'Unschooling' and Why I Love and Recommend Homeschooling for LDS Families

These are my beliefs on the vital roles of mothers in the upbringing of their precious children. I spoke last year at the Agency-Based Education Conference in Provo, Utah on my assigned topic of 'unschooling' - which was sort of what we did over the past twenty years.

I have strong feelings/beliefs about the sanctity of the family, the importance of education, the vital need we have to heed prophetic counsel as we strive to bring up our children in light and truth.

This video is a compilation of my many years of research and study, prayer and pondering and how the Lord blessed our family as we sought His guidance each year of their 'education'.

They are all now grown (ages 22, 20, 19) and I feel even more strongly now that as we truly seek for the best learning environments for our families, homeschooling is a good option for many. I know that all can't, but, many can, and I hope and pray that this presentation may be of some benefit to you.

-Heidi Hendricks
(see also Mike-and-Heidi for our new daily adventures)  :)




Also, here's a local homeschooling site that I made a few years ago (but haven't been able to keep-up); it's accompanying Facebook group has over 1,200 local families who share ideas and cooperate in sharing curriculum and other ideas. There are many excellent resources available for families wanting an option to meet needs of their children. I truly do recommend homeschooling for LDS families as a beautiful option in the rearing of God-fearing, liberty-loving, youth of a noble birthright, to prepare them for the days ahead.

Salt Lake City LDS Temple - Temple Square Flowers

Ashley and I went to the Family History Library on Friday.  It was my first time to actually sit down there and receive help from the amazing family history research missionaries.

We had a wonderful day finding a few relatives online (glorious feelings to find those who need to be found) and feeling 'connected' to them.

They say that we can't really know who we are unless we know from whom and whence we've come. (I'm grateful for my precious relatives from England, Denmark, Norway etc.)  We've caught the 'genealogy bug' and are grateful that the timing is right for us to be able to do more family history.

Anyway, we took an official tour of the Conference Center, with our wonderful guide John, and spent some time on beautiful Temple Square (one of my favorite places in the world.)

Here are a few photos that we thought we'd share.

Salt Lake LDS Temple - beautiful photo by Ashley Garvin

Beautiful Spring Flowers on Temple Square

Fresh Spring Mix on Temple Square

Lovely Purples and Pinks.... Temple Square Flowers

Temple Square Flower Gardens

Bright and Happy Spring Flowers; Temple Square Gardens

Conference Center:

Conference Center - Indoors.  Wonderful to be there!

Looking down from the Roof to Temple Square

Irises and City Creek in front of Conference Center

Goals for the New Year?

Here are a few thoughtful questions when setting goals

1.  What is the real purpose of this goal?

2.  Will it bring me closer to the Lord?

3.  Is it in Harmony with the Lord's Plan of Happiness for me?

4.  Will it make me a better person? (Who I am to become?)

5.  Is there another goal that would be better than this one for me at this time?

6.  Is this goal accomplishable?

7.  Do I feel deeply/strongly that this can be ratified by the Spirit?

8.  Will this goal help me fulfill my mission in Life?

Hope all find greater peace and happiness in 2015!

Prayerfully set goals that make you better and bring you closer to Christ

Why Don't Mormons Drink Coffee?

My son just started a new summer job working at Subway Sandwiches and was recently asked about some of his beliefs. It gave him an opportunity to share his own thoughts with his new friends and to realize that there are many people not of our faith who may have that same question.

So, I thought I'd address that same question here:

Why Don't Mormons Drink Coffee or Smoke?

That is a very good question and in the early days of the church they did.  But, one day, after having cleaned out the room where some of the church brothers had met in counsel, and having scraped off the spitting tobacco from the floors and aired out the room of smoke, the wife of the Prophet wondered about the mess. 

I won't put all the details on here but...her husband inquired of the Lord and received a revelation which we now call 'The Word of Wisdom'.  It was instruction to these early members of how the Lord would like to bless and help His children. 

Since we learn line-upon-line and precept-upon-precept the Lord teaches us step by step.  This was a new truth to help them and they were promised that if they would follow it's counsel and keep their bodies more clean, then they would be more receptive to the Spirit of the Lord and better able to receive His further light and guidance.  

This same blessing has been promised to the rest of us as well.  We've received further understanding with passing years of the wisdom of that early counsel.  Nowdays we know more about addicting substances and how they can contribute to ill health both physically and spiritually.

The Lord wants to bless His children.  He has provided wisdom in the scriptures to help us know how to receive those blessings.  Later on I'll talk more about revelation and it's on-going need but here I'll just share my gratitude that the Heavens have NOT been closed and that the Lord loves us now just as he did in ancient times when he gave counsel for the pressing issues of their day; i.e. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Children of Israel, Joseph in Egypt, Daniel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ruth and Naomi, Esther, the early Apostles etc.  They each needed direction for their concerns and the Lord gave it.  He will help us as well.  I know that for myself. 

PLEASE Vote for Catherine Armstrong!!! Mobility VAN

Precious Catherine

My daughter is serving as a missionary in North Carolina and has recently been working with a dear family whose daughter was born with spin-bifida and is in need of an accessible van to help her get around.

I don't often ask for favors - but am asking for one now.  

Catherine Armstrong has applied to 'win' a vehicle - but needs our daily votes until the middle of May.  It's a simple thing each of us can do and could change her life (double votes for answering a simple question).

Will you consider reading about Catherine, her challenges, and yet her dogged determination to succeed and to become a teacher?  She's quite the marvel and..is a precious soul.

She has served many, many others and has opened the way for others with disabilities to also succeed.

If you'd PLEASE VOTE for CATHERINE and…pass this along - it would be GREATLY appreciated!  We can help someone in need to be able to do things that she can't do without transportation.

Blessings!
Heidi

!!! VOTE HERE for Catherine Armstrong: !!!

There is Always Hope!!!

Best Books for Youth - Mom Recommended

Best Books for Youth:

For Younger Youth:
Little Britches - series by Ralph Moody
The Prince and the Pauper - Mark Twain
The Oz Books - L. Frank Baum
Anne of Green Gables series - L.M. Montgomery
Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
The Princess and the Goblin (and Curdie Books)- George MacDonald
The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan
The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
Oh, the Places You'll Go! - Dr. Seuss





For Older Youth:
A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis
Till We Have Faces - C.S. Lewis  (Anything by C.S. Lewis)
The Pyrdain Chronicles - Lloyd Alexander
The Westmark Trilogy - Lloyd Alexander (Anything by Lloyd Alexander)
Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkein
Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
The Hiding Place - Corrie Ten Boom
Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott
Jane Austen Books - Pride and Prejudice etc.


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*See Also "Mom Recommended":
Best Books for Children
Best Books for Parents

Best Classics for Children
Best Classics for Youth

Thanks for Good Fathers and.....Love for those who don't have them....

Fatherhood is an eternally important role.  We are very grateful for those who have been good examples of fatherhood, leadership in the home, hard work, love, caring, teaching, providing etc.... and for those who are sincerely trying to do so.

This is a beautiful video message that we've been asked to share.  We do so happily.

But, for those who haven't had good fathers, who have struggled or suffered because of it, our hearts and love go to you.  You are not forgotten.  You are amongst many in a similar boat.  The only thing we can offer here is the message that even though you may have not had a good childhood yourself, you can provide one for your own children or for those around you who may be struggling.  And, we pray for healing of hearts and homes during difficult times.  We know that Christ offers that healing.

Learn how to be a better Father:  Fatherhood.