Laines Letters...Revisited!

Dear Sisters, "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." Matthew 23:10 I have been asked to write about homeschooling by many women since the school year is just beginning. Some requests came by those who do not homeschool, but are interested in learning just how it is done. I think that is wise, for there are many times when a mother might find herself homeschooling, even though she hadn't planned on it. For example, in the summer months when the kids are off school, a mother might want to keep her child caught up in his studies if he tends to struggle in a certain area. Or if a child has an extended illness, a mother might also find herself homeschooling that child for a temporary time. Or perhaps an extended vacation might be taken due to the illness of another family member in another part of the country, a mother, again, might find herself homeschooling her child. Even grandmothers might find it necessary to temporarily homeschool their g

Dear Sisters, I have enjoyed learning from you all about hospitality. What a great group of women! Even if you're struggling with hospitality, the beautiful thing is that you are all so willing to learn. And that is the essence of "practice hospitality." For there are going to be times when you least feel like practicing it, but those are the times when it is probably needed the most. Practicing something is like that, isn't it? Smile. This happened to me this past weekend. My husband wanted to invite our 17 year old neighbor over for a game of Risk Saturday with him and the kids. I have been praying for her since she moved next door seven months ago. She is very angry with her stepfather and has been hurt by many teenage boys. We have invited her to church many times, but she was not interested. My problem that afternoon was that I had my daughter's birthday to prepare for that evening and the finishing of my Easter baking. So I asked Art if we might do it ano

Dear Chosen Homemakers, "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." Titus 2:3-5 I'd like to continue our devotions next week on the seasons of life with children. There has been something on my mind that I'd like to share with you all for it disturbs me. I find in this country the tendency to do everything faster and more efficient while not even enjoying the process at all. My uncle gave me a bunch of Prevention magazines. It was disturbing to read in the September 1997 issue these words: "Life in the '90's. Work all day. Commute. Pick up the dry cleaning, the lawnmower, and maybe your kids. At last you're home, and you'd lov

Dear Sisters, Jen has asked me to post devotions, as I am able, on being the "Keeper of the Home". I was so pleased that she asked me to do this as I love the Word of God and I love encouraging women in the most important job in the world! Okay...I am a little biased. Smile. I thought I would start with the verse that this loop is based on: the beautiful verse that has inspired women down through the ages to do their best for Him in their homes. "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." Titus 2:3-5 There is so much beauty in this verse. I have the privilege as an older woman to "train" the younger women. That word "train" actu