as he was taking us on a tour of his classrooms, that he considered majoring in history, but decided on business administration. My point is that the interest in history was still there. I have since given away our copy, but I am going to get another one, because I want our youngest daughter to experience World History just like her older brothers and sister did.
There were the books, that are no longer available, but also had an effect on our family. The book, “Small Pets,” facinated us with budgies, hamsters, and other small pets, led us to take a trip to our local pet store. We went with the intention to get a hamster, but the kind person that helped us, talked us into getting a rat instead. We named her Tillie. It was not my choice, but the person at the pet store convinced us that rats make better pets than hamsters. It was good with the kids. I didn’t do much with it. My daughter kept the rat in a cage in her room and was faithful to clean the cage, feed it, and take good care of it. It was our children’s playful pet for 3 years, until one day, we came home from some errands to find that Tillie had died. It was a sad day for my children. We have had other small pets, but Tillie was our first.
When my youngest son was packing up his room, just before he was leaving for West Point, he made sure I didn’t get rid of his Usborne Survival Skills Book, which is still in print today. He wants to keep that book. This books is packed full of practical survival skills with clear and concise concepts. I know my boys learned much from this book.
One of my favorites, is a book called Growing Things, which is also no longer available. It has picture of little people, showing gardening techniques. My favorite is where they show how to grow potatoes in a pot. Every time I look at that page, it inspires me to grow potatoes in a pot. My favorite picture is where the little people tip over the pot to show all the new potatoes spilling out. It is awesome! My problem is that I forget to get me some starter potatoes to pot up. I have yet to try it.
Now I know that most of the books I mention here are no longer available. These Usborne books had an influence on our family years ago. To bring things up to date, my youngest daughter, who is almost 10, now has her favorite Usborne Book, Florence Nightingale. She loves that story and has read the book several times. She has let me know that she loves all the Usborne Books that I have in my kit.
But I can’t close this blog with out talking about the awesome Math dictionary that has proved to be very useful in helping our daughter understand new math concepts. When she gets stumped on her math, I encourage her to pull out the Math dictionary. It never fails to shed the perfect light on the concepts she needs to learn.
What is so nice about Usborne books, is that they have books for every age level, from babies to adult. All of them extremely interesting. I must warn you, they can have influence on your family by raising the interest level in learning. I am excited to introduce my daughter to many more wonderful Usborne Books which will open up her world of learning! Let me introduce you to the world of Usborne Books. They are the books children love to read!
Just a note, I have a Mystery Hostess Party going on my Usborne Website that you are welcome to join. If your name is drawn, you would earn the free books from that party. It will go on until Oct. 20th. Usborne Books make great presents for birthdays, Christmas, and just for fun! Let me know if you have any questions.

Remember the old commercial the Army put out? “It’s not a job; It’s an adventure!” I always liked that saying-It sparked in me the desire to approach life as an adventure. I committed my life to the Lord Jesus in 1975 at the age of 19, and one of the thoughts that led me to Him was “Is this all that life is about-Graduate from high school, go to college, get a career, get married, then grow old and die?” I wasn’t sure if there was a God but I called upon Him anyway. He became very real to me after I began praying. I thought, “If there is no God then why is there anything at all? Why can’t there be just nothing-No universe, no light no dark, just nothing. And what would nothing be like? Would there be just blackness? But then blackness is something.” My next thought was, ” OK, so there is a universe and things do exist, so was there ever a time when nothing did exist? And if so how did it begin? What was the cause to the effect? I came to my own conclusion without the aid of a preacher, that there has to be a God. Since then, I learned that God has always been and always will be. And that He is Love, for hate is self destructive. “In the beginning God…” and “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This changed me from a despairing individual to a hopeful member of Christ’s body. Life became an adventure for me. For me Homeschool is a by product and, at the same time, part and parcel of this new adventure. It allows us to be expressive in the totality of this meaningful existence. No more just preparing our kid’s to get a job but actually imparting the spark of life into them to give meaning to this short lifespan we have on earth. So this year as you begin to homeschool your children remember that it’s not just a job; it’s an adventure!

What a memorable day! We were invited by my son’s boss, to his work place for a special surprise. Josh’s company was awarding him with the World Class Innovation Award. They only give awards to about 5 people a year, and it has to be voted on by members of staff, co-workers and others involved in his work. We, his parents, along with his wife, sister, and grandparents, didn’t know what to expect or how big this award was going to be. As we sat with all his co-workers, waiting for him to come through the door of the conference room, the anticipation was building. Everyone yelled, “Surprise!” When he came in. Of course, I had to get all teary eyed! It was a great moment! Our son won this award out of a pool of about 3000 employees. They had quite a write up about him, telling all that he had accomplished. “Josh Jones is recognized by our clients as one of our Technical Resources most valued & innovative team members. His world class innovation skills and personal dedication are second to none. Josh takes on any challenge or task with a can do attitude and determination to deliver the best product to our customers in a timely and cost effective manner. One of the keys to his being so successful is his ability to create innovative custom tools for all AutoCAD users in our various departments.” He was also awarded for his leadership, time, and money savings to the company, and being helpful to his fellow employees.

This award presentation took me back to when Josh was a young teenager. I used to talk with him about what he wanted to do after he graduated. He was interested in the field of architectural design. Through his school years, he did his core subjects, but I encouraged and helped him pursue his field of interest as well. It helped him to know why he needed to go on to advanced math and to do well on the rest of his studies. When he was a junior, he attended our local “Skill Center” that teaches vocational occupations to high schoolers. He took the Computer Aided Drafting course and was in the top of the class, while still doing his other high school courses at home. After high school, he went on to a technical college where he was able to get a Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Engineering Graphics. It was through this school that he got an opportunity to do an internship in the company where he is currently working. Since then he has a permanent position there.

Homeschooling is not just about getting our children through the academics, that is very important, but equally important (by the grace of God), is the building of good character and preparing our children to pursue their career goals according to their interests. I realized today, like Josh, a person is able to pursue their interests and passions, and put their whole heart and soul into their job. We have two other children who have had the same success by pursuing their interests. They too love their career choices and are very successful in them. Through prayer and guidance of your children to pursue their career choices, you too can watch them achieve great results in life.

We are very proud of Josh, the webmaster of Hsadvisor.com. He has not only been successful in the career of his choice but has also worked hard to make this website what it is today. Congratulations Josh!

Since the early 1980s, when homeschooling had become legal in every state, there has been a whole generation of homeschoolers that have grown up. I am sure there are many that have, or are currently serving our country in the military. Our son is one of them. He graduated last year from the United States Military Academy at West Point and is now serving in Iraq as a 2nd Lt. Even if he had not been accepted at any of the military academies, I am sure he still would have had to serve overseas.

It is really something how our perspective changed once our son went to Iraq. When he was attending West Point, I really felt it was important that our military be in Iraq and Afghanistan, after all, that is what a conservative Christian is suppose to believe. I still believe that, but, when one of our own goes to war, it brings home to us the reality of life and death matters. We now really appreciate those families that have already experienced this. Now, I would be happy if our leaders decided to bring them all home, providing that there are no more 9/11’s at large.

Through this blog, I wanted to commend those parents and family members that have spent their hard earned money and time to homeschool their children, and have made the sacrifice for the good of our country, by allowing their children to serve overseas.

Let’s not forget the many military families that are also choosing to homeschool their chidren. I am so glad they are. With the uncertainty attached with the soldiers serving, it makes sense to homeschool. Our families need as much cohesiveness as possible. The sacrifice that your family is making, is incredible. We want to make sure you know that we recognize your sacrifice as well.

God bless you all! Please remember all of our soldiers in your prayers.

Sherri Jones
http://www.hsadvisor.com

When choosing a curriculum, there are many things to consider, learning styles, teaching styles, time availability, etc. Since our youngest daughter just finished the 4th grade, I thought I would share with you what curriculum we chose for her and why. We are no different than most people, extremely busy, so timing of everything is most important. We had to choose a curriculum that would fit into our busy lifestyle and be able to put in the flexibility that her homeschooling requires. Here is what we chose:

Math: Saxon Math 45 Home Study Kit. Saxon is our favorite math curriculum. It gives our daughter the review she needs for retention.

Grammar: Easy Grammar Teacher/Student Book, Easy Grammar Student Workbook, and Easy Grammar Test Booklet. An easy choice, since it is very user friendly and is very thorough.

Reading: Bringing the Classics to LIfe workbooks. (This package of Books are only available through Christian Book) These workbooks are a fun way to introduce your student to the classics. My daughter enjoyed every one. Each workbook concentrates on one classical story. The story is broken down to 10, one page chapters with comprehension questions and vocabulary exercises. I like the fact that both comprehension questions and vocabulary exercises are included.

Spelling: Building Spelling Skills and Answer Key. This no nonsense curriculum gives a student a good grasp on spelling words with out a big price tag. This curriculum is also only available through Christian Book.

Science: Exploring Creation with Botany. This is a really great science curriculum that speaks right at the student’s level. This made botany so understandable. We didn’t have time to do all the activities during the school year so we saved some of them for this summer, and the weather is more conducive, anyway, for planing activities. (It’s good to be flexible with your curriculum!)

History: The Light and the Glory, Sounding Forth the Trumpet, and From Sea to Shining Sea, all children’s version. These 3 books are simple to use, read the chapter and answer the questions. However, there is no answer key as far as I know. It also seemed to be a little over my daughter’s head in places, so our thought was that we should have waited a few years to use it with her. (Even veteran homeschool parents make mistakes sometimes) Even so, I know that she understood mainly what it was all about and did get some good out of it. These are for ages 9-13. I have now know that it is better to use a curriculum like this, that has an age span, at the top of the age span, not the bottom like we did.

Maps and Geography: The Complete Book of Maps and Geography. This book is real good. It is a big book and if the student does one page a day, it is possible that he/she could use it for 2 years. Because of that, this book is a real bargain.

Cursive: A reason for Handwriting Book D. This is very good. The lessons are short, which allows the student to take the time they need to do a good job.

This is what we chose for her this past year. We needed to choose a quality, yet simple curriculum, because we have such a busy schedule. For us, it is not like it used to be with our 3 older children, when I was home with them all day and they could spend as much time as they needed to finish their books. Also we had time for a project or 2 during the week. When you choose your curriculum, you also need to consider how much time you will have available to spend on that curriculum per day. If your life is as busy as ours, then a unit study type curriculum, for example, would not work.
I must add, that, even though we have homeschooled for many years, every year is still a new year with new challenges. It feels good to get through a year and to be able to see first hand what my children have learned. We had a great year and we are looking forward to her 5th grade year.

Sherri

I heard this expression on the radio. It was an advertisement for a distant learning college. It made me think how homeschooling can give any child a great education. I remember when my oldest was fast approaching school age. It occurred to me that we needed to think about where he was going to school. My husband and I had a quick, and unforgettable conversation that day. My husband said, “Well, we can’t afford private school and public school is out of the question.” I said, “That just leaves homeschooling.” I sort of panicked and then pulled myself together. To make a long story short, once I figured out what curriculum we were going to use, we settled into a routine. I will never forget our very first day of homeschooling. I was going to do a lesson on light using a prism. If anyone reading this knows anything about the northwest, we see a lot of cloudy days. The week before we were going to start school it was cloudy. Prisms don’t work on cloudy days and artificial light doesn’t work either. It has to be the real sun light. I prayed for a sunny day and the very day that we were going to start, the sun shown beautifully! I hung up our prism in the window and we had rainbows all over the house! It was great! The kids were running all over the house trying to touch the rainbows. It was an unforgettable day! That was the beginning of our children’s great education. They learned well and have done well with it.
There are so many great resources and curriculum available to homeschoolers now, that it can be quite overwhelming. Contrary to what a lot of non-homeschool people think, we really can give our kids a top notch education because we have access to these great resources and curriculum. You don’t have to be rich to homeschool your children successfully. If you have a good quality curriculum, which has done all the necessary research and the teaching for you, your child will get a great education. Your children learn how to study and do their own research independently needed for optimal learning. In fact, that was also the same observation a local college representative told us about homeschoolers that attend that college. It was a great compliment to our local homeschoolers. Of course I already knew that, but it was great to hear it from someone outside the homeschool community. I know that I am not the only one who can say this, but now that my oldest children are grown and living successfully, it really impresses other people. We did the best we could with what we had. With our youngest, we are doing the same thing. She wants to be a surgeon some day, so we have our work cut out for us to get her prepared for college. In the end, she will have a great homeschool education and it will be worth it all. Getting her prepared for college? Well I will save that for another blog. Have a great day!

Sherri

A California state appellate court ruled last week that it is illegal for parents in that state to home school their children without the appropriate state teaching credentials. This ruling slaps in the face the existing laws of California. James Dobson of Focus on the Family recently interrupted his national radio broadcast in order to bring to our attention the impact of this decision and what we can do to help. We encourage you to listen and become informed. Also there is a petition you can sign that may help to reverse this decision.

C. H. Spurgeon said, “Salvation is a very simple business.” (Vol. 38, MTP, pages 268-269).

I am so thankful that I became acquainted with sermons by C. H. Spurgeon almost immediately upon my being saved. I made a public profession in a Revival Meeting where salvation was presented by the Evangelist as “simple.” In the After-meeting, the professors were lead thru several verses in the Gospel of John on salvation by faith, and we were given a copy to take home with us to read. I read and re-read those verses, and although I was experiencing joy, I felt an inner weakness in faith, and wondered if it was really all that “simple” as John seems to present it. I seemed to be tempted, in my new-born state of weakness in scriptural knowledge, to doubt the promises I read.

But during the same week, I came upon the name of Spurgeon, and thereafter I began to hunt some of his sermons in my hometown public Library. In the Providence of God, the Library had several old copies of the “Twelve Sermons” series of Spurgeon’s sermons, and upon reading some of them, Spurgeon confirmed what I had read in John — salvation is a simple matter — it comes to the person who will simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. I have never been moved from believing that, and that is the primary reason I have loved Spurgeon’s sermons so much. He preaches simple faith and simple salvation.

Consequently, I have no appreciation for the extreme “preparationalism” that is sometimes associated with ministers, such as I expressed in regard to the book, “Alleine’s Alarm” — or as it’s called today by the publisher, “Sure Guide to Heaven.” (The publisher would have done a better service on that if they had also changed the contents, not merely the title). That is also why I did not take a liking to “The Gospel According to Jesus” by John MacArthur. Such books simply complicate and fog-up the simplicity of the Gospel.

I’m a lover of the “simple gospel” — like all those verses on faith in John, a book written to lead men to believe in Christ (John 20:31). Just a grain of that faith is sufficient to salvation.

Spurgeon pointed out the paradox, however, saying that believing “is the simplest matter in all the world, yet, by reason of its simplicity, it is the hardest possible act for human nature to perform” (Vol. 12, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, page 18). That’s somewhat how I felt when I first believed — it was so easy, yet it was “hard” to believe salvation is so simple.

Human nature makes it hard. Human nature wants to “do” something more than simply believe.

It is hard enough to convince a person of the simplicity of salvation by believing without adding all the extra baggage such as expounded by the “Sure Guide” type of books.

And this is a situation in a lot of professing Christian pulpits, churches, and writers of books, for they themselves do not give the impression that they are really convinced of the simplicity of faith in Christ for salvation. That is why a lot of them, I think, oppose public invitations, speak against “decisions,” and what they brand “decisional regeneration” and “easy believism:” — they just don’t have confidence like Spurgeon had in simple faith and the simple gospel of simple salvation.

People often ask me, here in my store, for books and literature on “how to deal with” or “answer” this, that, and the other type of cultic people. I always take a Bible and turn it to John 3, and I tell them to “hold their noses to John 3:18, and don’t let them budge off of it to some other rabbit trail. If they won’t accept John 3:16-18, it won’t do them a bit of good if you persuaded them about the error of some of their other unscriptural ideas.”

What good does it do a person to argue them away from some cult doctrine, if they won’t believe on the Son for salvation? If they will believe on Christ for salvation, that will answer and dispell a multitude of errors.

Spurgeon has a story about a simple fellow named “Jack.” He was saved by simply believing, and would go around telling people he was saved, but many had doubts about Jack’s being truly saved — he was such a simpleton. Jack would simply reply to their questions –

“I’m a poor sinner,
and nothing at all,
But Jesus Christ
is my all and all.”

His critics and the doubters just could not shake Jack off of his simple faith. Spurgeon took about two pages, telling about “poor Jack” and his testimony (Vol. 1, New Park Street Pulpit, pages 361-362).

Today, some of the “ultrafine doctrinal brethren” (as Spurgeon called them), put down simple faith as “easy believism,” and they hold up an experiential standard so high that it amounts to another form of salvation by works. But by God’s grace, salvation is “easy,” and salvation is “simple” — despite what some brethren say and think.

Spurgeon said, “O simple faith, thou hast the key to the kingdom! Come, and welcome into my heart” (Vol. 38, MTP, page 201).

Spurgeon preached a sermon on John 1:12, 13, and he opened it by saying, “Everything here is simple; everything is sublime. Here is that simple gospel by which the most ignorant may be saved” (Vol. 38, MTP, page 265).

He said it was so simple that “children of three and four years of age have doubtless been capable of it; and there have been many persons, but very little removed from absolute idiocy, who have been able to believe; a doctrine which needs to be reasoned out may require a high degree of mental development, but the simple act of trusting requires nothing of the kind” (Vol. 12, MTP, page 19).

Now, the reason Spurgeon believed it was so simple is because he himself was saved by the simple act of looking to Jesus, and he believed that the Word of God is powerful, and the Holy Spirit accompanies the Word, and that is what overcomes the resistance of human nature, and makes it easy to believe.

“This is a very simple matter,” he said, “One grain of faith is worth more than than a diamond the size of the world . . . Salvation is a very simple business. God help us to look at it simply, and practically, and to receive Christ, and believe on his name! . . . I go over and over and over with this, and never get one jot further, because I find that this medicine cures all soul sicknesses, while human quackery cures none. Christ alone is the one remedy for sin-sick souls. I can sympathize with Luther when he said, ‘I have preached justification by faith so often, and I feel sometimes that you are so slow to receive it, that I could almost take the Bible, and bang it about your heads!” (Vol. 38, MTP, page 268, 269, 272).

Spurgeon tells about a certain woman who heard him preach but would not believe. She wanted him to pray for her to be saved. Spurgeon shocked her by sayingin, “No, I will not pray for you . . . I set before you Christ crucified, and I beg you to believe in him. If you will not believe in him, you will be lost; and I shall not pray God to make any different way of salvation for you. You deserve to be lost if you will not believe in Chirst.”

The immediate result was that the woman exclaimed, “Oh, I see now! I do look to Christ, and trust him” (Vol. 38, MTP, page 388).

It’s just that simple to those of you who have believed, isn’t it?
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Luk 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Luk 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
Luk 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Luk 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Luk 14:21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Luk 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
Luk 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luk 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

God has prepared a great supper. When I was young an enjoyable experience for me was to hear my Mom calling from the front porch that dinner is ready. Once I heard her voice she did not have to call again, I was at the dinner table as fast as I could wash my hands; sooner if I could get away with it.
God knows we need food and that we enjoy eating. Our need and enjoyment of food is real; so is our need and enjoyment of the kingdom. We need the kingdom, and God desires that we enjoy it. All that is in the kingdom is for our well being and enjoyment. Our need and enjoyment for supper is a sign that points us to the kingdom. God bids us come and enjoy the table he has set for us.
It is sad that many are called but few actually except this invitation. The table is set now; the food is delicious, the fellowship is sweet, but still some will not except.
First he invites the religious but they are full of excuses: land, business ventures (bought oxen), and marriage (placing your spouse or other relationships in a higher place than God); actually displacing God with other issues. It’s like living on plain bread and water and being offered a lifetime of full meals of grains, vegetables, meat, and fruit and saying: ” Nah, I am content with poverty, please excuse me.”
So the servant turns from them and goes to the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. The servant was surprised that even then there was room because evidently many of them turned down the offer.
Finally the servant turns and goes to wherever he can find people and compels them to come in. I can imagine that even then many will refuse. But God will have a full table. Many that are bidden to come and enjoy will not get even a taste because they refuse to hear. They place things and people above enjoyment of God. They are too proud or ashamed to go. Not even a taste will they get.
The psalmist says “O’ taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Jesus loves us so much that he stands at our hearts door and knocks. If anyone opens he will come in and have supper with that one. So the supper actually begins as soon as you accept the invitation. I am afraid that many Christians are not at present enjoying God; they are not dining today with Jesus. Whether you are a believer or not the invitation stands. Why not talk to Jesus today. Are you hearing his voice? Are you having fellowship with Jesus. Are you hearing his still small voice saying: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light and you shall find rest for your soul.”