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I'm new to the board but not new to HOD. I've been using HOD for 4 years now and have loved every year! Today gave me yet another reason why I enjoy this program and the ease of using it.

My best friend has been recovering from surgery, so I offered to teach her 3 kiddos while she rests. We already do a co-op together for HOD (BHFHG and LHTH) once a week, so the kiddos and I are use to each other. Well, this week my dh and I have also been babysitting 2 more boys, ages 4 and 2 (also a part of the co-op). My dh had a meeting this morning and a dear lady from our church was going to come over in the morning to help keep an eye on the little ones while I did school with the older ones. Well...she forgot to come! So I had 10 kids (all under 8 and only 2 girls in the bunch!), a desire to get some school done and HOD manuals! So off we went.... I couldn't have asked for a better day of homeschooling! I worked with the older ones while the 2-3's played cars and a ducky game. The 4-5's were outside wearing themselves out and the baby slept. Then it was time for preschool with LHTH! It was sooooo much fun! I had the whole age range 2-5 and every single one of them stayed engaged, participated and had a blast! Even my daughter joined us (6.5) and ended up being my assistant. Now, I definately wouldn't sign up for this everyday, but when it was over I told my friend, "This is why I love HOD- 2 sets of age groups schooled before lunch! You can open the manual, do the fun and engaging projects and everyone is happy - even the teacher!"

So I wanted to thank you, Carrie, for your hard-work and God-centered curriculum. It's everything I desired for my homeschooling journey, but didn't have the tools to put together. Our kiddos and family (and friends!) have been so blessed by this program!

So glad it worked out well for you today!

BUT, I have to be honest, I got physically exhausted just by reading your post!

Thank you so much for continuing with school while I am in recovery. I truly have to say that you are a GEM of a friend and the Lord in heaven sees and will reward you

I was going to post on how great HOD is so much so that I am recovering from surgery and my best friend is going on with school without missing a beat. All I do is ask what they learned and they give me a quick narration and show me there works of art. Everyone is amazed that school CAN continue even while I am on bedrest!

Once again a great hurray for Carrie for the blessing of HOD curriculum, it can be done with 3, 6 or 10 kids all under 8 and 1 Mommy!

Thank you for sharing that! Your lives are living out the character traits found all throughout HOD!
Example is the best teacher. Your children are blessed.

acts29stl,

I just wanted to agree that the Lord is blessing your children with a mother like you! Thankfully, when God calls us to do a task, He equips us with what we need. I am grateful for that fact in my own life, as I need the Lord's help daily.

What a huge blessing to have friends both nearby and/or through the board, who can come alongside and share your joys and encourage you during your trials. We all need encouragement from people with similar goals and values based on God's holy word. That can be so hard to find! This makes me glad for a place like this where we can gather together among friends.

Thank you so much for sharing, as it encouraged me today while I'm writing the new guide! We pray that the Lord will continue to use HOD to bless your family along your homeschool journey.

Blessings,
Carrie

moedertje,

I just wanted to let you know that I prayed for you today, asking the Lord to be near to you and to surround you with His love as you recover.

Blessings,
Carrie

Oh my, I am impressed! I admire your spunk, and those dc must have had such a wonderful time with you. This is a good example of how we can serve the Lord and help others without having to leave our home. Opportunity is all around us when we look for it. I too have had the joy of homeschooling my sister's dc alongside mine occasionally, and while it is very busy, it is very fulfilling as well. The Lord often gives us just who we need in our lives when we need them, if we only look. I am so glad that the 2 of you are such good friends, and knowing moedertje well from this board, I know she's the kind of gal that gives back in friendship too. What a blessing the Lord has given you to each other! I have prayed for both of you, and for your baby (moedertje) as well. Having been on bedrest often, I hope this is a time for you to draw especially close to the Lord! I know it was for me looking back. Having watched my sister's dc before (as she has mine), I pray for joy and for stamina for you, acts29stl!

Love in Christ,
Julie

Carrie, Thank you so much for your prayers, how beautiful that you find time to pray for us while you are so busy.

Julie, thank you so much, that is such a compliment, all glory to God as He teaches me to become more of a servant!

FYI: It is acts29stl who is pregnant actually. I had surgery and I am not pregnant ..... I had a good report today at the doctors today, I can do 25% more activity.. So, I can start doing HOD lightly soon
Julie,I asked the Lord to route all your prayers to acts29stl her little baby who is due in October

Blessings,
Sandra

moedertje wrote:...FYI: It is acts29stl who is pregnant actually. I had surgery and I am not pregnant ..... I had a good report today at the doctors today, I can do 25% more activity.. So, I can start doing HOD lightly soon
Julie,I asked the Lord to route all your prayers to acts29stl her little baby who is due in October

Blessings,
Sandra

Oh my, thank you for clearing that up! I thought it odd I hadn't heard you share you were expecting yet - now, it all makes sense. I have changed my prayers accordingly! I pray for you as you recover from your surgery, and for acts29stl's pregnancy and sweet babe on the way.

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you Carrie and Julie for your prayers!

And Julie, you are right, moedertje gives just as much! She schools my kiddos for me when I am down with morning sickness and newborns! We have both been so blessed to have each other around and to be doing HOD together. If she didn't keep me on track when I've been sick and having babies, I might still be doing Beyond!!

We have both gleaned so much from yours and Carrie's insights and wisdom! We were both naive to the CM approach to homeschooling but knew we wanted a Christ-centered education. Which led us to HOD. Now we are learning the extra bonus that the CM approach brings to schooling! God is so good!