Life Lessons and What I'm Thinking About Character Training

Last month I attended the Teach Them Diligently Convention, along with a handful of other bloggers. We were there to support and inform others about everything from the sessions with keynote speakers to the excellent vendors via our idiosyncratic social media skills.  It was an amazing experience to say the least. One of the best things about the adventure - besides meeting some of the blogger friends I interact with on a regular basis - was perusing the vendor hall. 

I found it particularly favorable that the vendors for TTD had all been previously vetted and had signed a statement of faith to insure that the products and curriculum they were marketing was bible based. It was a great feeling knowing that although there were people from every walk of life, every race, various home states and life styles - we all shared a couple of foundational predilections in common - homeschooling and Jesus Christ. It made for the perfect atmosphere in which to shop for curriculum for and to find direction and inspiration for our studies in the future. 

One of the vendors who made a notable impression on me was a company called Rice Bowls  - Fill a 

bowl - Fight Hunger! . They weren't actually selling anything at all - which is a rather unique quality to 

find in a vendor to start with. They were giving away little plastic rice bowl piggy banks. The idea is that 

most anyone - even  our children - can gather and collect loose change to save up for the fight against

hunger. What better way to teach our children than to get them involved in providing for others? It's

important for them to see us taking action - and to participate as a family - rather than just hearing us 

talk about loving others for the Lord. 

“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to

 know me?” declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 22:16 

Furthermore, the Rice Bowls web site is packed full of Free Lessons - broken down by age group - that
you can use in your homeschool. Social Studies, Persuasive Writing, Math, Elementary lessons, Middle School lessons, Language Arts and History, even Advertisement and book writing are included in these
Free lesson plans.

John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one 
who has food should do the same.” – Luke 3:11

We can, as a family, get out and pound the pavement together and fill our rice bowls with spare change.
We will speak to neighbors, friends, church members. The boys can hone their public speaking skills
with our book club, and even with the grandparents as they explain the purpose for the exercise.

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness 
and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. – 2 Corinthians 8:7 


I want to teach my children about what the Word says - not just in what I say, but by my actions.
I want to live out loud the things of God and pass it down as a family legacy. Our children need to
know what the Bible says and how to apply it. Loving others is THE thing repeated throughout the
scriptures, so I'm thinking it rates pretty high up on God's list of priorities. I'm thinking I've found a
perfect summer project for our family that's both educational and rewarding!

What are you thinking? Would you like to join us?

A few other resources to help you in shaping the character of your family:

Join me May 1-3 for the Homeschool How-To Conference

I'm speaking on the topic of "Exploring God's Creation" 

'Helping your children get to know their Creator through the study of nature'

There will be many sessions by speakers from Apologia, Sonlight, Foundations Press and more

Workshops include Jamerrill Stewart of Holy Spirit Led- Homeschool (and a fellow TTD blogger) 

teaching you about saving money in your homeschool 

 loads of FREEBIES come with the Premium Pass - The conference is FREE - but you can 

purchase a Premium pass for just $49 and receive the MP3s from all the sessions along with 

hundreds of dollars worth of Freebies - including a YEAR of Bible Curriculum! 

Save 10% off the price if you use the code "adventurez" in your purchase

*That's a lot of value for your family and a wise investment for your homeschool 

I want our home to help build a foundation of character in my children. I want our homeschool 

to glorify God and be a testimony to others. And, I want to fill my children with the knowledge and 

understanding of the Word so that they can be the Light in a world of darkness. If you want to 

learn to better facilitate these ideals in your own home and in the lives of your children - join me

in this conference as we learn from each other and grow together - serving our families by 

putting Christ first and using the Word as the foundation of our homeschool!

Want to win a Free Premium Pass to the online conference?