You can tell where my thoughts have been lately….

On schooling at home-

Go Outside with Your Children ::: A child learns to spend time outdoors through the companionship of an adult. He learns how to respond, explore, and find his way with someone who has the same curiosity as himself.

Is Your Homeschool too Heavy on the School? ::: To me, the fact that I'm squealing with delight over a vacation and counting the days 'til it's over with trepidation and reluctance means I'm doing something wrong.

A barebones homeschool day ::: Homeschooling, for us, is the foundation of a life time of learning. It's not the be-all, end-all of our childrens' education, it's just the beginning.

And on marriage-

I do: Belonging ::: when you say “I do,” it’s not just a marriage between two people at the altar.

The 4 Minute Marriage Habit ::: Who doesn't want a deeper relationship?

I do: Struggle ::: Marriage doesn't get easier over time, but it gets less hard.

Weaving ::: Why can’t I even love those He has called me to love?

Shine ::: For a while, it seems that we will look a little flashy, like junior high girls dressing for a Justin Bieber concert.

The Tyranny of Advice Column Christianity ::: For the overachievers in the crowd, you can forget the extreme spiritual makeover, and know that all the doing meant to gain you acceptance has already been done.

Atlantic Overview ::: (The amazing adventure of some real-life friends….kind of makes me want to throw caution to the wind and just do something crazy! Good kind of crazy of course.)

a lesser communion ::: Though it may happen at other times as well, dinner is the time of day when biblical community consistently happens in our home.

Skills for Children ::: What kind of skills do you think are most powerful when experienced at an early age?

Fair Trade is for Hippies. And Maybe the Rest of Us Too. ::: it was this conversation with a man that works with farmers in the hilltribes of Thailand that changed my perspective and understanding . . . .

Seven Ways to Keep Your Home Strong ::: Again, the return always to this: "It is written," he said to them, " ' My house will be a house of prayer'" (Luke 19:46).

The Only "What If" Worth Asking ::: And all those ‘what if’s’ questioning His goodness are answered here.

The truth {about "fine"} will set you free ::: It's powerful when a friend steps out from behind fine and looks you in the eyes.

Retirement? College? Money and Large Families ::: we believe strongly that people value things more when they work for them on their own, and that belief is part of what informs our choice.

Trying harder to the death of your faith ::: Who among us isn't trying harder to love our neighbor, love God, eat better, go greener, and exercise more?

For when your future keeps changing ::: Why must we always insist that the destination is the most important measure of success?

New Year, New Self-Control ::: January is typically a time when we talk a great deal about calories, work-outs and weight loss. What if we didn't?